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We talk with Chick-fil-A Operator and franchisee, Wesley Key about losing his faith in seminary, building it back through one simple lunch, and learning the hard way that success cannot silence the voice that says we are not enough. We trace how awards, grief, COVID-era pressure, anxiety, and surrender reshape his leadership, his family life, and the purpose behind his book.
• growing up in church while lacking personal faith roots
• becoming an atheist in seminary after an ethics debate
• a mentor’s persistence and a low-pressure gospel invitation
• taking on the lowest volume Chick-fil-A and rebuilding with hiring and culture
• community outreach built on generosity and local relationships
• the hidden cost of excellence, awards, and perfectionism
• grief, pandemic disruption, inflation stress, and escalating anxiety
• a medication spiral that intensifies suicidal thoughts
• surrender as a daily practice and the start of healing
• inside-out transformation that rebuilds purpose and identity
• God’s faithfulness in seasons of desert and failure
you can send an email to my podcast. When you go on your podcast platform, there’s something that says you can send an email, or you can send an email to me at stephanynelson.com, and we’re gonna give away five copies of Wes’s book to the first five people who respond.

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We sit down with novelist Johanna Vann to talk about writing "Where Wilted Flowers Bloom" and why a fictional story can tell the truth about grief more powerfully than a stack of nonfiction. We also share the behind-the-scenes reality of publishing, motherhood, and faith that doesn’t rely on tidy answers when life hurts.
• Johanna’s path from broadcast journalism to award-winning novelist
• Writing in slim margins while homeschooling and raising little kids
• Hiring an editor, learning craft, and pushing past insecurity
• The emotional core of "Where Wilted Flowers Bloom" and why it resonates
• Grief after losing a baby and the strain it can put on marriage
• Multigenerational friendship and how neighbors can become lifelines
• Christian fiction without cheesy shortcuts and why platitudes can wound
• Practical ways to choose community and show up for people nearby

If you'd like to contact Johanna, find her on social media and send her a message. You can also find her on her website :

https://www.johannavann.com/

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Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram @stephanie_nelson_cm
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Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!

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We sit down with executive coach and entrepreneur Tony Caliendo to unpack his new book “Less Over More,” a simple framework for clearing out the wrong more so we can build a life that actually fits. We talk about burnout that hides behind achievements, the hard work of redefining success, and how relationships either refill or drain our energy.

• Why “less” means removing the wrong more, not living with deprivation
• Tony’s turning point after chasing someone else’s definition of success in corporate hospitality and real estate
• the hidden exhaustion of looking successful while feeling out of sync
• choosing a small set of business values to make yes and no decisions faster
• focusing on impact on self, family, team, and legacy instead of chasing numbers
• the coaching process: start with what you don’t want, redefine success, rebuild identity
• the “auditorium” method for friendships and protecting your front row relationships

https://www.lessovermore.com/

You can connect with Tony Caliendo and learn more about his coaching services, speaking opportunities, and his new book, "Less Over More." Rethinkcoaching.com is his coaching website.

Instagram: @tonymcaliendo
https://www.instagram.com/tonymcaliendo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-caliendo-8415602b/

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
Learn more at StephanieNelson.com
Follow us on Instagram @stephanie_nelson_cm
Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom

Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential