Coffee For Your Soul

Happy Valentine's Day.  Sure we talk about spreading the love at work but in our current culture, any affection can be misleading or misunderstood.  So, how do you celebrate this Hallmark/FTD style "holiday" without your motives being questioned?  PURPOSE OF THIS EPISODE Knowing how to show others you care without being misunderstood is a skill you need to develop. TALKING POINTS FOR THIS EPISODE Celebrate Valentine's Day as a team, not as individuals Zig Ziglar and the redhead Suddenly, VP Mike Pence and his wife are the examples of appropriate behavior The very awkward hug that cannot be misinterpreted What if you already work for a company with very questionable values? LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Book: Everything I Know I Learned in Kindergarten Book: Crucial Conversations TWEET IT FORWARD [bctt tweet="Hugging with a closed hand may be awkward, but you can't be accused of groping." username="@Coffee4YourSoul"] [bctt tweet="Always express your intent before sharing your content.

Do you lug your work home with you every night?  Maybe just on the weekends?  If you do, just stop.  You are not doing your boss any favors.  It just tells him you can't get it done in the time he's given you during the day.  It also tells your spouse/family that your work is more important than your time with them.  It's time to find a better way. PURPOSE OF THIS EPISODE Bringing your work home doesn't help your work and doesn't help your home. TALKING POINTS FOR THIS "ESPRESSO" EPISODE It's not fair to your boss ... AND ... It's not fair to your family Don't bring the physical work home Don't bring the mental work home Don't bring the emotional work home When you're at work, BE at work.  When you're at home, BE at home But what if you work at home?  Then what? TWEET IT FORWARD [bctt tweet="Be committed to always say NO when considering bringing work home." username="@Coffee4YourSoul"] [bctt tweet="Startup and shutdown rituals at work safeguard you from brin

When you work for the best company in the world, it's easy to be excited and represent them well.  That's the case for most of us.  Some of you work for a company and you have no clue what their mission statement is or the values.  You just work there.  Some of you work for a company you hate.  Their values don't represent yours and you're there because you need the job. Regardless of what your situation is, you represent that company both on the job and off the job.  How do you do this honorably?   PURPOSE OF THIS EPISODE When you represent the company you work for well, it is for your benefit. TALKING POINTS FOR THIS EPISODE Separate but together… Kill the assumptions "Oh, so you work for him…" Coffee should not be a political statement - a Starbucks Story Believe in the company first, your boss second, yourself always What if you already work for a company with very questionable values? TWEET IT FORWARD [bctt tweet="What does your company's missions statement mea

Have you ever lost your Job?  You know, got fired, pink-slipped, let go, downsized.  No matter how it's stated, it's no fun at all.  Your ego is bruised.  Your confidence is shaken.  Finances immediately come to mind.  What will your spouse say?  So many feelings.  Then you have to start the process of looking for a new source of financial stability.  What do you do? PURPOSE OF THIS EPISODE How you handle being fired is your best decision moving forward. TALKING POINTS FOR THIS EPISODE Put a time limit on wallowing in misery Avoid the negative people in your life Look ahead, not back.  It's not "What did I lose?" rather "What's ahead for me?" You work ethic will show up for better or worse. Anticipation is a good thing, paranoia is not.  (article) Arguing helps no one Make job hunting your new job YouTube (yes, YouTube), Udemy, Lynda, Thinkific and more are ways to gain skills needed for jobs you may want to get. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

You have a job that you're really into.  You're good at it and the company likes you.  You have it made.  You dive in and give it everything you've got.  Then the company restructures and you're out.  That sucks but there's good news.  Your job does not define you.  At least, it shouldn't. Purpose of this Episode Defining your life is what makes you great at your job. Talking Points of this Episode Defining yourself is a lifelong journey Pursuit of goals vs. the pursuit of growth NASCAR drivers "Office Space" the movie Colossians 3:23-24 You are more than your job Kind of a big dill Abstract art - I don't get it "Hitch" the movie Acts 18:3, 20:34-35 Links Mentioned in this Episode "Hitch" synopsis on IMDB "Office Space" synopsis on IMDB A great resource for this concept can be found in our interview with Kevin Monroe. Tweet It Forward [bctt tweet="Be yourself on the job, not what people expect you to be on the job." username="@CoffeeForYourSoul"] [bctt tweet="The definit

Leading when you're at work is hard when you don't have the fancy title or shiny nametag to tell the rest of the company how important you are.  Truth is, leading has very little to do with titles or paychecks.  Yes, the bigger the title, the bigger the paycheck.  Both can get in the way of being a true leader, especially when it comes to your faith.   As we tackle 2018 with an emphasis on being spiritually awake in the breakroom and other offices,  Be a great follower.  Ask "How high?" Your co-workers notice how you work.  We know this because you notice how your co-workers work.  Let them see how great you are at following.  Do your job well. Everybody Has a Title.  You Just May Not Like Yours. Peon, laborer, CEO, Administrative/Executive Assistant, bottom-rung'er, janitor/custodian/maintenance tech... everyone has a label.  Don't be intimidated by anyone's title.  Don't look down on anyone's title.  Leadership has nothing to do with wheth

Having a Happy New Year is more than just a single day (or eve) celebration.  It should be a whole year.  Not just a one-year party.  That'd get old very quickly.  (Imagine the hangover!)  I'm talking about a year like no other.  It just doesn't have to be another year closer to retirement.  It doesn't even have to be another year "older."  It can be a year where you do something completely different.   As we begin the new year, here are our talking points for making 2018 like no other. There's nothing new under the sun, BUT... Focus on giving, not getting. Focus more on yourself. (No, this one doesn't contradict the previous one.) Become more uncomfortable on purpose. Step Up. Step Out. Step On It. Focus on the "YET!" Following these ideas in 2018 will give you a new perspective and new challenges to conquer. One book that was mentioned is "Ordering Your Private World" by Gordon MacDonald.  It's a great read. What is one thing you plan to do completely

2018 is almost here.  So shake off the past and look forward to another great year.  Our last podcast of the year should be no shocker.   We challenge each of you to grab hold of at least one of these slightly unconventional goals.  It may make the difference between just another year or a life-changing year.  You never know until you try.   MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY NEW YEAR GOD BLESS From co-hosts Jamey French and Bill McConnell What great things do you have planned for 2018?

Trauma is many times an unavoidable part of life.  Darlene Kinchen experienced such an unavoidable event at age 14.  What she did with it has shaped a life of service, passion, and intercession.  Her story is what shaped her life and destiny.  Her story needs to be heard. Jamey and I thought this interview was going in a certain direction.  We were wrong.  Isn't the first time.  We were leaning toward the effects that media has on children and families.  Few things startle me but the very beginning of Darlene's story did.  I didn't see that coming.  We ended up hearing Darlene's story and the direction her life had taken since witnessing something no one should ever have to witness. Which is worse:  Simply not caring or caring and choosing not to do anything?    Worse than both is wanting to do something, begging to be able to do something and not be allowed to do anything.  You cannot just go on with life and ignore what you just saw. &n

Resolutions are an annual opportunity to start the year off with failure.  Wouldn't you agree?  A new year is almost here and with it comes new opportunities, the idea of a fresh start and yet another chance for you to state your New Year's Resolutions and take them to a kitchen appliance.  For the record, resolutions suck.  Goals are the way to change and grow.  Resolutions are the quick way to failure and regret.  How do I know this?  It's no secret.  Most of America knows it.  Sad, but true. You may be in the habit of stating your resolutions for the coming year.  Good for you.  Could you tell me exactly what those resolutions were last December and did you succeed in achieving them?  If you can, that's fantastic.  That puts you in the top 8% of the 45% of US adults who join in on the annual New Year's Resolution fad.  Obviously, the rest try and fail.  Not just fail but fail miserably. Before we get too deep, can you sit do

The Camino de Santiago is more than a walk.  It truly is a spiritual journey.  Thurland and Lorraine Brown have done this walk two times and they may just be getting started.   My former youth pastor and his wife from way back in the nineteen seventies join the podcast for an interview following their second 800km trek of the Camino de Santiago. It was much more than just a hike for them.  Here are the highlights... We could.  We should.  We're compelled. Every step a prayer. Deep relationships happen quickly. Who is this Spanish Angel? ...and then there's Mia from Korea. Thurland is a retired pastor who started walking in order to slow the possible onset of diabetes.  One thing led to another and he ended up walking much more than the average person.  The suggestion of 10,000 steps a day seemed massive at first.  Now, not so much. It's more than just a walk.  They're told that people do the Camino for one of four reasons: religious, spiritual, social/cul

Finish what you start.  That's been a theme in our household as I brought up my daughter.  I wanted to teach her how not to quit when things got hard.  It paid off.  She sticks to things and doesn't quit.  Dad is proud.  I find myself today trudging through a few things because I know they need to be finished.  Not for a boss or for money, but because they just need to be done.  So, what does it take for you to quit something? It's a question we ask ourselves many times each week.  We start by making a list of things we need to finish.  We need to get them done.  Some jobs are big and some just take a few minutes.  We tend to gravitate toward finishing the easy things first, just to check them off our list.  But if we do that all the time, eventually the big things that need our attention and require much more effort, may get started but don't get finished. [bctt tweet="Sometimes people do work they enjoy and they're getting absolutely nowher

Thanksgiving just screams tradition.  Your traditions may not be my traditions and mine may not be yours.  Let's just hope we all agree on good pumpkin pie.  Am I right? In this episode, Jamey and I drop some individual activities that make for a memorable Thanksgiving day.  It does not include Black Friday, for which both of us are truly thankful. We do, however, discuss Jamey's Rain or Shine Turkeybowl, the fear of having to face those relatives that you just don't like, or who don't like you and the true opportunity of connecting with the relatives we are stuck with. [bctt tweet="Friends may come and friends may go but you're stuck with your relatives. Play nice this Thanksgiving." username="@Coffee4YourSoul"] My family lives at least 2,000+ miles away from my nearest relative.  It's further than that for my wife's side of the family.  Connecting with relatives during the Thanksgiving season hasn't happened for many years.  We do connect with good friends when the

Holiday issues.  Everybody has them.  Even you.  There's something that you don't like about the holidays and you need to find a way to either get over it or deal with it.  So what is it for you?  Consumerism.  Crowds.  Misplaced priorities.  What? In early August, our local grocery store had Halloween candy on the shelves.  That's a little too early for me.  By September, there were a few shelves of Thanksgiving decorations.  By the end of September, the shelves were competing with early Christmas decorations.  C'mon people.  This is not what it's about.  At least, not for me. This is what depresses me about the holiday seasons.  It shouldn't but it does.  Too much stuff, too soon, too commercial. I know I'm not alone in this thought process.  It bleeds far beyond the Christmas season.  Consider it a year-round problem. Yes, I understand that some businesses rely heavily on the October through January holid

Unexpected events happen in our lives more than we care to admit.  It's not just the little daily things that can shift us off center.  It's those big things, the unexpected things that blindside us that change our lives forever.  How do you deal with them and how well do you handle them? What kind of events blindside you?  Jamey and I came up with a few of the obvious ones, like a death in the family, major accidents, financial setbacks, suddenly losing your job. Both Jamey and I talk about personal experiences with being suddenly fired.  I share some more about my wife almost left me seven years into our marriage.  It gets personal and that's OK.  We're all going to get blindsided in life.  You cannot see everything coming.  It just doesn't work that way. [bctt tweet="The person who's never blindsided is either oblivious or numb to reality." username="@Coffee4YourSoul"] How you handle the worst of life is a testament to who you are as a person.  It s

Selfishness is the best way to kill a friendship, relationship, business venture or any other kind of interaction with, well, anyone.  It is a lacking of consideration for other people.  Simple and lethal. When it's all about you, other people suffer.  They may not tell you but over time it will kill a relationship.  You don't notice as much because, well, it's all about you.  Selfishness in it's simplest form is a lack of consideration for others.  It comes out when you're driving and other don't drive the way you think they should.  (Isn't that always the case?)  It comes out when the two of you can't decide what TV show to watch.  It becomes a battle of wants over things that, most of the time, are not worth the argument or the effort.  It becomes a battle of wills and the will many times is just selfishness. Being selfish is a spiritual battle that's not just between you and God.  Your selfish actions are a distraction from God to those around

"Gossip is the devil's radio," said Beatle's George Harrison.   Everybody talks about everybody else and yet, nobody wants to admit it.  It takes a disciplined mind and heart to keep ourselves from sharing the juicy story we're just not sure is true. In this podcast, we do our very best not to talk about the Kardashians or anyone else, although I do mention my neighbors to the north and the south in the best way possible. Our Gossip Talking Points for this podcast... Prayer request announcements Where and how does gossip originate Reality TV She can't be involved in ministry because... We need to pray for our pastor because, well, I'm sure you've heard by now that... The reason for cliques If the information is true, is it Ok to talk about it?  After all, it is true. Jamie and I both share the worst gossip told about us.  Well, at least the worst we've actually heard was spread about us. This is a slightly lighthearted look at a topic that is killing the church, and sometimes the past

Advice is something all of us want at some point in our lives.  Good advice at the right time can be an amazing blessing.  However, if the timing is bad, your advice may be doing more harm than good. In this episode, we unpack some very untimely advice that is given when people really don't want to hear it.  Although both Jamey and I agree that most of these sayings are true, the timing and intent can do much more harm than good. We're talking about statements like, "God has a plan for all of this." or "God won't put you through something He knows you can't handle." We even dive into the total turnoff of "Christian-ese."  You know, someone talking and can't get through a single sentence without using what many would call "Biblical slang."  If an unbeliever hears someone talk about being "washed in the blood of the lamb" you know they're running for the door.  They just don't understand. Although we have some fun with this topic, we don't make light of the fact that most of the

Worry is the main course of stress in our world today.  The sad thing is that about 90% of everything we worry about never happens.  So, we worry about nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  What are you worried about right now? In this episode, Jamey and I unpack the idea that people are worried sick about stuff that just won't happen. Politics are out of control.  Weather disasters are happening whether we like it or not.  Personal struggles are there when we wake up every morning.  Relationships are pulling at us in several directions.  Yet, none of them are solved by worry. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 Let's get real about how we handle worry in our own lives? These two earlier podcast are a good supplement to this topic:

Purpose is a very hot topic these days and Kevin Monroe has what we all need to hear.  In this week's podcast, Kevin unwraps the ideas of personal life purpose in a way you haven't heard before. This topic is a welcome expansion on our earlier podcast on purpose. Kevin is captivated by the idea that God has a higher purpose for life, leadership, and service. He believes the people who find and fulfill their higher purpose have more fun, experience greater fulfillment, and make the world better and brighter for everyone else. It is those beliefs that energize his work as an executive coach, leadership consultant, and keynote speaker.  He helps individuals and organizations give authentic expression to their higher purpose. He is the founder of X Factor Consulting and host of The Higher Purpose Podcast. Kevin has an MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University where he also studied Servant Leadership and a BA from Mercer University. Kevin is the host and organizer of the Navigating North