Pray
Steve GatenaLife, Leadership, and Legacy by pray.com features the world’s most passionate and devoted leaders. In these mini-podcast series we get an exclusive look into the stories, experiences, and lessons learned that make these people some of the
See more
most influential leaders on earth. Join us as we discover how these respected leaders overcome vast obstacles and defeat the odds by turning massive challenges into success. Learn from their experiences and apply them to live a better life. If you enjoy our podcast please leave a rating and review.
Older episodes
- 97Esther Fleece Allen - Legacy - “An Answer to Someone's Prayers”Esther Fleece Allen is the founder and CEO of L&L Consulting, Inc., where she helps Christian ministries develop various growth strategies. She is a graduate student of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Business Program, and is currently in Seminary studying Women’s Leadership. She is a published author with her book No More Faking Fine. As a committee member for Alliance for The Peace of Jerusalem she is an advocate for better understanding of the complexities of the Middle East. She has been called one of “Five Women to Watch in Religion”, and one of the “New Faces of Evangelicalism”, being recognized by CNN, USA Today, Christianity Today, Outreach magazine, and The Washington Post.Hear more inspirational stories like Esther's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0“I’ve been convicted lately that the way of Jesus was love, and that Jesus spoke the words of his father, and the father did not tear down other people for where they’re at in their walks with God.”
- 98Esther Fleece Allen - Leadership - “Boasting in our Weaknesses”Esther Fleece Allen is the founder and CEO of L&L Consulting, Inc., where she helps Christian ministries develop various growth strategies. She is a graduate student of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Business Program, and is currently in Seminary studying Women’s Leadership. She is a published author with her book No More Faking Fine. As a committee member for Alliance for The Peace of Jerusalem she is an advocate for better understanding of the complexities of the Middle East. She has been called one of “Five Women to Watch in Religion”, and one of the “New Faces of Evangelicalism”, being recognized by CNN, USA Today, Christianity Today, Outreach magazine, and The Washington Post. Hear more inspirational stories like Esther's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0 “Arriving doesn’t make a person happy any more than striving does.”
- 99Esther Fleece Allen – Life - “Learning to Lament”Esther Fleece Allen is the founder and CEO of L&L Consulting, Inc., where she helps Christian ministries develop various growth strategies. She is a graduate student of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Business Program, and is currently in Seminary studying Women’s Leadership. She is a published author with her book No More Faking Fine. As a committee member for Alliance for The Peace of Jerusalem she is an advocate for better understanding of the complexities of the Middle East. She has been called one of “Five Women to Watch in Religion”, and one of the “New Faces of Evangelicalism”, being recognized by CNN, USA Today, Christianity Today, Outreach magazine, and The Washington Post.Hear more inspirational stories like Esther's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0“When you look at scripture you see that we serve a deeply emotional God. . . And so if God lets us into these emotions why do I think it’s spiritual to keep Him out of mine.”
- 100Esther Fleece Allen: This week on PRAYEsther Fleece Allen is the founder and CEO of L&L Consulting, Inc., where she helps Christian ministries develop various growth strategies. She is a graduate student of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Business Program, and is currently in Seminary studying Women’s Leadership. She is a published author with her book No More Faking Fine. As a committee member for Alliance for The Peace of Jerusalem she is an advocate for better understanding of the complexities of the Middle East. She has been called one of “Five Women to Watch in Religion”, and one of the “New Faces of Evangelicalism”, being recognized by CNN, USA Today, Christianity Today, Outreach magazine, and The Washington Post.Hear more inspirational stories like Esther's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
- 101Overview of Dean Varun Soni’s Life, Leadership, and LegacyVarun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. This is an overview of Varun Soni's Life, Leadership, and Legacy episodes on pray.com.Hear more inspirational stories like Varun's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0He is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg’s Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin.Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Hindu American Foundation, Future45, and the Parliament of the World’s Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world.
- 102Varun Soni - Legacy - “Be the Cause for Others to Change the World”Varun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California.Hear more inspirational stories like Varun's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0He is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg’s Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin.Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Hindu American Foundation, Future45, and the Parliament of the World’s Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world.“The cause that resonates with me the most . . . is the cause of inclusion, it’s the cause of belonging, it’s the cause of creating communities that allow people to be who they are. That celebrate differences but understand commonalities.”
- 103Varun Soni - Leadership - “Failing to Succeed”Varun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California.Hear more inspirational stories like Varun's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0He is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg’s Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin.Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Hindu American Foundation, Future45, and the Parliament of the World’s Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world.“You cannot succeed unless you fail, and the more spectacularly you fail the more spectacularly you succeed.”
- 104Varun Soni – Life - “Wanting to Do Rather Than to Be”Varun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California.Hear more inspirational stories like Varun's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0He is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg’s Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin.Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Hindu American Foundation, Future45, and the Parliament of the World’s Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world.“Being a parent is the most ego deflating exercise I think you can have. You are completely in the service of others. Your hopes, dreams, aspirations are put to the side. They are realigned with the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of your child.”
- 105Varun Soni: This Week on PRAYVarun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California.He is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg’s Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin.Hear more inspirational stories like Varun's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Hindu American Foundation, Future45, and the Parliament of the World’s Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world.
- 106Overview of Gerard Long’s Life, Leadership, and LegacyTaking early retirement as SVP with banking giant HSBC Plc, Gerard Long lead non-profit Alpha USA as CEO from 2008-2014, to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Gerard has experienced life at its best but also its worst. In 2005 his beloved youngest son, Alex (17), committed suicide and his marriage came within a tread of failing. Eight years later, Gerard and Jeannie were hit again when their beautiful daughter, Rebecca (32), drowned in a tragic accident. After God spoke to Jeannie in a divine encounter, Gerard resigned from Alpha and they started Awakening to God Ministries, to bring comfort and hope to the suffering in the US and around the world.Hear more inspirational stories like Gerard's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
- 107Gerard Long - Legacy - “Awakening to God’s Glory”Taking early retirement as SVP with banking giant HSBC Plc, Gerard Long lead non-profit Alpha USA as CEO from 2008-2014, to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Gerard has experienced life at its best but also its worst. In 2005 his beloved youngest son, Alex (17), committed suicide and his marriage came within a tread of failing. Eight years later, Gerard and Jeannie were hit again when their beautiful daughter, Rebecca (32), drowned in a tragic accident. After God spoke to Jeannie in a divine encounter, Gerard resigned from Alpha and they started Awakening to God Ministries, to bring comfort and hope to the suffering in the US and around the world.Hear more inspirational stories like Gerard's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0“One of the things we greatly need today, in a world where there is so much suffering and so much pain, is we need people to come alongside others, to put our arm around them, and to say I understand.”
- 108Gerard Long - Leadership - “Finish the Work”Taking early retirement as SVP with banking giant HSBC Plc, Gerard Long lead non-profit Alpha USA as CEO from 2008-2014, to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Gerard has experienced life at its best but also its worst. In 2005 his beloved youngest son, Alex (17), committed suicide and his marriage came within a tread of failing. Eight years later, Gerard and Jeannie were hit again when their beautiful daughter, Rebecca (32), drowned in a tragic accident. After God spoke to Jeannie in a divine encounter, Gerard resigned from Alpha and they started Awakening to God Ministries, to bring comfort and hope to the suffering in the US and around the world.Hear more inspirational stories like Gerard's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0“As a leader, we need to know how to strengthen ourself in God. And that means we’ll be people of great people of prayer.”
- 109Gerard Long – Life - “Loving God through Tragedy”Taking early retirement as SVP with banking giant HSBC Plc, Gerard Long lead non-profit Alpha USA as CEO from 2008-2014, to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Gerard has experienced life at its best but also its worst. In 2005 his beloved youngest son, Alex (17), committed suicide and his marriage came within a tread of failing. Eight years later, Gerard and Jeannie were hit again when their beautiful daughter, Rebecca (32), drowned in a tragic accident. After God spoke to Jeannie in a divine encounter, Gerard resigned from Alpha and they started Awakening to God Ministries, to bring comfort and hope to the suffering in the US and around the world.Hear more inspirational stories like Gerard's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0“We don’t like this cup. It’s a very bitter cup. But by your grace, and only by your grace; if you want us to walk this walk, we pray that you’d now use us for your glory.”
- 110Gerard Long: This week on PRAYTaking early retirement as SVP with banking giant HSBC Plc, Gerard Long lead non-profit Alpha USA as CEO from 2008-2014, to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Gerard has experienced life at its best but also its worst. In 2005 his beloved youngest son, Alex (17), committed suicide and his marriage came within a tread of failing. Eight years later, Gerard and Jeannie were hit again when their beautiful daughter, Rebecca (32), drowned in a tragic accident. After God spoke to Jeannie in a divine encounter, Gerard resigned from Alpha and they started Awakening to God Ministries, to bring comfort and hope to the suffering in the US and around the world. Hear more inspirational stories like Gerard's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
- 111Overview of Kadi Cole’s Life, Leadership, and LegacyKadi Cole has spent the last twenty-five years studying leadership and organizational development, most recently serving as an Executive Director at one of America's largest and fastest growing multi-site churches. She is passionate about helping local churches thrive and equipping leaders to fulfill their Calling. Kadi is a true visionary, ahead of her time in teaching churches to harness the God-given talents in their congregations. While we are all called to serve, Kadi helps men and women navigate the unique challenges that may arise in pursuit of that call together. Kadi is an engaging, practical, and down-to-earth speaker and writer on a variety of topics related to leadership, organizational development, spiritual growth, parenting, and living a full life.
- 112Kadi Cole - Legacy - “God's Legacy for Us"Kadi Cole has spent the last twenty-five years studying leadership and organizational development, most recently serving as an Executive Director at one of America's largest and fastest growing multi-site churches. She is passionate about helping local churches thrive and equipping leaders to fulfill their Calling. Kadi is a true visionary, ahead of her time in teaching churches to harness the God-given talents in their congregations. While we are all called to serve, Kadi helps men and women navigate the unique challenges that may arise in pursuit of that call together. Kadi is an engaging, practical, and down-to-earth speaker and writer on a variety of topics related to leadership, organizational development, spiritual growth, parenting, and living a full life. Hear more inspirational stories like Kadi's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0 “I think science is finally catching up to what God told us a long time ago. We are all interconnected. We impact and influence each other all the time. . . Who we are and what we do matters. And we are all making an impact and leaving a legacy whether we know it or not.”
- 113Kadi Cole - Leadership - “Leading Change”Kadi Cole has spent the last twenty-five years studying leadership and organizational development, most recently serving as an Executive Director at one of America's largest and fastest growing multi-site churches. She is passionate about helping local churches thrive and equipping leaders to fulfill their Calling. Kadi is a true visionary, ahead of her time in teaching churches to harness the God-given talents in their congregations. While we are all called to serve, Kadi helps men and women navigate the unique challenges that may arise in pursuit of that call together. Kadi is an engaging, practical, and down-to-earth speaker and writer on a variety of topics related to leadership, organizational development, spiritual growth, parenting, and living a full life. Hear more inspirational stories like Kadi's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0 “Even as a young professional I learned that when my motivation for leading was truly pure - that it wasn’t about me or my ego, or my need to prove something, or even getting something for myself - even when resistance came it didn’t hurt or damage the core of myself.”
- 114Kadi Cole – Life - “Finding God’s Calling for Me”Kadi Cole has spent the last twenty-five years studying leadership and organizational development, most recently serving as an Executive Director at one of America's largest and fastest-growing multi-site churches. She is passionate about helping local churches thrive and equipping leaders to fulfill their Calling. Kadi is a true visionary, ahead of her time in teaching churches to harness the God-given talents in their congregations. While we are all called to serve, Kadi helps men and women navigate the unique challenges that may arise in pursuit of that call together. Kadi is an engaging, practical, and down-to-earth speaker and writer on a variety of topics related to leadership, organizational development, spiritual growth, parenting, and living a full life. Hear more inspirational stories like Kadi's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0 “He wants to give us rest, and not just physical rest but rest for our souls, and we do that by learning from Him, by learning to be humble and gentle, by working on our hearts, by letting go of trying to be everything to everybody, and by walking so closely with Him, and knowing His voice so clearly on the inside, that we can easily discern our work. The work He’s made for us, work that is light and work that is easy.”
- 115Kadi Cole - This week on PRAYKadi Cole has spent the last twenty-five years studying leadership and organizational development, most recently serving as an Executive Director at one of America's largest and fastest growing multi-site churches. She is passionate about helping local churches thrive and equipping leaders to fulfill their Calling. Kadi is a true visionary, ahead of her time in teaching churches to harness the God-given talents in their congregations. While we are all called to serve, Kadi helps men and women navigate the unique challenges that may arise in pursuit of that call together. Kadi is an engaging, practical, and down-to-earth speaker and writer on a variety of topics related to leadership, organizational development, spiritual growth, parenting, and living a full life. Hear more inspirational stories like Kadi's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
- 116Robert Glazer’s Life, Leadership, and LegacyRobert Glazer, founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, is a recognized global leader in the affiliate marketing industry. He also co-founded and serves as Chairman of BrandCycle. Glazer was ranked second in Glassdoor’s list of Top CEO’s of Small and Medium Companies in the US. Glazer’s writes regularly for Forbes, and Entrepreneur, where he reaches over five million people each year. He also shares his ideas through his “Friday Forward” and as a host of his podcast “Elevate”. Outside of work Glazer can be found skiing, cycling, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.Hear more inspirational stories like Robert's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
- 117Robert Glazer - Legacy - “The Best Version of Yourself”Robert Glazer, founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, is a recognized global leader in the affiliate marketing industry. He also co-founded and serves as Chairman of BrandCycle. Glazer was ranked second in Glassdoor’s list of Top CEO’s of Small and Medium Companies in the US. Glazer’s writes regularly for Forbes, and Entrepreneur, where he reaches over five million people each year. He also shares his ideas through his “Friday Forward” and as a host of his podcast “Elevate”. Outside of work Glazer can be found skiing, cycling, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.Hear more inspirational stories like Robert's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0“I think this is one of our problems as human beings is we take what is in front of us, at that moment, at that day, at that time, and we make it out to be the biggest thing going on.”
- 118Robert Glazer - Leadership - “Getting out of the Echo Chamber”Robert Glazer, founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, is a recognized global leader in the affiliate marketing industry. He also co-founded and serves as Chairman of BrandCycle. Glazer was ranked second in Glassdoor’s list of Top CEO’s of Small and Medium Companies in the US. Glazer’s writes regularly for Forbes, and Entrepreneur, where he reaches over five million people each year. He also shares his ideas through his “Friday Forward” and as a host of his podcast “Elevate”. Outside of work Glazer can be found skiing, cycling, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. Hear more inspirational stories like Robert's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0 “I think a lot of the times people who are very empathetic actually can bring people down. They can empathize with them, they can relate with them. But rather than telling them what they need to hear . . . they’re just sort of reinforcing it for them.”
- 119Robert Glazer – Life - “The Power of Stories”Robert Glazer, founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, is a recognized global leader in the affiliate marketing industry. He also co-founded and serves as Chairman of BrandCycle. Glazer was ranked second in Glassdoor’s list of Top CEO’s of Small and Medium Companies in the US. Glazer’s writes regularly for Forbes, and Entrepreneur, where he reaches over five million people each year. He also shares his ideas through his “Friday Forward” and as a host of his podcast “Elevate”. Outside of work Glazer can be found skiing, cycling, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.“How we do anything is how we do everything.”Hear more inspirational stories like Robert's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
- 120Robert Glazer: This week on PRAYRobert Glazer, founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, is a recognized global leader in the affiliate marketing industry. He also co-founded and serves as Chairman of BrandCycle. Glazer was ranked second in Glassdoor’s list of Top CEO’s of Small and Medium Companies in the US. Glazer’s writes regularly for Forbes, and Entrepreneur, where he reaches over five million people each year. He also shares his ideas through his “Friday Forward” and as a host of his podcast “Elevate”. Outside of work Glazer can be found skiing, cycling, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.“How we do anything is how we do everything.”Hear more inspirational stories like Robert's on the Pray app: https://link.pray.com/hOzg1zP3i0
Get the Pray app
Keep listening to Pray on your phone, and pick up where you left off.
