Money Made Faithful With John Putnam

Sometimes the wisest money move has nothing to do with a number and everything to do with the questions you’re brave enough to consider. In this final episode of this season, John discusses the surprising power of asking the right questions at the right time, showing how a young couple’s dream of a ski house could have derailed their financial future.  Through their story and his...

What if the financial security you’re chasing can never 'really' be reached—because the “finish line” keeps moving? In this episode, John discussses the idea of “enough” and what if it isn't a number and invites listeners to consider the powerful idea that “enough” isn’t necessarily a financial figure to reach, but a posture of the heart and mi...

When does wisdom-driven planning quietly turn into building your own kingdom? And how do you know when “being responsible” with money has started to compete with following God? In this episode we discuss the incompatibility of serving both God's kingdom and your financial ambitions, emphasizing that money often becomes a distraction, or even a barrier, to faith. John shares his persona...

You know it's true—the constant itch for “more” is intentionally influenced. From the moment you wake up and check your phone to the last screen you see before bed, you’re being coached to feel like what you have—and who you are—isn’t enough. In this episode, John discusses the struggle of wanting more, a theme explored in his book "He Spends, She Spe...

It's March Madness basketball time, but could there also be a  'madness' around our finances about repeating the same choices while hoping our financial stewardship will improve? In this episode John shares a fun, basketball-watching story from his childhood to show how a new perspective—and new action—can transform a situation.  Drawing from James 2:17 and the story of Moses...

What if the shifts we feel in our finances each season are less about circumstances and more about the beliefs guiding our choices?  Today we explore how spring naturally invites a financial refresh and why money behaviors tend to drift when underlying beliefs quietly change.  Drawing from behavioral insights and real life patterns, John unpacks five common money behaviors—mental a...

Can money tensions become opportunities to love more deeply? In this episode of Money Made Faithful, John Putnam shares how everyday financial tensions can actually form our hearts and draw us closer, rather than fracture our relationships. Drawing from scriptures, our upbringing, fears, and expectations shape money conversations, and why it's critical that our goal is not victory but loving progr...

What if the difference between frustration in pursuing your money goals and a focused faithful journey in 2026 isn’t more effort, but wiser rhythms and simple, steady practices? In this episode, John closes the “Achieve Your Money Goals in 2026” series with seven best-practice encouragements to help you actually live out your financial plans with faith and clarity.  He invit...

What if our financial goals fall short not because of a lack of vision or effort, but because our values are unclear or misaligned? In this episode of Money Made Faithful, John shows why living out your financial values is essential to achieving your 2026 money goals. Building on the steps of learning from the past, clarifying vision, and aligning mission, he explains how values shape daily decisi...

How does a clear sense of purpose turn good intentions into faithful forward movement? In this episode of Money Made Faithful, John explores the vital connection between vision and mission, and how to align your plans and progress to where God is leading.  Drawing from Scripture, practical wisdom, and the realities of life’s detours, John invites listeners to clarify their purpose, take...

Why do so many well intentioned financial goals fade before they ever become reality? In this episode of Money Made Faithful, John Putnam explores the often overlooked power of financial vision and why clarity, not discipline, is usually what determines whether goals are achieved or abandoned. Drawing from scripture, research, and practical experience, John invites listeners to slow down, lift the...

As a new year begins, John invites us to pause and think about the past, lessons learned, and what faithful financial progress really looks like.  In this four part series, he challenges and equips you to set wise goals then focus toward the meaningful steps of actually achieving them with a four-step framework of learning lessons, clarifying vision, aligning mission, and living values....

Isn't it beautiful that the deepest meaning of Christmas is found in the One who first gave Himself to us? In this Christmas episode, John continues part two of his Christmas to Remember series, inviting us to step beyond the noise of the season and seek its spiritual core. Through the beloved story “The Man and the Birds,” popularized by Paul Harvey, he offers a vivid picture of God&r...

Have you ever wondered why a season meant for peace so easily turns into pressure, especially around our finances? In this two-part Christmas series, John invites us to slow our pace, clear the noise, and approach the holidays with intention and a Christ-centered mindset. With practical tools and a simple framework, he helps us push back against impulsive spending and recapture the heart of the se...

What if the real challenge of Black Friday isn’t the crowds, the countdown timers, or the deals—but the quiet pressure shaping the way we think about money? In this Thanksgiving episode, John invites us to pause, renew our minds, and approach the shopping season with wisdom, peace, and a Christ-formed mindset. Through personal stories, scripture, and practical tools, he helps us recogn...

What if the greatest gift we could give this holiday season isn’t wrapped in paper but offered through presence, compassion, and awareness? While the world rushes toward celebration, many quietly carry heartache, loss, or financial strain. In this episode, John invites us to slow down, open our eyes, and become the hands and feet of encouragement for those who are hurting. Together, we&rsquo...

What if the peace we long for this season isn’t something to be bought, but something to be protected? In a world filled with tempting offers to “buy now, pay later,” this episode invites us to slow down and make room for calm before the holiday rush begins. Together, we’ll uncover how wise preparation, mindful spending, and trust in God’s provision can quiet the fina...

This time of year always make me think about how the leaves are most beautiful when they're dying. Interesting, right? And it made me think, we can be beautiful, too in a similar way! What if our most radiant beauty comes from 'dying to ourselves" - not from what we hold onto, but from what we release? In this episode I share how letting go of our plans, possessions, and gifts allows God&rsqu...

Are you chasing the wrong results with your money? It’s easy to get caught in comparison, or in building a certain lifestyle, but those paths often leave us with half-finished plans and unnecessary stress. In this episode, we’ll uncover why God’s results are different—and better—than our own, and how His wisdom gives us the steps to finish well. Together, we’ll...

In this episode, we’re diving into some of the tensions of giving - too often, we wrestle with wanting our giving to be both obedient to God and effective in impact—and it can leave us feeling stuck. Through stories from scripture and history, we’ll uncover three timeless lessons that bring clarity to how we approach generosity. Join us as we learn how awareness, action, and alig...

In this milestone episode, we reflect on the lessons learned during our recent 'prayerful pause'. Instead of walking away with a grand plan, we discovered something deeper—a renewed spirit, a rested soul, and a thankful heart.  Together, we’ll explore how seasons of waiting can shape our faith, guide our stewardship, and reframe how we view both scarcity and abundance. Join us as...

Ever feel like your budget just won’t stick—no matter how solid it looks on paper? You’re not alone! In this special refreshed replay of one of our most popular episodes, we’re taking a fresh look at why so many budgets fall apart—and how we can align our finances with our faith to create a plan that truly sticks. Together, we explore three simple, faith-centered step...

This refreshed replay brings back a conversation that still resonates deeply: the real value of college education in today’s changing world. A Wall Street Journal article caught my attention—exploring why Americans are losing faith in higher education—and it sparked fresh reflections. With the rising costs of post-high school education and the shifting job market, it’s more...

Ever find yourself with a little extra money and wonder what to do with it? Turns out, how you answer that question says a lot more about your mindset than you might think. In this refreshed replay episode, I'm sharing a real-life street experiment I conducted years ago where I asked everyday folks what they'd do with an unexpected $100. Their answers? Revealing — and a perfect lead-in to to...

Back-to-school shopping isn’t just about supplies and sneakers—it’s one of the best real-world opportunities to teach your kids how to manage money with wisdom and faith.⁠ In this refreshed replay of Part 2, we’re picking up where we left off last week to help you keep building strong financial habits in your children through everyday moments. If you’ve ever wondered...