Best Stephen McLain Podcasts (2024)

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330: Thanks, Stephen! 42:20

7h ago42:20

42:20

In this episode, I go back to when it all started (in some ways...) and the guy who challenged me to enter into the inner life-Stephen Farmer.By Michael Dean McLain

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Building a Successful and Healthy Work Environment: An Introduction to Helping Your Team Thrive 11:33

1h ago11:33

11:33

Send us a text Episode 125: What if your workplace could be a source of joy and fulfillment rather than stress and dread? Join us this week on the Finance Leader Podcast as we uncover powerful strategies to transform your work environment into a thriving ecosystem where every team member feels valued and empowered. You’ll learn how to set realistic…

1
329: Americult-Trump As Messiah 32:30

8d ago32:30

32:30

There is now a cult of America nationalists in the US, and Trump is their chosen one. No, this is not true of all DJT followers, but it is true for many. But is the adoration of the Evangelical church doing Trump any good, or is it playing right in to his narcissism?By Michael Dean McLain

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328: Christian Nationalism And Christ 41:07

7d ago41:07

41:07

First, sorry for the quality of the audio. I had some mishaps and had to boost the volume and do some cutting using editing software. AND I'm not great yet at recording in my new car which has a lot of bass. I'll work on it. Thanks for your patience.In this episode, I tackle the topic of Christian Nationalism, especially the current US version.…

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Leadership is the Most Important Skill to Develop: Empower Your Team for Innovation and Success 14:16

22d ago14:16

14:16

Send us a text Episode 124 - Join me as I explore why leadership is the cornerstone of creating positive change and achieving extraordinary results in finance and accounting. Learn how to coach your team effectively, helping them present their findings with confidence and develop innovative solutions that stand out in today’s competitive landscape.…

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327: The One Thing 40:30

2M ago40:30

40:30

There is one thing that can drag me into politics. Just one thing.By Michael Dean McLain

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326: Violence Is The Enemy 40:28

2M ago40:28

40:28

Violence. We worship it in the US. We glorify war. We idolize our troops. We believe at the core of our beings that violence is a legitimate way to solve our and the world's problems. And Trump nearly died from an assassin's bullet-because we have failed to live out Christs example of violence absorption.…

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325: The Opened Seal 37:43

2M ago37:43

37:43

For a while now, authority has been under unprecedented attack; churches are losing members at an alarming rate, children do not respect their elders, police and other officials are under attack. What's going on here? Is there a common thread connecting these and other events together. I'm not sure. But I do have one idea...…

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324: Presidents And Prayers 39:53

3M ago39:53

39:53

Well, here comes another election, and here comes the US voters, ready to once again prove that they have no idea what makes a good leader and have absolutely zero ability to encourage those with the skills to lead a country effectively to pursue political office.Ugh.By Michael Dean McLain

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323: Jesus Illuminates Scripture 40:30

3M ago40:30

40:30

Does your Bible illuminate Christ, or does Christ illuminate your Bible? This distinction is actually pretty huge. I explore this and more in this episode.By Michael Dean McLain

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Bonus Episode 79 - Transform Your Success in 2024: Mastering SMART Goals with a Growth Mindset 18:54

3M ago18:54

18:54

Send us a text Are you following our Mid-Year Goal Review Challenge: financeleaderacademy.com/Goalchallenge ? Ready to transform your goal-setting game and make 2024 your most successful year yet? Join us in this special bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast, as we reveal how setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, an…

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322: Don't Bother Me With Facts 40:00

3M ago40:00

40:00

A bit of a history of my relationship with the sport of basketball and the Boston Celtics, as well as the current NBA Season and the Celtic's recent crowning as NBA champions for 2004.The Celtics had one of their best seasons and post seasons to date. And yet, sports media outside of Boston refused to believe in the Celtic's record, numbers, and as…

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Customer Traffic Considerations During Competitor Disruptions 6:00

3M ago6:00

6:00

Send us a text Episode 123: Could a major competitor's sudden closure transform your business landscape? Find out how unexpected changes in your competitive space can significantly impact your customer traffic and revenue. This episode takes you through a fascinating local case where a major retailer shut its doors—not due to poor performance, but …

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321: How Art The Mighty Fallen 41:41

3M ago41:41

41:41

Historically, the greater a leaders authority, the harder their fall from grace. Pastors lately are falling like flies. But, are we partly to blame for their demise? Is there something that we do which causes their great falls?By Michael Dean McLain

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320: To Hell With Your Hell! 40:36

4M ago40:36

40:36

What you think of hell just might be the biggest thing wrong with Christianity in the world. If it is inaccurate, it is a big loss for the world. If it's right, then God is not as good as we thought.By Michael Dean McLain

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319: Sports Or Not? 36:43

4M ago36:43

36:43

Is sports, especially competitive sports, compatible with the Christian life, with following Jesus? My thoughts are yes and no. It depends. Yes, sports is a subject mentioned in the Bible, but what does that really mean? So is genocide, slavery, adultery, etc.By Michael Dean McLain

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318: Anxiety Epidemic In Our Kids 38:41

4M ago38:41

38:41

This is a bit of a review of a book by Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation". Though this is a new topic for me, I feel this is too important and needs to be out there, regardless of my lack of a grasp on the topic. We are raising anxious kids, and we need to figure out why kids today are more anxious than ever, and how to help them.…

1
Bonus Episode 78: Revisiting the Importance of Finance Agility and Digital Transformation. 14:58

5M ago14:58

14:58

Send us a text Episode 114 encore: Does your organization have the ability to overcome a crisis or overcome rapidly changing business and economic conditions? Is decision making lagging due to financial systems that cannot adapt or because of legacy processes that don’t support change? Being agile means, you can quickly assess and adapt to rapidly …

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317: One Nation Under God 43:07

5M ago43:07

43:07

In this episode, I explore my relationship with "church", the journey I have been on since birth, and how I have come to know Christ (such as it is). I also explore my relationship with American Christianity, which has been quite a rocky road.By Michael Dean McLain

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Bonus Episode 77: Building a High-Performance Finance Team: A Strategy for Effective Recruitment and Talent Development 5:16

5M ago5:16

5:16

Send us a text As the NFL Draft ignites conversations about talent acquisition, we turn the spotlight on the universal principles of selecting and nurturing the right people for your finance squad. In this bonus episode, I explore the critical importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and communication, and their role in creating a …

1
316: Ten Beautiful Words 40:59

5M ago40:59

40:59

Mixing in a few book reviews by Nehisi Coates and Brian Zahnd , I explore the Cross of Christ, it's symbology and meaning, especially what it has come to mean to me.By Michael Dean McLain

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Bonus Episode 76: SMART Goal Planning for Finance Leaders 18:09

5M ago18:09

18:09

Send us a text Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows this episode: here Imagine seizing opportunities as they arise, armed with a growth mindset that turns challenges into stepping stones for success. That's what we're unpacking today—how to nurture the mindset and habits that will steer us toward our most ambitious goals for the y…

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Bonus Episode 75: Leading with Accountability: A Call to Action for Finance Professionals 16:14

5M ago16:14

16:14

Send us a text In this episode, we're examining the transformative power of intense accountability in the realm of finance and accounting careers. We'll delve into how owning your mindset, setting clear goals, and establishing a chain of accountability can catapult you out of your comfort zone and propel you towards success. We'll explore the fine …

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315: Light In The Darkness 38:00

5M ago38:00

38:00

Sometimes, you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, life loses its meaning. Sometimes, all hope is lost. But then, the dawn comes, the flower blooms, and beauty reveals itself.If you are in a dark place, the only hope I can give you is that I have been there too. It does end. In this life or the next.…

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Lessons in Strategic Communication for Finance Professionals 6:59

6M ago6:59

6:59

Send us a text Embark on a journey through the treacherous terrain of strategic messaging as we dissect the recent communication blunders of Kellogg's and Wendy's. It's a perilous world out there for finance and accounting leaders tasked with navigating their company's external narratives – one wrong word could spell disaster for your brand's reput…

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314: No One Knows The Father But The Son 38:25

6M ago38:25

38:25

Jesus is the final revelation of God, the ultimate expression of the Father, the perfect image of the invisible God. And to know him is to find rest. If you haven't found rest, perhaps you haven't found him. Not all of him. Not the truest version of him. And don't we all want that, to know who God is and to rest in him?…

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313: I Said "You Are Gods" 39:47

7M ago39:47

39:47

This is one of the most rambling journeys I've ever taken. Not sure why. Maybe the weather? Too little sleep? Too much sleep? Don't know, but I really went off on a tangent in this one. More than usual. But, I think I actually brought it together at the end. You be the judge.By Michael Dean McLain

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312: Political Christian? 37:49

7M ago37:49

37:49

What is the history of christian participation in politics? What has been the outcome of the current involvement with christians in politics? Are politics and christianity compatible? Why or why not?By Michael Dean McLain

1
Uniting Individuals with Leadership: A Discussion on Improving Team Performance 13:47

7M ago13:47

13:47

Send us a text Ready to transform a group of individuals into a powerhouse team? Joins us as we share invaluable strategies that will elevate your team's performance to unprecedented heights. By harnessing the synergy of trust, communication, and fair play, we illustrate how leaders can foster an environment ripe for growth, innovation, and collect…

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311: Revealing Historical Signposts 39:42

7M ago39:42

39:42

We are all unique(If we are all unique, are we unique at all?!). Each of us has a set of personality traits that make us who who we are. They are also signposts of where we have been and what we have experienced. How does this translate spiritually?By Michael Dean McLain

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Inspiring Greatness: Transformative Leadership Principles 11:34

7M ago11:34

11:34

Send us a text Ever wondered how leadership transcends mere management to truly inspire greatness? Join me as I reveal the transformative principles that can elevate not just your team's performance, but your very approach to leadership. Drawing from my own experiences in the Army, this episode promises to arm you with a mindset that not only light…

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Interview with Wassia Kamon, VP of Finance and Corporate Controller, How to Emphasize Your Value 43:14

8M ago43:14

43:14

Send us a text Episode 119: In the episode, Wassia talks about her work with H.O.P.E - Helping Other People be Empowered: you can find the link here. This is an amazing organization doing work that matters and changing lives for the better. Embark on a transformative journey through the dynamic world of finance with Wassia Kamon, Vice President of …

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310: Future Generational Challenges 41:00

8M ago41:00

41:00

Every generation is burdened with the mistakes of the past. The young people of Japan are no exception. They will be tasked with solving a unique set of problems, through no fauly of their own. The young people of every country are in a similar situation. Such is the way of the world.By Michael Dean McLain

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Mastering Strategic Decision-Making: Aligning Business Strategy with Finance and Accounting Systems 18:19

8M ago18:19

18:19

Send us a text Please download the free business strategy guide here. Unlock the secrets to savvy strategic decision-making as we navigate the complex relationship between business strategy and the accounting and finance systems that support it. Perfect for small business owners looking to tighten their operations, this episode promises a deep unde…

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309: The Kingdom Of God Is Out Of This World! 39:01

8M ago39:01

39:01

There has been much talk about what exactly the Kingdom is, how to bring it about, who is in and who is out. When it will come, or when it did come. Here I delve into the nature of the kingdom, what I think it is and what I think it isn't.By Michael Dean McLain

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Interview with Mark McMillion - A Discussion on Growing Our Leadership and Mastering Conflict Management 38:30

8M ago38:30

38:30

Send us a text Discover the leadership secrets that can transform your team from functioning to phenomenal as I'm joined by retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark McMillian. With a storied 22-year military career and a passion for coaching as the founder of McMillion Leadership Associates, Mark offers a wealth of knowledge on the importance of clear commu…

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308: Don Quixote-Lunatic or Visionary? 39:00

8M ago39:00

39:00

Don Quijote (Quixote) is a literary figure that continues to peak our imagination, even four centuries after the book was written. What is it about him that we continue to read and contemplate his exploits and character? What is so appealing about the single-minded hero?Who can we compare him to? Read on, give a listen and find out!…

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Stay Focused and Avoid The Usual Distractions To Achieve Success 14:30

8M ago14:30

14:30

Send us a text We are discussing staying focused, so we accomplish our goals, we complete our task with excellence, and we lead our teams with purpose. What we let distract us will own our energy and our time. Our habits and routines must be strong to overcome any distraction that can lure us away from accomplishment and top results. I want you to …

1
Setting SMART Goals for 2024 16:51

9M ago16:51

16:51

Send us a text Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows this episode: here Episode #115: Imagine seizing opportunities as they arise, armed with a growth mindset that turns challenges into stepping stones for success. That's what we're unpacking today—how to nurture the mindset and habits that will steer us toward our most ambitious g…

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Bonus Ep 74: Elevate Your Small Business and Solopreneur Journey with an Accounting and Finance System that Supports Business Growth 9:24

9M ago9:24

9:24

Send us a text Please download the free workbook that goes with this episode. This episode will empower you with the insights to pinpoint your ideal customer, refine your services, and secure your competitive edge. We'll navigate through a SWOT analysis and discuss the significance of core values before crafting a strategic statement that's as robu…

1
Bonus Ep 73: Rediscover the Excitement of a Career in Finance and Accounting 10:31

9M ago10:31

10:31

Send us a text Do you remember why you chose a career in finance and accounting? Rekindle your passion as we revisit Episode 98 and deeply contemplate the reasons that drew us towards this exciting field. This episode is a rallying cry for all finance leaders, urging you to reconnect with the joy of number-crunching, the thrill of forging strategy,…

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307: Beautiful Christ, Beautiful Christmas 37:59

9M ago37:59

37:59

All kinds of Christmas themes come up on SS this time of year, and once in a while, a new one arises. I discuss three themes garnered from Facebook friends this year, in honor of the season. Merry Christmas!By Michael Dean McLain

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Bonus Ep 72: A Reflective Journey into Leadership and the Spirit of December Celebrations 2:45

9M ago2:45

2:45

Send us a text Pause for a moment. What if you could go beyond mere technical skills and grow into an inspiring leader, radiating strength of character and integrity? That's what we're exploring in this special bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast. As we wrap up the year, we invite you to celebrate not just your professional success, but als…

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306: Love God By Loving Your Neighbor 40:13

9M ago40:13

40:13

I Corinthians 13, Fruit of the Spirit, and the life of the loving Christ are more than enough to teach us what it's all about: Love.By Michael Dean McLain

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Bonus Ep 71 - Finance Team Success: A Journey of Leadership and Engagement 15:15

9M ago15:15

15:15

Send us a text Imagine unlocking the full potential of your finance team with the right leadership and engagement tools. We kick things off by venturing into the realm of leadership, exploring its intricate responsibilities, and stressing the significance of setting the vision, maintaining high standards, and becoming a role model for your team. As…

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305: Saints And Celebrities 41:39

10M ago41:39

41:39

For thousands of years, heroes of the church, AKA saints, have been venerated for their faith, suffering, and miracles. Many traditions ignore these saints, arguing that all believers are technically saints.Most agree to disagree. But, I little deeper of a dig, reveals some surprising similarities. Do you venerate saints or worship celebrities? Cha…

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Bonus Ep 70: Transforming Your Business with an Effective FP&A Team 19:26

10M ago19:26

19:26

Send us a text Financial Planning & Analysis provides one of the most critical and powerful functions in the business. Are you resourcing and employing your FP&A Team properly? You need to be continually planning the team’s functions and capabilities as technology changes and the business grows. The FP&A function cannot remain static. It must be gr…

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304: Consider The Lillies 37:58

10M ago37:58

37:58

Just how much should one worry about the future? At what point, if any, is it wrong to NOT worry about the future and how you will live when you are old? Just how much does Jesus want us to live in the now? I don't know... seriously.By Michael Dean McLain

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Unlocking Finance Agility and Digital Transformation in Today's Unpredictable Business Environment 13:35

10M ago13:35

13:35

Send us a text Episode 114: Does your organization have the ability to overcome a crisis or overcome rapidly changing business and economic conditions? Is decision making lagging due to financial systems that cannot adapt or because of legacy processes that don’t support change? Being agile means, you can quickly assess and adapt to rapidly changin…

1
303: Thankful But Aware! 37:58

10M ago37:58

37:58

Thanksgiving has always been my second favorite holiday, second only to Christmas. But a not so deep look into its history, reveals that Thanksgiving, and the supposed events it celebrates, can be viewed from a much darken perspective. But, being Thankful can't be wrong, can it? No. No it can't. Being willfully blind can.…

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