4word Women

Your tribe, your group, your clique, your sounding board, your homies. Whatever you call your community, it’s an integral part of your life and what makes you who you are. And when that community is not at 100%, you likely start to notice that YOU are not at 100%. It’s not a secret that 4word highly values community. We’ve built up communities in cities across the country and are aiming to reach 10 million women by 2030. In being so passionate about building communities, we’re also acutely aware of how a fracture in a community can quickly, effectively, and sometimes permanently, bring it down.  So how do we build a healthy community that is in line with God’s vision for His children? On this episode, Marion Medina, 4word’s new Director of Programs, shares what she believes God’s role is for community in everyone’s lives. She also discusses how listening—really listening—to each other is the best way to build bridges in communities that might be experiencing some fractures. Links for this episode:Everyday Jesus Daily MeditationsThe Everyday Jesus Follower’s GuideGuest Bio: Marion served in pastoral ministry for 17 years at three local churches including, most recently, Willow Creek Community Church. During her church ministry, she incorporated her organizational development skills with her practical knowledge of effective discipleship to create growth strategies that focused on the equipping and mobilization of congregations on the mission of Jesus. She holds degrees from Trinity International University and Wheaton College in Organizational Leadership and Missional Church Movements. She directed vision and strategy for the Alpha Chicago Board during her tenure as Chairman of the Board, and she partnered with Dr. Rick Richardson to develop and launch the nation-wide Church Evangelism Institute, a ministry of the Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College. As a member of the Christ Together Midwest Board, she provided guidance, training and strategy and individual coaching for pastors and church leaders throughout the central United States.  Marion and her husband, Ray, reside in Dallas and have two adult children and two amazing grandchildren. Orginal broadcast dated: Oct 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

4word turns ten this month! And after ten years and hundreds of mentor pairings, community group meetings, interview blogs, podcasts and more, two of the top issues our audience continues to seek support on are balance and boundaries. So this month, as we talk about redefining wellness, we want to highlight these two vital components of finding whole-self wellness. On this episode, Elizabeth Knox, founder of MatchPace, an organizational effectiveness company that helps teams work well and live well, and author of the upcoming book, Work Reimagined, talks about why de-prioritizing has been key to her making it through the pandemic workflow and shares the advice she would give to anyone desperate to add balance and boundaries to their life. Links for this episode:MatchPaceFree Core Values exerciseChronoPace quizThe Working Mom SprintFollow Elizabeth on LinkedInGuest Bio: Elizabeth Knox is the founder of MatchPace, an organizational effectiveness company that helps teams work well and live well. She empowers teams to work effectively by helping them learn how to create space for collaboration and synergy and to minimize the mess of a typical workday so they can do the deep work that supports the mission of the organization AND ensure people have time for their other priorities. Elizabeth writes, speaks, consults, and coaches on the importance of working in a way that prioritizes humanity. Her writing has been featured in HuffPost, Thrive Global, and Today’s Parents. Her first book, Faith Powered Profession: A Woman’s Guide to Living with Faith and Values in the Workplace was published in 2013 and helps women grasp the importance and power of their professional work. Elizabeth lives in Washington, DC with her husband and four elementary school-aged children. Orginal broadcast dated: Sep 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

Coming out of a year like 2020 and trying to get life back on its feet can and likely has resulted in a huge imbalance in your wellness levels. You might hear “wellness” and immediately think of doctors, vitamins, or maybe a Peloton ride. But wellness is way beyond all of that. Whether you’re redefining what wellness looks like in your life or defining wellness for the first time, there are certain elements you must include in your wellness mix in order to find whole-self wellness. On this episode, Dr. Mollie Bond, director of development operations for Lutheran Community Services Northwest and author of the upcoming devotional, Hopelessly Hopeful During Separation: 28 Daily Devotionals of Hope for Those Experiencing Marital Separation, shares her advice for the times when tough, life-altering decisions will need to be made in the name of giving yourself better quality of life. Links for this episode:Follow Mollie on:WebsiteFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterOrder Hopelessly Hopeful During Separation hereGuest Bio: Dr. Mollie Bond serves Lutheran Community Services Northwest as a director of development operations. She also serves on the board of Providence Heights, a second-phase step for women on the brink of becoming homeless. Outside of these two roles, Mollie is an author; Hopelessly Hopeful During Separation releases September 28, 2021. Mollie is also an adjunct professor at a few Christian colleges, teaching nonprofit leadership and fundraising. She has a BA degree from the University of Montana (2005), an MBA from Kansas Wesleyan University (2011), and an Ed.D. (doctorate of education) in nonprofit leadership (2017) from Governors State University. Orginal broadcast dated: Sep 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

In talking about redefining wealth this month, two of the biggest questions we’ve had come up have been about generosity and what God thinks about wealth and money. Does being generous only mean giving money to someone or something? How does our upbringing affect how we view money? How can we find the joy in generosity and practice generosity regularly? On this episode, Lisa Payne, Retired Vice Chairman and CFO of Taubman Centers, Inc., talks about the topic of generosity, especially joyful generosity. Lisa has spent a lot of time learning how best to steward what God has given her and is here to help all of us understand and practice more joyful generosity in our lives. Guest Bio: Lisa A. Payne is the retired  vice chairman and chief financial officer of Taubman Centers, Inc. , a NYSE listed Real Estate Investment Trust which owns, operates and develops regional shopping centers nationally and internationally.  She also served on the board of directors of the company.  Prior to Taubman, Ms. Payne was a Vice President in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division.  Her 10 years of service with Goldman Sachs included broad real estate experience in the areas of acquisition and development financing, merger and acquisition advisories, and public and private debt and equity offerings.  Prior to joining Goldman Sachs she was a  vice president in Chemical Bank’s real estate department. Subsequent to Taubman, Ms. Payne spent from 2016 to 2017 as the President of Soave Enterprises Real Estate Division and Chairman of Soave Enterprises, Inc. Ms. Payne is a graduate of Elizabethtown College and holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Administration. Orginal broadcast dated: Aug  2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

How are you feeling about your financial health? The Washington Post said in a recent article that around 25% of women in the workplace say they are worse off financially since the pandemic, thanks to rising costs of everything partnered with having to juggle even more every day and somehow squeeze in that full time job that’s supporting everything.  When you’re in the middle of (or just coming out of) a trying situation (you know, like a PANDEMIC), hearing about “financial planning” and “getting ready for retirement” might just feel like salt in your wounds. But if money was discussed more openly and confidently, many of us might have had different financial reactions and experiences during the pandemic.  The good news is it’s never too late to start working on your financial planning and planning for retirement. On this episode, Judy A. Hulsey, a private wealth advisor with Ronald Blue Trust, shares her advice for planning for the future, no matter where you are in life.  Links for this episode:Follow Judy on:FacebookLinkedInInstagramCelebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual GrowthConnect with Judy through Ronald Blue TrustGuest Bio: For 30 years, I’ve found great joy in working with my clients.  I’ve been an experienced advisor to clients and their families, helping them make better financial decisions and live generously. My goal is to walk through each season of life as your trusted advisor to help you have clarity and build confidence around your finances so that you can focus on the things that matter most to you—retirement or selling your business, spending more time with children or grandchildren, enjoying retirement, or giving generously to favorite causes.I’d love to come alongside you to help. My team and I will be cheering you on to run the race and finish well! Orginal broadcast dated: Aug 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

Women in the workforce are constantly working toward something. Working to get a pay raise, working to be project lead, working to get a seat at the boardroom table. The secret ingredient to being successful at all of that? Confidence. But confidence tends to be a huge weakness for women. If women are too confident, they’re seen as arrogant. Without confidence, they’re seen as weak. Where is the middle ground? Why is confidence something women should strive for when it seems to bring a whole slew of new problems or obstacles? Catherine Gates, the Executive Director for Women in the Marketplace, joins the podcast to discuss how she has developed her confidence over the span of her career and discusses her new book, The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman’s Guide to Fearless Leadership. Links for this episode:Purchase your copy of The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman’s Guide to Fearless Leadership hereWomen in the Marketplace websiteToastmasters websiteGuest Bio: Catherine Gates is Executive Director for Women in the Marketplace, a national nonprofit that equips working women to confidently pursue their faith and career for the glory of God. She is also the author of The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman’s Guide to Fearless Leadership. Catherine has supported others in integrating their faith and work since 2012 as a speaker, facilitator, writer and mentor. She has contributed to several workplace Bible studies and over a dozen YouVersion reading plans. She is on the board of Ladies of Grace, a women’s prison ministry, and on the executive advisory council of the Women’s Empowerment Center. Originally from Long Island, NY, Catherine lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband Thomas and has one adult son. Her mission is to equip Christian women to reach more of their God-given potential. Orginal broadcast dated: Jul 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

What is the first feeling you experience when someone compliments you? How do you first feel when someone corrects you or offers constructive criticism? How we process what others think of us is heavily influenced by what we think of ourselves, which is why understanding “self-perception” is so closely tied to growing as an individual. Jessie Niespolo, a Senior Strategy Lead on Google’s Automotive Retail Team and co-founder of 4word: Detroit, talks about how she’s built up confidence in herself over her career, and shares her advice for sharing your worth with others in a way that doesn’t come across negatively.   Links for this episode:Follow Jessie on:FacebookInstagramLinkedInMore info on #IAmRemarkable initiative with GoogleDownload #IAmRemarkable research PDFGuest Bio: Jessie Niespolo has spent 15 years within the Automotive Marketing Industry and the last 7 years as a Senior Strategy Lead on Google’s Automotive Retail Team.   In addition to her work on the Auto vertical, Jessie has a passion for helping women reach their full potential.  She currently acts as the America’s Site Lead for Google’s #IamRemarkable Initiative and leads the Google Women@+ Detroit Chapter where she brings programs to the Detroit office that are focused on Women empowerment. Outside of Google, Jessie is the Co-Founder of 4word: Detroit. Jessie has held the only female board seat on Hope Water International’s board since 2018. Jessie is married to her high school sweetheart and together they are raising four children and co-lead a local Detroit marriage mentorship group. Orginal broadcast dated: Mar 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

In the workplace, it’s not uncommon to feel like you are just a faceless body on a team. Even the boardrooms of America have obvious signs of a lack of inclusion and diversity. So how can we make the workplace feel more like a unified organization? It can start with you and in today’s episode, you’ll learn the steps you can take to direct your company in a more inclusive direction. In this episode, Patricia Asp, 4word Board Member and founder of ASPire, shares why she’s so passionate about helping companies embrace more inclusive values, and how she hopes ASPire will help hardwire company culture for sustainability. Links for this episode:Visit the ASPire websiteLearn more about ASPireArticles related to this episode:Heidrick and Struggles annual US Board Report“One Woman Is Not Enough”Guest Bio: Meet Patricia Asp, 4word Board Member, Principal and Founder of ASPire. After witnessing the dramatic weakening of core values of great companies during successions, mergers, acquisitions and rapid growth, Pat launched ASPire as a commitment to the strategic preservation of the goodness of companies and organizations. Using two proven methodologies for measurement and accountability, ASPire’s clients align Purpose and Culture and business strategy for growth and sustainability.   For the month of June, ASPire is offering to lead your organization through a Culture Sustainability Assessment at a discounted rate. Click here and type 4word in your contact message to learn more. Orginal broadcast dated: Jun 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

For Christian women in the workforce, it can sometimes be tricky to navigate how much of your faith is welcome among your colleagues. As a Christian, you’ve heard of The Great Commission. You know you’re supposed to be making disciples. But what does that mean? On this episode, Alva P. Adams-Mason, Group Manager of Multicultural Business Alliance and Strategy and Multicultural Dealer Relations for Toyota Motor North America and 4word Advisory Board member, discusses how she found ways to advance her faith while advancing her career. She also talks about why mentors were vital for her to find a way to balance her life inside the walls of corporate America as well as outside those walls as a parent. Links for this episode:Follow Alva on LinkedInGuest Bio: Alva Adams-Mason is Group Manager of Multicultural Business Alliance and Strategy; and Multicultural Dealer Relations for Toyota Motor North America. In this executive role, she is responsible for directing strategy for Toyota’s multicultural partnerships, organizational support, and sponsorships relevant to Toyota/Lexus multicultural business initiatives covering the Black, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Native American, LGBTQ, and women external/community outreach. She is also responsible for leading collaborative projects and relationships that engage the Toyota Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association (TLMODA), including the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD). Her leadership encompasses the coordination and communications with k cross-functional departments, executive leadership, field offices, and internal Toyota Motor Sales departments and multicultural dealers. Adams served in several management roles starting as National Manager, African American Business  Strategy for Toyota Motor Sales. She led collaborative projects that advanced the company’s  communication strategy and propelled specific diversity initiatives across Toyota’s North American  Operations. Adams managed external media relations, strategic partnerships, philanthropic activities,  and government relations relevant to Toyota’s African American Business Strategy. She also oversaw  efforts that encouraged diversity in team member volunteerism and community engagement  opportunities. Adams began her career with Toyota in 1999. Before that, she served in several pivotal roles at Ford Motor Company. She worked as a Controller, responsible for all financial aspects of the  business, and was instrumental in advancing the minority dealer training program and retail dealer initiatives for nearly 13 years.   A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Adams holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Howard  University and a certificate in diversity from the University of Houston. Adams currently serves as the  Chair of the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles Board of Directors; and serves on the boards of The Salvation  Army’s National Advisory Board (Secretary), National Urban League Corporate Advisory Council,  International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute, and National College Resources Foundation. Her past board membership includes the Los Angeles Girl Scout Council and the University of California Berkeley Parents Board. She is President Emeritus of Howard University Alumni Club of Southern California and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Orginal broadcast dated: Jun 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)

In this episode, we talk about getting to a place where we’re OK with not being OK. Are you cringing? Is your heart beating a little faster? Did your ears just perk up, even though everything in you is wanting to just skip this episode and keep pushing through your day? Then this episode is for you. Dr. Shannan Crawford, licensed clinical psychologist and leadership consultant, joins the podcast to talk about why we are so reluctant to admit when our mental health is suffering, and how she herself has learned when it’s time to pause and let God open His waiting arms to us for rest and renewed strength. Links for this episode:Visit Dr. Crawford’s website hereThe Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurstFollow Dr. Crawford on:FacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeListen to Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford on any of these platforms:Libsyn RSSiTunesGoogle Play Spotify YouTube Amazon  Guest Bio: Dr. Shannan Crawford is a clinical psychologist, adjunct professor, and leadership consultant who has invested over 15-years honing strategies for optimal performance for those leading in the creative, corporate, faith-based, and entrepreneurial spaces. And the host for the Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford Podcast in which she engages thought leaders on curated topics on where leaders get stuck in order to help unlock leaders emotionally, relationally, spiritually, and vocationally,  Dr. Crawford does not believe in crazy; she believes symptoms are symbolic and need to be understood in the context of a holistic understanding of the interaction between body, soul, and spirit. She loves working with leaders because the language of the unconscious is best understood through allegory and story. She intuitively helps individuals identify and overcome areas of self-sabotage by deepening awareness of their internal world to enrich creative enjoyment. Innovator of Restoring-Self-Cohesion (RSC) approach, Dr. Crawford helps creatives remove the unconscious blocks that have been limiting the spontaneous free flowing enjoyment of their craft. RSC is designed to lower defense mechanisms, map, and strategically resolve the root areas of self-sabotage to help creative entrepreneurs remove unconscious blocks, restore internal alignment and cohesion, in order to see creatives, flourish in their craft. Orginal broadcast dated: May 2021 Click here for the latest Podcast from 4word - Work Love Pray Podcast - 4word (4wordwomen.org)