Podcasts about Loneliness

In this Lonesome Conversation, Alex and I sit down to name a paradox a lot of seekers know intimately — that the closer you draw to God or consciousness, the fewer people tend to be standing there beside you. Drawing on his favorite philosopher, Manly P. Hall, Alex explains why real spiritual growth doesn't make life easier but instead "quickens the wheel of karma," ushering in a season of trial rather than comfort. We sit with the strange irony that becoming connected to something vast can leave you more alone in your own living room. About AlexAlex Sachon is a philosopher with a background in the social sciences. He uses the wisdom of ancient philosophy to understand the fast-changing social, cultural, and geopolitical environment we live in.He recently wrote a book called The Coming World Nation that lays out his model of the various tiers of the social hierarchy and offers a revisionist account of the past 200 years of American history. He's also a specialist in the field of Esoteric Philosophy and is one of the world's top scholars on the work of Manly P. Hall. Lonesome Conversations Limited SeriesLonesome Conversations is a special series from The Life Stylist, built around my new book, A Horse Named Lonesome (out November 17, 2026). Loneliness is something almost everyone goes through, and almost nobody talks about honestly. So I sat down with psychologists, philosophers, trauma therapists, teachers, and friends to find the truth about loneliness, and how we heal from it. Each episode is its own conversation, but together they walk the same ground the book maps out. (Pre-order your copy at ahorsenamedlonesome.com) You'll find new episodes alongside our regular show over the coming months.

We're told the answer to hard feelings is to talk them out.But what if the thing you're talking to isn't actually listening at all?In this episode I sit down with David Dean, an enterprise AI strategist with 20 years of transformation experience and author of An Inbox Between Us, to explore what happens when we start turning to AI for emotional support, and where the line sits between using it as a tool and giving it too much authority over our lives.We talk about why turning to AI for emotional and relationship support can become dangerous, why in some ways you're really just talking to yourself, why no matter how you use AI you're still responsible for the decisions you make, and what happens when loneliness and psychological escape start driving the way we interact with it.We also explore how AI can help us identify patterns we struggle to see ourselves, why getting your thoughts and emotions out before asking AI to analyse them can be far more useful than asking it to tell you what to do, how over-relying on AI could weaken skills we still need, and why our ability to make human choices remains so important.But underneath the technology, this conversation is about something much more personal.Why we reach for something outside ourselves when we're struggling. What we lose when we hand our judgment to a tool instead of owning our choices. And where the line sits between using AI to see ourselves more clearly, and using it to avoid facing ourselves at all.Because AI can help you find the signals. It can help you see patterns you couldn't see alone. But it can't make the choice for you, and it was never built to save you from yourself.David Dean is an enterprise AI strategist, author and speaker with 20 years of transformation experience. He is the author of An Inbox Between Us and explores how AI is changing the way we work, make decisions and understand human behaviour.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: The AI Therapy Trap(00:44) Guardrails and Accountability(03:52) Loneliness and Escape Loops(05:07) AI Impact at Work(08:11) Self Service vs Controlled(10:47) Fear, Jobs and Humanity(12:56) Lived Experience Matters(15:37) Making AI Real(19:49) Inbox Data as Lens(23:16) AGI and Self Awareness(28:16) Humanity in Machines(29:44) Symbiotic Relationship(30:54) Community Break(31:23) Humans Still Premium(33:38) Art Music and Value(35:50) Spotify and artist pay(36:29) Why human art matters(38:49) AI as breathing room(40:33) Burnout and wellbeing(41:52) Guardrails and governance(45:59) Using AI for clarity(47:22) Choice and self discovery(48:58) Adoption needs unofficial work(51:31) Reality over AI fantasy(55:56) Over-reliance and staying grounded(01:00:41) Authentic leadership signals(01:03:41) Hype tools and proximityJoin the Move Your Mind Community:go.nickbracks.com/mymcommunityConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Dean: https://www.davidchristopherdean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pray to God and ask that He reveals something to you today. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260917dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22 No Keeping Score Three strikes and you’re out. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We all have limits for how often we will allow someone to offend us. We can understand and forgive one offense. Maybe even two. But if someone offends or hurts us three times? That’s it. So when Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, he thought he was being generous by offering to forgive seven times. Jesus had just been teaching his disciples about forgiveness. Peter thought his question showed the lesson was sinking in. Jesus’ response showed Peter, and us, just how much we need to grow in our understanding of forgiveness. He turned Peter’s generous offer of seven into a fraction. “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus wasn’t giving Peter a bigger number to keep track of. Imagine getting to offense number seventy-eight and saying, “Finally! Now I don't have to forgive you.” Jesus’ point was the opposite: stop keeping score. That is hard. When someone hurts us repeatedly, we remember. We keep a mental record. We can recall what they said, what they did, and how many times they have done it. Eventually, we decide they have used up their supply of forgiveness. Thankfully, that isn’t how Jesus treats us. How many times have you committed the same sin? How many times have you lost your temper, spoken selfishly, entertained the same sinful thought, or failed to love someone? Yet you have never reached the limit of Jesus' mercy. He carried every one of those sins to the cross and paid for them completely. Jesus doesn’t stand over you with a tally sheet. He stands before you with nail-scarred hands and says, “You are forgiven.” Because his forgiveness has no limits, we don’t need to put limits on ours. We can put down the scorecard and forgive again. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for forgiving me again and again. Help me stop keeping score and freely forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Hello Beautiful, I'm so grateful you're here with me. Loneliness can feel louder at night, but you don't have to sit with it by yourself. This 3 hour guided sleep meditation helps create a sense of comfort, belonging, and emotional calm before sleep. Perfect for emotional healing, stress relief, anxiety reduction, and deep rest. Love,

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260916dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 God Meant It for Good Joseph didn’t call evil good. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him into slavery. Joseph described their actions honestly: “You intended to harm me.” But their evil intentions were not the only intentions at work. Joseph continued, “God intended it for good.” Through Joseph’s suffering, God placed him in Egypt. Through Joseph’s position in Egypt, God provided food during a severe famine. Through that food, God preserved Joseph’s family, including the family line through which the Savior would eventually come. The brothers intended harm. God accomplished salvation. That does not excuse what the brothers did. God did not approve of their sin. But their sin could not defeat his gracious plan. The same is true at the cross. Jesus’ enemies intended to silence him. Judas intended to betray him. Religious leaders intended to destroy him. Roman soldiers intended to execute him. Yet through their evil actions, God carried out his saving purpose. Jesus’ suffering became the means by which God rescued sinners. We cannot always see what God is accomplishing through the wrongs committed against us. We should not minimize evil or pretend that suffering is painless. But we can trust that evil never gets the final word. The God who turned Joseph's suffering into the saving of many lives turned Jesus’ death into the salvation of the world. He is still able to bend what others intend for harm toward his good and gracious purposes. Prayer: Lord God, when I cannot understand the evil and suffering around me, help me trust your saving wisdom and your gracious purposes in Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Five things you can do to overcome loneliness while you are serving God

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Have you ever felt like God wasn't listening or didn't care about how you felt?In this episode, we look at Ruth's early years as a tenderhearted creative growing up in China with missionary parents who both worked at a local hospital. Although Ruth struggled with schoolwork and homesickness, she was sent to boarding school at age fourteen to complete her high school education.While there, she begged God and her family to bring her home, but neither responded in the way she had hoped. Crushed and heartbroken, Ruth suffered a crisis of faith. Listen to discover how Ruth's older sister, Rosa, encouraged her and how that encouragement became a cornerstone of Ruth's walk with the Lord.Resources:An Odd Cross to Bear: A Biography of Ruth Bell Graham by Anne Blue WillsRuth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham by Patricia Cornwell

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260915dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?” Genesis 50:19 In God’s Place Joseph had the power to make his brothers pay. He was a ruler in Egypt. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him as a slave. Because of them, Joseph had endured years of hardship, false accusations, and imprisonment. Now they stood helpless before him. Joseph could have acted as judge, jury, and executioner. Instead, he asked, “Am I in the place of God?” Joseph was not denying that his brothers had sinned. He was refusing to claim a position that belonged to God. Judgment and vengeance were the Lord's responsibility, not his. When someone hurts us, we often want to take God’s place. We replay the offense, pronounce the person guilty, and decide what punishment would be fair. We may refuse to speak to them, hope that they suffer, or look for an opportunity to hurt them back. But God has not called us to be his executioners. He calls us to forgive. That does not mean pretending that sin does not hurt. It does not always mean immediately restoring trust or removing appropriate consequences. It means releasing our personal claim to revenge. We place the matter into God’s hands. We can do that because God did not treat us as our sins deserved. Jesus stepped into our place and received our punishment. God’s undeserved forgiveness frees us to surrender our desire for revenge and show mercy to those who have wronged us. Prayer: Merciful God, keep me from taking your place as judge. Help me entrust justice to you and forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mark Duplass talks about the new season of “The Creep Tapes,” as well as getting phished, and his former singer/songwriter career. Then, Trader Joe's cashier Zander Holyfield deconstructs both songs and snacks! And Greg of Galilee arrives from 26 A.D. to spill secrets of the ancient magic trade. Don't forget to check out the Comedy Bang! Bang! Action Figures at shop.figurecollections.com and go to actionfigurecellar.com for international purchases. If you want more great episodes of Comedy Bang! Bang! become a subscriber at comedybangbangworld.com. We have all of the past episodes from the archives, every live show, ad-free new episodes, and original shows like CBB Presents and Scott Hasn't Seen. Find more great Comedy Bang! Bang! merch at https://www.podswag.com/collections/comedy-bang-bang Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/cbb Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Topics: Breaking Animal News, Contentment, Worry, Loneliness, Relief BONUS CONTENT: Bible Study Follow-up   Quotes: "Small talk is an entry into relationship." "You really have to learn contentment." "It felt like a sweet nod from God." . . . Holy Ghost Mama Pre-Order! Want more of the Oddcast? Check out our website! Watch our YouTube videos here. Connect with us on Facebook!

Pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness joins Forrest and Dr. Rick to explore what pain is, why it can persist long after an injury has healed, and what actually helps. Rachel explains why the brain, rather than the body part that hurts, is what constructs pain, the difference between acute and chronic pain, and the distinction between hurt (what you feel) and harm (what's damaged). They get into the biopsychosocial model, the "pain dial" that stress, sleep, mood, and social connection can turn up or down, the disappointing response rates for most pain treatments, why pain is absolutely not “just in your head,” what sham surgery and open-label placebo studies reveal about how pain works, and why the research is so hard to interpret.  This is not medical advice. Please do not start, change, or discontinue any medication based on this episode. All decisions should be made with your doctor. About our Guest: Dr. Rachel Zoffness is a pain psychologist, assistant clinical professor at the UCSF School of Medicine, and the author of Tell Me Where It Hurts.  Key Topics: 0:00 Introduction 1:42 Acute vs. chronic pain 3:41 What is pain? 9:20 The biopsychosocial model 11:11 Hurt vs. harm: the tale of two nails 19:10 The pain dial 23:10 Nociception vs. pain 26:46 Your pain recipe 29:46 The "all in your head" stigma 31:23 Central sensitization 35:53 Pushback from pain patients 40:42 Loneliness and pain 46:51 Pacing 50:48 Reducing distress vs. reducing pain 54:26 Does anything work? 1:00:07 What placebo actually is 1:03:19 Acupuncture, sham surgery, and open-label placebo 1:09:42 Why the research is such a mess 1:14:10 Hopelessness, and trying one more thing 1:17:46 Mindfulness and attention 1:23:02 Advice for friends and family 1:30:22 Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Go to https://Zocdoc.com/BEINGWELL to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Check your health the way I do with 160+ lab tests and access to scans through Function, all for only $365 a year. Learn more at https://functionhealth.com/BEINGWELL and use code BEINGWELL25 for a $25 credit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260914dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” Genesis 50:15 Forgive the Unforgivable Years had passed, but Joseph's brothers were still afraid. Long ago, they had been jealous of Joseph. Their jealousy turned into hatred, and their hatred led them to do something terrible. They sold their own brother into slavery and let their father believe Joseph was dead. But Joseph did not stay a slave. Through a remarkable series of events, God eventually placed Joseph in a position of great power in Egypt. Years later, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt looking for food during a famine. They were shocked to discover that their brother was alive and in such a position of power. Their father was thrilled to learn that his long-lost son was alive. All was well. But then their father died. The brothers were terrified. Maybe Joseph had only been kind to them in order to please their father. Maybe now he would finally get revenge. They could imagine punishment. They could imagine Joseph making them pay. What they could not imagine was forgiveness. Guilt can do the same thing to us. It reminds us of the worst things we have done. It tells us that some sins are too serious, too shameful, or too deliberate to be forgiven. We may believe that God forgives sins in general, yet still wonder, “But will he forgive this?” The answer is yes. God does not forgive reluctantly. He is not pretending to forgive while secretly planning to punish you later. Jesus already took the punishment your sins deserved. On the cross, he paid for every sin completely. Joseph did not take revenge on his brothers. He reassured them, cared for them, and spoke kindly to them. Your Savior does even more. When guilt tells you that God must still be angry, listen to Jesus instead. His cross says the punishment has been paid. His empty tomb says the payment was enough. What seems unforgivable to you is not beyond the forgiveness of Jesus. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when guilt makes me doubt your forgiveness, direct me to your cross and assure me that my sins have been paid for completely. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this second episode the of PSHE Update, PSHE Educator Clare Price considers how to teach about and challenge loneliness, ways to spot QR Code scams and positive steps forward in understanding about menstrual health.  Articles referenced are: Number of young people with no close friends has soared since 2014 in England | Young people | The Guardian Rowley Regis schoolboys shining light on male mental health - BBC News Les used a QR code to download a parking app - but it was a scam - BBC News Friends Against Scams - Home Gen Z women are teaching their mums about cycle syncing and periods - BBC News

Dylan Hegarty and Aaron O'Sullivan, Co-founders of Brew Buddy chat to Oliver about how they're helping their fellow students ease the loneliness of moving to a completely new place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you surrounded by people all day long—and still somehow feeling lonely?For busy, high-achieving moms, loneliness doesn't always look like being alone. It can look like filling every minute, taking care of everyone else, saying yes to one more responsibility, and staying in constant “doer mode.” But underneath all that productivity, you might actually be craving something deeper: real connection.This week on The Secrets of Supermom Show, Lori sits down with friendship and connection expert, bestselling author, and former litigator Shari Leid to talk about why connection matters so much—not just in our friendships, but in motherhood, leadership, work, and our relationship with ourselves.Shari shares why loneliness can contribute to burnout, why being surrounded by people isn't the same as feeling connected, and why our instinct to control or fix things can actually get in the way of the relationships we want most.You'll also learn Shari's FLIP the Box method for creating deeper connection. Plus, Shari shares what she discovered after traveling to all 50 states and sharing a meal with a different woman in each one—and why connection begins when we stop trying to be interesting and start being interested.In this episode, you'll discover:Why you can feel lonely even when you're surrounded by peopleThe surprising connection between loneliness, overachieving, and burnoutWhy connection with yourself has to come firstHow control can create compliance—but not connection—with our kidsShari's four-part FLIP method for building stronger relationshipsA simple way to start creating the community and connection you're cravingWhy you shouldn't wait for community to find you: Don't wait. Create.If you've been so busy managing the schedules, solving the problems, checking the boxes, and taking care of everyone else that you've lost a little connection with yourself—or the people around you—this conversation is for you.Special for Secrets of Supermom listeners: Shari is hosting a three-day women's retreat in Austin, Texas. Visit animperfectlyperfectlife.com/retreat and use code SUPERMOM at checkout to save $100.Text us your feedback or questions!Stay connected!Join us in The Supermom Society! Get all the details at thesupermomsociety.com!Get all our show notes, buy the book Secrets of Supermom, and more at our website: www.secretsofsupermom.comSecrets of Supermom on FacebookSecrets of Supermom on Instagram

In this episode, Paul Krauss, MA, LPC speaks with psychotherapist and author Dr. Sylvia Kalicinski to unpack why so many people — including high-achievers and even therapists themselves — quietly struggle with feeling alone, even when surrounded by others. Drawing on her new book,

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260913dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” Matthew 18:27 Forgiven How many times, just today, have you and I failed to love God with all our heart? Do you know? I don’t. Yet, every one of those failures was a sin. Or similarly, how many times, just today, have you and I failed to trust God completely? Do you know? Again, I don’t. Probably a whole bunch. Or again, how many times, just today, have you and I failed to focus our attention on God’s Word? Or failed to love our neighbor perfectly? Or failed to realize that someone needed a helping hand from us? Wow! How many sins have we piled up, just today? It’s probably quite a list. Hundreds? Thousands? More? Who knows? Well, God knows. And he knows not only about today, but about yesterday. And the day before that, and the day before that, and … well, you get the picture. And it isn’t pretty. What’s amazing is what God has done with all of those sins. He’s wiped them ALL away. Every single one of them. He placed all of them onto the back of his Son, Jesus, at the cross and paid for every single one of them. In doing so, Jesus canceled our debt because he paid for it in full. What a loving and gracious God we have! Prayer: Lord Jesus, to you I make confession of all my many sins. Thank you for paying the price for them at the cross. Help me live today in a way that reflects my gratitude for your great gift. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260912dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!'” Ezekiel 33:11 What does God want from me? “What does God want from me?” We’ve probably heard it; perhaps we’ve thought about it. In our Bible verse today, God first tells us what he DOESN’T want. He doesn’t want to send us to hell. He doesn’t want to condemn us. Oh, it’s true, that's what we deserve, because of our sinfulness. And if we consistently, stubbornly rebel against God, refusing to believe in him, then God has no choice, and he will send us to hell. But truly this isn’t what God wants So, what DOES God want? In short, he wants us. He wants our heart, our affection, our trust. He wants us to spend eternity with him. He wants you and me so badly that he—Jesus—became one of us, dying on the cross to pay for our sins in full. God wanted you that badly; God loved you that dearly. And God wants you to have the benefits of Jesus’ work—forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and much more—for all eternity. That’s what God wants for you! Prayer: O Savior, thank you for claiming me as one of your children. Although I’d rebelled against you, you wanted me. What grace! Lead me to always turn to you, to focus on you, to live in a way that makes clear that I appreciate what you’ve done for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Salim and I spend this Lonesome Conversation on that specific ache of standing in a crowded room and feeling a total dissonance with everything around you. He describes how that used to tip him into depression as a teenager, and how he's since come to read it as a signal rather than a verdict — a cue to go inward and actually feel what the moment is asking to be felt. An honest reframe of isolation as information from the body, not a life sentence.About SalimSalim Najjar brings the lens of an engineer to the human nervous system, guiding CEOs, founders, and elite performers to nervous system sovereignty, teaching them to alchemize stress into their greatest ally with HRV as the compass. After transforming his HRV from 32 to 100+, he created the A.R.T. of the Heart framework, a path towards nervous system sovereignty.From launching his own beverage company to traveling the globe and learning from spiritual masters, Salim stands at the intersection of entrepreneurship, biohacking, and consciousness. Today, he bridges these worlds to build a movement and community that returns empowerment to each individual, reminding us that your body's wisdom is the only guru you will ever need.Lonesome Conversations Limited SeriesLonesome Conversations is a special series from The Life Stylist, built around my new book, A Horse Named Lonesome (out November 17, 2026). Loneliness is something almost everyone goes through, and almost nobody talks about honestly. So I sat down with psychologists, philosophers, trauma therapists, teachers, and friends to find the truth about loneliness, and how we heal from it. Each episode is its own conversation, but together they walk the same ground the book maps out. (Pre-order your copy at ahorsenamedlonesome.com) You'll find new episodes alongside our regular show over the coming months.

Tyler Wasson spent years running from every uncomfortable silence, awkward date, and rejection, convinced escape was the only way to survive them. Then he found Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and learned the opposite: sitting still inside discomfort is what actually builds connection. Wasson explains why loneliness is not proof something is broken in you, it is a misperception you have been trained to believe. He breaks down his N.A.T.U.R.E. Formula, a nature-based approach that reframes isolation as something you can retrain, not a life sentence. This conversation is for the man who keeps swiping, keeps busy, keeps avoiding the quiet, and still feels alone. Key Takeaways Loneliness is a misperception you have been trained to believe, not proof you are brokenRunning from discomfort, bad dates, awkward silences, rejection, keeps you further from connection, not closerSitting still inside discomfort instead of escaping it is where real connection startsThe N.A.T.U.R.E. Formula reframes isolation as something you can retrainConnection does not require performance, it requires presenceNature and mindfulness are tools for noticing the connection you already have access to About Tyler Tyler Wasson, PsyD, is a psychologist, mindfulness teacher, and author of "Queering Connection: A Nature-Based Journey That Transforms Loneliness into Unshakeable Belonging." His work focuses on helping queer men move from chronic loneliness and disconnection into a lived sense of belonging through mindfulness, direct experience, and a nature-based understanding of connection. He is the creator of The N.A.T.U.R.E. Formula™, a framework that reframes loneliness not as a personal deficit, but as a misperception of disconnection. Connect With Tyler Website Get The Book Podcast Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260911dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. . . “[We] know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 2:11,16 Hard Conversations The apostle Paul had to have a hard conversation with Cephas, better known as the apostle Peter. You know the kind of conversation—the one that puts your stomach in knots and that you'd really rather avoid. Paul had to call Peter out in front of the whole church because Peter’s actions were damaging the church. As more and more Gentiles came to faith in Jesus, cultural questions naturally arose. Did these non-Jewish believers have to follow Jewish customs to belong to the Christian church? Did they have to live like Jews in order to be true Christians? The Bible’s answer is clear: of course not. Yet Peter had stopped eating with Gentile Christians and ate only with Jewish Christians. By his actions, he was sending the message that faith in Jesus was not enough. If you wanted to be a true believer, you needed faith in Christ and obedience to the Old Testament ceremonial laws. Paul saw what was happening and recognized the effect it was having on the other believers. Without hesitation, he confronted Peter. Paul was not concerned about fitting in, hurting feelings, or offending people. He was concerned for the spiritual welfare of the entire church. He recognized Peter’s actions for what they really were: a threat to the very message of forgiveness through faith in Jesus alone. So, Paul reminded them that we are justified—acquitted in God’s courtroom—not by what we do, how we act, or how we live, but solely by what Jesus has done for us. Jesus calls us to confront a brother or sister’s sin not only for that person’s sake, but also for the good of the whole church. When we refuse to have those difficult conversations, our silence can strengthen others in their sin as well. Confronting sin is never easy. Yet God gives his people the privilege and responsibility to have these hard conversations for the greater good of his people. Prayer: Lord Jesus, please keep me mindful of the importance of having hard conversations about sin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui discusses what to do when someone you know is suicidal. My 21-year-old nephew is an atheist, uses substances to drown his sorrows, and has put his hands on his mother more than once. We lost a sibling to suicide, so that might be why my sister is overprotective. The hosts discuss why betrayed women are reluctant to get help for themselves. How do I love and support my 22-year-old daughter without supporting the lesbian lifestyle? My daughter is in a lesbian relationship, and we are Christians who want to love and support her while staying true to our beliefs. New Life Live — Program Transcript Air Date: September 10 Hosts: Brian Perez, Dr. Alice Benton (Clinical Psychologist), and Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), with a visit from New Life President Becky Brown Welcome to New Life Live, the premier place to receive free advice from Christian psychologists and counselors for the mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges you face. Since 1988, we’ve offered compassionate responses that combine God’s truth with proven psychological principles to guide you toward healing. Our phone lines are open. Call us now at 1-800-229-3000. Opening: A Conversation About Suicide Awareness Brian Perez: Hey, welcome to New Life Live. Thank you so much for joining us today. My name is Brian Perez. I’m here with clinical psychologist Dr. Alice Benton and licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris. Ladies, it is so good to be here with you today. Jacqui, what’s on your mind to start us off? Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: Well, with it being Suicide Awareness Day, I have been thinking about how important suicide conversations are and how difficult they are. You know, sometimes we notice that somebody’s not themselves and maybe they’re withdrawing or talking about being too much of a burden, saying people would be better off without them. Maybe they’ve started to seem hopeless or wanting to get rid of things, and we start to worry about their safety. But then we become afraid ourselves, and in our fear we don’t ask the question. I’ve found amongst my friends and family and even clients that people are often surprised when I very directly say, “Are you thinking about ending your life? Are you thinking about suicide? Are you thinking about harming yourself? Are you thinking about harming someone else?” And it’s because we don’t want to make people feel bad. So out of our own fear, we don’t do the very thing someone needs. I have heard people say, “Well, I don’t want to cause them to do that,” or “I don’t want to put it on their mind if it’s not already on their mind.” But asking someone directly about suicide doesn’t put the idea in their head. It actually lets them know that you see them, you care about them, that they matter, and that you’re willing to hear what they have to say. And as Christians, sometimes I think we feel pressured to immediately give a scripture, or “I’ll pray for you,” or tell people, “God has a plan.” And yes, those things are true and they can be meaningful, but it’s often not the right answer. Often people just simply need you to be willing to stay. They need to know that they matter enough that even though they are in pain, and their pain hurts you, you will sit with them — that they do matter. So listen. Don’t judge. Don’t minimize their pain — “Oh, it’s fine, we all go through things like that,” or “That happened a long time ago, you should be over that by now.” Don’t try to fix everything in the moment. Sometimes people just need to sit in what hurts, and that is okay. Help them connect to someone who can provide support. Help them connect to New Life. Help them connect to a counselor. Help them find a Life Recovery Group so that they can be around other people who can help them see their own value. Suicide prevention doesn’t always begin with having great words or the perfect words. Sometimes it’s just noticing that someone is struggling and being willing to stay. Dr. Alice Benton: I find that those who are suffering usually want to be asked and wish people would ask them. And you don’t have to be a therapist to ask. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers. Because if your loved one says, “Yes, I want to hurt myself, I do want to die,” then it can be as simple as calling us at New Life. It can be as simple as calling the suicide prevention hotline, 988. I’ve called 988 in order to get a sense of what happens when someone calls. I found that the person who answered was well equipped, so kind, and very patient. They know what to do. We know what to do. All you have to do, if your loved one says they want to hurt themselves, is reach out for help from professionals, and we’ll walk you through what to do next. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: And I think sharing that also with our kids. I had a conversation with someone whose child came home and said their friend told them that they’d been wanting to hurt themselves, and the kid didn’t know what to do. So we were able to say, “Walk them to the nurse’s office, walk them to the principal’s office, walk them to an adult, and stay with them and have that conversation.” It’s a conversation my family also has from time to time, knowing that the increase in suicidal ideation is so strong today. Our kids need to be equipped. Dr. Alice Benton: They do. They’re out in the world, and people say mean things, and so we need to tell them that their life matters and that they can talk to us about anything. Brian Perez: Yep. We’ll be right back on New Life Live. Gigi, you’ll be our first call, so hang on. Resources Mentioned Brian Perez: Since we were just on the topic of suicide, I want to let you know about a couple of articles that we have available on our website, newlife.com. One of them is called “What to Do When Someone Is Suicidal.” It probably has the information that Jacqui just gave, maybe some extra stuff as well. So check that out at newlife.com. We also have a tip sheet. If you yourself have that suicidal thinking, it’s called “Eight Steps to Breaking Free from Suicidal Thinking.” We can send you that tip sheet when you call 1-800-NEW-LIFE. Or, you know what, just order that tip sheet anyway. Have it handy just in case something happens and you wind up having a conversation with someone. Again, that one’s called “Eight Steps to Breaking Free from Suicidal Thinking.” Call us to get it. And if you’re watching on Facebook or YouTube, we’ll put that information in the show notes there. Caller: Gigi from Orlando, Florida Brian Perez: Let’s go to the phones now. Here is Gigi, who listens to us on newlife.com in Orlando, Florida. Hey there, Gigi. Welcome to New Life Live. Gigi: Thank you. Brian Perez: How can we help you today? Gigi: This topic is kind of multifaceted, but it comes down to things like boundaries. I’m an aunt watching my sister deal with my nephew and the havoc that he’s wreaking on my sister’s marriage, and it’s just hard to watch. He’s 21. We’re a Christian family. He was brought up to know the Lord, and he’s saying that he’s an atheist. And he’s so bitter against all of us, his parents. He’s using substances to drown his sorrows. And it could be worse — I don’t want it to be worse — but he’s had trouble controlling his emotions and anger and has put his hands on his mother more than once, but not recently. And she still is in denial. She’ll tell me one thing and then deny it the next, because it’s hard. She doesn’t want the family to be prejudiced against him. But it’s too late now. We don’t feel safe. And it’s just hard. Dr. Alice Benton: Can I pause you for a minute? She doesn’t want the family to be prejudiced against him — so she doesn’t want the family to react negatively to his behavior and kind of not want him around. Is that what you’re saying? Gigi: Yes, that’s correct. Dr. Alice Benton: And he doesn’t want to be around you guys either, right? Gigi: Yeah, he’s decided he’s atheist, and so, yes. Dr. Alice Benton: You said he put hands on his mother more than once. Were there any consequences for that? Gigi: Yes. The police came. He had to be bailed out of jail. They hired an attorney. It could have been worse. It was him struggling against the police that actually got him in trouble, and the fact that she had called because she was scared. So she blames herself for that, because he won’t let that go. He’s 21. This has happened over the course of a few years that he’s just drowned in sorrow and blaming. Dr. Alice Benton: And Gigi, he still lives with her. Is that right? Gigi: Yes. Dr. Alice Benton: And you said her husband — is her husband his father? Gigi: Oh yes, yes. Dr. Alice Benton: So is he that way with his father as well? Gigi: His father loves him, but he doesn’t have his son’s respect, and his son doesn’t trust his dad — and I think it’s both ways. I think my sister is his soul. She’s the person he’s latched onto for life. And with torture or love, he does something bad and then apologizes. Dr. Alice Benton: Gigi, you’re so right to be worried about her, because she loves him, but she’s also trying to protect him from the righteous consequences of his behavior, and it’s just a setup for him to repeat it. Tell us, do you know if he experienced a major loss or trauma that might have led to him being so embittered? Gigi: My sister would say that it is because they took him across country when he was in high school, because of a job for his dad. And while they were there, he was sad and lonely — first time in high school. A young lady broke his heart and said many awful things, and he has low self-image issues. But he’ll drag everything up. It’s amazing the memory we have when we are wanting to be bitter and resentful. He blame-shifts a lot onto them. Dr. Alice Benton: Blame-shifting is very — Gigi: Yes, I didn’t know that phrase. Dr. Alice Benton: And it’s understandable that he’s hurt by these things, but of course none of it justifies his substance use and his aggressive behavior towards his mom. And she is not willing to allow the consequences for him. But she does want you to be a listening ear, which puts you in a tough position, because you probably want to intervene and she won’t allow you to. Is that right? Gigi: Yes. It’s amazing how quickly our brains go from one thing to another. I will be wanting to encourage her, and then I have to stand up for logic, and then we pray together, and it’s so emotional all the time. I have other siblings, and they don’t want to hear it anymore, and it makes her feel so bad. And she can’t help but want to call us bad names. Dr. Alice Benton: Oh, she’s calling you all bad names. Gigi: Oh yes, yes, yes. Dr. Alice Benton: So she’s verbally abusive to you, even though you’re her listener? Gigi: Yes, because we are not living up to her needs and expectations. So the son might have gotten it honestly. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: Well, I — Gigi: Yes, but I know my whole sister. You know what I mean? I know — Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: You know what you see when you’re with her? I’m going to stop you there, because we have a tendency to say we know, but oftentimes we are in relationship with people in our imaginations, not the reality of how they live their life every day, because we’re not there. So we think we know — “My sister would do this,” or “My sister’s this way or that way.” But look at her life and the life circumstance that she’s in. The sister you were about to describe, that you know, wouldn’t be living in this life circumstance. So she has a part of her that isn’t the her you guys know. It is also maybe not the parent you’ve always seen. Dr. Alice Benton: Dr. Jacqui was asking about any events that maybe had happened in his life. That move happened when he was in high school. He maybe felt like he had no say in it. They moved him. He lost friends. Loneliness. She is his person. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: “You’ve got your family. That’s enough. That’s all you need, right?” Well, if she is his person, I wonder what things had been like before he turned 21. What was it like when he was five? What were the responses when he was seven? What were the responses when he was 12? What happened when he got an F? What happened when he lost the game? Because if she’s willing to mistreat you all like that, it is so likely she responds to him in reactivity and anger, too. Dr. Alice Benton: And they’re back and forth in their reactivity, and then he’s now a man and he’s getting bigger, and so it’s starting to look different. And the family doesn’t enjoy being around him. Have you guys — when he was younger — did you enjoy being together as a family with your sister and her husband and your nephew? Gigi: Well, my sister saved him. He was always bailed out. He had two older sisters, so he was always saying, “I’ll have what she’s having,” and “Oh, she’s going to help me with my homework,” things like that. He was given a lot of leniency because he was the baby. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: The baby. Gigi: Yeah. If he just said “Mama” enough, he was going to get his way — or get a spanking. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: So would the spanking be from Mom? Gigi: Oh yeah. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: So he had a situation that might have been a little bit disorganized, and so he couldn’t tell if he’s going to get the wrath of Mom or the coddling of Mom. Gigi: That is true. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: What was childhood like for you and your sister? Gigi: Well, I just want to touch on something else. My sister was a great mother. I know exactly what she was going through. I saw it up front. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: No judgment. We all do the best we can with what we have. But what did you guys come out of? What did you see? How were you parented? Gigi: We had parents that were Christian. We all could have been better. But I can tell you, we had a sorrowful loss in 2007. My sister — she committed suicide. There’s too much to even go into, but the point is she was an angel. She loved Jesus, and she had some mental illness that — well, we failed her in fellowship, too. I feel like we did. My sister does not want another angel. Do you know what I mean? Dr. Alice Benton: Of course. So she might overprotect her son because she doesn’t want him to commit suicide. That completely makes sense. That is it. Dr. Alice Benton: So, Gigi, I think there are two things that you have in your power to do, because so much of this is outside of your ability to really control. You might consider a family intervention, because your nephew is the obvious problem, but you’re pointing out there is brokenness in the family — and there is in all of our families. A family interventionist, and we have a couple of great people that we can recommend, would be able to help decipher who most needs the intervention. The nephew looks like the obvious one, but he may not be the only one. An intervention brings to bear truth about how the chaotic behavior is affecting the family — that’s the way your sister abuses you, but it’s also the way the nephew abuses your sister. And it offers options for healing, but their response to that is out of your control, as you well know. And so if your sister continues to be abusive to you, you may have to start protecting yourself by limiting your exposure to her. She’s getting all this free therapy from you. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: Oh, I wouldn’t call it therapy. Dr. Alice Benton: Well, you’re her good listening ear. But because you’re her main listener, I think she doesn’t know she needs more help, or she’s not willing or able to go get more professional help. And you need some of that responsibility taken off of your shoulders and transferred to a professional. I have the feeling your sister’s not real willing to get help. Gigi: Well, the good news on that end — all these months that I have been harping on “You need somebody to talk to, you need somebody to tell you how to talk it over with” — she’s got a therapist. Dr. Alice Benton: Terrific. God is good. So celebrating that is right to do. But you still can limit your exposure to her. So that may be, “I’ve got five minutes to listen to you. If you get mean, if you get loud, I will hang up.” Gigi: Oh wow. Dr. Alice Benton: Or, “I’m not willing to hear about this anymore. Please take this to your therapist.” Gigi, you said “Oh wow” twice. What has come up for you? Gigi: That just breaks my heart. Wow. Dr. Alice Benton: You want to find a way to fix it without her having to suffer the consequences. In the same way, she wants to find a way to fix it for her son without him having to face the consequences. She’s not going to grow without the consequence. If you continue to subject yourself to her behavior, you are doing exactly what she is doing with her son. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: How does that land, Gigi? Gigi: She’s been there for all of us every time we needed her. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: Would she tell you wonderful things about her son? It’s the same cycle. Dr. Alice Benton: And Gigi, oddly enough, removing yourself to some distance — it loves her better than just being her listener, because it will force more discomfort, which makes it more likely that she’ll receive the help she’s getting from her therapist. Brian Perez: Gigi, thanks for calling us today here on New Life Live. We know we offered you a lot of suggestions, and go back and listen to the archive so that you can find out more. New Life President Becky Brown Joins the Program Brian Perez: We are back on New Life. Brian Perez here, along with doctors Jacqui Mack-Harris and Alice Benton. And look who’s joining us — it’s New Life President Becky Brown. Hey, Becky. Becky Brown: Hello. Surprise. My heart is hurting for Gigi and her family. So many times we hear the efforts that people are putting into trying to fix the problem. And I’m so grateful that we are here for her to reach out and talk to both you, Jacqui, and Alice, with that compassionate care and insightful truth that you gave her. And you gave her next steps. The only way we can do that is because people are generous and support New Life. They’ve been either part of our 99 for the One monthly donation, or they give big gifts, because out of the abundance that God has given them, they want to give back to make sure that the hope of a new life is there. I was thinking about “Every Man’s Battle,” and we hear so many testimonies. One in particular: Nick felt dead inside. Pornography, lust, and affairs gave him temporary relief, but the emptiness always returned. And while he tried different programs, he was stuck and began to lose hope. His wife gave him an ultimatum — and we hear that a lot here. She said, “You need to go to Every Man’s Battle.” He was hesitant, but he went, and he discovered what was fueling the addiction. He had a safe, shame-free zone and godly counselors who have been on this journey. They know what it’s like to be stuck and to find that freedom in Christ. New Life has had the privilege to walk alongside so many people for close to 40 years. And we couldn’t do it unless God was moving in the hearts of you, our donors and our listeners, to be part of what God is doing through New Life. So I just wanted to come on today and encourage you: if you have not supported us yet, today’s the day. And Brian, how can they give? Brian Perez: Oh, there’s several ways, Becky. They can go online to newlife.com. They can call us at 1-800-NEW-LIFE. They can text NLM — as in New Life Ministries — to 28950. And yeah, if you want to make a big gift today, we are not going to say, “No, no, no, let’s break it up into two or three gifts.” No, no — we’ll take it, because we appreciate so much what you guys do, what the Lord lays on your heart to give toward New Life so that we can continue what we’re doing. And sometimes it’s people like our last caller, Becky, who are calling on behalf of someone else, because they see the turmoil that their family is going through, or a friend or a neighbor. They call because they’re like, “You know what, I trust you guys, you can help. Give me some tips to help my friend. Give me a tip sheet that I can give my friend, because there’s so much going on.” And there’s not too many places — I can’t even think of one — where somebody on a live program would pick up a phone call. We don’t know what you’re going to ask. We don’t know what the situation is. And we are ready to give you the next step, because we know that God is working through the ministry and through our incredible co-hosts. Becky Brown: We’ve been doing this a long time. We’ve been helping so many people, and you’re probably one of them, listener. You’ve been impacted. And so today’s the day. Thanks for letting me jump on, and let’s go back to the calls. Brian Perez: Anytime, Becky. Anytime. It’s so good to hear from Becky when she tells us these stories of listeners that she’s heard firsthand of how New Life Ministries has helped. And I remember recently, Alice, you were talking about how there were things you were going through — you didn’t even know New Life was around, and then you found New Life, and boom. Dr. Alice Benton: That’s right. Even though I grew up in the faith, and I went to college for psychology, I really hadn’t found a resource that combined those two things together. And that’s what New Life does very uniquely. It shows us how the two go hand in hand and are both necessary for our healing. Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: I love that New Life exists, because I came up in a church where psychology was bad, and so the church would tell you not to see a therapist — all you need is the Bible, and your pastor. If your pastor doesn’t say it, then you shouldn’t hear it. And so it was a joy for me to find New Life and to find these professionals who have this wisdom, who are God-led, who come prayed up and ready to see what the Holy Spirit will use them to do. Over the years I’ve been able to have conversations with and meet so many people who love New Life, who call in and who listen regularly. It’s a gift to our community, and we really appreciate that people continue to give so that we can continue to serve. Dr. Alice Benton: And it’s not just about listening and receiving the wisdom, but about putting it into practice, especially with the New Life family that believes in these principles together, knows they’re broken, and wants to heal and is actively taking those steps. Because wisdom alone, information alone, is not enough. It needs to be practiced with other people. That’s that iron that sharpens iron. And I’ve never found better iron than at New Life. Brian Perez: Those formative years for me too were also, you know, no psychology — just whatever your pastor says, that’s all you need. Psychology was just man’s wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. Well, here at New Life, we combine these things, and we put God’s word first in front of everything that we do, because that’s what it’s all about. We’re not here to just tell you what we think — we search the scriptures and we give you godly advice, and we want to keep doing it. So if you can help us today, go to newlife.com, or call 1-800-NEW-LIFE, or text NLM to 28950. Thank you for your generosity. Email Question: Debbie Brian Perez: So we have several ways that you can ask your question. Our favorite way is when you call into the studio when we’re here taking calls, and you can find out more about that on our website, newlife.com/radio, which shows our recording schedule. It also gives you a phone number where you can leave a voicemail. And there’s also a form that you can fill out so that you can send us an email with your question. That is what Debbie did. Debbie asks, “How do I love and support my 22-year-old daughter without giving support to the lesbian lifestyle?” Debbie says her daughter is in a lesbian relationship. She’s never exhibited this tendency before. She’s not had any boyfriends, but she’s wanted one desperately. They’re Christian; she’s been raised in the church. She thinks God is okay with her lifestyle. “So how do I love and support her?” What do you guys say to Debbie? Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: I say love her and support her as the person. That’s hard, though, I think, for Debbie to be able to do, because Debbie’s not able to separate out her daughter’s relational activity from the person that she is. What I would wonder is: what has your relationship with her been like? What does love look like? What does it mean to love someone? I would go to scripture and look at what scripture says about love, and see if those are thoughts, tenets, behaviors, ways of being that you find in your relationship with your daughter. And then this is something I ask people regularly: how is that other person’s sex life affecting you? I think as Christians, we spend an enormous amount of time concerned about other people’s sexual health and sex life, and I just don’t see God being nearly as concerned about everybody else’s sex life as we are. I think we as Christians have made that a focal point, and we are doing a disservice. We are not introducing people to Jesus. We’re introducing people to rules and propriety, and Jesus came to set us free. Either we are free in Christ or we are not. And if I help someone know Jesus — I’ve introduced them to Jesus, I’ve walked through the Roman Road with them, they’ve accepted Christ and they know Jesus — the rest is not my business. I trust the Holy Spirit to do what he’s going to do. And if they end up in a homosexual relationship, drug-addicted, in a violent abusive relationship, anything — that is between them and God at that point. All God has called me to do is love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as I love myself. So I think as Christians, we have to check ourselves. We are the ones falling out of line. I don’t have anything to do with your marriage — whether you are in a same-sex marriage or a gendered marriage, I have nothing to do with that. What God has called me to do is to help you know Jesus. And if I’ve done that, then I know I’ve done my work, and I trust the Holy Spirit to handle anything that God’s not pleased with. Dr. Alice Benton: Debbie, your question must have a lot of fear and pain to it, and I know I would feel similarly if I were in your shoes. We’re getting this question more and more frequently from other parents who wonder, “Why did my good Christian upbringing not seem to stick in this area of my child’s life?” — especially when your daughter sounds like she expressed a desire for a boyfriend for a long time. What a shock that she then introduces you to her girlfriend. I think you will not like some of the things that I have to say, because getting to know her partner is a way to love her and to love the partner. But I think that might not feel right to you to do. I think you can be a Christian influence in both of their lives more by your actions than by your words of opposition. There could be a tendency towards judgmentalism out of your fear — and I would have that same tendency in your shoes. And you might possibly be wondering, “Did I fail my daughter? What did I do wrong that this is a choice she has made?” So I want you to be really careful about judgmentalism coming out. I also think we are called to warn other believers when we see that there is sin behavior, or to warn those who are stumbling toward the edge. So I think it’s a parental obligation to say — once, with a whole lot of love and kindness and humility — “I am an imperfect parent, and I also need to point something out, because I love you so much. I am confused that you’re both a Christian and you’re choosing a homosexual relationship. What’s your understanding of what the Bible has to say about that? I really want to understand your perspective as a Christian.” Be more of a listener, Debbie, than a speaker. But once, it’s important to conclude with, “I disagree with you. I think this part of your relationship is out of alignment with God’s will, and I need to point that out because I love you and I don’t want you to have unnecessary suffering in your life. All the times I’ve been out of alignment with God’s will — my lying, my extramarital emotional affair, my excessive alcohol use — I was out of alignment with his will, and it brought suffering on me too. So I’m going to keep loving you, I’m going to keep praying for you, and I thank you that you heard this conversation from me.” That’s what I would have you share with your daughter. There’s a great book called Embodied by Preston Sprinkle. He’s a clinician who has specialized in this very thing: What do we do with both Christianity and same-sex desire, and how do we love well? And we do it a lot more with behavior than with words. Brian Perez: Isn’t loving and supporting the partner — Debbie was asking about her daughter, and you both gave great advice, but when we bring the partner into it, doesn’t it seem like we’re condoning the behavior? We’ve got the holidays coming up. People are going to probably start calling soon: “Do I invite them to Thanksgiving dinner? Do I invite them to our Christmas celebration?” Dr. Jacqui Mack-Harris: Well, I think, like Alice said, this is an opportunity for your witness. And it honestly doesn’t matter if you agree with the lifestyle or not. You’ve said you don’t agree — so in that, you have said, “This isn’t something I think is okay. I love you, but I’m concerned for you. I’m concerned for how this will impact your life.” That is your “I don’t agree.” But we are called to love others. We’re called to love our enemies. We’re called to love our neighbors. We’re called to love ourselves. We’re called to love God. We are not called to not love anybody. Period. And we are not doing a great job of that as Christians. So I agree that is one way to show your daughter love and acceptance of her as a person. You don’t have to accept someone’s experience or their life in order to validate them as a person. And so when her friend comes over, you have boundaries in place regardless of whether your child is dating someone you approve of or not, right? Hopefully they respect your home and they respect your rules. But you get to set boundaries. And you’re right, the holidays are coming up, and this definitely is going to be a topic at many tables, because some families are estranged, because it is preferable to not have the other person around than to have that discomfort of, “Well, we disagree with this lifestyle.” But I agree with Dr. Alice. I think it can be a way that your Christian witness can go forward. We have people in our life who don’t believe how we believe, and whose actions and behaviors are not the same as our own, but they know us and love us, and we know them and we love them. Dr. Alice Benton: If I had no sinners at my table, I wouldn’t be allowed there either. And Jesus gave a pretty neat example of going to the parties that were full of sinners, because the sinners are the ones that need him. I’m the one that needs him. Brian Perez: Yep. Debbie, thanks for submitting your question at newlife.com/radio. We’ll talk to you next time. Thanks for listening. We hope this program has helped you by giving you insights for handling the challenges you face in your life. We want you to know that we’re here for you, but you also need to know that New Life Live is a listener-supported ministry. To make your donation or to get any of the resources mentioned on today’s program, call 1-800-NEW-LIFE. That’s 1-800-639-5433, or online at newlife.com. Please join us again tomorrow for New Life Live. If you or someone you know is struggling If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide or self-harm, you don’t have to face it alone. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or reach out to New Life at 1-800-NEW-LIFE (1-800-639-5433).

Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation is hurting many people, both inside and outside of the church. How can we reach the hearts of those feeling isolated? If we’re the lonely ones, how do we overcome this? Hope you can join the conversation on Equipped with Chris Brooks. Featured resource:Article: The Christian Response to Loneliness: A Biblical Response to a Modern Epidemic September thank you gift:The Special Needs Parent by Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260910dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 God Wants Sinners to Live It’s the middle of the night. Loud banging pounds on your front door. The doorbell rings without stopping. Small stones tap against your bedroom window. Then your phone starts ringing and doesn’t stop. The ruckus is anything but welcome. But when you look out the window, you discover your house is on fire, and your neighbor has been desperately trying to wake you up and save your life. Thank God he did! And wouldn’t you do the same for him? Wouldn’t you do whatever it took to rescue him from the flames? That is what God is talking about through the prophet Ezekiel. Warning fellow believers about the danger of sin is rarely appreciated at first. But just as a neighbor makes a racket to save someone from a burning house, God sounds the alarm because he loves us. Through Ezekiel, God made it clear that a warning about sin is not intended to be an unwanted disturbance. It's a message of life! God rings our doorbell, pounds on our door, and sends fellow Christians to get our attention. Maybe it is your parents. Maybe a Christian friend. Maybe your pastor. However the warning comes, it comes in love, because God wants sinners to live. How much does he want that? He chose the death of his own Son over the death of the wicked. Jesus’ death gives you forgiven life. Jesus’ resurrection gives you eternal life. And as surely as Jesus lives, he wants nothing more than for us to be alive with him, forever, in heaven. That is why God sounds the alarm. Not to knock sinners down, but to lift them up with the gospel. Not to condemn, but to call them to the Savior who forgives. So, whichever end of the warning you are on, remember God’s purpose. His goal is never your death. His goal is your life! Prayer: Sovereign Lord, thank you for turning me from my sin and giving me life in Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260909dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.” Ezekiel 33:7-9 Sound the Alarm It was two o’clock in the morning when I was treated to one of the most unsettling sounds ever invented: a tornado alarm blaring from the cell phone on my nightstand. As unpleasant as it was, it served a good purpose. A tornado had touched down nearby, and the alarm warned me to take cover. When God told the prophet Ezekiel that he was a watchman, he was giving him the responsibility to sound the alarm about sin so that the wicked would not die in it. If Ezekiel failed to warn them, the sinner would die for his own sin, but Ezekiel would be held accountable for failing to speak. If the warning was sounded and the sinner refused to listen, then the sinner alone would bear the guilt. Here God lays before his people an unsettling but loving responsibility. Whether you are a pastor, a parent, a child, a brother, a sister, or a friend, God calls you to warn sinners and urge them to turn from their wicked ways. That is not a responsibility to take lightly. To remain silent is not merely to leave someone in danger. It is neglecting the call God has given you. But when you sound the alarm, you are speaking God’s Word, not your own. Your motivation is love. The goal is life, not condemnation. Just as no one seeks shelter from a tornado they never knew was coming, a sinner will not turn to the Savior without first seeing the danger of sin. And what a privilege it is to say to those who turn from their wickedness: “God completely forgives your sin because of Jesus.” Prayer: Lord, forgive my silences and make me a vigilant watchman for your people. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

How do you talk to your kids about sex without creating fear, shame, or secrecy—especially if your own sexual story was shaped by purity culture, pornography, or years of confusion?In this episode, I sit down with therapist and author Sam Jolman, author of The Sex Talk You Never Got, to talk about helping our kids develop a healthy relationship with sexuality. But this conversation goes much deeper than simply figuring out what to say during “the sex talk.”For many of us as fathers, talking to our kids about sex means first looking at what we were taught ourselves.Did sexuality feel safe to talk about in your home? Were you taught that sexual curiosity was normal, or did normal arousal quickly become associated with lust, shame, and sin? Did anyone help you understand your body, emotions, relationships, attraction, romance, or sexual desire—or were you largely left to figure these things out for yourself?Sam and I explore why healthy sexuality requires more than teaching anatomy or telling kids what not to do. Our children need an ongoing conversation about bodies, curiosity, intimacy, emotional connection, relationships, boundaries, pornography, and what it means to treat sexuality as something integrated with the heart.We also discuss something deeply relevant to porn addiction recovery: sometimes what we experience as sexual “need” is actually emotional dysregulation.This was a major discovery in my own recovery. Anxiety could turn into a craving for porn. Anger could become sexual preoccupation. Loneliness, stress, pressure, and a chronically tense nervous system could all register inside me as, “I need sexual release.”That realization changed everything.A pornography craving may be sexual in form while emotional in origin. Sometimes I do not primarily need sex or orgasm. I need comfort. I need rest. I need connection. I need to process anger. I need to calm my nervous system. Maybe I simply need a hug.Understanding these deeper emotional triggers can help us develop healthier sexuality ourselves while giving our children a radically different foundation than shame and secrecy.One of the ideas from this conversation that stayed with me most is simple: your child does not need one perfect sex talk. He needs a relationship where he knows he can keep talking.The same principle applies to recovery.Porn addiction thrives in secrecy, fragmentation, shame, and emotional disconnection. Recovery moves us toward honesty, emotional awareness, healthy boundaries, meaningful relationships, and a sexuality that becomes integrated with the rest of who we are.The goal is not to become afraid of sexual desire. It is to become a man capable of understanding it, leading it, and expressing his sexuality in ways aligned with his deepest values.And as fathers, we have an opportunity to give our children something better than fear.Connect With Sam Jolman → Sam Site: https://samjolman.comSam's Substack: https://samjolman.substack.comSam's Book: The Sex Talk You Never GotLink to Blog Article for this EpisodeVisit No More Desire Tools for Recovery for recovery tools and training, the free online community, my free eBook, Workshop, The RAIL Method ™ and more to help you break free from porn.If you're tired of trying to quit porn on your own, the No More Desire Academy gives you a structured path to recovery through coaching, brotherhood, practical tools, and step-by-step training. Learn more about the Academy.If you want deeper, more personalized support, I also offer 1-on-1 porn addiction recovery coaching. We'll work directly on your patterns, emotional triggers, recovery plan, and long-term growth. Learn more about working 1-on-1 with Jake Kastleman.My gratitude for the music in this episode (in order of appearance) goes to Ievgen Poltavskyi, Yevhen Astafiev, and Aleksey Voroninfrom Pixabay.Support the showNo More Desire

God provides peace when you respond to loneliness with truth.Loneliness does not have to control a believer's thinking or produce bitterness, anxiety, or emotional reactions. Learn how God's Word redirects your thinking toward Him, provides perfect peace, and gives you the capacity to handle difficult circumstances without being dominated by people or circumstances.Key Takeaways:• Learn why loneliness can begin with preoccupation with self.• Understand how to respond to loneliness by thinking rather than reacting emotionally.• See how Isaiah 26:3 connects a steadfast mind, trust in God, and perfect peace.• Learn how Philippians 4:8 provides a biblical pattern for what to think about.• Understand how spiritual maturity produces capacity for life, peace, and happiness.⬇Download Transcript: https://rhem.pub/1098-transcriptRequest the books Rick references. No charge or obligation! • Christian Problem Solving — covers the 10 problem-solving devices of the FLOT Line.• Bible Promises and Principles — provides biblical promises and principles for applying Scripture to life's difficulties.• Your Christian Spiritual Life — addresses spiritual maturity and developing capacity for life.⁠https://rhem.pub/request-publications⁠

Pain is built by the brain, and because the brain can change, pain can change. That is the core of what pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness lays out in this episode. Pain is never all in your head, but it is never only in the body part that hurts either. It is biopsychosocial: biology, psychology, and your social world all turn the volume up or down. Dr. Zoffness is faculty at the UCSF School of Medicine, lectures on pain science at Stanford, and is the author of Tell Me Where It Hurts: The New Science of Pain and How to Heal. She walks through her three core truths about pain, why 96% of medical schools teach no dedicated pain science, the pain dial (how stress, mood, and attention change what you feel), and the pain recipe: writing down what makes a bad pain day so you can build the opposite. She closes with the three things that matter most for a healthy life with pain: movement, social health, and balance. Time Stamps: 03:48 Why pain is coming for all of us 07:56 Core truths 1 and 2: pain is the brain's opinion, and the brain can change 10:40 Core truth 3: pain is always biopsychosocial 16:05 A hammer and a bigger hammer: why medicine reaches for pills and surgery 19:41 The sociological domain: loneliness, trauma, and the 80% overlap 23:06 Acute vs. chronic pain, and the opioid lie 26:40 The pain dial: how stress and anxiety turn the volume up 27:46 Mood and attention change pain volume 32:03 Your high pain recipe, your low pain recipe, and painsomnia 36:11 Movement first, pain reduction later 37:35 Loneliness, cortisol, and social health 41:12 You have more power over your pain than you've been told Links: Dr. Rachel Zoffness (free resources page): https://www.zoffness.com Tell Me Where It Hurts: The New Science of Pain and How to Heal Instagram: @therealdoczoff Fit for Task Muscle and Strength Workshop: https://40plusfitness.com/muscle  

The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy Many women are trying to connect with God while carrying an anxious, divided, or wounded inner life. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Alison Cook explains why spiritual growth often begins with tending to the soul—and how healing our inner world can transform the way we experience God, ourselves, and others. Alison and Allie explore why we can feel empty even when life looks full, exhausted from holding everything together, or trapped in harsh self-talk and quiet shame. Together, they offer a compassionate framework for understanding what's happening beneath the surface and discovering a deeper sense of connection, security, and hope found in Christ. Key topics discussed: How faith and psychology can complement one another in the healing process What it means to tend to your soul & pursue wholeness in Christ Why we may feel disconnected from ourselves, others, and God Why healing begins by recognizing where we are and taking one brave step at a time Dr. Alison reminds us that God does not ask us to bypass our pain or fix ourselves before receiving His love. Instead, He meets us right where we are—in loneliness, disappointment, anxiety, and old wounds—and gently leads us toward healing.If you feel unseen, emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or unsure how to trust love, this conversation offers a compassionate and faith-filled invitation to begin again. You are not alone, and your story is not beyond healing. Take heart: God's love is with you even here, and you can move forward one brave step at a time.  

Are you a pest control owner looking to grow? Join Our Facebook Group with 4,600+ Members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pestcontrolmillionairesNick Bartolo is the Founder and Managing Partner of Essential Partners: www.essentialpartners.comCheck out his Socials!: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bartolo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbartolo_ep/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EssentialExit Email: info@essentialpartners.comJonas's Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonasaolson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonas.olson.18/Check out Jonas's Book ‘'Zip Code Kings'': https://pestcontrolmillionaires.com/zip-code-kings/The Pest Control Millionaire Podcast is all about helping small business owners scale their lawn and pest companies by talking to experts in the service industry.For business coaching and mentorship, visit: pestcontrolmillionaires.com Produced by Sofia Salaverri and Dalton Fisher, Fisher Multimedia LLCFisherMultiMedia.comChapters:00:00 — Intro & Nick's Background02:04 — Who Are the Biggest Players in M&A Right Now06:29 — Are Premium Multiples Here to Stay?07:18 — The Pesco Question: What Happens When Big Roll-Ups Sell10:33 — Rollins Down 45%: Why It Matters for the Industry16:52 — AI Disruption vs. the Blue-Collar Advantage19:09 — Where All the PE Money Is Coming From20:55 — Lead Costs, CAC & Knowing Your Numbers24:44 — Preparing to Sell: The Business Side29:00 — The Personal Side: Identity, Loneliness & Life After the Sale36:20 — On the Fence? Running the Scenario Analysis39:20 — The Biggest Mistake: Tax Planning Before the LOI47:49 — Investing After the Exit: Getting Rich vs. Staying Rich52:18 — Pestworld Plans & Wrap-Up#pestcontrolmarketing #pestcontrolbusiness #pestcontrolleads #pestcontrolowner #pestcontrolpodcast #jonasolson

In episode 85, we discuss Emma's recent piece, “The Third Path of Relationships,” which asks a question at the heart of the theory: is understanding required for love?Emma traces her own three phases of thinking about relationships—from the early days before finding positive disintegration, through her “Triangle of Loneliness” period of feeling alienated and misunderstood, to a third position that corrects some of the thinking underneath both. Chris connects the piece to work from ten years ago on understanding in relationships, and to a recent Substack essay on autopsychotherapy—including the recognition that even inner work done in solitude has always been relationally driven.The conversation covers the difference between being understood and being loved, and what becomes possible when we stop requiring the first as a condition of the second. Emma pushes back on the common critique that the theory is individualistic, arguing that the dynamisms train us to move between inner and outer work: we heal our wounds so that we can show up for other people from our values instead of our triggers. Chris shares a journal entry from more than twenty years ago that shows what that development looks like across time, and Emma reflects on caring for her parents through a season when the tables have turned.Also in this episode: overexcitability and the anticipation (and letdown) of big experiences, Chris's upcoming trip to Australia for the Critical Autoethnography Conference in Brisbane, and how listeners can support the podcast and Chris's independent scholarship.Links from this episode:* Emma's piece, The Third Path of Relationships* Chris's article, What Autopsychotherapy Has Looked Like for Me * Emma's Triangle of Loneliness video on YouTube* Support Chris's work and travel fundIf you appreciate our work, please subscribe, leave a rating or review on your podcast platform, and share the episode—every share helps someone find the theory. Connect with us* Positive Disintegration on Substack* Visit the Dabrowski Center website* Facebook* Instagram* The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel* Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook* The Tragic Gift blog by Emma* Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com* Please consider donating to the Dabrowski Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.* Find Positive Disintegration MerchIf you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify, please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260908dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 Binding and Loosing In Matthew, chapter eighteen, Jesus explains that, if a Christian sees a fellow Christian caught in a sin, they have a responsibility to point it out to them. He goes on to say that if the person refuses to listen to repeated warnings and persists in unrepentant sin, there comes a point when they are to be regarded as an unbeliever. But if they listen, acknowledge their sin, and turn from it, then, Jesus says, “You have won them over.” They are restored, and all is well again between them and God! Jesus explains why this is true: “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). Jesus is not saying that Christians make statements on earth that somehow become true in heaven. It’s actually the opposite. What we declare on earth simply reflects what is already true before God in heaven. When a Christian continues to live in sin despite repeated warning from other Christians, that sin is bound to them. It is like a heavy chain they cannot break. As long as they persist in it, they remain guilty before God. Since that is already true in heaven, wouldn’t you want them to know it here on earth? By warning them, you give them the opportunity to turn from their sin and live. Because when a sinner acknowledges their sin, turns from it, and trusts in Jesus for forgiveness, that burden is loosed. The chains are removed. They are forgiven. Jesus has already paid for that sin by his death on the cross. Forgiveness was won long before they ever sought it. Since that forgiveness is already theirs before God through Christ, wouldn’t you want to announce it to them here on earth? That is what binding and loosing are all about. You simply declare on earth what is already true in heaven: warning the unrepentant of their danger and assuring the repentant of Christ's full forgiveness. Thank God for brothers and sisters in Christ who do the same for you! Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to confident speak what is true before you in heaven here on earth. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us Fan MailI discuss the enormous pain of discovering online that my boyhood best friend has passed away...  I love you, Keith.

THE SECRET LIFE OF MALE LONELINESS — 400 people on your phone and nobody you can call at 2am.Male loneliness doesn't look like loneliness. It looks like working all the time. Going to the gym. Gaming for eight hours. Dating app after dating app. It looks like a man sitting next to someone he loves and still feeling completely alone.In Episode 327 of Secret Life Podcast, Brianne Davis breaks down male loneliness — why it's happening, how it hides, and what actually helps. Not male bashing, and not "men just need more friends." Something deeper than that.In this episode:What male loneliness actually looks like — busyness, achievement, irritability, cynicism, withdrawalThe messages boys receive that make men good at functioning and bad at being knownWhy independence becomes armor, and why you can't build a relationship wearing a shieldThe single biggest sign: not who you could text, but who you could tell the truth toFive practices that actually build connection — starting with one honest sentenceFor generations boys were told: be strong, don't cry, don't be needy, figure it out, don't let people see you struggle. Intimacy requires being known. A lot of men were never taught how.Loneliness doesn't end when somebody finds you. It starts when you let yourself be found.If this one lands, send it to a man in your life. That's the whole ask.If you or someone you know is struggling: in the US, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, go to your nearest emergency room.

In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of nurturing love within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when cultivating love and deepening our connections becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward a deeper understanding of divine love. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we have the innate ability to foster love, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those who seek guidance in nurturing love and strengthening their spiritual bonds, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for love within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of nurturing love within our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of love that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Dr. Tim Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260907dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew 18:15 Your Brother’s or Sister’s Keeper With these words, Jesus wants you to know that you are your brother's or sister's keeper. Now, because this concept can be so easily misunderstood, it's helpful to define exactly what Jesus means. In this case, a brother or sister is someone who belongs to the same spiritual family, someone who shares your faith in Jesus Christ. And this is a brother or sister who has sinned. They have done something God clearly forbids or failed to do something God clearly commands. This is also someone who needs to be shown their sin. Perhaps they are unaware that what they are doing is sinful. Or perhaps they know exactly what the Bible says but have chosen to continue anyway. Jesus is talking about people who have given themselves over to a deliberate pattern of sin. Understand, then, what Jesus is not saying. He is not sending you out to confront every stranger you meet. He is not telling you to correct those who think or act differently than you. He isn’t commanding you to challenge people simply because they disagree with you or irritate you. Rather, Jesus sends you to a fellow believer who has clearly wandered into sin and is persisting in it. Why does he do it? Why does he send us to be our brother or sister’s keeper? Because deliberate, unrepentant sin is dangerous. Left unchecked, it destroys people’s faith. If someone you loved were heading toward a cliff without realizing it, wouldn’t you warn them? How much more when their eternal life is at stake? There is another reason too. If a brother or sister repents of their sin, they receive full and immediate forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The Savior who died for every sin has already paid for theirs as well. Wouldn’t you want them to know that? Wouldn't you want to be the one to tell them that good news? Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen me to act as my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Thank you for allowing me to tell your people what they need to hear. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of embracing love within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when experiencing love and sharing it becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward a deeper connection with one another. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we have the innate ability to express and receive love, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience. For those who seek guidance in embracing love along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for love within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of embracing love and discovering the extraordinary sense of connection that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Dr. Tim Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Loneliness can feel especially painful when you’re surrounded by people yet still feel like you have no one who truly understands or knows what you’re carrying. You may long for deeper friendships, meaningful community, or simply someone you can call when life gets difficult. But feeling lonely does not mean you are alone. Scripture reminds us that God is near to the lonely and afflicted, and Jesus promises to remain with His followers always. God created us for relationship—with Him and with one another. While faith in Jesus doesn’t eliminate our need for human friendship and community, it gives us an unshakable foundation when relationships feel distant or absent. When loneliness weighs heavily, we can turn that pain into prayer, draw closer to God, and ask Him to bring trustworthy, Christ-centered people into our lives. Highlights What Scripture says about loneliness and God’s presence Why feeling lonely doesn’t mean you are truly alone How a relationship with Jesus can provide lasting hope and security Why God created us for both relationship with Him and healthy community with others How to turn feelings of loneliness into opportunities for prayer Practical ways to seek meaningful friendships and Christ-centered community Encouragement to trust God to bring the right people into your life Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Lonely But Not Alone By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” - Psalm 25:16 NIV Lately, God has helped me realize that when I feel lonely, I am never alone because He is always with me, as are His Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.God doesn’t want us to feel lonely. He built us for community and support—first with Him, then with others whom He created. English poet John Donne said, “No man is an island.” He may have spoken those words in the 17th century, but such wisdom is still true today for all of us. According to an article published online in March 2026 for “WashU The Source” under the Newsroom section, Deb Parker wrote, “In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a global public health concern and launched a commission focused on strengthening social connections. That same year, the U.S. surgeon general warned that loneliness carries serious health risks, comparing its mortality impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research increasingly links loneliness not only to mental health challenges but also to physical health risks, including heart disease, stroke, and early death.” According to an article by Ann Friedman published online in May 2026 for Call Your Girlfriend, “Loneliness can affect anyone, but the sheer scale at which people are getting trapped by the modern malaise of loneliness is concerning. So much so that loneliness has become the defining health crisis of our times… According to the WHO's June 2025 report, loneliness is associated with around 100 deaths per hour globally. That's not all — stress-related absenteeism from work costs US employers an estimated $154 billion annually. These numbers point to a more grave situation than one can imagine. Each statistic reflects a lonely person eating their dinner alone, another who has millions of online connections but no one to call in a moment of crisis, yet another who weeps alone and has no shoulder to cry on. The ripple effects of loneliness extend far beyond mere sadness, as many chronic lifestyle diseases are added on due to the condition, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. That's not all — loneliness gives rise to cognitive decline and several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.” How can we solve this dangerous problem? Friedman said, “Loneliness can be eased by a multi-pronged approach. Individuals can take personal steps by reaching out to friends and family, joining social clubs, or taking part in group activities that align with their interests. They can also participate in volunteer or community work, which can create meaning and a sense of belonging.” I believe that the loneliness crisis can also be solved through a genuine relationship with our Savior (Jesus Christ). He died so that we may have life (John 3:16) and have it abundantly (John 10:10). While our mortal enemy (Satan/the devil) is trying to destroy us (making us feel alone and lonely is only one of his tactics), our Savior is constantly wooing us to Him. According to Romans 5:10, He is working hard to reconcile us with our Maker (God). When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and decide to live for Him, it’s like we get a new wind, a new outlook, and purpose in life. We are finally secure in something (faith) and in someone (God) who is unshakable. God cannot die. He lives forever, and all His promises to us are true. One of His promises is to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means our relationship with Jesus Christ is one that will span the ages and last forever. He is our most Faithful Friend who will literally never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is the only one who will never let you down and never abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8). This doesn’t mean that Jesus wants to be your only friend. As I said earlier, He created us for a healthy and safe community with each other. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to God and ask Him to send good friends into your life. Friends who genuinely love the Lord and who truly care about you. When I learned to do this, God began to bless me above and beyond with a wonderful community found through friendships with other Christians. It is a joy and honor to experience life with them. God can do the same for you if you let Him. So, when you’re feeling alone, remember that you’re never alone because Jesus is always with you. Turn your pain into prayers and ask Him to help you be friends with Him first, and others, second. Ask God for the community you crave and trust Him to send the right people into your life. In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on these three songs (listed below). Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus Loves Me” by Whitney Houston. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: How does it feel to know that when you feel lonely, you are never alone because God is always with you? Further Reading:Isaiah 41:10Hebrews 6:17-18Deuteronomy 31:61 Timothy 6:16Psalm 90:2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260906dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew 18:15 Forgiving and Forgetting When Jesus lived in this world, he demonstrated again and again his great love for people. He helped them with their physical needs, but more importantly he shared with them the message which satisfied their spiritual needs. He stated that he had come to seek and save the lost. The lost sometimes included people with whom he was well acquainted. Recall, for example, how Jesus went to Peter who had disgracefully denied his Lord and reminded Peter of his sin and then lovingly restored his apostle. In today’s Bible passage, Jesus is speaking about the personal ministry we have with and for other Christians. When we see a Christian slip into sin and continue to live impenitently in that sin, Jesus wants us to do something about it. Jesus’ concern is not that we try to reform a fellow Christian’s irritating habits or change his personality quirks. He is speaking about living impenitently in a particular sin which defies the Word of God. Can we dare to become apathetic about a person who is in danger of eternal separation from God? Hardly! Jesus says, “Go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.” Take the initiative. Don’t wait for the person to come to you. And go alone first. Keep the matter as private as possible. Jesus doesn’t want sin spread around. When you have pointed out someone’s sin, and he listens to you and agrees, then assure him that God forgives him and so do you. Then be sure to leave the sin behind. If not letting go of someone else’s past and forgiven sins is something you struggle with, take this to God in prayer. Ask your heavenly Father to help you forgive and forget the sin of others just as he has dealt with your sin through Christ. God declares, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Prayer: Heavenly Father, as you have forgiven me through Jesus, so help me to forgive others from the heart and gladly do good to those who sin against me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Topics:  Hansen 2042, Loneliness, Cheeseballs, Shock Jock BONUS CONTENT: Dallas Williard Quote, The Don't Die Guy - NYT Interview   Quotes: "You'll never act contrary to what you believe." "The left brain is dominating our culture." "He's trying to be a blessing to people but he doesn't know how." . . . Holy Ghost Mama Pre-Order! Want more of the Oddcast? Check out our website! Watch our YouTube videos here. Connect with us on Facebook!

"By Any Means Necessary": How Loneliness Sent Him to Prison | Mansal DentonMansal Denton joins me for this Lonesome Conversation to trace a hard truth back to its root — that the choices which landed him in prison in his 20s were, underneath everything, a misfired hunt for connection. He talks about placing his entire sense of worth in a woman overseas, the "by any means necessary" logic that shoved ethics and morality out the window, and how that same engine drives addiction. An unflinching look at what we'll sacrifice when we mistake a person or a substance for the connection we're actually starving for.About MansalMansal Denton is the founder of Real Provisions, where he brings wild, ethically harvested meat to consumers seeking nutrient density without moral compromise. He also created Sacred Hunting, a transformational practice that reconnects people to ancient traditions of reverence, ceremony, and ethical harvest. His work bridges food, spirituality, and stewardship to redefine how we nourish ourselves and care for the natural world.Lonesome Conversations Limited SeriesLonesome Conversations is a special series from The Life Stylist, built around my new book, A Horse Named Lonesome (out November 17, 2026). Loneliness is something almost everyone goes through, and almost nobody talks about honestly. So I sat down with psychologists, philosophers, trauma therapists, teachers, and friends to find the truth about loneliness, and how we heal from it. Each episode is its own conversation, but together they walk the same ground the book maps out. (Pre-order your copy at ahorsenamedlonesome.com) You'll find new episodes alongside our regular show over the coming months.

Send us Fan MailLoneliness isn't always empty weekends or a lack of friends. Sometimes it's the quieter kind: feeling like you have to be responsible for everything, with nobody checking on you and nobody walking the road with you. On this Five Minute Friday, we get real about why we've spent years intentionally building communities and why belonging can be the missing piece even when life looks “fine” from the outside.We talk through the moments that tend to reshape us most and why they almost always happen in community: live events, masterminds, weekend retreats, and guided conversations that go deeper than small talk. When a great facilitator creates space for honest reflection, you don't just learn something new, you understand yourself better and you build real connection. That's the kind of relationship that makes you feel more alive and less like you're doing everything alone.We also make community building practical. Your next community can be a run club, pickleball group, church, industry meetup, business circle, or a skill-based group like a sales community. It doesn't need to be formal, and it definitely doesn't need to be massive. Sometimes two or three committed people is the strongest start. If you work from home, this matters even more, because isolation can sneak in while you're being productive.If this hits home, subscribe so you don't miss the next Five Minute Friday, share this with someone who needs a reminder they're not alone, and DM me on Instagram (Jordan F Edwards) with the communities you're part of. What are you building next? To Reach Jordan:Email: Jordan@Edwards.Consulting Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ejFXH1_BjdnxG4J8u93ZwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.edwards.7503Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanfedwards/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanedwards5/Hope you find value in this. If so please provide a 5-star and drop a review.Complimentary Edwards Consulting Session: https://tidycal.com/m4j6dvm/breakthrough-strategy-session

Philosopher Stefan Molyneux talks about the deadlocked Lindsay Clancy jury and what it means if hormones get used as an excuse for violent acts. He also covers how men and women think differently about conflict and approval, and why so many systems now just push paper instead of actually fixing problems.There Is No Such Thing as Mental Illnesshttps://fdpodcasts.com/2041Women, Morality, God and Governments! Stefan Molyneux on the Scott Adams School!https://fdpodcasts.com/6497JOIN ME IN NASHVILLE SEPTEMBER 12! https://wordwardebate.com/Use code STEFAN for 10% off!GET FREEDOMAIN MERCH! https://shop.freedomain.com/SUBSCRIBE TO ME ON X! https://x.com/StefanMolyneuxFollow me on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@freedomain1GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/FREEDOMAIN2026

Loneliness is more than just a feeling—it shapes how we see ourselves and the world around us. It can make us withdraw, hesitate to reach out, or convince us that connection is for other people. But Dr. Vivek Murthy has spent years reminding us of what is most true: we are meant to hold each other up. As U.S. Surgeon General (twice!), Vivek confronted some of the biggest public health challenges of our time—addiction, youth mental health, the opioid crisis. But at the heart of it all was something deeply human: our need for each other. In this conversation, Kate and Vivek talk about what actually makes a life full—not perfect, not endlessly productive, but anchored in love and belonging.  Together, they discuss: • The quiet ache of loneliness and why so many of us feel it • Why relationships, purpose, and service are the real building blocks of a fulfilled life • Small, practical ways to reach out, even when it feels awkward • How asking for help might bring us closer, not pull us apart. This episode originally aired February 2025

In this Lonesome Conversation, Adam and I explore his conviction that separation is a trick of perspective — that whether you zoom in with a microscope or out with a telescope, you're looking at the same unbroken whole, and that "there is God, and we're it." We trace how entomology, the world's religions, and psychedelics converged for him into one felt truth rather than a hopeful idea: that we're never actually alone. A conversation about the kind of existential loneliness that dissolves the moment you stop believing in the boundary.About AdamAdam Butler is a psychedelic philosopher and passionate DMT psychonaut focusing on mental health, neuroplasticity, self-exploration, and the extreme limits of human potential and ability. Combining an academically trained intellect, empathetic heart, and life-hardening experiences, Adam has found his niche in helping others overcome the fear associated with PTSD, depression, sexual repression, and addiction. By incorporating psychedelic compounds with deep meditation, lucid dreaming, and tantric practices, he has changed from being an overworked, overweight, stressed-out alcoholic asshole into a balanced, healthy, and sober friend and mentor to many. Lonesome Conversations Limited SeriesLonesome Conversations is a special series from The Life Stylist, built around my new book, A Horse Named Lonesome (out November 17, 2026). Loneliness is something almost everyone goes through, and almost nobody talks about honestly. So I sat down with psychologists, philosophers, trauma therapists, teachers, and friends to find the truth about loneliness, and how we heal from it. Each episode is its own conversation, but together they walk the same ground the book maps out. (Pre-order your copy at ahorsenamedlonesome.com) You'll find new episodes alongside our regular show over the coming months.

Investor and businessman John Kim has studied AI extensively. As a Christian he has prayed about AI extensively. What role if any does AI play in the future of the Church?In our first of episode addressing the topic, Ryan interviews John Kim, a prominent New York businessman who shares what he thinks the future is going to look like as Christians grapple with a technology that is changing the foundations of how we work and create.00:00 Cold Open: The Stomach Growl 00:20 Welcome & Meet John Kim 01:31 The Catholic Icebreaker04:54 MIT Testimony: When God Rewired My Brain 10:03 Ask for Wisdom, Not Just the Outcome 13:12 Discerning God Voice in Business Decisions 17:33 AI as a Tool: Where Christians Fit 25:41 Is There a Christian Edge Against AI? 28:47 Human Presence: What Stays Scarce30:17 Mozart, Salieri, and the AI Gospel Hit -- AD BREAK 2: Casper + Mars Men 41:20 Elvis,Math, and the Robot Golfer 46:02 Creative Destruction and the Christian Advantage 55:16 Spain,Contentment, and the Tesla Bet 66:25 Stewardship, Prosperity Gospel, and Raising Samuel Right 84:22 Scheduled Divine Boredom and Hearing God's Voice 91:44 The Stomach-Growl House Negotiation 96:48 Mammon, Power, and the Loneliness of Wealth 103:06 AI, End Times, and the Tower of Babel 108:23 - Proving you're not an avatarThank You To Our Sponsors!Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/EXFILES.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code EXFILES at https://oneskin.co/exfilesRight now save up to 30% on mattresses and up to 35% on everything else when you go to Casper.com. https://Casper.com.For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at Mengotomars.com.Join Exodus90 for their St. Michael's Lent Challenge starting August 12th. Go to https://Exodus90.com/exfiles for a free trial.Sign up for the Vault to support the show and get access to the dramatic episodes a day early! https://Exorcistfiles.supercast.comFollow us on IG at https://instragram.com/exorcistfiles and https://www.instagram.com/TheBetheaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.