Prepare for the Life You’re Meant to Live With Chaplain John Fox
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this profound conversation, Simon Sinek sits down with John Fox, a former finance executive who transformed his career to become a chaplain serving in hospitals, hospices, homeless shelters, and jails. After 25 years in high finance, John found himself questioning whether making money was the true purpose of life, especially after losing his mother to cancer and experiencing various personal challenges in his thirties. (05:29)
- Main Theme: How to transition from a successful but unfulfilling career to meaningful service work, and the profound impact of simply being present with people during their most vulnerable moments
Speakers
John Fox
John Fox spent 25 years working in high finance before transitioning to become a chaplain. He holds a seminary degree and is ordained, working part-time as a hospital chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downtown LA, while also serving in hospice care, homeless shelters, and LA County Men's Central Jail. His path to chaplaincy included serving in the Peace Corps in Paraguay for two and a half years, where he worked in community economic development.
Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and organizational consultant known for his work on leadership and purpose. He's the author of several books including "Start With Why" and "The Infinite Game," and hosts the podcast "A Bit of Optimism" where he explores topics of leadership, fulfillment, and human potential.
Key Takeaways
Prepare for Your Next Chapter While Still in Your Current One
John emphasizes the critical importance of preparing for career transitions long before you're ready to make them. (62:42) He spent years volunteering in community development and interfaith work while still working in finance, which prepared him for his eventual transition to chaplaincy. When an unexpected reorganization at his company provided the sign he was waiting for, he was ready to make the leap because he had been building the foundation for years. This preparation included developing a spiritual practice, engaging in community service, and exploring his passions outside of work.
The Power of Presence Over Problem-Solving
One of John's most profound insights is that people often need someone to simply be present with them rather than trying to fix their problems. (28:29) As a chaplain, he discovered that many people struggle to open up about unfixable situations because listeners feel helpless and want to provide solutions. His role is fundamentally different - he's there to listen without trying to change anything, which allows people to feel truly seen and heard. This approach proves especially powerful in hospital settings where people face mortality and other unchangeable circumstances.
Small Gestures Have Outsized Impact
The simple act of offering to pray for someone, even a stranger, carries tremendous power. (20:36) John shares how patients who claim they're "not religious" often ask him to pray for them after their conversations. This reflects a deeper human need to feel that someone cares enough to think about them beyond the immediate moment. The gesture doesn't require deep relationship or extensive time investment - it's about acknowledging someone's worth and taking a moment to focus positive intention on their wellbeing.
Listen to Your Body to Understand Your Emotions
John learned through his chaplaincy training that he struggles to recognize his emotions in real-time, which could affect his ability to be present with patients. (51:22) His solution was to pay attention to physical sensations - chest tightening, breathing changes, or other bodily responses - as indicators that emotions are present. This awareness allows him to slow down and acknowledge what's happening internally before it unconsciously influences his interactions. This technique proves valuable for anyone who lives primarily "in their head" but wants to develop emotional awareness.
Community and Shared Purpose Create Deeper Fulfillment
Despite earning significantly less money as a chaplain, John reports feeling more fulfilled than during his finance career. (34:06) He describes his transition not as self-sacrifice, but as moving toward the kind of world and community he wanted to live in. This shift from finite games (making money, climbing corporate ladders) to infinite games (ongoing service, community building) provided sustainable meaning that didn't depend on constantly moving goalposts or external validation.
Statistics & Facts
- Half of people who attend seminary today don't become religious professionals of any kind - they use the religious formation to inform their business careers, artistic pursuits, or other life paths. (14:02)
- John worked for 25 years in high finance before making his transition to chaplaincy. (02:25)
- John's mother was diagnosed with cancer when he was around 30 and passed away four years later, which became a catalyst for his spiritual questioning. (05:32)
