In this episode of The Founder Collective Podcast, host Tamra Andress invites listeners into a refreshing conversation on what it really means to lead, build, and create from a place of play, rest, and excellence.

From scarecrows and fall festivals to deep revelations about faith and business, this episode challenges entrepreneurs to reflect on how and why they’re building — and whether the structures of their success are freeing them or trapping them.

Featuring rich discussion from community members including Chris, Bryant, Tamra, Lisette, and Eliyahu, the conversation moves from lighthearted stories to powerful spiritual truths about worship, work, and walking in excellence.

• The difference between perfectionism and excellence — and how one brings freedom while the other brings bondage.
  

• Why play is a prophetic act of trust — and how fun can unlock divine creativity.
  

• How to identify when your business is becoming a prison instead of a playground.
  

• The meaning of Avodah — the Hebrew word that connects work and worship — and what it reveals about God’s design for our labor.
  

• The connection between abiding in Christ and building with excellence.
  

• How to steward your calling like Solomon’s temple — with wholehearted excellence, not half-hearted effort.

“Are we building our prison, or are we building a playground?” – Tamra Andress

“When you do something wholeheartedly as if doing it for the Lord, that excellence becomes freedom.” – Chris

“Work and worship were never meant to be separate — in Hebrew, they’re the same word: Avodah.” – Eliyahu

“You can’t operate in the anointing if you’re not under the covering.” – Tamra Andress

• 05:40 – The story behind the scarecrow and the question that sparked today’s theme
  

• 09:18 – Tamra’s opening prayer for divine play and unity
  

• 12:16 – Lisette shares her new podcast and the joy of creative obedience
  

• 14:39 – The connection between rest, play, and divine strategy
  

• 18:13 – Tamra’s story: starting a retreat for firefighter wives
  

• 23:17 – Bryant on burnout, dependence, and the humility to rest
  

• 26:00 – Eliyahu introduces Working with God: The 10 Modes of Elevated Leadership
  

• 33:22 – Chris on excellence, perfectionism, and worship through work
  

• 40:09 – Bryant’s teaching on the three power banks: body, soul, and spirit
  

• 57:05 – The Hebrew revelation of Avodah: work as worship
  

• 59:53 – Tamra on maturing through excellence and the next iteration of your calling
  

• 01:07:32 – Closing prayer and free FounderCon ticket announcement
  

• The Giving Tree – YouTube Reading
  

• Working with God: The 10 Modes of Elevated Leadership by Eliyahu
  

• TheFounderCon.com – Use code URSPECIAL for 100% off conference tickets
  

• Website: thefoundercon.com
  

• Instagram: @tamra.andress
  

• Facebook Community: The Founder Collective
  

If this episode stirred something in you, take time this week to play with God. Step away from striving and start creating from rest. Then join us in person at FounderCon — where entrepreneurs meet heaven’s blueprint for excellence, impact, and freedom.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Founder Collective, Tamra Andress and the community share how obedience to God’s prompting can transform the way we build, lead, and serve through business. What starts as a conversation about planning for FounderCon quickly unfolds into testimonies of surrender, provision, and unexpected Kingdom impact.

You’ll hear Tamra recount the miraculous moment when God filled every seat at the event after she released control, and how He continues to teach the team that stewardship often looks like letting go. Joined by Chris, Anthony, and other founders, the discussion explores what it means to run your business with open hands, trust God’s timing, and redefine success through eternal impact—not profit margins.

If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, control, or uncertainty in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode will remind you that faith is not passive—it’s the most strategic move you can make.

Key Takeaways:

• True stewardship means releasing control so God can multiply your impact.

• Obedience often precedes breakthrough—especially when it makes no logical sense.

• Faith-driven entrepreneurship invites us to measure success through souls, not sales.

• God refines us through discomfort, pruning, and surrender, preparing us for greater clarity of calling.

• • Community matters—transformation happens when believers build together for Kingdom purpose.

  
  

  Timestamps:

• • [07:50] Tamra shares how God provided when she released control of FounderCon.

  • [16:00] A midnight moment in Scripture leads to divine strategy from Matthew 22.

  • [22:00] Chris reveals how God asked him to make his coaching course completely free.

  • [35:00] Anthony unpacks how perspective shifts unlock Kingdom vision.

  • [45:00] Frances shares her journey from professional restraint to prophetic freedom.

• • [58:00] The group reflects on the cost of following Jesus in business.
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• Quotables:
• • “Sometimes obedience looks illogical, but it’s always strategic in God’s economy.” – Tamra Andress
  • “Following God costs you everything that’s not for you.” – Chris
  • “The church isn’t just a building—it’s a movement of entrepreneurs willing to say yes.” – Anthony

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  Resources:

  • FounderCon: Join the movement at TheFounderCollective.org

  
  

In this powerful Founder Collective conversation, the hosts and community share honest testimonies about what it really means to say yes to God—especially when it doesn’t make sense. From marathons to motherhood, finances to faith, this episode peels back the layers of what obedience looks like in real life.

Through authentic stories of loss, provision, miracles, and conviction, the group wrestles with how to discern God’s voice, navigate the tension between wise counsel and faith, and trust God’s timing even when the “no” feels confusing.

The reminder? Success in the Kingdom isn’t about what you achieve—it’s about your willingness to say yes when He calls.

Key Takeaways:

• Obedience is the highest form of success. Your “yes” to God matters more than the outcome or applause.

• God provides daily bread. Provision and peace come when we trust Him, not our paychecks.

• Your no is just as important as your yes. Discerning what’s not for you protects you from distraction and burnout.

• Wise counsel confirms, not replaces, God’s voice. The Word and the Holy Spirit remain your primary guides.

• One yes can change everything. Every act of obedience carries ripple effects far beyond what you can see.
  

Quotables:

“Your yes was the success. Obedience is the highest level of success.” – Chris

“Good things aren’t always God things. God is always good, but good isn’t always God.” – Anthony

“Sometimes nothing is enough when you’ve said yes to Him—because He’s already your provider.” – Kelly

“God doesn’t need our performance; He wants our presence.” – Francis

“We’ve taken God from being our King to being our consultant—and that doesn’t work.” – Chris

Timestamps:

• [06:00] – Chris shares how running a marathon became a lesson in obedience and humility

• [13:00] – Redefining success: your yes is the success

• [16:00] – Kelly’s story of financial surrender and trusting God’s provision

• [19:00] – Why your no matters just as much as your yes

• [27:00] – How to reconcile wise counsel with God’s personal direction

• [34:00] – Learning from the healing of the lame man and Lazarus—trusting timing

• [43:00] – Frances shares a testimony of her daughter’s healing and the miracle in the midst of chaos

• [52:00] – The importance of community and showing up in person

• [55:00] – The conviction of delayed obedience

• [01:01:00] – Chris’ powerful story of how a simple yes led to his mom’s salvation

• [01:10:00] – Final challenge: Ask God what He last told you to do—and go do it

Resources:

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

• Founder Con – tickets available now at thefoundercollective.org
  

• Website: thefoundercollective.org
  

• Instagram: @thefoundercollective
  

• Join the Community: thefoundercollective.org/join