Podcasts about hard questions

Here are the commercials we talked about this week: Goldfish - Social Stalking (ft. Ben Marshall of Please Don't Destroy) https://www.ispot.tv/ad/BnSX/goldfish-social-stalking-featuring-ben-marshall Goldfish - Necklace https://www.ispot.tv/ad/TshC/goldfish-be-like-goldfish-short-memories-featuring-ben-marshall Goldfish - Dollhouse https://www.tiktok.com/@manonmathews/video/7603097257235205407?lang=en Foot Locker: Short Memory Pt. 1 https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7jua/foot-locker-short-memory-pt-1-ft-james-harden-charles-barkley Foot Locker: Short Memory Pt. 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3da2H48abQ8 BrightStor + Computer Associates: Amnesia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7qHOhTuFpw Bounce - Forgetter https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7V9v/bounce-getter Uber Eats - Forget Something (Super Bowl 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZvtROpJvqc Rolo - Elephant Revenge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp8vWUEO3Ms Anthropic - There's Hope in Hard Questions https://www.ispot.tv/ad/gvAk/anthropic-claude-theres-hope-in-hard-questions Jesus - He Gets Us https://youtu.be/SRxEiXiMIXk?is=ERraheaMPzYTm-gL Veridian Dynamics - Man and Machine https://youtu.be/yF3of5VRcNA?si=lKECH5Au1b_Tta4D&t=281

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Some of the best conversations start with honest questions. In this Ask a Pastor episode, I'm joined by my friend Travis Waltner as we tackle some of the toughest questions you've been sending in - from dinosaurs and the age of the earth to prayer, Revelation, the Old Testament, and how to read the Bible wisely. We talk about why not every question has a simple answer, why faith and science don't have to be enemies, and why Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Along the way, we share a few laughs, admit where there's mystery, and hopefully encourage you to keep asking good questions. Whether you've been following Jesus for years or you're just trying to make sense of what you believe, I hope this conversation reminds you that God isn't afraid of your questions, and neither are we. Thanks to our amazing partners on this episode:  First Interstate Bank has a mission to help people and their money work better together. They do this by ensuring clients can manage their money conveniently wherever they are while also providing the friendly service. They have over 300 locations throughout 14 states! For more information and to find a location near you, visit https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/ Vern Eide Motorcars is a growing employee-owned company that offers sales, service, and financing of automotive, motorcycle, and power sports lines, including Acura, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Honda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi brands. Whether you live locally or across the country, visit https://www.verneide.com/ Subscribe to Life Between Sundays on YouTube and watch the full episode: youtube.com/@adamaweber  Sign up for The Crew: https://www.adamweber.com/thecrew  

The conversation centers around the complexities of being pro-life in a broader context. Bri shares her transformative journey from traditional pro-life advocacy into a holistic pursuit that sees immigration and refugee care as extensions of the same intrinsic Christian value of life and dignity. She elaborates on the misconceptions that surround the pro-life movement and the importance of engaging with human dignity issues beyond political boundaries. She also touches on the hurdles Christians face in balancing political and scriptural obligations.Key Takeaways:Choosing Proximity: Bri emphasizes the influence of building relationships with people who hold different perspectives to align more closely with biblical teachings on human dignity.Holistic Pro-life Ethic: Embracing a consistent pro-life ethic means advocating not only for the unborn but also for vulnerable groups, such as immigrants and refugees, as equally deserving of care and compassion.Beyond Politics: True compassion rooted in Christianity should transcend political labels, emphasizing a Kingdom mindset that values all individuals as God's image bearers.Community Engagement: Practical involvement in local and global human dignity efforts, like adoption and refugee support, can allow Christians to live out their beliefs more fully and tangibly.Resources:Bri's Books: Start with Welcome and The Biggest, Best LightWomen of Welcome: WebsiteSign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Confronting Christianity:Instagram | XPurchase Rebecca's Books:Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest ReligionDoes the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about ChristianityJesus though the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the LordNo Greater Love: A Biblical Vision for FriendshipConfronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the GospelsAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting!Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code TREASURE and get 30% off "Storing Up Treasure" by Kyle Bjerga at thegoodbook.com today!

Why should we ask hard questions about the Bible? Or about the Church? Or about our faith? Because questions are one of the tools in our arsenal of knowledge and wisdom. Join Jonathan as we process how Jesus was "The Great Questioner" and why His people ought to be more comfortable asking, processing, and answering challenging questions.

**Listener Discretion** This episode contains discussions about suicide, mental health, prostitution, pornography, trauma, and religious faith that may be difficult for some listeners.   This week, the guys sit down with Army veteran and author Devin Fish, whose memoir, Answering the Hard Questions, takes readers through a life marked by poverty, constant change, broken relationships, self-hatred, and ultimately, redemption. Devin opens up about growing up in Rockford, Illinois, moving from school to school, joining the Army to escape his circumstances, and the experiences that forced him to confront some of the darkest moments of his life. The conversation explores mental health, loneliness, romance scams, pornography, prostitution, faith, identity, and what it really takes to rebuild yourself after believing you're beyond saving. The guys also dive into the creative process behind writing a deeply personal memoir, the discipline required to tell your story honestly, and why helping just one person can make sharing your story worth it. Whether you've ever struggled with purpose, questioned your faith, battled your own inner voice, or simply wondered how someone finds hope after years of self-destruction, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.       Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com       Stay connected with us: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast       Stay connected with Devin Fish: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.fish.79 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish       Picks of the Week: Answering the Hard Questions (Devin Fish) - https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish A Man at Arms (Steven Pressfield) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393540979?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback       PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

What should Christian men believe about patriotism? In this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Nick Surface and Garrett Unclebach tackle biblical patriotism, love of country, racism, marriage, authority, and what it means to live under God's order. As America approaches its 250th birthday, this conversation asks a bigger question than whether patriotism is good or bad. It asks where love of nation belongs when Christ is the supreme identity and authority over every man, family, nation, and government.Nick and Garrett unpack Acts 17, showing that God intentionally marked out the times and boundaries of nations so people would seek Him. That means where you were born, the family you came from, and the nation you live in are not random. At the same time, Galatians 3 reminds believers that the defining characteristic of a Christian is not nationality, race, sex, status, or background, but belonging to Christ. This gives men a biblical framework for loving their country without making it an idol, celebrating their nation without despising others, and rejecting racism as completely incompatible with faith in God.The episode also explores the difference between patriotism and nationalism, why nations function like extended families, and why authority matters in everything from government to marriage. Garrett explains that patriotism is love of country, while nationalism can become dangerous when it turns into hostile us-versus-them thinking. The deeper issue underneath much of the confusion is rebellion against authority and the desire to become the authority ourselves. For fathers, Christian leaders, and men who want to live with purpose, this episode is a call to love what God has placed in your hands, honor the order He created, reject twisted cultural logic, and live as a faithful citizen of both your nation and the Kingdom of God.Get With NuWave Home Lenders By Clicking HereGet a Free 7 Day Trial On The Tailored Training App By Clicking HereJoin a group of likeminded Impossible Life listeners in our FREE Skool community by clicking here.Get the Purpose Playbook by clicking hereGet the FREE Basic Discipline Training 30 Day Program by clicking hereJoin us in Mindset Mastery by clicking hereLevel up your nutrition with IDLife by clicking hereGET IN TOUCHSocial Media - @theimpossiblelifeEmail - info@theimpossible.life

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the hardest question you'll ever face is one you ask yourself? For veteran and author Devin Fish, that question was both devastating and life-changing: "Do I want to die?" In his deeply personal memoir Answering the Hard Questions, Devin chronicles his journey through military service, depression, suicidal ideation, hospitalization, poverty, self-hatred, and trauma—and the difficult but ultimately transformative path toward healing and purpose. This is not simply a story about surviving crisis. It's a story about confronting painful truths, breaking generational cycles, finding meaning after despair, and helping others discover hope when life feels impossible. Today's conversation explores resilience, mental health, personal accountability, recovery, and what it truly means to earn a second chance.

The St. Louis Morning Brief hits hard this Monday morning. Gas prices are down nearly 59 cents from a month ago — but Marc Cox isn't letting QT off the hook for still gouging diesel drivers while oil prices have cratered. Then the story that will stop you cold: a seven-month-old baby girl shot and killed by a ten-year-old, and a nineteen-year-old father now facing murder charges for leaving a loaded gun under a mattress. Marc and Kim make the case every responsible gun owner needs to hear — freedom comes with responsibility, and a thirty-dollar safe could have saved that baby's life. Add a shooting that stopped a soccer game at Energizer Park, juveniles caught with break-in tools during Pride Fest, and a mayor who couldn't even hold the line on a midnight bar closure — and St. Louis has some serious soul-searching to do. The Marc Cox Morning Show isn't looking away from any of it. Hashtags: #MarcCoxMorningShow #StLouisMorningBrief #StLouis #GasPrices #GunResponsibility #SecondAmendment #CrimeInStLouis #PrideFest #PublicSafety #971Talk #ConservativeRadio #PatriotRadio #StLouisNews #GunSafety #MondayMorning #MAGA #CommonSense #StLouisCrime #LocalNews #KimStOnge

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we launched our weekly theme, “Dependence on God.” Rob West joined us to discuss the reasons churches collect money. He acknowledged the ways giving has sometimes been misused, while explaining how biblical generosity supports the church's work, reflects our trust in God, and enables believers to participate in His kingdom mission. Rob is the host of the radio program "Faith & Finance Live," CEO of Kingdom Advisors, and author of "Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship." We also welcomed Rebecca McLaughlin, who addressed difficult questions often raised against Christianity. She explained how biblical teachings on sexuality, love, marriage, and the role of women are rooted in God’s design and ultimately point to Jesus’ love for His people. Rebecca holds a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary and is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion." Additionally, Todd Nettleton joined us to discuss the Day of the Christian Martyr, sharing stories of believers and modern persecuted Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus. He challenged us to consider what we are willing to risk for the gospel. Todd is the Vice President for Message for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and is the host of "The Voice of the Martyrs Radio", where he serves as a voice for persecuted Christians. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Todd Nettleton [ 05:50 ]Rob West [ 17:10 ]Rebecca McLaughlin [ 27:00 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Uncommon Sense, we're taking a deeper look at the Israel-Iran conflict, the continuing questions surrounding the Epstein files, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. We'll discuss why these stories continue to dominate public conversation, explore the political and geopolitical questions people are asking, and examine why these events should be viewed together rather than in isolation.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

Sometimes the thing that almost ended your life becomes the chapter that defines it. By the time Devin Fish was 18, he had moved 16 times, attended seven different schools, and survived a childhood shaped by poverty, bullying, and his parents' struggles with addiction. He thought joining the Army would be the start of something better. Then in July 2017, a Red Cross message forced him to fly home to make the impossible decision of whether to keep his mother on life support. She passed away just days before his birthday. What followed was a slow, quiet spiral into self-hatred, isolation, and online blackmail that brought Devin to the edge of taking his own life. This conversation walks through the moment he self-admitted to the hospital, the two pamphlets he found there that changed everything, and the single question that became the foundation of his recovery. Devin shares how he learned to use one career goal to climb out of suicidal thinking, why writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait forced him to revisit every dark moment on purpose, and how faith eventually rebuilt the parts of him that survival could not. Through grief, generational trauma, silence, and self-doubt, Devin's story is a reminder that the worst chapter of your life does not have to be the end of your book. Guest Bio Devin Fish is a U.S. Army veteran, debut author, and the youngest of two who grew up in Rockford, Illinois. His childhood was marked by instability, bullying, food stamps, and his parents' struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. By 18, he had moved 16 times and attended seven different schools. In 2017, while stationed at Fort Hood, Devin received a Red Cross message telling him his mother was dying. She passed away on July 9th, just days before his birthday. In the years that followed, unresolved grief, financial collapse, and a series of online blackmail scams pushed Devin to the edge, ultimately leading him to self-admit to the hospital with suicidal ideations. Devin served nearly ten years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and Career Counselor, and in 2021 was awarded the 1st Cavalry Division Retention NCO of the Year. While deployed to Kuwait, he wrote his debut book, Answering the Hard Questions, turning his story into a roadmap for anyone still trying to find their way out. You'll hear About How Devin grew up moving 16 times in 18 years across Rockford, Illinois The day he came home from school and found his apartment surrounded by police Why he stayed silent about his trauma for most of his life Losing his mother and being the one to make the life support decision How online blackmail and isolation brought him to the edge of suicide The two pamphlets in the hospital that helped him rewire how he thought about depression The single question that became the foundation of his recovery How writing his book in Kuwait helped him heal what he had buried for years Why faith became the cornerstone of who he is today Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Devin Fish 02:00 Growing Up in Rockford and 16 Moves in 18 Years 04:30 The Day His Father Was Hospitalized 08:00 Why He Suppressed Everything for Years 10:00 Losing His Mother and the Life Support Decision 13:00 The Blackmail Spiral and Suicidal Thinking 17:00 Thirty Seconds of Courage to Ask for Help 18:00 The Two Pamphlets That Changed His Life 20:00 Using a Single Goal to Climb Out of the Darkness 27:00 Reframing Trauma as a Chapter, Not the Whole Book 28:30 Writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait 33:00 Coming Back to Faith 36:00 Devin's Message for Anyone Still Searching 38:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself one hard question. Not a comfortable one. Not the one you already know the answer to. The one you have been avoiding because you are afraid of what it might say back. Maybe it is, "Why am I really staying in this?" Maybe it is, "What am I numbing right now?" Maybe it is the same one Devin asked himself: "Do I want to live, or am I just surviving?" Because as Devin shared, healing did not start when life got easier. It started the moment he stopped lying to himself in silence and answered honestly. Whatever your hard question is this week, do not run from it. Let it be the end of a chapter, not the end of the book. Connect with Devin Get his book: Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of a Chapter, Not the End of the Book Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Hard Questions, Clear Answers. Youth Podcast. Perth, Australia - Chaitanya Charan by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

We cannot wait to move into our homestead but Frankie is fresh out of ACL surgery and has to be healthy before we can get there. Never a dull moment. Here is 20 minutes of our day and we will see you tomorrow. Grateful for Paco: Support South Coast Humane Society

From Cliffe getting pies thrown at him on a college quad while three-year-old Stuart clung to his leg, to preaching in Boston's red-light district as a seminary student, this episode is equal parts hilarious, theologically sharp, and genuinely moving. Father-son duo Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle — open-air apologists, church planters, and co-authors of Demolishing Doubt — join Levi and Jennie for one of the most wide-ranging conversations the podcast has ever had. Plus: the hardest question Cliffe still gets a flutter about, why miracles aren't actually defying nature, and the reason Stuart's eight-year-old already has Romans 8 memorized. Connect with us on social! Cliffe + Stuart: @Stuart_Knechtle Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Order Demolishing Doubt: https://bit.ly/4x4R8Nc Watch Cliffe's Passion Sermon: https://bit.ly/3PJcbnX Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 00:00:00 – Meet Cliffe + Stuart Knechtle 00:05:12 – How a 14-person Bible study above a bar became a church 00:10:06 – Why memorizing scripture isn't obsolete — it's a lifeline 00:15:58 – Miracles don't defy nature — they restore it 00:29:47 – Preaching in Boston's red-light district (the seminary years) 00:43:49 – The hardest questions: suffering, doubt, and where God came from

HOT SEAT: What Is Jess Terrified Of Her Future Children Learning About Her? full 337 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:17:33 +0000 odc4OMYWyAPihymbpn8FLXCEdPNp5yP4 awkward,hot seat,hard questions,music,society & culture,news Kramer & Jess On Demand Podcast awkward,hot seat,hard questions,music,society & culture,news HOT SEAT: What Is Jess Terrified Of Her Future Children Learning About Her? Highlights from the Kramer & Jess Show. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Music Society & Culture News https://player.ampe

From Cliffe getting pies thrown at him on a college quad while three-year-old Stuart clung to his leg, to preaching in Boston's red-light district as a seminary student, this episode is equal parts hilarious, theologically sharp, and genuinely moving. Father-son duo Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle — open-air apologists, church planters, and co-authors of Demolishing Doubt — join Levi and Jennie for one of the most wide-ranging conversations the podcast has ever had. Plus: the hardest question Cliffe still gets a flutter about, why miracles aren't actually defying nature, and the reason Stuart's eight-year-old already has Romans 8 memorized. Connect with us on social! Cliffe + Stuart: @Stuart_Knechtle Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Order Demolishing Doubt: https://bit.ly/4x4R8Nc Watch Cliffe's Passion Sermon: https://bit.ly/3PJcbnX Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – Meet Cliffe + Stuart Knechtle 00:05:12 – How a 14-person Bible study above a bar became a church 00:10:06 – Why memorizing scripture isn't obsolete — it's a lifeline 00:15:58 – Miracles don't defy nature — they restore it 00:29:47 – Preaching in Boston's red-light district (the seminary years) 00:43:49 – The hardest questions: suffering, doubt, and where God came from

Rachel Gilson is a noted author and speaker specializing in Christian sexual ethics. She serves on the leadership team for theological development and culture at Cru, a dynamic missionary organization. Rachel is also in the advanced stages of completing her PhD in public theology from Southeastern Theological Seminary. Her acclaimed book, "Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next" is considered a valuable resource on Christian sexual ethics. Rachel is passionate about helping Christians navigate complex cultural issues with a gospel-centered approach.Key Takeaways:Navigating Cultural Shifts: Rachel sheds light on how Christian parents can stay true to biblical principles while adapting to today's ever-changing cultural landscape.Early Conversations: Discover why it's crucial to start talking to your kids about sexuality and faith early on, and how to weave these discussions into the fabric of the gospel.Authenticity and Compassion: Rachel advocates for a genuine approach to parenting—living out Christian values in a way that radiates love and compassion.Practical Parental Guidance: Get actionable advice on preparing your children to engage thoughtfully with diverse beliefs about sexuality they'll encounter in their daily lives.Community Support: Learn how leaning on your church community can provide invaluable support and wisdom as you raise your kids in faith.Visit: Rachel's websiteFollow: Rachel on XOrder: Rachel's book "Parenting without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World"Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Confronting Christianity:Instagram | XPurchase Rebecca's Books:Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest ReligionDoes the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about ChristianityJesus though the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the LordNo Greater Love: A Biblical Vision for FriendshipConfronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the GospelsAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting!Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code WORSHIP for 30% off "All of Me" by Cheryl Marshall at thegoodbook.com—and download your free study guide today.Find Battling Unbelief wherever books are sold, or visit crossway.org/battlingunbelief to get 30% off with a free Crossway+ account.

When Faith Asks Hard Questions

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Jes Staley's admission that he had what he described as consensual sexual relations with one of Jeffrey Epstein's assistants seriously undermines the narrative that Epstein's trafficking operation had no outside beneficiaries. The issue is not simply whether Staley used the word “consensual,” but whether that woman was operating inside Epstein's larger ecosystem of coercion, dependency, employment pressure, secrecy, and abuse. Epstein's world was not a neutral social environment; it was a controlled system where staff, assistants, young women, powerful visitors, money, housing, and access all overlapped. If at least one assistant was abused or controlled by Epstein, then sexual access to someone in that role cannot be dismissed as an ordinary private encounter without asking whether Epstein's power shaped the circumstances. Staley has not been convicted of trafficking and the full legal record still requires precision, but his admission creates a factual anchor that makes the old “Epstein never trafficked anyone to anyone else” defense look increasingly hollow.The broader point is that Epstein's operation survived because powerful people and institutions repeatedly separated individual incidents from the machinery that produced them. “Consensual,” “no client list,” “no charges filed,” and “professional relationship” have all been used to narrow the public's view of a scandal built around access, control, and institutional protection. Staley's connection to Epstein was not a meaningless brush with a disgraced financier; it involved a relationship serious enough to draw regulatory scrutiny, and his admitted encounter with an Epstein assistant raises direct questions about whether Epstein's financial, social, and sexual worlds were intertwined. Any serious investigation should ask when the encounter occurred, how it was arranged, what Epstein knew, whether the woman was dependent on or controlled by Epstein, and whether other powerful associates were given similar access. The admission does not prove every allegation, but it does shatter the comfortable claim that there is no public basis for asking whether Epstein's powerful associates sexually benefited from the system he built.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Jes Staley's admission that he had what he described as consensual sexual relations with one of Jeffrey Epstein's assistants seriously undermines the narrative that Epstein's trafficking operation had no outside beneficiaries. The issue is not simply whether Staley used the word “consensual,” but whether that woman was operating inside Epstein's larger ecosystem of coercion, dependency, employment pressure, secrecy, and abuse. Epstein's world was not a neutral social environment; it was a controlled system where staff, assistants, young women, powerful visitors, money, housing, and access all overlapped. If at least one assistant was abused or controlled by Epstein, then sexual access to someone in that role cannot be dismissed as an ordinary private encounter without asking whether Epstein's power shaped the circumstances. Staley has not been convicted of trafficking and the full legal record still requires precision, but his admission creates a factual anchor that makes the old “Epstein never trafficked anyone to anyone else” defense look increasingly hollow.The broader point is that Epstein's operation survived because powerful people and institutions repeatedly separated individual incidents from the machinery that produced them. “Consensual,” “no client list,” “no charges filed,” and “professional relationship” have all been used to narrow the public's view of a scandal built around access, control, and institutional protection. Staley's connection to Epstein was not a meaningless brush with a disgraced financier; it involved a relationship serious enough to draw regulatory scrutiny, and his admitted encounter with an Epstein assistant raises direct questions about whether Epstein's financial, social, and sexual worlds were intertwined. Any serious investigation should ask when the encounter occurred, how it was arranged, what Epstein knew, whether the woman was dependent on or controlled by Epstein, and whether other powerful associates were given similar access. The admission does not prove every allegation, but it does shatter the comfortable claim that there is no public basis for asking whether Epstein's powerful associates sexually benefited from the system he built.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Jes Staley's admission that he had what he described as consensual sexual relations with one of Jeffrey Epstein's assistants seriously undermines the narrative that Epstein's trafficking operation had no outside beneficiaries. The issue is not simply whether Staley used the word “consensual,” but whether that woman was operating inside Epstein's larger ecosystem of coercion, dependency, employment pressure, secrecy, and abuse. Epstein's world was not a neutral social environment; it was a controlled system where staff, assistants, young women, powerful visitors, money, housing, and access all overlapped. If at least one assistant was abused or controlled by Epstein, then sexual access to someone in that role cannot be dismissed as an ordinary private encounter without asking whether Epstein's power shaped the circumstances. Staley has not been convicted of trafficking and the full legal record still requires precision, but his admission creates a factual anchor that makes the old “Epstein never trafficked anyone to anyone else” defense look increasingly hollow.The broader point is that Epstein's operation survived because powerful people and institutions repeatedly separated individual incidents from the machinery that produced them. “Consensual,” “no client list,” “no charges filed,” and “professional relationship” have all been used to narrow the public's view of a scandal built around access, control, and institutional protection. Staley's connection to Epstein was not a meaningless brush with a disgraced financier; it involved a relationship serious enough to draw regulatory scrutiny, and his admitted encounter with an Epstein assistant raises direct questions about whether Epstein's financial, social, and sexual worlds were intertwined. Any serious investigation should ask when the encounter occurred, how it was arranged, what Epstein knew, whether the woman was dependent on or controlled by Epstein, and whether other powerful associates were given similar access. The admission does not prove every allegation, but it does shatter the comfortable claim that there is no public basis for asking whether Epstein's powerful associates sexually benefited from the system he built.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Kwame Christian, negotiation expert and host of Negotiate Anything, reveals the conversation tactics most speakers never have time to share on stage — including how to regain control when someone else is running the room, how to draw out a person who goes completely silent, and why most hard conversations at home are doomed before they even start. This is a reverse interview. Kwame was the keynote speaker at the Life and Annuity Conference (hosted jointly by the Society of Actuaries, ACLI, and LIMRA LOMA) — and the audience Q&A ran so long they ran out of time on stage. So conference organizers Karen Terry and Joe Wurzburger brought the best questions straight to the podcast.

Are your daily habits, routines, and decisions actually aligned for the life you say you want? In this episode, Lori and I share the 3 self-audit questions inspired by a story from Salesforce Founder, Marc Benioff, about working with Tony Robbins. We talk about how the quality of your questions directly shapes the quality of your business, relationships, happiness, and growth. We also open up about finding joy during difficult seasons, creating "bright spots" even when life feels heavy, and why happiness isn't about avoiding challenges. Get ready to rethink the way your habits, routines, and priorities are shaping the life you're building.   HIGHLIGHTS The self-audit question that exposes whether your habits match your goals. How your calendar predicts the future you're creating. The difference between productive work and "default" busy work. The mindset shift that helps you find joy even in difficult moments. Why "bright spots" matter more than waiting for life to feel easier. A question to measure if you're really living a happy life.   RESOURCES Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Chris + Lori HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

What does it actually take to build a lasting cross-sector community arts partnership?In this episode, I return to a lesson I learned more than forty years ago in one of the most unlikely classrooms imaginable: the California prison system during one of the most violent periods in its history. At the center of the story is Verne McKee, an incarcerated artist and leader whose practical wisdom about trust, power, responsibility, and human relationships became a blueprint for understanding how successful community arts partnerships are built—and why so many fail.Drawing on Verne's ten rules for survival and collaboration, I explore the hidden dynamics that determine whether partnerships become transformative long-term alliances or short-lived projects that leave communities worse off than before. Along the way, I unpack the difference between outreach and partnership, why artistic excellence remains essential to social change work, and what shared power actually looks like when artists, institutions, and communities work together.You'll discover:• Why trust—not funding, programming, or good intentions—is the real currency of sustainable partnership.• How Verne McKee's ten rules reveal the conditions that help cross-sector collaborations thrive and the warning signs that often predict failure.• Why communities deserve more than one-time projects, and what artists and institutions owe the people they invite into a creative process.If you've ever wondered why some community partnerships flourish for decades while others collapse despite talent, resources, and enthusiasm, this episode offers hard-earned lessons from the front lines of creative community change.NOTABLE MENTIONSKey FigureVerne McKee — Former president of the Art and Musicians Guilds at California Medical Facility and a respected leader within California's prison arts community. Over many years of conversations about how teaching artists could work effectively and responsibly inside correctional institutions, McKee shared insights drawn from lived experience that became the foundation for the “Verne's Rules” framework discussed in this episode. His observations about respect, artistic excellence, humility, responsibility, self-care, and the central importance of relationships continue to inform approaches to community-based arts partnerships far beyond prison walls. McKee is featured in the documentary Art and the Prison Crisis and was released from prison before his death in 1990.Art and the Prison Crisis (California Revealed)Organizations & ProgramsWilliam James Association — A pioneering nonprofit organization that helped develop, expand, and sustain California's Arts in Corrections programs for decades. Through partnerships with artists, correctional institutions, and community organizations, the Association played a central role in establishing prison arts as a nationally recognized model for rehabilitation, education, and personal transformation.California Arts in Corrections Program — One of the nation's longest-running state-supported arts-in-prison initiatives, providing instruction in multiple artistic disciplines throughout California correctional institutions.California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) — The state agency responsible for California's prison system and a long-term partner in the development of arts programming within correctional facilities.Center for the Study of Art & Community — Research, training, and consulting organization focused on art and social change, community cultural development, and cross-sector partnerships.Animating Democracy — A national resource center documenting and supporting arts-based civic engagement, social justice practice, and community cultural development.Places MentionedSan Quentin Rehabilitation CenterFolsom State PrisonCorrectional Training FacilityCalifornia Medical FacilityHistorical ContextThe episode references a period during the late 1970s and early 1980s when California prisons were experiencing intense racial, political, and gang-related violence. Organizations mentioned include:Nuestra FamiliaBlack Guerrilla FamilyAryan BrotherhoodCalifornia Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA)These references are included to provide historical context for the environment in which California's prison arts programs were operating.Related ResourcesGood Partners Are… — A collection of partnership-building tools and reflections developed by the Center for the Study of Art & Community, including The Hard Questions for Community Arts Partners and The Partnership Commandments. The publication explores trust, shared power, accountability, reciprocity, and the practical challenges of building effective long-term community partnerships.Art and the Prison Crisis (California Revealed) — Historic documentary featuring incarcerated artists, arts leaders, and correctional staff involved in California's pioneering prison arts movement during the 1970s and 1980s, including Verne McKee.Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Front Lines — William Cleveland's examination of artists working in situations of conflict, social division, and community transformation around the world.National Endowment for the Arts – Arts & Well-Being Research — Research exploring the relationship between arts participation, individual well-being, and community health.Sound Effects CreditsExplodeAlert by AndroidonatorRetro-ring remix by TimbreR19-53-Old Telephone Ringing.wav by craigsmithbang prison door LOOP by klankbeeldPodcast 27_Crackle by PodcastAC

Healing starts when we stop avoiding the hard questions and start telling ourselves the truth. Because growth doesn't come from pretending the pain never happened— it comes from learning what to do with it.  Today with Army veteran and author Devin Fish for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, addiction, self-worth, and the difficult questions we're often forced to confront after pain and loss. Devin shares his journey from a childhood marked by poverty, instability, self-hatred, and generational trauma to serving nearly a decade in the Army as a cavalry scout and career counselor. Along the way, he faced addiction, emotional struggles, and the internal battles that many people carry silently. We talk about how unresolved pain shapes identity, relationships, and the choices we make—and how healing often begins when we stop running from the hard questions and start facing them honestly. Devin also opens up about the lessons he learned through military service, personal growth, and writing his book, Answering the Hard Questions. His story is one of perseverance, accountability, and learning how to rebuild yourself even after years of struggle. This conversation is about trauma, healing, resilience, addiction recovery, and personal transformation—and the reminder that your past does not have to define your future.    

Send us Fan MailOn today's PoM Podcast episode I sat down with Ryan Maher, pastor and co-leader of the digital ministries reaching hundreds of millions each month, including Trust God Bro (8M followers), Her True Worth (2M followers), and The Prayer Channel (4.1M members)—comes a new book, The God Worth Trusting, about learning to trust God even in the toughest times.Many of us want to trust God, but we just can't. We have trust issues. We see heartbreak in the world, or experience it personally, and don't understand how a good God could have allowed it. We have questions.How could a good God allow so much pain?If God could have stopped it, why didn't he stop it? Why is God doing this to me?To get connected to Ryan and learn more about his book visit: https://ryanmaher.net/Learn more about The Pursuit of Manliness: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/ Secure your spot in Tribe XVIII https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/tribe-xviiiJoin The Herd:  https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/join-the-herdRegister for our 2026 Fall Men's Retreat: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/2026-mens-retreatSupport the show

For this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul sits down with Devin Fish for one of the most honest and emotionally powerful conversations the show has featured yet. Growing up in poverty, constantly moving from place to place, and surrounded by addiction and instability, Devin entered adulthood carrying more weight than most people face in a lifetime. Before even beginning his Army career, he experienced trauma that would shape the years ahead — including family addiction, loss, depression, online exploitation, blackmail, and moments where he seriously questioned whether he wanted to keep going at all. But this isn't just a story about survival. It's a story about resilience, reinvention, mental health, purpose, and learning how to rebuild your life one hard question at a time. Devin opens up about how those experiences eventually led him to write his book, Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of the Chapter, Not the End of the Book, a deeply personal reflection on resilience, mental health, purpose, and finding hope after life's darkest moments. In this episode, we discuss: Growing up with instability and poverty Joining the Army and searching for direction Losing his mother while serving Mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts Online scams, emotional isolation, and blackmail Reinventing himself through service and leadership Why vulnerability can help others heal Writing his book and speaking openly about resilience The importance of letting a painful chapter end — without ending your story This episode is raw, inspiring, and deeply human — especially for anyone who has ever felt stuck, broken, alone, or overwhelmed by life. Because as Devin says: "Let it be the end of the chapter… not the end of the book." Connect with Devin Fish: Book: Answering the Hard Questions on Amazon Facebook: Devin Fish on Facebook Email: 9d7fish@gmail.com If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share GenX Journeys with someone who might need this conversation today.  

What does it really mean to be a “good person,” and is that the same thing as being Christ-like? In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, Jack Hindle and Shannon McAdam wrestle with questions of faith, community, belonging, evangelism, and the courage to change our minds. From joy and justice to loneliness, rigid beliefs, and the longing for authentic connection, this episode explores how spirituality can create space for people to show up as their truest selves. Honest, reflective, and surprisingly hopeful, this conversation reminds us that maybe the most sacred thing we can offer one another is community — and a little extra hope when someone else's is running low.  Listen to other episodes in the Brewed Awakenings “Second Cup” series. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.   NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ. 

In this special episode, the Informed Citizen leaves the studio and takes the stage!Host Dr. Philip Lindholm invited eight brave leaders to answer the hardest questions of homelessness before a live studio audience. No scripts. No hiding. All the stakeholders in the same room at the same time, from prosecutor to police chief, senator to shelter operators, treatment to lived experience. We finally had the conversation that nobody else was having in a way that nobody else was having it. What unfolds is a raw, unfiltered conversation that exposes the complexity behind the homelessness crisis — where compassion collides with public safety, civil liberties clash with enforcement, and simple solutions fall apart under scrutiny.If you think you understand homelessness, this conversation will challenge you.Episode Highlights• Why are some shelters not as safe as the streets?• Should treatment for substance abuse and mental illness be mandatory?• The real-world impact of policy decisions like drug decriminalization• Why more funding alone will not solve homelessness• The role of personal responsibility versus systemic failure• How gaps in identification, employment, and reentry systems keep people stuck• The challenge of balancing civil liberties with public safety• What leaders agree on and where they sharply disagreeListen & SubscribeSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-informed-citizenApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-informed-citizen/id1738680188Connect with UsWebsite: https://theinformedcitizen.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drphiliplindholm/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drphiliplindholmCreditsProduced by Philip LindholmThis podcast is for informational purposes only and not professional advice.

Faith isn't meant to avoid hard questions—it's meant to engage them.In this live-style episode, the conversation moves between theology, personal stories, and real-time interaction as the hosts explore what it means to follow Jesus in a complicated world. From questions about heaven, hell, and God's character to discussions on free will, culture, and truth, this episode creates space for honest conversations many people are already wrestling with.Along the way, the discussion highlights the importance of spiritual growth, healthy church leadership, and authentic community. Whether it's learning to handle conflict biblically, slowing down to truly understand Scripture, or breaking generational cycles through faith, this episode reminds us that growth takes intention and consistency.Clarity in chaos. Bringing hope to a chaotic world. This episode invites you to lean in, ask deeper questions, and pursue a faith that is both thoughtful and lived out.https://linktr.ee/thetruthresponsehttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthresponse/https://www.facebook.com/thetruthresponsehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-response/id1504362531https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kpkgsy7I7zVuv5UyiRACu?si=BqwQH988RW2DpLbYg5BnSA

In our second episode of our new segment HOT SEAT, Jess is put on the spot and has to answer the thing she wants to change in her marriage to Garage Boy.

Ever wrestled with a question that felt too big to answer—something that Google couldn't quite help with, and the Bible app just gave a list of verses that didn't really land? We live in a world of instant answers, but spiritual wisdom takes more than a search bar. So, how do we actually find answers to hard questions using God's Word first, not last? Today's episode is called “Bible First: Finding Real Answers to Questions”, and we're talking about how to study, search, and investigate hard topics using Scripture, not just shortcuts. And the episode is less about specific questions and more about methods to use when searching for answers. When you have a question, where do you usually start? Why do you take this approach? Be honest! Here are more questions to consider: Why is our default to Google or search in the Bible app? And is that always bad? What does it look like to actually investigate using Scripture alone? What types of resources can we use when searching for answers? What makes this kind of study so hard for most of us? What fruit comes from doing it “the hard way”—the Bible-first way? What do we really need when we're studying? TIME and PATIENCE! I hope our listeners know that that Google is not our enemy, but we should still question the root, and the effect, of getting quick answers that we seldom meditate upon. How do you need to slow down, read, reread, and ponder God's word? This is a challenge for me, as well. We don't learn everything all at once; growth takes time. We are always learning! We encourage you to keep reading, praying, and talking with the Lord about your questions. Then, speak with mature Christians who have navigated similar questions and know their Bibles well. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! UNEDITED TRANSCRIPTION: 00:00:00 Patricia: Have you ever wrestled with a question that felt too big to answer? Something that Google couldn’t quite help you with? And the Bible app just gave a list of verses that didn’t really land. We live in a world of instant answers, but gaining spiritual wisdom takes more than just searching in a search bar. So today’s podcast is about using the Bible first finding real answers to our questions. Welcome to our Patterns of Truth podcast. I’m Patricia, your host, and today we are talking about how to study, search and investigate hard topics using the scriptures and not just shortcuts. Shortcuts are not a bad thing. We’ll talk about that. Um, but we want to kind of reexamine the practices that we engage in when we’re searching for answers. So this episode is about is not really about specific questions, specific hard questions that we seek to answer, but more about the methods that we can use when searching for those answers. So hello to everyone on the podcast today. Hello, Peter. Hello, Roy. Hello, Bethel. How are you all doing today? 00:01:05 Peter: Hello, hello. 00:01:07 Roy: Hey, great. Rainy and cold in Oregon. Oh it’s raining. Yeah. Rainy. 00:01:15 Bethel: Not humid here. 00:01:17 Patricia: Yeah. 00:01:17 Peter: Whereas here Bethel. 00:01:19 Bethel: Right now it’s Jersey. 00:01:21 Patricia: Yeah. 00:01:22 Bethel: It’s not Philly. It’s Jersey today. 00:01:24 Patricia: Jersey. Welcome back. All right. So um I’ll start with a panel question for all of us. So when any of us have a question, something popped into your mind. Somebody talks about something. Where do you usually start to find the answer? It can be any resource. It could be Google, it could be another. Right. So where do you start and why do you take this approach? 00:01:52 Bethel: I’m a Googler. 00:01:54 Patricia: All right. Yeah. 00:01:55 Bethel: Everybody and everybody makes fun of me that I even use Google because everybody just uses AI. Like everybody’s just like, just ask ChatGPT. Just ask ChatGPT. Um, so even googling is like outdated at this point, but depending on how deep I might text my dad. 00:02:11 Patricia: Oh, nice. All right. Cool. Roy? Peter. 00:02:17 Roy: Um, I asked my wife. 00:02:19 Patricia: Okay. 00:02:21 Roy: Um, good place to start. That’s good intuition. Um, my daughter, um, who also has very good insight. Um, and then it depends on what kind of a question. And I appreciate the Google answer. Um, in fact, I did, I used Google just the other day when I wanted to know the initial, um, area that was assigned to the tribe of Dan and I got a pretty good answer. So if the question is specific enough, um, then I think, um, Google is fine or I don’t know about chat, I haven’t used chat GP so I don’t know how that works, but I know Google uses AI underneath. So Google basically a, a front end to an AI program. Yeah. But it has to be specific. It depends on the type of question. 00:03:18 Patricia: Yeah, I like that you mentioned that because sometimes you could do like a broad question and then who knows what you’re going to get just just how Google works. Right. Sorry, Peter. 00:03:28 Peter: Yeah. I, I would say I try to find the shortest article I find, usually from kind of the same circle of church community. Amen. Um, um, and uh, definitely Google. Like sometimes it’s like a specific website that I go to other than, uh, I find got questions sometimes is a website that would help a lot in like general questions. Uh, if it’s something specific, more doctrine, I go back to the like some brief, uh, article and then control F to find. Yeah, the article. So, uh, yeah, I do that. 00:04:12 Patricia: Yeah. All right. That’s practical, I like it. I tend to start with the Bible app for some reason, right? There’s just, I don’t know, it’s, uh, it’s easy and I don’t know, there’s something I like Google, but I feel like So I really slow down and I think about like, what I feel when I Google something, I usually feel fear because I think that there are questions that I may have that when I Google it, there are harmful or anti-God, anti-Christian things that seem to pop up at the top. And I honestly just don’t want to see that when I’m searching out something. I don’t know what it is, but it just really disturbs me. Um, I know some people can see it and just discard it, but for me, it just, it really unsettles me. So I tend to like not want to go to Google for some reason. So maybe the Bible app, I’m trying to protect myself in some way. I’m not sure. But, um, our first question really is about like, why do we think that, um, a more popular default for searching for any question will be Google or a search in the Bible app? Why is that something that we tend to do these days? And is that always a bad thing? 00:05:21 Peter: Well, convenience. 00:05:24 Patricia: Um. 00:05:25 Roy: It depends a lot on the question. 00:05:28 Patricia: Do you ever feel like. Or maybe I should ask it this way? Is there a scenario where you find something on Google or a different tool, and it makes you immediately stop searching? Like you don’t go back to your Bible? Or does the opposite happen? You find what you need and then you say, oh, I want to go deeper. What does that look like? 00:05:50 Roy: Really depends upon the subject matter and the question. Okay. Um, I think, you know. 00:05:56 Peter: Yeah. I mean, for, for Patricia’s point, um, that’s a good point because I think when I Google things, it does stop me from digging more into scripture because I found the solution or at least part of an answer, and then I’m satisfied with it. Um, so that’s a, that’s a good point. I mean, we’re definitely not against technology. We should use technology. Um, if it’s your favorite AI search, LLM or Google, uh, it can be useful. Um, but, um, I think studying scripture as we can talk soon about is and, uh, like changing your heart through studying scripture is more just knowledge. Um, and I think you reach just knowledge if you like, get the answer quickly. 00:06:55 Roy: Yes. That’s very important point. Uh, and I want to emphasize that we are talking about having a specific question or a question about something. We get an answer, but that should lead us to dig deeper. And that should even that even specific studies should not keep us from regular Bible reading. Um, and that’s where we gain a general knowledge of God’s character. Um, you know, there’s a, a rule, there’s apps and whatnot that lead you through the Bible? Genesis to revelation in a year? Well, you may or may not want to use one of those apps, but the point is you have to be generally familiar with your Bible. I found questions that are, quite surprisingly in books like Ecclesiastes or Proverbs or Chronicles, and that seem to have nothing to do with the subject matter, but they. But they’re put in a way that for trigger thinking about things in a different way. So general Bible reading needs to always be done on a regular basis. 00:08:03 Patricia: Yeah. So leading into that, um, or coming out of that point, I should say, uh, if we had no technology, right. I couldn’t use my phone. Google’s down. It does happen from time to time, right? We can’t get to the website that we want. Um, I’m thinking about that AWS blackout from a few weeks ago where people were panicking. They couldn’t find anything. So if we only had our Bible in front of us, the actual physical volume, what does it look like to investigate using Scripture alone? Where does it start? 00:08:38 Roy: Need to know the books of the Bible and where they are. 00:08:41 Patricia: Mhm. Mhm. 00:08:44 Speaker 6: And I think maybe a general gist of what’s happening in each one. 00:08:48 Patricia: Yeah. 00:08:49 Roy: Definitely the difference between the Old and New Testament. Mhm. Um, and it also helps to have a, a mental map like Bethel was saying of what generally goes together. And this is fairly obvious, and I think a lot of people, uh, talk about it. So maybe we don’t need to belabor the point, but there are prophetic books, there are poetry books, there are history books, and there’s the Pentateuch and there’s New Testament. That’s a general classification. But we should know generally how how the different books relate to one another. Like among the Gospels, Matthew presents the Lord Jesus as the King. And I’m not saying anything that is particularly remarkable. I mean, we I think we all know this quote. 00:09:44 Bethel: And maybe instead of just looking up, oh, what does the Bible say about this? Fill in the blank. We could use Google as a resource to say, hey, how is the Bible split up? What is the Old Testament about? What are the parts of the Old Testament? What makes it different from the New Testament? What makes the Gospels different from each other? And you can use the internet as that type of resource to dig deeper in that way. 00:10:10 Patricia: Yeah. I think also if someone is a new believer, I mean, it’s, it might feel like kind of steep, right? Like, oh, before you start, you got to memorize all these things. I think while you’re doing it, I think I’m looking at the front of my Bible. There’s a table of contents, right? So if you’re a new Christian, or maybe it’s been a little while, if you if you need the pages with the numbers, right, start with it, like where each book of the Bible is. And what’s great is like most Bibles, like mine is organized, it tells you what’s in the Old Testament, what’s in the New Testament, and that can help you with organizing. Um, we’re looking at the Bible like how it’s, how it’s organized. And I think that’s a good place to begin. Um, I. 00:10:52 Peter: Think it’s high yield to Patricia. Like knowing the books of the Bible can be very helpful and knowing like the sections that, like Roy was saying, and I can argue also like some of them maybe can, they’re not inspired the chapters, but knowing how many chapters, like, you know, like, oh, you know, for example, Ephesians and Galatians are six chapters. Colossians and Philippians are four chapters. Um, so help you kind of. you know, contain or have a hold of of the book and how, how long it is. 00:11:29 Patricia: Yeah, that’s really good. And I think too, it’s, um, it’s good to think of how while we learned about what the book of the Bible’s are and how the Bible’s organized, that we can still start reading it. I think sometimes it can feel like levels like, oh, I can’t, I can’t do this until I do that. But it’s like, no, start reading while you’re memorizing where the books of the Bible are. So we talked about, I guess, operationally speaking, knowing how the Bible’s organized, but is there another way that we can begin that helps us when we’re just looking at the scripture alone and trying to find an answer? 00:12:08 Peter: We need help from Roy on this one. 00:12:14 Roy: Well, it’s been a long time since I was, uh, first, uh, I was pretty much know where everything is right now, and I hope this is going to be cut out of the. That’s the final deal. Um, well, again, I have to go back to the kind of question, I guess, because questions about the church, for example, if I have a question about that, I’m going to have to look in the New Testament. And I have to start with acts because that’s where the church began. And then Paul’s epistles in particular. So having a knowledge of where things are talked about and explained in Scripture is almost essential. Um, if you need comfort, let me give a couple of examples. We often look to the Psalms for comfort and encouragement, but in doing that, you need to realize that it’s a Jewish book. And so there are things in the Psalms which do not apply to us. Um, the Imprecatory Psalms in particular, which are Psalms which call down judgment upon our enemies. Well, if you’re new to the Bible, you might get confused by some of that. If you haven’t read and absorbed Romans, for example, toward the end where it says, vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. And if you haven’t really digested that. So I guess I’d have to say that we need to start looking through the New Testament to get a feel for the kinds of things that are particularly appropriate for the Christian. I’m thinking of a new believer now. Sometimes we say, okay, start reading John’s gospel. Well, that’s a good one. Um, if I say start reading Matthew, Then I may run across the kingdom of God, where servants are failed, and throw in thrown into outer darkness. And that kind of verses have led to the idea of we can lose our salvation if you don’t really understand what the kingdom of God is. So there is some basic knowledge that’s required. You know, if you keep reading, then you’ll get to John’s Gospel. And there you find out that if you’re in the hand of the Lord, no one can pluck you out. And so there’s the answer. But some of this can be confusing to a new person. So the only solution is, I think, to ask somebody that you can trust, give you a general feeling for what the different books talk about. And then you have to have your general knowledge to have scripture reading it through to, to come up with stuff. And I gotta say this right here too. There are several verses that emphasize that God is compassionate and he preserves the simple. And I think if actually, in my experience, the biggest hindrance is pride. So if we come to the Bible with the proper attitude that this is God’s word, then I think God can lead us. The Holy Spirit leads us to apply things in the right way. Um, striking verses in um, um, Psalm one hundred and sixteen six is perhaps just a good one. Um, and also in Proverbs there’s some. So God and God will guide us if we’re humble enough to learn from him. 00:16:15 Peter: Yeah. Just to add to what Roy was saying is when you’re studying the scripture, uh, it’s good to, uh, uh, look at the context of. 00:16:25 Roy: Right. 00:16:26 Peter: Uh, I think that’s what Roy’s saying also of the whole scripture and the book and the context of the chapter. What does it talk about? 00:16:36 Patricia: So then, okay, so we have the word of God, um, itself, and we have the Holy Spirit who will teach us and reveal things to us that we cannot learn just intellectually on our own. So when we’re Christians, we have that. We have him as a resource. But what about some other resources that we can use when searching for answers? I’m talking about things that other very mature Christians who have studied the Bible have put together. Um, and I’m thinking of a concordance. I’m thinking of biblical commentaries. Um, can we have some commentary on that? What type of resources can we use when searching for answers and how do we use them? 00:17:19 Roy: Concordance is really helpful. I use a concordance frequently. Usually there’s a concordance at the back of most Bibles that is tuned to the particular, um, um, uh, version that you’re using, uh, translation, but you can always do a cross-reference. You know, the standard concordance is ah, Strong’s and Young’s someone that says strongest for the weak and young is for the old. But be that as it may, um, they’re both both good, although they’re different. Um, um, and if you’re not using King James, both of those are based on King James. Maybe they’ve been upgraded, I don’t know, or changed. But anyway, you can always, um, if you have a particular verse in NIV, for example, look it up at the same verse, uh, in, uh, in the King James. Um, and figure out what verse, what word you want to look up and then go to the concordance with that. Now, I use Young’s a lot because it gives the Greek and Hebrew and, um, that can be helpful if you have a good, um, uh, uh, dictionary, uh, specific, you know, the, the, the old Testament, uh, dictionary I use is um, theological wordbook of the old Testament, which is good, good Hebrew, uh, analysis. I don’t know a word of Hebrew. So I just have to depend in that, uh, in Greek, uh, in Hebrew. 00:18:56 Speaker 7: Let me ask you, Roy. 00:18:57 Peter: Um, I, I don’t remember the last time I used the concordance. Bethel. Have you you. 00:19:05 Bethel: Really just just the one in the back of my Bible. 00:19:09 Peter: Uh, are we missing out a lot because we’re not using the concordance or when do you use it? Do you. When is the deep study verse by verse? 00:19:19 Patricia: Wait, so maybe I should define it and it will help to answer the question. Right? I’m thinking that the concordance is actually what the search bar is now in the Bible app. But all right, so the definition of concordance, it’s an alphabetical index of all the words in the Bible or any text. And it lists where each word appears. So it’s an alphabetical index of all the words in a text and lists where each word appears. 00:19:48 Roy: Now the problem is, and this is why I use Young’s analytical concordance, is that there are only about four thousand words in the Hebrew biblical Hebrew. Now, modern Hebrew is totally different, but we’re dealing with an Old Testament text. And if you think about the number of words that we have in the English language, It’s up in the. Millions and more are being added every year. So to have four thousand words in a language means that each word is going to have to do multiple jobs. And so context is really important. And you can get that information. You can look that information up, uh, in the, um, in the back of the Young’s concordance and figure out how the different words are being used in the context in which they’re being used. So you can kind of parse that out. So it is definitely for a deeper study of, of the words. But the basic idea is that it gives you a list of verses where the word is used. 00:20:56 Patricia: Mhm. 00:20:56 Roy: And so you can go and compare where the word is used or how the word is being used in these different verses. And in the back of Young’s Concordance, you also have a reverse cross reference so that you can look up the Hebrew word, for example, and see the different version, the different ways the translators have translated it. So you get a sense of how specific the word is and, um, and what the translators were thinking of when they translated it. You can sort of figure that out. So, um, those kinds of things have to do with puzzling verses that you run across and they just, why? What does that mean? And so if you’re trying to figure out what that means or what a particular verse means, then, uh, a concordance is really helpful. Okay. 00:22:00 Patricia: So on the most basic level, for example, if I have a question about world peace, does the Bible ever talk about world peace? I can look up the word peace in a physical concordance. And I know Strong’s is like big and blue. Maybe they updated it, but the one I grew up seeing was like baby blue. Um, and you could look up the word peace. And when you look it up, it’s got a list of every single place that the word peace is mentioned. And you have to go through each verse to decipher what the definition of peace, I guess you could say is being, or I should say like the part of speech is being used, right? Is it the peace that’s between that passes all understanding for Christians? Is it the peace between God and humans? Now, because of the Lord Jesus? Is it peace that God will establish in the future? So you have to really do some legwork to find out if what you’re looking for is the definition of the word that you found. I guess you would say, is that like how you start at the most basic level? 00:23:04 Roy: Yes. 00:23:05 Patricia: Okay. All right. But if you’re advanced, you’d be like, going towards more nuanced definitions of the word. Um, maybe if they’re in Greek or in Hebrew, there are different words for different types of peace, which I know, like for people who are bilingual, they understand that a lot better than I do. Like being monolingual. I only speak English, but I know there are multiple words. Say, for example, love. So you can’t just look up love. You can. But there’s so much variety in what you’ll find. So it takes effort, right? That’s what it sounds like. Effort. 00:23:42 Roy: Yeah, yeah. You have to do some study. Okay. Probably a real example would be, um, the word corruption in the New Testament. Okay. That has a certain, uh, mental image brought up. But the problem is that in Greek, which is what the base language that the New Testament was translated from, the Greek word uses the same word, same Greek word for two different kinds of corruption. Now we distinguish, for example, corruption from decay. Decay is what results from the law of physics. The entropy. You throw a pile of grass out in the in the backyard and after a while it decays. Um, on the other hand, um, immorality is also corruption. So this, this requires that you kind of look at the verse and try and figure out what is being meant by the word decay. But and some translators will translate them differently. Sometimes they won’t. Okay. 00:24:53 Patricia: So then I guess it’s good to just have a dictionary. Yes. Do I know what the words mean that I’m searching up? Right. That I think that would probably be useful. Like even in your own language, like, you know, the way we use certain words are not necessarily how they’re always used in other contexts? It would be good to have a dictionary as well. Okay. All right. So we got the concordance. So what about biblical commentaries? What are they? When should be the when should they be used and does the publication date matter? 00:25:27 Peter: I thought the use the commentary. 00:25:29 Bethel: Honestly, I’m big on commentaries. I am an enduring word person. Um, I don’t know how the saints feel about that, but I like it. Um, no, I just think it’s very helpful that like sometimes, honestly, I’ll sit and read a passage and I’m like, wow. Um, my reading comprehension is not with us today. I have no idea what I just read. And so sometimes enduring word does a good job of setting the scene of where are we in the chapter? What’s going on? Um, and it breaks it down like couple verses at a time. And then it’ll provide like texts of what certain authors have said about said portion. Um, so it’s very helpful to get a well-rounded picture. Of course, like anything else, we are trying to emphasize that using things as a resource is good. Using things as the source is not good. And so referring back to the Word of God and just kind of, you know, I think we said this, but to, to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom and help. Um, because that’s, that’s the main reason that we can understand any of this because of the help of the Holy Spirit and, um, to kind of be able to have a better understanding of the word of God, but using scriptures in itself to understand you look at a couple commentaries. I mean, like that’s, I really thought about like, how did I learn anything when I was applying for college? How did I learn how any of that process worked? I read a million articles and I read a million Reddit posts, and I read a million everything. And I gathered information on what is what are people saying? And so you can go about it like that, but ultimately approaching it prayerfully and using things, like we said, as a resource, not as the source. 00:27:16 Roy: Yes, that’s that’s a very important principle because no resource I haven’t I’ve been through lots of different translations, for example, and I don’t find any single one that’s perfect or that I, you know, isn’t without some complaint that I can come up with. Uh, and that’s doubly true of commentaries. We have to look at several. And it changes over the years. The commentaries that I looked at when I was, uh, twenty or thirty are quite different than the ones I look at today. But we have to look at different ones and think about what they’re saying in context. And we have to talk to different people to. MM. 00:27:58 Patricia: Oh, one thing I forgot to do was like, define what a commentary is. I know the word comment is in commentary, but there are some people who don’t use a commentary at all. Or maybe they’re nervous about it because it seems like, is it about the Bible? How am I supposed to know? So just by way of defining things, a biblical commentary is a written aid that provides explanations and sometimes interpretations of scriptures to help readers better understand a biblical text. So there are lots of different types. There are some that are about certain topics that are discussing certain topics. And then there are others that are, um, devotional, um, there are some that are historical, cultural. So Bethel, probably the one that you’re talking about. And I’ve seen some in some study Bibles where they give the context of the cultural Sauk, um, backdrop of a particular book of the Bible or a particular passage. And that’s really helpful to help to assist in how we can understand. But like I said, there’s lots of different types of commentaries that we. 00:29:06 Bethel: I think. 00:29:06 Patricia: It is. 00:29:06 Bethel: Helpful along the lines of what you’re saying. I took a class and it’s silly that I had to take a class about this in college to understand it. But always, always, always, no matter what you are looking up, know what the source is and knowing what the point of the source is like. For example, if I’m reading a commentary that is meant for daily encouragement, it’s always going to be not twisted, but the point pulled out of that portion will be to encourage me. And so maybe that’s not exactly what this portion is, or that’s not the point of this portion, or that’s not the context that this portion originally was in. So being able to read a resource and take a step back and put it back in the big picture, is this what the what the scripture is saying? Is this what our context is? Does this fit into what we’re understanding here? AM I getting this right? Always, always, always looking back at what is the source? 00:30:01 Roy: Yes, that’s extremely important. Um, if you pick up something from Legionnaire, for example, which is a reformed, uh, outlet, um, you’re going to have reformed theology woven in and some of what they said is going to be quite wrong. Uh, from my point of view, um, but a lot of it is going to be spot on. You know, I was once riding in a car. This really struck me because I was riding in, in the car listening to some religious program of some kind. It was just a general program. No, it was a Catholic priest, and it was one of the best explanations of a particular subject in Scripture that I had heard. I haven’t heard anything better since, but that was a Catholic priest, but it just happened to be a subject that was so universal that, uh, any denomination basically would, um, would agree to what he said. Uh, but it was, it was very sound and very well put. But if I’m going to listen to him about the remembrance meeting, as we call it, or can, um, confession or something like that, that’s not going to be reliable. So having the source, knowing the source is extremely important. 00:31:15 Patricia: What should people do if they, if the answer they are seeking, the support they’re seeking can be found in a commentary that was written a long time ago, but it just doesn’t make sense to you because we understand things a little bit differently now. What should they do? 00:31:33 Roy: That’s a really tough one. And the best advice that I can say is to talk to somebody about it. Um, an older person, uh, it’s really unfortunate. Uh, you know, it’s, it’s terrible because I, I see exactly what you’re, what you’re talking about. Um, some of these, some of these texts should be rewritten. Um, but who’s going to do that? We just don’t have the energy and the time anymore. Um, if you, if you really want to get into some of the best commentaries I remember, I tell you a funny story. I was in a Bible study at work for a while, and as a miscellaneous group of people there from all kinds of denominations. And, um, we were talking everything and I said, well, I don’t think anything useful has been written about the Bible in the last hundred years. 00:32:27 Patricia: Mhm. 00:32:29 Roy: Well, that was a good talking point. We got off on a real discussion about commentaries. Right. But the problem is it’s it’s almost true. And it’s sad. Um, if you really want to learn about these, then get a dictionary. Sit down and just work at it. MM. That’s all I can say. You know, it’s like if you want, if you want to be really good at something, If you want to be a great basketball player and always be able to sink that shot from beyond the third three shot line, three point line. That’s going to take concentration. It’s going to take work. It’s going to take effort. It’s going to take time. Yeah. So I’m I’m sorry. There’s just no other way. 00:33:18 Patricia: Yeah. No I don’t think you have to be sorry. I do think that there’s something there’s something in the effort that comes forth. And just on the literacy side, like I’ve always got two suggestions. Um, one is using technology and one is just reading out loud. So at times reading out loud, right, can help bring a certain clarity that the voice in your head may not be able to, um, and reading something repeatedly out loud in a conversational voice can be very helpful. Um, in terms of helping you to hear what the author is saying. My second suggestion is that particular sentences or passages you don’t understand, honestly, you can feed it into AI and ask AI, can you please change the level which is literacy? You could change the lexile level. That is what it’s called, or just the reading level of the passage. And you can put it down to like a ninth grade or tenth grade level. If you’re in nine states and it’s going to help you a lot. Just know that it may take away some of the original author’s voice and their particular writing style. Um, but that could be really helpful for you to get the gist of what they’re trying to say. But do be careful because those commentaries are commenting on the Bible, which is God’s Word and AI, and Google those resources. When they summarize, they can lose the original nuances of the words that the Lord intends. So always just know that the technology is not perfect either. Um, and it can also just be a way to just lose the true core meaning of a passage. So just be careful. Thank you, Peter Boy and Bethel for this important conversation about how to answer any question using the Bible. Of course, I’ll go back to the beginning. Knowing the books of the Bible and where they are is always a really great challenge to put upon yourself. Memorize them. We used to have competitions about this when we were younger. There’s some there are there are songs. Right? Exactly. But that’s a really good place to start. Um, I hope that our listeners know that Google is not our enemy. The internet is not our enemy. We love technology, but we should always question the root. The effect of getting quick answers. Um, when we seldom meditate on those answers. So let’s think about how we need to slow down, read, reread, and ponder God’s Word. It’s a challenge for me as well. And just know that we don’t need to learn everything all at once. Growth takes time as well. So we encourage you to keep reading, praying, and talking to the Lord about your questions. And then also, as has been mentioned so many times, talk to mature Christians who have navigated similar questions and they know their Bibles well. They can probably give you some really great supports as to how they have been helped too. For more on this topic, you can check out Patterns of Truth dot org and we will see you next time for another conversation about living this Christian life. 00:36:15 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to the Patterns of Truth podcast. We invite you to join us for our next episode. And we also encourage you to check out Patterns of truth dot org, where we post articles every week for the encouragement and growth of Christ followers. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to submit them on our website. I’m Peter. Until next time. The post Using God's Word to Answer Hard Questions appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Most founders already know what's wrong with their business. The fix is usually simple but scary. So instead of doing the one hard thing that would make everything else easier, they stay busy. It feels like progress. It isn't. In this episode, Dan walks through the 7 questions he uses in $1,000/hour coaching calls — the ones that make the real problem impossible to ignore. And he shows you how to run the same audit on your own business using AI as your thinking partner. In this episode: • The simple but scary problems that show up in almost every business • Why most founders are spending money on 'hopeful outcomes' — and how to stop • The pricing question that reveals whether you actually believe in what you're selling • How to use AI as a founder (hint: context first, questions second) • What does your answer to 'how would you 2x in 90 days?' reveal about your business Resources mentioned: The 7-Question Business Audit The Complete Business Diagnostic More Business Resources Upcoming DC Events Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black CHAPTERS (00:00:00) The local business story — same problems, every time (00:04:23) AI as a thinking partner — and why context is everything (00:07:30) Q1: What is the ROI on your biggest expenses? (00:11:22) Q2: Where did your last 10 customers come from? (00:12:43) Q3: If you had to raise prices 20% tomorrow, how would you? (00:14:15) Q4: Do you have a product your best customers can pay 3–10x more for? (00:14:35) Q5: Who owns which decisions — and is it written down? (00:16:38) Q6: What are you doing that isn't sales or delivery? (00:19:16) Q7: How would you 2x revenue in 90 days? (00:22:44) Bonus: What is your business actually worth? (00:23:49) Closing: The hard thing that makes everything else easier (00:24:41) Community & events: Mexico, Barcelona, Bangkok, New York CONNECT: Dan Andrews is the co-founder of Dynamite Circle, author of Before the Exit, host of the Tropical MBA podcast, and an entrepreneur who has successfully launched and scaled multiple 7-figure businesses. Email Dan@tropicalmba.com PLAYLIST: The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That) How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code We Got Claude-Pilled

Welcome to the first edition of our brand new segment, HOT SEAT!

Colossians 1:15-16 | Josh Miller

Baseball's antitrust exemption gives team owners something no other American sport enjoys: a government-enforced monopoly — and Matthew and returning guest Paul Hoppe use the start of a new season to ask what that power actually costs the rest of us.The conversation moves from stadium blackmail to the Oakland A's' deliberate self-destruction, to the Green Bay Packers as a model of what public team ownership could look like. Matthew arrives having previously argued the defensive fan's case; Paul brings his default skepticism about private corporations extracting public goodwill. Neither comes out with clean hands — and that's exactly what makes the conversation worth having.A Texas Rangers statue honoring a figure associated with enforcing post-Brown v. Board segregation, the legacy of Satchel Paige's 1965 appearance at age 58, and a cameo from the Moonlight/La La Land Oscars incident round out an episode that uses baseball as a lens on money, community, and what we owe the things we love.zenmadman.com**************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, an Ethical Panda podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check out our website to find out more about this show and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · EmailJoin the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes — and you can even give membership as a gift. Sign up here.You can also support us through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Romans 1:19-20 | Josh Miller

Amanda Peet plays a character maybe a little bit too close to home in her new film Fantasy Life. The film brings up questions about aging, art and relevancy — all things on Amanda's mind — alongside the complicated debate around cosmetic surgery. Amanda tells Tom Power about how the search for validation can lead you down some dark paths.

This solo episode with host Travis Chappell dives into his “25 questions to ask yourself to live a better life,” focusing on five powerful prompts that can reshape your habits, relationships, and financial trajectory. Travis shares personal examples from health, marriage, and money to illustrate how better questions lead to better decisions and, ultimately, a more intentional and prosperous life.​ On this episode we talk about: What your 90-year-old self would tell you to cut out of your life immediately​ How the five people you spend the most time with shape your future success and income​ The power of hard conversations in marriages, friendships, and business​ Using a “repeat this day 365 times” audit to evaluate your habits and goals​ Updating old stories you tell yourself about money, career, and what's possible​ Top 3 Takeaways Your future self is a powerful filter: many habits you justify today (like skipping workouts or certain vices) have no place in the life you actually want, so cut them sooner rather than later.​ You really are the average of the five people you're around most; you don't need to “dump” good friends, but you do need to intentionally add higher-level people into your life to grow.​ Avoided hard conversations compound into years of low-level pain, while one uncomfortable but honest conversation can unlock healthier relationships, better culture, and more aligned results.​ Notable Quotes "The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask."​ "You can't hang out with high-level people and stay the same person—either you level up or you get pushed out of that group."​ "Most of us are living a life limited by stories we never even thought to question."​ Connect with Travis Shapell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell​ Other: https://travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John J. Lennon is a journalist, author of The Tragedy of True Crime, and a convicted murderer who joined Amanda for this conversation from prison, where he is currently incarcerated. In this challenging and deeply reflective episode, Amanda confronts Lennon about the limits of compassion, the ethics of true crime storytelling, and the danger of narratives that lock people into their worst moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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