Text Brian & Shawna (Fan Mail)

What would drive a young teacher to contemplate ending his life? Scott Maderer's raw confession opens our conversation with shocking honesty—crushed by $50,000 of debt on a $40,000 salary, he believed his family would be better off with his life insurance money than with him alive. This powerful starting point sets the stage for a transformative discussion about purpose, meaning, and authenticity.

Scott's journey from financial crisis to finding his calling echoes what many of us experience—that feeling of being trapped in a cycle of busyness without meaning. His distinction between "vocation" and "career" illuminates why so many feel unfulfilled despite professional success. Whether you're questioning your path or simply feeling the weight of endless to-do lists, Scott's practical framework offers a way forward.

Later in the conversation Scott shares his three-column exercise for uncovering what truly energizes you, followed by his revolutionary advice to replace "I don't have time" with "that's not a priority for me." This simple language shift forces honest reflection about what we truly value. Perhaps most touching is his reminder that "nothing's little"—that recognizing a cashier by name or bringing up a neighbor's garbage can create ripple effects we can't begin to measure. Through Scott's four-part framework (invest in yourself, invest in others, develop influence, make impact), listeners gain both the inspiration and tools to move from merely working to truly living.

Ready to stop the endless cycle of busyness and start aligning your life with what truly matters? Listen now, then visit inspiredstewardship.com/horizons for free resources to begin your journey toward purposeful living.

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
• Buy your own VR headset & earn some reward points from Meta!
• Apply to be a guest
• Join us on Instagram

Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

• Get Your Own Podcast on BuzzSprout