Leadership is hard. There are days when we don’t feel like motivating or inspiring anyone, because we feel tired and discouraged ourselves. Before we can be effective at developing those we lead, we may need to overcome setbacks and challenges that fuel our doubts and insecurities.

20 years in corporate America gave Cory Carlson (website) amazing opportunities as he worked his way up to the executive level. But he also saw brokenness: work without purpose, burnout, lack of focus, strained marriages, and absentee parents. Business leaders especially were often not living life to the fullest.

In this episode, Cory draws from his second book, Rise and Go, to provide recommendations on how leaders can overcome setbacks and challenges and lead effectively, at work and at home.

An executive coach, husband, and father of three, Cory understands the pressures working parents face. He is passionate about helping business leaders win at home and work. Hear him on the Win At Home First Podcast.

You’ve heard the parable of the prodigal son before. Probably lots of times. Everyone loves the story. Right?

Jesus’s audience didn’t. They hated it. It made them angry.

Find out why. 

This week’s Bible passage: Luke 15:11-32

Chris Rice’s song “Home Tonight”:

• video on YouTube
• album Smell the Color 9 on Amazon Music 

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback, study guide)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

Jesus's parable about foolish and wise builders highlights the fact that water can be a destructive force. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian demonstrated that across southwest Florida.

But Jesus wasn't giving advice on home construction. He was talking about life . . . and about God.

This week’s Bible passage: Matthew 7:24-27

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback, study guide)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

In a world full of male provocateurs and bravado, how are men supposed to exemplify true courage and strength?

Writer and consultant Aaron Renn (website/newsletter, Substack, X, LinkedIn) helps us understand the significance of self-mastery in the life of a man. As men who are grounded in Christ, we have no need for fear or vitriol. By mastering self-control and integrity, we can be a stabilizing influence in our culture, both online and in the real world.

Aaron is a writer and consultant in the Indianapolis area who is a co-founder and Senior Fellow at American Reformer. He is on his third career:

1. management and technology consultant, advising major corporations as a Partner at Accenture
2. urban policy specialist as a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
3. helping conservatives and the American church rise to the challenge of finding success in the 21st century

Aaron has been cited, and his work has appeared, in a variety of leading publications, including The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic.

In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a parable that compares the kingdom of heaven to workers in a vineyard. This is a parable that may make you frustrated and even angry. If the kingdom of God is like this, then how is the kingdom of God fair?

It's not . . . unless there is joy in work.

This week’s Bible passage: Ephesians 2:8-10

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback, study guide)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

What’s the key to effective personal evangelism? According to former illusionist Brock Gill, it’s finding an affinity — finding common ground — and using that to build relationships.

For 25 years, Brock traveled the world performing magic shows for audiences ranging from dozens to tens of thousands. Now, he’s turning his passion of adventure motorcycle riding into a new way of spreading the gospel through MotoMission.

This new mission began in 2022 when Brock fulfilled his dream of biking the Trans America Trail — riding his motorcycle from the Atlantic to the Pacific on dirt roads. Brock films his motorcycle adventures for his MotoMission YouTube Channel.

This podcast episode will inspire you to share the Good News with your own affinity group.

As Jesus demonstrated, when we’re tempted, we need to rely on God and God's Word. But we also can turn to something that Jesus didn’t have when he was all alone in the wilderness: the support and help of a Christian brother.

For an example of that, host Chris Bolinger turns to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

This week’s Bible passage: Hebrews 2:14-18

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

Business networking can be intimidating. In his new book, Great People Know Great People, Alex Giannetti equips readers to improve their networking skills.

The principles we unpack in this discussion transcend business. Every Christian will benefit from Alex’s perspective on relationships, our identity in Christ, and the way God uses other people in our lives.

Alex is the president of Christian Business Partners and a Realtor in Pittsburgh. He holds a BA in Business and Communications from Liberty University. Learn more at AlexGiannetti.com, and listen to our first interview with him.

We’re supposed to rejoice in our sufferings? Seriously? That’s absurd. When we experience suffering or see someone else suffering, we want the suffering to end. Now.

And, during suffering, we sometimes ask, where is God? A famous author asked that question when he lost his beloved wife.

For an answer, host Chris Bolinger turns to an unlikely place.

This week’s Bible passage: Romans 5:1-5

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

Conventional wisdom for entrepreneurs is to start with a business plan. Often, God has his own plan.

Rick Avon, the founder and owner of Avon Design Group in Pittsburgh, PA, didn’t start with a business plan. Instead, he started and has built his company by following the lead of the Holy Spirit. He never could have foreseen the way God would take him from a professional detour as a superintendent to having his own design firm.

It has become clear to Rick that he has not been in control, and he brings us a refreshing perspective on the Holy Spirit’s role in building a business.