Faith and Enterprise Podcast: Spiritual Renewal for Your Work Life

We seek spiritual renewal in the workplace. Topics include finding meaning and purpose in our work lives, spiritual practices, overcoming stress and other aspects of toxic workplaces, spiritual aspects of leadership, and how our faith and spirituality can help us in our work. Typical length 8 - 12 minutes. More information: www.faithandenterprise.org.

Prayer and the Development of a Deeper Sense of Mission 09/04/2019

Prayer and the Development of a Deeper Sense of Mission In this program, we will talk about a time when Jesus went off and prayed by himself in the early morning hours, while it was still dark, and emerged with a very clear and powerful sense of mission. This might tell us something about a potential connection between prayer and our work and maybe between prayer and the sense of mission and purpose we bring to our work. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/11114891

The Story of Norman Borlaug and the Fight Against Global Famine 11/06/2017

The Story of Norman Borlaug and the Fight Against Global Famine This week we talk about the story of Norman Borlaug and his fight against famine. We also note some of the theological implications of Borlaug's work. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5916548

Weathering the Storms of Financial Crisis 10/24/2017

Weathering the Storms of Financial Crisis In this episode we talk about financial crisis, and how our faith and our spirituality can help us prepare for and survive such crisis. Along the way we will explore the story of Joseph and Pharaoh, and how Joseph's actions helped Egypt survive a potentially devastating famine. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5870046

Everyday Heroes in the Workplace 10/12/2017

Everyday Heroes in the Workplace This week we talk about everyday heroes – – the people who show up for work every day, doing work they do not particularly like, in order to support others for whom they care. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5835355

Risk and Opportunity in Our Work Lives 10/05/2017

Risk and Opportunity in Our Work Lives Most of us encounter both risk and opportunity in our work lives. How we understand and respond to these can make a big difference in our work lives and in how we live. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5809319

Leisure and the Sabbath: The Gift of Rest and Renewal 09/26/2017

Leisure and the Sabbath: The Gift of Rest and Renewal Most of us know that we could benefit from periodically taking time off from our work and responsibilities, and enjoying a time of rest and renewal. But that does not make it easy to do. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5778220

Two Competing Visions of the Future: Freedom and Dignity in Genesis 1 vs. The Babylonian Captivity 09/21/2017

Two Competing Visions of the Future: Freedom and Dignity in Genesis 1 vs. The Babylonian Captivity The creation story found at the beginning of the Bible had special meaning for the people of Israel during the period known as the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BCE. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5762210

Gratitude at Work 09/16/2017

Gratitude at Work (World Gratitude Day is September 21) /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5744919

Wisdom and Failure: The Story of King Solomon 08/31/2017

Wisdom and Failure: The Story of King Solomon Solomon was one of the greatest kings in the Bible, perhaps second only to King David. He accomplished great things and had a reputation for having great wisdom. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5692782

Courage in the Workplace 08/12/2017

Courage in the Workplace Many of us encounter anxiety, stress, and even fear in the workplace. There is a large amount of literature devoted to ways to cope with these problems; but instead of just coping, as though we were mere victims, what if we were able to move forward into the future with more courage? What if we could live more fully, with more vitality, in the face of what would otherwise be burdensome fears? Is it possible to develop the habit of living more courageously? /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5636361

Overcoming Workplace Toxicity 08/12/2017

Overcoming Workplace Toxicity The word "toxic" has taken on special meaning when applied to the workplace. When we hear someone speak of toxic bosses, toxic coworkers, or toxic working environments, we usually have a pretty good idea of the character of the relationships to which they are referring. We might not know the details, but we certainly know that something has gone wrong. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5636347

Work As Service To Others 07/15/2017

Work As Service To Others There are great many products and services, and a great many jobs, that are needed to build and maintain a flourishing society: those who produce food and other goods, distributors and retailers, communicators of various kinds, accountants, lawyers, and administrators, and many, many others. And here we have a problem – – a problem of perception. The contribution of the people doing many of these jobs goes unappreciated, at least in religious contexts. Our religious traditions tend to emphasize healing the sick, feeding the poor, and volunteering for church missions. All of these are important, but sometimes we overlook all the different ways people contribute to the well-being of others in their daily work. In this episode, we try to come to grips with this issue using Isaiah 61:1-4 as a staring point. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5541409

The Power of Humility 06/21/2017

The Power of Humility Humility, properly understood, can make an important contribution to our spiritual and psychological flourishing, and can have very important benefits for our work life. It is helpful to think of humility as having to do with a reduced focus on one's own self. The person with humility is less concerned with maintaining a high degree of self-importance, or high social status, and is therefore more open to information and insights from others, whether it supports his or her own viewpoint or not. This can be very important in our work life. If we are more open to information that has not been filtered through our own ego needs, we are more likely see things as they really are and to act with wisdom. We are also more likely appreciate other people, and the contribution they make; this is bound to lead to stronger relationships, greater collaboration, and more effective leadership. By clearing away excessive self concern, humility can help us to engage life more deeply and be more fully alive. And this is bound to be enormously valuable in our daily life, and for the people with whom we come in contact. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5466972

The Ups and Downs of Finding and Following a Calling 04/19/2017

The Ups and Downs of Finding and Following a Calling In this special edition we interview solar energy professional Tom King. Tom has a very interesting story to tell about finding and following a calling, and the ups and downs this can involve. Along the way he has worked in a variety of fields -- coaching college sports, construction, information technology, a small food start up, produce distribution, and now solar energy. Tom has picked up several important insights which he shares with us. This is our first interview; let us know if you like the format and we will do more. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5280674

Liberate the Human Spirit! 03/25/2017

Liberate the Human Spirit! Have you ever worked in an environment that seemed designed to crush the human spirit and to eliminate any sort of initiative or creativity? Maybe you have also seen working environments that seem to liberate the human spirit, workplaces where people seem to be more alive, more purposeful, more engaged -- and also happier. This raises the question: how might we encourage more of the latter? How might we create environments that liberate the human spirit rather than suppress it? We explore this question in this episode, and along the way draw out insights pertaining to our psychological and spiritual growth and development. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5202069

The Quest for the Sacred 03/07/2017

The Quest for the Sacred The story of the Wise Men and King Herod is one of the great stories of the Bible. One way to look at the story is as a conflict between two human drives -- the desire for stability and order, on the one hand, and the quest for the sacred on the other. Either drive can be corrupted, but both are necessary for human flourishing. We discuss the story and the possible implications for our own quest for the sacred. The story is from the New Testament, Matthew 2:1-18. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5146141

Can Your Work Be Your Calling? 02/21/2017

Can Your Work Be Your Calling? No matter what we see as the primary purpose of our work, it is clear that if we can find more meaning in it, then we are likely to be more effective, more purposeful, and happier. For some people, this means seeing their work as their calling. In this episode we talk about what it means to have a calling, and how we might develop or find it. While people have used several very different definitions, we will focus on what we see as its key aspects. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5104098

Going Backwards 02/12/2017

Going Backwards Most of us have had times when we seem to be going backwards in our career or in our work life. Or maybe times when we seemed to be dead in the water while everyone else was moving forward. But in these situations are we really moving backwards? Or might there be something going on, out of sight – – something that is laying the foundation for new growth – – something of which we might be completely unaware? There is hope! It is not unusual for people, as they get older, to look back on those times when they thought they were stuck and to realize that these periods were important for their subsequent growth. We might not be able to change our objective circumstances, at least in the short run, but we can control our response to these circumstances, and in some ways our response is likely to be the most important factor over the long run. Your current situation is not the end of the story. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5075979

The Examen: An Important Spiritual Practice 02/03/2017

The Examen: An Important Spiritual Practice There are spiritual practices that might help us become alert to the spiritual aspects of our daily lives; one especially powerful one is called the Examen. The Examen was developed by Ignatius of Loyola about 500 years ago. He developed as a way of knowing when we seem to be moving towards God, and when we seem to be moving away from God. The practice involves looking at our recent life (perhaps the most recent day or half day) in considerable detail, and being alert to spiritual clues. In this episode we look at some of Ignatius' story and how he came to develop the Examen. We then discuss how we might use the practice today to become more alert to what might be spiritual aspects of our busy days. (Time: 9:60) /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/5050578

Work Related Stress Part 1 01/26/2017

Work Related Stress Part 1 We all know how painful and dysfunction stress can be. It can damage our health and limit our effectiveness. But there are some things we can do. In this episode, we will begin by focusing on the work of psychologist Richard Lazarus and the importance of how we appraise potentially stressful situations. Lazarus takes what he describes as a relational approach to stress and the related emotions – – in other words, he sees stress as originating in an unsatisfactory relationship between the environment and the individual, as appraised or evaluated by the individual. This last element, appraisal, is key. The different ways individuals appraise the situation is part of the reason why different individuals respond to situations differently, and why the same individual can respond to essentially the same situation in different ways at different times. One especially important aspect of this appraisal process is the determination of whether or not we have the resources (both tangible and intangible) necessary to deal with the situation and the possible outcomes. If we do not believe we have the resources, then our stress level is likely to go up to high levels. If we do believe we have the resources, then we are more likely to deal with the situation as a manageable challenge. We also draw out possible spiritual and religious connections. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4934123

Passion and Work 01/17/2017

Passion and Work Robert Vallerand has written a very interesting book called: The Psychology of Passion: A Dualistic Model. In it, he presents research suggesting that there are two types of passion: harmonious passion and obsessive passion. The distinction between the two has important implications for topics such as burnout, stress, flow, and creativity. In this episode, we discuss Vallerand's work and consider the important implications for our work life. We also look for possible connections between the two types of passion and our faith and spirituality. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4999813

Spiritual Renewal in Our Work Lives 01/12/2017

Spiritual Renewal in Our Work Lives Finding ways to promote spiritual renewal in our work lives is the mission of the Center for Faith and Enterprise. But what does spiritual renewal mean? And how might it effect our work lives? In this week's episode, we consider the deep human desire for the sacred and how this might play a role in our daily lives, including our work lives. Along the way we talk about how spiritual renewal could affect various aspects of our work lives -- our sense of purpose, compassion, collaborative relationships, resilience, and others. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4985423

Entering the State of Flow (aka "Being in the Zone") 11/24/2016

Entering the State of Flow (aka "Being in the Zone") Most if us are familiar with the expression being in the zone, and in fact most have probably experienced it at some point. Psychologists usually refer to it as being in a state of flow. It is usually thought of as involving a higher level of alertness, concentration, and maybe skill. Most also remember it as a very positive experience. The state of flow is not often thought of as spiritual but there is a possible relationship that is worth exploring, and in any case the concept has a lot to say about human flourishing and growth. In this episode we discuss flow and its causes, benefits, and connection with our faith and spirituality. We also discuss how we might experience it more often. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4858489

Burnout in the Workplace: There Are Things We Can Do 11/17/2016

Burnout in the Workplace: There Are Things We Can Do Burnout in our work lives is an important problem -- painful, frustrating, and damaging. It is usually the result of prolonged stress, often caused by a mismatch between the individual and the work or between the individual and the work environment. But there are things that we can do. Some of these involve organizational or work flow change, some involve improving personal resilience, and some involve our faith and spirituality. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4838003

Workplace Stress: Can a Spiritual Practice Known as the Prayer Mantra Help? 10/16/2016

Workplace Stress: Can a Spiritual Practice Known as the Prayer Mantra Help? Stress can have important negative consequences for both our health and our effectiveness. Few of us are at our best when we are carrying the emotional burden of stress. In this episode we discuss a spiritual practice known as the prayer mantra that might help; the prayer mantra can help us turn towards God, calm down, place our problems into a more realistic perspective, and act with greater strength, insight, and resilience. It can also provide support when we are facing a crisis and there is little or no time to do anything else. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4685829

Developing a Deeper Sense of Mission and Purpose: Can Prayer Help? 10/15/2016

Developing a Deeper Sense of Mission and Purpose: Can Prayer Help? Most of us would probably like to work with a deeper sense of purpose and mission; maybe prayer can help. This episode provides an example from the life of Jesus and begins with a story about a time when he went off and prayed by himself in the early morning hours. You might find it has something important to say about a possible connection between prayer and the sense of purpose or mission we bring to our work. In this context we also discuss receptive prayer as a helpful spiritual practice. The story is from the Biblical book of Mark, Chapter 1 verses 35-39. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4679865

Building Collaboration and Productive Collaborative Relationships: The Role of Personal Values 10/15/2016

Building Collaboration and Productive Collaborative Relationships: The Role of Personal Values Collaboration and collaborative relationships are often the key to success in business and most other professions. These relationships are in turn heavily dependent on the values we bring to our work -- values like honesty, compassion, humility, transparency, patience, and courage. These values are also the ones usually taught by the church and most other religious institutions. In this episode we talk about these values, and why collaboration is so important to the production of value in business, properly understood. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4735579

The Power of Integrity in Our Work Lives 09/27/2016

The Power of Integrity in Our Work Lives When we have integrity, our words and actions are in alignment with our values and who we are at a deep level. In this episode, we recount the story of Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, and explore what it might be saying about the power of integrity, even in the face of false accusations. This story is from the Biblical book of Genesis, Chapter 39, and takes place after Joseph has been kidnapped by his older brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. It will lead us into a discussion of how integrity might provide a foundation for increased strength and resiliency. /episode/index/show/faithandenterprise/id/4691599

Faith and Enterprise Podcast: Spiritual Renewal for Your Work Life

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