Threads of Wisdom

SE1 E06 Why Authenticity Wins in Sales and Life | Dr. Lenita Davis

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode of Threads of Wisdom, we sit down with Dr. Lenita Davis, Executive Director of the Sales Program at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, to explore her extraordinary journey from corporate America to academia and the life-changing moment that shaped her purpose. After surviving a life-threatening accident, Dr. Davis made a bold decision to leave the corporate world and pursue a higher calling: helping businesses grow while inspiring and empowering the next generation. With over 20 years of experience in sales education, Dr. Davis shares invaluable insights on: 💡 Discovering your purpose and aligning it with your career 🚀 Transitioning from corporate life to academia 🧠 Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and the pressure to conform 🌟 Embracing authenticity and “selling in the skin you're in” 🤝 The true meaning of sales as service, empathy, and giving 🎯 Why how you make people feel matters more than what you sell 👩‍💼 Women in sales and breaking through confidence barriers 🙏 Faith, resilience, and showing up with intention in life and work A key theme throughout this conversation is authenticity and impact learning to embrace your uniqueness, step into your purpose, and create meaningful connections in both business and life. This is more than a conversation about sales  it’s about identity, faith, leadership, and the courage to show up fully as yourself. 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more inspiring conversations from Threads of Wisdom. #ThreadsOfWisdom #LenitaDavis #SalesLeadership #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #WomenInBusiness #FaithAndWork #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Motivation

SE1 E05 From Wyoming to Business Success | Janey Walker

In this inspiring episode, Janey Walker, CEO and founder of Classic Mail Solutions, shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Wyoming to building a successful business in the commingling industry. Janey talks about how curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning shaped her career, ultimately leading her to entrepreneurship later in life. She explains how the commingling business works and how it helps companies reduce costs through efficient mail sorting and postal optimization. This conversation goes beyond business. Janey shares valuable insights on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of building strong relationships. She also discusses integrating faith into business decisions and why purpose-driven leadership plays a crucial role in long-term success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, part of the postal industry, or simply looking for motivation, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration on growth, resilience, and believing in yourself. What you’ll learn in this episode: How the commingling business works and why it matters Key lessons from starting a business later in life The role of faith in leadership and decision-making Why mentorship and continuous learning are essential Practical advice for women in leadership and entrepreneurship Key Topics: Janey Walker, Classic Mail Solutions, commingling business, entrepreneurship, leadership, women in leadership, faith in business, mentorship, business advice, postal industry Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Janey Walker and Her Journey 03:02 Understanding the Commingling Business 05:55 The Birth of Classic Mail Solutions 12:05 Navigating Challenges and Building Relationships 14:52 Leadership Philosophy and Influences 19:04 Integrating Faith and Business 28:06 Advice for Future Generations 36:01 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement Hashtags: #JaneyWalker #ClassicMailSolutions #Entrepreneurship #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #BusinessAdvice #Mentorship #FaithInBusiness #PostalIndustry #Commingling #StartupJourney #Inspiration #BusinessPodcast

SE01 E04 - Clarity in the Calling | Kim Wygle

In this conversation, Kim shares her journey of founding Flourish Executive Retreats, a space designed for kingdom-minded female executives to rest, refuel, and refocus. She discusses the importance of discerning one's personal calling, the unexpected nature of God's plans, and the significance of leading with purpose and focusing on people rather than results. Kim emphasizes the need for faithfulness over fruitfulness and encourages women to abide with the Lord, reminding them of His love and provision in their lives. What you'll learn in this episode: Kim never intended to own a retreat company, but followed God's call. Flourish Executive Retreats are designed for kingdom-minded female executives. Discerning a calling involves asking God for direction and being patient. Callings are often unexpected and require dependence on God. Leading is about supporting others in fulfilling their callings. Influential women in leadership can inspire and guide others. Abiding with the Lord is essential for effective leadership. Faithfulness to God's calling is more important than visible results. God loves and adores you as you are, not as you should be. God has everything you need; just ask Him.  Kim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-wygle-b9441642/ I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Caroline and the Threads of Wisdom podcast team Connect with Caroline A. Mendez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineamendez  Visit the Threads of Wisdom devotionals on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Threads-Wisdom-TRAILBLAZERS-Devotional-devotional/dp/B0F48K346C/ Listen to Threads of Wisdom on these podcast platforms:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6HAwoKiHEdDJmwVt2CKoyr Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/threads-of-wisdom/id1887819451 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/753a548f-ec2a-468a-aee6-ace61c9638f6 #ThreadsOfWisdom #CarolineMendez #ChristianWomenInBusiness #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ChristianEntrepreneur #FaithDrivenLeader #ChristianPodcast #WomenOfFaith #BusinessWomen #ChristianCoaching #FaithAtWork #WomenEmpowerment #LeadershipDevelopment Threads of Wisdom is the podcast passing on what Christian women in leadership have spent decades earning. Hosted by Caroline A. Mendez — author, coach, ordained minister, and advocate for Christian women in business for over 20 years — each episode features an honest, unfiltered conversation with a vetted Christian businesswoman living out her faith at the highest levels of her industry. From Gen Z to Boomers, across profit and non-profit, every guest brings real stories, hard-won perspective, and practical wisdom that goes far beyond the boardroom. If you're a Christian woman navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, or building a business rooted in faith, this podcast was made for you. Tune in each week for conversations that challenge, equip, and inspire — and leave every episode with one piece of wisdom you can put to work today.

SE1 E03 Leading With Purpose: Faith, Community and Servant Leadership | With Shannon Keil

Shannon Keil is Chief Experience Officer of The Regent, a 10,000 square foot community event center in Riverview, Florida, but her influence stretches far beyond event planning. In this episode, Shannon draws on 25+ years of experience in hospitality and events — including work with Universal Studios Creative Development and the Young Presidents Organization — to explore what it truly means to lead with intention. She opens up about how her faith quietly shapes every leadership decision she makes, why legacy requires legs, and how being a servant leader means standing shoulder to shoulder with your team, not above them.Shannon shares the mentors who shaped her — from faith leader John Paul Jackson to YPO's Mark Forward, who literally charged her a dollar every time she undervalued herself — and reflects on the hard lessons of learning to trust both yourself and the anchors God places in your life. She talks candidly about imposter syndrome, the vulnerability required to grow, and why the most important thing a leader can do when they walk into a room is look for who they can give to, not what they can get. Key Takeaways: Legacy needs legs — impact grows when it flows outward into community, not when it's stored up for yourself Servant leadership means doing the work alongside your team, not just directing from above Faith at work doesn't have to be loud — character and integrity speak before words do Every room you walk into has a purpose; shift your mindset from networking to assignment-seeking Vulnerability and submission to mentorship are not weaknesses — they are growth accelerators Stop waiting until you're fully qualified; God qualifies the called, not the other way around Imposter syndrome is common among women leaders, but the antidote is connection and community The best anchors in your life aren't holding you back — they're keeping you grounded If Shannon's story resonated with you, take one insight from this episode and put it into practice this week.  Connect with Shannon and The Regent below.www.theregentfl.com info@theregentfl.com 813-571-2494 I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Caroline and the Threads of Wisdom podcast team Connect with Caroline A. Mendez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineamendez  Visit the Threads of Wisdom devotionals on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Threads-Wisdom-TRAILBLAZERS-Devotional-devotional/dp/B0F48K346C/ Listen to Threads of Wisdom on these podcast platforms:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6HAwoKiHEdDJmwVt2CKoyr Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/threads-of-wisdom/id1887819451 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/753a548f-ec2a-468a-aee6-ace61c9638f6 #ThreadsOfWisdom #CarolineMendez #ChristianWomenInBusiness #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ChristianEntrepreneur #FaithDrivenLeader #ChristianPodcast #WomenOfFaith #BusinessWomen #ChristianCoaching #FaithAtWork #WomenEmpowerment #LeadershipDevelopment Threads of Wisdom is the podcast passing on what Christian women in leadership have spent decades earning. Hosted by Caroline A. Mendez — author, coach, ordained minister, and advocate for Christian women in business for over 20 years — each episode features an honest, unfiltered conversation with a vetted Christian businesswoman living out her faith at the highest levels of her industry. From Gen Z to Boomers, across profit and non-profit, every guest brings real stories, hard-won perspective, and practical wisdom that goes far beyond the boardroom. If you're a Christian woman navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, or building a business rooted in faith, this podcast was made for you. Tune in each week for conversations that challenge, equip, and inspire — and leave every episode with one piece of wisdom you can put to work today.

SE1 E02 Faith, Business, and the Art of Servant Leadership | Susan Springsteen

Susan Springsteen is the co-founder of nth Solutions and President and CEO of H2O Connected, a woman-owned water technology company based in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. In this conversation, Susan shares how a faith-driven approach has shaped every dimension of her leadership journey — from her early days managing investments at Morgan Stanley to building two technology companies rooted in community impact and Christian mission. She opens up about what it means to run a business as a calling rather than a career, and how locating her companies in a high-poverty city was a deliberate, God-led decision to spur economic development and give people real opportunities. Susan dives into the nuances of Christian women in leadership — navigating the tension between confidence in the boardroom and conviction at home, the importance of stewardship over ownership, and why busyness is one of the enemy's most effective tools. She also shares a remarkable story of a funding miracle that happened just days before recording, a reminder that faith in business isn't theoretical — it shows up on a Thursday afternoon when payroll is due on Friday. Key takeaways: Leadership ability and task excellence are two different skill sets — you don't have to be the best at something to lead effectively Business as mission means intentionally using your company as a vehicle to serve people, spread values, and create opportunity in underserved communities Stewardship, not ownership, is the mindset shift that changes how you lead, invest, and make decisions Not all money is good money — mission alignment with your investors matters as much as the cheque they write The enemy's greatest weapon against mature Christian women isn't doubt — it's busyness; guard your prayer time fiercely Younger Christian women are missing out by not actively seeking wisdom from the generation ahead of them "Obey God and leave the consequences to him" — practical advice for faith-driven entrepreneurs facing impossible decisions Connect with Susan Springsteen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-springsteen-58788144/ H2O Connected: https://www.h2oconnected.com LeakAlertor 6000 (consumer product): available on Amazon Pick up Threads of Wisdom Trailblazers on Amazon to read Susan's full story alongside 14 other Christian women leaders. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Caroline and the Threads of Wisdom podcast team Connect with Caroline A. Mendez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineamendez  Visit the Threads of Wisdom devotionals on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Threads-Wisdom-TRAILBLAZERS-Devotional-devotional/dp/B0F48K346C/ Listen to Threads of Wisdom on these podcast platforms:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6HAwoKiHEdDJmwVt2CKoyr Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/threads-of-wisdom/id1887819451 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/753a548f-ec2a-468a-aee6-ace61c9638f6 #ThreadsOfWisdom #CarolineMendez #ChristianWomenInBusiness #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ChristianEntrepreneur #FaithDrivenLeader #ChristianPodcast #WomenOfFaith #BusinessWomen #ChristianCoaching #FaithAtWork #WomenEmpowerment #LeadershipDevelopment Threads of Wisdom is the podcast passing on what Christian women in leadership have spent decades earning. Hosted by Caroline A. Mendez — author, coach, ordained minister, and advocate for Christian women in business for over 20 years — each episode features an honest, unfiltered conversation with a vetted Christian businesswoman living out her faith at the highest levels of her industry. From Gen Z to Boomers, across profit and non-profit, every guest brings real stories, hard-won perspective, and practical wisdom that goes far beyond the boardroom. If you're a Christian woman navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, or building a business rooted in faith, this podcast was made for you. Tune in each week for conversations that challenge, equip, and inspire — and leave every episode with one piece of wisdom you can put to work today.