Be Bold Peter Demos

Podcast: Be Bold


Be Bold if We Believe Jesus Is the Lord, Then We Must Be Bold at Work

Join us on this episode of Encouragement at Work. Mark Griffin meets with Peter Demos. Peter entered the family restaurant business at age 12 when he started working as a dishwasher in his dad’s Western Sizzlin’ restaurant. From there, his experience in the food industry and serving others gradually grew under the tutelage of his father, who imparted to Peter many aspects of what it takes to run a successful business.

After graduating from high school, Peter earned a B.S. in sociology from Middle Tennessee State University before studying law at the University of Missouri. He went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, during which he discovered that he could better fulfill his passion for helping people in the food industry.

In 1999, Peter returned to his parents’ family restaurant, Demos’ Restaurant, with the single goal of growing the organization. His experience as a restauranteur grew, and he was given the position of chairman on the Board of Directors for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and president of the Tennessee Hospitality Association. Currently, he is the president and CEO of Demos’ Brands and Demos Family Kitchen, owning six restaurant locations across middle Tennessee, including PDK Southern Kitchen and Pantry, and multiple other businesses.

Peter is a highly sought-after leadership source expert and speaker on business, leadership, and faith. In addition, Peter also serves as an adjunct professor at Lipscomb University, where he teaches a class on leadership and management. Today, Peter and his wife, Kristin, work closely together in both business and ministry. They are now teaching their two children to also serve God with their lives.

Author of: Afraid to Trust: One Man’s Journey into the Love of God and On the Duty of Christian Civil Disobedience. Peter brings his insight on critical organizational aspects that should be considered in any organization’s HR department to be successful in these tumultuous times. Listen in as Peter and Mark give encouragement for work.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In His Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Create and Retain High-Performing Sales Team's Culture without Creating Competition Banner

Podcast: Create and Retain High-Performing Sales Team’s Culture without Creating Competition


Introducing Arturo Del Rio Jr., a seasoned leader renowned for revolutionizing sales dynamics and cultivating thriving team cultures. Unlike the conventional belief that internal competition drives sales excellence, Arturo champions a different approach—one that nurtures collaboration over cutthroat competition.

With a remarkable track record steering sales teams at industry giants like Mass360 and Sungard Availability Services, Arturo’s expertise transcends traditional boundaries. His entrepreneurial ventures, including successful exits from application development and AI tech firms, underscore his innate knack for fostering innovation and driving tangible results.

In a recent triumph, Arturo helped launch Set-Aside Queen, catapulting it to a staggering $700k ARR within a mere six months. Now, as Partner and Chief Mission Outreach Officer at Pro-Life Payments, he continues his legacy of transformative leadership.

Tune in as Arturo shares his visionary insights with host Mark Griffin, unraveling the secrets to instilling motivation and unity within sales programming. Moreover, delve into the world of Pro-Life Payments—a trailblazing enterprise offering cutting-edge merchant services with a humanitarian twist.

Pro-Life Payments isn’t just about transactional excellence; it’s a beacon of purpose-driven commerce. From seamless payment processing to revolutionary Dual Discounting features, they empower merchants while championing life-saving initiatives. Their commitment to donating 15% of revenue to Preborn.org is a testament to their unwavering dedication to making a meaningful difference.

Join us in embracing a new era of business—one where profitability harmonizes with philanthropy. Experience the power of commerce to bless lives and transform communities. Learn More Here about Pro-Life Payments and embark on a journey where every transaction fuels hope and saves lives.

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Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Putting the Ego on Simmer

Podcast: Putting the Ego on Simmer


Meet Denise Lawrence. In a recent mastermind session she facilitated, she focused on leadership development and had a candid discussion about Big Egos and what this form of leadership character can do for teams.

The reality is that, no matter how smart or skilled we are as leaders, we cannot know everything. When the ego is so profound that it prevents employees from using their own places of strength—intellect, skillsets, and workplace gifting—then the entire organization is in jeopardy of failure.

Join Mark and Denise as they discuss how to tone down the ego or turn a hot and heavy ego on simmer for the benefit of those we lead.

Denise has been a business owner since 1987 and has experienced failure many times while building great teams. Denise finally checked her ego and learned to lead from a position of service, which is the best biblical instruction for leadership that can be applied. Denise has served over 300 mastermind groups across the country, and through focus groups, she has learned what needs to change to make these truly effective for the leaders who participate and the employees and teams who benefit from their participation.

Today, Denise is a serial business owner with a mission to establish programs and services that close the wealth equity gap for faith-based businesses in America. She calls herself the business disrupter because she believes the whole small business industry needs a transformational shift toward serving others, lifting others up, and erasing a hierarchy where only the top thrive.

When the goal is for everyone in the business to succeed, be happy, and build wealth, they all rise together. Denise is a former journalist turned entrepreneur, pastor, wife, mother, grandmother, and Ph.D. candidate at Liberty University.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mailus here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Culture’s Idea of Retirement Is Not Biblical, but Solid Kingdom-Based Planning Is Banner

Podcast: Culture’s Idea of Retirement Is Not Biblical, but Solid Kingdom-Based Planning Is


We spend a quarter of our lives in retirement, yet plan very little for this important and, potentially, most impactful season of our lives. This is especially true for employees of churches, Christian schools, and other para-church ministries. Why not plan for how God will use us as our physical abilities diminish, yet our spirits are at the highest level of maturity. Their is much to give to the Kingdom of our time and resources in our retirement years. Why not plan for it?

Meet Jim O’Bold. As a former banker who has worked with those with means and without, Jim has experienced the impact of proper financial planning (and the lack thereof) on life trajectories. After a call to FT ministry in 2009, Jim decided to apply his experience to God’s design for finances in the life of servants of the church. Jim briefly served as an Executive Pastor before landing as Dir. of Financial Planning at Servant Solutions, where their mission is Improving Financial Security for Servants of the Church.

Jim has now been with Servant Solutions for thirteen years, spending the last four as President. Although the organization is primarily a church retirement plan provider, it believes it is impossible to do proper retirement planning in a vacuum. Therefore, it leans heavily on providing free financial planning for its members as a wholistic approach to meet the goals and dreams God has placed on their hearts and ministries. This is Jim’s heart as an ordained minister, to Serve Those Who Serve.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Artificial Intelligence Unveiled: Navigating AI From a Kingdom Perspective Small

Podcast: Artificial Intelligence Unveiled: Navigating AI From a Kingdom Perspective


Artificial Intelligence Unveiled:
Navigating AI From a Kingdom Perspective

AI tools have exploded since ChatGPT’s launch in November of 2022. And lots of people and organizations are still trying to wrap their heads around Generative AI’s potential, for better or worse. AI tools are here to stay and they offer an incredible opportunity to leverage your resources.  In this episode, we delve into the intersection of AI technology and the Kingdom. Join us as Bart Caylor helps unravel the mysteries of algorithms and machine learning, while considering the ethical and moral dimensions through the lens of a Kingdom framework. 

With over 35 years of experience in design and marketing, Bart has worked with top global brands and nonprofits like Motorola, RCA, Iams Pet Food, Lumina Foundation, Western Governors University, and the American Bible Society. Bart is the founder of Caylor Solutions and The Higher Ed Marketer. His writings and podcasts on AI have formed a broad perspective on AI applications use in Christian higher education. Most recently, Bart hosted a virtual conference on using artificial intelligence in higher education. Caylor, a first generation college-student, is passionate about education due to his own transformative experiences. This passion drives him to stay ahead of the curve for the future of marketing to consult and deliver solutions in both print and digital for his clients.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast!

Making Ethical Business Decisions

Podcast: Making Ethical Business Decisions


If you’re like most leaders, you are constantly weighing the business needs of a decision (layoffs, cuts in pay, increases in pay for certain key performers, but not everybody) and the ethical needs of treating people well, as well as kindly, as you make these decisions.

For many Christians, this leads us to wonder if we need to be different people on Tuesday afternoon than we are on Sunday mornings.

Meet Chris Grainger. Chris started a ministry to help Christian leaders step into the call they have to lead, no matter the environment. It is time to bridge the gap and lean into our faith, as we are all on mission, no matter the role or company we find ourselves in.

Chris strives to be obedient to what the Holy Spirit has called him to do. Part of that was launching the Lion Within Us two years ago and last year beginning the Summit Leadership Development solution.

The journey of creating The Lion Within Us has been fueled by Chris’s desire to help others and glorify God.  Chris is blessed to have served in several leadership positions in a professional and spiritual capacity. First and foremost, Chris is a devoted husband to a loving wife, a true “Proverbs 31” woman, and the strongest person he knows. Together, they lead a family of three beautiful girls and one amazing son. Chris is currently a deacon at his church and a certified financial coach. Professionally, he works as an engineering and services manager in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast!

Bringing Encouragement for Work Through Workplace Incentives IHN HR Podcast

Podcast: Bringing Encouragement for Work Through Workplace Incentives


Every day, employees who are disengaged, distracted, or discouraged cost employers time, money, frustration, and opportunities. Rob Marchalonis is committed to changing that.  Nothing motivates a team more than when they share in the success or gains they help achieve. Through Rob’s leadership he has been able to take many organizations to the next level.  Not just for-profit organizations, but nonprofit organizations as well.  Listen in and learn how incentives and variable compensation plans can motivate and energize your employees to achieve remarkable results.

As a former CEO, Rob understands the challenges organizations are under.  Rob is the creator of IncentShare and founder of LSP123. Years of hands-on experience as CEO, marketing director, engineer, entrepreneur, coach, and consultant have given Rob deep insight into organizational dynamics, motivation, incentives, and sharing to get results. He has advised thousands of business and nonprofit leaders.

Rob’s experience as an entrepreneur, engineer, and 25+ years as a hands-on CEO has given him deep insight into the power of effective Leadership, Strategy, and Process deployment to fuel workforce productivity and results. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or contact him here.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast!

Podcast: Creating a Flourishing Workplace!


Many organizations find themselves spinning their wheels in work cultures filled with toxicity, dysfunction, conflict, and fear. Unengaged employees drag down productivity, and ineffective management undermines morale. How can we create workplaces where people don’t just struggle to get through the day but instead thrive and love what they do and where they work?

Al Lopus, cofounder and Board Chair of Best Christian Workplaces, has studied hundreds of organizations to discover eight key drivers in companies with healthy cultures and engaged employees. He gathers best practices from across a range of companies and ministries to demonstrate how people at all levels can work together to accomplish work that matters. Principles and real-life examples provide concrete ways that organizations can flourish by building fantastic teams, cultivating life-giving work, attracting, and retaining outstanding talent, and much more.

Road To Flourishing: Eight Keys to Boost Employee Engagement and Well-Being. “This is a book for leaders of every kind of Christian-run organization, and even Christian leaders in secular organizations can benefit greatly from these principles. They have been proven in churches, parachurch ministries, mission organizations, publishers, media organizations, schools, city missions, conference centers, and a host of Christian-owned for-profit businesses in all sorts of industries. You’ll hear hard-earned lessons and penetrating insights from leaders in many of these sectors that the Best Christian Workplaces Institute has been privileged to work with and learn from.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast!

Podcast: Employee Volunteerism


Employee Volunteerism: Spreading Hope in Schools

How does the Bible affect employers? Listen in and understand why the Bible matters. When we have a happy and fulfilled faith-driven society, we, in turn, have prosperous communities. Learn how you and your organization can contribute to this outcome.

We believe that children need to hear Biblical truth, especially in today’s culture. They are bombarded with so many things on a daily basis that have the potential to impact them negatively. Bible2School is offered to children in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade because that is the age their brains start to develop morals and values and their thinking goes from concrete to abstract. In fact, kids at this age often ask big, life questions. Thanks to the national released time rulings, we can help these children learn about God’s love for them during their public school day!

Listen in and meet Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School. Kori’s faithful journey with Bible2School began in 2009 as a volunteer. Her love for the mission grew, and she quickly became the Executive Director just two years later. Today, Kori serves as the organization’s CEO, where she oversees the mission and builds relationships with businesses, churches, and community leaders on the topic of the importance of spiritual training for children nationwide.

Kori thrives on building relationships, and she loves inviting people into the Bible2School team as valued members, volunteers, and donors. Kori’s courageous leadership, humility, and expertise have been paramount to the growth of the Bible2School program.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast!

Building Out of This World Leaders Banner

Podcast: Building Out of This World Leaders


Research shows that front-line leaders contribute as much as 60% to your employee engagement survey results. What are you doing to increase leadership capacity across your organization?

Come learn some strategies that NASA employed over the last 30 years to build better people leaders. Fortunately, these strategies are not rocket science! Any organization can take similar approaches. In fact, our guest, Brady Pyle, is bringing those approaches from NASA to his new role with a 350-employee non-profit organization.
What have you done in the past?

Brady took an early retirement from NASA in February 2023 after a 30-year career in HR, culminating in his role as Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, where he supervised 12 HR Executives. Brady was a two-time recipient of NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and played a key role in NASA being named Best Place to Work in the Federal Government for 11 Consecutive Years.

Brady has blogged about leadership over the last 10 years at OutOfThisWorldLeadership.com, earning recognition in Feedspot’s Top 100 Leadership Blogs.

Brady currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Space Center Houston—a leading non-profit science and space exploration learning center that serves as Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.

Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.

Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast!