Money, Meet Meaning

Sacred Assets, Tough Decisions

Many of us were taught an unspoken deal: live faithfully, do the right things, and life will work out. In this episode, Amber and Tom gently - but firmly - challenge that transactional model of faith and money with Amy Butler, a pastor, author, and founder of Invested Faith. Amy shares how her own ministry journey exposed the limits of “cosmic vending machine” theology – and why she believes faith communities are called to something deeper: interdependence. Drawing from her books Beautiful and Terrible Things and Holy Disruption, she explores how churches can move beyond scarcity thinking and creatively repurpose their assets to fund social enterprises that challenge unjust systems.  Along the way, the conversation gets refreshingly practical: why pastors need balance sheets, not just Bible studies; why financial literacy is a form of pastoral care; and why closing or transforming institutions can be holy work. It’s a hopeful, grounded look at how faith communities can steward money, power, and privilege with courage, imagination, and a little disruption. About Pastor Amy Butler: * Pastor Amy Butler has led some of the most iconic pulpits in America, including becoming the first woman to lead New York's Riverside Church. She's a writer, community builder, and founder of Invested Faith [https://www.investedfaith.org/], a movement helping congregations use their aging assets to fund the work of faith-rooted social entrepreneurs building businesses that are changing unjust systems. * Amy’s Books [https://www.pastoramy.com/books]:  * Beautiful and Terrible Things * Holy Disruption (co-authored with Dawn Darwin Weaks) For more episodes and info, visit Money, Meet Meaning [http://religionnews.com/money-meet-meaning]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Effort, Surrender, and the Money in Between

After their conversation with Amjad Quadri, Amber and Tom turn to a deeper question beneath financial decision-making: What is actually in our control, and what do we need to let go of? Drawing on the islamic concept of rizq – the idea that our provision is ultimately in God’s hands – they explore the tension between effort and surrender in everyday financial life. From saving for retirement to pursuing a calling, managing debt, or stepping back from work, they wrestle with how to act responsibly without becoming consumed by outcomes. Amber connects the conversation to the idea of “solving for peace,” while Tom reflects on the wisdom of focusing on inputs rather than results. Along the way, real-life scenarios bring the tension into focus, and ancient wisdom – including the Serenity Prayer – offers a way through it. It’s a thoughtful guide to making financial decisions with intention, trust, and a little more peace of mind. For more episodes and info, visit Money, Meet Meaning [http://religionnews.com/money-meet-meaning]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What Makes an Investment Halal?

What does it mean to invest in a way that aligns with your deepest beliefs? In this episode, Tom and Amber explore the principles of halal investing with Amjad Quadri, who works at the intersection of faith and finance. Amjad explains how Islamic investing avoids “sin stocks” like alcohol, gambling, and interest-based lending – and how it’s guided by both spiritual principles and practical financial frameworks. From navigating homeownership without traditional mortgages to understanding gratitude and trust through a faith lens, he offers a window into a system that is both disciplined and deeply values-driven. The conversation reveals a broader appeal, with many non-Muslim investors drawn to the approach. The episode wraps with a lively “Halal or Not at All?” segment, putting real-world financial dilemmas to the test. The conversation is a thoughtful look at what it means to invest with intention, regardless of your specific spiritual beliefs. About Amjad Quadri: Amjad M. Quadri joined the Chicago office of Saturna Capital in June 2015. As a Regional Manager, he brings experience in Islamic banking, including business and product development. You can find Amjad on LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/amjad-quadri-b879141]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How Much Should We Give?

After their conversation with philanthropists Kim Duchossois and Jessica Swoyer Green, Amber and Tom return to explore one of the thorniest questions in generosity: If you have more, should you give more? What unfolds is a candid, thoughtful look at the tension between purpose and self-preservation – between the call to give and the instinct to save. Drawing on wisdom from Jewish teaching, Christian scripture, and behavioral science, Amber and Tom dig into why giving is hard to do – yet why it feels so good – and how to know how much giving is “enough.” They wrestle with questions about timing, limits, legacy, and control: Is it better to give now or later? How much should we direct our gifts? And what do we owe our children – security or the opportunity to struggle and grow? It’s a warm and honest conversation about generosity, trust, and the values that guide us when the stakes are high. For more episodes and info, visit Money, Meet Meaning [http://religionnews.com/money-meet-meaning]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What We Pass Down

What does it mean to leave a legacy?  In this episode, hosts Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson sit down with Kim Duchossois and Jessica Swoyer Green, a mother-duo from one of Chicago’s most community-minded philanthropic families, to explore what gets passed down through generations besides wealth. Kim and Jess share how their family shifted from transactional to transformational giving, the rising influence of women in philanthropy, and why values like integrity, empathy, and connection can matter more than a balance sheet. Together, they look honestly at the challenges of raising children with grounded values, navigating generational transitions, and choosing service over status.  Whether you’re thinking about your own family’s story, what you hope to hand down, or how generosity can reshape a community, this conversation offers a rare window into a legacy built not on money but on meaning. About Kim Duchossois & Jessica Swoyer Green: * Kim Duchossois and Jessica Swoyer Green are a prominent philanthropic mother-daughter duo redefining generosity across generations.  For more episodes and info, visit Money, Meet Meaning [http://religionnews.com/money-meet-meaning]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]