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

What difference does faith make when leaders face the highs and lows of entrepreneurship? In this episode, Ann sits down with Dr. Brett Smith—professor at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business and founding director of the L.I.F.E. program (Leading the Integration of Faith & Entrepreneurship).

Brett shares how his own college story fuels his passion for equipping students to live out their faith in business, why identity can be more vulnerable in seasons of success than failure, and how rhythms of rest and resilience help leaders stay grounded. He also unpacks insights from global research on faith-driven entrepreneurship and where this growing movement is headed next.

Whether you’re leading a startup, a team inside a corporation, or simply seeking to bring your whole self to work, this conversation will encourage you to anchor your identity in Christ and see entrepreneurship through a bigger lens.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why identity in Christ steadies leaders through both wins and setbacks

• How success can be spiritually riskier than failure—and what to do about it

• The role of “permission” in creating space to think, rest, and reset

• What global research reveals about faith-driven entrepreneurs

• Where the integration of faith and business is growing worldwide
  

Links & Resources:

📘 Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

📘 Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller

📱 Hallow App – prayer and meditation app

🌐 Praxis – redemptive entrepreneurship community

🌐 Ocean Programs – faith-driven founder accelerator

🌐 Faith Driven Entrepreneur / Faith Driven Investor

🌐 Sovereign’s Capital and 11 Tribes Ventures – faith-aligned investment funds

Connect with Ann:

💻 anneileenthompson.com

🌐 Connect with Ann on LinkedIn

📘 Join the Faith at Work Book Launch Team: Sign up here 📅 Book a Coaching Consultation

Let’s Stay Connected: If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend, leave a review, or reach out. We’d love to hear what resonated with you.

What does it mean to lead with humility, courage, and purpose? In this episode, Ann sits down with Lisa Nichols—CEO and co-founder of Technology Partners, host of the Something Extra podcast, and author of the brand-new book Something Extra: Uncover Your Strengths. Unlock Your Potential. Unleash Your Impact.

Lisa shares why she defines leadership as stewardship, the pivotal moment when God whispered, “When are you going to call me?”, and how leaders can shape lives through prayerful decisions, servant leadership, and eternal perspective.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a faith-driven professional longing to align your work and your values, this conversation will encourage you to lean into God’s call and discover the “something extra” He’s placed in you.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why leadership is really about stewardship and influence

• How prayer can move from last resort to first response in decision-making

• Why humility, courage, and purpose are at the heart of lasting leadership

• How Lisa integrates faith into her leadership at Technology Partners

• Stories from her podcast and book that reveal timeless lessons for leaders
  

Links & Resources:

📘 Pre-order Lisa’s book: Something Extra: Uncover Your Strengths. Unlock Your Potential. Unleash Your Impact

🎙️ Listen to Lisa’s podcast: Something Extra

💎 Explore Lisa’s daughters’ jewelry business: Kindred Spirits

🌐 Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Connect with Ann:

💻 anneileenthompson.com

🌐 Connect with Ann on LinkedIn

📘 Join the Faith at Work Book Launch Team: Sign up here

📅 Book a Coaching Consultation

Let’s Stay Connected: If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend, leave a review, or reach out. We’d love to hear what resonated with you.