First & Focused

Send us Fan Mail Scaling a company from zero to thousands of employees requires vision, grit, and leadership clarity. In this episode of First and Focused , we sit down with Greg Alcorn, founder and CEO of Global Contract Services, to discuss faith-driven entrepreneurship and building companies that create lasting impact. Greg reflects on growing up as a minister’s son, stepping into risk as a you...

Send us Fan Mail Elite performance often focuses on physical strength—but sometimes the greatest strength is spiritual resilience. In this episode of First and Focused , we sit down with Brock Meadows, founder of Power Factory, Project Lean Nation, Dulci Sweets, and multi-location owner of Orangetheory Fitness, to discuss how two near-death experiences reshaped his life and faith. Brock shares the...

Send us Fan Mail The mortgage industry has seen its share of volatility—but rarely does it see leaders put faith front and center. In this episode of First and Focused , we sit down with Brian Ziemer, Co-Founder and COO of Tithe Lending, to explore what it looks like to integrate faith and finance at scale. With nearly 30 years of leadership experience through housing booms, crashes, and market re...

Send us Fan Mail Education shapes the future—and faith shapes the soul. In this episode of First and Focused , Dr. Todd Marrah unpacks why Christian education is critical in today’s cultural moment and how spiritual formation prepares students for life, not just academics. From leading Tree of Life Christian Schools to influencing education nationally and globally, Dr. Marrah shares leadership les...

Send us Fan Mail What if families in crisis could receive short-term assistance without the fear of losing their children to the foster system? In this episode of First and Focused , Melody Marshall shares how My Village Ministries is reshaping family preservation through biblical hospitality and radical compassion. Melody explains how churches, businesses, and even the state are partnering to kee...

Send us Fan Mail Can faith thrive in the world of high finance? In this episode of First and Focused , Matt Wooster shares how his journey through banking, private equity, and global finance led him to a life fully centered on Jesus. Now a Managing Director at HPS Investment Partners (acquired by BlackRock), Matt opens up about his faith transformation, leading with integrity in the financial worl...

Send us Fan Mail Something is changing on college campuses—and faith is at the center of it. In this episode of First and Focused , longtime ministry leaders Matt Kuchers and Jim Schmidtke share what they’re seeing firsthand among student-athletes and young leaders. With decades of experience in campus and professional sports ministry, they discuss revival, outspoken Christian athletes, leadership...

Send us Fan Mail What if true healing required more than exercises and prescriptions? In this episode of First and Focused , Doctors of Physical Therapy Kevin Nowacki and Kenton Keeslar share how faith, love, and purpose are transforming health outcomes at Elevate Human Performance. The founders reveal why they chose to challenge traditional healthcare norms, how faith shapes their approach to reh...

Send us Fan Mail How does a financial advisor build one of the fastest-growing firms in the country while putting God first? In this episode of First and Focused , Joe Schmitz shares the mindset, courage, and faith that fueled his rapid rise as a Kingdom-driven leader in finance. From launching Peak Retirement Planning to becoming a Certified Kingdom Advisor, Joe explains how biblical principles g...

Send us Fan Mail What if your profession became your greatest mission field? In this powerful episode of First and Focused , legendary dental implant pioneer Dr. Duke Heller shares how a lifetime career turned into a platform for bold, personal evangelism. With over 20,000 dental implants placed and thousands of dentists trained, Dr. Heller reveals how his love for Jesus shaped his work, his famil...

Send us Fan Mail Christian music is exploding—and the leaders behind the microphones are shaping more than playlists. In this episode of First and Focused , we sit down with Bill Montgomery, CEO of River Radio Ministries, to explore faith-driven leadership in the rapidly evolving music and broadcast industry. Recorded inside the studios of 104.9 The River, Bill shares how God prepared him for lead...