IHN HR

In this episode, we’re talking about something every leader wrestles with — how to hire not just for talent, but for fit. Leaders are often tempted to prioritize skills over alignment, yet the long-term health of an organization depends on hiring people who embody its mission, vision, and values.

Join us in this episode of Encouragement for Work as Mark is joined by Vaughn Thurman, CEO of HighGear Software, a leader who has built h...

Now more than ever, work can feel heavy for some. Post-COVID transitions, return-to-office tension, cultural division, and a constant stream of polarizing news have created workplaces filled with uncertainty, fatigue, and quiet disconnection. Many leaders are asking the same question: How do we keep people moving forward when everything feels like it’s pulling us apart?

The good news? There is a better way and it starts with leadi...

As organizations grow, their benefits strategy must grow with them. But many leaders are still navigating rising costs, confusing options, and outdated healthcare models that no longer serve their teams well.

Join us as we sit down with Julie Garrett, Vice President of Employee Benefits at HUB International. Julie is a senior employee benefits consultant with extensive experience partnering with Finance and HR leaders to design and...

Understanding Relational Poverty in the Workplace

In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, employees are more connected than ever—yet many still feel deeply isolated. This phenomenon, known as relational poverty, occurs when individuals lack meaningful, supportive relationships in both their personal and professional lives. As organizational leaders, we have a responsibility to recognize and address this silent struggle.

Meet Ou...

Special Guest: Becca Spradlin | Author, Speaker, Mission Drift & Strategy Consultant | Kingdom Culture Builder Hosted by Mark A. Griffin.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” — Proverbs 29:18

Episode Overview:

Mission statements are more than just words on a wall—they’re the heartbeat of your organization. But are they being lived out in daily operations? Are your hiring practices, reviews, and leadership conversatio...

Even years after COVID, many people remain disconnected—unplugged from the communities where they work, live, and serve. Some still feel disenchanted and uncertain about how to reengage.

But what if there were an opportunity to reconnect—with like-minded people, shared values, and a Christ-centered purpose? What if believers could be equipped and empowered to bring their faith boldly into the marketplace?

That’s the vision behind t...

As organizations grow, so do their people-related challenges. In this episode, we're diving into the realities of scaling your team — and what leaders need to know about building a strong HR and benefits foundation along the way.

Whether you're managing a team of 5 or approaching 50 (or even 500), this conversation will equip you with key strategies to support your employees while protecting and strengthening your business.

Meet, D...

Join host Mark Griffin as he explores the timeless story of Esther—a woman who used courage, wisdom, and faith to lead and influence in a secular space.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mary Gazda, to explore a topic that resonates deeply with today’s Christian women: the sacred tension between professional ambition and spiritual conviction. Mary brings wisdom, authenticity, and grace as she speaks into the often unspoken...

Now more than ever, Christians in the workplace are facing mounting challenges. Whether it’s pressure to compromise values, fear of expressing faith, or outright hostility from employers or peers—being a follower of Christ in today’s marketplace takes courage and conviction.

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into what it means to stand strong in your faith without losing your grace, dignity, or voice.

Featured Guest: Noah Nash

In this episode, Mark A. Griffin, founder of IHN HR, speaks with Ben Conner, of Conner Insurance. Ben is an experienced benefits consultant and advocate for cost-effective, high-quality healthcare solutions. Together, they explore how Christian organizations can better steward their healthcare spending by leveraging the leadership of their C-suite team.

Podcast Overview:

In the current economic landscape, healthcare benefits can be...

Are Your Investments Aligned with Your Faith?

Many nonprofit organizations accumulate assets for long-term investments, such as endowments and portfolio funds. While these mission-driven organizations would never openly support businesses profiting from pornography, gambling, abortion pills, or other activities contrary to Christian values, they may unknowingly be investing in these very industries.

By deploying investment capital ...

Encouragement For Work Podcast – Special Edition

Join us for a special edition of the Encouragement For Work Podcast as we go live from Lancaster, PA, at WJTL for the official launch of Faith Driven HR! This isn’t just a book—it’s a transformational resource designed to bring faith, purpose, and integrity into the workplace.

Faith Driven HR is more than an HR manual—it’s a movement. This book empowe...

In today’s volatile business, economic, and political climate, C-suite leaders are constantly challenged to steer their organizations through uncertainty, crisis, and rapid change. Welcome to this episode of the Encouragement for Work podcast, where we sit down with Ford Taylor, renowned leadership expert, business strategist, and founder of Transformational Leadership. Enjoy listening as host Mark Griffin explores with Ford on how...

In this episode of the Encouragement for Work Podcast, we sit down with Josh Wood, Executive Director of Them Before Us and a leading advocate for children’s rights. Together, we explore a transformative approach to corporate culture: creating HR policies that prioritize children’s well-being.

Josh unpacks how businesses can align their employee benefits with justice-driven principles that protect the most vulnerable—children. From...

Employee disengagement is at an all-time high—both at work and at home. Post-COVID, many individuals continue to struggle with isolation, even in a world that no longer requires physical separation. As Christ-followers, we understand that true flourishing happens through connection and community; indeed, iron sharpens iron.

It’s time to break the cycle. Together, we can encourage employees to reengage in their workplaces, homes, an...

Every day, you hear people in the workplace grappling with an employee's performance. But many organizations are lacking the key tools for employees to be successful. We frequently encounter potential employees who lack career development opportunities.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Meet Deb Brown Maher. Deb assists organizations' HR departments by offering training and development opportunities to those who significantly contrib...

More than ever, workers are disengaging from their jobs and their homes. Many people in the post-COVID world continue to live in seclusion, despite not feeling compelled to do so. After all, iron sharpens iron, and Christians know we need each other's love to survive.

Let’s break the cycle and encourage our employees to get reengaged at work, home, and in their communities. Meet Eric Bents. Through workplace engagement, Eric believ...

Over the past several months, many of our clients have brought up questions about speaking about politics at work. Being a Christian in the workplace can be very difficult. Many religious exempt employers are terrified to even consider bringing a message from the pulpit. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We are in tumultuous times when Christians can't even speak to each other regarding certain topics. We miss incredible opportun...

In today's rapidly changing healthcare landscape, small- and mid-market private employers often feel pressured to compromise on their health plans. They accept one-size-fits-all solutions that don't align with their values, thinking they have no other option.

But what if they do?

Meet Ericka McPherson, Esq., executive director of Covenant Choice. Her organization offers a transformative alternative that gives even small-sized emplo...