In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker interviews Jay Kranda, the Online Community Pastor at Saddleback Church and author of 'Online Church is Not the Answer: Beyond Just Streaming Church to Hybrid Disciple Making.'

Jay discusses the importance of digital engagement and how churches can adapt to this new medium without forsaking traditional values. He details the creative process behind writing his book, emphasizing the need for focus and the challenges of balancing faith and ego while pursuing creative projects.

Jay shares personal anecdotes, illustrating how skateboarding and writing require persistence through failure. He advises creatives about documenting their processes, the disciplined approach to writing, and how a book remains a vital tool for conveying and developing ideas, especially in the Christian community.

Jay emphasizes the importance of not releasing work until it's something you’re proud of and recounts the spiritual journey of ensuring his efforts align with contributing value rather than self-glorification.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Digital Engagement is Essential: Churches must embrace digital platforms while maintaining traditional values to connect effectively with their communities.
• Focus in the Creative Process: Writing requires a disciplined approach and the ability to stay focused, especially when balancing faith and personal ambition.
• Persistence Through Failure: Jay shares that both skateboarding and writing demand resilience, highlighting the importance of learning from setbacks.
• Document Your Journey: Creatives should keep track of their processes, as this documentation can enhance growth and clarity in their work.
• Value of the Written Word: A book serves as a powerful tool for idea development and communication within the Christian community.
• Pride in Your Work: It's crucial to withhold release until you are truly proud of your work, ensuring it meets your standards of quality.
• Align Efforts with Purpose: Focus on contributing value rather than seeking self-glorification, emphasizing a spiritual commitment to your creative endeavors.

QUOTES

• "Churches often excel at preserving the faith, but this strength can hinder us from embracing new tools that God may want us to leverage."
• "Digital isn't just a tool; it's an opportunity to reach new people and enhance our current experiences."
• "Most successful ventures start simple, much like Facebook began at Harvard with a single audience."
• "There's always this tussle between... is it ego or is it God?"
• "Sometimes you just don't know if what you're doing... I would encourage any creative... do not release it till you are super proud of it."
• "Just keep grinding... even if a couple of people don't like it, I bet you'll be able to put your head on your pillow and go, 'Oh, I did that.'"
• "Just say yes to things... you find out pretty early what resonates with you."

Connect and learn more about Jay Kranda
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykranda/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction
00:22 Meet Jay Kranda: Online Community Pastor
00:45 The Journey of Writing a Book
01:15 The Importance of Digital Engagement in Churches
02:46 Skateboarding and Life Lessons
05:51 Why Write This Book?
08:28 Challenges and Focus in Digital Ministry
14:38 The Creative Process and Practical Tips
24:18 Faith and Writing: A Spiritual Journey
28:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker discusses with Dr. Hank Weisinger the implications of pressure and stress on performance. They debunk the myth of 'rising to the occasion,' suggesting pressure is often detrimental, as supported by studies from PressureManagement.org. They emphasize doing one's best without the burden of self-imposed pressure and using breathing techniques to manage anxiety. Dr. Weisinger shares insights from his career, discussing the pressure in various contexts, from sports to parenting, and highlights the distinction between stress and pressure. The episode advocates for healthier expectations, seeing opportunities rather than threats, and understanding pressure-free living. They also touch on handling parental pressure and academic expectations, promoting a balanced perspective on success and failure.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Pressure vs. Performance: The episode challenges the belief that people rise to the occasion under pressure, highlighting that pressure can often hinder performance.
• Debunking Myths: Research from PressureManagement.org supports the idea that self-imposed pressure is more harmful than beneficial.
• Insights from Experience: Dr. Weisinger shares lessons from his career across different contexts, emphasizing how pressure manifests in various areas such as sports and parenting.
• Stress vs. Pressure: A clear distinction is made between stress and pressure, with an emphasis on how they affect individuals differently.
• Healthy Expectations: The discussion promotes cultivating healthier expectations and viewing challenges as opportunities rather than threats.
• Pressure in Parenting and Academics: The episode addresses the pressures faced in parenting and academic settings, advocating for a balanced perspective on success and failure.
• Pressure-Free Living: The overall message encourages listeners to strive for a life with less pressure, fostering a more positive approach to personal and professional challenges.

QUOTES

• "If you can differentiate between pressure and stress, you knock out at least 50 percent of the daily pressure feelings that you experience."
• "My child is not a conduit for my unlived dreams or desires for myself... Trying to put that expectation on them is totally detracting from their own life experience."
• "It's not failing; it's just learning... I need to remember how many times I've failed and learned from mistakes."
• "There's always another opportunity... seeing life abundantly means there is more, and it's going to be okay."
• "For many people, stress and pressure are still married together... we need to separate them."

Connect and learn more about Dr. Hank Weisinger.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hendrie-weisinger-0637246/
Website: https://pressuremanagement.org/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction
30:39 Surgeon General's Report on Parenting Stress
31:23 Understanding Pressure and Stress in Daily Life
32:09 The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure
32:46 Parental Expectations and Children's Well-being
34:40 Living Vicariously Through Children
36:05 Encouraging Independence and Learning from Failure
37:08 Developing a 'So What' Attitude
37:32 Personal Anecdotes and Lessons from Parenting
39:38 Historical Perspective on Stress and Pressure
40:41 Final Thoughts and Life Lessons

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, Chris Decker welcomes Richard Birt—a versatile creator and successful business personality with a big heart. Richard shares his unique life journey, touching on his transition from a high-powered career in business to a fulfilling retirement focused on art, philanthropy, and living a simple, meaningful life. From his early lessons in Hawaiian culture to his continued dedication to creativity in various forms, Richard's story inspires listeners to embrace life's daily gifts and make the most of each 24 hours. The conversation covers insights on community engagement, the value of relationships in business, and finding true happiness beyond material success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Family: Emphasized the value of spending quality time with family and cherishing those moments.
• Creative Journey: Encouraged exploring and mastering various creative mediums, highlighting the personal growth and satisfaction they bring.
• Community Engagement: Stressed the significance of giving back to the community and supporting those in need.
• Life Balance: Advocated for balancing professional success with personal fulfillment and health.
• Sustainability: Highlighted the benefits of living a sustainable lifestyle and being connected to nature.
• Lifelong Learning: Underlined the value of continuous learning and personal development at any age.
• Legacy and Relationships: Importance of building lasting and meaningful relationships both personally and professionally.
• Gratitude and Reflection: Emphasized reflecting on one's journey and being grateful for the experiences and lessons learned.

QUOTES

• "Family is not in the way; your family is the way."
• "The 24 hours you have today are the most precious thing in your life."
• "What can I do today to make it amazing? How many people wake up with that kind of passion?"
• "I always said I was the highest-paid artist in database marketing history."
• "It's nice to be involved in business but with the idea that it's pushing towards goodness."
• "Enjoy your life. Enjoy your career. Be engaged with whatever you do."

Connect and learn more about Richard Birt.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-birt-198b33/

Timecodes

00:00 Intro
00:35 Meet Richard: A Multifaceted Creative
02:06 Reflections on Life in Hawaii
03:48 Embracing a Simpler, More Meaningful Life
13:50 The Journey of a Creator
29:21 The Importance of Community and Philanthropy
32:32 The Merchant of Goodness
34:25 The Value of Relationships in Business
43:48 Final Thoughts and Life Lessons