Three Things - A Podcast of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics

In this episode of the Three Things Podcast, Jim Van Yperen shares his 30-year journey leading a ministry of reconciliation, helping over 100 churches navigate crisis, conflict, and leadership failure. From addressing deep moral failures to guiding congregations toward healing, this conversation explores the power of truth, love, accountability, and spiritual leadership in restoring broken communities.

In this episode of Three Things, host David Iglesias speaks with Mark Berg, a 1993 Wheaton College graduate and founder of Timothy Financial. Berg shares how his faith, liberal arts education, and passion for teaching shaped his path into financial planning and the creation of a rare hourly, fee-only advisory model. The conversation explores biblical perspectives on stewardship, ethical financial advising, and how financial planning intersects with life, family, and faith.

In this episode of Three Things, host David Iglesias interviews Herbert Slatery III, former Attorney General of Tennessee. Slatery shares how personal relationships, faith, and a call to public service shaped his journey from private legal practice to becoming the state's top legal officer. He discusses the unique way Tennessee selects its AG, key moments in his career—including major opioid litigation—and offers advice for aspiring Christian lawyers and public servants. The episode offers a compelling look at faith-informed leadership in law and politics.

In this episode, Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics, and Economics Director David Iglesias sits down to talk with nationally recognized professional engineer, lighting designer, and devout Christian, Al Ruud, who shares his compelling story of being at the beginning of the LED revolution in lighting.

In this episode of the Three Things Podcast, host David Iglesias interviews Wes Bleed '80, a seasoned media producer and former news director for WGN Radio in Chicago. Wes discusses his journey in journalism, the dramatic changes in the media landscape due to the internet and technological advancements, and the crucial role of maintaining integrity and truth in reporting. He also reflects on how his faith influenced his career and shares insights into the future impact of AI on the news industry.  Learn more about the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics, and Economics.

In this episode, FPE Director David Iglesias talks with Dr. Eric Patterson, President of the Religious Freedom Institute, about his broad and varied life experiences. He has served in the Air Force, plays music professionally, has been the dean of a law school, serves as a White House Fellow, and is a noted author and just war theory scholar.  Three Things is a production of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics. 

Join us in hearing how AI and human editors can help moderate our online conversations.

"Dr. Bob" Hamilton, proud parent of two Wheaton College graduates and owner of Pacific Ocean Pediatrics shares what it takes to run a small independent medical practice and the background of how his famous baby calming technique, the "Hamilton Hold," went viral.

Stephen R. Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amsted Industries Incorporated shares the benefits of  Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and also how Amsted has navigated Covid and supply chain issues. Interview date: March 2, 2022

Don Holt '57 is a Wheaton College alumnus and former editor of Fortune magazine, Newsweek magazine, Journal of Commerce, and The Chicago Daily News. He was one of the first Wheaton alumni to work in major news media and then after he retired, he returned to Wheaton College and trained the next generation.

Rebecca Contreras served as an executive and chief advisory to the Secretary in the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Human Capital Officer at the U.S. Department of Treasury.  She also served as a Member on the government-wide Chief Human Capital Officer's Council advising Congress and the President on Workforce issues. Prior to that she served as a Commissioned Officer in the White House as Special Assistant for Personnel to President George W. Bush.

Jeff Parnell is the President & CEO of FishUSA, a leading online retailer of sport fishing products. He discusses the (positive) impact that Covid-19 has had on fishing retail, how his faith has impacted and informed his work and how an unexpected physical challenge required a new level of faith and courage.

Ambassador Richmond comes to the highest position in the federal government dedicated to combating human trafficking, after a distinguished career in the global battle for freedom. He co-founded the Human Trafficking Institute that exists to decimate modern slavery at its source by empowering police and prosecutors to use victim-centered and trauma-informed methods to hold traffickers accountable and ensure survivors are treated with respect and care. Prior to the Institute, Ambassador Richmond served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. Ambassador Richmond regularly served as an expert to the United Nations Working Group on Trafficking in Persons. He also lived in India for three years pioneering International Justice Mission's anti-slavery work.

Dr. Pontón is the CEO and Founder of Persona Neurobehavior Group. For the past 27+ years, he has focused on the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of individuals with catastrophic injuries. He is an expert witness in the fields of head injury and trauma. Dr Pontón is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA.

Former Quarterback for the University of Oklahoma Sooners goes on to excel in all three areas of faith, politics, and economics.

Evelyn Sanguinetti shares how she rose to become the first Lt. Governor (Illinois) in the United States from a mother who was a Cuban refugee and a father who was an Ecuadorian immigrant.  She also overcame a serious injury and a subsequent MS diagnosis.  She now works with HOPE fair housing center to help guarantee fair housing for all.

Join alumni, David Iglesias, Larry Absheer, Dan Johnson, Karen Gehl and Mark Mooney as they share how their time on the International Study Program at Wheaton College helped shape their lives. The Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics, & Economics plans to continue this opportunity with a trip to the Nordic countries this summer, 2021.

Ed Moy began as a child of immigrant parents from China and advanced all the way to the White House as President George W. Bush's Special Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel from 2001-2006.  He was then appointed as the 38th Director of the U.S. Mint from 2006-2011. 

Judge Nelson Diaz shares his story, rising from the tenement housing in New York to General Counsel to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Judge Diaz was the 1st Puerto Rican admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and the 1st Latino judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. He was awarded the National Institute for Justice Award for saving the courts $100 million in 10 years and eliminating 7 years of backlogged cases.

Galen Smith '98, CEO of Redbox, shares his journey to becoming a CEO in 2016, less than 20 years after graduating from Wheaton College.

Join us for the second half of our interview with Dr. C. William Pollard, former CEO of ServiceMaster, which includes insights on the Faith @ Work movement and his friendship with Billy Graham.

Dr. C. William Pollard, former CEO of ServiceMaster, shares Christian principles that shaped his choices in the workforce, including a Christian perspective on profit.  Join us in two weeks for the second half of this interview which includes insights on the Faith @ Work movement and his friendship with Billy Graham.

Join David Iglesias as he interviews Shundrawn Thomas, President of Northern Trust Asset Management, where they explore a wide range of topics including: Shundrawn's personal path to business success, the importance of family, lessons on leadership, insights on racism, his new book Discover Joy in Work, and potential opportunities stemming from our current COVID–19 crisis.

CAPT David Iglesias interviews Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries, about what it takes to be an effective leader during times of crisis. 

Dr. David Young '59, Special Assistant to Henry Kissinger and founder of Oxford Analytica shares about his time in the White House with a focus on the qualities needed, lessons learned and the spiritual dimension of political power.

Welcome back to the second session of a two-part interview with Bonnie Wurzbacher, former Sr. V.P. of Global Customer Leadership at Coca-Cola and Chief Development Officer at World Vision International from 2013-2017.

Join David Iglesias for the first session of a two-part interview with Bonnie Wurzbacher, former Sr. V.P. of Global Customer Leadership at Coca-Cola and Chief Development Officer at World Vision International from 2013-2017.

On June 6, 2020, we celebrated the 76th anniversary of D-Day. In this episode, Wheaton honorary alum and retired Wheaton College Political Science professor, Dr. Richard Rung, shares his recollections of his participation in this historic day. Commemorate this recent anniversary with memories from someone who was there!

Meet Greg Adams, the new chairman of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics and Economics Board, and hear how he took his 37 years at IBM and used it to serve as the COO of Tennessee.  Learn from his faith journey and how it impacted his work in both the business world and government service.

Welcome back to the second half of our discussion with Floyd Kvamme where he continues the conversation of his career in business but also shares how it intersected with the political world and finally insights on his faith and its impact on his work.

Join David Iglesias for a two-part interview with prominent tech pioneer, venture capitalist and advisor to George W. Bush in science and technology, Floyd Kvamme as he shares his life journey through the worlds of business and politics and the impact of his faith on this journey.

David Iglesias, Director of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics and Economics, interviews infectious disease specialist Dr. Doug Drevets '80 about COVID19. Dr. Drevets offers insights from science and faith to inform and encourage during these challenging times.