Category: Podcast

What if the reason your business feels stuck… isn’t strategy—but purpose?

In this episode of the Pillars of Purpose Podcast, Reed Nyffeler shares how he built a $300M business across 48 states and 9 countries—starting in an industry he had zero experience in.

His secret?

He didn’t start with experience… he started with purpose.

Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:

-Why starting with purpose gives you clarity for every decision

-The KNOW–SOW–GROW–SHOW framework to remove risk when starting or scaling

-How to delegate the right way (and stop wasting your time)

-The difference between wanting to feel better vs actually be better

-Leadership principles that apply to both business and family

If you’re a business owner feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next—this episode will help you reset your direction and move forward with clarity.

👉 Because when you become better… you don’t just grow your business—you transform your life.

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You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Most leaders don’t fail because they lack effort… they fail because they’re focusing in the wrong direction.

In this episode, Matthew sits down with Dalmo Cirne, author of The Four Streams of Leadership, to break down a powerful framework that every business owner and leader needs to understand.

If you’ve ever struggled with:

-Building the right team

-Defining your company culture

-Communicating effectively with leadership or employees

-Getting everyone aligned and moving forward

This conversation will give you clarity.

Dalmo shares how leadership is like a constant flow—moving in four critical directions:

✔ Leading yourself (culture starts with you)

✔ Leading your team (roles matter more than you think)

✔ Managing up (communication and feedback loops)

✔ Collaborating with peers (real relationships vs forced networking)

You’ll also learn:

-Why “culture hates a vacuum” (and how to fix it)

-The 3 roles every strong team needs: Visionary, Implementer, and Forwarder

-How to create feedback loops that actually improve your business

-Why leadership requires hard decisions—not consensus

This episode is practical, honest, and deeply relevant whether you’re a business owner, leader, or building your first team.

🎯 If you want to lead better and build a team that actually works, this is for you.

📌 Connect with Dalmo Cirne:

Visit: dalmocirne.com

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You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

What do you do when life changes in an instant?

For Eric McElvenny, that moment came on December 9, 2011 — when an IED explosion in Afghanistan took his lower leg.

But two weeks later, an email from his commanding officer changed everything:

“Let me know when you’re going to run your first marathon.”

That challenge sparked a “crazy goal” that would reshape Eric’s life — training for an Ironman triathlon less than two years after his injury.

In this powerful conversation, Eric shares what resilience really looks like — not the highlight reel, but the dark days, the slow progress, and the habits that build strength over time.

Today, Eric is a Paralympic athlete, Ironman competitor, and motivational speaker who helps leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs develop resilience in the face of adversity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The moment that changed Eric’s life in Afghanistan

• The surprising email that sparked a life-changing goal

• Why “crazy goals” create powerful motivation

• The role of mentorship and teamwork in success

• How small steps lead to life-changing opportunities

• Why resilience is a skill anyone can learn

Whether you’re a business owner, leader, athlete, or someone facing a difficult season, Eric’s story will challenge you to think bigger, persevere longer, and pursue purpose with courage.

Connect with Eric McElvenny

Website: EricMcElvenny.com

Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook: Eric McElvenny

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Success can quietly become an idol.

In this episode of the Pillars of Purpose Podcast, Bryan Smith shares how a career crisis revealed something many entrepreneurs struggle with: tying identity to success.

After spending years building businesses and leading in the tech world, Bryan realized his title as CTO had slowly become the foundation of his identity. When that foundation shook, it forced him to ask a deeper question:

Who am I if I’m not my job?

In this conversation, we talk about:

• The moment Bryan’s faith became personal at age 27

• Why mission trips changed how his family sees the world

• How distraction and comfort can keep us from hearing God

• Parenting in a culture that constantly pulls kids away from faith

• The hidden danger of “accidental idolatry” in business success

• Why entrepreneurs must root their identity in being a child of God

Bryan also shares practical wisdom for business owners about leadership, discipline, and staying grounded in faith while building a business.

If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or parent trying to live out your faith in a noisy world, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Because success is a terrible place to find your identity.

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

9/11 survivor and former Secret Service agent Darin Kinder shares how surviving the World Trade Center led him to discover God’s purpose for his life.

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On September 11, 2001, Darin Kinder should have died.

As a young Secret Service agent inside the World Trade Center complex, he ran toward danger — helping evacuate survivors from Tower 1.

But moments before collapse, he felt led away from two vehicles that were later found completely destroyed.

That day didn’t just change his life…

It reshaped his purpose.

In this powerful conversation, Darin shares:

• What it was like inside the World Trade Center on 9/11

• The moment he heard, “I am with you”

• Why God stayed silent for 5 years after he asked for his mission

• How survival led to surrender

• What it means to lead as a husband, father, and business leader

• Why true leadership begins with humility and “teaching from your scars”

Darin’s story reminds us:

We’re not meant to sit safely on the sidelines.

We’re called to step into the arena — to live lives that serve, lead, and make a difference.

A conversation about courage, obedience, and living a life that gets your “suit dirty.”

–

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

If you’re a Christian business owner looking for a biblical approach to family wealth planning and generational legacy, this episode will change how you think about money forever.

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What happens to your business… your bank accounts… your family… if you’re gone tomorrow?

In this powerful and practical conversation, Tyler McCart shares how a sudden family crisis in 2020 exposed major gaps in traditional estate planning — and how it led him to discover a more resilient, biblical approach to generational wealth.

If you’re a Christian business owner, husband, or father, this episode will challenge the way you think about legacy.

We talk about:

• Why most families have a business plan — but no family plan

• The difference between independence and biblical interdependence

• How to define your family’s values and vision

• What a “Family Bank” is and how it works

• Using whole life insurance or IUL policies inside a family trust

• How to keep capital and interest inside the family

• Breaking the “earn it, squander it, lose it” cycle

• Teaching financial discipline across generations

This isn’t about getting rich.

It’s about stewardship.

It’s about protecting your family from chaos.

It’s about building something that lasts beyond you.

If you want your wealth aligned with your faith — this episode is for you.

Connect with Tyler:

📩 Email: [email protected]

📺 YouTube: Legacy Hacks

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

What does it really look like to build a strong family on purpose?

In this powerful and practical conversation, Nick Nickell shares the lessons he learned from nearly 50 years of marriage, raising four children, and now leading as a grandfather.

From leaving a Navy career to prioritize family…

To creating traditions like the “Nickell Olympics”…

To navigating parenting struggles that became spiritual turning points…

Nick offers wisdom for parents who want to raise kids with faith, character, and responsibility — not just success.

You’ll hear how:

• Choosing family over career shaped their legacy

• Linking responsibility to real life built strong character

• A child’s failure became a catalyst for deeper faith

• Homeschooling one year at a time removed fear and pressure

• Shared experiences created lifelong connection

This episode is for parents who want to be intentional — not perfect.

Because building a family that lasts doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens on purpose.

—

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Jeff Hancher discusses effective leadership and accountability.

Key Takeaways

– Leadership is a “deposit/withdrawal” relationship. Leaders must first make “deposits” (coaching, personal investment) to earn the right to make “withdrawals” (tough feedback), which builds trust and enables growth.

– Accountability requires a 3-part framework: 1) Clear, reasonable expectations, 2) Frequent, routine feedback, and 3) Consistent enforcement. Without all three, you get compliance, not engagement.

– Use structured models for tough conversations. The SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact, Intent) model and the “5 Questions of Accountability” provide a fact-based, non-judgmental approach to address performance gaps.

– The biggest scaling mistake is a lack of leadership impact. Founders must invest in developing their leaders through consistent, structured one-on-ones to build a self-sustaining organization.

Topics

Leadership Philosophy: Deposits & Withdrawals

– Jeff Hancher’s 25-year career at Centos Uniform Company, starting as a driver, illustrates the power of leadership.

– His manager, Sean, made significant “deposits” (e.g., coaching sales skills, buying a suit, teaching a tie knot), building a strong relationship.

– This trust enabled a critical “withdrawal”—tough feedback during a personal crisis. Sean’s direct, caring challenge (“change your attitude or you’re off my team”) refocused Jeff, who responded with, “I’m not going to let you down.”

– Insight: Leaders who make deposits earn the right to make withdrawals, creating a culture where people don’t want to let their leader down.

Accountability Framework: Expectations, Feedback, Accountability

– This 3-part framework drives engagement, not just compliance.

– 1. Expectations:

– Must be clear, reasonable, and communicated with a “why” that benefits the employee (e.g., career growth), not just the company.

– Validate reasonableness with peak performers to avoid setting people up for failure.

– 2. Feedback:

– The most critical pillar, delivered via frequent, routine one-on-one debriefs with every employee.

– Rationale: This is the primary tool for leadership development. The time investment prevents larger, more costly problems like high turnover or lost customers.

– Structure: Use great questions (e.g., “Why is success important to you?”) and coach toward SMART goals, focusing on both performance and personal development.

– 3. Accountability:

– The natural outcome of the first two pillars.

– Avoid: The “feedback sandwich,” labeling (“lazy”), procrastination, and judging intent.

– Use Structured Models:

– SBI Model: Address the Situation, Behavior, and its Impact, then ask about Intent (“What were you trying to accomplish?”).

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Lara Silverman discusses how to find joy in suffering.

Key Takeaways

– Acceptance is the Path: After losing health, career, and husband, Lara Silverman found peace by accepting her permanent illness as a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7), shifting from demanding healing to trusting God’s will.

– Joy in Grief is Possible: A one-year marriage to Matt, a fellow sufferer, demonstrated that joy is a gift from God in grief, not just after deliverance.

– Suffering is a Training Ground: Pain refines faith by exposing false idols (e.g., career, marriage) and preparing believers for eternity, producing an “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17).

– Prepare Before the Storm: Build a robust theology of suffering now. This foundation is critical, as preparing during a crisis is the worst time to do it.

Topics

The 8-Year “Job Journey”

– Health: A rare neurological illness caused chronic vertigo, forcing resignation from a dream job as a federal prosecutor.

– Impact: Bedridden for 3 years, requiring full-time care.

– Current State: Still bedridden 60–70% of the day.

– Career: Resigned from the federal prosecutor role after 10 months of leave.

– Catalyst: A devotional app message about God closing doors, which Lara interpreted as a divine sign to accept her new reality.

– Husband: Married Matt, a fellow sufferer with terminal cancer, one year before he passed away.

Finding Joy in the Fire

– Theology Shift: Moved from demanding healing to accepting the illness as a permanent “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7).

– Rationale: This shift was prompted by a sense of God’s explicit call to acceptance.

– Joy in Grief: Matt’s visit, intended to share a theology of suffering, led to their marriage.

– Significance: Their one-year ministry demonstrated that joy is possible in suffering, not just after it.

– Wedding Verse: Isaiah 43:20, about God providing refreshing streams in the desert.

– The “Why” Question: Wrestled with anger and bitterness over God’s will.

– Resolution: Surrendered the need to understand why and chose to trust God’s goodness, even when it doesn’t make sense.

Suffering as a Training Ground

– Purpose in Pain: Suffering is not random but serves God’s purposes.

– Refinement: Exposes and removes idols (e.g., career, marriage).

– Preparation: This life is a “boot camp” for eternity.

– Glory: Produces an “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17).

– Vessel for Testimony: God may choose certain individuals to be vessels for showing His sustaining grace in the fire.

– Significance: This is a powerful testimony that Christ is good even in pain.

Next Steps

– Read Lara Silverman’s memoir, Singing Through Fire, available on Amazon.

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Nick Vipperman discusses his new book, “Switching Shoes.”

Key Takeaways

– New Book: “Switching Shoes: The Power of Perspective” explores how a single perspective shift can instantly change emotions (e.g., anger to empathy), a phenomenon Vipperman calls “miraculous.”

– Origin: The book evolved from a sermon series Vipperman couldn’t let go of, feeling a divine directive to expand the message.

– Format: The 9-chapter book is designed for both individual and group study, with reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

– Availability: The book is on Amazon (paperback/Kindle) and at Galilee Christian Church. A Facebook group (“Switching Shoes Power Perspective”) is active for community discussion.

Topics

Book Origin & Core Message

– Genesis: The book originated from a sermon series Vipperman preached years ago at Galilee Christian Church, where he has been Senior Pastor for 14 years.

– Divine Directive: Vipperman felt a persistent, divine pull to expand the sermon into a book, despite his initial reluctance to become an author.

– Core Concept: The book explores the “miraculous” power of perspective—a single, instantaneous shift that can transform emotions and understanding.

– Example: A story about a pastor’s anger over a stolen parking space turning into a different emotion after a perspective shift.

– Parable: A housewife’s anger over a stolen pie turns to empathy upon seeing the thief is a starving child.

The Publishing Process

– Self-Published: Vipperman self-published the book.

– Editor: Melinda Rahn provided critical structure and organization, helping to develop ideas and ensure consistency.

– Key Contribution: Rahn suggested adding reflection questions to the end of every chapter, turning a good idea into a consistent, actionable feature for readers.

– Vulnerability: Vipperman noted the significant vulnerability in publishing a book, as the written word is permanent and open to wide, unfiltered interpretation.

Application & Community

– Target Audience: The book is for both Christians and those curious about faith, as the power of perspective is a universal concept.

– Group Study: The 9-chapter format and reflection questions make it ideal for small groups.

– Validation: A preachers’ group in North Carolina is already planning to use the book for a February study.

– Community Hub: The public Facebook group (“Switching Shoes Power Perspective”) serves as a forum for readers to share stories and engage with the book’s themes.

– Future Resources: A small group study guide is a likely next step, though Vipperman is taking a short break before committing.

Next Steps

– Nick Vipperman:

– Consider creating a small group study guide for the book.

– Share additional stories and content in the “Switching Shoes Power Perspective” Facebook group.

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com

Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com