S2 Ep16 The Axiom of Anonymity

In this episode, the team dives deep into one of the more nuanced and often overlooked ideas in the book—anonymity. What does it mean to “not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”? Why did Jesus warn against broadcasting our good works—and how does this relate to the current culture of self-promotion, brand-building, and nonprofit storytelling?

We explore the tension between being visible in the world and avoiding self-glorification, drawing from Scripture, lived experience, and practical wisdom. From discussions about spiritual posture to nonprofit fundraising, entrepreneurial restraint to kingdom strategy, this episode unpacks why anonymity might just be one of the most important and freeing principles in the ecosystem life.

Topics Covered:

• The freedom of not having to promote yourself

• Jesus’ teachings on secrecy and spiritual intention

• The tension between “let your light shine” and “do it in secret”

• Why we might be getting in our own way with branding, storytelling, and constant updates

• The iceberg metaphor: putting our good works beneath the surface

• Strategic silence and the "Messianic secret"

• How identity, audience, and pressure shape our decisions

• When sharing the story is helpful—and when it becomes performance

• Nonprofit realities, fundraising nuances, and ethical storytelling

• Learning from John Perkins, Bonhoeffer, and the axiom: “Let it be self-evident”