Journey to Joy

Have you ever felt the pursuit and fulfillment of your desires to be ultimately disappointing? This episode is based on Jen Pollock Michel's book "Teach Us to Want", Leslie Ludy's lesson on contentment, and various Scripture (Jeremiah 2, Isaiah 55, John 7, and Philippians 3).

How do we help others change and grow together in community? This episode is based on Ed Welch's book "Side by Side" and Paul Tripp's book "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands".

Perhaps our next achievement may not provide the happiness we expect. This episode is based on Ed Welch's book "Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction" and Arthur Brooks's article "Why Success Won't Make You Happy".

How do we navigate messy relationships with imperfect people? This episode is based on my favorite book, Tim Lane and Paul Tripp's "Relationships: A Mess Worth Making".

How can we understand and overcome our procrastination? This episode is based on Nic Voge's research, BJ Fogg's "Tiny Habits", and James Clear's "Atomic Habits".

How do you find your vocation? This episode is based on Jonathan Fields's "Sparketype" research, Daniel Pink's book "Drive", and Simon Sinek's TED talk "How great leaders inspire action".

Have you ever felt disappointed and lacking purpose? This episode is based on Ecclesiastes, Edward Welch's book "Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness", and Larry Crabb's book "Inside Out".

How can stress strengthen instead of swamp us? This episode is based on Tara Parker-Pope's article "How to Be Better at Stress", Kelly McGonigal's research on embracing stress, and Adam Grant's podcast episode "Burnout Is Everyone's Problem".

Are you bored enough to listen to this? This episode is based on Leslie Ludy's podcast episode "The Cure for Boredom", Arthur Brooks's podcast "The Art of Happiness", and Jordan Harbinger's podcast episode "What to Do When Your Purpose Starts to Suck".

How can we speak up for what's right despite our fear? This episode is based on Timothy Keller's sermons "David's Courage" and "Fear, Faith, and Courage" and Margaret Heffernan’s TED talk "The dangers of 'willful blindness'".

How can we influence and persuade others for their good? This episode is based on Daniel Pink's book "To Sell is Human" and Jay A. Conger's article "The Necessary Art of Persuasion".

How do we respond to contempt with love? This episode is based on John Gottman's research, Arthur Brooks's "Love Your Enemies", and Ozlem Cekic's TED talk.

In the heat of the moment, how do we act by our values and commitments instead of by our feelings? This episode is based on Kelly McGonigal's "The Willpower Instinct", Nir Eyal's "Indistractable", James Clear's "Atomic Habits", BJ Fogg's "Tiny Habits", and Brene Brown's "The Gifts of Imperfection".

When conflict naturally arises, how can we humbly examine and admit to our own wrongdoing, yet graciously accept others' faults? This episode is based on Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp's book "How People Change" and Harriet Lerner's book "The Dance of Anger".

This episode is based on Dan McCartney's book "Why Does It Have to Hurt?: The Meaning of Christian Suffering" and Timothy Keller's book "Walking with God through Pain and Suffering".

How can we build meaningful relationships? This episode is based on Vaughan Roberts's book "True Friendship", Timothy Keller's sermon "Friendship", and Keith Ferrazzi's book "Never Eat Alone".

Self-esteem may be the root of—not the solution to—our sense of insecurity or superiority. This episode is based on Timothy Keller's book "The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness" and Jon Bloom's article "Lay Aside the Weight of Insecurity".

Who is your God? Our answer to this question changes our purpose, behaviors, and lives. This episode is based on Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and A. W. Tozer's book "The Knowledge of the Holy".