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Failure can be debilitating, especially the failure we bring upon ourselves. The failure that comes when we make bad decisions – decisions we knew were bad when we made them and we made them anyway. If we’re not careful, we can internalize the shame of these failures and deem ourselves unforgiveable. This is the second in a 3-part series focusing on mental health and wellness. In today’s episode we focus on forgiving yourself as an essential component of self-care.Scriptural Reference: 2 Samuel 11 : 27 - “When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done.”Guest: Rev. Brian Herron, Senior Pastor, Zion Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Covenant Marriage: Staying Together for Life by Fred LoweryBook: Life Application Study Bible

The global pandemic has turned so many things upside down. We’ve had to change our attitudes and outlooks on work, play, and social interactions. We’ve also had to learn new skills, approaches, and ways of thinking.But what if there were a silver lining in this dark cloud? Is it possible that those new methods, skills, and thinking might benefit us after the pandemic? In this episode, we discuss how this time represents an opportunity for us to “press reset” and pivot to a new set of promises.Scriptural Reference: Isaiah 43 : 19 - “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”Guest: Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr., Senior Pastor, Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland, CAResources Mentioned in this episode:Website: Dr. Charley HamesBook: Exchange by Dr. Charley HamesBook: Notes From The Doctor by Dr. Charley HamesBook: Pressing Reset by Dr. Charley HamesVideo: TD Jakes: Cutting People Off

“Please place the oxygen mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.”We hear these words before every airline flight. They’re simple but they speak profoundly about the necessity to prioritize our self-care. We often operate under the assumption that in order to be successful leaders, we have to run ourselves ragged. The fundamental truth is that we cannot tend to the needs of others without first tending to ourselves. This is the first in a 3-part series focusing on mental health and wellness. In today’s episode, we focus on self-care and why it’s essential. Scriptural Reference: 1 Kings 19 : 5 - "Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, 'Get up and eat!'" Guest: Dr. Charles P. Morgan, Vice President, Mental Health & Recovery Services, AvivoResources mentioned in this episode:Book: Come Hither: God Is Calling His Blood Bought Children To Be Overcomers by DeVern F. FromkeBook: Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard ThurmanBook: The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero Book: The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David by Alan RedpathBook: The Measure of a Man by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Book: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions by Arthur Bennett

The fear of failure may become a monster that can devour. It can force one into a state of ‘Perfection Paralysis’ that can convince Black men in corporate spaces that they must achieve 100% perfection – to hit a home run every time they come up to bat. In this episode, we discuss these fears and how to take a healthier approach to them, freeing ourselves to grow, thrive, and be whole.Scriptural Reference: 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.”Guest: Rev. Dr. Frank A. Thomas, Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Academy of Preaching and Celebration, Christian Theological Seminary Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Thomas’ Bookshelf: A collection of his writings and reflectionsVideo: Dr. Thomas at the Hampton Preachers Conference

We talk a lot about Fraternities and Fraternal organizations here at The Corporate Minister. In this episode, we explain why. This is the third of a 3 part series on mentoring relationships and here we talk about how to avoid isolation and the benefits that come from connecting to like-minded men.Scriptural Reference: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10, 12 - “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”Guest: Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, ILResources mentioned in this episode:Website: Unashamed Media GroupBook: The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile Book: The Inward Journey by Howard Thurman

“What have you planted into someone else’s life?”This is a selfless perspective on entrepreneurship from this episode’s guest. We spend a lot of time at The Corporate Minister focusing on men working in corporate spaces but this time we look at how entrepreneurs can operate in ways that provide a return to the communities they inhabit.Scriptural Reference: Matthew 25: 14-30 - The Parable of the Talents.Guest: Mr. Karim Hutson, CEO, Genesis CompaniesResources mentioned in this episode:Karim Hutson on LinkedInGenesis Companies Website

"Comfort is not your friend - Connection is."These powerful words from this episode's guest provide the backdrop for our discussion. In this second of a 3-part series on mentoring, we explore how to seek mentors and cultivate those relationships. We also explore how those relationships can enable and equip us to lead in the spaces we occupy.Scriptural Reference: Proverbs 27 : 17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Guest: Rev. Dr. James L. Miles, Founder, Lodestone R3.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving by Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman, and Donald C. Guthrie Book: The Art of Community - Building the New Age of Participation by Jono BaconConcept: VUCA - Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, AmbiguityConcept: Policy Entrepreneurship & Three Streams by John Kingdon

I recently came across these words in an online article:“Sixty-five is my rite of passage to elderhood, a place of willful obligation to family and community. The benefits I have been blessed to receive come with an immense obligation to the others around me. Anything less would be the epitome of disrespect to those who walked this journey before me.”I decided to reach out to the author, Rev. Raymond Jetson, and this episode is the result. This is the first in a 3-part series on mentoring and it’s a powerful discussion about how we can share our accumulated knowledge, wisdom, and perspectives.Scriptural Reference: Titus 2:2 – “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”Guest: Rev. Raymond A. Jetson, Founder and CEO – MetroMorphosis; Former Pastor - Star Hill Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, LAResources mentioned in this episode:Website: Raymond A JetsonBook: How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations by Marc Freedman Book: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. Gelb

Being a leader can be a lonely road, especially in a work setting. You are a steward of your company’s resources including time, money, and people – especially people. One of the many things a leader is responsible for is making the hard decisions and usually, “The Buck Stops Here.” That can make for a very lonely existence. In this episode, we discuss how to address that loneliness and be a more effective leader.Scriptural Reference: II Corinthians 4:1 - “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.”Guest: Bishop Joseph Walker, III, Senior Pastor - Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, TNResources mentioned in this episode:Website: Joseph Walker IIIBook: Leadership and Loneliness by Bishop Joseph Walker, IIIBook: Becoming a Couple of Destiny: Living, Loving, and Creating a Life that Matters by Bishop Joseph and Dr. Stephanie Walker

How often do you get an unsolicited connection request on LinkedIn? Maybe an email where you're introduced to someone by a mutual acquaintance. Do you answer them, put them aside, or blow them off? In this episode, we explore how those connections can be "God moments" where we can let the love of Christ shine through us to bless others.Scriptural Reference: 1 John 3:17 - “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”Guest: Rev. Willie Cooper, Chief Information Officer - Samaritan Ministries InternationalResources Mentioned in this episode:Book: Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life by Alan DeutschmanBook: The Truth About Men: What Men and Women Need to Know by DeVon Franklin

Taking care of yourself physically is important any time but especially in this current season. Unfortunately, our cultural attitudes about food can sometimes conflict with what we’ve come to know about how to stay healthy. Other times, we simply don’t have the opportunity or the bandwidth to make healthy choices. In today’s episode, we spend time unpacking some biblical perspectives on taking care of our physical selves.Scriptural Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”Guest: Rev. Dr. Marcus Davidson, Senior Pastor - New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL.Resources mentioned in this episode:Website: Center for Healthy African American Men through Partnerships (CHAAMPS)Website: Balm In GileadBook: Spiritual Nutrition by Christine Prescott

"You can’t be as good as, you have to be better than” or “You have to work twice as hard to get half as much.” Sound familiar? Those are the expectations that many of us were raised with. Unfortunately, those are super-human expectations and you are only human. Where do you go when the burdens of superhuman expectations become too heavy? In today's episode, we deal with healthy ways to lighten that load.Scriptural reference: Matthew 11: 28-30 - “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Guest: Rev. Dr. Curlee Adams, Senior Pastor - St. Paul CME Church, Chicago ILResources mentioned this episode:Website: Galilean MinistriesBook: Unmasking the Lone Ranger by Frank Wilson

These are worrisome and uncertain times. As we deal with the Coronavirus, social distancing, uncertainty, and flat-out fear, the need for us to step forward as leaders is very important. In this episode, we deal with the necessity of, and the ways for, Men of Color to step forward and serve as leaders. These times call for us to lead in our communities, our places of business, and our homes. Additionally, we need to make sure to take care of ourselves -- physically and mentally.Scriptural reference: Esther 4:14 - “ ... Who knows if perhaps you were placed in your position for just such a time as this?” Guest: Bishop Dwayne Royster, Senior Pastor - Faith United Church of Christ, Washington, DC.Resources mentioned in this episode:Website: Faith United Church of ChristWebsite: Faith In ActionWebsite: PowerBook: Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman

In this episode, we explore the need and value of Black Men supporting one another through connections and connectivity. Sometimes it's through Fraternities, sometimes its through long-term relationships, sometimes its through new friendships. Regardless of the length or conduit, these relationships are necessary for validation and support.Scriptural reference: Psalm 133 - “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Guest: Rev. Brian Murray, Pastor - New Covenant Community United Church of Christ, Baltimore MD