Firefighter. Atheist. Now building a brand for God. Michael Happel's story

Why Trust May Be the Most Valuable Currency in Business

What if your company culture is the reason your business is either scaling smoothly or constantly fighting friction?In this episode of Marketplace Kings, Richey Owen sits down with Jay Raines, also known as “Dr. J,” founder of LeadersQ and author of Culture Brand. Jay shares why culture is not just a buzzword—it is the way people think, behave, communicate, and make decisions when leadership is not in the room.Jay explains how business owners can move from an authoritarian leadership style to a servant leadership culture built on trust, clarity, and shared language. He also unpacks his Culture Brand framework, built around three core leadership categories: results, relationships, and character.This conversation dives into servant leadership, emotional intelligence, trust as the currency of an organization, how culture impacts enterprise value, and why customers can actually “feel” the culture of a business.Whether you are a small business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or faith-driven marketplace leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink how culture affects growth, leadership, sales, and long-term value.In this episode, we discuss:Why culture happens whether you define it or notThe difference between authoritarian leadership and servant leadershipWhy trust lowers the cost of doing businessHow culture impacts enterprise value and customer experienceThe three-part Culture Brand framework: results, relationships, and characterHow emotional intelligence shapes great leadershipWhy leaders need clear language to build healthy teamsHow DISC personality profiles can improve sales and communicationLearn more about Jay Raines and his work at www.JRaines.com or LeadersQ.com.

The Power of Solitude: How CEOs Hear God Clearly

What happens when a successful business advisor realizes that strategy, sales, and marketing aren't the real answer?In this powerful episode of Marketplace Kings, Richey Owen sits down with entrepreneur, business advisor, and kingdom-minded leader Jake Jordan to discuss his journey from chasing success to pursuing God's presence.Jake shares how personal challenges, divorce, church transitions, and a deeper hunger for God led him to discover that true transformation doesn't begin with business strategy—it begins with intimacy with Jesus.Together, Richey and Jake unpack:✅ Why many Christian leaders still feel unfulfilled✅ The danger of chasing success in both business and ministry✅ How faith and business were never meant to be separated✅ Why God's presence produces breakthrough in the marketplace✅ The power of solitude and hearing God's voice✅ Kingdom leadership and servant-hearted influence✅ How God provides wisdom for business decisions✅ Why listening is the most powerful leadership skill✅ Building businesses through relationships instead of transactions✅ How to see people the way Jesus sees themIf you're an entrepreneur, executive, business owner, pastor, or leader seeking greater clarity, purpose, and kingdom impact, this conversation will challenge and encourage you."The whole thing is Jesus."That simple truth may completely change the way you lead your business, your family, and your life.📌 Connect with Jake Jordan:LinkedIn: Jake JordanWebsite: ImpactOverAttention.com🎙️ Subscribe to Marketplace Kings for conversations at the intersection of faith, leadership, entrepreneurship, and kingdom influence.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:45 Meet Jake Jordan02:18 From Entrepreneurship to Business Advisory04:12 Returning to God After Success Left Him Empty06:44 Chasing Achievement in Church10:00 Daily Surrender and Following Jesus13:53 Faith-First Business Advisory15:15 The Loneliness of Leadership16:46 Bringing Faith and Business Together21:48 Real Business Breakthroughs Through God's Presence25:08 Kingdom-Based Business Growth28:05 Learning to See People Like Jesus30:38 How to Connect with Jake Jordan31:37 Final Kingdom Leadership AdvicePurchase our new book, The Joseph Culture on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hXacpU3****Website: www.marketplace-king.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577610488863LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketplace-kings/?viewAsMember=true#MarketplaceKings #kingdombusiness #christianentrepreneur #faithinbusiness #businessleadership #kingdomleadership #marketplaceministry

How to overcome addiction and then start a business

In this powerful episode of Marketplace Kings, Wes Brown shares his raw and real testimony—from addiction, brokenness, and rock bottom… to encountering God and building a Kingdom-driven business. After crying out to God in desperation, Wes heard a life-changing word: “CHANGE.” That moment sparked a complete transformation—leading him to: Freedom from addiction A renewed identity in Christ A thriving remodeling business with Kingdom impact This episode will challenge how you view: Addiction and breakthrough Business as a calling Faith in the marketplace True alignment vs. striving 🔥 If you feel stuck, misaligned, or called to more—this is for you. 👇 Watch now and step into your assignment. #leadership #entrepreneurship #addictionrecovery #addictionawareness #recoveryjourney Purchase our new book, The Joseph Culture on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hXacpU3 **** Join our FREE Marketplace Community. The Joseph Culture community is designed for marketplace leaders who ready to take their business and spiritual walk to the next level. Get connected with other like minded men and women who are actively walking out their faith in the workplace. Join HERE: https://www.gokollab.com/joseph-culture/home **** Website: www.marketplace-king.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577610488863 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketplace-kings/?viewAsMember=true

Firefighter. Atheist. Now building a brand for God. Michael Happel's story

What happens when you see so much pain… you stop believing in God?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Michael Happel — a firefighter/paramedic of 15 years who experienced trauma, questioned everything, and ultimately walked away from his faith.But God wasn’t done.After years of identifying as an atheist, battling internal struggles, and questioning the existence of God, Michael encountered truth in an unexpected way — through Scripture, conversation, and persistence in seeking answers.Today, he’s the founder of a faith-driven brand built on purpose, impact, and the mission to glorify God in everything.This conversation dives into:• Wrestling with doubt and trauma• The reality of PTSD and faith• From atheism back to belief• Building a Kingdom-focused business• Using entrepreneurship to make an eternal impactIf you’ve ever questioned your faith or wondered where God is in the pain — this episode is for you.👇 Fig Tree Golfhttps://figtreegolf.com/Purchase our new book, The Joseph Culture on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hXacpU3****Join our FREE Marketplace Community. The Joseph Culture community is designed for marketplace leaders who ready to take their business and spiritual walk to the next level. Get connected with other like minded men and women who are actively walking out their faith in the workplace. Join HERE: https://www.gokollab.com/joseph-culture/home****Website: www.marketplace-king.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577610488863LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketplace-kings/?viewAsMember=true

Cristian Melendez - A Revival Through Businesses: The Emprende Blueprint in Latin America

In this episode, I sit down with one of my oldest friends from Honduras, Cristian Melendez—CEO of Serve Hope International and Lead Pastor of Esperanza Viva Church. Cristian shares a powerful testimony of running from God’s calling, identifying idols in his own heart, and finally surrendering in October 2017—only to receive a phone call two weeks later that opened the door to Serve Hope. What started as a team of four has grown to 50+ team members serving Honduras and Guatemala. We talk about how Serve Hope is more than a nonprofit—it’s a disciple-making organization building long-term relationships through multiple initiatives: home builds, clean water, soccer, a coffee shop, local churches, and more. Then we jump into Emprende, a Kingdom entrepreneurship program launched in 2018 that trains entrepreneurs in identity in Christ, business fundamentals, and discipleship, culminating in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch for seed capital. Cristian shares real stories of transformation—including entrepreneurs building thriving businesses, creating jobs, and breaking poverty cycles through faith + excellence. If you’ve ever felt the tug of God’s calling… or wondered how the marketplace can become a platform for revival… this episode is for you. Support Serve Hope (Homes + Seed Capital for Emprende): ➡️ Visit servehope.international and give (note “Emprende seed capital” if that’s your focus) Key Moments: Surrender and the “thousands are waiting” calling What Serve Hope actually does (discipleship through initiatives) Cost to build a home (~$13,000) + why it’s generational impact Emprende curriculum: identity-first, Bible-rich, practical business training Seed capital “Shark Tank” model and success stories Vision: revival through businesses across Latin America Book TWO16 Consulting as a business coach here - www.two16consulting.com Purchase our new book, The Joseph Culture on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hXacpU3 **** Join our FREE Marketplace Community. The Joseph Culture community is designed for marketplace leaders who ready to take their business and spiritual walk to the next level. Get connected with other like minded men and women who are actively walking out their faith in the workplace. Join HERE: https://www.gokollab.com/joseph-culture/home **** Website: www.marketplace-king.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577610488863 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketplace-kings/?viewAsMember=true