Why Money Can’t Buy Happiness

My word for this year has been intentional. I have been trying to live with more intention in my business, my relationships, the music I listen to, even the food I eat. So when I sat down to record this episode, I knew I wanted to bring on someone who has lived that word out in a real way. That person is my good friend Brandon Garner.

Brandon and I have known each other for a few years now, and back in May he sent me a video message that I did not open until months later. When I finally watched it, it hit me hard. He talked about how emotional he was over the way certain people, including our company, had changed his life. That message stuck with me, and I knew I needed to have him on to share his story properly.

A Faith That Started Early but Took Years to Grow

Brandon grew up in a family that brought him to church, something he is endlessly grateful to his parents for. But having faith and living it out are two different things. From about eighteen to twenty eight, he admits he was playing church. He believed in God, he read his Bible, but he was not really applying any of it.

That changed when he hit rock bottom. He lost his job, his marriage was strained, and he felt disconnected from the people who needed him most. That was the moment things shifted. A week later he started working at a car dealership, where he was introduced to a sales training program that turned out to be so much more than sales training. It pushed him to become the best version of himself, blending practical business advice with a challenge to actually live out his values instead of just claiming them.

Books like Outwitting the Devil became powerful tools during that season. Brandon talked about how the book describes a kind of spiritual middle ground, a place where you are not miserable but you are also not living up to your potential. Recognizing himself in that description was a wake up call.

Getting Rebaptized and Actually Showing Up

Soon after, Brandon told his wife they were going back to church, and he got rebaptized as an adult. He described the feeling of the water rushing over him as something he will never forget, a moment that marked the real start of his relationship with Jesus, separate from just going through religious motions.

He was honest about something a lot of people can relate to. For a long time he dreaded worship music. He and his wife would show up thirty minutes late just to skip it because it felt awkward to him. It was not until he watched one of his coaches get down on his knees in worship that something clicked. Now he says he cannot make it through a worship set without tearing up.

Love, Patience, and Waiting on God’s Timing

Brandon met his wife Danielle at church back in 2015. He had just gotten back from the Air Force and was taking his younger brothers to youth group when he spotted her singing during worship. They dated, got engaged, and married within about six months of meeting.

When I asked what he loves most about her, he did not hesitate. It is her patience and grace. He talked about the moments when he was struggling and she remained kind and steady anyway, and how seeing that consistency in her helped him see Jesus more clearly in his own life.

Their journey to having a second child was not easy. They waited years, experienced a miscarriage, and went through a genuinely hard season before their son was born. Brandon credited their faith and their gratitude for what they already had, especially their daughter, for carrying them through it.

Leadership Rooted in Grace

One of the most memorable parts of our conversation was when Brandon talked about leadership. The biggest lesson he has learned recently is giving people grace and room to be human. He pointed out how quick the world is to criticize people for their mistakes instead of allowing space to grow. He also admitted that sometimes the hardest person to extend that grace to is yourself.

We also talked about the danger of pouring so much into others, whether it is clients or community, that the people closest to you end up with the leftovers. Brandon shared a small but powerful shift he made with his younger brothers. Instead of always saying I love you, which can start to feel automatic, he has been intentional about telling them I am proud of you instead.

Music as an Outlet

Outside of his faith and family, Brandon is a musician who plays guitar and has been working on getting his music placed in television and film. He described music as a way to express what he struggles to say out loud, especially when emotions run high. It has become one of the ways he processes life and creates something meaningful in the process.

Wrapping Up: The Real Definition of Wealth

Toward the end of our conversation, I told Brandon something I truly believe. He is one of the richest people I know, not because of money, but because of how much he gives, how present he is as a husband and father, and how intentional he is about his faith. We talked about how so many people chase financial success only to realize their hearts are still empty, while people like Brandon have found real wealth in relationships and gratitude.

His advice for anyone listening was simple. Keep your eyes on Jesus. People will let you down, circumstances will shift, but that anchor does not move.

This conversation reminded me that intentional living is not about getting everything right. It is about staying grounded in what actually matters, even when life gets messy. I am so grateful Brandon took the time to share his story, and I hope it encourages you the way it encouraged me.

About me:

I am currently a Master Facilitator for The Elliott Group in addition to being on the board of advisors for our Cultural Transformation Department in ELLIOTT ARMY.

With over 14 years of client service experience, I have held substantial leadership roles in the automotive industry. I’m also an accredited coach, a speaker, a triathlon finisher, and a wife. To contact me for engagements, you can reach me at [email protected].