Marketplace Kings Podcast

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

Zach Vogel - “You Are Enough”: Breaking Performance-Based Identity

What happens when the thing you love most—your sport, your dream, your identity—gets taken away? In this episode of the Two16 Studio Podcast, we sit down with Zach Vogel, leader of Identity Sports, to talk about identity, performance pressure, anxiety, and true freedom in Christ. Zach shares his journey from a childhood baseball dream to being diagnosed with Long QT syndrome and told he’d never play sports again—followed by years of depression and panic attacks—until Scripture, community, and surrender reshaped everything. We also explore: Why athletes struggle with performance-based identity How to recognize and remove identity lies What it means to “play free” How Identity Sports uses live events + digital media to reach athletes worldwide The mic-drop truth Zach would tell his younger self: “You are enough.” 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and purpose in the marketplace. 📍Connect with Identity Sports and upcoming events: identitysports.com TWO16 Consulting - 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

How AI Accelerates Bible Translation | Shawn Ring

In this episode, Richey Owen interviews Shawn Ring, Founder/CEO of Avodah + AvodahMed, an AI-powered technology company transforming language translation (including ASL) and digital healthcare. Shawn shares how faith shaped his entrepreneurship, the meaning of “Avodah” (work, worship, and service), and why AI should be used to serve people—not replace them. He also explains how Avodah accelerates Bible translation and how AvodahMed is improving virtual healthcare communication, charting, and patient experience. One of the questions we explore, Is AI primarily a threat… or a tool?And who should be shaping the ethical boundaries of how it’s used? 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#Avodah #AvodahMed #artificialintelligence #healthtech #languagetranslation #asl #faithandwork #kingdombusiness #christianentrepreneur #innovation