THE FORTIFIED LIFE PODCAST

Courtney is a Certified Christian Financial Counselor, Founder of the Center for Financial Discipleship, speaker, author, and the host of the Idle Treasure podcast. Her days are full of helping stewards grow in generosity and step into their God-given gifts. She specializes in working with leaders who want to avoid the dangers of wealth and pursue a higher kingdom calling. The desire of her heart is to see Christians fall more deeply in love with Jesus, pick up their cross and follow him with everything they have.

The Fortified Life Podcast with Jason DavisEpisode 226 |Guest: Steve Woodworth – Marketing, Management, and Organizational Development ExpertShow Theme: Developing a dependency on Jesus in the marketplace—because from the boardroom to the bathroom, God is with you!Guest IntroductionSteve Woodworth brings over 40 years of expertise in advancing Christian organizations through marketing, management, and organizational development.Former leader at World Vision, overseeing a decade of double-digit growthSteve co-founded and leads Masterworks, serving hundreds of Christian organizations.Board volunteer, industry convener, CEO advisorAuthor of Lost in Transition: Lessons from the Most Disastrous and Successful Ministry SuccessionsKey Topics & HighlightsSteve’s Professional JourneyRadical conversion to Christianity led to a desire to engage in missionary work.Early career at World Vision, rising from data analytics to senior leadership.Steered World Vision through remarkable growthCo-founded the Masterworks agency to help Christian organizations achieve their missionsBook Focus: Lost in TransitionExplores both successful and disastrous leadership transitions in ministries and nonprofitsMotivated by seeing many failed successions and the pain they caused leaders and organizations.Principles in the book help prevent disasters and create healthy, honoring transitions.Worst-Case Scenario in SuccessionLeaders pushed out or dishonored, losing trust with donors and staff.Lack of celebration and poor communication can cause sharp declines in donations and morale.One example: A CEO with an eight-year plan was forced out early, leading to significant setbacks for the organization and its finances.Best-Case Scenario in SuccessionThe outgoing leader is honored and included in succession planning.Successor is a strong culture fit, and overlap provides continuity.Example: World Vision’s transition from Rich Stearns to Edgar Sandoval, with collaboration, respect, and discernmentExample: Trueface’s founder mentoring and supporting his successor, then returning to serve new opportunitiesDangers of Founders OverstayingFounders unwilling to let go can hinder organizational growth and succession, sometimes cycling through multiple potential successors.Steve’s personal experience: Gradual transition and willingness to let the new CEO lead, maintaining a respectful, supportive relationshipSo, what makes transitions work? Here are the key conditions for a successful handoff:Friendship and an ongoing relationship between predecessor and successor help ease the transition.Boards should include outgoing leaders and senior staff in the hiring process and bathe the process in prayer.Hiring from within increases success rates; mentoring multiple candidates is wise.Practical Takeaways for OrganizationsStart succession planning years in advance.Prioritize culture fit and internal candidates when possible.Foster humility, respect, and communication among all partiesBoards must recognize their own limitations and seek input from those who know the organization best.Prayerful discernment is critical at every stage.Steve Woodworth’s BookLost in Transition: Lessons from the Most Disastrous and Successful Ministry SuccessionsAvailable from: Kingdom Life Publishers and Amazon (Kindle version)Connect with Steve WoodworthMasterworks AgencyBook details and contact via Kingdom Life PublishersAdditional ResourcesPodcast Website: fortifiedlifepodcast.comHost’s Book: Fortify: Being Rooted in God’s Plan for Work and Business by Jason Davis (Available on Amazon)Closing EncouragementDon’t compartmentalize your faith. From the boardroom to the bathroom, God is with you!Listen & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyiHeartRadioYouTube (@ The Fortified Life)

Show Notes: The Fortified Life Podcast with Jason Davis – EP 224Guest: Brian P. Moran, New York Times Best-Selling Author of The 12 Week YearEpisode HighlightsHost: Jason Davis (aka Mister Fortify)Series: Tools and ResourcesTheme: Developing a dependency on Jesus in the marketplaceAbout the GuestBrian P. Moran has led in leadership and execution for over 30 years as a CEO, entrepreneur, consultant, and coach. He co-authored the best-selling book The 12 Week Year, transforming how individuals and organizations set and achieve goals. Brian actively helps others accomplish more than they imagined by focusing on effective implementation.Key Topics DiscussedBrian’s Professional Journey:From UPS to PepsiCo, consulting, and entrepreneurshipThe evolution of the 12 Week Year concept and its roots in athletic training principlesThe 12 Week Year Framework:Why annual planning often leads to procrastination and a lack of urgencyThe power of shorter 12-week cycles for focus and executionEmphasizing tactical over conceptual planningThe Five Disciplines of the 12 Week Year:Vision: Start with personal vision, then align career and business goalsPlanning: Set 1–3 focused 12-week goals with tactical plansProcess Control: Use tools and routines to ensure consistent executionScorekeeping: Track both actions and outcomes to drive improvementTime Use: Be intentional with commitments and prioritiesThe Three Core Principles:Accountability: Ownership based on free will and personal choice—not just consequencesCommitment: Making and keeping promises to oneself and others for each 12-week cycleGreatness in the Moment: Success is determined by choices made in each momentImplementation in Real Life:Success stories from organizations and individuals using the 12 Week YearEmbrace discomfort and step out of the comfort zone to drive growth.No perfect plan—focus on learning, adapting, and building momentumTools & Resources for Listeners:12weekyear.com – Solutions for individuals and teams, including the newly enhanced Achieve online system and Accelerator for LeadersOnline tools for vision-building, goal-setting, tactical planning, scorecards, and tracking progressAffordable pricing and a free getting-started courseSocial media: Follow “12 Week Year” for regular content and updatesConnect with Brian P. MoranWebsite: 12weekyear.comSocial: Search for “12 Week Year” on all major platformsAdditional ResourcesGet a copy of The 12 Week Year bookExplore online resources and courses at 12weekyear.com.Check out the free Getting Started course for an introduction to the methodology.Closing ThoughtsDon’t compartmentalize your faith in the marketplace—God is with you everywhere.Prioritize what matters most, act urgently, and create momentum through short cycles.Subscribe to The Fortified Life Podcast:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | YouTubeVisit fortifiedlifepodcast.com now to discover more insightful episodes, join our community, and tune in live every Wednesday at 8:30pm ET. Take your next step to a fortified life!.Get your copy of Fortify: Being Rooted in God’s Plan for Work and Business by Jason Davis—available now on Amazon.Equip yourself today and share your journey with us!

The Fortified Life Podcast with Jason Davis – Episode 222Guest: Dr. Tim Elmore, Founder of Growing Leaders (growingleaders.com)Episode HighlightsHost: Jason Davis (aka Mister Fortify)Dr. Tim Elmore – Leadership expert, author of 35+ books, creator of HabitudesFeatured Book: The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Upset the WorkplaceAbout the GuestDr. Tim Elmore is a renowned leadership expert and the founder of Growing Leaders, a nonprofit focused on developing emerging leaders. He spent 20 years working alongside John C. Maxwell and has appeared in major publications and media outlets. Globally, businesses, schools, churches, and nonprofits seek his practical wisdom for multi-generational leadership.Key Topics DiscussedUnderstanding Generation ZThe “Peter Pan Paradox”: Age of authority is dropping, but age of maturity is rising (“26 is the new 18”)Gen Z brings tech intuition and a forward-looking view of the workplace, but may lag in social, emotional, and spiritual maturity due to cultural and pandemic factors.Importance of listening and coaching over just managingHiring & Interviewing Gen ZEmployers encounter unique challenges with Gen Z, such as eye contact, expectations, dress, language, virtual etiquette, and even parents participating in interviews.The “PERKS” Interview Framework:Preferences: Understand their wishesExpectations: Clarify what they assume will be trueRequirements: Identify non-negotiablesKeys: Discover what makes them tickSalary: Discuss compensation transparentlyShift interviews to a two-way conversation to set the stage for engagement and retention.Myths & Realities about Gen ZMany stereotypes are misleading—work ethic and motivations are often misunderstood.Gen Z values work-life balance as a reaction to previous generations’ workaholism.Importance of asking and understanding before assumingRetaining and Developing Gen Z TalentCreate entrepreneurial zones or startup-like teams within organizations.Provide autonomy, flexibility, and trust (with accountability)Use reverse mentoring—invite Gen Z to teach older generations.Foster an environment where asking is as valued as telling.Feedback & CommunicationApproach feedback with grace, curiosity, and belief in the personThe “ALEG” Feedback Model:Ask (not tell)ListenEmpathizeGuideBuild bridges, not just wield badges—connection, not just position, earns influence.Mental Health & Well-beingGen Z faces unprecedented anxiety and pressure, with today’s average teen experiencing anxiety levels that match those of psychiatric patients from the 1950s.Encourage margin, movement, and authentic support in the workplace.Why Dr. Elmore Remains OptimisticEvery generation is initially misunderstood—even Boomers faced skepticism.Positive change often comes from rising generations.Inspiring story of the NASA moon landing—entrusting young leaders led to a historic achievement“Gen Z is the sandpaper on my leadership I didn’t know I needed.”Resources & Next StepsDr. Elmore’s books (including The Future Begins with Z and Habitudes) are available from major booksellers.Bulk orders: portslightbooks.comLearn more and access leadership resources: growingleaders.com, timelmore.comConnect with Dr. Tim Elmore:Website: timelmore.comOrganization: growingleaders.comSocial: Search “Tim Elmore” and “Growing Leaders” on major platformsClosing ThoughtsDon’t compartmentalize your faith—God is with you everywhere.Embrace generational differences as opportunities for growth and innovation.Lead with curiosity, connection, and humility.Subscribe to The Fortified Life PodcastApple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | YouTubeVisit fortifiedlifepodcast.com for more info and live episodes, Wednesdays at 8:30pm ET.Host Book Recommendation:Fortify: Being Rooted in God’s Plan for Work and Business by Jason Davis (Available on Amazon)

Paul Wilson, Jr., Founder & CEO of Paul Wilson Global Solutions, is a visionary entrepreneurial executive with a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades, recognized for pioneering entrepreneurial leadership and driving organizational excellence.He has proven expertise in devising and delivering top-tier consulting and training solutions across diverse sectors, including Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, churches, and non-profits. He has a specialized focus on elevating organizational and individual performance through fostering innovation, implementing transformative strategies, and leading high-impact programs to achieve sustainable growth and profitability.

show notes coming soonBioKenita Smith is a visionary nonprofit leader and the founder of H.O.P.E, Inc.—a Georgia-based organization. Inspired by her own journey as a single mom in college, Kenita launched H.O.P.E. to fill the gap for families balancing education, parenting, and poverty.Since its founding, H.O.P.E. has helped nearly 100 single parents graduate from college—many of which were the first in their families to do so. The program maintains an 83% graduation rate, with participants averaging a GPA of 3.31. Graduates have increased their annual income by more than $35,000, improved their credit scores, and established meaningful savings—milestones that build long-term stability.

SHOW NOTES COMING SOON!!!BioTamunotonye Setima-Benebo is the founder of Abba’s Games, a faith-driven gaming and entertainment brand. Through games, game nights, and community engagement, she helps individuals connect with others, learn in playful ways, and live with purpose. Her work combines fun, faith, and personal growth, and she’s making learning engaging, meaningful, and transformative for everyone involved.