• #71 Barry Ham - Generational Wisdom
    May 13 2025

    Dr. Barry Ham discusses faith, family, and purpose.


    Key Takeaways


    - Dr. Ham emphasizes the importance of integrating faith into daily life, not just relegating it to Sundays

    - He advises parents to build strong relationships with kids early on, not waiting until just before college

    - Dr. Ham's book "Living on Purpose" explores finding God's broader purpose for one's life beyond specific decisions


    Topics


    Dr. Ham's Background and Faith Journey


    - Has two master's degrees (psychology, marriage/family counseling) and doctorate in clinical psychology

    - Taught psychology/sociology at University of Colorado Springs and Colorado Christian University for 25 years

    - Came to deeper personal faith in his 30s after period of questioning and study


    Advice for Families


    - Prioritize staying connected as a couple during child-rearing years (e.g. daily 15-min check-ins, date nights)

    - Build relationships with kids through shared activities and giving them your "best stuff", not just leftovers

    - Allow teens safe opportunities to try things while still under parental influence at home


    Integrating Faith into Daily Life


    - Make quiet time with God a priority, but vary the approach (e.g. prayer walks, gratitude practices)

    - Weigh decisions in light of scripture and God's leading

    - Let your life and actions speak to others, not just words


    Passing Faith to Next Generation


    - For grandparents: Be understanding of limitations if adult children aren't believers

    - For parents: Focus on building strong relationships and trust to have spiritual influence

    - Do fun, connecting activities regularly to establish open communication


    Book: "Living on Purpose"


    - Explores God's broader purpose beyond specific life decisions

    - Stemmed from Dr. Ham's intensive 30-day Bible study during faith crisis

    - Available on Amazon and through Dr. Ham's website



    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

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    33 mins
  • #70 Chris Carneal - Blind Spots, Big Wins
    May 8 2025

    Chris Carneal, founder and CEO of Booster, discusses entrepreneurship, business growth, and leadership insights.


    Key Takeaways


    - Momentum is crucial for early-stage businesses; focus on accelerating growth while addressing critical issues

    - Self-awareness is foundational for leadership success; regularly seek feedback and assess strengths/weaknesses

    - Establishing clear company virtues/values helps guide culture and decision-making as organizations scale

    - Balancing entrepreneurial drive with family/personal life is an ongoing challenge; prioritize regular check-ins


    Topics


    Chris's Entrepreneurial Journey


    - Started as a college baseball player giving lessons, which sparked his entrepreneurial spirit

    - Launched Booster from his dorm room, initially guaranteeing $3,000 to first client school

    - Grew from side hustle to $100M+ company with 1000+ employees over 23 years

    - Wrestled with tension between ministry/non-profit work and for-profit business early on


    Momentum in Business Growth


    - Theme for the year: "I create momentum in myself, with my team, for my clients"

    - Crucial to maintain momentum, especially in early startup/scale-up stages

    - Advice: Focus on core growth drivers while addressing critical issues, don't get overly distracted


    Self-Awareness and Leadership


    - Self-awareness rated as #1 trait for CEO success in recent survey

    - Recommended tactics:

    - Take multiple personality assessments (Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Enneagram, etc.)

    - Establish a personal board of advisors for honest feedback

    - Regularly assess strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots

    - Goal: Spend 80% of time leveraging strengths, delegate or systemize weaknesses


    Establishing Company Values/Virtues


    - Initially had 4 core values: integrity, enthusiasm, leadership, results

    - Transitioned to 6 virtues after 15 years: gratitude, wisdom, care, courage, celebration

    - Virtues are timeless, actionable, aspirational, and apply both professionally/personally

    - Define, display, and regularly reinforce virtues throughout the organization


    Balancing Entrepreneurship and Family


    - Acknowledged running at an unsustainable pace that exhausted his wife

    - Advice: Schedule regular marriage/family check-ins (annual trips, conferences, etc.)

    - Set appropriate boundaries and prioritize self-care to stay healthy/fueled




    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

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    33 mins
  • #69 Kyle Cravens - Leading with Purpose
    May 6 2025

    Kyle Cravens discusses his faith journey, career at LifeWay, and advice for Christian living.


    Key Takeaways


    - Kyle's 25-year career at LifeWay stemmed from volunteering in youth ministry and working summer camps, illustrating how following God's calling can lead to unexpected opportunities

    - Maintaining consistent faith practices (church, small groups, Bible study) helped Kyle navigate challenging seasons of caregiving for ailing parents and supporting his son through health issues

    - Kyle emphasizes the importance of parents prioritizing church involvement and creating a faith community for their children to foster spiritual growth and provide additional adult mentors


    Topics


    Kyle's Faith Journey


    - Grew up attending a small country church, accepted Christ at age 8

    - Loved serving in church from a young age, reading Bible/having quiet time by age 10

    - Initially pursued accounting career, but felt called to ministry through camp experiences

    - Transitioned from 10-year CPA career to 25-year (ongoing) career at LifeWay Christian Resources


    Discerning God's Call


    - Completed "Experiencing God" study, felt led to work summer camp staff

    - CPA firm allowed unpaid summer leave with benefits, opening door to camp ministry

    - Initially saw camp work as temporary, but doors kept opening for full-time LifeWay career

    - Emphasizes importance of being open to God's leading, even when it's unexpected/challenging


    Integrating Faith and Work


    - Easier in Christian work environment, but possible anywhere through:

    - Showing basic kindness, positive attitude, quality work

    - Building relationships to understand how to minister to coworkers

    - Finding your "sweet spot" - work you're passionate about with people you enjoy


    Navigating Difficult Seasons


    - 10-year period of caregiving for parents with health issues (diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's)

    - Simultaneously supporting teenage son through anxiety, eating disorder

    - Maintained faith practices: church attendance, small group, prayer, Bible reading

    - Adopted mindset of "play the cards you're dealt" - step up and do what's needed

    - Chose to trust God's sovereignty rather than becoming bitter


    Advice for Parents on Faith Formation


    - Make church attendance a consistent priority, even as kids get older/busier

    - Ensure children/teens are involved in age-appropriate church activities

    - Foster long-term small group relationships to provide additional adult mentors

    - Include kids in family small group gatherings when possible

    - Recognize importance of teens "owning their faith" for college/adulthood


    Technology and Student Ministry


    - Increase in devices/social media has changed youth culture significantly

    - LifeWay adapting camp programs while maintaining core elements like guided Bible study

    - Book recommendation: "The Anxious Generation" on impact of smartphones on teens


    Kyle's New Ministry Venture


    - Recently launched website (kylecravens.com) for weekly devotionals, monthly articles

    - Felt God's prompting to write and share, even without paid assignments

    - Focusing on obedience and potential impact, rather than audience size metrics


    Next Steps


    - Visit kylecravens.com to sign up for "Tuesday Treats" weekly devotionals


    - Consider reading recommended books: "Experiencing God", "I Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at My Table"

    - Parents: Prioritize consistent church involvement for children/teens

    - Evaluate how to integrate faith practices in daily life and work environments


    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

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    38 mins
  • #68 Cory Carlson - Reps. Coaches. Breakthroughs.
    May 1 2025

    Interview with executive coach Cory Carlson on winning at work and home.


    Key Takeaways


    - Cory emphasizes intentionality to succeed both at work and home, rejecting the notion it's an either/or choice

    - He advocates for getting a coach, joining communities, and finding mentors to support personal/professional growth

    - Cory's "rise and go" philosophy encourages resilience and moving forward after setbacks

    - Daily quiet time with scripture, prayer and journaling is key advice Cory wishes he had 10 years ago


    Topics


    Cory's Background and Coaching Approach


    - Former VP of $120M division, felt overwhelmed and hired an executive coach

    - Now an executive coach himself focused on helping leaders win at work and home

    - Uses a "4 P's" coaching model: Perspective, Potential, Priorities, Path Forward

    - Emphasizes accountability and action steps between coaching sessions


    Rise Community and Speaking


    - Recently launched "Rise Community" for men to discuss work, home and faith

    - 44 members so far with weekly calls and monthly guest speakers

    - Offers speaking engagements on "win at home first" and "rise and go" topics

    - Advises new speakers to start with 1-2 polished talks and get free practice reps


    Importance of Mentorship and Community


    - Advocates having mentors (free, older advisors), joining groups/mastermind communities

    - Recommends one-on-one coaching for personalized content and direction

    - Still has his own coach to help with limiting beliefs and vision-setting

    - Participates in small groups for scripture study and masterminds to sharpen his craft


    Work-Life Balance Insights


    - Shares story of overworking when starting coaching business

    - Found peace through "God has the night shift" mentality from Psalm 127

    - Encourages faith that things will progress even when not working constantly


    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

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    38 mins
  • #67 Bryan Holyfield - Parenting, Sleep, & Stress: Hacks for Healthier Living
    Apr 29 2025

    Bryan Holyfield discusses parenting, health, and intentional fatherhood.


    Key Takeaways


    - Intentional parenting involves creating rites of passage and milestones for children as they grow

    - Small, sustainable health habits are more effective than extreme approaches for long-term wellness

    - Parents should prioritize their own health and pursuits to be better role models for their children

    - Stress management and quality sleep are crucial for overall health and showing up well for family


    Topics


    Bryan's Background and Family


    - Grew up as a missionary kid in Russia for 9 years (ages 10-19)

    - Married high school sweetheart, now married 15 years with 4 boys (ages 2-13)

    - Owns fitness/nutrition coaching business and facilitates Iron Forums group


    Intentional Parenting and Rites of Passage


    - Creates milestone experiences for sons at ages 10, 13, 16, 18

    - Age 10: Special trip, discussed puberty changes using a book

    - Age 13: Father-son bonding trip, discussed expectations for teen years

    - Emphasizes creating a vision and roadmap with the child as they mature


    Advice for Parents of Young Children


    - Plan rites of passage early, starting around age 7-8

    - Stay physically active to connect with kids and model healthy habits

    - Avoid living vicariously through children's sports/activities

    - Create pickup game opportunities rather than over-structuring sports


    Bryan's Book: "Small Wins, Big Health"


    - Addresses 10 major myths/problems in fitness and wellness

    - Focuses on simple, sustainable habits rather than extreme approaches

    - Covers sleep, stress, nutrition, and overall well-being


    Sleep Improvement Tips


    - Digital detox 1 hour before bed

    - Consistent bedtime routine

    - Magnesium glycinate supplement (200-300mg) before bed

    - Limit alcohol consumption

    - Avoid caffeine after 3pm (8-hour half-life)


    Stress Management for Parents


    - Identify sources of stress (emotional, physical, environmental)

    - Create a "stress toolkit" of healthy coping mechanisms

    - Activate parasympathetic nervous system through calming activities

    - Schedule brief 5-10 minute relaxation breaks throughout the day

    - Integrate relaxation into family routines (e.g. bath time)


    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

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    43 mins
  • #66 Josh Latimer - Overcoming Comfort Zones & Sales Strategies
    Apr 24 2025

    Joshua Latimer discusses business growth strategies and entrepreneurship.


    Key Takeaways


    - Everything is marketing and marketing is everything - choreographed communication is key in all aspects of business

    - Focus on the 5 core parts of every business: lead generation, lead nurture, sales, delivery, and ascension

    - Overcome FOPO (fear, overwhelm, procrastination, overthinking) to grow your business

    - Consider launching a coaching/mentoring program to leverage expertise and create additional revenue streams


    Topics


    Joshua's Background and Business Experience


    - Built and sold 4 companies, including a window cleaning business that scaled to $200k/month

    - Married high school sweetheart, has 5 kids

    - Focus areas: entrepreneurship, Kingdom business, marketing


    Marketing Philosophy


    - "Everything is marketing and marketing is everything"

    - Choreographed communication is crucial in all business aspects (sales, culture, personal development)

    - Example: Level 1 vs Level 5 communication with kids shows power of intentional communication


    5 Core Parts of Every Business


    1. Lead generation - know your numbers, understand seasonality

    2. Lead nurture - stay top of mind, provide value beyond just selling

    3. Sales - focus on choreography, cross-selling, upselling

    4. Delivery - exceed expectations, wow customers

    5. Ascension - continually offer next level products/services


    Overcoming Mental Blocks (FOPO)


    - FOPO = Fear, Overwhelm, Procrastination, Overthinking

    - Take action to defeat fear

    - Prioritize to overcome overwhelm

    - Clarify desires/goals to reduce procrastination

    - Create accountability/constraints to limit overthinking


    Mindset and Faith Perspective


    - God wants us to grow and expand what we're given (parable of talents)

    - Desire for growth/success isn't inherently greedy

    - Money is a magnifier/amplifier of who we already are


    Coaching and Mentorship


    - Everyone should have a mentor and be a mentor

    - Paying for coaching raises stakes and commitment

    - Consider launching a coaching program to leverage expertise



    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • #65 Lex Bowen - From Discipleship to Destiny: Answering the Call
    Apr 22 2025

    Lex Bowen discusses his faith journey, discipleship experiences, and advice for believers.


    Key Takeaways


    - Lex's faith journey began at age 16 through a youth camp experience, transforming his life

    - Discipleship and structured prayer practices were crucial in Lex's spiritual growth

    - Lex emphasizes the importance of authenticity, prayer, and exploring various ministry opportunities to discern God's calling


    Topics


    Lex's Conversion Story


    - Grew up with a non-churchgoing father and a mother who encouraged church attendance

    - At age 16, attended a youth camp where he committed his life to Christ on August 16, 1970

    - Experienced a dramatic lifestyle change, moving away from drinking and negative influences


    Importance of Discipleship


    - Participated in a 26-week "Master Life" discipleship program

    - Emphasized transformation over mere learning in discipleship

    - Structured approach included prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and evangelism

    - Continued to lead discipleship groups throughout his ministry career


    Prayer and Spiritual Growth


    - Adopted the "2959 Plan" (29 minutes and 59 seconds with God daily)

    - Learned five aspects of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and petition

    - Developed a structured prayer routine focusing on different areas each day of the week


    Discerning God's Call


    - Believes God calls people to service rather than specific roles

    - Encourages exploring various ministry opportunities to find the right fit

    - Emphasizes the importance of God's peace in decision-making

    - Shared personal story of following God's call to missions despite family health challenges


    Advice for Parents and Grandparents


    - Prioritize praying for children and grandchildren daily

    - Be consistent and authentic in faith walk at home and in public

    - Live each year as a gift, anticipating God's use and seeking to glorify Him



    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

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    56 mins
  • #64 Chaz Wolfe - Chaz Wolfe - The Success Obsession
    Apr 17 2025

    Chaz Wolfe discusses his entrepreneurial journey and business insights.


    Key Takeaways


    - Focus on generating abundant leads before refining systems when starting a business

    - Use personality assessment tools like Predictive Index to hire the right people for roles

    - Prioritize obsession with family/health alongside business to achieve holistic success

    - Operate on a shared calendar and have weekly check-ins to maintain work-life alignment


    Topics


    Chaz's Entrepreneurial Background


    - Started as a teenager doing odd jobs like shoveling driveways and mowing lawns

    - Purchased Edible Arrangements franchise at 24, grew to 7 locations in 3 cities over 4 years

    - Currently involved in multiple businesses including real estate, construction, and mastermind community


    Advice for New Entrepreneurs


    - Focus on generating abundant leads rather than perfecting systems initially

    - Recommended resources: "Fanatical Prospecting" by Jeff Blunt, Marketing School podcast by Neil Patel

    - Take action and learn from mistakes rather than over-analyzing


    Hiring Best Practices


    - Use personality assessment tools like Predictive Index to match candidates to roles

    - Assess detailed traits (e.g. social vs. detail-oriented) to ensure fit, especially for remote roles

    - View proper placement as good stewardship of human resources


    Work-Life Integration


    - Reject notion of "balance", instead pursue "obsession" in multiple life areas

    - Use shared family calendar to intentionally schedule personal/family time

    - Have weekly check-ins with spouse to assess how you "showed up" and can improve


    Gathering the Kings Community


    - Mastermind group for family-oriented, down-to-earth, growth-minded entrepreneurs

    - Offers resources like family vacations, success principles for kids, gender-specific content

    - Aims to help entrepreneurs "win in all areas" of life



    You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.


    Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

    You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com


    Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com


    Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins