Today’s guest grapples with big life questions and tries to make the answers he finds, through his careful research, accessible for all people. He is currently the Executive Director of Social Research Lab at University of Northern Colorado, Director of The DeChurched Project, and an associate professor of sociology.

He studies institutional participation in America, and helps organizations to understand why their customers, clients and members have left… and what they can do to get them back. His research has appeared in numerous academic and trade publications, including a 2015 entry in the “Leadership Journal” titled, “Meet the Dones.” This refers to the growing number of people who have moved away from organized religion, but not from God. But, you don’t have to be an academic to read his work, his first book from The DeChurched Project, called “Church Refugees” is available on Amazon. He regularly speaks, consults and takes on research projects for clients who seek a better understanding of why people are just not enamored with large institutions anymore.

We met when he presented on the main stage at Influence 2016, the annual conference of the National Speakers Association. He was there to relay the news that we have to rethink our relationships in order to fully understand authority and influence in the modern era. It’s not just one industry that has declining membership – trust in institutions of all kinds are at an all time low.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Josh Packard.

Listen, subscribe, and read show notes at www.OntheSchmooze.com – episode 21