Overcoming Life’s Hardships: Daryl Potter’s Lessons from Job & Ecclesiastes

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Overcoming Life’s Hardships: Daryl Potter’s Lessons from Job & Ecclesiastes

5d ago 1:02:43

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What does it really mean to live well in a world that feels broken? In this episode, host Tim Winders sits down with writer Daryl Potter to explore how ancient biblical wisdom from Job and Ecclesiastes intersects with the raw realities of grief, faith, and finding purpose amid hardship. From the resilience required to care for a special-needs child to unmasking the illusions of prosperity and meaning, their conversation weaves together story, theology, and personal journey. If you’re searching for honest answers about suffering, fulfillment, and hope, this episode is for you.

"You won’t get a big enough paycheck. You won’t get a good enough spouse. That’s how the world is made—on purpose." - Daryl Potter

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Daryl Potter is a writer with over three decades of experience in corporate banking, having held diverse roles at one of Canada’s largest banks. He is known for bringing biblical truth to life through engaging stories, seamlessly blending history, theology, and personal memoir. Daryl is the author of both fiction—centered on the ancient Middle East—and nonfiction, including deeply personal explorations of Job and Ecclesiastes. His work is distinguished by its raw honesty, intellectual rigor, and ability to connect ancient wisdom to modern challenges. Daryl’s unique perspective is shaped by his own journey through profound personal trials, making his insights on living well in a broken world both authentic and deeply relatable.

Reasons to Listen:

Discover how ancient wisdom from Job and Ecclesiastes offers practical insight for living well in a modern, broken world—through both personal memoir and biblical story.
Hear Daryl Potter’s raw and honest journey from rural California to Bay Street banker, including his powerful reflections on family hardship, faith, and meaning.
Learn why storytelling (even in banking!) is a crucial leadership skill, and how creating narrative can move people and get results in ways statistics never will.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Darrell Potter’s Website - darrellpotter.com - Find links to all of Darrell’s books—fiction and nonfiction—including “Something More: Living Well in a Broken World,” and details about his writing and background.
Books by Darrell Potter

Something More: Living Well in a Broken World – A journey through Ecclesiastes, blending memoir and commentary.
Even the Monsters – A memoir-commentary hybrid exploring the book of Job through personal experience.

Action Steps for Listeners

Reflect on Your Storytelling Approach: Try applying narrative techniques in your business presentations, emails, or personal communications. As Darrell and Tim discussed, storytelling isn’t just for writers—it’s a powerful tool for leaders and professionals in any field.
Engage with Difficult Biblical Texts or Philosophical Writings: Choose a challenging work, such as Job or Ecclesiastes, and read it alongside a commentary or memoir (like Darrell’s books) to deepen your understanding and relate ancient wisdom to your own experience.
Reevaluate Expectations for Fulfillment and Happiness: Spend time journaling or discussing with a friend or mentor where you may have placed unrealistic expectations—whether in career, relationships, or faith. Ask yourself: “Where do I seek ultimate fulfillment, and how would my outlook change if I embraced the lessons of Ecclesiastes or Job?”

Key Lessons:

Happiness Isn’t Found in Achievement or Possessions: Daryl points out that no amount of career success, possessions, or even relationships can provide lasting fulfillment. The world is intentionally designed so that achievements and gains quickly lose their shine, pushing us to seek deeper meaning beyond material pursuits.
The Power of Story in Work and Life: Both in his career as a banker and as a writer, Daryl emphasized the transformative power of storytelling. Whether you’re crafting a business case or sharing personal experiences, narratives connect, persuade, and inspire in ways numbers alone cannot.
Faith and Suffering Are Not Transactional: Daryl’s personal journey, especially through his daughter’s medical struggles, led him to realize that faith doesn’t guarantee a pain-free or ‘successful’ life. Instead, the biblical stories of Job and Ecclesiastes teach us how to live well in a broken world, rather than expect constant miracles or perfect outcomes.
Embrace the Mystery and Complexity of Life: Through his exploration of Ecclesiastes, Daryl encourages listeners to accept life’s transience and unpredictability—likening it to “breath”: beautiful, fleeting, and outside our ultimate control. Recognizing this can foster gratitude, humility, and a deeper trust in God’s bigger picture.
You’re Not Alone in Struggle—There’s Hope and Help: Daryl reminds anyone dealing with grief, special needs, or life’s setbacks that they are not alone. Countless others have walked similar paths, and both ancient wisdom and modern resources are available to guide and encourage you. Stay with your story, seek support, and trust that meaning and hope can be found on the journey.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction: The Rise of AI

00:42 Meet Dr. Drew Dickens

01:45 Personal Journey and Faith

04:30 Theological Anthropology Explained

05:24 AI and Spirituality

08:15 Seminary Experiences

14:34 Balancing Faith and Technology

29:39 The Future of AI and Its Implications

33:13 AI in Everyday Life

33:36 Concerns and Ethical Considerations

35:11 Personal Experiences with AI

46:28 AI as a Tool or More?

58:49 Eschatology and AI

01:00:47 Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

🎙 Unlock Leadership Excellence with Tim

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Challenge your perceptions and embark on a journey toward true fulfillment. Dive into transformative insights with "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined." This book will help you rethink what success means and how to achieve it on your terms. Don't miss out on this essential read—order your copy today!

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