Faithly Podcast

Special 5: The Imperfect CEO - Jimmy Mellado | Faithly Podcast

What actually creates a healthy organizational culture, and why does it matter so much? In this episode of The Imperfect CEO, Rev. Adam Durso and Jim Brown welcome Jimmy Mellado, President and CEO of Compassion International, for a rich conversation on leadership, trust, and the kind of culture that helps both people and mission thrive. Rather than stepping into leadership with a need to immediately change everything, Jimmy reflects on approaching Compassion with a posture of listening first—learning the culture, understanding the people, and discerning what God was already doing before attempting to lead organizational change. From there, the discussion unpacks how healthy culture is intentionally built through behaviors, accountability, feedback, and leadership consistency rather than through slogans or aspirational values. Together, the trio explores Compassion’s five key cultural behaviors and dive into everything from psychological safety and humility to honest disagreement and leadership accountability. At the center of today’s episode is a compelling idea: culture is not secondary to performance, it is often the multiplier that determines whether people merely function or truly flourish. Website: https://www.compassion.com/ [https://www.compassion.com/] (00:00) Selecting the Right Leaders for Culture (00:49) Culture as a Performance Multiplier (02:04) What Healthy Culture Looks Like at Compassion International (04:36) Listening, Learning, Loving, Then Leading (05:31) Building on Compassion’s Existing Culture (07:39) Behaviors Versus Values (08:24) Compassion’s Five Cultural Behaviors (13:39) When Leaders Inherit a Toxic Culture (17:24) Collaborative Culture and Leadership Accountability (20:23) The Difference Between Niceness and Kindness (25:17) Guarding and Sustaining Healthy Culture (29:17) Integrity in What You Are Building (35:58) Why Healthy Organizations Impact the Whole World Connect with Jim Brown, and DM the word “BUILD" at linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown/] for a free resource, and preorder your copy of The Imperfect CEO now at http://imperfectceobook.com/ [http://imperfectceobook.com/] Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ [https://faithly.co/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ [https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/] X: https://x.com/faithlyco [https://x.com/faithlyco]

Special 4: The Imperfect CEO - Stephen M. R. Covey | Faithly Podcast

In this episode of The Imperfect CEO, a special series from the Faithly Podcast, Rev. Adam Durso is joined once more by Jim Brown and their guest bestselling author Stephen M.R. Covey for a compelling conversation on trust, accountability, and the hidden dynamics that shape organizational culture. Together, they challenge the idea that agreement automatically equals unity, exploring how many leadership teams appear aligned on the surface while quietly struggling with artificial harmony or unspoken tension, conveying an underlying lack of genuine commitment. Stephen shares why true buy-in can never exist without involvement, while Jim highlights the dangers of environments where the real conversations only happen after the meeting ends. At the heart of the discussion is a powerful leadership principle: healthy organizations are not built through control or uniformity, but through trust. From vulnerability and peer accountability to collaborative leadership and shared ownership, this conversation offers practical insight into what it takes to build cultures where people feel safe enough to contribute honestly and challenge constructively, allowing everyone to move forward together. Website: https://www.franklincovey.com/ [https://www.franklincovey.com/] (00:00) The Leader Goes First (02:00) The Illusion of Alignment on Leadership Teams (04:22) Artificial Harmony and the Meeting After the Meeting (07:19) How Trust Is Often Misunderstood (10:03) Why Imperfect Leaders Must Admit Their Weaknesses (12:32) Building Complementary Teams (15:16) A Merger Case Study: When the Real Problem Is Trust (18:12) The Four Peaks of The Imperfect CEO (22:02) Peer Accountability and Supporting One Another (25:33) What to Do When You Sense Something Is Unhealthy (27:29) The Imperfect Leadership Movement and Next Steps Connect with Jim Brown, and DM the word “BUILD" at linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown/] for a free resource, and preorder your copy of The Imperfect CEO now at http://imperfectceobook.com/ [http://imperfectceobook.com/] Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ [https://faithly.co/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ [https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/] X: https://x.com/faithlyco [https://x.com/faithlyco]

An Inheritance of Hope | Jill Thompson

Living with intention in uncertain times is one of the greatest challenges we can face.Today on the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Jill Thompson from Inheritance of Hope—a ministry supporting families facing the reality of a parent’s terminal illness—for a deeply moving conversation about legacy and hope in the midst of overwhelming grief. Jill shares the powerful story behind the ministry’s founding, shaped by her close friend Kristen Milligan’s terminal cancer diagnosis at just 30 years old. What began as a desire to help Kristen’s own children understand life and loss has grown into a nationwide movement, serving thousands of families with care and providing lasting support across the country. Together, Alicia and Jill explore what it means to build a legacy not just for the future, but in the way we live today, through love, presence, and an eternal perspective. Jill also introduces the concept of ‘jorrow’—the coexistence of joy and sorrow—and reflects on how families can experience both, even in life’s most difficult seasons. From Legacy Retreats to ongoing support communities, this conversation highlights the transformative power of showing up for one another—and the kind of hope that remains, even in the face of loss. Website: https://inheritanceofhope.org/ [https://inheritanceofhope.org/] (00:17) Introducing Jill Thompson and Inheritance of Hope (01:18) Jill’s Friendship with Kristen Milligan (05:13) Intentional Motherhood in the Face of Illness (07:15) Redefining Legacy as a Way of Living (08:38) Practical Encouragement for Building a Legacy (11:35) How Inheritance of Hope Began (15:48) Understanding 'jorrow': Joy and Sorrow Together (20:32) How Families Can Connect with Inheritance of Hope (25:44) How Jill’s Faith Has Changed Through the Ministry (30:47) Kristen’s Lasting Legacy Through Her Family (33:21) Resources, Legacy Videos, and National Legacy Month Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ [https://faithly.co/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ [https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/] X: https://x.com/faithlyco [https://x.com/faithlyco]

Why Most Christians Get Homelessness Wrong | Tensley Almand

In this episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Tensley Almand, President and CEO of Atlanta Mission, for a deeply insightful conversation on the realities and misconceptions surrounding homelessness. Tensley shares his unexpected journey from pastoring a thriving church to leading one of the largest faith-based organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Atlanta. Together, they unpack a critical fallacy: that homelessness is simply a housing issue. Instead, Tensley reveals the deeper layers—the underlying trauma, mental health struggles, addiction, and what he calls relational poverty, which refers to the absence of stable, supportive relationships that often act as a safety net in times of crisis. Through powerful stories and practical insight, he explains how lasting transformation requires more than short-term solutions, pointing to Atlanta Mission’s holistic model that focuses on long-term stability, restoring dignity and community to the local population. Website: https://atlantamission.org/ [https://atlantamission.org/] (00:00) A Powerful Perspective on Homelessness & Relationships (03:00) Stepping Into the Unknown at Atlanta Mission (07:00) Recognizing Calling in Unexpected Places (10:00) Why Homelessness Is More Than a Housing Issue (13:00) The Complexity Behind Homelessness (14:30) Atlanta Mission’s Transformational Model (18:00) Relational Poverty Explained (19:30) The Power of Relationships as a Safety Net (25:00) Creating Organizational Clarity & Alignment (29:00) Measuring Transformation vs Activity (35:00) How Churches Can Engage Practically (38:30) Staying Hopeful in Difficult Work (39:30) Final Reflections & Encouragement Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ [https://faithly.co/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ [https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/] X: https://x.com/faithlyco [https://x.com/faithlyco]

State of the Bible - Dr. John Plake | Faithly Podcast

In today’s episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Dr. John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at the American Bible Society, for a data-driven and thought-provoking conversation on Bible engagement, cultural shifts, and what they reveal about the spiritual landscape today. Drawing from the latest State of the Bible research, Dr. Plake shares surprising trends—including a rise in Scripture engagement among younger generations and what some are calling a “quiet revival.” But alongside this renewed curiosity is a deeper tension: increasing loneliness and emotional distress, particularly among Gen Z. Together, they explore a compelling question, what role does Scripture actually play in human flourishing? Dr. Plake unpacks how consistent Bible engagement is strongly linked to resilience, well-being, and a greater sense of purpose, offering both a challenge and an opportunity for church leaders seeking to meet people where they are. Their conversation also dives into how people are engaging with the Bible in our digital age, and why accessibility and meaningful community are more important than ever for the next generation. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or simply curious about the direction of faith in today’s world, this episode offers a hopeful and insightful look at how data and discipleship can work hand in hand to shape the future of the Church. Website: https://www.americanbible.org/ [https://www.americanbible.org/] (00:00) The Decline of New Atheism and a Cultural Shift (01:01) A Ministry Journey Rooted in Research and Formation (04:00) Encouraging Trends: Bible Use on the Rise (06:00) The “Quiet Revival” and Growing Curiosity About Faith (07:50) Why Millennials and Men Are Re-engaging with Scripture (10:30) Emotional Health Crisis and the Search for Meanin (13:30) Gen Z, Church Engagement, and the Need for Mentorship (15:00) Digital vs Print: How People Engage with the Bible Today (19:30) YouTube, Podcasts, and Social Media as Spiritual Tools (24:30) Regional Shifts: Northeast and West Coast Engagement (27:30) Tools and Resources for Church Leaders (31:30) A Hopeful Vision for the Future of the Church Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ [https://faithly.co/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ [https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/] X: https://x.com/faithlyco [https://x.com/faithlyco]