• Why chasing approval sabotages your authority
• How to reframe success around internal health, not external hype
• The danger of tying identity to income or image
• A two-step roadmap for building deep, lasting impact

We’ve been taught to chase influence by being impressive. But what if the real breakthrough doesn’t come from the applause—but from the inner work we’ve avoided?

In this bold and personal episode, Jim Burgoon dismantles the toxic hustle culture and invites you to stop performing for people who don’t care and start transforming lives with authentic impact. Drawing from his own story—ministry scars, leadership wounds, and a long-overdue internal commitment—Jim outlines a new definition of success rooted in internal health and legacy-level purpose.

This one’s not about performance. It’s about permission.

• Impression vs. Impact
• Impressing others feeds your ego. Impacting others feeds your legacy.
• Success ≠ Worth
• Six-figure launches mean nothing if you're miserable. Internal victory > External applause.
• Commitment Starts with You
• Waiting for permission is a trap. Growth begins when you decide to show up.
• Your Circle Shapes You
• The right people challenge and lift. The wrong people drain and distract.

Jesus didn’t chase status—He focused on mission. He impacted people by walking in identity, not image. What does it profit you to gain the world but lose your soul? (Mark 8:36)

For Christian creatives juggling many callings, this episode reminds you: impact doesn’t require perfection or polished personas. It requires alignment. Start where you are—commit inwardly, and the clarity and clients will come.

Where are you still performing for approval instead of building with purpose?

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This podcast just got a new name—but not a new heart.

In this short but powerful update, Jim shares why Grace in the Grind is becoming Online Business for Christian Creatives. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, scattered, or unsure how to build something meaningful with your gifts, this new season is for you.

It’s time to build—with focus, faith, and fire. Expect solo episodes, spiritual strategies, leadership tools, and creative biz talk rooted in Jesus.

• Why the podcast rebrand was necessary
• Who this show is now for: faith-driven, multi-passionate creatives
• What to expect moving forward: strategy, spirit, and stories
• A commitment to keep it real, biblical, and bold

This isn’t just a pivot—it’s obedience. We're aligning our gifts, businesses, and platforms to God’s design, not just our feelings.

Whether you're a coach, podcaster, writer, or speaker, you’ll find clarity and conviction to release what God’s put in you.

Instagram: @leadwithjim

Facebook: facebook.com/leadwithjim

Website: www.leadwithjim.com

Youtube: www.youtube.com/leadwithjim

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

• Share this episode with a friend

• Subscribe, like, and comment on YouTube

• Join our newsletter → www.leadwithjim.com

• What it looks like to lead while unraveling behind the scenes
• How burnout can quietly erode success
• Why healing inside marriage is both messy and powerful
• How Rachel rebuilt not just her business, but her identity

In this powerful closing chapter of Grace in the Grind, Jim sits down with Rachel Pedersen to unpack the real cost of building something great while carrying unresolved pain. Rachel shares openly about her CPTSD, bipolar diagnosis, and the public breakdown that led to a new way of leading—from rest, not performance. Together, they explore how faith, safe relationships, and fierce honesty can help you rebuild everything burnout tried to take away.

Rachel Pedersen is a Minnesota-based entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Unfiltered. Known for her social media expertise and raw storytelling, she built an eight-figure empire while navigating complex mental health challenges, marriage, and motherhood. Her story is proof that grace and grit can coexist.

1. Healing Can Happen Mid-Battle – You don’t have to be fully healed to start again.
2. Burnout Is a Clue, Not a Curse – When you’re exhausted, it’s time to listen.
3. Success Isn’t the Finish Line – What really matters is who you are when the lights are off.

Website: https://www.rachelpedersen.com

Instagram: @themrspedersen

LinkedIn: Rachel Pedersen

Rachel’s story is soaked in grace. This episode reminds us that God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect—He meets us in the middle of the mess.

For creators, leaders, and visionaries navigating multiple roles, this conversation gives permission to pause, process, and still press forward without losing yourself.

Rachel didn’t just bounce back—she redefined what success meant. Her story is a reminder that rebuilding starts with radical honesty and safe community.

Performance without inner work leads to burnout. True leadership is built on self-awareness, trust, and the courage to ask for help.

What have you been hiding behind your hustle? What would it look like to lead from wholeness instead?

Instagram: @leadwithjim

Facebook: facebook.com/leadwithjim

Website: www.leadwithjim.com

Youtube: www.youtube.com/leadwithjim

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• What it takes to walk away from a toxic career to protect your character
• How to break free from performance-based identity and people-pleasing
• Why your voice and story matter in building God’s Kingdom

What would you do if your job asked you to compromise your faith?

Molly Trotter-Gomez didn’t just walk away—she stood her ground, got fired, and never looked back. In this episode, Jim dives deep into Molly’s journey from news anchor to Christian entrepreneur, revealing the internal battles, faith revelations, and painful growth that led her to build Kingdom Alliance—a biblically-based business community for leaders and change-makers.

If you've ever wrestled with your identity, doubted your voice, or questioned if you're “too much”—this episode will hit home.

Molly Trotter-Gomez is the Director of Field Development at Kingdom Alliance and a former TV news anchor turned faith-led entrepreneur. She now empowers others to discover their voice, own their story, and build purpose-driven businesses rooted in biblical principles.

1. You’re Not Too Much – What others call “too much” is often your greatest gift.
2. Obedience over Outcome – How Molly's early morning prayer routine transformed her clarity and business.
3. Your Voice Has Value – Silence steals God's glory. Your testimony matters more than your insecurity.

Facebook Group: Molly's Facebook group

Facebook Page: Molly's Facebook page

This episode shows how obedience, even when inconvenient, unlocks favor. Molly’s 2AM secret place became her launchpad. When you truly trust God with your identity, you don’t have to chase validation—you just walk in calling.

Molly’s story reminds creatives: you don’t have to choose between being powerful and faith-filled. Her ability to integrate digital marketing, leadership, and ministry is a model for how multipassionates can thrive by aligning everything under purpose.

Molly’s breaking moments weren’t setbacks—they were setups. This episode is a masterclass in learning how to let go of perfection and control so that real growth can happen.

Molly’s journey illustrates how real leadership starts with conviction. If your people can’t trust your yes and your no, they can’t follow your vision.

Where are you still fighting for your limitations instead of your possibilities?

Instagram: @leadwithjim

Facebook: facebook.com/leadwithjim

Website: www.leadwithjim.com

Youtube: www.youtube.com/leadwithjim

• How multi-passionate creatives can thrive without fitting into a box
• The warning signs of toxic work environments on your mental health
• Why embracing your humanity is the ultimate advantage in an AI-driven world

What happens when the world tells you to pick one thing—but your soul is wired for more?

In this raw and real episode, Alyssa Aviles shares her journey from burned-out employee to thriving creative entrepreneur. She opens up about the mental health battles she faced working in a toxic environment, the leap of faith that changed everything, and how stacking her creative talents (instead of choosing just one) launched her into a world of impact.

This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s a wake-up call to every creative who’s felt trapped, overlooked, or burned out. Alyssa reminds us that in a world chasing automation, your humanity—and your heart—are your greatest assets.

Alyssa Aviles (aka "the lovely Liss") is a multi-passionate creative director, Canva ambassador, ClickFunnels ambassador, and entrepreneur. She specializes in creative direction for six to eight-figure entrepreneurs, bringing stories to life through branding, design, and digital strategy. Alyssa empowers others to embrace their unique gifts and thrive without fitting into society’s mold.

1. Stack Your Talents – Your unique combination of skills isn't a liability—it’s your superpower. When you stack them instead of silo them, you create uncommon value.
2. Watch for Warning Signs – Ignoring physical and emotional red flags (insomnia, stomach issues, emotional breakdowns) can cost you your health, your peace, and your future.
3. Take the Leap Before You're Ready – Growth rarely feels comfortable. Sometimes you have to quit before the “net” appears—and trust that God will meet you mid-leap.

• Facebook: Alyssa Aviles
• TikTok: @thelovelylyss
• Instagram: @thelovelylyss
• Join Alyssa's School Community for Design: Higher Calling Creative Club

Sometimes faith isn’t about a roadmap. It’s about obedience in the unknown. Alyssa’s story reminds us that when God says “leap,” He’s already preparing the landing.

Alyssa’s path shows that combining your passions—graphic design, photography, branding—can create a new lane where you don't have to choose between your gifts. You can integrate them for greater impact.

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: [Insert affiliate link if you have one]

• [Episode 32]: [George Bryant – Healing the Inner Game]
• [Episode 31]: [Devin Schubert – Building Through Breakdowns]

Your body knows when your soul is suffocating. Pay attention. Healing starts when you listen—and take bold action even when you're scared.

True leadership begins...

• How Anita pivoted from neurosurgery to six-figure entrepreneur while raising three young kids
• What it really takes to grow your business with video (especially if you’re an introvert)
• The secret to building a business that aligns with your faith, values, and real life

What if the life you spent years building no longer fit the person God was calling you to become?

Anita Morin was a neurosurgery physician assistant with everything “on paper”—until she held her newborn and everything changed. In this episode, Anita shares her bold pivot into entrepreneurship, how she built a video marketing business while homeschooling three children, and why trust in God was the foundation every step of the way.

We dive into what it’s like to build a business in the thick of it, why mindset matters more than mechanics, and how making 1,000 videos in a single year helped her create massive impact and income.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, scared to show up, or unsure how to pivot without losing yourself—this one’s for you.

Anita Morin is a video marketing strategist and founder of FDS Creatives. A former neurosurgery PA turned faith-led entrepreneur, Anita helps purpose-driven business owners use video to build visibility, confidence, and consistent income—without burning out or selling their soul.

1. Identity ≠ Income – Anita learned to detach her worth from her former title and step into a calling that prioritized her family, faith, and freedom.
2. Video as a Trust-Building Tool – It’s not just about content—it’s about connection. Anita helps people overcome fear and leverage video to grow their brand and reach.
3. Faith Over Fear – Every scary leap Anita made was covered in prayer and followed by action. She didn’t need a full plan—just the next right step.

Website: https://www.fdscreatives.com

Instagram: @fdscreatives

LinkedIn: Anita Morin

Anita’s entire journey is a testimony of praying through confusion and trusting God with the pivot. Her story reflects how obedience—especially when it doesn’t make sense—can lead to greater purpose, provision, and peace.

For creatives with many interests, Anita's path shows how you don’t need to fit a mold. You can combine faith, family, video, and entrepreneurship—and still thrive. Start small, stay consistent, and let your unique blend become your brand.

• Airtable – for client workflow
• Marco Polo – for introverts to build camera confidence

[Episode 31]: Devin Schubert – When God Disrupts Your Business Plan

[Episode 32]: George Bryant – Burnout, Mindset, and Leading with Heart

Anita navigated motherhood, business, and pandemic uncertainty—all while building a brand from scratch. Her story...

• What happens when success masks soul misalignment
• How silence can be the loudest call back to purpose
• Why you can’t build a life you love by becoming someone you’re not

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, Jim sits down with George Bryant, a New York Times bestselling author and former digital marketing phenom who gave it all up to find his soul again. George walks us through the hidden pain behind his public success, his radical sabbatical in Costa Rica, and how God used silence, stillness, and suffering to rebuild him from the inside out.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re crushing it on paper but crumbling inside—this is your episode. George brings raw truth about identity, faith, and why your business must serve your soul, not steal it.

George Bryant is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and marketing strategist who helps entrepreneurs build aligned businesses rooted in integrity and impact. He is the host of The Mind of George podcast and a fierce advocate for living in truth, building in alignment, and protecting your peace at all costs.

1. Alignment Is a Fight – You won’t stumble into soul alignment. You have to actively pursue it and protect it daily.
2. Success Without Peace Is Failure – If you win externally but lose yourself internally, it’s not worth it.
3. Contemplative Space Is Critical – God speaks in whispers. You can’t hear them if your life is too loud.

Website: https://www.mindofgeorge.com

Instagram: @itsgeorgebryant

Podcast: The Mind of George

George’s journey was marked by a deep encounter with God in the middle of the jungle. His entire redefinition of success was shaped by the simple question: Would Jesus be proud of how I lived today? This episode is a powerful testimony of faith in the quiet, not just the hustle.

Whether you're building a business, raising a family, or exploring multiple creative paths, George’s message is clear: identity drives everything. You can’t build sustainably across your passions if your foundation isn’t aligned. Start with who you are, not what you do.

• The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham
• George’s Website: https://www.mindofgeorge.com
• George’s Podcast: The Mind of George
• 
  

[EP 28]: From Trauma to Truth – Maurice F. Martin

[EP 29]: When Faith Meets Burnout – Jeremy Howell

George’s story is a masterclass in...

• How cancer at 18 reshaped her life and future
• What phantom limb syndrome actually feels like
• The mindset and faith that helped her endure two amputations
• Why she wrote Limitless and how it's opening doors for advocacy
• How to embrace your story—even the painful parts

What happens when your identity is amputated along with your leg? In this powerful episode, Rebecca Denae shares her raw journey from an athletic 18-year-old to a two-time amputee, author, and speaker. Diagnosed with bone cancer just out of high school, Rebecca’s life took a dramatic turn. But instead of giving up, she chose to lean into faith, resilience, and storytelling.

We talk about chronic pain, phantom limb syndrome, toxic positivity, and the courage it takes to keep showing up—especially when you know what pain feels like. If you’re struggling to make sense of your story, this episode will remind you: it’s not over yet.

Rebecca Denae is an author, speaker, and two-time cancer survivor who shares her journey of resilience and faith to inspire others. Her debut book Limitless is a memoir that advocates for better patient care and amplifies voices often unheard. Rebecca speaks on topics ranging from amputation and recovery to overcoming trauma with hope.

1. Rewriting the Narrative – Your diagnosis doesn't get the final word.
2. The Power of Perspective – Choosing a lens of blessing changes everything.
3. Resilience Is a Daily Decision – It’s not about never falling—it’s about refusing to stay down.

🌐 Website: https://rebeccadenae.com

📷 Instagram: @Rebeccadenae.Author on Instagram

📘 Facebook Page: Rebecca's Facebook page

Rebecca’s trust in God gave her peace during the worst parts of her journey. Her story models how faith doesn’t remove pain—it gives you something to hold onto in the middle of it.

Rebecca’s pivot into authorship and advocacy proves that your past pain can fuel your creative purpose. Whether you’re writing, speaking, or creating—your story can be your platform.

Resilience isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it looks like showing up with less-than-perfect energy and still giving your best. Rebecca models that beautifully.

Great leaders don’t hide their scars—they use them to show others what’s possible. Vulnerability builds trust. Use your story.

What limiting belief have you carried about your pain? What might happen if you reframed it as purpose?

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Facebook: facebook.com/leadwithjim

Website: