sheWorks4Him Podcast
To encourage and equip Christian working women
Welcome to the sheWorks4Him Podcast! A place where we celebrate and validate the diverse experiences of today’s Christian working women by providing a digital gathering space that connects them to God, resources, and one another.
Each week join hosts Catherine Gates, Nadya Dickson, and Martha Brangenberg as they interview women of faith that embrace their workplace mission field. Full of incredible stories, biblical encouragement, and real-life tips and tricks, sheWorks4Him will empower you to live out your calling at work, so the world knows, “Hey, sheWorks4Him!”
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sW4H 37 | Joyce Avedisian and Cissy Watson Taking Kingdom Territory
Today we talk with Joyce Avedisian-Reidinger and Cissy Watson. Joyce runs an executive round table, Faith in Action, which is designed to help women apply Matthew 6:33 to their lives. But when affordable housing developer Cissy Watson began attending and sharing the importance of aligning your values with the people you hire, Joyce listened. Tune in to hear these incredible women talk about taking authority and speaking God’s word into their work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Guests: Dr. Joyce Avedisian-Riedinger; Cissy Watson
Ministry/Business: Avedisian Mgmt. Consultants; Mansermar Development
Guests: Dr. Joyce Avedisian-Riedinger; Cissy Watson
Ministry/Business: Avedisian Mgmt. Consultants; Mansermar Development
Leaders learning from those they lead - what a humble and vulnerable approach! Today we talk with Joyce Avedisian-Reidinger and Cissy Watson. Joyce runs an executive round table, Faith in Action, which is designed to help women apply Matthew 6:33 to their lives - seeking first the Kingdom of God. But when affordable housing developer Cissy Watson began attending and sharing the importance of aligning your values with the people you hire, Joyce listened. Tune in to hear these incredible women talk about taking authority and speaking God’s word into their work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Cissy and Joyce are both examples of the impact we can have when we hide the word of God in our hearts and allow it to be used in our every day.
Resources from today’s show:
Joyce created a worksheet to help each of us explore the concept of Ruler and Taking Territory for the Kingdom. Plus, she would also like to offer our listeners the chance to set up a 10–15-minute guidance session to go deeper or discuss her round table. Email Martha@iWork4Him.com for a copy of the worksheet and to set up your FREE strategy session!
You can also pick up a copy of Joyce’s book, Reflecting God’s Character in Your Business.
Our (Guest’s) Current Reads:
Accessing the Riches of Heaven by Patricia King and Shawn Bolz.
Encourage or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
sW4H 34 | Julia Oltmanns Bringing Your Whole Self to Work
Scripture makes it clear that God wants us to partner with Him in our work; however, conversations about faith at work often include concerns about how one can do it appropriately, if at all. The good news is, not only is it legal to bring your faith to work, but companies of all sizes across the country have Christian Employee Resources Groups! Julia Oltmanns is Director of DEI Services for Zurich Resilience Solutions, providing training and consulting for other companies.
Guests: Julia Oltmanns
Ministry/Business:Zurich Resilience Solutions
Guests: Julia Oltmanns
Ministry/Business: Zurich Resilience Solutions
The first picture we get of God in Genesis is as a worker, and since we are created in His image, we are also workers. Scripture makes it clear that God wants us to partner with Him in our work; however, conversations about faith at work often include concerns about how one can do it appropriately, if at all. The good news is, not only is it legal to bring your faith to work, but companies of all sizes across the country have Christian Employee Resource Groups to provide support and community for employees who want to honor God and do excellent work!
Julia Oltmanns is Director of DEI Services for Zurich Resilience Solutions, providing training and consulting for other companies. She was part of the team that launched Zurich N.A.’s GoodNewZ Christian Employee Resource Group in 2018. She described that experience as her “Esther moment” and a turning point in her faith. When Julia reviewed the Christian Employee Resource Group request, she felt God calling her to get involved. GoodNewZ provides leadership and career development as well as a weekly prayer meeting, Bible studies, and the opportunity to celebrate Christian holidays together. In addition, the group equips employees to live fully integrated lives. Julia recommends that if you want to see a Christian Employee Resource Group, the first step is to connect and pray with a couple of other Christians in your company.
Resources from today’s show:
For Julia’s CERG Tool Kit, email Martha Brangenberg at martha@iwork4him.com and she will put you in touch with Julia.
Don’t forget that the Boldly Conference, a Faith + Work Conference by women for women is coming up this fall on Friday, October 21st, 2022! We hope to see you there! Oh, and be sure to check out our guest’s current read: Working in the Presence of God by Denise Daniels and Shannon Vandewarker.
Encouraged or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
sW4H 33 | Rachel Rose Nelson Business that Brings Freedom
Human trafficking affects over 40 million people. Although there are many impactful rescue organizations on the frontlines, today's guest believes that we need a strategy beyond the initial rescue to fight human trafficking and exploitation. Today we have a conversation with Rachel Nelson, the Executive Director of Freedom Business Alliance. Rachel believes that Christian women in the marketplace play a key role in creating safe employment opportunities for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.
Guests: Rachel Rose Nelson
Ministry/Business: Freedom Business Alliance
Guests: Rachel Rose Nelson
Ministry/Business: Freedom Business Alliance
Human trafficking affects over 40 million people. Although there are many impactful rescue organizations on the frontlines, today's guest believes that we need a strategy beyond the initial rescue to fight human trafficking and exploitation. Today we visit Portland, Oregon, to have a conversation with Rachel Nelson. Rachel is the Executive Director of Freedom Business Alliance. Rachel believes that Christian women in the marketplace have an opportunity to play a key role in creating safe employment opportunities for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.
After leaving an abusive relationship, Rachel became aware of the great needs of women and children that left them vulnerable to human trafficking. With her business background and personally held passion for "setting the captives free," Rachel became an integral part of Freedom Business Alliance. Women-owned and operated businesses play a huge role in responding to the economic and emotional needs of survivors of trafficking. A Freedom Business joins an alliance of other companies passionate about offering business training followed by economic sustainability to survivors. Rachel's testimony proves that God wastes nothing and that even our past traumas can be redeemed and used to serve Him and His people. Rachel reminds us of God's heart for the captive from her life verse in Isaiah 61:1-2, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn."
Resources from today’s show:
Rachel is giving away the gorgeous Gold Bar Necklace Gift Set to one listener from the Starfish Project. Keep one for yourself and then give the other two to friends or coworkers and share the Freedom Business story! To be entered to win, call 866-713-9675 (WORK).
Encourage or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
Find the show’s transcript here.
sW4H 28 | Kimberly Wright and Unconventional Business Women
Scripture is full of principles to apply to our business and our work. However, doing so is unconventional - unconventional business, that is. Before Kimberly Wright became the new Executive Director of Unconventional Business Women (UBW), she was an attendee who found encouragement and a sense of belonging there. Many women struggle with loneliness, guilt, and comparison, and UBW is a place to learn to let go and embrace who God made them to be in all aspects of their life – especially work.
Guests: Kimberly Wright
Ministry/Business: Unconventional Business Women
Guests: Kimberly Wright
Ministry/Business: Unconventional Business Women
Scripture is full of principles to apply to our business and our work. However, doing so is unconventional - unconventional business, that is. Now add to the equation that men and women are not the same. Meeting the specific needs of men and women is critical to our flourishing, so when we put these two ideas together, we get Unconventional Business Women.
Before Kimberly Wright became the new Executive Director of Unconventional Business Women (UBW), she was an attendee who found encouragement and a sense of belonging there. Many women struggle with loneliness, guilt, and comparison, and UBW is a place to learn to let go and embrace who God made them to be in all aspects of their life – especially work. Kimberly is excited about the upcoming speaker for UBW’s Spring Summit – as she has recently read Jordan Raynor’s book, Redeeming your Time, and gotten such great insight into prioritizing her own time.
Resources from today’s show:
To hear iWork4Him’s recent interview with Jordan Raynor about his book, click here! And to get tickets to Unconventional Business Women’s Spring Summit, click here!
Encourage or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
To be entered to win the free resource offered on today’s show call 866-713-9675 (WORK) or email Martha@iWork4Him.com
Find the show’s transcript here.
sW4H 14 | Dara Perreira: The Messiah Manager Mindset
Guests: Dara Perreira
Ministry/Business: Proverbs and Productivity
You want to bring your faith to work, but how? Tune in to today’s show to hear about how Dara Perreira, the Director for Human Resources for the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii is bringing Jesus to work through the Messiah Manager Mindset. Having the Messiah Manager Mindset means you consider yourself a manager of your work for Christ with Jesus as the CEO.
Guests: Dara Perreira
Ministry/Business: Proverbs and Productivity
You want to bring your faith to work, but how? After all, you don’t see too many people in your office inquiring about God before they start a project or deal with that personnel issue. Dara Perreira has been there. She has worked in Human Resources for years in places like The Home Depot, apparel companies, and as the Director of Human Resources for the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dara can smile on even the most difficult days because she has come to know in her heart who she is really working for - the Lord. In this episode, Dara encourages women to make a difference, get into community, and make Jesus our focus at work.
Dara also shares her love for M’s. Not M&Ms but having a Messiah Manager Mindset (MMM) at work and knowing when to be Mary and when to be Martha. Our mindset leads everything we do, how we respond to challenges and how we make decisions. Having the Messiah Manager Mindset means you consider yourself a manager of your work for Christ with Jesus as the CEO. There is a time and a place to be still and receive and another time to act. We all need to take time at the feet of our Lord Jesus, as Mary did, so we can then shift to being like Martha, serving and doing our work with excellence.
Resources from today’s show:
Dara understands the importance of getting into community with like-minded Christian women in the workplace. If you are interested in finding a group like this, check out Women in the Marketplace Small Group Resources. Additional resources include the Women in the Marketplace Unleashed Study and Proverbs and Productivity. Plus, to hear more about the idea of balancing when to be Mary and when to be Martha, tune in to our podcast with Pam Lilly called Mary Mornings & Martha Days.
Encourage or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
sW4H 13 | Lynn Ewonaitis: Bold Faith In The Everyday
Guests: Lynn Ewonaitis
Lynn Ewonaitis came to know Jesus after a “chance” meeting with Jim Brangenberg led to a conversation about having a personal relationship with Christ. After that, Lynn began reading the Bible and discovered what it meant to have Jesus as a friend. Today, Lynn’s full-time job is going to doctor appointments and preparing for a bone marrow transplant to treat her leukemia. It’s not easy, but God has given her a gift in life to live boldly, and she’s doing exactly that every day.
Memorial dedication:
Dec 10, 1960 – Nov. 20, 2021
At the time of this recording Lynn Ewonaitis, the guest was fighting a battle against leukemia. But, with God’s favor, Lynn had a very good day for this interview, and you get to hear a little piece of her testimony and love for Jesus.
We are so grateful for the friendship we found in Lynn and how she wore Jesus on her sleeve for all to meet. On November 20, 2021, Lynn got to meet Jesus face-to-face and is finally healed.
Guests: Lynn Ewonaitis
Lynn Ewonaitis came to know Jesus because He was calling her. A “chance” meeting with Jim Brangenberg - our host, Martha’s husband - led to a conversation about having a personal relationship with Christ. After that, Lynn began reading the Bible and discovered what it meant to have Jesus as a friend. From praying with clients at the Christian radio station where she worked to speaking kind words even when she doesn’t feel like it, Lynn is learning daily how to live her life so that people can’t help but see Jesus.
Today, Lynn’s workplace looks a little different. Her full-time job is going to doctor appointments and preparing for a bone marrow transplant to treat her leukemia. During this season, she is praying over the outcome of medical tests and showing Jesus’ love to the nurses that take care of her. It’s not easy, but God has given her a gift in life to live boldly, and she’s doing exactly that every day.
Resources from today’s show:
The verse Lynn shared today was Psalm 139:1-4. The word of the Lord is powerful, and Lynn has tapped into that power by giving away dozens of Gospels of John through The Pocket Testament League. It’s what led her to Christ, and her hope is that it will do the same for those she shares it with.
Encouraged or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at www.sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
sW4H 12 | Sandy Olsson: Becoming the Best Version of You
Guests: Sandy Olsson
Ministry/Business: Sandy Olsson, Mentor & Speaker
Finding a professional mentor can be a complex process that requires things like mutual learning and development, life-long experience and guidance, tools for growth in key areas of life, and most importantly, someone who is experienced in listening and able to help shift you in the right direction. Today’s guest, Sandy Olsson, has years of experience in professional mentorship and talks with hosts Martha Brangenberg and Nadya Dickson about the power of women mentoring women.
Guests: Sandy Olsson
Ministry/Business: Sandy Olsson, Mentor & Speaker
According to a recent survey by Olivet Nazarene University, there is a significant gender discrepancy in professional mentorship, with 82% of men having had male mentors. In comparison, just 69% of women have had female mentors. Finding a professional mentor can be a complex process that requires things like mutual learning and development, life-long experience and guidance, tools for growth in key areas of life, and most importantly, someone who is experienced in listening and able to help shift you in the right direction. Today’s guest, Sandy Olsson, has years of experience in professional mentorship and talks with hosts Martha Brangenberg and Nadya Dickson about the power of women mentoring women.
Sandy worked in the marketplace from an early age where she learned integrate her faith into her work. As she matured in her faith and personal leadership, Sandy began mentoring other women, later founding The Masters Program for Women, to help them discover and fulfill their God-given purpose through achieving balance, margin, and focus. Though she has handed the baton at The Masters Program for Women to Nadya Dickson, Sandy continues to mentor and encourage women at Biola in the MBA program and through 4Word Women and in her own private mentorship program. She also has her own private mentoring program, which you can learn more about at MentorSandy.com.
Resources from today’s show:
Sandy is giving away a FREE consultation, called her one-hour DNA Assessment, to one of today’s listeners! To enter, call our listener line at 866-713-9675 (WORK) or email Martha@iWork4Him.com. Sandy is the founder of The Masters Program for Women and a mentor at Biola in the MBA program through 4Word Women. To learn more about 4Word women, check out the iWork4Him interview with 4Word women with Diane Paddison.
Encouraged or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at www.sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
Connect with us at www.sheWorks4Him.com and on social media. All links are on the website.
sW4H 11 | Adele Lacombe: Faith as a Business Strategy
Guests: Adele Lacombe
Ministry/Business: Debbie Macomber Inc
Adele LaCombe has been blessed with a boss who not only brings out the best in her but is also committed to helping others discover their best lives as well. She works for her mother, Debbie Macomber, a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies! As the CEO of the Debbie Macomber organization, Adele talks with us about traveling for work and parenting, imposter syndrome, and being the only woman in a boardroom full of men.
Guests: Adele Lacombe
Ministry/Business: Debbie Macomber Inc
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to fall into an assumption trap - the kind where we believe the worst about ourselves and others? We all do it, and we all need people in our lives who are willing to call those assumptions out and help us see what is true. Adele LaCombe has been blessed with a boss who not only brings out the best in her but is also committed to helping others discover their best lives as well. She works for her mother, Debbie Macomber, a #1 New York Times bestselling author known as the “official storyteller of Christmas.” Several of her books have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies!
As the CEO of the Debbie Macomber organization, Adele represents the organization on boards where she serves alongside several powerful men, including an admiral, a CEO, and a senator. These men have made it clear that they value Adele’s ideas and perspectives, which has helped her feel empowered to do what God has called her to. In this show, we talk with Adele about how powerful our words can be and how to use them to lift up other women at the table. Plus, we discuss traveling for work and parenting, imposter syndrome, and being the only woman in a boardroom full of men.
Our Current Reads: Dear Santa, It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber
Encourage or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at www.sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
Connect with us at www.sheWorks4Him.com and on social media. All links are on the website.
sw4H -1 | Ellie Nieves: Leadership strategies for women
Featured Guests: Ellie Nieves
Ministry/Workplace: Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC
Join Catherine Gates & Martha Brangenberg as they interview Ellie Nieves – an attorney and the Vice President of a Fortune 250 company – on bouncing back from life's unexpected curveballs. Through setbacks, adversity, challenges and health issues, Ellie has learned the importance of relying on faith in every aspect of life, including work! Her mission is to help aspiring Christian women leaders pave the way to success in their careers and spiritual lives.
Featured Guests: Ellie Nieves
Ministry/Workplace: Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC
We can plan our careers; we can work hard and hustle. But we can't anticipate every adversity, challenge, or disruption. Ellie Nieves is no stranger to life's curveballs, but with faith, she has come through it all with grace! Join Catherine Gates, Martha Brangenberg, and special guest Ellie Nieves as we discuss work-life balance, being a Christian woman in the corporate world, and developing personal resiliency through all of life's seasons!
Ellie Nieves has been laser-focused on achieving her goals from the beginning. She launched a successful career as a lawyer in New York City politics and then became vice president for a Fortune 250 company. Ellie didn't think she had time for all that "Christian stuff" when she first started out. However, when she had reached the pinnacle of her career, something was still missing. That's when God brought her to her knees – a defining moment that put everything in life – including her career – into context.
Tune in to hear more about how Ellie came to Christ through a business connection, how she balances her faith with being a wife, mother, attorney, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, speaker, podcast host, and corporate VP. Hint, it all starts with four simple things: prayer, attitude, discipleship, and Scripture!
Resources for you from today's show:
Ellie recently launched a community for Christian women in the marketplace on Facebook and has virtual bible studies and coffee breaks available online at ChristianCareerWomen.com! Ellie also started Leadership Strategies for Women at EllieNieves.com to work with organizations that want to help emerging women leaders become effective managers in the workplace. Oh, and don't forget to download Ellie's FREE guide: How Christian Career Women Rise at ChristianCareerWomen.com/rise and on Instagram and Facebook.
Our Guest's Current Reads:
Ellie Nieve's current read: A Gentle & Quiet Spirit by Virginia Lefler
Encouraged or motivated by today's show? Tell us about it! Tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
sheWorks4Him is Sponsored by Dayspring / Mary & Martha, a Dayspring company, online at www.MaryAndMartha.com or www.DaySpring.com
sW4H -2 | Jene’ Dunn Essential workers
Featured Guests: Jene' Dunn
Ministry/Workplace: Clinical Nurse Manager - www.mastersprogramforwomen.org
Do you know any essential workers? These individuals have faced insurmountable stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their own health & wellbeing for the sake of others. As a result, 2020 was officially dubbed Year of the Nurse & for good reason! In this show Nadya Dickson & Martha Brangenberg interview Jene Dunn, a clinical nurse manager whose mission in life is to bring the light of Christ to frontline associates. Full of encouragement, authenticity & inspiration this is one show you won’t want to miss!
sheWorks4Him is Sponsored by Dayspring / Mary & Martha, a Dayspring company, online at www.maryandmartha.com or www.Dayspring.com
Featured Guests: Jene' Dunn
Ministry/Workplace: Clinical Nurse Manager - www.mastersprogramforwomen.org
Do you know any essential workers? These individuals have faced insurmountable stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their own health and wellbeing for the sake of others. As a result, 2020 was officially dubbed Year of the Nurse, and for good reason! Today we are going to Castle Rock, Colorado, to talk with board-certified nurse Jene Dunn about serving like Jesus in the health care sector.
Jene grew up in a loving Christian home, surrounded by many family members who served as pastors and missionaries. But from a young age, Jene knew that she would go on to share the gospel in a different kind of mission field – the healthcare sector. As a Clinical Nurse Manager of four departments in a faith-based hospital, Jene has a passion for empowering those under her leadership. Her personal mission statement is "To allow the light of Christ to shine through me as I care for frontline associates who then care for our patients." But what exactly does that look like during a global pandemic? Tune in to find out!
Plus, Jene discusses the importance of vulnerability and authenticity when leading a team through trauma or uncertain times and the value continual learning, servant leadership, and honing in on a personal mission statement.
Resources from today's show:
Jene Dunn is a graduate of The Master's Program for Women, a faith-based professional leadership development program for high-impact Christian women. To learn more, go to MastersProgramForWomen.org. Jene also encourages all women to reflect on their own leadership and write a personal mission statement. Submit your mission statement to Jene atdunnjene@gmail.com Oh, and did we mention that Jene's husband Sean Dunn was a previous guest on iWork4Him? To hear Sean discuss JesusCares.org, go to iWork4Him.com/podcast/2017/jesuscarescom-is-saving-souls
and
iWork4Him.com/podcast/2016/10/a-media-blitz-to-save-souls
Encouraged or motivated by today's show? Tell us about it! Tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!
sheWorks4Him is Sponsored by Dayspring / Mary & Martha, a Dayspring company, online at www.MaryAndMartha.com or www.DaySpring.com