Living with intention in uncertain times is one of the greatest challenges we can face.Today on the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Jill Thompson from Inheritance of Hope—a ministry supporting families facing the reality of a parent’s terminal illness—for a deeply moving conversation about legacy and hope in the midst of overwhelming grief.

Jill shares the powerful story behind the ministry’s founding, shaped by her close friend Kristen Milligan’s terminal cancer diagnosis at just 30 years old. What began as a desire to help Kristen’s own children understand life and loss has grown into a nationwide movement, serving thousands of families with care and providing lasting support across the country.

Together, Alicia and Jill explore what it means to build a legacy not just for the future, but in the way we live today, through love, presence, and an eternal perspective. Jill also introduces the concept of ‘jorrow’—the coexistence of joy and sorrow—and reflects on how families can experience both, even in life’s most difficult seasons. From Legacy Retreats to ongoing support communities, this conversation highlights the transformative power of showing up for one another—and the kind of hope that remains, even in the face of loss.

Website: https://inheritanceofhope.org/

(00:17) Introducing Jill Thompson and Inheritance of Hope
(01:18) Jill’s Friendship with Kristen Milligan
(05:13) Intentional Motherhood in the Face of Illness
(07:15) Redefining Legacy as a Way of Living
(08:38) Practical Encouragement for Building a Legacy
(11:35) How Inheritance of Hope Began
(15:48) Understanding 'jorrow': Joy and Sorrow Together
(20:32) How Families Can Connect with Inheritance of Hope
(25:44) How Jill’s Faith Has Changed Through the Ministry
(30:47) Kristen’s Lasting Legacy Through Her Family
(33:21) Resources, Legacy Videos, and National Legacy Month

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In this episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Tensley Almand, President and CEO of Atlanta Mission, for a deeply insightful conversation on the realities and misconceptions surrounding homelessness.

Tensley shares his unexpected journey from pastoring a thriving church to leading one of the largest faith-based organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Atlanta. Together, they unpack a critical fallacy: that homelessness is simply a housing issue. Instead, Tensley reveals the deeper layers—the underlying trauma, mental health struggles, addiction, and what he calls relational poverty, which refers to the absence of stable, supportive relationships that often act as a safety net in times of crisis.

Through powerful stories and practical insight, he explains how lasting transformation requires more than short-term solutions, pointing to Atlanta Mission’s holistic model that focuses on long-term stability, restoring dignity and community to the local population.

Website: https://atlantamission.org/

(00:00) A Powerful Perspective on Homelessness & Relationships
(03:00) Stepping Into the Unknown at Atlanta Mission
(07:00) Recognizing Calling in Unexpected Places
(10:00) Why Homelessness Is More Than a Housing Issue
(13:00) The Complexity Behind Homelessness
(14:30) Atlanta Mission’s Transformational Model
(18:00) Relational Poverty Explained
(19:30) The Power of Relationships as a Safety Net
(25:00) Creating Organizational Clarity & Alignment
(29:00) Measuring Transformation vs Activity
(35:00) How Churches Can Engage Practically
(38:30) Staying Hopeful in Difficult Work
(39:30) Final Reflections & Encouragement

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In today’s episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Dr. John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at the American Bible Society, for a data-driven and thought-provoking conversation on Bible engagement, cultural shifts, and what they reveal about the spiritual landscape today.

Drawing from the latest State of the Bible research, Dr. Plake shares surprising trends—including a rise in Scripture engagement among younger generations and what some are calling a “quiet revival.” But alongside this renewed curiosity is a deeper tension: increasing loneliness and emotional distress, particularly among Gen Z. Together, they explore a compelling question, what role does Scripture actually play in human flourishing? Dr. Plake unpacks how consistent Bible engagement is strongly linked to resilience, well-being, and a greater sense of purpose, offering both a challenge and an opportunity for church leaders seeking to meet people where they are.

Their conversation also dives into how people are engaging with the Bible in our digital age, and why accessibility and meaningful community are more important than ever for the next generation. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or simply curious about the direction of faith in today’s world, this episode offers a hopeful and insightful look at how data and discipleship can work hand in hand to shape the future of the Church.

Website: https://www.americanbible.org/

(00:00) The Decline of New Atheism and a Cultural Shift
(01:01) A Ministry Journey Rooted in Research and Formation
(04:00) Encouraging Trends: Bible Use on the Rise
(06:00) The “Quiet Revival” and Growing Curiosity About Faith
(07:50) Why Millennials and Men Are Re-engaging with Scripture
(10:30) Emotional Health Crisis and the Search for Meanin
(13:30) Gen Z, Church Engagement, and the Need for Mentorship
(15:00) Digital vs Print: How People Engage with the Bible Today
(19:30) YouTube, Podcasts, and Social Media as Spiritual Tools
(24:30) Regional Shifts: Northeast and West Coast Engagement
(27:30) Tools and Resources for Church Leaders
(31:30) A Hopeful Vision for the Future of the Church

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In this episode of The Imperfect CEO, Rev. Adam Durso is joined once again by Jim Brown for a practical and deeply relevant conversation on leadership, humility, and building a healthy church culture with guest Pastor Dan Underhill of Cornerstone Church ATX.

Together, they explore the pressure many leaders feel to appear strong, polished, and certain at all times, and how that mindset can quietly limit collaboration and growth. At the center of the conversation is Jim’s “Ascent Model,” outlining four key elements of healthy leadership: collaborative culture, leadership accountability, strategic momentum, and talent magnetism. Dan shares how working through these principles revealed that his tendency to move quickly with answers had unintentionally trained his team to hold back—becoming a turning point that reshaped how he leads his ministry today.

A key theme throughout the discussion is vulnerability. Rather than building trust through perfection, effective leaders create space for others by asking better questions, admitting what they don’t know and inviting contribution. As Dan has seen firsthand, this shift not only strengthens teams but also resonates deeply with younger generations, who are drawn to authenticity over performance.

Website: https://ccatx.com/

(00:00) Learning Not to Have Every Answer
(00:27) Introducing The Imperfect CEO and Pastor Dan Underhill
(01:38) Why Leaders Feel Pressure to Appear Perfect
(03:54) The Ascent Model and the Four Peaks of Healthy Leadership
(06:52) Leadership Accountability and the Cost of Always Answering
(09:22) Strategic Momentum and Talent Magnetism
(10:50) How the Book Exposed the Imperfect CEO
(14:01) Resources, Assessments, and Building Healthier Teams
(21:29) Vulnerability, Clarity, and Leading with Humility
(31:12) Free Church Leadership Resource and Closing Challenge

Connect with Jim Brown, and DM the word “BUILD" at linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown for a free resource, and preorder your copy of The Imperfect CEO now at http://imperfectceobook.com/

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In this episode of The Imperfect CEO series on the Faithly Podcast, Rev. Adam Durso and Jim Brown are joined by Scott Green, President of the University of Idaho, for a practical and insightful conversation on leadership, organizational health, and navigating institutional turnaround.

Drawing from his background as a CFO and COO in the private sector, Scott shares how he applied the principles from The Imperfect CEO to lead a remarkable transformation—guiding a university facing significant financial deficits and low morale toward a culture marked by collaboration and shared ownership. At the center of the conversation is a foundational leadership principle: the courage to name reality.

Together, Rev. Adam, Jim, and Scott explore the tension between urgency and sustainability in leadership, highlighting why long-term success is built through alignment, not control. From breaking down silos to fostering collaboration across teams, this episode offers a compelling blueprint for leaders seeking to create momentum without becoming the bottleneck.

Website: https://www.uidaho.edu/leadership/president

Connect with Jim Brown, and DM the word “BUILD" at linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown for a free resource, and preorder your copy of The Imperfect CEO now at http://imperfectceobook.com/

(00:00) Opening Thoughts on Leadership and Risk
(01:00) Introducing Scott Green and His Leadership Background
(04:00) Collaboration vs Competition in Leadership
(07:20) Real-World Leadership vs Theory
(11:30) Early Wins and Setting Clear Goals
(15:00) Empowering Leaders to Own Solutions
(21:00) Reinforcing Collaboration Through Systems
(25:30) Leadership Without the “Hero” Mentality
(30:00) Empowering Leaders as CEOs of Their Areas
(34:00) Fundraising, Storytelling, and Institutional Growth

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Welcome to The Imperfect CEO, a special series by the Faithly Podcast, where Rev. Adam Durso is joined by guest host Jim Brown—author of The Imperfect CEO and founder of OrgHealth, a firm dedicated to helping leaders build healthy, life-giving organizational cultures.

In this debut episode, Rev. Adam and Jim sit down with Garry Ridge, former CEO of the WD-40 Company, for a candid and deeply practical conversation on what it really takes to lead well. Together, they challenge the traditional model of leadership built on total control and the pressure to appear flawless. Instead, they offer a different vision—one rooted in humility, continuous learning, and a commitment to cultivating environments where people are empowered to thrive.

Drawing from decades of experience, Garry reflects on how WD-40 built a culture centered on trust, psychological safety, and what he calls “learning moments,” while Jim unpacks how many leaders unintentionally become the ceiling of their organizations by trying to carry too much and have all the answers. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reframe: leadership is not about being the hero, but about creating an environment where others can do their best work.

From honest accountability to servant leadership, their discussion explores what happens when leaders choose clarity over control and development over performance—offering both established and aspiring leaders an invitation to let go of the exhausting pursuit of perfection and step into a more honest, sustainable way of leading.

Website: https://thelearningmoment.net/about/

Connect with Jim Brown, and DM the word “BUILD" at linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown for a free resource, and preorder your copy of The Imperfect CEO now at http://imperfectceobook.com/

(00:00) When the Hero Becomes the Ceiling
(01:03) Gary Ridge on Donkeys and Humble Leadership
(06:07) Why Imperfect Leadership Matters
(08:43) Building a Learning Culture Instead of Fear
(11:50) The Soul-Sucking CEO vs the Servant Leader
(18:02) The Trap of Trying to Be Flawless
(25:01) When Poor Culture Costs Millions
(28:26) Why Leaders Must Stop Trying to Be Heroes
(34:10) A Message for Exhausted CEOs
(37:42) Final Encouragement to Let It Go

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Join Rev. Adam Durso on today’s episode of the Faithly Podcast as he sits down with Reverend Vandalyn Kennedy—leadership strategist, youth ministry leader, and author of ‘First Things First’—as they dive into calling and leadership within ministry, as well as the formation required to serve the next generation well.

Vandalyn shares her journey from a strong church upbringing through personal challenges to becoming a globally influential voice in youth leadership. Along the way, she reflects on how a renewed and authentic relationship with God reshaped both her life and her ministry, grounding everything she now teaches in real spiritual transformation.

Together, Rev. Adam and Vandalyn explore what it truly takes to develop effective leaders today, highlighting the need for both spiritual depth and practical strategy. They candidly acknowledge the gaps in traditional ministry training and the growing challenges facing younger generations, pointing to the reasons that leaders need to be equipped to meet people where they are without compromising the truth. Drawing from the heart of her new book, ‘First Things First’, Vandalyn emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline and inner healing to achieve healthy rhythms, reminding leaders that sustainable ministry flows from a life rightly ordered before God.

Website: https://www.vandalynkennedy.com/about-vandalyn-kennedy

(00:00) Creating Space for the Next Generation to Lead
(01:24) From Church Roots to Personal Transformation
(03:28) Discovering Purpose Through Leadership and Service
(05:10) Strategy and Spirituality Working Together
(08:00) Preparation Over Performance in Ministry
(10:30) Reaching Young People Through New Methods
(13:00) Community, Isolation, and Mental Health Challenges
(17:00) Meeting People Where They Are Beyond Church Walls
(20:30) Empowering Emerging Leaders Instead of Limiting Them
(25:00) Sustaining Leadership Through Spiritual Health and Boundaries

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In this episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Chris Larson, President and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, for a thought-provoking discussion on the findings of the 2025 State of Theology report and what it reveals about the beliefs shaping today’s church.

Drawing from the survey’s results, Chris explains how many American evangelicals are wrestling with confusion around foundational doctrines—including sin, salvation, the Trinity, and even the uniqueness of Christ. While the data reveals surprising contradictions in what many believers say they believe, Chris helps unpack the cultural forces contributing to this trend, from growing pluralism to widespread biblical illiteracy.

Together, Alicia and Chris explore why theology matters for every believer, not just pastors or scholars, and how our understanding of God inevitably shapes every aspect of how we engage the world around us. Despite the challenges the report highlights, their conversation ultimately points toward hope, extending encouragement to churches and believers to lean into clearer biblical teaching and authentic Christian community—trusting that God continues to build His church through the faithful proclamation of His Word.

Website: http://www.ligonier.org

(00:00) Introducing the State of Theology Survey
(01:20) Chris Larson’s Journey into Theology and Ministry
(06:30) The Mission of Ligonier Ministries
(10:50) Why Everyone Is a Theologian
(14:00) What the Survey Reveals About Evangelical Beliefs
(17:30) Confusion About Sin and the Need for the Gospel
(19:40) Misunderstanding the Holy Spirit and the Trinity
(21:30) The Rise of Universalism and Cultural Pluralism
(25:00) The Importance of the Local Church and Discipleship
(31:10) Confidence in God’s Faithfulness to Build His Church

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