Christian Fellowship Community Podcast

In this episode, Brian McClure, a former professional baseball player turned Northwestern Mutual Managing Partner, shares his journey of chasing fulfillment and belonging through athletic and professional success. Brian opens up about the emptiness of reaching various milestones and how his faith eventually led him to find his true identity beyond the accolades.

John and Kim Schlifske share how John's role as CEO of Northwestern Mutual imposed significant demands on their family time, leading to a heartfelt conversation about their "non-negotiables" to ensure family remained a priority. They recount the pressures and sacrifices involved, and the balancing act between professional obligations and family commitments. Their story is a testament to the power...

In this compelling talk, Mark Neumann shares his inspirational journey of maintaining a successful career at Northwestern Mutual while working only three days a week and battling two incurable diseases. Mark discusses the impact of his faith, the importance of prioritizing what truly matters, and his philosophy of "Why Not," which challenges limitations and embraces God’s limitless potential. He a...

Beau Jacobson has achieved remarkable success in his career, setting records at Northwestern Mutual and co-founding Trinity Planning Associates. But beyond his professional accolades, Beau's life is a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the search for acceptance. In this episode, we explore Beau's early life in a Christian home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the challenges he faced with h...

Experience the profound journey of faith with Brett Bissell as he shares his testimony of resilience and redemption. From despair to hope, discover the transformative power of surrendering to Christ's love. Join us for an inspiring session on owning your secrets and embracing God's grace.

In this compelling episode of the Christian Fellowship Community Forum Podcast, we delve into the extraordinary journey of NFL Buffalo Bills tight end, Dawson Knox. Hosted by Ron Joelson, this session explores Dawson's path from humble beginnings as a walk-on at Ole Miss to achieving record-breaking success in the NFL. Discover Dawson's inspiring story of resilience and determination, rooted in hi...

Embark on a transformative journey with Northwestern Mutual's all-time leader in career production, John Folkert, as he bares his soul on the Christian Fellowship Community Podcast. In this riveting episode, John delves into his faith journey, diverse institutional church experiences, and the profound definition of "church." From making Northwestern's Top 20 to mastering martial arts, he shares th...

John Qualy, a retired managing partner from St. Louis, takes us on a candid journey of self-discovery. Prepare for an introspective ride as John bravely opens up about the consequences of prioritizing material pursuits over his relationship with God. John shares his personal struggle with inadvertently putting God in the trunk of his metaphorical car, placing spiritual priorities on the backburner...

Join us in this captivating podcast episode as Philip Sarnecki, Managing Partner, shares his profound journey of faith. Growing up in a religious family, Philip embraced the clear boundaries of right and wrong, finding comfort in the black-and-white teachings. However, everything changed during his freshman year in college when a simple chapel visit before a football game led him to a year-long re...

Mark Gurley, a Financial Representative and ordained minister, shares about his journey with prayer and healing. Unlike many who were raised within a single denomination, Mark's path was marked by distinctiveness. He candidly reveals the twists and turns that have defined his spiritual journey, offering a perspective that is sure to resonate with many. Having spent decades at Northwestern Mutual,...

Mark Gurley, whose great-great grandfather Dr. Phineas Gurley was Abraham Lincoln's pastor, walks listeners through a prayer model which has the potential to transform your thinking. Are you struggling with fear, addictions, illness, or temptation? Try walking through the 9 R's model laid out by Mark in this episode.    The 9 R's: Recognize Responsibility Repent Renounce Remove Replace Resist Rejo...

Randy Lehman, Founding Partner of Summit Financial Group, shares how his upbringing, trials, and Christian community have brought him from independence to dependence to interdependence. Randy shares about a diagnosis in 2008 that changed his family forever, but only strengthened their faith in God. He explains how his dependence on Christ is helping bring him to a place of interdependence in Chris...

Jay Hatten, FRA President, walks listeners through times of "crossroads" in his life. Jay shares how these crossroads created opportunities for him to grow, and shares scripture that helped him through those times. Jay talks about his 6 children, and how his children have impacted his faith.   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community presentations and any recordings thereof acknowledge that...

Ron Joelson, former Chief Investment Officer of Northwestern Mutual, shares his "Unexpected Journey" with listeners of how a culturally Jewish man like himself came to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   Click here to view the photos used in Ron's presentation: https://christianfellowshipcommunity.org/photos-from-rons-cfb-message   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community pres...

Conrad York, former Vice President of Marketing at Northwestern Mutual, shares about spiritual exercises and practices that help him to walk closer with Jesus. Conrad shares his personal mission statement document with listeners, explaining the components of Lord, Love, and Life. He shares his Spiritual Director's impact on him, and how he applies spiritual exercises such as the Examen to his ever...

Nick Fiorito shares his story of starting a life-transforming relationship with Jesus, and how the truth of the Bible changed everything for him. Nick gives examples of impactful people and events in his faith journey, and how each of them helped him grow in his faith. Nick also touches on what spiritual disciplines he practices and the transformation they enable.   Listeners of the Christian Fell...

Deb Blevons shares her faith journey, taking listeners through her family life difficulties as a child, how she became Managing Partner at Northwestern Mutual, and the trials that she has faced in recent years. Deb explains how meaningful servant leadership has been throughout her professional life and discusses servanthood's importance and purpose. She encourages listeners to trust God with every...

Chris Koon shares his struggle with addiction and how he experienced God’s healing power. He tells us how his addiction impacted his faith journey, and how it drew him closer to Christ. He encourages listeners in whatever addictions they are facing, whether it is substances or our jobs. Chris leaves us with the hope that only Jesus can offer.   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community prese...

Keith Wagner is the all-time leading producer for Northwestern Mutual and was named the #1 Financial Security Professional in the Forbes inaugural ranking of America's Top Financial Security Professionals in 2021. Keith Wagner shares how the Bible shapes his perspective on why we work, how we work, and what the purpose of our work is. Keith illustrates how the Bible has informed the way he communi...

Jeff Reeter explains an impactful metaphor in his life of God as his guide, and how that has affected his faith journey. He shares about his devotional life and how staying in the word of God influences every component of his life. Jeff walks us through Psalm 43:3-5 and what "riding forth victoriously" means to him.   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community presentations and any recordings...

Tim Gerend shares his Presbyterian and Catholic experiences and reflects on the overlapping importance of having a relationship with Jesus. Tim discusses the impact that both of these faith experiences has brought his own family, and gives us the prayer outline that he uses with his children every night.   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community presentations and any recordings thereof ack...

Matt Banderman shares what motivates him to pursue transformation, and what transformation means to him. He shares the disciplines and habits that are helping him in his transformation along with the difference they've been making in his life. Matt asks us to consider what we are doing in our own transformation processes.   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community presentations and any reco...

Gerard Hempstead shares his transformation journey, and how he went from being crushed by shame and guilt to realizing his freedom as a follower of Jesus. Gerard tells us the importance of silent retreats in his faith journey, and how they helped him realize the freedom he has in Christ.    Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Community presentations and any recordings thereof acknowledge that th...

Dwaan Black talks about the contrast between success by the world's standards and success by Christ's standards. He shares his own struggles with success being so externally focused in his career, and how chasing after success in our careers can leave us feeling empty. He encourages us to lay our dreams at Jesus's feet and to allow God to guide our steps.   Listeners of the Christian Fellowship Co...

Jay Dixon discusses the topic "You Become Who You Hang Around" and breaks down the impact of the people we surround ourselves with. Most people pick out their friends by default, and not intentionally, so Jay challenges us to write out what qualities we would want in a friend. He asks us to consider how we have picked our friends in the past and how we want to choose our friends going forward.   L...