In this inspiring episode, Ann sits down with Dr. Jen Bennett, an educator, author, and host of She Impacts Culture, whose career has been anything but linear. From youth ministry to entrepreneurship, from the classroom to higher education leadership, Jen’s story is a beautiful reminder that God’s calling rarely follows a straight line.

Together, Ann and Jen unpack how to recognize God’s hand in the unexpected turns of your career, the importance of rooting your identity in Christ rather than your title, and why fear often signals that you’re standing on the edge of something holy. Jen shares practical tools for discerning next steps, including a journaling exercise that can help you quiet the noise and hear God’s direction more clearly.

Whether you’re in a season of uncertainty, transition, or possibility, this conversation will remind you that God’s plans are always purposeful—and that your pivots might just be His preparation.

🔑 Three Key Takeaways1️⃣ Your career path doesn’t have to be straight to be sacred. God uses every detour, delay, and pivot to shape your character and calling.

2️⃣ Your identity isn’t your job title. When your worth is grounded in who—and Whose—you are, you can take risks without losing yourself.

3️⃣ Peace is often the green light. You may not have all the answers, but you can have peace. Trust it more than certainty.

✍️ Quote Worth Remembering“I never want to get to the end of my life and wonder what could have been if I hadn’t let fear stop me.” — Dr. Jen Bennett

📚 Resources & Mentions

• #BeWorthFollowing by Dr. Jen Bennett

• She Impacts Culture Podcast

• Miami University’s Center for L.I.F.E. — Leading the Integration of Faith & Entrepreneurship

• Faith at Work: A Practical Guide to Aligning Your Career with Who God Created You to Be by Ann Eileen Thompson
  

🎧 Listen & Share

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend or colleague who’s navigating a transition or discerning a new direction. Subscribe to Faith-Driven Leader wherever you listen to podcasts—and keep leading with faith, courage, and purpose.

In this powerful and practical episode, Ann sits down with Lyle Wells, president of Integrus Leadership, former pastor and college basketball coach, and author of the new book Easy to Follow: Trading Toxic Leadership for the Love of Christ.

Lyle shares a refreshingly simple framework: leadership isn’t a title—it’s a behavior that influences others and creates outcomes. Together, Ann and Lyle unpack what it truly means to lead like Jesus, exploring how diligence, humility, and service shape leaders who are both faithful and effective.

They also dive into why servant leadership is about helping others learn, grow, dare, and change, how to craft an 8–10 word mission statement that actually guides your decisions, and how to become a lighthouse leader—someone who brings direction, connection, and protection to those they lead.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to model your leadership after Jesus in today’s world, this conversation will equip and challenge you to start right where you are.

🔑 Three Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Leadership is behavior, not position. The way you act—not your title—determines your influence and impact.

2️⃣ God measures diligence and service, not perfection. Faithful, persistent service is the true mark of leadership that pleases Him.

3️⃣ Clarity beats complexity. A short, memorable mission statement—what Lyle calls your “tweet or tattoo”—keeps your leadership grounded and consistent.

✍️ Quote Worth Remembering: “Jesus was easy to follow—but He wasn’t easy on His followers.” — Lyle Wells

📚 Resources & Mentions

• Easy to Follow: Trading Toxic Leadership for the Love of Christ by Lyle Wells

• Integrus Leadership — leadership training, coaching, and resources

• The Five-Day Leader by Lyle Wells

• StoryBrand by Donald Miller

• Scripture references: Deuteronomy 3:28 and Luke 9:51–56

• Bob Goff’s Writing Workshops

🙌 Connect with Ann

• ⁠Website⁠

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• ⁠Join the Launch Team⁠ for Faith at Work: A Practical Guide to Aligning Your Career with Who God Created You to Be → ⁠Sign up here

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Ann sits down with Rebecca Czerwonka—educator, writer, and certified Emotional Health Life Consultant through The Compassion Method. Together, they unpack the connection between emotional health, faith, and leadership—and how learning to meet pain with compassion can transform not only our personal lives but how we lead others.

Rebecca shares her own journey from living in a constant triggered state to discovering what it means to move from survival to abundance. You’ll hear practical wisdom on identifying triggers, understanding the four stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), and learning to lead from a place that’s clear-minded, tender-hearted, and at peace.

This conversation is for every leader who’s tired of managing reactions and ready to experience freedom, peace, and wholeness in how they lead and love.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Triggers aren’t failures—they’re invitations to healing.

• Compassion bridges the gap between what we know to be true and how we show up.

• True leadership starts from the inside out: clear-minded, tender-hearted, and at peace.

  
  

🔗 Resources & LinksLearn more about The Compassion Method
Listen to the Triggered & True Podcast with Laura Duncan and Brian Freise

Connect with Rebecca Czerwonka or book a session
Connect with Ann Eileen Thompson or schedule a coaching consultation

🙌 Connect with Ann

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Join the Launch Team for Faith at Work: A Practical Guide to Aligning Your Career with Who God Created You to Be → Sign up here