Podcasts about read john

In this message, Mike explores one of the most striking moments in Jesus' final hours with his disciples -- his deliberate choice to redefine their relationship from servants to friends. Drawing from John 15, the sermon unpacks what it means that Jesus, the Lord of all creation, extended the title of "friend" to his followers. Mike challenges the congregation to move beyond a purely transactional or performance-based faith and into the deep, loyal, and sacrificial friendship that Jesus modeled through his death. Using the biblical definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13 as the foundation, the sermon argues that true friendship with Jesus requires choosing his value system over the world's, holding fast to conviction while remaining relationally engaged with those who do not yet know him.Read John 15:12-17Jesus does not merely tolerate your presence -- he chooses you. In John 15, he draws a striking line between servants and friends, and then deliberately places you on the friend side of that line. A servant follows orders without understanding the master's heart. A friend is brought into confidence, trusted with purpose, and loved with loyalty. This was not a casual invitation. It was spoken on the eve of the cross, which means it cost something. Sit with this today: the God who spoke the universe into existence looked at you and said, you are my friend. Receive that.What would change in your daily walk with God if you approached him as a friend rather than a distant authority? Set aside ten minutes today not to make requests of God, but simply to be present with him. Practice the kind of friendship that does not always need something fixed.Discussion Questions:-Jesus deliberately shifted the relationship with his disciples from servants to friends -- what personal barriers, whether rooted in legalism, past wounds, or a sense of unworthiness, prevent you from truly seeing yourself as a friend of God rather than merely a servant?-The sermon describes friendship as never neutral but always formative, shaping who we become -- in what ways have your closest friendships either drawn you toward or pulled you away from a deeper walk with Jesus?-Jesus warned his disciples that choosing friendship with him would mean the world would hate them, just as it hated him first -- where in your life are you most tempted to compromise your convictions in order to maintain the approval of the world?

Stop losing yourself to love. What if codependency isn't just about your relationships with other people, but your relationship with yourself? In this episode, John and Vanessa explore why recovering from codependency is really about building a stronger sense of identity. They explain how people pleasing, lacking boundaries, and fearing rejection can keep us disconnected from who we really are, and why choosing authenticity over self-abandonment is essential for healthier relationships. In this episode: • Why codependency recovery is really identity work • How people pleasing can become a way to avoid yourself • The connection between resentment, boundaries, and self-abandonment • Why some relationships change or end when you begin healing • The difference between healthy love and the version of love many of us were taught • How corrective experiences help you build a stronger relationship with yourself If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

What happens when life forces you to start over? In this personal check-in, John Kim reflects on the unexpected lessons that came from rebuilding his life after losing his home. From learning to surf at 53 to finding clarity through travel and stepping out of survival mode, this episode explores what it means to reconnect with yourself and embrace a different way of living. In this episode: • Why learning to surf became more than just a new hobby • How reconnecting with old parts of yourself can lead to real growth • The unexpected ways Costa Rica has reshaped his perspective on life • What travel has taught him about identity, home, and possibility • The difference between living in survival mode and living with intention • Why changing your environment can change the way you see yourself If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Emma leads the congregation through John 15:1-11, exploring what it means to truly abide in Jesus as the true vine. Rather than treating spiritual fruit as a personal achievement or to-do list, she emphasizes that genuine, lasting fruit grows naturally from a deep, intentional connection to Christ. Drawing on the imagery of vineyards, root systems, and the gardener's care, she presents abiding not as a passive state but as an active, daily practice of seeking and acknowledging God's presence. She also highlights the essential role of the church community in sustaining and deepening that abiding life, concluding with a guided time of corporate scripture meditation to move the congregation from hearing about abiding to actually practicing it together.Read John 15:1-11Jesus does not invite us to try harder. He invites us to stay closer. In this passage, he makes a striking claim: apart from him, we can produce nothing of lasting value. The branch does not strain to grow fruit. It simply stays connected to the vine and fruit becomes the natural result. The same is true for us. Patience, gentleness, love, and peace are not disciplines we master through sheer willpower. They are the overflow of a life rooted in Jesus. Today, resist the urge to manufacture fruit on your own. Simply remain. Where in your life are you straining to produce fruit through your own effort?What would it look like to release that area to Jesus today? Choose one moment today to pause, put your hands open at your sides, and simply acknowledge that you need Jesus. Let that posture become a prayer.Discussion Questions:-Jesus describes himself as the vine and his Father as the gardener in John 15:1-2, where the gardener both removes unfruitful branches and prunes fruitful ones to produce even more fruit -- what does this tell us about the nature of God's involvement in our lives, and how does it change the way you respond to seasons of loss or pruning?-Emma described abiding as intentionally seeking and acknowledging God's presence in every moment and allowing that presence to change you from the inside out -- in what areas of your daily life do you find it most difficult to maintain that kind of intentional awareness of God?-The sermon draws a distinction between striving to produce the fruits of the Spirit through personal effort versus naturally bearing fruit as a result of remaining in Jesus -- where in your own life have you noticed the difference between manufactured fruit and fruit that grew out of genuine connection with God?

Have you ever felt like your faith and your daily life are two separate things? From the very first pages of Scripture, the Spirit of God has been present moving, renewing, and making something out of nothing. And Jesus promised that same Spirit would live inside every one of his followers. Not as a feeling. Not as a concept. As a Person. This series is about learning to know him and letting him change everything. Our prayer is that you would walk out of here today not just having learned something about the Holy Spirit, but having encountered him. Next Steps: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to make himself known to you this week 2. Read John 14:16–17 and sit with it for five minutes 3. Come back next week — this is just the beginning

In this episode, John and Vanessa answer listeners' questions about what healthy and unhealthy expectations are in dating, relationships, and marriage.

What are you curious about these days? What if taking stock of what you're interested in, and what you're ready to leave behind, could reveal exactly where you're headed next? In this solo episode, John Kim shares a personal list of the ideas, experiences, and questions capturing his attention in this season of life, alongside the habits, mindsets, and patterns he's no longer interested in carrying. From curiosity and possibility to letting go of certainty and external validation, this conversation is an invitation to reflect on what's changing within you. In this episode: • Why curiosity has become more important than certainty • How strangers can become chosen family • The value of holding on loosely instead of gripping tightly • Letting go of validation, grudges, and winning arguments • Friending your demons instead of fighting them • Why defining what you're no longer interested in matters

Send us Fan MailRELENTLESSPart 1 | Running From MercySenior Pastor Keith Stewart July 19, 2026If you look around our culture today, everything seems to be divided into "us" and "them." Every day we're told who to fear, who to blame, who to despise, and who deserves our outrage. The anger comes from the right and from the left, and before long it begins to shape our own hearts. What's surprising is that God's remedy for this isn't found in a New Testament command or a self-help book. It's found in one of the shortest books of the Old Testament—the book of Jonah. Because Jonah isn't really written for irreligious people. It's written for people like us. People who know God, worship God, and yet can still find themselves resisting the very things God loves. Jonah has a great deal to teach us about who God is, how God works, and how He wants to transform our hearts.Discussion Questions 1. Before hearing this message, what did you think the book of Jonah was primarily about? Did anything in this week's teaching challenge or expand your understanding of the story? 2. Pastor Keith said, "The book of Jonah is a mirror." In what ways do you see yourself in Jonah's attitudes or actions? 3. Why do you think Jonah resisted God's call to Nineveh? Was it fear, prejudice, nationalism, hatred, or something else? What does his motivation reveal about the human heart?4. Read Jonah 1:1–3. Jonah ran in the opposite direction of God's command. What are some ways people today can run from God without ever leaving home? 5. The sermon emphasized that all people matter to God. Why is that truth sometimes easy to affirm in theory but difficult to practice with certain people? 6. Pastor Keith asked several searching questions:  Who scares you?  Who offends you?  Who can you not stand?  Who would you rather see judged than forgiven?Without naming individuals if it would be inappropriate, why do you think those questions are so difficult to answer honestly?7. Throughout Jonah 1, the pagan sailors often behaved more compassionately than God's prophet. What do you think God is trying to teach us through that surprising reversal?8. The message suggested that Jonah's deepest problem wasn't simply disobedience but misdirected love—he loved his nation more than God's heart for the nations. What are some good things that can become disordered loves in our own lives?9. Read John 3:16–17 together. How does verse 17 deepen or reshape your understanding of verse 16? 10. Pastor Keith closed by praying, "God, make me into a grace giver, not just a grace receiver." What would that look like in one specific relationship or situation this week?Closing PrayerAsk God to reveal any "Jonah heart" within us—a place where resentment, prejudice, fear, or self-righteousness has replaced compassion. Pray that God would help us see people the way He sees them and become willing participants in His relentless pursuit of those He loves.

This sermon explores Jesus's final words to His disciples in the Upper Room, focusing on His promise not to leave them as orphans. The central message addresses how believers often struggle with an "orphan spirit"—a mindset of living as though we are abandoned, unprotected, and forced to survive on our own, rather than as beloved sons and daughters of God. Through the promised Holy Spirit (the Paraclete), believers receive not just God's presence but His power, advocacy, and constant affirmation of their identity in Christ. The sermon challenges the congregation to stop confusing God's silence with His absence and to transition from trying to earn God's love through performance to resting in the security of being permanently adopted into His family. The key is learning to approach God's Word not as a legal obligation or audit of performance, but as a love letter from a Father who speaks life-giving promises over His children.Read John 14:15-18Jesus promised He would not leave us as orphans. In your moments of silence from God, remember that silence does not equal absence. The disciples faced their greatest fear—abandonment by the One who gave them identity and purpose. Yet Jesus assured them of the Holy Spirit's coming. Today, examine where you've confused God's silence with His absence. Are there unanswered prayers causing you to doubt His faithfulness? The Spirit of God stands with His arm around you, silencing every accusation. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. His presence is with you forever—no conditions, no clauses, just unwavering commitment to remain with you always.Discussion Questions:-In what ways have you confused God's silence with God's absence in your own life, and how might understanding the difference transform your relationship with Him?-How does viewing God's Word as a love letter rather than a rulebook change the way you approach Scripture and obedience?-Which of the promises listed in the sermon (forgiven, loved, chosen, blameless, complete, etc.) do you struggle most to believe about yourself, and why?

This sermon explores Jesus's final words to His disciples in the Upper Room, focusing on His promise not to leave them as orphans. The central message addresses how believers often struggle with an "orphan spirit"—a mindset of living as though we are abandoned, unprotected, and forced to survive on our own, rather than as beloved sons and daughters of God. Through the promised Holy Spirit (the Paraclete), believers receive not just God's presence but His power, advocacy, and constant affirmation of their identity in Christ. The sermon challenges the congregation to stop confusing God's silence with His absence and to transition from trying to earn God's love through performance to resting in the security of being permanently adopted into His family. The key is learning to approach God's Word not as a legal obligation or audit of performance, but as a love letter from a Father who speaks life-giving promises over His children.Read John 14:15-18Jesus promised He would not leave us as orphans. In your moments of silence from God, remember that silence does not equal absence. The disciples faced their greatest fear—abandonment by the One who gave them identity and purpose. Yet Jesus assured them of the Holy Spirit's coming. Today, examine where you've confused God's silence with His absence. Are there unanswered prayers causing you to doubt His faithfulness? The Spirit of God stands with His arm around you, silencing every accusation. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. His presence is with you forever—no conditions, no clauses, just unwavering commitment to remain with you always.Discussion Questions:-In what ways have you confused God's silence with God's absence in your own life, and how might understanding the difference transform your relationship with Him?-How does viewing God's Word as a love letter rather than a rulebook change the way you approach Scripture and obedience?-Which of the promises listed in the sermon (forgiven, loved, chosen, blameless, complete, etc.) do you struggle most to believe about yourself, and why?

Have you ever felt like your faith and your daily life are two separate things? From the very first pages of Scripture, the Spirit of God has been present moving, renewing, and making something out of nothing. And Jesus promised that same Spirit would live inside every one of his followers. Not as a feeling. Not as a concept. As a Person. This series is about learning to know him and letting him change everything. Our prayer is that you would walk out of here today not just having learned something about the Holy Spirit, but having encountered him. Next Steps: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to make himself known to you this week 2. Read John 14:16–17 and sit with it for five minutes 3. Come back next week — this is just the beginning Your next step starts at thewocc.com/welcome

What does it actually take to build healthy relationships? In this Therapy Thursdays episode, John Kim answers some of the most common questions about love, healing, attachment, and personal growth. From redefining what it means to fall in love to understanding why peace is something you give yourself - not something you find - this episode explores the inner work that shapes the way we connect with others. John shares practical insights on anxious attachment, healing after toxic relationships, rupture and repair, emotional safety, and why the healthiest relationships are built through daily choices rather than fleeting feelings. He also explores the importance of studying yourself, accepting impermanence, and living a "through me" life instead of feeling like life is happening to you. In this episode: • Why peace is something you can give yourself • What it means to live a "through me" life • Why self-help is really the lifelong study of self • How fear of impermanence fuels suffering • The qualities that should never be negotiable in relationships • The difference between falling in love and choosing to love • Signs you're in a healthy, secure relationship • Whether emotional attraction alone is enough • Why every relationship requires rupture and repair • Understanding anxious attachment when you're apart from your partner • How healthy relationships can help support emotional healing • What your nervous system needs after a toxic relationship • Two questions that can help guide your life and relationships

In this solo episode, John Kim shares a collection of personal notes written over coffee in Costa Rica, exploring what he's learning about wholeness, love, masculinity, ambition, and personal growth. Through honest reflections and stories, he challenges the idea that we need to keep proving ourselves and offers a different path rooted in presence, curiosity, and living more fully. In this episode: • Why the goal isn't balance, but wholeness • What it means to "feed the other wolf" • How healthy love can feel unfamiliar after chaos • Why life's "B-sides" often become the most meaningful chapters • How to break free from rumination and reconnect with the present • Why staying unfinished may be the key to continued growth If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

When sex changes after having a baby, what happens to the relationship? Becoming parents changes everything, including intimacy. In this episode, John Kim explores what happens when a new father feels disconnected while a new mother is navigating recovery, exhaustion, and the demands of caring for a newborn. He shares his own experience and explains why protecting the relationship is more important than trying to get back to "normal." In this episode: • Why intimacy often changes after having a baby • How empathy can replace resentment during the postpartum season • What it means to redefine sex, connection, and partnership • Why building a full life beyond sex matters for new fathers • How honest communication helps couples navigate this major transition • Why protecting the relationship creates space for intimacy to return If this episode resonates with you or someone you know who is navigating life after having a baby, share it with them. Follow the podcast for more conversations on relationships, growth, and emotional health.

This sermon explores John 14:1-14, examining Jesus's words to His disciples in the Upper Room after announcing His betrayal and departure. Jake addresses how Jesus comforts troubled hearts not by changing circumstances or providing explanations, but by offering Himself as the answer. The message emphasizes that when life falls apart and we don't know which way is up, Jesus doesn't wait for our pain to be resolved before sitting with us in it. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—not just information about God, but the very presence of God with us in our darkest moments. The sermon challenges believers to stop shelving their pain and instead bring their unresolved grief, disappointment, and confusion directly to Jesus, who understands troubled hearts because He Himself was troubled.Read John 14:1-4Jesus speaks His most comforting words in the most painful moments. When the disciples' world was collapsing, He didn't offer explanations—He offered Himself. Notice that Jesus doesn't deny the reality of their circumstances or pretend their fear isn't valid. Instead, He acknowledges their troubled hearts while pointing them toward something greater than their circumstances. The God we serve doesn't comfort us by pretending our suffering isn't real. He enters into it with us. Today, whatever has stolen the air from your room, know that Jesus isn't waiting for you to understand it before He sits with you in it. His presence is the promise.What circumstance are you waiting to understand before you bring it to Jesus?Discussion Questions:-When have you experienced a moment where the air felt like it was sucked out of the room, and how did that affect your faith in God's presence during that time?-The pastor mentioned that we often shelve our pain and keep following God without knowing what to do with our grief or disappointment. What have you placed on the shelf, and what would it look like to bring that before Jesus today?-Philip asks to see the Father while looking directly at Jesus. In what ways might you be asking God to reveal himself while missing his presence that is already with you?-Jesus tells his failing, doubting disciples that they will do greater works, not because of their competency but because of his presence. How does this challenge your belief about needing to have it all together before God can use you?

This sermon explores John 14:1-14, examining Jesus's words to His disciples in the Upper Room after announcing His betrayal and departure. Jake addresses how Jesus comforts troubled hearts not by changing circumstances or providing explanations, but by offering Himself as the answer. The message emphasizes that when life falls apart and we don't know which way is up, Jesus doesn't wait for our pain to be resolved before sitting with us in it. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—not just information about God, but the very presence of God with us in our darkest moments. The sermon challenges believers to stop shelving their pain and instead bring their unresolved grief, disappointment, and confusion directly to Jesus, who understands troubled hearts because He Himself was troubled.Read John 14:1-4Jesus speaks His most comforting words in the most painful moments. When the disciples' world was collapsing, He didn't offer explanations—He offered Himself. Notice that Jesus doesn't deny the reality of their circumstances or pretend their fear isn't valid. Instead, He acknowledges their troubled hearts while pointing them toward something greater than their circumstances. The God we serve doesn't comfort us by pretending our suffering isn't real. He enters into it with us. Today, whatever has stolen the air from your room, know that Jesus isn't waiting for you to understand it before He sits with you in it. His presence is the promise.What circumstance are you waiting to understand before you bring it to Jesus?Discussion Questions:-When have you experienced a moment where the air felt like it was sucked out of the room, and how did that affect your faith in God's presence during that time?-The pastor mentioned that we often shelve our pain and keep following God without knowing what to do with our grief or disappointment. What have you placed on the shelf, and what would it look like to bring that before Jesus today?-Philip asks to see the Father while looking directly at Jesus. In what ways might you be asking God to reveal himself while missing his presence that is already with you?-Jesus tells his failing, doubting disciples that they will do greater works, not because of their competency but because of his presence. How does this challenge your belief about needing to have it all together before God can use you?

Have you ever felt like your faith and your daily life are two separate things? From the very first pages of Scripture, the Spirit of God has been present moving, renewing, and making something out of nothing. And Jesus promised that same Spirit would live inside every one of his followers. Not as a feeling. Not as a concept. As a Person. This series is about learning to know him and letting him change everything. Our prayer is that you would walk out of here today not just having learned something about the Holy Spirit, but having encountered him. Next Steps: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to make himself known to you this week 2. Read John 14:16–17 and sit with it for five minutes 3. Come back next week — this is just the beginning Your next step starts at thewocc.com/welcome

Zack Wheeler was robbed of a spot on the NL All Star roster thanks to a stupid rule that everyone now understands must be eliminated. But will that happen in time for his inclusion next week in Philadelphia? On Episode 1100 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight breaks down the first two games of the Phils-Reds series with a starting lineup of 9 topics for discussion including: The hard-charging Marlins now tied with the Phillies in the NL East Don Mattingly tells ESPN he wants to return as manager in 2027! Jesus Luzardo DOES make the All Star team Tanner Banks and Jose Alvarado are leaving the Phils with no left-handed relief options Should the Phils focus on a 5th starter or reliever help at the trade deadline? Baseball America ranks the Phillies farm system 2nd-WORST in MLB Baserunning controversy in Tuesday night's victory with Elly de la Cruz' overrun of 2nd base Fun stats involving Derek Hill and Justin Crawford Buy Justin's NEW book, "Summer of the Cheap Weiners: What the 1941 Phillies Were Up To While Joe DiMaggio Was Making History" at Brookline Books! https://www.brooklinebooks.com/978195... Subscribe to the Hittin' Season podcast on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Subscribe on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fMSJlk... Follow all WHYY podcasts here: https://whyy.org/radio-podcasts/ Follow John on X: https://x.com/JohnStolnis Follow John on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johnstolnis.... Follow Liz on X: https://x.com/lizroscher Follow Liz on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lizroscher.b... Follow Justin on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justinklugh.... Read John at The Good Phight: https://www.thegoodphight.com Read Justin at Baseball Prospectus: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/au.... Become a Member: https://whyy.org/membership.

What if the promises we make in love are setting us up to fail? In this episode, John Kim is joined by his wife, Vanessa Bennett, to explore how redefining the promises we make in relationships could change the way we love. Instead of focusing on "forever," they discuss commitments rooted in personal growth, accountability, respect, and the willingness to keep doing the inner work, even when relationships evolve or come to an end. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why "forever" may not be the healthiest relationship promise • How unspoken agreements contribute to betrayal and resentment • The importance of owning your own patterns and projections • Why love requires growth instead of staying the same • What it means to create corrective love experiences • How new promises can lead to healthier relationships If this conversation resonated with you, follow the podcast, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others discover the show.

Curious about psychedelic medicine but unsure what it actually does? In this conversation, John Kim sits down with Sarah Williams to explore how medicines like MDMA and psilocybin can support healing, self-discovery, and personal growth when approached with intention, safety, and integration. Sarah shares her journey from her first ayahuasca experience to becoming a medicine guide, including the near-death experience on Denali that changed the course of her life. Together, they unpack why medicine isn't a shortcut to transformation, but a tool that can help people reconnect with themselves and create lasting change. In this episode: • Sarah's path into medicine work and what drew her to MDMA • Why integration matters more than expecting one ceremony to change your life • The lessons Sarah learned after surviving a life-threatening experience on Denali • How MDMA can help people access difficult emotions and conversations • The differences between macrodosing and microdosing • Why intention, safety, and the right support are essential John and Sarah also share details about their upcoming two-month microdosing program which you can find out about HERE Connect with Sarah: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahskyann Website: https://www.terraalinea.com

This sermon explores the final night of Jesus' life, focusing on the Last Supper and the moments surrounding Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. Jen emphasizes that Jesus, being fully God and fully man, experienced the deep pain of betrayal while knowing exactly what would happen. Despite this knowledge, Jesus chose all twelve disciples, including Judas, from the beginning of time. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond intellectual knowledge of the biblical narrative and truly enter into the emotional and spiritual reality of that night. Central to the message is Jesus' new commandment to love one another with sacrificial, unconditional love—given even in the midst of His own heartbreak. Jen emphasizes that this kind of love among believers is how the world will recognize Jesus' disciples. The sermon calls listeners to examine their own hearts for areas of betrayal, denial, pride, and fear, while remembering that Jesus continues to look at each person with the same deep love He had for His disciples.Read John 13:18-30; 1 John 4:19Jesus sat at that table knowing exactly who would betray Him, yet He served Judas anyway. He washed his feet. He broke bread with him. He looked at him with love. This is the scandalous nature of God's love—it doesn't wait for us to get it right. We love because He first loved us, even when we were still sinners, still betrayers, still deniers. The call to love one another isn't a suggestion for when people deserve it; it's a command for when it's hardest. Who in your life feels impossible to love right now? That person sitting across from you at work, that family member who hurt you, that fellow believer you disagree with—Jesus calls you to agape love. Not because they've earned it, but because He first loved you when you hadn't earned it either.Discussion Questions:-Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples, including Judas whom He knew would betray Him. What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and His willingness to work through human free will, even when it leads to painful outcomes?-The sermon describes how we can become so familiar with Bible stories that we read them like novels rather than experiencing them. How might we cultivate a practice of truly entering into Scripture rather than just reading it as information?-Jesus spoke about betrayal while sitting at the table with His betrayer, yet still looked at Judas with love. How does this challenge our understanding of loving those who hurt us or disagree with us deeply?-Peter was so convinced he would never deny Jesus that he could not hear Jesus's loving warning. How does pride in our own faithfulness or spiritual strength make us vulnerable to falling away in moments of testing?

This sermon explores the final night of Jesus' life, focusing on the Last Supper and the moments surrounding Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. Jen emphasizes that Jesus, being fully God and fully man, experienced the deep pain of betrayal while knowing exactly what would happen. Despite this knowledge, Jesus chose all twelve disciples, including Judas, from the beginning of time. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond intellectual knowledge of the biblical narrative and truly enter into the emotional and spiritual reality of that night. Central to the message is Jesus' new commandment to love one another with sacrificial, unconditional love—given even in the midst of His own heartbreak. Jen emphasizes that this kind of love among believers is how the world will recognize Jesus' disciples. The sermon calls listeners to examine their own hearts for areas of betrayal, denial, pride, and fear, while remembering that Jesus continues to look at each person with the same deep love He had for His disciples.Read John 13:18-30; 1 John 4:19Jesus sat at that table knowing exactly who would betray Him, yet He served Judas anyway. He washed his feet. He broke bread with him. He looked at him with love. This is the scandalous nature of God's love—it doesn't wait for us to get it right. We love because He first loved us, even when we were still sinners, still betrayers, still deniers. The call to love one another isn't a suggestion for when people deserve it; it's a command for when it's hardest. Who in your life feels impossible to love right now? That person sitting across from you at work, that family member who hurt you, that fellow believer you disagree with—Jesus calls you to agape love. Not because they've earned it, but because He first loved you when you hadn't earned it either.Discussion Questions:-Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples, including Judas whom He knew would betray Him. What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and His willingness to work through human free will, even when it leads to painful outcomes?-The sermon describes how we can become so familiar with Bible stories that we read them like novels rather than experiencing them. How might we cultivate a practice of truly entering into Scripture rather than just reading it as information?-Jesus spoke about betrayal while sitting at the table with His betrayer, yet still looked at Judas with love. How does this challenge our understanding of loving those who hurt us or disagree with us deeply?-Peter was so convinced he would never deny Jesus that he could not hear Jesus's loving warning. How does pride in our own faithfulness or spiritual strength make us vulnerable to falling away in moments of testing?

July 5th, 2026 Pastor Luke Pauli This weekend we kick off our new sermon series based on John 17. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in Scripture. Commonly titled “The High Priestly Prayer,” Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers. This prayer gives us a glimpse into His very heart. It has been said that if you really want to know a person’s heart, you need to listen to them pray. Jesus invites you and me into His prayer so that we will know with certainty what is on His heart. What we will discover in this study is that you are on His heart. Jesus loves you so much that He died for you. He prayed for you as the hour came for Him to be crucified, and He is praying for you even now. Join us as we embark on this study throughout the month of July. Be in prayer that you will grow closer in your relationship with Jesus. Read John 17 repeatedly for your own encouragement and perhaps even memorize it. Invite a friend to join with you at any of our services or campuses. Pray boldly that Jesus will be glorified in your life, in the life of our church, and in the lives of those who have yet to believe.

July 5th, 2026 Pastor Luke Pauli This weekend we kick off our new sermon series based on John 17. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in Scripture. Commonly titled “The High Priestly Prayer,” Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers. This prayer gives us a glimpse into His very heart. It has been said that if you really want to know a person’s heart, you need to listen to them pray. Jesus invites you and me into His prayer so that we will know with certainty what is on His heart. What we will discover in this study is that you are on His heart. Jesus loves you so much that He died for you. He prayed for you as the hour came for Him to be crucified, and He is praying for you even now. Join us as we embark on this study throughout the month of July. Be in prayer that you will grow closer in your relationship with Jesus. Read John 17 repeatedly for your own encouragement and perhaps even memorize it. Invite a friend to join with you at any of our services or campuses. Pray boldly that Jesus will be glorified in your life, in the life of our church, and in the lives of those who have yet to believe.

Send us Fan MailTHE CHURCH AS A FORCE FOR TRANSFORMATIONDesert, Community, Project | Part 5Senior Pastor Keith StewartJune 28, 2026What if the church was known less for what it opposed and more for who it loved? In the final message of our series, Desert, Community, Project, we'll explore God's vision for the church as a force for transformation in the world. Jesus called His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world—not spectators, but difference-makers. We'll look at how ordinary people can become the soul of their community, why discipleship matters more than religious consumption, and what it means to join God in His work of healing, restoring, and renewing the world around us. If you've ever wondered what the church is supposed to be—or what your part in God's mission might look like—this message is for you. Join us this Sunday as we discover what happens when a church becomes deeply rooted in its community and impossible to explain apart from Jesus.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. The message opened with the story of a woman who turned her canceled wedding banquet into a celebration for the homeless. What stood out to you most about that story? How does it reflect God's heart for people? 2. Keith said, "We often become grace consumers rather than grace dispensers." What is the difference? In what ways are Christians tempted to focus on what the church can do for them rather than what God wants to do through them? 3. Discuss the phrase: "Christians are to the world what the soul is to the body." What do you think it means for believers to be "the soul of the community"? 4. Read John 17:15. Why is it often easier to withdraw from the world than engage it? What are some practical ways Christians can be "in the world but not of the world"? 5.  Read Matthew 5:13-16. What does it mean to be salt and light in today's culture? Which image speaks more powerfully to you personally—salt or light? Why?6. The message emphasized that the gospel is not only a proclamation but also a demonstration. How have you seen acts of compassion open doors for spiritual conversations? 7. Keith suggested that people often need several "positive bumps" with Christians before becoming open to faith. Who has provided those positive bumps in your life? How might you become one for someone else? 8. Discuss this statement: "The good stuff leads people to the God stuff." Do you agree? Why or why not? 9. Keith summarized the series this way:Be with JesusBecome like JesusDo what Jesus didWhich of those three resonates most strongly with you right now? Why? 10. What would it look like for Springcreek to become known as "the soul of the community"? What are some practical ways we can live out that vision together? 11. The message challenged us to ask, "What can I do to help?" Who might God be bringing into your life right now that needs encouragement, compassion, practical assistance, or friendship? Closing Challenge This week, look for one opportunity to be salt and light in a practical way. It may be a conversation, an act of service, a gift of generosity, or simply paying attention to someone who feels unseen. Come prepared next week to share what happened.

In this Therapy Thursdays episode, John answers your questions about toxic relationships, emotional unavailability, sexting in committed relationships, why it's so hard to leave someone who hurts you, and the difference between being in love and being "in lost." He also shares practical advice on building self-trust, redefining what makes a good day, and what healthy masculinity looks like. Whether you're questioning your relationship, struggling to let go, or trying to build a healthier life, this episode offers honest reflections and practical perspectives to help you move forward. In this episode, John discusses: What to do if you discover your partner is sexting other people. How your partner's response after being confronted reveals everything. The difference between being in love and being "in lost." Why toxic relationships can feel impossible to leave. Emotional availability as the foundation of healthy relationships. Why both partners must do the inner work. How childhood experiences shape relationship patterns. One simple mindset shift that can improve your daily life. Why self-trust matters more than motivation. John's current definition of what it means to be a man.

What if the love you've been chasing was never meant to stay the same? In this episode, John Kim shares excerpts from his new book, Love Hard on Purpose, and explores how love evolves as we heal. He reflects on the difference between unhealthy, dopamine-driven relationships and the kind of love that challenges us to grow, repair, and become better versions of ourselves. In this episode: • Why love isn't just meant to make us happy, but to help us heal • The difference between healthy love and unhealthy love • How we confuse intensity with intimacy • Why conflict and repair are essential to lasting relationships • The journey from "drug love" to "medicine love" • A personal reflection on the "B-sides" of life that quietly shape who we become If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who could use the reminder that love can be a path to healing.

In this episode, John Kim shares two practices that have had the biggest impact on his own life and wellbeing. He explains why reducing your everyday fight or flight state and learning to get out of your head can help you move from simply surviving to genuinely thriving. In this episode: • Why subtle fight or flight can quietly shape your everyday life • How designing your lifestyle can help you feel more grounded • The importance of joy, gratitude, friendships, and creative spaces • Practical ways to interrupt negative thought patterns • Why lasting change comes from consistent daily practice, not quick fixes If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who could use the reminder today.

Episode Summary:In this episode, Pastor Todd Holtz closes the series The Gospel Of with a message on the gospel of overcoming. From John 5:2–9 and 2 Corinthians 2:14, he reminds us that Jesus has already won the victory, but overcoming also means learning to get up, keep believing, and walk with Him. This message does not deny the reality of pain, hurt, or disappointment. Instead, it points us to the grace of God that meets us in those places and leads us forward in triumph.Main Scripture:John 5:2–92 Corinthians 2:141 Corinthians 15:33Luke 24Big Idea:The gospel of overcoming means Jesus has already won, and we overcome as we get up, keep believing, and walk with Him.In This Episode:Why our testimony is not only what we say, but how we walk through what we have been through.How Jesus' question to the man at the pool of Bethesda still speaks to places where we feel stuck: “Do you want to be healed?”Why what happened to you does not determine where God wants to bring you.How God can redeem painful places and turn misery into ministry.Why the people, environments, and influences around us matter when we are learning to walk in freedom.Why deliverance is not separated from discipleship, obedience, and staying close to Jesus.Reflection Questions:Where have I allowed what happened to me to define what I believe God can do in me?Where did I lay down my faith because I thought Jesus did not show up?What painful place might God want to redeem and use as ministry through my life?What environment, relationship, or influence is rubbing off on me in a way that keeps me from walking in freedom?What excuse have I been giving Jesus instead of obeying His call to get up?Am I asking for deliverance while resisting the daily walk of discipleship?Next Steps:Bring Jesus the place where your faith feels buried and ask Him to restore trust there.When you are tempted to rehearse what was lost, choose to lift worship instead.Take honest inventory of your circle and identify one environment that may need to change.Choose one practical act of obedience this week that says, “I am getting up.”Read John 5:2–9 and 2 Corinthians 2:14 again, and speak the truth that God always leads us in triumph in Christ.Walk with Jesus daily by acknowledging Him in your words, choices, relationships, and habits.Closing Line:Listen in, share this episode with someone who needs encouragement, and subscribe to follow the series each week.

This sermon explores Jesus' radical act of washing the disciples' feet in the Upper Room as a demonstration of true greatness and the path to a flourishing life. Challenging cultural assumptions that equate upward mobility with success and fulfillment, the message reveals that Jesus modeled downward mobility—moving from the highest position of divine authority to the lowest position of servant. The sermon emphasizes that genuine blessing and deep soul-level joy come not from climbing over others to reach the top, but from humbling ourselves to serve others, even those who betray us. This posture of servanthood is presented as the uniform of every Jesus follower and the key to experiencing the abundant, flourishing life Christ promises.Read John 13:6-9; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10Peter's resistance to having his feet washed reveals a profound truth: sometimes it's harder to receive than to give. American culture celebrates self-sufficiency, but the Kingdom operates differently. Admitting we need help, allowing others to serve us, and being vulnerable about our weaknesses requires tremendous courage. Yet Jesus says if we won't let Him wash us, we have no part with Him. Salvation itself is an act of receiving what we cannot earn. Today, consider where pride might be blocking your blessing. Are you resisting community because you don't want to appear weak? Are you refusing help because you want to maintain control? True strength is found in vulnerability. Let someone wash your feet today—metaphorically or literally—by admitting you need prayer, help, or support.Discussion Questions:-How does Jesus' movement from highest authority to lowest position challenge our culture's definition of success and upward mobility?-Why is it sometimes harder to be served than to serve, and what does our resistance to receiving help reveal about our hearts?-How can we distinguish between serving others out of genuine humility versus serving to be recognized as the greatest servant?-What would it look like for you to put on the uniform of a servant this week in your workplace, school, family, or neighborhood?

This sermon explores Jesus' radical act of washing the disciples' feet in the Upper Room as a demonstration of true greatness and the path to a flourishing life. Challenging cultural assumptions that equate upward mobility with success and fulfillment, the message reveals that Jesus modeled downward mobility—moving from the highest position of divine authority to the lowest position of servant. The sermon emphasizes that genuine blessing and deep soul-level joy come not from climbing over others to reach the top, but from humbling ourselves to serve others, even those who betray us. This posture of servanthood is presented as the uniform of every Jesus follower and the key to experiencing the abundant, flourishing life Christ promises.Read John 13:6-9; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10Peter's resistance to having his feet washed reveals a profound truth: sometimes it's harder to receive than to give. American culture celebrates self-sufficiency, but the Kingdom operates differently. Admitting we need help, allowing others to serve us, and being vulnerable about our weaknesses requires tremendous courage. Yet Jesus says if we won't let Him wash us, we have no part with Him. Salvation itself is an act of receiving what we cannot earn. Today, consider where pride might be blocking your blessing. Are you resisting community because you don't want to appear weak? Are you refusing help because you want to maintain control? True strength is found in vulnerability. Let someone wash your feet today—metaphorically or literally—by admitting you need prayer, help, or support.Discussion Questions:-How does Jesus' movement from highest authority to lowest position challenge our culture's definition of success and upward mobility?-Why is it sometimes harder to be served than to serve, and what does our resistance to receiving help reveal about our hearts?-How can we distinguish between serving others out of genuine humility versus serving to be recognized as the greatest servant?-What would it look like for you to put on the uniform of a servant this week in your workplace, school, family, or neighborhood?

Have you ever felt like your faith and your daily life are two separate things? From the very first pages of Scripture, the Spirit of God has been present moving, renewing, and making something out of nothing. And Jesus promised that same Spirit would live inside every one of his followers. Not as a feeling. Not as a concept. As a Person. This series is about learning to know him and letting him change everything. Our prayer is that you would walk out of here today not just having learned something about the Holy Spirit, but having encountered him. Next Steps: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to make himself known to you this week 2. Read John 14:16–17 and sit with it for five minutes 3. Come back next week — this is just the beginning Your next step starts at thewocc.com/welcome

What happens when you stop chasing and start listening? In this episode, John shares the personal shifts he's working through after moving to Costa Rica. From learning to surf at 52 to redefining success, he reflects on slowing down, letting go of old patterns, and finding joy in the small moments that make life feel more alive. In this episode: • Why he's learning to approach surfing as a practice instead of a performance • The role of detachment in reducing stress and calming the nervous system • Letting go of FOMO and the pressure to constantly achieve • Challenging the belief that rest must be earned • Redefining what "enough" means beyond money, milestones, and validation • Learning to notice everyday moments of joy, or what he calls “nectar" John also shares reflections on adjusting to life in Costa Rica, embracing a slower pace, and documenting what he calls his "second rebirth." If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs it, and join us for the next conversation.

Dating can feel exhausting, especially when every first date seems loaded with pressure, expectations, and endless swiping. In this episode, John shares five first-date reminders for navigating modern dating with more confidence, curiosity, and intention. He explores why dating often feels transactional today, how expectations can get in the way of connection, and what it looks like to approach dating without turning every encounter into a search for "the one." In this episode: • Why John believes dating has become low-effort and transactional • The importance of planning and showing intention on a first date • Why "less history, more mystery" can create better conversations • How expectations can sabotage connection • Why you're not looking for your soulmate on a first date • How to handle rejection, disappointment, and bad dates without taking them personally

This sermon opens a summer series on John 13-17, known as the Upper Room Discourse, focusing on Jesus's final teachings to His disciples before the crucifixion. The central message emphasizes that our truest identity is being "the beloved of God." Rather than living to earn God's love, believers are called to live from the security of already being perfectly and completely loved by their Heavenly Father. The sermon challenges listeners to identify themselves as John did—as "the disciple whom Jesus loved"—and to reject the lies of shame, condemnation, and performance-based religion. Jesus's sacrificial love on the cross demonstrates the ultimate expression of this complete, selfless love that defines who we are as His children.Read John 13:1-3; 1 John 3:16Jesus knew His hour had come, yet His focus remained on loving His disciples "to the end"—completely and perfectly. This wasn't just chronological love; it was ultimate, sacrificial love demonstrated through the cross. John identified himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," not from arrogance, but from understanding his truest identity. Today, consider how you define yourself. Do you lead with your failures, accomplishments, or roles? Or do you embrace your deepest truth—that you are God's beloved? Write your name followed by "the beloved" and let this identity sink into your soul. You are not loved because of what you do; you are loved because of whose you are. What keeps you from fully accepting your identity as God's beloved?Discussion Questions:-In what ways do you find yourself living 'for' God's love rather than 'from' God's love, and what would it look like to shift that perspective?-How does proximity to Jesus through religious activity differ from intimacy with Jesus, and where do you see this distinction in your own spiritual life?-What does it reveal about Jesus that he chose to spend his final moments before the cross teaching his disciples about love rather than strategy or doctrine?-In what ways do you project your earthly relationships, especially with parents or authority figures, onto your understanding of God's love for you?

This sermon opens a summer series on John 13-17, known as the Upper Room Discourse, focusing on Jesus's final teachings to His disciples before the crucifixion. The central message emphasizes that our truest identity is being "the beloved of God." Rather than living to earn God's love, believers are called to live from the security of already being perfectly and completely loved by their Heavenly Father. The sermon challenges listeners to identify themselves as John did—as "the disciple whom Jesus loved"—and to reject the lies of shame, condemnation, and performance-based religion. Jesus's sacrificial love on the cross demonstrates the ultimate expression of this complete, selfless love that defines who we are as His children.Read John 13:1-3; 1 John 3:16Jesus knew His hour had come, yet His focus remained on loving His disciples "to the end"—completely and perfectly. This wasn't just chronological love; it was ultimate, sacrificial love demonstrated through the cross. John identified himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," not from arrogance, but from understanding his truest identity. Today, consider how you define yourself. Do you lead with your failures, accomplishments, or roles? Or do you embrace your deepest truth—that you are God's beloved? Write your name followed by "the beloved" and let this identity sink into your soul. You are not loved because of what you do; you are loved because of whose you are. What keeps you from fully accepting your identity as God's beloved?Discussion Questions:-In what ways do you find yourself living 'for' God's love rather than 'from' God's love, and what would it look like to shift that perspective?-How does proximity to Jesus through religious activity differ from intimacy with Jesus, and where do you see this distinction in your own spiritual life?-What does it reveal about Jesus that he chose to spend his final moments before the cross teaching his disciples about love rather than strategy or doctrine?-In what ways do you project your earthly relationships, especially with parents or authority figures, onto your understanding of God's love for you?

Why is it so hard to let go of someone you know isn't right for you? How do you know when you've healed enough to date again? Can someone truly love you if you don't love themselves? And what do you do when trust is broken? In this listener Q&A, I answer questions about heartbreak, attachment, self-worth, trust, and what it actually takes to build healthy relationships. We explore why we can stay emotionally attached to an ex even when we know the relationship wasn't right, how toxic relationships can shape our dating patterns, and the difference between seeking connection and avoiding loneliness. I also share my thoughts on love languages, masculinity, rebuilding trust after betrayal, and one small step you can take today to begin changing your life. Whether you're trying to move on, wondering if you're ready to date again, or looking to build healthier relationships, I hope this conversation gives you something to reflect on.

In this personal episode, John shares a collection of journal entries and reflections on fear, identity, reinvention, love, writing, and what it means to fully live. From losing his home in the Los Angeles fire to building a new life in Costa Rica, he explores the fear of reaching the end of life without ever being fully known or fully becoming who you're meant to be. In this episode: • Why fear isn't always a warning and can sometimes be a compass • The danger of protecting a life you've already outgrown • What the Los Angeles fire taught John about identity and change • How love can evolve from a drug into medicine • Lessons from writing seven books and starting a publishing company • A surfing experience that changed the way he thinks about deserving success

In this episode, John Kim sits down with Brenden Durell to talk about masculinity, vulnerability, Tantra, intimacy, and emotional growth. Brenden shares his journey from sports into self-discovery and men's work, exploring how discipline, trust, and presence can create deeper freedom and connection. They also discuss porn, edging, aftercare, therapeutic experiences with MDMA and San Pedro, and the responsibility men have in creating emotional safety in relationships. In this episode: • Redefining modern masculinity • Why vulnerability matters for men • Tantra, discipline, and personal freedom • Porn, edging, and sexual health • Trust, intimacy, and aftercare • Creating safety in relationships • Emotional intelligence and men's work Connect with Brenden Durell Website: https://stan.store/brendendurell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendendurell/

Don't protect your heart. Protect your relationship. In this episode, John Kim explores what it really takes to build a relationship that lasts. After heartbreak, loss, and repeating old patterns, many people start doing the inner work and realize that healthy love does not just happen naturally. It has to be built with intention, ownership, and practice. John breaks down the idea of “relationship armor” as the tools and practices that protect the relationship itself. This includes creating a safe space, practicing self-awareness, communicating honestly, loving without dragging the past into the present, and learning how to fight in a healthier way. He also explains why being right can become poison in a relationship, why curiosity creates safety, and why presence, gratitude, space, and having your own life are essential parts of healthy love. In this episode: • Why healthy relationships are built, not found • How to create a safe space in love • The importance of self-awareness and ownership • Why communication builds trust and closeness • How to love without letting your past run the relationship • Why how you fight matters more than how often you fight • How giving up the need to be right creates safety • The role of mindfulness, gratitude, and space in lasting love • Why you need your own life inside a healthy relationship More about John:

Have you ever had a feeling about something before it happened, or wondered if your intuition was trying to tell you something? In this episode of Dear Guides, renowned psychic medium John Holland joins Gabby to explore how psychic abilities really work, how to tell the difference between intuition and imagination, and why more people are experiencing spiritual awakenings today. Together, they discuss the different intuitive “clairs,” practical ways to strengthen your connection to spirit, and how to trust the guidance already within you. Plus, John leads a powerful guided meditation designed to help you open your energy, access deeper intuition, and experience your own psychic abilities firsthand.

Why does a breakup feel like more than heartbreak? In this episode, John Kim explores why breakups can feel like a death, and why that experience is rooted in more than emotion alone. Drawing from neuroscience, attachment theory, and years of therapeutic experience, he explains what happens in the brain after a relationship ends and why healing takes time. John unpacks the hidden losses that often come with heartbreak, from the future we imagined to the identity we built inside a relationship. He also shares why recovery isn't about forgetting someone, but learning to create a new reality without them. In this episode: • Why breakups feel physically painful • The role dopamine and attachment play in heartbreak • How relationships become part of our emotional regulation system • The grief of losing a future that never actually happened • Identity loss after a breakup • Why healing is really about rewiring If someone in your life is going through a breakup, share this episode with them. Follow the podcast for more conversations on relationships, healing, and personal growth.

In this Therapy Thursdays episode, we're answering listener questions about the messy, tender, and sometimes confusing parts of relationships. We talk about what it means when someone says “I love you” very early on, how relationships naturally move through different stages, and what to do when the romance starts to fade. We also explore the painful reality of betrayal — including what repair can look like after cheating, and how to know whether your partner is truly respecting the process of rebuilding trust. This episode also looks at conflict and communication: how to bring up difficult issues with your partner, family, or friends when confrontation feels scary or overwhelming. In this episode, we cover: Whether saying “I love you” after two weeks is genuine love, infatuation, or a possible red flag The different stages relationships often go through First steps toward repair after infidelity What it means when a partner pressures you to accept contact with the person they cheated with How to talk about losing the spark in a long-term relationship Why romance and effort can fade after the honeymoon phase How to approach hard conversations when you hate confrontation The difference between healthy communication and avoiding conflict

Joy, trauma, grief, healing. What if they're all connected? In this conversation, John sits down with Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald to explore what trauma actually does to the nervous system, why joy is more than a fleeting feeling, and how small moments of joy can help us stay grounded through life's hardest seasons. They discuss the science behind joy, common misconceptions about trauma, how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, and why healing may require letting go of identities built around suffering. The conversation also touches on grief, psychedelics, nervous system regulation, and finding meaning after loss. In this episode: • Why joy can help regulate and rewire the nervous system • What trauma really does to the body and brain • How childhood trauma shows up in adult relationships • The danger of identifying too strongly with your wounds • Why grief may be more transformative than we realize • The role of flow states, surfing, and presence in healing Also mentioned: • MaryCatherine's books Unbroken https://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Trauma-Response-Never-Things-ebook/dp/B0B19CVVNM and The Joy Reset https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Reset-Trauma-Steals-Happiness/dp/0306836262 • Her upcoming K-12 resilience curriculum focused on trauma, stress, and joy • Her current work exploring grief through writing and poetry If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast, share it with someone who may need it, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. Follow Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald Website: https://www.drmcmcdonald.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mc.phd/?hl=en

What if the thing you keep chasing isn't actually better... just more familiar? In this solo Q&A episode, John Kim reflects on fantasy, gratitude, emotional presence, and the difference between intensity and real love. From surfing in Costa Rica to answering listener questions about confidence, breakups, infidelity, and self-abandonment in relationships, this episode explores what happens when you stop escaping yourself and start paying attention to what's actually here. Key points covered: • Why we romanticize the past and overlook the present • The difference between intensity and consistency in love • How healthy relationships create clarity instead of confusion • What confidence actually comes from • Signs you may be abandoning yourself in a relationship • Whether couples can rebuild after infidelity If this episode helped you, send it to someone who may need to hear it. Follow, rate, and share the podcast to support the show.

John Kim explores what it really means to “seek nectar” in everyday life and why tiny moments of beauty, awe, and presence might matter more than we think. In this solo episode, John reflects on life in Costa Rica, nervous system healing, and the difference between surviving and actually feeling alive. He shares how years of stress and hyper vigilance can train us to scan for danger, and how intentionally noticing small moments of joy can slowly rewire the brain toward expansion, connection, and presence. Key points from this episode: • Why “stress narrows you and nectar expands you” • How survival mode becomes a default nervous system state • The neuroscience behind joy, presence, and neuroplasticity • What it means to train your body to “expect beauty again” • Tiny moments that create aliveness, awe, and emotional regulation • Why healing also means collecting new emotional experiences John also shares personal reflections on surfing, Costa Rica, creativity, parenthood, relationships, and the small rituals that bring him back to himself. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need the reminder to seek more nectar in their life. Follow the podcast for more conversations on relationships, healing, and becoming more human.

Love often starts as a drug. But what happens when the high wears off? In this episode, John Kim explores the difference between “drug-based love” and “medicine-based love,” and why most relationships struggle when chemistry begins to settle. He talks about projection, love addiction, emotional growth, and how real healing begins when relationships stop being a place to escape yourself and become a place to return to yourself. John also shares personal reflections on rebuilding life in Costa Rica after losing his home in Altadena, and how reinvention is shaping this new season of his life. Key points covered: • Why love feels intoxicating in the beginning • The difference between chemistry and healing • How projection shapes modern dating • “Recess love” vs mature relational work • Why repair matters more than avoiding conflict • How healthy love can rewire old patterns and fears Resources & mentions: • John discusses his new book, Love Hard on Purpose • Listeners who purchase the book get access to his private WhatsApp community If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who's learning the difference between chemistry and healing. Follow the podcast for more conversations on love, growth, and relationships.

In this Therapy Thursdays episode, John answers listener questions about anxious attachment, exes, blame, perfectionism, makeup sex, and relationship myths. He explores how attachment patterns affect your partner, why we sometimes stay mentally connected to an ex, and how to know whether a relationship has real long-term potential. If you've ever wondered whether your relationship has legs, why you keep blaming your partner, or why you still think about someone from your past, this episode will help you slow down and look at the deeper patterns underneath.

In this episode, John explores the different dimensions of intimacy, including emotional, spiritual, mental, passionate, physical, and energy intimacy. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for emotional vulnerability, engaging in meaningful conversations, and practicing empathy and compassion.

Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? Bitcoin's pseudonymous founder has hidden his identity for 17 years despite many attempts to unmask him, even as his cryptocurrency has revolutionized finance and made him a billionaire. John Carreyrou, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, walks us through the evidence he found pointing to the person behind the pseudonym. Then, we hear from the man John believes is Mr. Nakamoto. Guest: John Carreyrou, an investigative reporter for The New York Times's business section. Background reading:  Read John's investigation into the identity of Bitcoin's creator. Here are four takeaways from the article. Photo: Illustration by Yoshi Sodeoka; Photo by Amir Hamja For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.