In this episode, we sit down with Vic Clesceri—practitioner, scholar, and evangelist—to explore the way of surrender as the foundation of discipleship.

Who is Vic?

• Founder of The Management Sherpa
  https://www.themanagementsherpa.com
• Professor of Marketing at Miami University Farmer School of Business
• Founder of The Surrender Project
  https://www.surrenderproject.com
• Author of The Way of Surrender
  https://www.surrenderproject.com/TWOS-604-MM-ENG.html

Vic Clesceri is a rare blend of practitioner, scholar, and evangelist. In this conversation, we explore how surrender, not striving, is the pathway to freedom, unity, and faithful leadership in every area of life.

Vic shares how growing up Catholic while attending a Protestant church shaped his conviction that the Body of Christ is deeply divided—and how Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17 calls us to something better.

He recounts a powerful 3:00am encounter with Jesus that led him to journal his journey of surrender, eventually forming the 50 maxims behind the Surrender Assessment and his book, The Way of Surrender.

Together, they discuss why fear is the primary barrier to surrendering fully to Jesus—in business, money, family, and everyday life—and how true freedom lives on the other side of trust.

The conversation also touches on Vic’s work through The Management Sherpa and his ministry among students as a professor, helping shape young leaders to walk with Jesus in every area of life.

This episode is an invitation to lay down control, confront fear, and follow Jesus with open hands.

Connect with Vic

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vclesceri
• Business: https://www.themanagementsherpa.com
• Ministry & Book: https://www.surrenderproject.com

Stay Connected with With Him

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Resources & Contact

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

In this second episode with Kristen Schumacher, we zoom out to focus on the story and impact of Nehemiah Manufacturing — a company that has trail-blazed second-chance hiring practices since 2009, long before fair-chance employment became a mainstream conversation.

Founded on the conviction that meaningful work restores dignity, Nehemiah intentionally built its business model around hiring individuals with significant barriers to employment, including those with criminal records, homelessness, and disrupted life histories. What began as a bold, countercultural experiment has grown into the largest second-chance manufacturing company in the United States, proving that doing good and doing business well are not competing values.

Nehemiah’s innovative approach to redemptive employment has gained national recognition, becoming a case study at leading business schools — including Harvard and Yale — where MBA students study Nehemiah as a model of purpose-driven leadership, social impact, and sustainable growth. The company demonstrates that when leaders center dignity, accountability, and opportunity, businesses can flourish while transforming lives and communities.

Based in Cincinnati’s inner city, Nehemiah partners with local organizations to provide job readiness training, mentoring, and wrap-around support so employees are not only hired, but positioned to thrive long-term. The result is more than jobs — it’s restored hope, strengthened families, and renewed neighborhoods.

Inspired by the biblical Nehemiah, who was called to rebuild broken walls and restore a people, Nehemiah Manufacturing continues that work today — rebuilding lives one person and one day at a time — and offering a compelling vision of what it looks like to lead, hire, and build with Jesus at the center.

A Practical Way to Support Nehemiah Manufacturing
One of the simplest ways to support the mission of Nehemiah Manufacturing is by purchasing the products they proudly make. Every purchase helps create meaningful jobs, restore dignity, and provide second chances for individuals working to rebuild their lives.
Nehemiah manufactures a growing lineup of household, cleaning, and consumer products you already use every day — thoughtfully made, high-quality, and rooted in a mission to build brands, create jobs, and change lives.

Shop Nehemiah-made products:
https://madebynehemiah.com/pages/shop

When you buy Nehemiah products, you’re not just buying something useful — you’re helping rewrite someone’s story through meaningful work.

You can also learn more and follow their ongoing impact at:
https://www.madebynehemiah.com

https://www.instagram.com/madebynehemiah

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast email list
Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore past episodes and resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info
Email Raz & Jamie: razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH)
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

In this episode, we get to know Kristen Schumacher (Chief Marketing Officer, Nehemiah Manufacturing) on a personal level. Kristen shares her story of growing up in a Catholic family where faith was present and her relationship with Jesus became profoundly personal at a very young age. As early as six years old, she experienced Jesus as her closest friend — journaling prayers and conversations with Him as part of her everyday life.

Kristen vulnerably recounts a horrific experience of abuse and the confusion, anxiety, depression, and pain that surfaced during her college years as a result. She reflects on the slow and sacred healing journey that followed — a journey where Jesus met her in her suffering, wept with her, restored her heart, and eventually invited her into the difficult but freeing work of forgiveness.

Throughout the conversation, we explore the critical importance of being rooted and grounded in our identity in Christ — especially when navigating healing, leadership, marriage, parenting, and work. Kristen shares how identity, not performance, has become the anchor of her life and leadership.

She also offers practical wisdom for staying grounded in the midst of a demanding career, including her intentional practice of scheduling “busy” time on her calendar — not to accomplish more, but to pause, recenter, and root herself again in Jesus.

Kristen currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Nehemiah Manufacturing, a mission-driven company built on dignity, redemption, and second chances. Her personal journey with Jesus has deeply shaped the way she leads, loves, and lives — making this conversation both tender and powerfully hope-filled.

Learn More About Nehemiah Manufacturing
Kristen’s story is deeply connected to the redemptive work happening every day at Nehemiah Manufacturing — a company pioneering second-chance employment and proving that business can be a powerful force for healing and dignity.

To learn more about their mission, stories, and products:
Visit https://www.madebynehemiah.com

Follow along on social media https://www.instagram.com/madebynehemiah

If this conversation stirred something in you, we encourage you to check out Nehemiah’s work and see how hope, purpose, and opportunity are being rebuilt — one person and one day at a time.

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast email list
Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore past episodes and resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info
Email Raz & Jamie: razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH)
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609