Podcasts about Purity

Many of us men don’t understand how to relate to our addiction with compassion. We get sober by suppressing the “addict parts” of our mind, without realizing the roots of our behaviors and what those parts were trying to do for us. We sit on top of them, try to control ourselves, and force our […] The post Castimonia Purity Podcast Episode 126 – Jake Kastleman Interview appeared first on CASTIMONIA.

We are truly blessed to have you joining us today for our latest edition of Handbook for Humanity! This episode is part 2 of a two part series on St. John Paul II's writings on the subject of Purity. Adele and Tom are joined once again by University of Louisiana Phd student, Hallee Mire as they break open JP II's thoughts on why its so important to give purity a prominent place in modern culture.

Are baptism and footwashing merely symbolic? Kim Papaioannou explores their deeper significance as New Testament purity ordinances, cleansing believers and ensuring their ongoing status as clean before God.

In a world where wickedness thrives when justice is forgotten, this podcast is a call to action for believers who are called to uphold a divine standard: justice as God defines it. Drawing deeply from Scripture, each episode explores the timeless and powerful truth that God is a God of justice—one who defends the fatherless, upholds the oppressed, and judges with righteousness. Through real-life scenarios, biblical exposition, and the foundational Hebrew concept of מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), we unpack how justice is more than a legal term—it is a holy virtue. We'll explore how justice intersects with mercy, judgment with grace, and how believers can discern between righteous accountability and wrongful condemnation. Join Aaron as he brings out Justice as an attribute of God and how we are to promote His Justice on earth. From Moses to the prophets, from Christ to the apostles, this podcast is a journey through Scripture that challenges listeners to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Because without justice, there is no peace—and without righteousness, there is no justice. “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” — Amos 5:24  

An episode discussing sub-state disarmament, the mood for 'Change' approaching 2026 parliamentary elections, pragmatism vs purity tests on measuring government success, factors due to war vs local agency, positive trends moving forward and how to interpret the moment we're living through. With Member of Parliament Ibrahim Mneimneh. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeirutbanyan And check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:22 Is war on the horizon? 3:21 Delayed disarmament 6:31 Measuring govt success 15:03 Mood for ‘Change' & 2026 elections 25:37 A victory scored & needed? 35:34 Gap resolution 37:54 Red lines on withdrawing govt support 40:30 Purity tests 45:53 Interpreting this moment

Struggling with p*rnography? You're not alone. In this episode of the Covenant Eyes Podcast, hosts Karen Potter and Theo McManigal sit down with Dann Aungst, founder of Road to Purity and author of From One Addict to Another and 40 Days to Freedom. Dann shares his powerful 30-year journey through addiction, his path to recovery, and how God's grace transformed his life and marriage.

Purity culture promised protection, but often left behind shame, fear, and silence around sex. In this episode, the Dildo Whisperer unpacks the history of the purity movement—from abstinence pledges to purity rings—and explore how these messages impact self-worth, relationships, and sexual health. We'll also talk about ways to heal, reclaim your sexuality, and move toward a healthier, shame-free understanding of intimacy. Send the us your sex and relationship questions and maybe you will inspire the next episode of The Dildo Whisperer. We have two ways to reach the show. You can call into our show at 844-695-2766 or you can email us at Askthedw@gmail.com. Follow us on social media @dildowhisperer The Dildo Whisperer is produced by DNR Studios. To subscribe to this show and the rest of the DNR Network of shows including the Cookie Jar Podcast visit: www.dnrstudios.com

How do you know if what you're chasing is your own ambition or God's actual call for your life? We all struggle with discerning our true purpose amidst the noise of the world and the desires of our own hearts. If you've ever felt restless or unsure about your path, this episode is for you. After a period of personal reflection on the future of this podcast, this episode dives deep into the true nature of vocation. We explore how easily our good intentions can be compromised by pride and self-interest, using the powerful parable of the Pharisee to examine how "gratitude" can sometimes serve as a mask for spiritual ambition. This conversation is about refocusing our hearts, understanding that our primary call is to seek the Kingdom of God right where we are, in every present moment. In this episode, you will learn: The crucial difference between a God-given vocation and a self-driven ambition.How to identify the subtle ways pride can poison your spiritual life and distort your understanding of God's will.Why a heart that isn't focused solely on God is the root of feeling restless and without purpose.That true holiness is found not in abstract ideas, but in the practical, daily circumstances of your life. This episode explores what vocation is, but the real journey is in learning how to discern it in your own life. How do you distinguish between selfish desires and God's actual call? What is the first practical step you can take to move from wandering to walking with purpose? Do you sit down to pray and feel lost, distracted, and unsure where to begin? There is a simple way to rediscover calm and connection, and it only takes five minutes. Join our free community to get instant access to my guide, "The 5-Minute Prayer Reset," right here: https://midnightcarmelite.com/reset Connect with Midnight Carmelite at https://midnightcarmelite.com

A brief exhortation on Hebrews 12:14 showing how crucial it is for Christians to sincerely and steadfastly pursue peace and purity in Christ. Amen. SDG.

In this episode of Step Up, Pastor Chris and Host Josh Thomas tackle one of the most overlooked yet destructive areas of a man's life—sexual sin. From pornography to infidelity, they uncover the myths men believe: “It's not that big of a deal,” “I can stop anytime,” and “I'll never change.”Through scripture, raw honesty, and practical wisdom, they show how sexual compromise doesn't just stay hidden—it bleeds into money, pride, relationships, and legacy. More importantly, they point to the hope and freedom found in Christ, reminding men that purity is possible and powerful.If you've ever felt trapped, this conversation will equip you with tools to fight temptation, honor women, and build the kind of legacy your family can stand on for generations.To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.  Show NotesFollow on Instagram: @stepup.podcastFollow United City: @untdcitychurchConnect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.comMore About United City: https://unitedcity.church/Covenant Eyes: https://www.covenanteyes.com/Accountable2You: https://accountable2you.com/VidAngel: https://www.vidangel.com/Celebrate Recovery: https://celebraterecovery.com/

We live in a time where influence is being mistaken for anointing and platforms are being mistaken for God's presence. But revival isn't built on hype—it's built on holiness, obedience, and purity of heart. In this prophetic teaching, I unpack: What true Kingdom fruit looks like (Matthew 7:16–17 AMP) Why influence without intimacy is dangerous (Matthew 16:26 AMP) How Esau sold his birthright for a single meal—and how many today are trading inheritance for applause (Genesis 25:29–34) Paul's charge to rightly divide truth (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP) Why God is raising up leaders who will not compromise their call   Enrollment is OPEN! Want to strengthen your faith, hear God's voice clearly, and start living from a place of bold obedience? Get on the 30 Days of Faith-Walking waitlist now. This program includes daily activations, live calls, and practical tools to help you build a lifestyle of faith that lasts. ✨ ENROLL NOW: http://julianapage.info/faithwalking    Become a Courage Co. Builder Join the movement. Train in bold faith. Grow in community. → https://julianapage.info/kingdombuilder

In this episode, Chris wraps up the series on the Transformational Recovery Matrix (TRM) by equipping men with a practical Transformation Playbook. After exploring the four quadrants—Trivial, Trapped, Transactional, and Transformational—we now land on the heart of the journey: becoming the man God has called you to be. This conversation isn't about trying harder or managing your image—it's […] The post Castimonia Purity Podcast Episode 125: Building a Transformation Playbook appeared first on CASTIMONIA.

Let's talk about purity in this week's episode of Driving with Jev. Yes, purity can be a boring topic to address, but this week Jevanna is addressing the "m" word and other forms of impurity that the church does not often address. Now, everyone has their own opinion, but she is here to encourage all of you single women who desire to be in a godly marriage with Truth. You were made to protect this wonderful body of yours and give it fully to your husband one day. Let's dive in this week as we talk about the importance of not playing with temptation.

Thanks for spending some time with us! This show jumps back into the audiences of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Starting at audience 49 we are looking at the section on the subject of "Purity". The next few audiences that cover Purity will challenge us to live life according to God's Holy Spirit and to have a transformation of heart toward authentic love and freedom. So prepare to listen in as Adele, Tom and Special Guest Hallee Mire dive into the topic of purity and how it can bring you closer to becoming the person God created you to be.

The Daily Philip is a devotion of prayer to the Patron Saint of Joy, St. Philip Neri, led by Fr. Malone, parochial vicar of Christ the Redeemer Parish in Swift Current. This devotion has four parts: (1) a daily prayer for a particular virtue, based on the day of the week, to which Pope Pius IX has attached an indulgence (dated May 17, 1852,); (2) a reading from The Life of St. Philip Neri, Apostle of Rome; (3) a quote from The Maxims and Counsels of St. Philip Neri; and (4) the daily prayer for a good death.    For Tuesday Prayer to obtain the virtue of Purity. St. Philip, who didst always preserve the white lily of thy purity unsullied, with such great honour to thyself that the brightness of this fair virtue dwelt in thine eyes, shone forth from thy hands, and cast its fragrance over thy whole body, causing it to emit so sweet a perfume that it gave consolation, fervour, and devotion to all who conversed with thee; obtain me from the Holy Spirit of God so true a love for that virtue, that neither the words nor bad examples of sinners may ever make any impression upon my soul.  Never permit me in any way to lose that lovely virtue; and since avoidance of occasions, prayer, labour, humility, frequent use of the Sacraments, were the arms with which thou didst conquer the flesh, which is our worst enemy, so do thou obtain for me grace to use the same arms to vanquish the same foe.  Take not away thy help from me; but be as zealous for me as thou wast during thy life for thy penitents, keeping them far removed from all sensual infection.  Do this for me, my holy Patron; and be ever my protector in respect of this fair virtue. Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…   Prayer to be said daily, for a good death. O glorious Saint Philip, faithful helper of thy dying children, be thou my father and protector in the hour of my death. Let not the devil overcome me; let not temptation oppress me, nor fear overwhelm me in that hour; but grant through thy intercession that, fortified by faith, hope, and charity, I may bear all things with patience and perseverance, and may happily die the death of the just. Amen.

Purity In The Church | 1 Corinthians 5Pastor Steve Miller preached on the call to holiness within God's people. From 1 Corinthians 5, we were reminded that Christ redeems us not only from sin's penalty but also calls us to walk in purity as His church. Sin is not to be tolerated or celebrated but lovingly confronted, because the cross produces a people set apart for Him.“All the glory to God.”Join us Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00

Knots advocate JC (@BarackOmaba) joins to give a BTC perspective on Knots resistance, Bitcoin scaling, and why he thinks the BCH Podcast is wrong! Enjoy and please share your thought in the comments.Links:JC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/barackomabaPodcast listener survey: https://bitcoincashpodcast.com/surveyBCH Bullet: https://thebchbullet.substack.com/Episode slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XLzl-QqFSJrOmcBoNLsKoLovaHxOkPAB/Donations:bitcoincash:qq5ezu4jc86e58t8ytv49049zh0wa2umusg70rfcndSponsors:Thank you very much to our FundMe.Cash contributors: https://fundme.cash/campaign/57BCH BULL: https://bchbull.com Be the bull & leverage or hedge with Bitcoin Cash - Non-custodial, permissionless, fully collateralized DeFiSocials:Website: https://www.bitcoincashpodcast.comTimestamps:00:00 Video starts00:38 Intro and market update01:35 Listener survey 202503:27 JC19:24 Buying Bitcoin in the early days24:40 JC & Bitcoin politics31:19 Has the market decided?39:44 Bitcoin scaling1:00:53 Lightning network1:05:58 Ark protocol1:13:06 BTC vs BCH1:33:32 Knots DDoS attacks1:49:43 Knots progress2:05:54 Message to the community2:07:38 Podcast supporter appreciation2:08:48 Shoutouts and outro2:10:28 "Rich Men North of Richmond", BTC version!

Send us a textTHAT METAL INTERVIEW presents Brian Kingsland of IMPERISHABLE & NILE (recorded September 2025). The death metal mastermind return to the show to chat about his new project, IMPERISHABLE & their 1st full-length album, 'Revelation in Purity. Kingsland reveals his favorite tracks off of this album.That Metal Interview Podcast is FREE and ON DEMAND, stream now on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Deezer, Bandcamp.Listen to #ThatMetalInterviewPodcast​​​​​: https://lnk.to/uj7sH3k4Follow us on Twitter:   / thatmetalinterv   Follow us on Instagram:   / thatmetalinterview  Like us on Facebook:   / thatmetalinterview  Subscribe on YouTube:    / jrocksmetalzoneSupport the show(9) Facebook(6) That Metal Interview Podcast (@ThatMetalInterv) / X (twitter.com)That Metal Interview Podcast (@thatmetalinterview) • Instagram photos and videos(2297) That Metal Interview Podcast - YouTube

Children tend to become like their parents. We naturally imitate their habits and tendencies. As God's children, we should imitate our Heavenly Father. Ephesians 5:1-7 gives this command.

Aquinas teaches that wisdom isn't just study—it's a gift of grace and purity.Morning Offering, September 7, 2025Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

This morning, we explored the profound and often misunderstood concept of the “fear of the Lord.” While Scripture repeatedly tells us not to fear in the sense of dread or terror, it also calls us to a different kind of fear—a deep reverence and awe for God's majesty, power, and holiness. This isn't a fear that drives us away, but one that draws us near, bowing in humility before the One who holds oceans in His hand, spans the universe, and breathes out stars. At the same time, this God is the approachable Jesus, our comforter and friend, who walked among us and gave Himself for us. Holding both truths together—God's infinite greatness and His intimate nearness—transforms how we live. Understanding the fear of the Lord changes everything. It leads to radical obedience, as seen in Noah's willingness to build the ark without all the details, simply trusting the One who asked. It frees us from the need to control outcomes, reminding us that our job is obedience and God's job is results. This reverence also helps us accept correction, knowing that when God calls us to change, it's the voice of the all-knowing Creator, not just human opinion. It strengthens our faith in God's promises, because the One making those promises is the same One who created the stars and numbers the hairs on our heads. And it deepens our value for prayer, because we're not just speaking into the air—we're talking to the all-powerful, all-loving God who delights to hear and answer.

What does it mean to be meek in a world that demands strength? Can gentleness and warfare coexist? In this episode, we explore the biblical concept of ‛ănâvâh — often translated as gentleness, humility, or meekness — and how it reveals a strength that doesn't shout, but stands firm. Drawing from both Hebrew and Greek roots, we'll see how Scripture paints meekness not as weakness, but as power under control — the kind of strength that pursues justice, stands boldly in truth, and yet walks humbly with God. You'll hear reflections on: •2 Samuel 22 — where God's gentleness makes us great even in the midst of battle   •Psalm 45 & 149 — showing how humility and righteousness are weapons of the King   •The life of Yeshua (Jesus) — who rode a donkey, washed feet, and was crucified in humility, yet confronted hypocrites with fearless clarity   •Practical wisdom from Paul and others — on restoring others, resolving conflict, and walking in unity with a spirit of meekness   We'll also share a personal story — how my father modeled humility not with grand words, but with quiet strength and patience. He didn't "put on airs" — and that left a lasting legacy.

Jesus raises the standard of purity in Matthew 5:27–32. He teaches that adultery is not just a physical act but begins in the heart with lust. He also addresses divorce, showing that God's intention for marriage is permanence and faithfulness. This message in the Radical series reminds us that God cares about both our actions and our hearts. Radical purity is not about external performance. It's about a life that reflects the holiness and grace of God. Join us today as we continue with a message from our Radical series that helps us see how purity is more than avoiding adultery. It is about guarding the heart against lust and honoring marriage as God designed. Sermon notes and discussion questions available at: https://www.citybridgechurch.org/messages Subscribe for weekly Sunday Messages on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Questions or feedback? DM us @citybridgecc or email info@citybridgechurch.org. Enjoyed the message? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Text: Hebrews 13:4

In this episode, we speak with Dara O'Neill, Global Sales Director, Clean Energy, Mott Corporation about advancing H2 production through innovative filtration solutions. Learn how AFP Series filters, gas-liquid coalescers, porous metal sheets and custom-designed systems enhance ultra-high purity H2, improve electrolyzer efficiency, tackle high-temperature gasification challenges and ensure reliable large-scale H2 operations.

First Time?Start Here: https://bit.ly/MarinersconnectcardCan we pray for you? https://bit.ly/MarinersPrayerOnlineYou can find information for all our Mariners congregations, watch more videos, and learn more about us and our ministries on our website https://bit.ly/MarinersChurchSite. Support the ministry and help us reach people worldwide: https://bit.ly/MarinersGiveFIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinerschurch• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerschurch• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marinerschurch• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerschurch

Living a Sexually Pure Life

Is unity in the church still possible when everyone is so divided? At the Legacy Conference in Chicago, Beth Moore joins Esau, Kaitlyn, and Skye to wrestle with what it means to remain in community with believers we deeply disagree with. Together they explore why purity tests are dividing Christians online, how cynicism masquerades as wisdom, and why endless outrage is not a productive way to go through life. Plus, some Q and A with the audience, and humpback whales may be the key to solving the empathy debate.   Holy Post Plus: Bonus Q&A Question: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137970653/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137970645/   1:03 - Theme Song   2:28 - Empathetic Humpback Whales!   10:30  - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST   11:35 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month!   12:45 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   14:21 - Purity and Unity   28:07 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST   29:11 - Sponsor - For the Good of the Public Summit - CCPL's annual summit in Washington, DC to act on important public issues. Go to https://www.ccpubliclife.org/summit and use code HOLYPOST for 20% off!   30:20 - Tired of Anger   43:30 - Is it Worth Engaging Twitter?   47:13 - Do We Just Believe What We Want?   57:37 - When Do You Look for a new Church?   1:00:59 - When is Something a Heresy?   1:12:28 - How to Love Those Who Are Against You?   1:15:35 - End Credits   Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What if the “clean” protein powder in your pantry isn't so clean after all? In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Amdrup, founder of Puori, to unpack the shocking results of the Clean Label Project's latest protein powder study. We get into the nitty-gritty of what was actually found — from heavy metals lurking in plant and even organic powders, to why chocolate-based proteins are some of the worst offenders. Oliver breaks down how these contaminants impact your health, why most brands don't (or won't) test deeply enough, and what sets truly transparent companies apart. We also cover the real differences between whey, plant, and collagen proteins, what role certifications actually play, and whether you should give up foods like fish or chocolate when toxins feel unavoidable. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the idea that “everything is toxic,” this conversation is the antidote. It's equal parts eye-opening and empowering — with practical steps to help you make smarter, safer choices without fear. Resources: Puori makes clean, science-backed supplements with full transparency. From third-party tested protein powders to omega-3s and beyond, their mission is to raise the bar in the supplement industry. → Puori | For an exclusive offer go to puori.com/HEALINGTHESOURCE and use promo code HEALINGTHESOURCE for 20% off your first order Follow the host, Claudia, on Instagram, check out HealingTheSource.co & Elham's Liquid Gold 100% Organic Castor Oil, and enjoy her deep-dives on Substack

Worship Coordinator Kristin Groene reflects on Leviticus as God's loving instruction to set His people apart and points to Jesus as the once-for-all sacrifice who makes us clean. She calls us to resist cultural patterns and embrace renewal in Christ, especially as we approach Easter.

Send us a textIn this powerful and vulnerable episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I'm joined by Dann Aungst, a certified addiction counselor, Catholic speaker, and founder of Road to Purity. Dann shares his courageous journey of recovery after more than 30 years of battling sexual addiction — and how God's grace, the sacraments, and healing from inner wounds led to freedom and a life of mission.

The Daily Philip is a devotion of prayer to the Patron Saint of Joy, St. Philip Neri, led by Fr. Malone, parochial vicar of Christ the Redeemer Parish in Swift Current. This devotion has four parts: (1) a daily prayer for a particular virtue, based on the day of the week, to which Pope Pius IX has attached an indulgence (dated May 17, 1852,); (2) a reading from The Life of St. Philip Neri, Apostle of Rome; (3) a quote from The Maxims and Counsels of St. Philip Neri; and (4) the daily prayer for a good death.    For Tuesday Prayer to obtain the virtue of Purity. St. Philip, who didst always preserve the white lily of thy purity unsullied, with such great honour to thyself that the brightness of this fair virtue dwelt in thine eyes, shone forth from thy hands, and cast its fragrance over thy whole body, causing it to emit so sweet a perfume that it gave consolation, fervour, and devotion to all who conversed with thee; obtain me from the Holy Spirit of God so true a love for that virtue, that neither the words nor bad examples of sinners may ever make any impression upon my soul.  Never permit me in any way to lose that lovely virtue; and since avoidance of occasions, prayer, labour, humility, frequent use of the Sacraments, were the arms with which thou didst conquer the flesh, which is our worst enemy, so do thou obtain for me grace to use the same arms to vanquish the same foe.  Take not away thy help from me; but be as zealous for me as thou wast during thy life for thy penitents, keeping them far removed from all sensual infection.  Do this for me, my holy Patron; and be ever my protector in respect of this fair virtue. Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…   Prayer to be said daily, for a good death. O glorious Saint Philip, faithful helper of thy dying children, be thou my father and protector in the hour of my death. Let not the devil overcome me; let not temptation oppress me, nor fear overwhelm me in that hour; but grant through thy intercession that, fortified by faith, hope, and charity, I may bear all things with patience and perseverance, and may happily die the death of the just. Amen.

On the first day of each month, we release Grace & Knowledge, a more in-depth article from Paul that allows him to expand on biblical truths beyond his weekly Wednesday's Word.Our prayer is that this resource helps you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).In this month's Grace & Knowledge, Paul shows how pleasure is one of God's good gifts—not an end in itself, but a sign meant to point us back to his glory.

Parenting: Building Blocks to Raising Godly Kids, part 5

In this flashback a clear distinction is made between what God considers pure and what he doesn't! Must Watch

Ability or Dependability? This week join Aaron with special guest Sean Butler as they unpack the Faithful fruit. In Scripture, the concept of faith is often misunderstood as mere belief or mental agreement. However, a deeper look at both the Hebrew (אָמֵן – aman, H539) and Greek (πιστεύω – pisteuō, G4100) roots reveals a fuller picture: faith is trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability—not just belief in God, but faithfulness to God. “The just shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4 In both the Old and New Testaments, faith is consistently shown through action and loyalty. It's not enough to acknowledge God's existence; true faith manifests as consistent obedience and unwavering commitment to God's ways. This is why Abraham was counted righteous—not because he believed God existed, but because he trusted and obeyed Him. Moses, too, is called faithful in all God's house—not because of what he believed, but because of how he lived. Even Jesus commended individuals for their faith when He saw their actions—like the friends who lowered the paralytic through the roof (Matt. 9:2) or the Canaanite woman whose persistence led to her daughter's healing (Matt. 15:28). A faithful husband is not judged by his beliefs, but by his consistency, loyalty, and actions. Likewise, God calls His people to demonstrate faith by their dependability—by living lives that reflect His character. Faithfulness is Dependability ● Keeping commitments, even when it's hard. ● Trusting God's Word enough to live by it. ● Showing up consistently—for others and for God. ● Obeying when it's inconvenient. ● Being loyal to God's Kingdom over worldly pressures. Faith is more than ability. It's not about being strong, talented, or capable in ourselves—it's about being reliable and loyal to God, just as He is to us: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God." – Deuteronomy 7:9 Faithfulness is the Victory In the end, it's not ability but faithfulness that overcomes the world. “This is the victory that overcomes the world—even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4

We have one more In Death for you before we head back to 2020s Nora, and this one even has Eve crying! Vigilantes are doling out "justice," and Eve is on the case (screw public opinion!). We are discussing Purity In Death (2002).

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we confront the horrific attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The shooter, Robert “Robin” Westman, once walked those same halls as a student. Years of unchecked mental illness and spiritual rebellion ended in bloodshed.America is in denial. We refuse to face the truth: the transgender movement is built on a Satanic lie. No one can change the sex God gave them. Pretending otherwise doesn't heal broken souls, it destroys them and puts others in danger.Christians must speak plainly. Love does not mean affirming sin or confusion. Love means pointing people back to Christ, who alone gives us our identity. Until our nation repents and turns back to God, tragedies like this will only increase.Pray for the victims and their families.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

Segment 1: • John MacArthur's memorial service featured a booklet he wrote on finishing well. • Reflecting on legacy forces us to ask: Am I prepared to end faithfully? • Warm fellowship at the memorial reminds us the Christian life is a community journey. Segment 2: • Dr. MacArthur urged believers: don't just grow old—finish strong. • Intellectual pursuit is good, but love for Christ, and others, must not grow cold. • Purity in thought and conduct matters, especially when nobody's watching. Segment 3: • Celine Dion's documentary reveals how idols fail when life gets tough. • Six diagnostic questions to help uncover hidden idols of the heart. • If Christ isn't enough without your idol, He won't be enough with it. Segment 4: • Church isn't just a hospital—it's also a training ground. • Practical biblical principles help households navigate sin and struggle. • Gratitude and gospel-centered living prevent families from falling into cycles of dysfunction. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Christians really asked these questions about sex… and we actually answered them.What happens when you don't want sex even in marriage? What if porn is part of your relationship… does that count as cheating? And how do you know if you have formed a soul tie that needs to be broken?In this episode, we are answering 10 of the spiciest anonymous questions Gen Z Christians have sent us about sex, dating, and relationships. Nothing is off the table.We will cover:How to repent and return to God after sexual sinWhat to do if you are married but do not desire sexThe connection between coping mechanisms like vaping or self-harm and sexual temptationWhether porn is “just porn” or actual betrayal in a relationshipHow to navigate friendships with the opposite sex without leading someone onWhat soul ties really are and how to break themManaging sex drive in dating relationshipsHow to leave a relationship well, even when the other person reacts badlyWhy humans and animals are different when it comes to same sex attractionIf girls can or should be the ones to pursue in datingIf you have ever thought, “I cannot ask this question in church…” this conversation is for you. You are not alone in your questions. Let's talk about what God has to say. Let's talk about it ============================= Timecodes =============================(0:00) - Intro(3:06) - Question #1: If someone loses their purity before marriage, how do they actually repent and come back to God?(6:19) - Question #2: What do I do if I don't want to have sex… even after I'm married?(9:51) - Question #3: I've used things like vaping and even self-harm to cope with temptation around sexual sin. What do I do when I'm trying to be pure, but it hurts?(16:44) - Have Moral Revolution come to your event!(17:15) - Question #4: How do I pursue friendship with the opposite sex without leading them on?(19:54) - Question #5: Is watching porn cheating? What if my partner does it? Should we break up—even in marriage?(22:01) - Question #6: What's the difference between soul and spirit—and how do I know if I've formed a soul tie I need to break?(24:45) - Question #7: How do I manage my sex drive when I really like someone or I'm in a relationship?(27:17) - Question #8: What if I try to end a relationship or friendship, but no matter how I say it, they react badly? How do I leave them better than I found them?(29:50) - Question #9: Why do Christians say homosexuality is unnatural when same-sex behavior exists in animals—and when my same-sex relationship was one of the healthiest I've had?(35:43) - Question #10: As a Christian girl, should a guy always be the one to pursue?(38:29) - Testimony=============================Connect with us:=============================➡︎ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoralRevolutionInc➡︎ IG: https://www.instagram.com/moralrevolution/➡︎ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moralrev➡︎ Website: http://www.moralrevolution.comMiss our last podcast episode?Catch it here ➡︎ https://youtu.be/Jtv76u1h--wGod's not ashamed of sex, so neither are we. We'll have any conversation and answer any question. No topic off limits. 

Overcoming porn isn't just about saying “no” harder, installing filters, or trying to white-knuckle your way through temptation. Real freedom comes when you heal the root — the wounds beneath the surface that porn has been covering up.   In this powerful conversation, Coach Frank talks with Drew Boa,  founder of Husband Material, pastoral sex addiction professional, podcaster, and author of the new book Outgrow Porn. Drew has walked with thousands of men through their healing journeys and brings a fresh, biblical, and deeply compassionate perspective on what it really takes to outgrow porn.   Coach Frank & Drew dive into topics most men never talk about; sexual fantasies, inner child healing, shame, purity culture, relapse, and what it means to live fully alive as the man God created you to be.   If you've ever felt trapped in cycles of guilt and failure, this episode is going to set you free with a new way of thinking about your struggle.   About Drew Boa Drew Boa is the founder of Husband Material, host of the top-ranked Husband Material Podcast, and a Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP). With over a decade of experience, Drew has helped thousands of men worldwide heal from sexual brokenness and reclaim their God-given identity. His new book, Outgrow Porn, blends neuroscience, psychology, and biblical truth to equip men to heal at the deepest level, not through shame and control, but through love, compassion, and Christ-centered transformation.   Connect with Drew: Website - https://www.husbandmaterial.com/   Retreat - https://www.husbandmaterial.com/retreat   Book (Outgrow Porn) - https://www.drewboa.com/outgrow-porn   Listen to episode 22 of The Super Human Life w/ Drew - https://sites.libsyn.com/188300/ep-22-helping-men-of-god-quit-porn-w-drew-boa   Listen to episode 255 of The Rebuilt Man podcast w/ Drew - https://sites.libsyn.com/495683/how-to-heal-the-inner-child-outgrow-porn-the-coaches-corner-w-drew-boa-ep-255     Key Takeaways From This Episode Getting free from porn is like breaking up with a long-term partner;  there's grief, but also new life on the other side.   Your sexual fantasies tell a story, and when you understand that story, you unlock the key to healing.   Pornography hijacks the brain's reward system as a “supernormal stimulus.” Recognizing this helps you rewire your brain.   Healing the boy within is essential to freeing the man you were created to be.   Connection and safety are not optional, they're vital for breaking free from addiction.   Shame is the fuel that keeps men stuck. To heal, you must replace condemnation with curiosity and compassion.   Relapse is not failure, it's feedback. Every slip points to what still needs healing.   Drew's OBC Method (Locate, Love, Lead) offers a framework to guide men in inner child healing.   Purity culture often created toxic shame around sexuality. The answer isn't repression, it's redemption.   Living a Super Human Life means embracing the full spectrum of emotions God designed us to feel.     --- Connect with Frank and The Super Human Life on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachfrankrich/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/584284948647477/   Website: http://www.thesuperhumanlifepodcast.com/tshlhome   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjB4UrpxtNO2AFtDURMzoKQ    

Ryan Swanson introduces The Cord 2.0, highlighting two big additions—Check‑In Streaks (consistency‑focused medals) and bi‑weekly 3‑minute devotional challenges—and explains why accountability tools are meant to lead us to Jesus, not replace Him as the answer. He also unpacks motivations (relationships, ministry, family) and shows how these secondary motives should funnel us back to Christ as the true source of purity and victory. You'll also hear a refresher on The Cord's core features like daily 1–10 check‑ins, 90‑second video reflections, and the SOS button rooted in Ecclesiastes 4:10 (never alone).Topics DiscussedWhy The Cord exists: daily light and never‑alone accountability (Ecc. 4)How daily 1–10 check‑ins + 90‑sec videos keep it sustainableSOS button: instant “I'm not alone” signaling during temptationThe Cord 2.0 Feature #1 – Check‑In Streaks (consistency over “purity streaks,” with medals at 7/30/100 days and beyond)The Cord 2.0 Feature #2 – Bi‑weekly 3‑minute devotional challenges (trusted preachers; keeps groups Christ‑focused)Motivation vs. the Answer: letting strong motives lead you to Jesus, not replace HimKey TakeawaysAccountability is a means, not the end; Jesus is both the end and the means of purity.The Cord 2.0's Check‑In Streaks reward consistency, closing the “skip‑a‑bad‑day” loophole and keeping daily light on your heart.Short, bi‑weekly devotionals inject life and keep the focus on Christ so groups don't drift into a “dry confessional booth.”The SOS button helps you refuse isolation: you're known, prayed for, and expected to give account—tonight.Ready to download the Cord App? Find it here!Download the Satisfied Battle Plan or listen to the rest of the series here!Satisfied is a monthly program on the Thee Generation Podcast designed to offer practical tools based on biblical principles so that anyone can experience full purity and lead others to do the same. To ask questions or share testimonies, send an email to satisfied@theegeneration.org. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

The Collective Talk with Rachelle FranceySeason 4Tori Websterhttps://www.instagram.com/toriwebster/Rachelle Franceyhttps://www.instagram.com/kenziepoo/Collective Talkhttps://www.instagram.com/collectivetalk/Need prayer? Send us a message here https://www.theoceanschurch.com/contactStay Connected- Oceans Church: https://tinyurl.com/y9mdx8avOceans Church Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y9llms4kOceans Church Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/ycnwmn67Mark Francey Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/yagop5gt

Jess here! A while back, Sarina and KJ talked about how much they enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's novel, The Spy Coast, and Sarina reassured KJ she'd enjoy book two of the series even more. I had never read a Tess Gerritsen novel, and while I'd heard her name before and vaguely understood she wrote thrillers, I was starting from square one when I downloaded the audio version of The Spy Coast. Now, I'm not an international spy thriller kind of gal. In the abstract, I understand the allure of books like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or Six Days of the Condor. Spies! Intrigue! International [almost exclusively men] of mystery! But they have never really floated my proverbial boat. That said, I loved Tess Gerritsen's spies and the world they inhabit. There's a sense of place - nay, a downright LOVE of place - and a retiring, rural New England domesticity that spoke to this retiring, rural New England reader. Book two, The Summer Guests, is even more rooted in Maine, on its history and the social dynamics of its natives and its summer people. Once I tore through those first two books, I went back to Gerritsen's first book, The Surgeon, one of Time Magazine's top 100 thriller/mystery books of all time and the first in the Rizzoli & Isles series, consequently made into a long-running television series. Gerritsen has a fascinating career trajectory, lots to talk about regarding pantsing and plotting, where the ideas come from, and lots of other geeky details about the writing life. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Find Tess at Tessgerritsen.com, or on Bluesky, @TessGerritsen Transcript below!EPISODE 462 - TRANSCRIPTJennie NashHey everyone, it's Jennie Nash, founder and CEO of Author Accelerator, the company I started more than 10 years ago to lead the emerging book coaching industry. In October, we'll be enrolling a new cohort of certification students who will be going through programs in either fiction, nonfiction, or memoir, and learning the editorial, emotional, and entrepreneurial skills that you need to be a successful book coach. If you've been curious about book coaching and thinking that it might be something you want to do for your next career move, I'd love to teach you more about it, you can go to bookcoaches.com/waitlist to check out the free training I have—that's bookcoaches.com/waitlist. The training is all about how to make money, meaning, and joy out of serving writers. Fall is always a great time to start something new. So if you're feeling called to do this, go check out our training and see if this might be right for you. We'd love to have you join us.Multiple SpeakersIs it recording? Now it's recording, yay. Go ahead. This is the part where I stare blankly at the microphone. I don't remember what I'm supposed to be doing. All right, let's start over. Awkward pause. I'm going to rustle some papers. Okay, now—one, two, three.Jess LaheyHey, this is Jess Lahey, and this is the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast. This is the podcast about writing all the things—short things, long things, poetry, prose, narrative nonfiction, fiction, creative nonfiction, queries, proposals. This is the podcast about writing all the things. More than anything else, this is the podcast about the writing life and about getting the work done. I am Jess Lahey. I'm the author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation. And you can find my journalism at The Atlantic and The Washington Post, and my bi-weekly (formerly bi-weekly) column at The New York Times, The Parent-Teacher Conference, ran for about three years I am joined today by Sarina Bowen, who has written 50-odd books. She has written lots and lots of romance, and her most recent addition to the world of publishing has been her thrillers, Dying to Meet You and The Five Year Lie. And she has a book coming out this fall called Thrown for a Loop. The reason I am recording this intro on my own—which, as you may know if you've been listening, is highly unusual for us—is because I know myself. And I know when I'm really excited to talk to someone on the podcast; I'm going to flub the intro. I'm going to forget something. I'm going to forget to introduce them altogether. So today, I'm doing that first, so I don't mess it up. A while ago on the podcast, you may have heard Sarina and KJ read some books by an author named Tess Gerritsen. I had heard of Tess Gerritsen, but I had never read any of her books. I just hadn't yet. I haven't read Nora Roberts yet. I haven't read—there are lots of authors I haven't read yet. And sometimes you don't even know where to start. So when Sarina and KJ recommended Tess Gerritsen's new series set in Maine—the first one being The Spy Coast and the second one being The Summer Guests—I figured I had a good place to start. And you know, as a New Englander, I love a good book about New England, and that was the start of my interest in Tess Gerritsen's work. I have gone back to the beginning and started with her book The Surgeon, which was her first book in the series that became the Rizzoli and Isles Series, as well as a television show. Tess Gerritsen has a—she's written through 33 books at this point. And as I now know, she has also directed a documentary called Magnificent Beast about pigs, which I listened to this morning while I was vacuuming the house. I loved it. She also—she has a lot to say about genre, about publishing, about second careers, about a writing place, and about process. So let's just jump right into it. I am so excited to introduce to you today, Tess Gerritsen. So from the perspective of what our listeners love—this podcast, the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast —is super geek. People who love the nuts and bolts and the dorky details of the writing life. Sarina has a past life in finance, and so she tends to be, like, our “no, but let's talk about the numbers” kind of person. I'm just the research super dork, which is why I spent my morning watching your documentary about pigs.Tess GerritsenOh my god! (Laughing)Jess LaheyMagnificent Beast. I—I've joked in the past that if I could, I would probably just research things in—in, you know, maybe there'll be a book out there, maybe there won't, but I would research things and—and just learn as much as I could. And so I loved—loved—your Magnificent Beast documentary. I thought it was fantastic. But one of the reasons that we wanted to talk to you, just from the very beginning, is that we feel like you do some pretty incredible world-building and relationship-building with your places and your characters. And so I just—I would love to start there, mainly with the idea of starting with the real nuts and bolts stuff, which is, like, what does an average writing day look like for you? And how do you, sort of—how do you set that up? What does it look like, if you have an average writing day? Maybe you don't.Tess GerritsenWell, it's hard to describe an average writing day, because every day is—there are days when you sit at your desk and you just, you know, pull your hair. And there are days when you get distracted by the news. And there are many days when I just do not want to write. But when I'm writing, the good days are when my characters are alive and talking to me. And it's—it's—you talked about world-building and character-building. That is really key to me. What are they saying to me? Can I hear their voices? And it sounds a little—a little crazy, because I am hearing voices. But it's those voices that really make characters come alive.Jess LaheyI—You have said in other interviews that you are very much—sorry to those of you who hate the terms—that you are very much a pantser. And you are sitting on this interview with a consummate plotter. Sarina is our consummate plotter. So could you talk a little bit about how those character—how those voices—influence, you know, the pantsing of the—of the book, and—and how that works for you?Tess GerritsenWell, I mean, it is weird that I am a pantser. And it's funny—I think that people who are plotters tend to be people who are in finance or in law, because they're used to having their ducks lined up, you know. They—they want everything set up ahead of time, and it makes them feel comfortable. And I think a large part of becoming a pantser is learning to be comfortable with unpredictability. Learning to just let things happen, and know you're going to take wrong turns, know you're going to end up in blind alleys—and yet just keep on forging ahead and change direction. So I suppose that what helps me become a pantser, as I said, is hearing a character's voice. If, for instance, when I wrote The Spy Coast, the first thing I heard about that book was Maggie Bird's voice. And she just said, “I'm not the woman I used to be.” And that's an opening there, right? Because you want to find out, Maggie, who did you used to be? And why do you sound so sad? So a lot of it was just—just getting into her head and letting her talk about what a day-to-day life is, which is, you know, raising chickens and collecting eggs and becoming—and being—a farmer. And then she does something surprising in that very first chapter. There's a fox that's killing her chickens, so she grabs her rifle and kills it with one shot. And that opens up another thing, like—how are you, a 62-year-old woman, able to take out a rifle and kill a fox with one shot? So it's—it's those things. It's those revelations of character. When they come out and they tell you something, or they show you they—they have a skill that you weren't aware of, you want to dig deeper and find out, you know, where did they get that skill?Sarina BowenAnd that is a really fun way to show it. I mean, you're talking today with two people who have also kept chickens.Multiple Speakers(All laughing)Jess LaheyAnd had foxes take their chickens, actually.Sarina BowenOh yes, because the two go together.Tess GerritsenYes.Sarina BowenBut yes, I admit I have never shot a fox, and maybe wouldn't.Jess LaheyI have yelled very loudly at a fox, and he actually—I have to say—really mad respect for the fox, because he took one look at me—he did drop the chicken that I was yelling at him for grabbing—and then he went across the street, around the neighbor's house, around the back of the other neighbor's house, and came at the exact same chicken from the other side of the house, where I couldn't see him out the window.Tess GerritsenOh, they are so smart. They are so smart.Jess LaheySo smart. Sarina, it sounded like you had something— you had something you wanted to add, and I interrupted you when we were talking about pantsing and we were talking about world-building and characters speaking to you.Sarina BowenWell, I just had thought that it was a lovely moment to explain why I was so excited to read this book after I heard Tess speak at Thriller Fest 2024, in a packed room where there was nowhere to sit except on the floor. You told the audience a little bit of a story from your real life that—that made you want to write that book. And I wonder if you could tell us what that was, because for me—I mean, we were only five minutes into your talk, and I'm like, oh, I'm—I'm going to download that tonight.Tess GerritsenWell, yes, it was. A lot of my books come from ideas that I've been stewing over for years. I have a folder called the ideas folder. It's an actual physical manila folder. And if I see something in an article or a newspaper or a magazine, I'll just rip it out and stick it in there, and it sometimes takes a long time before I know how to turn this into a book. So the idea for The Spy Coast is a little bit of obscure knowledge that I learned 35 years ago, when I first moved to Maine. My husband is a medical doctor. He opened up a practice, and when he would bring in new patients, he would always get an occupational history. And he used to get this answer—this very strange answer—from his new patients. They would say, “I used to work for the government, but I can't talk about it.” And after he heard that three times, he thought, what town did we land in? And who are these people? And we later found out that on our very short street, on one side of us was a retired OSS person, and on the other side was retired CIA. A realtor told us that our town was full of CIA retirees. So, I mean, of course you want to ask, why did they get here? What are they doing here? What are their lives like? I knew there was a book in there, but I didn't know what that book was. I needed 35 years to come up with the idea. And what I really needed to do was become old and—and realize that as you get older, especially women, we become invisible. People don't pay attention to us. We are over the hill. You know, everybody looks at the young, pretty chicks, but once you start getting gray hair, you fade into the background. And with that experience myself; I began to think more and more about what it's like to be retired. What is it like to be retired from a job that was maybe dangerous, or exciting, or something that you really risked your life to—to achieve? So that was—that was the beginning of The Spy Coast. What happens to CIA retirees—especially women—who are now invisible? But that makes them the best spies of all.Jess LaheyYeah, and we have—we did this really cool thing, this really fun thing for us on the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast. It's like a supporter-only thing, where we call First Pages, where very brave authors—very brave writers—submit their first page to us, and we talk about it and decide whether or not we'd want to turn the page. And you have an incredible skill on your first pages. You're very, very good at first pages. And I was thinking about The Summer Guests, that you had this wonderful line that I'm going to read now:Purity, Maine, 1972. On the last day of his life, Purity police officer Randy Pelletier ordered a blueberry muffin and a cup of coffee at the Marigold Café,Which immediately reminded me of my very, very favorite line from all of literature—my very favorite first line—which is Irving's first line from A Prayer for Owen Meany, in which he ruins the story for you right there in the first line:I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice—not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God.There is this incredible power to first lines. And I'm sort of wondering where—how first lines happen for you. Do they happen first? Do they happen last? Do they happen along the way?Tess GerritsenFirst lines usually happen last. I—it's—I will write the whole book, and I'll think, something's missing in that first chapter. How do I open this up? And, you know, there are things that make lines immediately hypnotic, and one of those things is an inherent contradiction—something that makes you think, wait, okay, you start off this way, but then all of a sudden, the meaning of that line switches. So, yeah, it starts off with, you know, this guy's going to die. But on that last day of his life, he does something very ordinary. He just orders coffee at the local café. So I think it's that contradiction that makes us want to read more. It's also a way to end chapters. I think that—that if you leave your reader with a sense of unease—something is about to go wrong, but they don't know what it is yet—or leave them with an unanswered question, or leave them with, as I said, a contradiction—that is what's page-turning. I think that a lot of thriller writers in particular mistake action for—for being—for being interesting. A car chase on the page is really very boring. But what's interesting is something that—you could feel that tension building, but you don't know why.Sarina BowenI have joked sometimes that when I get stuck on a plot, sometimes I will talk at my husband and—and say, “you know, I'm stuck here.” And he always says, “And then a giant squid attacked.” And it—of course I don't write books that take place where this is possible, so—but it never fails to remind me that, like, external action can sometimes be just, you know, totally pointless. And that if you're stuck, it's because one of your dominoes isn't leaning, you know, in the right spot. So...Tess GerritsenYeah, it's—it's not as much fun seeing that domino fall as seeing it go slowly tilting over. You know, I really learned this when I was watching a James Bond movie. And it starts off—you know, the usual James Bonds have their cold open to those action and chasing and death-defying acts. I found that—I find that really, in that movie anyway—I was like, Ho hum. Can we get to the story? And I found the time when I was leaning forward in my theater seat, watching every moment, was really a very quiet conversation aboard a train between him and this woman who was going to become his lover. That was fascinating to me. So I think that that transfers to book writing as well. Action is boring.Jess LaheyYou and Sarina do something that I feel, as a writer; I would probably not be very good at, which is creating that unease. I—Sarina in particular does this thing... I've read every one of Sarina's books, as a good friend is supposed to do. And I text her, and I say, Why don't they just talk about it and just deal? Get it out in the open! And she's like, you know, we just got to make these people uncomfortable. And you both have this incredible talent for helping—keeping the reader, uh, along with you, simply because there is this sense of unease. We're slightly off-kilter the whole time. And yet in me, as a people pleaser, that makes me very uncomfortable. I want people to be happy with each other. So how do you—if you get to a place where you feel like maybe things aren't off-kilter enough, or things aren't off-balance enough—how do you introduce a little bit of unease into your—into your story?Tess GerritsenWell, I think it comes down to very small points of conflict—little bits of tension. Like, we call it micro-tension. And I think those occur in everyday life all the time. For instance, you know, things that happen that really don't have any big consequence, but are still irritating. We will stew about those for—for a while. And, you know, I used to write romance as well, so I understand entirely what Sarina is doing, because romance is really about courtship and conflict. And it's the conflict that makes us keep reading. We just—we know this is the courtship. So there's always that sense of it's not quite there, because once the characters are happy, the story is over, right?Sarina BowenYeah.Multiple Speakers(All laughing)Sarina BowenAlso, writing the ends of romance novels is the least interesting part. Like, what...? Once the conflict is resolved, like, I cannot wait to get out of there.Tess GerritsenRight, exactly. You know, I—I pay attention to my feelings when I'm reading a book, and I've noticed that the books that I remember are not the books with happy endings, because happiness is so fleeting. You know, you can be happy one second, and then something terrible will happen. You'll be unhappy. What lasts for us is sadness, or the sense of bittersweet. So when I read a book that ends with a bittersweet ending—such as, you know, Larry McMurtry Lonesome Dove—I ended up crying at the end of that book, and I have never forgotten that ending. Now, if everybody had been happy and there had been nobody to drag all those miles at the end, I would have forgotten that book very quickly. So I think—I try—I always try to leave the end of the book either bittersweet—I mean, you want to resolve all the major plot points—but also leave that sense of unease, because people remember that. And it also helps you, if you have a sequel.Sarina BowenThat's so interesting you've just brought up a couple of really interesting points, because there is a thriller—I actually write suspense now—and one of the books that so captured my attention about five years ago was killing it on the charts. And I thought it was actually a terrible book, but it nailed the bittersweet ending. Like, the premise was solid, and then the bittersweet ending was perfect, and the everything between the first chapter and the last chapter was a hot mess, but—but—um, that ending really stuck with me. And I remember carrying it around with me, like, Wow, they really nailed that ending. You know, and—and maybe that has, like, legs in terms of, like, talking about it. And, you know, if it—if—if it's irritating enough, like, the tension is still there—enough to, like, make people talk about it—it could actually affect the performance of that book. But also, um, one thing that I really love about this series—you have—what is the series title for the...?Tess GerritsenMartini—The Martini Club.Sarina BowenThe Martini Club, right? So The Martini Club is two books now. I inhaled the first one last summer, and I inhaled the second one this summer. And The Martini Club refers to this group of friends—these retired spies. And of course, there are two completely different mysteries in book one and book two. And I noticed a couple of things about the difference between those mysteries that was really fun. So in the first case—or in one of the two cases, let's see—in one of them, the thing that happens in their town is actually, like, related to them. And in the other one, it's kind of not. So to me, that felt like a boundary expansion of your world and your system. But also, I just love the way you leaned into the relationship of these people and their town in such a way. And how did you know to do that? Like, how—what does your toolbox say about how to get that expansiveness in your character set? Like, you know, to—to find all the limits of it?Tess GerritsenThat—you know, so much is like—it's like asking a pole-vaulter how they do it. They just—they have just—I guess its muscle memory. You don't really know how you're doing it, but what I did know was—with age, and because I love these characters so much—it really became about them and about what is going to deepen their friendship? What kind of a challenge is going to make them lean into each other—lean on each other? That's really what I was writing about, I think, was this circle of friends, and—and what you will do, how much you will sacrifice, to make sure your friends are safe. No, you're right—the second book is much more of a classic mystery. Yeah—a girl disappears. I mean, there was—there were—there were CIA undertones in that, because that becomes an important part of the book. But I think that what people are—when people say they love this book—they really talk about the characters and that friendship. And we all want friends like this, where we can go and—and—and have martinis together, and then if we—one of us needs to—we'll go help them bury a body.Multiple Speakers(All laughing)Tess GerritsenThat's—they all have shovels, and they're willing to do it. That's the kind of friendship—friends—we want.Jess LaheyWell, and that's funny you mention that—I had an entire question—it wasn't even a question, it was a statement—in here about friendships and being grateful to you for the reminder about the importance of relationships. And this entire podcast was born out of the fact that we were talking writing all the time, and we just wanted an official way to sit down once a week and actually talk about the work. And your work is suffused with just these incredible relationships—whether that's the Rizzoli and Isles—you know, in your first—in the one of your other series—and I'm just—I'm very grateful for that, because we—especially—I think I re—I really crave books about female relationships, especially about older female relationships. And I have been loving your books, and I've—like, as I may have mentioned to you in my initial email—I had—I'm so sorry—never read your books before. And I admitted in the introduction that there are lots of very, very famous authors whose books I have never read. And it's always so exciting to me to dive into someone's series and realize, oh, this person really touches on themes that mean a lot to me, and I can already tell that I'm going to be enjoying a lot of their books to come forward. So thank you for all of the great descriptions of relationships and how we do rely on each other for various aspects of just how we get through all of this stuff.Tess GerritsenYeah—get through life. But you know what's funny about it is that it didn't start that way. For instance, let's go back to Rizzoli and Isles. The very first time they both appear in a book is in The Apprentice. And they don't start off being friends. They start off being—they're so different. As the TV producer once said, “you've really written about Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock.” That's okay—they are—in the books. They are not natural friends. But like real-life friendships, sometimes—just kind of develop slowly, and—and they have their ups and downs. So there are times when—when Jane and Maura are barely speaking to each other because of conflicts they have. But by the time book twelve comes around—or maybe book seven comes around—you know that they would risk their lives for each other. So I think that if you're writing a series like Rizzoli and Isles, or like The Martini Club, it really helps to develop the friendship on the fly and see how they react to certain stresses. The next book, which I just turned in, called The Shadow Friends—it even put—pushes them even further, and it really—it really strains a marriage, because it's—it's more about Ingrid, and an old lover comes back into her life. She used to—they were both spies—and he is, like, hot, hot, hot—Antonio Banderas kind of guy. And here's Ingrid, married to Lloyd, you know, who's just a sweet analyst who cooks dinner for her every night. And I—when I was coming up with that story, I thought, I want to write a book about their marriage. So it wasn't—the plot wasn't about, oh, you know, international assassinations, even though that does occur in the book. It's really about the story of a marriage.Jess LaheyAnd it gives you, it gives you added unease. You know, if you have your two characters not speaking to each other, and you know your readers love those characters and crave those characters to be getting along at some point, then that's just another reason that we're following along. I was just thinking about, uh, Michael Connelly, uh, book the other day, because I really, really like the series he did with Renée Ballard and her relationship with the Bosch character, and how that series is totally about crime, but yet it's also very much about the relationship. And I think I follow—I continue to read those because of the relationship between those two human beings, and less so because of the murder mystery sort of stuff.Tess GerritsenI think it really becomes important if you're dealing also with Hollywood television series. I still remember what the producer first said when he called me up about Rizzoli and Isles. He said, "I love your girls, and I think they belong on TV.” He didn't say, I love your plots. He didn't say, I love your mysteries, you know, all your intricate ups and downs. It was really about the girls. So if you hope to sell to a television series, really, it's about characters again.Jess LaheyAbsolutely.Sarina BowenI was going to ask about longevity, because you have so many books, and you're so obviously still invigorated by the process, or there wouldn't be a book three that you just turned in. So how have you been able to avoid just being sick to death of—of writing suspense novel after suspense novel?Tess GerritsenI refused. That's what it is. You know, I—I don't—I guess I could say that I have a little bit of ADHD when it comes to—to the books I write. I cannot—after 13 books of Rizzoli and Isles, I just had a different idea. And it takes—it takes a certain amount of backbone to say no to your publisher, to your editor, to people who are going, well, when's the next one in this series coming out? And to be able to say, I need a break. I need to do something completely different. So over—how many years I've been a writer—almost 40 now—I've written science fiction and historicals and a ghost story and romantic suspense and spy novels and medical thrillers and crime novels. I've been all over the place, but each one of those books that took me out of what I was expected to do was so invigorating. It was a book that I needed to write. As an example, I wrote a book called Playing with Fire. Nobody wanted that book. Nobody expected that book. It was a historical about World War II, and about music—about the power of music—and having to do with the death camps. I remember my publisher going, "What are you doing?" And, you know, it's—it's true—they're—they—they are marketers, and they understood that that book would not sell as well, and it didn't. But it still remains one of my favorite books. And when you want to write a book, you need to write that book. That's all—even—even if nobody wants it.Jess LaheyI actually was—I'm so pleased that this came up, because that was actually going to be my question, because both you and Sarina have done this—done, you know, 90 degrees—whether it's out of, you know, one genre into another—and that, to me, requires an enormous amount of courage. Because you know you have people expecting things from you. And you in particular, Tess, have people saying, "No, I want the next one. I love this relationship. I want the next one." And—and dealing—you're not just dealing with the disappointment of whether it's an agent or an editor, but the disappointment of fans. And that's a pressure as well. So when I used to do journalism, I remember a question I asked of another journalist was, "How do you continue to write without fear of the comment section?" And essentially, for us, that's our—you know, those are our readers. So how do you find that thing within yourself to say, no, this really is the thing that I need to be writing now?Tess GerritsenWell, that is a really—it's a really tough decision to buck the trend or buck what everybody's expecting, because there's a thing in publishing called the death spiral. And if your book does not sell well, they will print fewer copies for the next one. And then that won't sell well. So you start—your career starts to go down the drain. And that is a danger every time you step out of your tried and true series and do something out of—you know, completely out of the ordinary. I think the reason I did it was that I really didn't give a damn. It was—it was like, Okay, maybe this will kill my career, but I've got to write this book. And it was always with the idea that if my publisher did not want that, I would just self-publish. I would just, you know, find another way to get it out there. And I—I was warned, rightly so, that your sales will not be good for this book, and that will—it will hurt the next contract. And I understood that. But it was the only way I could keep my career going. Once you get bored, and you're—you're trapped in a drawer, I think it shows up in your writing.Jess LaheyI had this very conversation with my agent. The—my first book did well. And so then, you know, the expectation is, I'll write like part two of that, or I'll write something for that exact same audience again. And when I told my agent—I said, "You know, this book on substance use prevention and kids—I—it's—I have to write it. And I'm going to write it even, you know, if I have to go out there and sell it out of the trunk of my car." And she said, "Okay, then I guess we're doing this." And yes...Tess Gerritsen(Laughing) They had their best wishes at heart.Jess LaheyAnd honestly, I love—I loved my book that did well. But The Addiction Inoculation is the book I'm most proud of. And, you know, that's—yeah, that's been very important to me.Tess GerritsenI often hear from writers that the book that sold the fewest copies was one that was—were their favorites. Those are the ones that they took a risk on, that they—I mean, they put their heart and soul into it. And maybe those hurt their careers, but those are the ones that we end up being proud of.Jess LaheyI like to remind Sarina of that, because I do remember we text each other constantly. We have a little group, the three of us, a little group text all day long. And there was—I remember when she first wrote a male-male romance, she was scared. She was really scared that this was going to be too different for her readers. And it ended up being, I think, my favorite book that she's ever written, and also a very important book for her in terms of her career development and growth, and what she loves about the work that she does. And so I like to remind her every once in a while, remember when you said that really scared you and you weren't sure how your readers were going to handle it?Sarina BowenRight? Well, I also did that in the middle of a series, and I went looking for confirmation that that is a thing that people did sometimes, and it was not findable. You know, that was...Jess LaheyWhat? Change things up in terms of—change things up in the middle of a series?Sarina BowenIn the middle of a series. And anyway, that book still sells.Tess GerritsenThat is a great act of courage, but it's also an act of confidence in yourself as a writer. There are ways to do it. I think some writers will just adopt a different pen name for something that's way out there.Jess LaheyIt's funny you should say... it's funny you should say that.Sarina BowenWell, no, and I never have done that, but, um—but anyway, yeah, that's hard. I, uh...Jess LaheyYeah.Sarina BowenIt's hard to know. Sometimes...Jess LaheyWe entertain it all the time. We do talk about that as an option all the time. Shouldn't we just pick up and do something completely different? One of the things that I also—I mentioned at the top of the podcast about, you know, you went off—not only have you done lots of different things in terms of your writing—but you went off and you did an entire documentary about pigs. I have—I have to ask you where on earth that came from and why. And it is a total delight, as I mentioned, and I have already recommended it to two people that I know also love the topic. But, you know, to go off—and especially when you usually, as some of us have experienced—our agents saying, so when am I going to see more pages? or when am I going to see the next book? And you say, I'm really sorry, but I have to go off and film this documentary about pigs.Tess GerritsenYes. Well, you know, I was an anthropology major in college, and I've always been interested in the pig taboo. You know, back then, everybody just assumed it was because, yeah, it was disease or they're dirty animals—that's why they're forbidden food. It never quite convinced me, because I'm Chinese-American. Asia—you know, Asia loves pork. Why aren't they worried about all that? So I was in Istanbul for a book tour once, and I remember I really wanted bacon, and, you know, I couldn't get bacon. And then I thought, okay, I really need to find out why pork is forbidden. This is a—this is a cultural and historical mystery that never made sense to me. The explanations just never made sense to me. It cannot be trichinosis. So I told my son that—my son is—he does—he's a filmmaker as well. And he just said, "Well, let's do it. Let's—we will pose it as a mystery," because it is a mystery. So it took us probably two years to go and—you know, we interviewed anthropologists and pet pig owners and archaeologists, actually, just to find out, what do they say? What is the answer to this? And to us, the answer really just came down to this cultural desire for every—every tribe—to define us versus them. You know, they eat pigs. They're not us, so therefore they're the enemy. And it was fascinating because we—we ended up finding out more about pigs than I was expecting, and also finding out that people who have pet pigs can sometimes be a little unusual.Jess LaheyAnd the people who purchase the clothes for the pigs are also crazy.Tess GerritsenYes. Sew outfits for their pigs and sleep with their pigs. And there was—there was one woman who had—she slept on the second floor of her house, so she had an elevator for her pig who couldn't make it up the stairs, and, you know, ramps to get up onto the bed because they've gotten so fat—they've been overfed. But it was—for me, at the heart of it was a mystery.Jess LaheyAs a nonfiction author whose whole entire reason for being is, "I don't know—let's find out," I think that's just the most delightful thing. And I loved your framing as, "I don't know, we have this question, let's go out there and just ask people about it and find the experts." And that's—oh, I could just live on that stuff. So...Tess GerritsenSo could I. You know, research is so enticing. It's enticing. It is—it can get you into trouble because you never write your book. Some of us just love to do the research.Jess LaheySarina actually has taken skating lessons, done glass blowing—what else have you done? Yoga classes and all—all kinds of things in the pursuit of knowledge for her characters. And I think that's a delight.Sarina BowenYes. If you can sign up for a class as part of your research, like, that is just the best day. Like, you know, oh, I must take these ice skating lessons twice a day for five months, because—yeah—or twice a week, but still.Tess GerritsenYou must be a good ice skater then.Sarina BowenI'm getting better.Tess GerritsenSo you never gave them up, I see.Jess LaheyWell, it's fun because she usually writes about hockey, but she has a figure skater coming up in this book that's coming out this fall. And she's like, "Well, I guess I'm just going to have to learn how to figure skate."Tess GerritsenYeah.Sarina BowenI also—one time I went to see Rebecca Skloot speak about her big nonfiction The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.Tess GerritsenOh, okay.Sarina BowenAnd she said that all her best ideas had come from moments in her life when she went, "Wait, what?!"Tess GerritsenYes. Yep.Sarina BowenIncluding for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Like, she learned about the cells in high school—she was in high school biology class—and the teacher said, like, "This woman died in the '60s, but we're still using her cells," and she said, "Wait, what?!" And that's—that's what you made me think of with the pigs. Like, I think...Jess LaheyWell, and also your folder of ideas. I mean, I immediately texted Sarina after listening to a podcast where I heard an ad, and the ad made me go, "Oh that could be creepy." And then I'm like, "Okay, this is—this is a plot. This is going in the folder somewhere." And so you have to just think about how those things could unfold over time. And I love the idea of—and even in journalism—there are articles that I've written where I said, this just isn't their time. And then, like, five years later, I'll hear something out there, and I'm like, okay, finally, it's the time for this thing. And there's a reason you put that article in your idea—in your paper—manila folder of ideas.Tess GerritsenWell, I think writers are—we have to be curious. We have to be engaged in what's going on around us, because the ideas are everywhere. And I have this—I like to say I have a formula. It's called "two plus two equals five." And what that means is, sometimes you'll have a—you'll have a piece of information that, you know, there's a book here, but you haven't figured out what to do with it. And you wait for another piece of information from some completely different source, and you put them together, and they end up being like nuclear fusion—bigger than the…Sarina BowenYes!Jess LaheyYes!Tess GerritsenSome of the parts.Sarina BowenMost every book I've ever written works like that. Like, I have one idea that I drag around for, like, five years, and then I have this other idea, and one day I'm like, oh, those two things go together.Tess GerritsenYep.Jess LaheyYeah, absolutely. I think Stephen King mentioned that about Carrie. I think it was like, telekinesis, and that usually starts about the time of menstruation, and it was like, boom, there was Carrie. You know, those two things came together. I love that so much. So you mentioned that you have just handed in your next book, and we don't—we do not, as a rule, ask about what's next for an author, because I find that to be an incredibly intimidating and horrifying question to be asked. But I would love to hear; you know, is this—is this series one that you hope to continue working on? The main series, mainly because we have quite fallen in love with your little town in Maine—in Purity, Maine. Fantastic name for your town, by the way. It's really lovely. It creates such a nice dichotomy for these people who have seen and heard things during their careers that maybe are quite dark, and then they retire to a place called Purity. Is this a place where we can hopefully spend a little bit of time?Tess GerritsenWell, I am thinking about book number four now. I have an idea. You know, it always starts with—it starts with an idea and doodling around and trying to figure out what—you know, you start with this horrible situation, and then you have to explain it. So that's where I am now. I have this horrible situation, I have to explain it. So, yeah, I'm thinking about book four. I don't know how—you never know how long a series is going to go. It's a little tough because I have my characters who are internationally based—I mean, they've been around the world—but then I can't leave behind my local cop who is also a part of this group as well. So I have to keep an eye out on Maine being the center of most of the action.Sarina BowenRight, because how many international plots can you give Purity, Maine?Tess GerritsenThat's right, exactly. Well, luckily…Jess LaheyLook, Murder, She Wrote—how many things happened to that woman in that small town?Tess GerritsenExactly, exactly. Well, luckily, because I have so many CIA retirees up here, the international world comes to us. Like the next book, The Shadow Friends, is about a global security conference where one of the speakers gets murdered. And it turns out we have a global security conference right here in our town that was started by CIA 40 years ago. So I'm just—I'm just piggybacking on reality here. And—not that the spies up here think that's very amusing.Sarina BowenThat is fantastic, because, you know, the essential problem of writing a suspense novel is that you have to ground it in a reality that everyone is super familiar with, and you have to bring in this explosive bit of action that is unlikely to happen near any of us. And those two things have to fit together correctly. So by, um, by putting your retired spies in this tiny town, you have sort of, like, gifted yourself with that, you know, precise problem solver.Tess GerritsenYeah, reminding us.Sarina BowenYeah.Tess GerritsenBut there's only so far I can take that. I'm not sure what the limits... I think book four is going to take them all overseas, because my local cop, Jo, she's never been out of the country—except for Canada—and it's time for her dad to drag her over to Italy and say, "Your dead mom wanted to come to Italy, so I'm taking you." And, of course, things go wrong in Italy for Jo.Jess LaheyOf course, of course. Well, we're going to keep just banging on about how much we love these books. I think we've already mentioned it in three podcast episodes so far in our “What have you been reading lately that you've really loved?” So we're—we're big fans. And thank you so much for sitting down to talk with us and to—you know, one of the whole points of our podcast is to flatten the learning curve for other authors, so we hope that that's done a little bit of that for our listeners. And again, thank you so much. Where can people find you and your work if they want to learn a little bit more about Tess Gerritsen—her work?Tess GerritsenYou can go to TessGerritsen.com, and I try to post as much information there as I can. But I'm also at Bluesky, @TessGerritsen, and what is now called “X”—a legacy person on X—@TessGerritsen, yes.Jess LaheyThank you so, so much again. And for everyone out there listening, keep your butt in the chair and your head in the game.The Hashtag AmWriting Podcast is produced by Andrew Perella. Our intro music—aptly titled Unemployed Monday—was written and played by Max Cohen. Andrew and Max were paid for their time and their creative output, because everyone deserves to be paid for their work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

In today's page of Talmud, Avodah Zarah 62, the rabbis weigh in on whether wages earned from idolatrous wine are permitted, offering a lesson about work, boundaries, and moral compromise. But how do we know when a job crosses the line? Listen and find out.

The Holy Spirit draws believers away from sin and toward purity. But how can we find cleansing when we've already fallen to temptation? In this message from 1 Corinthians 6, Pastor Lutzer offers biblical hope for those battling sexual sin. Embrace this transforming truth: Our bodies are a sacred temple where God's Spirit dwells. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29

The Holy Spirit draws believers away from sin and toward purity. But how can we find cleansing when we've already fallen to temptation? In this message from 1 Corinthians 6, Pastor Lutzer offers biblical hope for those battling sexual sin. Embrace this transforming truth: Our bodies are a sacred temple where God's Spirit dwells. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. 

In our “guiltless” culture, living purely grows increasingly difficult. Paul faced similar challenges with the Corinthians who also justified their immorality. In this message from 1 Corinthians 6, Pastor Lutzer provides three compelling reasons why sexual sin has no place in believers' lives. Remember: Our bodies belong to the Lord. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29

In our “guiltless” culture, living purely grows increasingly difficult. Paul faced similar challenges with the Corinthians who also justified their immorality. In this message from 1 Corinthians 6, Pastor Lutzer provides three compelling reasons why sexual sin has no place in believers' lives. Remember: Our bodies belong to the Lord. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. 

What happens when a Mormon woman questions her faith—but doesn't walk away entirely? In this week's interview, Olivia Calvert shares her journey of embracing doubts and shifts in belief. Choosing to live Mormonism in her own way, Olivia's path leads her to what she calls “casual discipleship.” While we have explored stories like this before from men in the church, it is rare for an LDS woman to open up about her faith in this way.Topics include:-Purity culture-Faith crises-Church history-Choosing to stay Mormon—on your own terms. If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit the Mormon mold, this story might be exactly what you need to hear. Join us as we talk about the many ways people are navigating Mormonism today.___________________YouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠Our Platforms:⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Social Media:⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117