Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Murphy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

I will answer with my personal beliefs and thoughts since I am not currently in an entrepreneurial space.

I believe that there should be no end to serving the underserved. It’s not just a mission—it’s a way of life. As Jesus taught, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). That perspective shapes how I see my entire life: every act of service matters, we are here to serve others, not ourselves.

Serving begins in our community. Whether it’s supporting families, providing mentorship to youth, stepping in to help during times of crisis, or simply smiling and being polite to those we encounter, we offer what we can—freely and without hesitation. We should never stop to count the cost; it’s not ours to judge, and there’s always more we can do.

But it doesn’t stop there. The commitment to service goes with us wherever we go. We should always be looking—actively—for the underserved. Wherever we travel, from local neighborhoods to global trips, we are constantly seeking those that need to be lifted up.

Serving the underserved isn’t just a project. It’s the heart of who I am and who we all should be.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Right now, my creative energy is deeply rooted in poetry. I’ve been exploring this medium since 2018, and it has become both a passion and a discipline. I’m currently completing a BA with a concentration in Creative Writing, focused on poetry. Honing this craft isn’t easy—but it’s something I feel called to do with care, patience, and persistence.

Alongside my creative work, I’m also in a place of deep exploration in my faith, walking intentionally as a follower of Jesus Christ. A friend and teacher once gave me a piece of advice that continues to shape my life: “Don’t tell them with your words—show them by your actions.” That simple but powerful truth changed the way I approach both my writing and my daily life.

I don’t always get it right, but if there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s doing my best to live by that principle—saying less and doing more through the love of Christ. Whether through poetry or small acts of presence and service, my aim is always to reflect that love in a real and grounded way.

I’m 46 years old, and my wife and I live in Rockwall, Texas. We’re blessed with three children and three grandchildren, and we’ve found a beautiful, supportive community here that we love deeply. That sense of connection and rootedness inspires my creative life as well—because poetry, for me, is about presence, reflection, and finding meaning in both struggle and grace.

For anyone engaging with my work, I hope they encounter something honest—something that invites reflection and reminds us that we are not alone.

Any advice for managing a team?

Lead with humility, consistency, and genuine care. We must not have the arrogance of thinking we know everything—because we don’t. One of the most important things a leader can do is listen. I once read a piece of advice in a book by Pete Blaber that’s always stuck with me: “Listen to the guy on the ground.” In other words, never assume you have the full picture without hearing from the people living it.

High morale doesn’t come from control or micromanagement—it comes from trust, respect, and giving people the freedom to contribute meaningfully. If your team feels heard, valued, and supported, they’ll carry that energy forward into everything they do.

Ultimately, leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about being the most attentive. We always have more to learn, and the best teams grow when everyone is encouraged to bring their voice and insight to the table.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

In today’s world, we’re inundated with content—especially videos and quick takes from all walks of life. While some of it can be helpful, it can also become overwhelming. There’s so much noise, so much stimulation, that it’s easy to lose focus. I find real grounding in returning to older works—classics in literature, philosophy, and spiritual writing.

For me, the Bible is first and foundational. It shapes how I live, lead, create, and serve. But beyond Scripture, recently, I’ve been deeply influenced by writings of The Apostolic Fathers, Taneda Santōka’s Zen Haiku, and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.

I’ve also been studying The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You, Paradise Lost, and the poetry of Burges. There is so much great work out there.

Contact Info:

• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Abygail Murphy