How I See It

This episode is a re-post of our Facebook LIVE 2-year celebration. Mark, Justin, and the How I See It community celebrate two years of the show. We get to engage with YOU, our audience through comments, discuss naming Justin's new truck with suggestions like Duke, Bergford, and Honey Do, and share dad jokes. We reflect on favorite topics, and the impact of our conversations. The episode is informal, filled with laughter, and appreciates the community that's been built. Plans for a season break and future episodes are mentioned, along with gratitude for our listeners' support and engagement. See original Facebook LIVE post, with comments: https://fb.me/e/1RYaja7w3

Diving headfirst into one of today's most nuanced dilemmas, Mark and Justin engage in an illuminating discussion on the intricacies of marijuana - unpacking its escalating legality, speculated medicinal virtues, perils of recreational abuse, and the measured wisdom required by Christians to tread these murky waters. ANNOUNCEMENT! We'll be doing a Facebook/Instagram LIVE on February 28th (that's tomorrow!) at 7pm and we'd love to have you join us! Bring a good dad joke to share! https://fb.me/e/4n31tpCVk

Learn how meditation can strengthen your brain like exercise strengthens muscles. Discover the science behind how it reduces anxiety, blood pressure, and depression. We discuss the difference between meditation and mindfulness and why they're valuable tools for controlling thoughts and emotions.

Today we explore the challenging journey through "the dark night of the soul," where personal struggles of doubt, despair, discouragement, depression, and other "D" words test our faith and resilience. Mark and Justin reflect on their own experiences, sharing insights on overcoming these dark times and distance from God, offering hope and a path to spiritual growth. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on finding light in the darkness and transforming adversity into an opportunity for profound personal discovery.

In this episode, we chat about being offended - a natural human reaction that we can learn to manage.

Join Justin and Mark for a celebration of diversity on the 100th episode of How I See It! They discuss humanity's ironic desire to stand out while fitting in, compare people to the endless variations of music, and emphasize living in harmony with your unique purpose. Tune in to reflect on how we are each wonderfully made, despite our surface differences.

Mark and Justin discuss the "7 Primal Questions" framework in this latest podcast episode. Hear which of the 7 questions they identify with most. They share how assessments can increase self-awareness and relate the questions to other frameworks like the Enneagram. Take the quiz yourself before listening to gain the most insights! Find links to the quiz and other resources on this episode show page: https://howiseeit.click/episodes/7-primal-questions/

On today's episode, we dig into cancel culture - the good, bad, and ugly. How should believers respond when past mistakes are exposed? Can there be redemption after being "canceled"? We talk honestly about skeletons in closets, social media mobs, and pendulum swings in culture. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on judgment, grace, and trusting God with the truth.

Should you pursue college or trades? Hosts Mark and Justin discuss the pros and cons of each path. They explore factors like cost, job prospects, character development and finding fulfillment. An intriguing conversation about the pressures today's youth face when mapping out their future career journey.

Happy New Year from How I See It!! Join Mark and Justin for wisdom and advice as they reflect on 2023 and look ahead to goals and vision for 2024. Hear about their insightful experiences in ministry, music, and public speaking, as well as the importance of family time. Discover how they aim to grow in self-awareness, balance work, and family, and seek God's guidance in the new year - and invite you to do the same!

In today's discussion, Mark and Justin debate whether technology makes us more intelligent or just more distracted. They explore how pride and information overload impact wisdom across generations, wanting to build a firm foundation for their kids beyond just technology.

Tune in as Mark and Justin discuss the value of premarital counseling for setting realistic expectations in marriage. They explore pitfalls like unhealthy over-prioritization while dating, handling conflict constructively, and learning to understand each other's perspectives. Though not always easy, keeping God first and your spouse next allows marriage to enrich your life immensely.

Traditions shift as life changes—how do we handle this gracefully while cherishing meaningful rituals? Mark and Justin are back discussing the holiday season—adapting holiday plans over time, resolving family conflicts, and parenting with the long view to maintain warm connection.

As we age, what matters most? In this poignant episode, the hosts wrestle with fears of burdening others, but also share inspiring stories of elders who stayed engaged and brought joy till the end. Contemplating the purpose and promise faith brings, they resolve to live and age well.

What's the difference between self-confidence and self-esteem? Justin and Mark explore. We discuss how self-esteem involves self-acceptance and intrinsic self-worth, while self-confidence relates to belief in abilities. Self-esteem provides a steady foundation for self-confidence. How to build both? Focus first on self-esteem through serving others, taking eyes off yourself to gain perspective. Developing confidence? Start with esteem.

On the latest How I See It episode, Mark and Justin have an insightful discussion about the process of forgiveness. They share why pride is the enemy of forgiveness, how being humble and recognizing our own need for grace helps us forgive others. They also talk about how practicing forgiveness is key for a strong marriage, and reflect on Jesus' example of forgiving even though he was perfect.

Family, change, and holiday traditions. Join Mark and Justin in a discussion recorded following the 2022 holiday season, appropriate as we enter the 2023 holidays, as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of spending time with family over the holidays. Navigating old roles versus who you are today, resetting boundaries, and embracing new traditions with compassion.

What's the appeal of conspiracy theories? Are they harmless entertainment or dangerous rabbit holes? Join Justin and Mark as they dive into the topic of conspiracies, discussing famous ones like JFK and 9/11, talk about finding truth between polarized viewpoints, and warn how easy it is to get sucked down rabbit holes.

Today, we discuss the confusing and potentially polarizing world of hypnosis, including the differences between stage and clinical hypnosis used for therapy. Clinical hypnosis can help people process trauma safely by altering mental states. We talk about hypnotism as a "gateway" similar to meditation and controlled breathing for shifting brain patterns. As with most "gateways", the key is using these tools responsibly to help people gain positive shifts in their mental state and self-control.

Join the conversation as we unpack the meaning behind the iconic Serenity Prayer. Reflecting on themes like wisdom, acceptance, hardship, and trust, we discuss living one day at a time, and how to find inner peace and perspective in the ups and downs of life. If you've never heard of the Serenity Prayer, we encourage you to listen to this episode and embrace this prayer as a powerful tool for spiritual growth.

This podcast episode takes a how-I-see-it look at the prosperity gospel movement and high-profile pastor scandals. Tune in for a lively discussion on church leadership, accountability, and the makings of a healthy church.

This thought-provoking episode explores capitalism versus socialism. We discuss the pros/cons associated with both, some related hot-button topics like healthcare and education, and we highlight the difficulty of change, especially for those who benefit from the status quo. Join us as we discuss this often-polarized topic.

Join us today as Mark shares a little about a shared vision for Sparrow's Rest - a homestead retreat center focused on strengthening marriages. Hear how he and his wife Chris are turning this dream into a reality by renovating a farmhouse, adding acreage, and prayerfully evolving the vision over time. Discover how their partnership and God's provision are making this unique ministry progress toward reality.

Do you tend to take yourself too seriously? Join us as we discuss the benefits of being able to laugh at ourselves. We explore how personality, pride, and life experience shape our perspectives. You'll hear stories about the intensity that comes out while driving and trying new things. We share thoughts on self-awareness, patience, and adjusting expectations. Tune in as we challenge each other and you to consider taking ourselves a little less seriously.

In this week's episode, Justin and Mark explore cognitive biases - the shortcuts our brains take that shape our thinking. While covering a handful of types and categories of biases listed on Wikipedia, they note that they are not necessarily good or bad — but it's important to recognize the role they play so we can improve our decisions and have more balanced perspectives. We encourage you to explore cognitive biases further as it can provide insight into how you think.

Thanks for hanging in there with us last week and listening to our "Encore" presentation of the "White Blank Page" episode. This week, we're back in the studio, and we got a brand-new episode for you. On this latest episode of How I See It, we wrestle with the ideal of "excellence" and how to pursue it in a healthy, sustainable way. We discuss how the relentless chase after excellence can become draining and debilitating. Mark argues true excellence is less about perfection and more about living wisely and maturely day by day. Tune in to hear our full conversation on reframing excellence.

Mark and Justin are taking a break from recording new episodes this week, so we're bringing you an encore presentation of one of our most meaningful conversations from the archives - "White Blank Page." In this episode, Mark and Justin dive into overcoming perfectionism and approval addiction. They talk honestly about surrendering unhelpful thoughts, learning from failures, and realigning priorities based on identity in Christ rather than external validation. Tune in to re-listen to the insightful discussion between Mark and Justin in this classic episode as we highlight the archives while the hosts take a brief recording hiatus. We look forward to bringing you new episodes again soon!

Mark and Justin discuss how beards and tattoos have become meaningful parts of their identities. They share stories behind Justin's 11 tattoos and Mark's 5-year beard journey. Though cautioning against over-identifying with external appearances, they reflect on how tattoos and beards can represent faith, relationships, interests, and uniqueness. Share your beard, tattoo, or other appearance story with us at us@howiseeit.click, or on our contact page: https://howiseeit.click/contact/

"Sticks and Stones might break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Don't you wish this was true?! In today's dialogue, we unpack stories of words that impacted our lives, exploring the power to build up or tear down. We share some thoughts on critiquing carefully (or not at all), embracing the gift of encouragement, and walking with humility. From inner insecurities to regrettable outbursts, we're learning the importance of mindful expression. Enjoy this thoughtful conversation on language's profound role in human relationships. We hope it helps you further grasp how words shape, uplift, or undermine, and how to wield them wisely.

Big decisions got you tossing and turning all night? In this episode, we (Justin and Mark) have an earnest discussion about how to approach important life decisions, specifically as people of faith. Responding to Mark's probing, Justin explains some of his big-decision-making process. And we talk about the value of coming to agreement with a spouse before making big decisions to prevent future resentment. The conversation covers many practical practices you'll have to listen in to discover!

In today's episode, we decided to pull an episode out of a hat… An AI ChatGPT hat. We used ChatGPT to generate some random topics using our previous episode titles as the source/inspiration, then put those topics in a randomizer. The topic for today… "Should athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem?" Proceeding with this topic, we discuss how this is a polarizing issue, with Mark's first reaction being about "freedom" while Justin's is about "racism.” We unpack the complexities around concepts like patriotism, the right to protest, the meaning of team unity, and more. We touch on how people tend to want simple "heroes" and when those public figures use their platform to be more complex, it can create dissonance. Finally, we find common ground in agreeing athletes should have the right, while still encouraging thoughtful motivations. We hope you enjoy this episode, and stay tuned for future AI-generated episode topics!

Join Mark and Justin today as the duo explores the value of quietness. Mark begins by describing a serene encounter with a fox on an early morning run, which prompts reflections on introversion, extroversion, and the evolving relationship with solitude. They delve into the peaceful and contemplative aspects of being quiet while acknowledging its challenges, especially for those facing mental health issues. Justin candidly shares his journey from needing approval to finding solace in solitude. Listeners are invited to embrace moments of quietness and introspection, making this episode a thoughtful exploration of the beauty and impact of "quiet" in our lives.

In this episode, we discuss the topic of quitting. We explore the stigma associated with quitting, and how and why it is sometimes necessary. We share personal experiences with quitting, and how we have learned to recognize when it is time to move on. We discuss the importance of knowing when a season is over, and how to gracefully transition into a new season.

Today, we discuss the concept of spiritual balance and the duality of good and evil. Mark reflects on a recent sermon about the authority of Jesus and the limitations of seeking balance from a cosmic perspective. They emphasize the importance of faith and trust in our higher power, even when answers are not fully comprehensible. We explore some theological concepts and challenges of understanding good and evil and highlight the significance of seeking the kingdom of heaven vs trying to create heaven on earth.

In this podcast episode, Mark and Justin discuss the five apology languages, which are similar to the five love languages. They talk about how important it is to understand your own apology language and the apology language of the people you care about. They also discuss how pride and guilt can sometimes get in the way of apologizing effectively, and offer some tips for overcoming these obstacles. We hope this episode provides helpful information about our natural apology styles and how to use new tools to improve your communication with others. You can check out the Gary Chapman Apology Language quiz here: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/apology-language

Today is the continuation of the conversation we started last week about abortion, with our guest Sarah Hall. We appreciate her coming on How I See It to share her personal experience with abortion, and bravely offering encouragement to others who may be in a similar situation. We talk about the importance of offering love and grace to those who have had abortions, rather than judgment, and we discuss the need to have both political and personal conversations about abortion, and the importance of promoting change from within.

Sarah shares her personal experience with abortion and how her views on the issue have evolved over time. She discusses the challenges of being pro-choice and pro-life and argues that a middle ground needs to be explored. She also talks about the importance of faith in her journey and how it has helped her to change her mind about abortion. Listen to this thought-provoking discussion on this extremely polarizing subject, and check back next week for Part 2.

Today we explore the concept of pride; the positive and negative facets, and examine its implications in various contexts such as personal achievements, national pride, and parenting. We compare the differences between humility and false humility, highlighting the delicate balance between accepting compliments graciously and avoiding excessive self-focus. This episode also emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's limitations and staying grounded while striving for personal growth. Tune in for an insightful exploration of pride, humility, and the complexities of navigating self-worth.

Today is the continuation of the conversation we started last week about brains, with our guest and Mark's daughter — Lizzie Pratt. Together, we explore brain science, focusing on the advancements by Elon Musk's Neuralink in connecting the brain to computers. We recruited Lizzie, a biopsychology student, as our “expert” on the subject, and she shared insights into the interplay between biology and psychology and the significance of the brain in understanding behavior. We touch on neuroplasticity, brain injuries, and the potential implications of brain-machine interfaces, especially considering the theological and ethical concerns. If you haven't yet, be sure to first listen to Part 1 of this episode, and check out the podcast page for the show notes where we've provide links to the resources mentioned in this episode.

“If the human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we couldn't.” — physicist Emerson M. Pugh Today, we introduce Mark's daughter, and our guest, Lizzie Pratt. Together, we explore brain science, focusing on the advancements by Elon Musk's Neuralink in connecting the brain to computers. We recruited Lizzie, a biopsychology student, as our “expert” on the subject, and she shared insights into the interplay between biology and psychology and the significance of the brain in understanding behavior. We touch on neuroplasticity, brain injuries, and the potential implications of brain-machine interfaces, especially considering the theological and ethical concerns. We hope you enjoy this part 1 of our conversation and will tune in next week for part 2! Be sure to check out the podcast page for the show notes where we'll provide links to the resources mentioned in this episode.

Today on How I See It, we explore the impact of social media on children's developing minds. We discuss how it affects their self-esteem, body image, relationships, and mental health. Through research, we uncover the risks of excessive screen time including things like cyberbullying. We provide a few how-I-see-it strategies for parents to foster healthy digital habits and open communication. Tune in for insights on navigating the digital landscape for the well-being of our children.

In today's episode, we explore the role of boundaries in codependency. We discuss the challenges of setting boundaries in codependent relationships, the reasons behind boundary violations, and practical strategies for establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. Join us as we discuss the difficult but important work of establishing boundaries in order to foster healthier relationships.

Today, we continue our discussion of truth with guest Jeff Lindholm (be sure to check out part 1!). We continue with our exploration and questions such as: What is truth? How do we determine what is true? And how do we reconcile differing viewpoints on truth? Together, we delve into the importance of seeking truth, both personally and in our communities, and how it can lead to greater understanding and empathy for one another. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation. We know you'll enjoy listening to our special guest as much as we enjoyed chatting with him.

On this episode of "How I See It," co-hosts discuss the often misunderstood and complex topic of truth, joined by guest Jeff Lindholm. They explore questions such as: What is truth? How do we determine what is true? And how do we reconcile differing viewpoints on truth? Together, they delve into the importance of seeking truth, both personally and in our communities, and how it can lead to greater understanding and empathy for one another. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation. We know you'll enjoy listening to our special guest as much as we enjoyed chatting with him.

Welcome to "How I See It"! In this episode, we're getting real about codependency as we kick off a multi-episode chat regarding codependency and boundaries. Join us today as we dive into the world of enabling and addiction, and explore the struggles of codependent relationships. But don't worry, we're not all doom and gloom - we'll be tackling this heavy topic with some of our signature shenanigans. So grab a cup of coffee (or "Quiet Time Kombucha", patent pending...), sit back, and let's chat about codependency.

Last week, we discussed marriage counseling, and this week we discussed what often happens when a marriage goes sour — Divorce. In this episode, we share how we see divorce, our own experiences with those on the brink of divorce (or tipped over), and discuss what we believe Jesus and the Bible have to say about it. Tune in to find out where we land on this tricky subject. If you've experienced the pain of divorce, we'd love to hear your thoughts. You can contact us at howiseeit.click/contact. Links referenced in this episode: https://thealsbrookfamily.com/what-if-i-got-it-all-wrong/ https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/Stockdale-Concept.html

Today, we dive into the polarizing topic of marriage counseling. Some people swear by it, some simply view it as a waste of time and money, while others see it as a shameful admission of failure. Mark shares a bit of background into how and why he (and his wife Chris) became so passionate about the topic of marriage, marriage counseling, and marriage ministry, and Mark and Justin each share their perspectives on how it's such a valuable tool for couples. They also discuss the stigmas and stereotypes associated with seeking therapy for relationship issues. Tune in to hear our co-hosts attempt to destigmatize this often contentious issue.

Purpose is the focus of today's episode on How I See It, as we chat about the ways we seek out and discover our purpose, as well as the importance of finding our purpose through the mundane and routine experiences of life. We hope this episode brings encouragement to begin or continue the hunt for your divine purpose.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for" - but what does that mean? In this episode of "How I See It," we explore the topic of faith. From personal experiences to Biblical beliefs, we dive into how faith shapes our lives and perspectives. Join us as we discuss the role of faith in our lives, how it shapes our views of the world around us, and more importantly our view of God.

In this episode, co-hosts Mark and Justin explore the idea that our strengths and weaknesses are often intertwined. They delve into the concept of "The Stick" - the notion that the weakness that accompanies our strengths is like a stick, meant to keep us humble and grounded. In typical “How I See It” style, we examine how our strengths can bring perspective to our weaknesses and how we can learn to embrace both in order to grow and succeed, ultimately learning to keep the stick balanced. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to gain a new perspective on your own strengths and weaknesses.

As society continues to embrace and promote gender self-identification, we are beginning to see a new era of gender confusion and second-order consequences. In this episode, we discuss what acceptance can look like, the struggles we have with accepting those not like us and advocate for the ability to empathize with both sides of the conversation. Through this episode, our co-hosts aim to promote compassion and empathy, regardless of an individual's gender identity, and as always, to encourage healthy and respectful conversations.