Guest

Kerry O'Neill - Sports Ministry Leader & Faith in the Marketplace Advocate

Episode Overview

A powerful conversation exploring the intersection of faith, fear, and influence in everyday life. Kerry shares his journey from a broken home to finding faith through sports ministry, and how that shaped his understanding of living out Christian values in secular spaces.

Key Topics Discussed

Kerry's Background & Faith Journey

1. Grew up in small-town Iowa as the youngest of 10 children
2. Father left after 10 kids, creating a "father hunger" that influenced his spiritual journey
3. Found faith through Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in public high school
4. Initially attended for "free donuts and girls" but encountered personal, relational faith
5. Played college basketball on full scholarship
6. Spent 9 years in sports ministry with FCA in Houston, Texas

Faith in Education vs. The Workplace

1. Kerry's faith began in public school context, making it easier to see "church" outside traditional walls
2. Discussion of declining faith presence in UK schools (Church of England schools vs. modern secular education)
3. Universities offer more faith fellowship opportunities than high schools
4. The challenge of blending faith and work when not explicitly encouraged

Gratitude & Personal Reflections

1. Kerry: Reconnecting with a friend after two years - the blessing of deep, lasting relationships
2. Simon: Trip to Florence, Italy with his wife Angela (who is questioning faith) - exposure to crucifixion imagery sparked conversation about Christ's personal sacrifice

Wrestling with Fear

1. Kerry's ongoing battle with fear and the question: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?"
2. Reading Mark Batterson's In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
3. Most deathbed regrets are about what people didn't do, not what they did
4. Key insight: Courage only exists in the presence of fear - it's not fearlessness, but acting despite fear
5. Healthy vs. unhealthy fear: protection mechanism vs. controlling grip

Overcoming Fear Through Faith

1. Biblical examples: David vs. Goliath, Moses overcoming speech impediment, Daniel in the lion's den
2. Reference to Casting Crowns song "Crazy People" - those who do "crazy things" overcome fear through faith
3. The three Cs: Compassion → Courage → Confidence

Ministry &...

Guest

Claudine McDaniel - Founder of Beyond Conquerors, Inc., author of More Than Conquerors, and immigrant from Togo who came to the United States with only $13. She empowers women through education, training, and employment opportunities while serving her community through faith-based nonprofit work.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Simon welcomes Claudine McDaniel to discuss trusting God through the darkest seasons of business. Claudine shares her powerful journey from immigrating with $13 to founding a nonprofit that has fed 9,000 meals to families in need. The conversation covers surrendering control to God, recognizing spiritual attacks during breakthrough moments, discerning true opportunities from distractions, and the critical importance of prayer as a business strategy.

Key Topics Discussed Surrendering Control to the Holy Spirit

1. The challenge of letting go when you want to control your business
2. Discerning between your own voice and God's leading
3. God's plans are often different than what we envision
4. The importance of spending time in prayer before each week begins
5. Putting your business plans into God's hands daily

Navigating Dark Seasons in Business

1. The Peter Principle: Keeping your eyes on Jesus, not the storm
2. When Peter looked at Jesus, he walked on water
3. When he focused on the storm, he began to sink
4. Dark places are often preparation for God's breakthrough
5. The enemy attacks hardest when you're closest to your destiny
6. God does His best work in the darkness
7. Stay in prayer until you hear from Him—even when it's difficult

Personal Journey: From $13 to Beyond Conquerors

1. Receiving Christ at age 13 as a sick child in Togo
2. Trusting God completely when immigrating with only $13
3. Spending 7 years earning a bachelor's degree in accounting
4. God's call to start a nonprofit instead of a lucrative accounting business
5. Operating from personal savings for 4 years without pay
6. Receiving prophetic word: "You are pregnant" → giving birth to the education program

The Enemy's Strategy Against Business Owners

1. Satan wants to make God's people liabilities, not blessings
2. He attacks to prevent you from being respected and effective
3. He wants to delay your breakthrough and make you give up

Guest

Herbert Addison Burns (Herb) - Faith-based business consultant and former prison chaplain from Northeast Ohio who helps business owners align their practices with biblical principles.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Simon welcomes Herb Burns to discuss how to run a business according to Holy Scripture. Herb shares practical wisdom on integrating biblical principles into everyday business decisions, from employee relations to financial practices. The conversation covers meditation on Scripture, dealing with grief through faith, breaking worldly business habits, and finding God's guidance in both personal and professional challenges.

Key Topics Discussed

Scripture Retention & Meditation

1. Practical tip: Cut out distractions (turn off the radio) to focus on the Holy Spirit
2. Psalm 1:2
3. The power of meditating on God's word day and night
4. Don't just read Scripture—digest it and allow it to enter your inner being
5. Meditation removes anxiety, stress, and lower emotions

Personal Journey: Faith Through Loss

1. Herb shares his experience losing his youngest son nearly three years ago
2. Joshua 1:9
3. God's promise of strength and courage through challenges
4. The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 5) and remembering the positive
5. Turning to God for strength in both personal life AND business

Common Business Pitfalls

Habits and Traditions vs. Biblical Principles:

1. "At-will" employment contracts and biblical oppression
2. Ephesians
3. No respect of persons (treating all employees equally)
4. The "good old boy network" and partial treatment
5. Leaning on your own understanding vs. seeking God's wisdom

Biblical Business Practices

1. Pull underperforming employees aside privately (show mercy like Christ)
2. Give people a chance to improve before reprimanding
3. Pray for the wisdom of Solomon when facing difficult decisions
4. Recognize when God's voice comes through others as an act of mercy

The Danger of Pride in Business

1. Proverbs 3:5
2. "Lean not on your own understanding"
3. Proverbs 28:25-26
4. Trusting your own heart makes you a fool