POPULARITY
25 episodes with stay rooted
6 episodes with stay rooted
7 episodes with stay rooted
7 episodes with stay rooted
2 episodes with stay rooted
2 episodes with stay rooted
2 episodes with stay rooted
2 episodes with stay rooted
2 episodes with stay rooted
American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and holds master's degreein Pastoral Ministry. In addition to being a fervent champion of prayer,DeeAnn's passion is connecting women to Jesus, each other, and their communities. She thrives on creating space and resourcesfor those connections to flourish. A Colorado native,DeeAnn spends a lot of her time outside hiking, biking,paddle boarding, snowshoeing, and camping with herhusband, Paul and their family.
A morning in the garden, a thorn through a glove, and a sudden reminder of one of Jesus' most profound declarations — I am the vine; you are the branches. In this episode, Vivian Bricker draws from her own love of gardening to bring John 15 to life in a fresh and personal way. Just as a branch severed from the vine cannot produce fruit on its own, we cannot grow, flourish, or bear lasting fruit apart from Christ. It's a truth that's both humbling and deeply freeing — because it means the pressure to produce is never ours alone to carry. Staying rooted in Jesus, Vivian reminds us, is not a passive experience. It is a daily, intentional choice to listen to Him through His Word, obey His instructions, and follow wherever He leads — even when the path looks nothing like we planned. The fruit that grows from that kind of abiding life brings glory to the Father and serves as a living testimony to the world. Whatever season you find yourself in today, the invitation is the same: return to the true vine, stay close, and trust that He will produce in you what you could never produce on your own. Today's Bible Verse "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:5, NIV Ponder Today Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. This isn't discouraging — it's liberating. The pressure to produce fruit in your own strength was never yours to carry. Only the vine can bear fruit through the branches. Abiding is active, not passive. Staying rooted in Jesus requires intentional steps: listening to Him through Scripture, walking in obedience to His Word, and following Him even when it's costly. Fruit-bearing brings glory to the Father. The goal of abiding isn't personal achievement or spiritual success — it's that God would be glorified through the visible fruit of a life fully surrendered to Him. Examine your roots honestly. A branch with no fruit raises an important question about its connection to the vine. Today's prayer is a courageous invitation to ask God to search your heart and confirm your faith is truly in Him. You can always return to the true vine. Even when our hearts drift — and they will — the vine remains. No matter how far you've wandered, the way back is always open. A Prayer for You Today Dear Jesus, You are the vine and I am the branch. Please help me to stay rooted in You throughout my life. Guide my heart to listen to You, obey You, and follow You — even when the path is hard. Bring my heart close to Yours and still my soul at the foot of the cross, in the grace of Your forgiveness. Help me to bear much fruit for Your name and to bring You glory. And though I know I will stumble, I trust You to help me stand strong. In Your name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred a desire to grow deeper in your faith, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to keep you rooted in Christ every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Bri from Love is Blind: Columbus is breaking her silence and she's doing it here first.In this raw, in-studio conversation, we sat down for her first public conversation about her breakup with Connor, what really happened in the pods, and the painful unraveling that came after the cameras stopped rolling.Y'all, this isn't reality TV gossip. This is a masterclass in attachment theory, identity work, and what happens when you finally let your guard down and the person you loved doesn't have the capacity to meet you there.In this episode:The iconic kitchen conversation, the shingles her body broke out in, and what was really going onThe anxious–avoidant spiral that ended things and the difference between love and capacityHow to stay rooted in your identity when the whole world is commenting on your relationshipConnect with BriInstagram: @breezy_mcneezy
Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Aaron Graham, lead pastor of The District Church, a diverse and growing congregation in the heart of Washington, D.C. Founded in 2010 just a few miles from the White House, the church has become known for its global diversity—with people from more than 80 nations represented—and its commitment to living out the gospel for the good of the city. Are you noticing both spiritual curiosity and spiritual drift among people in your community? Wondering how to disciple people faithfully in a culture that increasingly pushes back against historic Christian orthodoxy? In this conversation, Aaron shares insights from his ministry context in D.C. and his new book Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies, offering practical ways churches can respond to cultural pressure while forming resilient disciples from the next generation. A generation leaning in—and drifting away. // Aaron observes a striking tension among young adults today: some are pursuing faith with new seriousness, while others are quietly drifting away. Cities like Washington, D.C., attract highly educated young professionals who want to make a difference in the world through public service. Many are motivated by compassion and a desire to serve others, but they also face cultural pressures that can slowly reshape their beliefs. In Aaron's experience, this environment creates both incredible opportunities for ministry and real challenges in maintaining historic Christian faith. Some people are exploring spiritual questions deeply, while others disengage from church entirely through gradual spiritual drift. Understanding doubt, deconstruction, and denial. // Aaron encourages church leaders to distinguish between three different spiritual responses: doubt, deconstruction, and denial. Doubt is a natural part of faith—it involves uncertainty and questions that can ultimately strengthen belief when handled within a supportive community. Deconstruction, however, goes further by dismantling previously held beliefs. While some deconstruction may be necessary—especially when people have experienced unhealthy theology or spiritual abuse—it becomes dangerous when it happens in isolation without reconstructing a healthier biblical foundation. Denial is the final stage, where a person actively rejects core Christian beliefs. Recognizing these distinctions helps pastors respond with wisdom and compassion rather than assuming everyone wrestling with faith is in the same place. Creating space for honest questions. // One practical way The District Church engages doubt is through a summer series called “This Is My Story.” During this series, church members share short testimonies about their biggest spiritual questions and how God met them through those struggles and doubts. These stories normalize honest questions while showing that faith can deepen through wrestling with difficult issues. Instead of centering doubt itself, the church highlights the journey from questioning to deeper trust in God. This approach has been especially meaningful for newcomers, helping them see that the church is a place where people can wrestle honestly with faith while still moving toward spiritual maturity. Resisting the pull of cultural lies. // Aaron's book identifies several cultural narratives that quietly reshape Christian belief. One example is what he calls the “selective Christian”—someone who edits Scripture to match personal preferences or cultural expectations. When believers accept only the parts of the Bible that feel comfortable, the authority of Scripture slowly erodes. Over time, this selective approach strips the gospel of its transformative power. Aaron emphasizes that discipleship must include serious engagement with the whole Bible, even the passages that challenge modern assumptions. Returning to deep Bible engagement. // One of the most effective ways Aaron addresses cultural pressure is by encouraging consistent Bible engagement within the church. Through reading plans, group discussions, and teaching that emphasizes submission to Scripture rather than simply learning about it, believers begin to develop a more holistic faith. Interestingly, Aaron notes that people who deeply engage Scripture often become both more morally conservative and more socially liberal with deeper compassion toward others. Instead of fitting into political categories, they develop a kingdom perspective shaped by the teachings of Jesus. Holding together justice and biblical conviction. // Throughout his ministry, Aaron has worked extensively in justice initiatives, advocating for the poor and vulnerable. However, he has also seen many leaders abandon historic Christian beliefs while pursuing social justice causes. This experience convinced him that justice and biblical orthodoxy must remain connected. True justice flows naturally from a high view of Scripture and the lordship of Christ. When churches separate the two, they risk losing both their theological foundation and their long-term spiritual influence. To learn more about Aaron Graham's book Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies, visit aarongrahamdc.com, where you can find resources, curriculum, and links to purchase the book. Plus, check out District Church at districtchurch.org. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Risepointe Do you feel like your church’s or school's facility could be preventing growth? Are you frustrated or possibly overwhelmed at the thought of a complicated or costly building project? Are the limitations of your building becoming obstacles in the path of expanding your ministry? Have you ever felt that you could reach more people if only the facility was better suited to the community’s needs? Well, the team over at Risepointe can help! As former ministry staff and church leaders, they understand how to prioritize and help lead you to a place where the building is a ministry multiplier. Your mission should not be held back by your building. Their team of architects, interior designers and project managers have the professional experience to incorporate creative design solutions to help move YOUR mission forward. Check them out at risepointe.com and while you’re there, schedule a FREE call to explore possibilities for your needs, vision and future…Risepointe believes that God still uses spaces…and they're here to help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Super excited that you have decided to tune in today. I know you got a lot going on this week and the fact that you would turn us on is just incredible. So we want to honor you for that. Thanks for doing that. Rich Birch — Today, we’re going to talk about some stuff that I know is applicable to all of us. It It’s the kind of conversation that we’re we’re wrestling with in all of our churches. And we also have a repeat guest, which you know does not happen that often at unSeminary. And you know when we have repeat guests, it means I really want you to hear them and hear what they have to say out. Rich Birch — Today we’re honored to have Aaron Graham with us. He is the lead pastor of of District Church. It was founded in 2010 in Washington, D.C. It’s a Christ-centered, culture-defining church. for transplants and natives. The church was born from a dream about what it would look like for a church to be, or to seek the peace of the city and to exist for the sake of Christ and for the good of the city.Rich Birch — So we’re really excited to have Aaron with us today. Aaron, welcome back to the podcast after a couple of years, but glad to you glad you decided to come back on. Appreciate that.Aaron Graham — Thanks, Rich, for having me and love what you guys are doing and how you’re practically helping church leaders like myself address problems we’re facing in our organizations and culture cultural contexts. Rich Birch — Kind of you to say that. Give us a bit of the District story for folks that, you know, my mom listens to every episode, but not everyone listens to every episode. But kind of to give us a bit of the District story and and talk a little bit about how you intersect with all of that.Aaron Graham — Yeah, we launched 15 years ago right in the heart of DC. We meet two miles north of the White House, and made up of mostly young adults becoming more intergenerational. But one of the things we’ve become known for is just our diversity. So there’s over 80 nations represented in the church. Last night at the newcomers dinner, there were 14 nations represented… Rich Birch — Wow.Aaron Graham — …and so just in that small little dinner. So that’s a real privilege we have of of doing that. We’re a church of life groups and just love what we’re doing right here in the heart of DC.Rich Birch — So good. I once heard a leader say that, you know, DC is full of young leaders, young people like, and, you know, the the whole thing that, you know, the main business will call it in DC is all run on the back of, you know, 20s and 30s who are making a huge difference. What have you noticed with reaching that? And I know, i know you’re, you’re, you’re, like you said there, you’re becoming a more diverse church and, you know, age-wise in all different ways. But let’s let’s kind of focus in on that kind of 20-somethings, 30-somethings. What have you been noticing with folks in that generation as it comes to faith and their relationship with Jesus and, you know, all of their kind of spiritual side? What’s what are some of the observations you’re seeing?Aaron Graham — Yeah, well, I think a lot of young adults are leaning into their faith more than ever. There’s a revival in so many ways happening among young people, but there’s also a lot of retreating and people drifting in their faith. And so we kind of find ourselves with people either leaning in like never before or leaning out like never before. And in a context like D.C., people move to D.C. to change the world. I mean, this is where you come.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — This is a city of public service. And so these are the Ivy League, educated top of their class. They move here. They land that that job at the U.S. Capitol working for a member of Congress or the White House or an agency whatever, an advocacy advocacy firm. Aaron Graham — And so what happens is it’s very highly educated people here. And highly educated people I’ve noticed have a deep care for those who are suffering. And they want to make a difference. That’s like what public service is all about. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — Like I want to help serve people. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And like the government is supposed to exist to serve people. And so just that kind of love for neighbor. I want to help people out. And so D.C. is like a very politically progressive, highly educated city. And there’s a lot to draw upon with that because people are making a lot of sacrifices. But it does come with some problems, mainly people drifting from biblical orthodoxy, the historic Christian faith that has been handed down to us.Rich Birch — Yeah, I, so I’m Canadian for folks that are listening in and don’t know that I lived in the States for a bunch of years. We lived in New Jersey. And I remember the first time I visited D.C. as a Canadian, I felt patriotic for America. I was like, man, this place is unbelievable. Aaron Graham — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — I’m like, you know, and obviously I was just there as a tourist and actually we’re visiting some friends and we got the tour of the Capitol, one of these like behind the scenes, let me put you behind the velvet rope. And I was like, this place is unreal. Like what a, what a place to serve and… Aaron Graham — Yeah. Rich Birch — …it has that kind of feeling of, you know, while people are are coming to change the world really in a positive way. I’d love to kind of focus in on this as you talk about people that are leaning, you know, leaning back, leaning away, drifting from their faith, drifting from orthodoxy. You know, we’ve we’ve heard a lot about even the kind of deconstructing movement and that, you know, there’s, it is an interesting time we live in, spiritually, because these are like two realities that are kind of happening at the same time, people leaning in and leaning back.Rich Birch — What are some of those common assumptions that you’ve noticed for people who are leaning back from, from, like you say, an Orthodox Christian faith?Aaron Graham — Yeah, absolutely. I think one is just, we’ve we’ve heard this, but just church hurt. I think scandals and hypocrisy in the church among leaders is kind of at least at an all time high of what we’re hearing about right now. And so because we’re so tapped into the news and online, I think most people are very aware, if they haven’t had a bad experience, they know somebody who has been been hurt by a religious leader or by you know a church leader. And it’s sort of like, you know we always hear the bad examples, right? Aaron Graham — Like all the planes that arrive safely every day, you never hear about. But when when the one plane has some mechanical issues or has has a rough landing, you hear about it. And I think there’s so many just faithful pastors and church leaders out there that are doing awesome work. But unfortunately, we’re hearing about the, the, the bad apples. And there’s been a lot of them that have been reported on. So I think that influences people saying, do I really want to be a part of this? If it’s an option, do I? You know, so church hurt’s one of them. Aaron Graham — I think theological differences. I mean, this is the age of the church split and human sexuality is like front and center of that. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — But politics increasing these, these last few years or what side are you on and how do you interpret? So, so I think, political, theological differences. And then I think just like complacency, like just straight up spiritual drift. It’s not doctrine doctrinal. It’s not scandal. It’s just like, you know what? Like, it’s just easier not to go to church. Aaron Graham — It’s sort of the folks that left during COVID. It’s like, oh I’m going to watch online and then I’m not going to return to church. It’s just like that spiritual drift. So those are some themes I’m seeing, you know, right here in DC. And I’ve seen as a pattern and talking to other church leaders.Rich Birch — Yeah, that I’d love to kind of narrow in a little bit there on this tension between spiritual drift, like it’s the, you know, I’d rather watch football or whatever, you know, complacency. And then actually folks that are wrestling, honestly, that are asking questions and are are struggling. What have you seen? How how do you discern that how how does that? How does that work itself out? What have you learned about the difference between people who are in these kind of two categories?Aaron Graham — Yeah, I talk a lot about the difference between doubt, deconstruction, and denial. And I think it’s helpful to have these kind of three categories because it’s easy to just put everybody in the same category when they’re not dealing with the same thing.Aaron Graham — And so to doubt is to lack confidence, to be unsure about something. And that’s like part of what it means to be human, to have questions.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — Like we want to have churches where like youth and young adults can ask honest questions about human suffering and about questions they have theologically like that. You want people to be curious and it says in the book of Jude that we need to be merciful to those who doubt.Aaron Graham — And so we see that modeled in Jesus. But he ultimately calls us beyond our doubt. Like he doesn He doesn’t call us to like center our doubt. He calls us to walk by faith, not by doubt. And so we have to create space for that. But you know if a church is like, you know its mission statement is to just welcome doubters and then you center that, that’s actually not a very forward…Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — …facing thing. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so, so, so we need to create space for doubt. And sometimes people, that’s just what they’re having. They’re are just having questions. Aaron Graham — I think deconstruction is a step beyond doubt and deconstruction is like when you are in the process of dismantling your beliefs. And sometimes there’s some beliefs that need to be dismantled because there’s like, you grew up in a church that had like really messed up theology. Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Aaron Graham — Like you grew up in a cult or something. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Graham — And you’re like, I’ve got to deconstruct this. Or like I experienced spiritual manipulation and I thought this is what it meant to honor a leader. Or I experienced abuse in some way. And so you have to kind of deconstruct that. The problem is a lot of people are deconstructing outside of the context of community or biblical community. And so they’re doing so in isolation and the enemy loves that. Like the enemy loves to isolate us. Aaron Graham — And so if you’re going to deconstruct something unhealthy, you have to reconstruct. And the problem is there’s been a lot of deconstruction without reconstructing. So so there’s doubt, there’s deconstruction, and then unhealthy deconstruction can lead to denial, right? This is Judas, right? This is like, I will not go with you. Rich Birch — rightAaron Graham — Like and so denial is like, is more active, where doubt is more passive, denial can be ah more more active. And I think it’s very dangerous. This is Jude saying, snatch them from the fire. You know, this is life or death type of thing. So.Rich Birch — Can we focus in a bit on the doubt piece for a second? What does that look like for you as a leader? Like, what are some practical ways that we can offer space for people who are, who do have legit doubts? And, you know, I get that there’s this tension of like, we don’t want to create just like, let’s all get around and talk about what we don’t know. But like, how how can we do that? Or how are you doing that at District? What’s that look like for you guys?Aaron Graham — We do a series every summer called This Is My Story, where I don’t preach for two weeks and we hear 10-minute testimonies from people in our church. So three 10-minute testimonies each week, and we select people in our church and then we coach them around how to prepare for it. And they share a question, their biggest question, their biggest doubt, their biggest struggle and how they’ve moved through that and how it’s actually enabled them to deepen their faith and not to deconstruct their faith.Aaron Graham — So it’s testimony time, but it’s structured around how they’ve moved through doubt. Because I think our biggest questions, for me as a child, it was why do kids die of preventable causes? Like it shapes so much of your calling if you process it in a healthy way. And so, yeah, so this is my story. And that’s just been really helpful. It gives the pastor a break. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — Sometimes I’m doing it when I’m on vacation. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Graham — So allows me to step out, but it also allows leaders. And so what it does in terms of formation in the congregation is we’re actually moving the date this year to be when most newcomers come at the end of August. Rich Birch — That’s cool.Aaron Graham — Because it’s been so popular with newcomers. Cause they’re like, Oh, I see myself in this church. Like, Oh, you have questions too. I have questions. But once again, it’s not like I’m centering that doubt or that question at the end of the day. So, so that’s, that’s one thing practically, you know, we’ve done.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I love that. And, you know, there there was a time in the generation before me where, yeah, it was like, you don’t acknowledge any of that, right? It’s like, you don’t, you can’t ask any of those questions. Cause that, that is it’s like, just asking the question is going to, it’s like something bad is going to happen. I worked for a long time for a lead pastor that did open forum Q and A after every single message. So every single message you would say, Hey, like, is there anything, have any questions about anything I said or left unsaid? And similarly, it, it created a culture where, people kept you honest as a preacher. I hated it when I spoke. I was like, gosh, because you know, like any question? Aaron Graham — Totally.Rich Birch — But it did create a culture where like, hey, it’s okay to ask, right? It’s okay to to explore for sure.Aaron Graham — Yeah, that’s great.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s interesting.Aaron Graham — I love it.Rich Birch — So getting back to this whole idea, you know, doubt, discernment, denial, at some point, you know, you’ve started to see some patterns in the culture around us, some recurring themes that you’ve seen. And actually you package these into a book that I want to make sure people, I actually think it’d be a really helpful tool for folks. But and so no, I’m not just trying to sell books, but I do think it’s a helpful thing. Help us talk through, so tell us about the book and how is it set up? What is the framework for it?Aaron Graham — Yeah, so the new book’s called Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies. And for me, it really came about from trying to see this pattern of so many people slowly drifting from their faith and saying, how do we prevent this as pastors?Aaron Graham — Like, the if we don’t disciple our people, the world gladly will. And in some ways, they’re doing the world’s doing a better job…Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — …of discipling our people. And so what are these like subtle lies that people are believing that is causing people to, you know, not lean into their faith. And I’ve just seen it like in the urban center here, I’ve just seen so many well-intentioned, highly educated, sometimes often sincere people just drift.Aaron Graham — And so they’re no longer going to church. They’re not raising their kids in the faith. And so, yeah, I’ve just seen it over and over. And so I wrote this book in response to that. And honestly, in so many ways, it’s a critique of what I what I call progressive Christianity. And I mean that theologically, not politically. But it’s it’s when someone reinterprets Scripture, the historic teachings of Scripture, to make it more comfortable or palatable to the current culture.Aaron Graham — It’s it’s like emphasizing relevance over faithfulness. And so what I’ve seen so often over and over is that oh, this isn’t just a conversation around human sexuality or progressive Christianity. Progressive Christianity is becoming a layover to post-Christianity for so many people. And so I just began to say, okay, is this new thing? Oh, it’s actually not new. It’s not in the last like 20 years.Aaron Graham — This has been happening for like 500 years since the enlightenment where you know progressive Christians, or however they’re labeled, end up denying the miraculous. And then denying at the core the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is like the very core of our faith. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — I was like, this isn’t just a conversation around human sexuality, which is where it started with the newcomer. This is, you know, or with the leader, even in the church, this is about something much more deep.Aaron Graham — And so that’s when I just began to pray in this and and just say, what are the patterns that I’m seeing? What are these lies that people are often like well-meaning, but believing? And how is that compromising our ability to call people to faith, but also help make disciples. So.Rich Birch — Is there, I think, friends, I had a chance to sneak peek at this book and I think it could be a great resource for many of our churches. It could be a great kind of small group discussion, a great leadership book. I think it could be a fantastic thing for us to do with our leadership team together wrestling through these these issues. so We’re not going to be able to cover all of it, but what would you say maybe one of these pernicious subtle lies that you see is prevailing? It it’s it it pops up all the time. Help us unpack one of those.Aaron Graham — Yeah, sure. So one of them I talk about is the selective Christian, the person who edits scripture to fit preferences rather than engaging in the whole word of God. And you know, Jim Wallace, who is a well-known social justice advocate in the 70s, when he was at Trinity Evangelical Seminary, got together with some friends, and they went through the Bible and they cut up every reference in the Bible to the poor, or to the widow, the orphan. And there’s like 2000 verses in the Bible about about that. And he would go around and he’d hold up a Bible and he’d say, this is the Bible we have in in America. It’s a Bible full of holes because we’ve neglected the call to justice and the call to care for the poor.Aaron Graham — Well, I’m seeing that same thing happen in this next generation around some other core doctrine, around human depravity, around human sexuality, around gender and marriage and these other things that we don’t want to talk about. But what’s really at stake in so many ways is the authority of Scripture. And so we pick and choose what parts we want to believe. And then we strip the gospel of its saving power because we’ve only chosen to believe the parts that are the most acceptable to us and our friends in this cultural moment. That’s just a really dangerous way to not be formed in our faith.Rich Birch — Yeah. And, you know, I think we’ve, you can see that in how, you know, we handle scripture. I think one of the dangers that we face as preachers, we did a study where we looked at common passages that people were using over a couple years in churches. And we found that, you know, it’s not surprising, right? People come back to like the same passages time and time again, because I think we are trying to, even if it’s not if it’s not a like a willful decision, we just kind of drift in that direction of like, hey, well, I’m just not going to talk about that because I just am not sure what to say. Rich Birch — How how do you fight this in yourself, in the church around you? Because you know you are a winsome leader. You’re a church full of grace. You’re trying to actually interact with the culture. You’re not running for the hills. You’re not like, you know, putting your head in the sand kind of thing. How, how do you, how does not being a selective Christian work itself out in, in your world?Aaron Graham — Yeah, so one of the things I’m trying to really emphasize in our church is like Bible engagement. It seems like so 101, but it’s like, guys, we got to read our Bibles. Rich Birch — Yeah, no, absolutely. Aaron Graham — And so it’s like you know Bible in a year kind of plans, getting as many groups together. I lead a group on on Bible in a year, and it’s like, let’s read the whole Bible and let’s like struggle with these passages and talking about it and like, let’s see the power of the word of God.Aaron Graham — And so, you know, there’s a lot of research that shows that people who engage with the Bible have like measurable differences in their life. And one of the things is that when you actually engage in not in reading the Bible, but actually submitting yourself to it, you become both more liberal and conservative. Because you you you become more morally conservative and you become more socially liberal, like in caring for the needs of others. And so you just break out of these categories.Aaron Graham — And for somebody like you in Canada, that’s not in the US, like, it’s kind of crazy how we get polarized in the U.S. over certain things that that global Christians don’t get as as polarized on in some ways.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so I think that’s one of the things that I’ve seen a lot of fruit in is like, hey, we’re going to be at a church that’s about the word of God. We’re going to teach the word of God. We’re going to sit under its authority even when it’s uncomfortable.Aaron Graham — And I find even in very progressive cities like D.C., people hunger for biblical teaching.Even if they they don’t agree with it all, they’ll come listen to it because they’re looking for something that’s different than what they’re hearing everywhere else where it’s like affirm, affirm, affirm everything. It’s like, I wanna be called to something higher, something that’s bigger than me, that’s more historic than me. So as it relates to being a selective Christian, I think just simple Bible engagement and really putting effort in that has is has borne a lot of fruit.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I know my lead pastor has been saying the same thing for the last few years. And I would I would echo this. I think this has been, this is a very unique season where I think in general, the culture is leaning in and asking the question, what is it about this? And, you know, Jeff, my lead pastor makes the joke. He’s like this, you see this rippling it all in all parts of culture. There’s you know one of the outcomes of the fact that things are so kind of changing all the time, we’re we’re obsessed with the you know the latest trend or whatever, is people want things that have been true for a long time. They’re and it’s why are people putting chickens in their backyards? And what is it with all the sourdough? Like, why does that stuff, why is that resonating? Rich Birch — There’s a connection to this so, you know, similar kind of cultural issue that we’re saying here with scripture, where it’s like, I’m intrigued by the Bible. I want to learn about that because that’s it something we’ve been telling each other these stories for thousands of years. And how does that apply to our lives? Let’s not miss that moment, church leaders, and not actually give them what they’re what they’re looking for. So yeah, that’s that’s interesting.Aaron Graham — Absolutely. I think the devil really overplayed his hand as it relates to secular culture. Meaning, secular culture meaning it’s defined itself in opposition to the church with a message of the more personal freedom you have, the more autonomy you have, the more the happier you’ll be. And Gen Z is waking up and being like…Rich Birch — That’s not true. Yeah.Aaron Graham — …no, this is not fulfilling. I want something more historic and rooted. And that’s, I think, one of the things that’s leading a lot of people to come into the church right now in this generation. They’re just saying, I’m hungry for God. And I don’t think that just having more freedom and flexibility is the answer.Aaron Graham — It’s like so somebody just gave their life to Jesus on Sunday, came to the newcomer’s dinner last night, and he’s like, what do I need to do next? And and you know and I gave it to him hard. I was like, it’s not just about praying a prayer. You prayed that, praise the Lord, and you’re going to baptized and you’re doing a Rooted group and all this. But it’s like, what in your life, in your relationships in your work, like you need to cut some things off, like repentance, like change directions. And he’s like, yeah, like, tell me more. You know, he’s like leaning in.Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah.Aaron Graham — Like, I think people want to be led, like in love, but they want to be led. Rich Birch — Yeah.Aaron Graham — It’s not just like choose your own adventure.Rich Birch — Yeah.Aaron Graham — That’s not helping this generation.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so true. I would echo that. You know, it does feel like we’ve come to the end of secular humanism. And and I remember a time when I first started ministry, I was like, well, it sure seems that that’s working. Aaron Graham — Yeah. Rich Birch — Like, it’s just so dominant, but it feels like there’s this collective like, well, that didn’t work. So. Rich Birch — What was that what’s another lie that we, again, we’re not gonna able to get to all of them. So don’t worry, friends. And we, you know, you’re gonna have to read the book. But what’s another one that that has bubbled up that’s been, you know particularly intriguing as you’ve interacted with people around it?Aaron Graham — Yeah, um there’s there’s so many different ones, but I think um one of them is the divisive influencer. This is the seventh lie, so I’ll kind of take it to the the end of the book here. But the divisive influencer is really growing right now. It’s somebody who kind of mirrors cancel culture instead of practicing radical forgiveness and grace. Aaron Graham — And so we see a lot of political polarization right now. We feel it in our families. We feel it in our churches where it’s like you’re coming for a holiday meal and it’s like, it’s this tension underneath. We feel it in life groups and it’s like, how do we navigate this? And so that’s that’s one of the ones that, you know, being in DC the political…Rich Birch — Yeah, it was gonna that was going to be my follow-up. I’m like, wait a second. Isn’t that the bread and butter of the people you work with?Aaron Graham — Yes. And honestly, people, when they come to church, even in DC, they don’t want to like enter into an echo chamber. They want to be formed. They want to go upstream. They want to hear the word of the Lord.Aaron Graham — And so I think that one of the things as it relates to this, like cancel culture and like the solution to that obviously is like Jesus, it’s like, love your enemies, forgive those who persecute you. Like actually when you lean into relationships with people who are different, like that’s that’s how you you grow.Aaron Graham — And so whenever we’re dealing with an issue, like whatever, some issues in the news, and it’s like, oh, what should should we what should we include in our prayer? Do we need to talk about that in the sermon? And you know you’re getting pressure from certain people to do that. One of the things I’ve realized is that if we haven’t gone upstream as church leaders, and taught our congregation the biblical call around poverty or abortion or immigration or whatever, then when it pops up in the news, we get very reactive and people interpret that through their political lens. They’ve already made their mind up.Aaron Graham — And so some pastors are playing on this and you can kind of grow your church, like you’ll lose 10%, but grow 40% because you kind of lean into that predictable division.Rich Birch — Yep.Aaron Graham — But I think that one of the the calls of of Jesus is like, how do we we go upstream so you can form people to say, hey, we have to engage in poverty. We have to… But like two Christians can agree on addressing something like abortion, poverty, you know justice, and disagree which policy solution will be the best. And so we should have that kind of diversity our church.Aaron Graham — That’s what’s made our nation great is having that level of diversity. And I think we need to model that out in the church, not just our racial and ethnic diversity but I think our political diversity is increasingly important and it’s not to say that each side is like morally equivalent on each issue. I think some parties are way better on certain issues than others. But I think we have to really lean into this forgiveness and not lean into this radical divisive influencer even though that kind of posture may be rewarded online. And this next generation is, I think a high percentage of them want to be influencers online. So there’s ah a great temptation to kind of lean into that. But it’s like, what does Jesus teach us around that?Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, I think you’re calling out of something that we you know definitely see. And there’s ah even ah ah this kind of return of particularly young men back to church. There’s some of that that I’m not sure is is actually positive where it’s it’s leaning towards. It’s a it is a very politically charged kind of faith that to me doesn’t read Jesus. It or it’s a it’s just one aspect maybe of of of Jesus. So that’s interesting you’re calling that out for sure.Rich Birch — Off-roading a little bit on a similar topic, one of the things I find fascinating about you, about the church, about District, is that there was like this false dichotomy that’s set up in a lot of churches. It’s like, hey, you can either be a church that is has a high value on scripture, which you clearly do. Or you can be a church that is engaged in issues of development and justice in the world around you. You can’t do both of those. You can’t actually make a difference in the community around you, be cared, be care about the poor care about those things and also have a high view of scripture. I’m not saying that’s true. I’m saying there seems to be this popular notion out there. Your church seems to be doing both, trying to do both. Am I reading that correctly? Help me understand how, how you see those interacting with each other.Aaron Graham — Yeah, I’ve always been known the last 20 years in ministry as the justice guy, the one calling the church to engage in justice. And then I looked up around and saw so many of my justice friends had deconstructed their faith, were no longer pastoring churches, and their kids weren’t following Jesus. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And I was like, something’s wrong. Because it’s like, oh, we’re trying to like care for the poor, but now we’ve lost our faith in the process. And the kids that we’re raising, we have no message for them other than just be tolerant and inclusive Christians. Like tolerant being tolerant and inclusive and loving is a great value. Jesus is the most loving person, but he called people to repentance and he called people to the to to the Father.Aaron Graham — And so I think that that’s always just been a a big value of ours is like the authority of scripture and the Lordship of Christ. And I think that leads to justice. Like, um and so I think it’s just being willing to stand alone. I’ve lost a lot of friendships over this. Not not just friendships. Not like I don’t talk to somebody, but just like colleagues in ministry, because there’s like theologically, like you just believe something that’s different. Like you’ve stepped outside of biblical orthodoxy.Aaron Graham — So I think we have to be, be willing to to stand alone. And i think we’re on the winning side. I think Jesus and justice, I think both those things go together. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — So I don’t think we’re crazy, but it is hard to hold them together when the political narratives are so forming and deceptive. And so it’s hard. It’s hard for me. I got a lot of flack for my theological positions in this city. but I think, you know, we got to be willing to stand alone.Rich Birch — Yeah. Very cool. Well, I want to, I think this could be a great book, as you were writing it. What were kind of what were you picturing your kind of ideal situation where it would land? Obviously you want lots of people to read it, but to me, I saw it. I was like the, when I, the sneak peek I looked into, I was like, man, this could be a great, I think a really good discussion starter in a leadership team. Are there other environments you think, Hey man, this could be really a great place to, you know, to use this resource.Aaron Graham — Yeah, the the the main person I’m writing to, and I hope a lot of people read it, but the main person is like a 23-year-old that graduates from college that has at least a nominal Christian faith. They have the intention to join a church when they move to the city and land their first job, but they are totally at risk of abandoning their faith unless they make some very clear decisions and are a part of a church that has made some really clear decisions around, we’re not going to believe these lies. We’re going to call them out, and we’re going intentionally disciple you away from being discipled by secular culture and disciple you around the Word of God. Aaron Graham — That’s my hope. You know If anybody that’s deconstructed comes back to faith, praise the Lord. Hallelujah.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s amazing.Aaron Graham — But I’m actually trying to do a prevention so that all the people who are coming to faith right now in this revival, that it falls on good ground. Because we have such a discipleship culture in our churches that is able to name and discern, first, and then name these lies and to help this next generation stand firm in the gospel. And so that’s that’s the subtitle of the the book is how to stand firm in a culture of lies.Aaron Graham — And for so long, we were trained in the church as church leaders to evangelize people who were like spiritually kind of curious and open, like kind of the seeker sensitive movement. That’s how like international, but I grew up as a missionary kid. So it’s like, we were trained to like share the gospel with people who like just needed to hear that there’s one God and that he loves you and that you can have a relationship with him.Aaron Graham — But now we’re trying to evangelize a post-Christian culture, which you know a lot about in Canada. And we’re learning more about here in in North America. And that culture actually is not just like ambivalent towards Christianity. It’s actually anti-Christian faith. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — They’re trying to evangelize us. And so if we just try to take the same approach where we’re just loving and let me give them a hug, see if they hug back, they’re actually winning. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so so so it’s like, how do we… how do we have a plan to say, you know what, we’re going to love the world. We’re going in the world, but not of the world. But it’s it’s like it’s a whole different, I can use that word on on this, ah the word here on this church leaders podcast. It’s a whole different missiology around how to engage in mission.Aaron Graham — And so, yeah, so I’m hoping that we reach the 20-something and I’m hoping that people talk about this. We wrote this and we have a small group video curriculum coming out as well, because we really want pastors who say, I want this culture in my church to be able to have people do it in groups, discuss it… Rich Birch — That’s great. Aaron Graham — …and be able to make these commitments before it becomes an even greater problem in our churches.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. That’s a really vivid picture of, like you say, the 23 year old who’s moving to the city, um you know, who has some faith, but is is maybe at risk, I think is ah is ah is a vivid picture for all of us. And I would share, you didn’t actually say it this way, but I would share some concern with the swell towards faith. I don’t, who am I? Like the, obviously it’s an amazing thing that’s going on. Lots of people are taking steps toward Jesus. I’m not going to be the guy that’s like, that’s bad.Rich Birch — But I would say I’m concerned that we are a good steward of this moment, that it’s like, man, I have been waiting my entire ministry career for this to happen.Aaron Graham — Yeah.Rich Birch — And now, gosh, let’s not drop the ball. And I think your book could be a part of helping us think through and helping leaders and individuals think through this. So the name of the book is Unshakable Faith. And again, you said that: How to stand firm in a culture of lies. Where can people, look at that? There’s a shot of it. There’s got a beautiful front on. It’s very hip. I’m assuming we can get it at Amazon. Are there other places we should go to get copies of this?Aaron Graham — Everywhere books are sold so um if you go to aarongrahamDC.com—just my name aarongrahamDC (double meaning for District Church and DC of the the city of DC) aarongrahamDC.com —and then you’ll see the links to all the retailers on there, including Amazon, but all the different retailers Christianbook, Books-a-million, Barnes and Noble, all that. And so, yeah, you can you can grab a copy there, and we’d love to hear from you as well. You you can have a place where you can contact me on there.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s great. Perfect. We’ll put links to all of that in the show notes. And friends, like I say, if you’re a long-term listener, you know, we don’t actually typically have a lot of authors on, but I wanted to have Aaron on because I do think this is particularly poignant for us, I think, in in today’s culture. And I think it could be a thing that could really help your team, help, you know, people at your church, I think could be ah a really great resource for that. Rich Birch — As we wrap up today’s episode, any kind of final words you’d have for a church leader that’s wrestling in, that’s wrestling with these issues today is, is maybe feeling some of this tension around, you know, feeling compromised at the door kind of thing. Help us, help us as we wrap up today.Aaron Graham — Yeah, well, first off, just thanks for having me on and having me back, you know, as a repeat guest. That’s awesome. I love what you’re doing. Like I said, I learned so much from you. Some practical stuff is so great to hear all the different speakers that come on and and leaders. Aaron Graham — But yeah, no, I think the the the message that I want leaders church leaders to hear is that if you don’t run to this problem around what’s happening in our culture and how it’s affecting discipleship, this problem will get worse. And, and I think that one of the the challenges for me being in the belly of the beast in the heart of DC, I’m not just like DC, like, so I’m like in the heart with all these national leaders, very educated people, is that it’s sort of like a signal, kind of like downtown New York city is as well. It’s like a signal of where culture is going.Aaron Graham — And so if, if you don’t lean towards this conversation and learn, this problem will only grow in your church. And so while it might be uncomfortable for some of you based on, like if you’re like me and you’re wired as like a harmony person, like I don’t want to have disagreements on my staff or with my board or in my family conversation, like it will only get bigger and worse. So lean in and and take advantage of of resources from people who are writing about this, who have thought about it. And don’t be alone in this. Don’t try to be isolated in this conversation because there’s a lot of people who, even though you might feel alone where you’re pastoring or where you’re leading, there’s a lot of people who feel the same way you are. And so, so get connected in, in with them. So, so that’s, that’s what I’d say.Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Aaron. Give us that website again where we want to send people to if they want to connect more directly with you or with the church.Aaron Graham — Yeah, just aarongrahamDC.com. And that’ll also link to our church website, districtchurch.org. And we’d love to have people visit us when you’re in DC, because like you said, DC is a fun city.Rich Birch — Love it. It is a fun city.Aaron Graham — It’s one of the best cities to 250th anniversary of DC. Lots of celebrations happening this year. Rich Birch — Yes, that’s true. Aaron Graham — So come in and see us. Rich Birch — It’ll be a big year. That’s great. Thanks so much. Appreciate being here today, sir. And we’ll have you back on sometime soon. Thanks for coming.Aaron Graham — Awesome. Thanks, Rich.
It has never been easier to consume someone else's faith. With a podcast in our ears, a devotional feed on our phones, and a favorite teacher's voice filling our commute, we can absorb an enormous amount of Christian content without ever spending quiet, personal time with God ourselves. And slowly, almost imperceptibly, our spiritual lives begin to look less like deep-rooted plants and more like transplanted flowers — imported from someone else's garden, struggling to survive in soil that was never their own. Paul saw this same tendency in the church at Corinth. Believers were forming camps around their favorite teachers — Paul, Apollos, Cephas — as though the worker was responsible for the growth. Paul was quick to correct them: the teachers were only servants. God was the One making things grow. And the only foundation that could ever truly hold was Jesus Christ Himself. That warning speaks directly into our age of faith influencers, online pastors, and Christian celebrities. Their insights can be genuinely helpful — but they cannot replace what only a personal relationship with Jesus can give. Second-hand faith will only take us so far. If we want to thrive rather than wither, we need roots that go all the way down into Christ Himself — the One who died to give us life, and in whom alone we are invited to truly boast. Interested in creating something new with us!? Take Our Newsletter Survey! Bible Verse "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." — 1 Corinthians 3:11, NIV Ponder Today Consuming Christian content is not the same as communing with Christ — no teacher, pastor, or influencer, however gifted, can substitute for a personal and growing relationship with Jesus. Paul's warning to the Corinthians applies directly to us today — when we align ourselves too closely with a human worker, we risk placing our trust in the servant rather than the One who causes all growth. Second-hand faith — borrowed from the experiences and practices of those we admire — will eventually begin to wither, because it was never rooted in our own encounter with the living God. Teachers, authors, and pastors can be genuinely helpful tools in our growth, but they are only ever planting seeds or watering — God alone is the One who makes things grow. Jesus Christ is the only foundation that can hold — His death and resurrection are not just the starting point of our faith, they are the center around which everything else must be built. Today's Prayer Lord, I confess that I sometimes spend more time listening to what others say about You than I do communing with You personally. As helpful as many teachers and pastors are, their words are not what bring true growth — only You deserve that glory. When I am tempted to build my faith around a favorite voice rather than around You, redirect my heart. Remind me that You are the reason I am saved, the foundation that cannot be moved, and the only One in whom I should boast. Deepen my roots in You, Lord, so that my faith is my own — grown in the soil of a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai
AANHPI Month: Honoring Japanese Beauty, Wellness & the Truth About Matcha: Konnichiwa, my friends. Genki desu ka. This AANHPI Month, we begin not with trends—but with truth, reverence, and remembrance. Because behind every bowl of matcha, every beauty ritual, every moment of calm that the world now celebrates...there are generations of Asian hands, stories, discipline, and devotion that made it possible. And for a long time, those stories were not told. This episode is about honoring them. It's about honoring Japan, and the greater AANHPI community: China, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Hawaii, and beyond: the cultures that have shaped global wellness, beauty, and food in ways that are only now being recognized. It's about bowing—not performatively, but with deep respect: to the teachers, farmers, chefs, artisans, and elders who came before us. Because what we are witnessing right now w/ the global rise of matcha, the fascination with Japanese beauty rituals, the obsession with “clean living”—this did not happen overnight. And it did not happen without us. For decades, Asian culture was overlooked, misunderstood, or reduced to aesthetics without context. Our food was simplified. Our beauty rituals were copied. Our philosophies—like wabi sabi, kintsugi, and mindfulness...were often stripped of their depth. And yet, we continued to show up. Quietly. Consistently. With excellence.Today, the world is finally catching up. But with that visibility comes responsibility. Thank you for listening - please share this episode with a friend and make sure to give this podcast a five star review and subscribe thank you so much for listening again I really appreciate you x ck
On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson talks about education, family, and community with Inglewood's own D Smoke.Daniel “D Smoke” Farris is an acclaimed American rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to fame after winning Netflix's "Rhythm + Flow" in 2019. Known for his seamless blend of rap, R&B, jazz, and gospel, and for incorporating both English and Spanish in his lyrics, D Smoke's music often tackles themes of social justice, community, and identity. His debut album, "Black Habits," released in 2020, was critically praised and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. With a background as a music educator and a family deeply rooted in music, D Smoke's work is characterized by its lyrical depth, musicality, and a mission to inspire and educate.Resources:www.dsmokemusic.comwww.instagram.com/dsmoke7Episode Playlist:https://playlist.sptfy.com/mhdotr25Community Announcements:Line Dancing ClassFridays 10:00am - 11:30amConstituent Services Center, 8475 S. Vermont Ave, 90044www.instagram.com/p/C3vHUk7OTSh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Ralph delivers a message on recognizing lies by comparing them to the truth.
Anchored in the Word with Dave JenkinsThe Providence of God: Why Christians Can Trust God in Every CircumstanceBy Dave Jenkins Episode SummaryIn this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains the doctrine of the providence of God—what it means, where Scripture teaches it, and how it strengthens believers in everyday life and in seasons of suffering. You'll learn the classic threefold framework of preservation, government, and concurrence, and why God's providence calls Christians to trust, gratitude, humility, prayer, and faithful obedience.ListenWatchKey ScripturesHebrews 1:3Psalm 115:3Ephesians 1:11Acts 17:28Genesis 50:20Romans 8:28Episode HighlightsProvidence means that God preserves, governs, and directs all things according to His wisdom and purpose.God's sovereignty is seen in His rule over every detail of life.Three aspects of providence: preservation, government, and concurrence.God's providence comforts believers in suffering and anchors Romans 8:28 as a bedrock promise.This doctrine shapes our response with trust, gratitude, humility, prayer, and faithful obedience.Full Article / TranscriptThe providence of God is one of the most comforting and foundational doctrines of the Christian life.Many believers use the word providence, yet struggle to explain what it means or how it applies to everyday life. Scripture, however, speaks clearly: God rules over all things with wisdom, power, and purpose.This doctrine answers those questions with clarity, hope, and confidence. God rules all things well.What Is the Providence of God?Providence means that God continually preserves, governs, and directs all things according to His wisdom, power, and purpose.It includes everything—from the greatest events to the smallest details, and every ordinary moment in between.The Providence of God in ScriptureScripture teaches that God upholds all things by His power (Hebrews 1:3), does all that He pleases (Psalm 115:3), and works all things according to His will (Ephesians 1:11).Providence is the sovereignty of God in action.Three Aspects of the Providence of GodPreservation: God sustains all things.Government: God directs all events toward His purposes.Concurrence: God works through human actions without removing responsibility.This doctrine reveals His wisdom in weaving all things together.The Providence of God in SufferingIn suffering, God's providence reminds us that we are not abandoned. God is present, sovereign, and wise.Romans 8:28 assures believers that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.Even when we cannot see His hand, we can trust His heart.How Christians Should Respond to God's ProvidenceGod's providence calls believers to trust Him, give thanks, walk in humility, pray with confidence, and live in faithful obedience.God is at work in every detail of life, conforming His people into the image of Christ.Next week: How do Christians deal with guilt and shame biblically?Stay Rooted in the WordSubscribe to Servants of Grace wherever you listen to podcasts and watch each episode on YouTube.Visit the Anchored in the Word page.
We are being watched, and here is how to stay rooted in your truth. This one is for you who wish to balance an overwhelmed nervous system. We are walking you through the steps of clearing away all the distractions we are being exposed to in this timeline of 2026. Only to access the deeper truth and clarity within you, that can not be found in the noice around you. Are you waiting for the leaders out there to do it for you? We are walking you through the steps on how to access the resources you need from within, by creating a portal of deep devotion into truth and clarity.Watch the episode live on youtube HERE. Instagram @celineheldrup & @alesiana.ra Are you ready to heal from all distractions, overwhelm & addictions? To stop seeking the fulfillment outside of yourself, and instead embody the leader within you? I would love to invite you to a portal of devotion to yourself. To clear away all distractions that doesn't serve you for the next decade of your life. Join us in the course here: www.celineheldrup.no/transformation
Kara Powell and Christine Caine explore leadership and spiritual practices for flourishing in life and ministry. They discuss Christine's new book, "The Faith to Flourish," and the metaphor of the olive tree as a symbol of deep roots and fruitfulness. Christine shares insights on the role of young people in shaping the future of faith communities and highlights global movements of teens seeking authentic faith. The conversation emphasizes the need for divine interruptions, the importance of learning from younger generations, and the balance of structure and openness in ministry. About this Season: The Future-Focused Leadership podcast season is hosted by Dr. Kara Powell, author and executive director of FYI. Kara invites pastors and leading voices to share leadership principles, lessons, and skills that will keep us future-focused and rooted in Christ. Every episode brings practical ideas and encouragement. Sign up for our email list: https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/subscribe Related FYI resources: BOOK: Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, & Building a More Diverse Tomorrow. BLOG: "What you need to know about Gen Alpha in 2026"
When life feels unsteady, many of us respond by holding tighter, trying harder, and carrying more than we were meant to bear. But Jesus offers a different way. In this episode, Gem Fadling is joined by Yvette Henry, writer, speaker, and author of Release, Rest, Remain, for a thoughtful conversation about learning to let go, trust God, and stay rooted in his presence when life feels overwhelming. Drawing from Jesus’ words in John 15, this conversation explores what it means to release the pressure to hold everything together, rest in God’s love, and remain spiritually grounded in the middle of real life. Together, they reflect on spiritual exhaustion, the invitation to abide rather than strive, and how spiritual fruit grows naturally when we stay connected to God. This episode is for anyone longing for peace, stability, and a deeper sense of trust when life feels uncertain. *** Yvette is a dynamic writer, speaker, social media influencer, and mom to four children. Alongside her husband, Glen, she co-hosts the hit podcast How Married Are You?! and a thriving YouTube channel that has more than a million followers. She uses her platform to connect and encourage women through honest conversations about lifeʼs challenges. Yvette has released a book entitled, Release, Rest, Remain, a thirty-day journey for busy women who are longing for peace and joy in the middle of life’s chaos. Rooted in Jesus’ words from John 15, this book gently calls us away from striving and back into abiding, learning how to release what we were never meant to carry, rest in God’s presence, and remain grounded in His love. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"It's just a little tester." The five most dangerous words in the English language.In this week's sesh, Justin Barone is dismantling the "Try Before You Buy" economy and taking it to its most illogical, biohazardous conclusion. What starts as a simple gripe about communal vapes at the local pot shop quickly spirals into a fever dream of cross-contamination that would make a health inspector faint.On Thoughts Off The Stem, we strip away the filters to look at the root of the problem: humanity has lost its mind. Join Justin as he navigates a retail hellscape where hygiene goes to die.Inside this episode's descent into madness:The Dental Deposit: Why your dentist wants you to "rent" a tester tooth for 48 hours. It's a loaner for your face. Don't lose it.
4 Simple Ways to Stay Rooted in God's Word When Life Is Too Busy (No Extra Time Needed) Struggling to stay in the Bible as a busy working mom? You're juggling work deadlines, kids' schedules, meals, laundry, and that endless mental load... and your quiet time often gets pushed aside. The guilt creeps in: "I should be reading the Word more," but the day feels impossible. Friend, God isn't keeping score—He's inviting you into His presence right in the middle of the chaos. In this encouraging episode, I share 4 simple, grace-filled ways to stay rooted in Scripture without adding more to your plate—no complicated routines, no guilt, just real nourishment for your soul. These practical shifts fit your real life as a Christian working mom, helping combat overwhelm, mom guilt, and spiritual dryness. Rooted in verses like Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 11:28, and 2 Corinthians 12:9, you'll walk away reminded that one intentional encounter with God's Word is enough when it's fueled by His grace. Perfect for back-to-school busyness, heavy seasons, or anytime you feel "too busy for God." Key Takeaways for Busy Christian Moms - You're not failing if devotions aren't long—small, consistent doses nourish deeply. - Micro-moments of whispered verses in transitions build roots over time. - Audio Scripture lets the Word come to you during laundry, commutes, or carpool. - Habit stacking ties God's Word to what you already do—no new "to-dos." - Release guilt: His grace is sufficient, and faithfulness > perfection. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & the busy mom struggle: Why Bible time feels impossible 00:45 – Quick prayer to invite God's peace 01:30 – Reframing "rooted" in Scripture (Psalm 1 encouragement) 02:15 – Way #1: Micro-moments – Whisper verses in transitions (Isaiah 26:3 example) 04:00 – Way #2: Audio Scripture while you move 05:30 – Way #3: Habit stacking with daily routines (Colossians 3:16) 07:00 – Way #4: Surrender the guilt – One verse is enough 08:45 – Gentle challenge: Pick one way this week 09:30 – Closing + free printable Scripture cards 10:15 – Call to action & next steps Resources & Links • Faithfully Balanced Course: Grace-filled rhythms for working moms → Learn more • Related episodes: - Ep 168: How to Stay Close to God in Busy Seasons Without Adding More - Ep 167: You're Not Too Busy for God - Ep 163: Redefining Progress as Faithful Consistency
Stay Rooted in Him through Thanksgiving and Not Necessarily Religious Asceticism.
Hi friend — welcome back to The Habit Within! I'm Camille Kinzler, and today's episode is a little mini grounding session for the season we're in. Because if your life looks anything like mine right now… it's full. Beautiful, meaningful, chaotic, and full.And during these kinds of seasons, it's so easy to think you should be doing more — starting a new workout plan, reinventing your routines, signing up for a program, overhauling your habits. But the truth is: this is not the season for massive shifts.This is the season for presence. For grounding. For simplicity.So today, I'm walking you through five small things I'm personally committing to over the next three weeks — things that don't require extra time, big decisions, or rearranging your life… just tiny anchors that keep you rooted when life gets busy.In this episode, I share:Why this is not the moment to should all over yourself (you'll feel that one!)How remembering that every yes is a choice can lift guilt and mental clutterWhat presence actually looks like in a full season — especially when your brain wants to time-travelA sweet glimpse into my kids' Winter Fair (pocket ladies and handmade treasures included)Why even 5 minutes of movement can shift your nervous system and blood sugarHow the small things — supplements, peptides, water, sunlight — are always the first to disappear when we need them mostWhy scheduling time for yourself in January is the most loving thing you can do for DecemberA reminder that your five grounding practices don't have to match mine — they just need to support your alivenessThis episode is meant to help you breathe again. To remind you that it's okay to be in this season — not the one you think you “should” be in.Big TakeawaysYou chose what's on your plate — which means you can release the guilt around what you can't get to right now.Presence allows you to actually experience the life you're living instead of rushing through it.Small anchors create big stability in busy seasons.This time of year is meant to be beautiful — even when it's messy.I'd love to hear from youWhat are your five grounding things for this season? DM them to me on Instagram — I can't wait to read them and share a few on the next episode.If you're tired of feeling exhausted, irritable, moody, and just not like yourself, schedule a free 30-minute consultation so I can help you feel like YOU again Fill out this brief form (2 min) to schedule a free 30-minute call. Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know what hit home for you. Find me on Instagram @camille_kinzler and leave me a DM!
Learning To Celebrate Others Without Self Judgement In this episode, I explore what really happens when you witness someone else's success and suddenly feel behind — even when you're genuinely happy for them. If comparison has ever left you questioning your own worth, your timing, or your progress, this conversation will help you return to truth and alignment. I also share a deeply personal story about being in a high-level mastermind and watching others hit massive milestones while I internally battled self-doubt and internal pressure. In this episode I explain how comparison activates the nervous system, disconnects you from your purpose, and shifts you into proving, pushing or shutting down. You'll learn how to reframe someone els'e success as evidence of possibility, how celebration becomes and energetic activator for abundance, and practical tools to stay rooted in your own divine path. This episode is for the woman who wants to feel grounded, confident, and connected to her own rhythm — no matter what others around her are achieving. We dive into: Why comparison is a normal yet misaligned response How nervous system triggers impact, self-worth and creativity How to redefine success and trust your own divine timing The energetic power of celebrating others Embodiment tools to stay rooted in your own path How to shift from 'why not me' to 'thank you for showing me what is possible' Your next level is created from Alignment not effort. The Alignment Intensive is where we begin this work. A 90-minute private session to realign your energy, clarify your next steps, and activate your next level leadership — with two weeks of Voxer support for integration. Book A Session Connect with me: @andreacrispcoach + www.andreacrisp.ca
In today's changing world, let us stay rooted in God's unchanging Word.
Bobbi brings us the message recorded live at Covenant.
Being a mom of little ones can make time in God's Word feel impossible. Between sleepless nights, crying toddlers, and endless dishes, how do you stay spiritually grounded when life never slows down?Chat with Bre on Instagram @datenightwiththewoods Follow Tony on Instagram @drtonygwood For videos, old episodes, blog posts, events, and more www.datenightfam.org
Every season of life requires divine guidance, and the Word of God remains our sure foundation. When challenges arise, don't drift, return to Scripture for strength, wisdom, and peace. God's Word doesn't just inspire; it transforms, corrects, and equips us for every good work. Stay rooted, stay faithful, and let His Word direct your path today
Let's be real—the Christian life isn't a walk in the park. Between persecution and deception, it can feel perilous. So how do we follow Jesus well?
Gary Forbes is a former NBA player turned entrepreneur, advocate, and mentor. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, Forbes built a storied basketball career, earning conference player of the year honors at UMass before navigating the rigors of professional sports—all while managing Type 1 diabetes. Now, as the founder of Sole Survivors, Gary is dedicated to empowering youth, particularly those facing chronic health challenges, with optimism, resilience, and the unwavering belief that setbacks are just setups for future success. He's also a published author, devoted father, and passionate motivator, showing that grit, self-belief, and giving back can turn any obstacle into a stepping stone. Takeaways: Turn Challenges Into Fuel: Gary's journey with type 1 diabetes didn't stop his NBA dreams; it gave him an extra level of resilience and inspired him to help others facing adversity. Stay Rooted in Optimism: Whether facing tough losses, career pivots, or daily struggles, Forbes credits his “superpower” of optimism and his unwavering childhood love for basketball as keys to ongoing growth and reinvention. Make Your Story Count: From mentoring the next generation to creating a global platform for children with health challenges, Gary believes your name and legacy are defined by how you show up for yourself and your community. Sound Bites: “Plan B all the way to Z is to make plan A work. Always have that kind of mindset and vision and just that love.” “Your present situation is not your final destination.” “You're a Forbes. You're supposed to do these things.” Connect & Discover Gary: Website: https://thesolesurvivors.com/about-us/ Book Series: Sole Survivors: New Age of Heros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-forbes-082b5b267/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyforbes_/
Gary Forbes is a former NBA player turned entrepreneur, advocate, and mentor. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, Forbes built a storied basketball career, earning conference player of the year honors at UMass before navigating the rigors of professional sports—all while managing Type 1 diabetes. Now, as the founder of Sole Survivors, Gary is dedicated to empowering youth, particularly those facing chronic health challenges, with optimism, resilience, and the unwavering belief that setbacks are just setups for future success. He's also a published author, devoted father, and passionate motivator, showing that grit, self-belief, and giving back can turn any obstacle into a stepping stone. Takeaways: Turn Challenges Into Fuel: Gary's journey with type 1 diabetes didn't stop his NBA dreams; it gave him an extra level of resilience and inspired him to help others facing adversity. Stay Rooted in Optimism: Whether facing tough losses, career pivots, or daily struggles, Forbes credits his “superpower” of optimism and his unwavering childhood love for basketball as keys to ongoing growth and reinvention. Make Your Story Count: From mentoring the next generation to creating a global platform for children with health challenges, Gary believes your name and legacy are defined by how you show up for yourself and your community. Sound Bites: “Plan B all the way to Z is to make plan A work. Always have that kind of mindset and vision and just that love.” “Your present situation is not your final destination.” “You're a Forbes. You're supposed to do these things.” Connect & Discover Gary: Website: https://thesolesurvivors.com/about-us/ Book Series: Sole Survivors: New Age of Heros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-forbes-082b5b267/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyforbes_/
See how God will watch over you as you walking with him daily. Read Psalm 1. To get more encouragement from the Bible daily text “Psalms” to 703-454-5990.
See how God will watch over you as you walking with him daily. Read Psalm 1. To get more encouragement from the Bible daily text “Psalms” to 703-454-5990.
In this episode of 'Extraordinary Living with Bill and Roger,' Roger Morris discusses the concept of compromise within the church and its detrimental effects on faith. Through the narrative of Eastern Flight 401, he illustrates how distraction and focus on minor issues can lead to catastrophic outcomes, drawing parallels to spiritual life. He emphasizes the importance of knowing and trusting the Word of God, citing it as the instrument panel for believers. Roger challenges listeners to evaluate if they have compromised their faith, encouraging them to stay rooted in scripture and reject misleading traditions or beliefs. He concludes with a call to accept Jesus Christ to transform lives. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction: Living as Ambassadors of God's Kingdom 00:31 Welcome to Extraordinary Living 01:01 The Danger of Compromise: Eastern Flight 401 04:25 Spiritual Compromise and Its Consequences 08:08 Understanding and Applying God's Word 12:01 Practical Faith and Overcoming Challenges 16:00 The Importance of Knowing God's Word 17:55 Demonstration: The Compromised Water 19:23 The Parable of the Sower 26:58 Invitation to Accept Jesus Christ Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064668460680
In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explores a timely question: How can Christians stay rooted in Scripture when summer distractions pull at our attention? Vacations, longer days, and busy routines can quietly shift our focus away from God's Word. But the Bible calls us to be like a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1), flourishing in every season. Join us as we look at key passages—Psalm 1, Joshua 1, Colossians 3, and John 15—and draw insights from church history to help you remain anchored in truth. You'll Learn: • Why being "rooted in the Word" is more than just doing devotions • How Puritans like Thomas Watson approached seasonal obedience • Practical steps for staying connected to Scripture on vacation • A gospel reminder that our acceptance isn't in our performance, but in Christ
How to Stay Rooted in God's Word When Summer Distracts You Show Summary In this episode of *Anchored in the Word*, Dave Jenkins explores a timely question: How can Christians stay rooted in Scripture when summer distractions pull at our attention? Vacations, longer days, and busy routines can quietly shift our focus away from God's Word. But the Bible calls us to be like a tree planted by streams of water (*Psalm 1*), flourishing in every season. Join us as we look at key passages—Psalm 1, Joshua 1, Colossians 3, and John 15—and draw insights from church history to help you remain anchored in truth. Listen to the Episode Watch the Episode Staying Rooted in God's Word This Summer As summer approaches, routines change, and distractions seem to multiply. Vacations, family time, and longer days often lead to the gentle but dangerous drift away from the spiritual habits we've worked hard to build. But even in the busiest season, God's Word remains unchanging. Psalm 1:1–3 paints a picture of a person rooted deeply in God's Word, like a tree planted by streams of water. It doesn't matter the season—the tree flourishes because it is nourished by something that doesn't change with the weather. This is the type of spiritual stability that God desires for us, even when life feels chaotic. What does it mean to stay rooted in God's Word this summer? It means choosing to prioritize Scripture over distraction. It doesn't mean doing more, but being more intentional about how we engage with God's Word. Whether you're on vacation or staying home, here are a few simple ways to stay grounded: Plan intentional time in Scripture each day—no matter how small. Use the ESV audio Bibles to stay engaged when traveling. Meditate deeply on a single passage, rather than reading widely. Involve your family in Scripture time, making it a part of your daily rhythm. Resources & Links Visit Servants of Grace YouTube for more Anchored in the Word episodes Find other episodes from Anchored in the Word with Dave. Call to Action If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend! Support our ministry by visiting our donation page.
This week, we're taking a look at the comparison trap that's louder than ever in 2025. We see everyone's highlight reels—but how do we keep our feet grounded when the pressure to “win” feels constant? Together, we explore tools to protect our peace, embrace our unique journeys, and remind ourselves that true success is personal, not a competition. Let's break free from social media's illusions and build roots that hold strong.
In a world that rewards noise, how do you stay grounded? In this episode of the Be Fabbo Podcast, Bobbi Brinkman shares why letting your work be the noise—and staying rooted in purpose, not performance—is the mindset shift that drives real momentum. You'll learn how to protect your energy, lead with quiet confidence, and build a business and life that speak volumes—without having to shout.Let's keep the FABBO convo going, send me a text!Support the showThank you for being a FABBO listener and supporting the Be Fabbo Podcast!
Just as deceptive weeds can creep into a healthy garden, pride often sneaks into our hearts, growing unnoticed among our accomplishments and even our service to God. Annie Yorty uses a vivid gardening metaphor to help us recognize how pride takes root and how we can humbly invite God to weed it out. Through reflection, Scripture, and prayer, we’re reminded to give glory to the true source of all our gifts: God alone. Themes Explored: The subtle danger of pride Recognizing the difference between self-glory and God-glory Daily humility as spiritual “weed control” Confession and dependence on God for heart inspection Living for God’s glory over our own Scripture Reference Jeremiah 9:23 (NLT) “This is what the Lord says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.’”
Show NotesSummaryFeel like you're hustling for your worth? Like no matter what you do, it's still not enough?In this episode, I'm helping you stop proving and start believing: you are already valuable—right now, as you are. We'll unpack how fear fakes the standard, why your identity in Christ is your anchor, and how to reclaim your value with one simple, powerful practice.TakeawaysYou don't have to earn your worth—you're already worthy, right now, just as you are.Your productivity isn't your identity. You're not what you do.Fear loves to lie about your value—but it doesn't get the final say.The truth about who you are starts (and ends) with your identity in Christ.You are God's masterwork—His handcrafted, priceless creation, made for impact.Staying rooted in God's presence helps you remember what the world makes you forget.Applause might feel good in the moment, but it'll never satisfy your soul like Father's love does.Your actions are powerful, but they are not your value. Who you are goes deeper.Reclaiming your value isn't a one-and-done—it's a daily invitation to return to the truth.Want to believe what God says about you? Start with your voice. Speak the truth—daily.You're not becoming valuable—you're uncovering the value that's always been there.Sound Bites"Your value isn't about your output—it's about your origin.""Fear fakes the standard. God already set it.""You are not trying to become valuable. You already are.""Abiding isn't a checklist—it's coffee and pie with Father God."Chapters00:00 Reclaim Your Value02:54 Personal Journey of Self-Worth10:27 The Impact of Fear on Value11:53 Breakdown the Topic15:47 1: You Are Valuable—Period18:53 2: God Sets the Standard – Fear Fakes the Standard23:33 3: Stay Rooted to Remember31:05 The Golden Statue Analogy33:53 Recap35:49 Courageous Action StepsCourageous Action
In this episode, I talk about knowing what to commit to, knowing when a season is over and a new one is beginning, evolving a concept or escaping it, how growth can feel invisible before it becomes undeniable, how speed is seductive, being rooted before being recognized and more.CONNECT WITH ME…→ Instagram — @mattgottesman→ Text Me — 480-530-7352→ My Substack — mattgottesman.substack.com → Apparel — thenicheisyou.comRESOURCES…→ Recommended Book List — CLICK HERE→ Workshops — CLICK HERE→ Masterclass — CLICK HEREWORKSHOPS + MASTERCLASS:→ Need MORE clarity? - Here's the FREE… 6 Days to Clarity Workshop - clarity for your time, energy, money, creativity, work & play→ Write, Design, Build: Content Creator Studio & OS - Growing the niche of you, your audience, reach, voice, passion & incomeOTHER RELATED EPISODES:Devotion To Your Craft Matters More Than the Field You're InApple: https://apple.co/42ltfnoSpotify: https://spoti.fi/42AGTBT
Stay Rooted In The Shaking | Hatch Rd
In episode 179 of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin takes us behind the scenes of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Returning for a second year, Alex and his expanded team captured the energy and creativity of the festival like never before. This episode explores how strategic content creation, meaningful industry partnerships, and a firsthand appreciation of the filmmaking process played a crucial role in amplifying emerging projects. Alex shares his insights as an executive producer and marketing professional, shedding light on what it takes to launch and promote a film on an international stage.Episode Outline[00:00:00] Welcome back: Josh Troy returns to the podcast[00:02:30] Growth and milestones since the 2021 episode[00:06:15] WFS Group's edge in outsourced sales[00:09:40] Ideal client profile and red flags to avoid[00:15:10] What makes an offer scale-ready[00:20:00] Founder-led sales and product-market fit[00:27:00] Choosing between one call and two call models[00:36:45] How to create urgency without sleazy tactics[00:42:30] Team structure, metrics, and scaling strategies[00:48:00] Follow-ups, no-show protocol, and nurturing leads[00:53:00] Using application questions to pre-qualify prospects[01:02:00] Flipping the “we tried this before” objection[01:07:30] Josh's 10-step sales call framework[01:12:00] What Josh wants to be known for in the industry[00:48:40] Where to watch Taking the Fight and follow StuartWisdom NuggetsStrategic Content = Amplified Stories : Smart, collaborative content can shine a spotlight on independent projects and get them industry-wide attention. Alex's team used social media strategy to elevate visibility for indie films.Think Bigger with the Right Team : An expanded team means more hands, more talent, and a bigger impact. With more people involved this year, Alex's crew was able to produce better content and deeper coverage.Celebrate the Process: : Seeing how films are marketed, pitched, and received helped Alex understand the film industry's real backbone—marketing, storytelling, and grit.Collaborate to Elevate: From doing collab posts with Rotten Tomatoes event to collaborating with actors, Alex emphasizes that powerful partnerships can make creative projects go further and reach wider.Stay Rooted in Purpose : No matter the spotlight, staying grounded in your mission—to inspire, connect, and educate—will always lead to the most impactful results.Power Quotes:“We came back to Sundance with a bigger vision and a stronger team.” - Alex Quin“Seeing our content amplify indie films was the biggest win.” - Alex Quin“It's not just about showing up—it's about showing up with a purpose.” - Alex QuinConnect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)Website: (https://alexquin.com)TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)Our CommunityInstagram:(https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Devin: What is your superpower?Phillip: Faith-Driven InnovationTraditional car dealerships have long been associated with high-pressure sales tactics and hidden fees. But Phillip Ibrahim, CEO of Imotobank, is changing that by pioneering a new model that prioritizes transparency, convenience, and customer empowerment.When Phillip started selling cars online in 2001, he saw an opportunity to remove the unnecessary overhead costs that traditional dealerships pass onto customers. "What does this $20 million building add in value to the consumer?" he recalls asking himself. "And I couldn't answer anything positive other than the consumer has to pay for it."Fast forward to today, and Imotobank operates on a radically different model. Customers can browse, consult, and finalize their purchases through a streamlined digital experience. "Within 12 or 15 minutes, we have a computer meeting with them, we source a car if we don't have one already, and we fill the order," Phillip explains. "Five to seven days later, the car is delivered to their doorstep."Beyond convenience, Phillip's model is designed to make car buying fairer. "Most car dealers don't give that level of transparency, and we do," he says. "We share screens with customers, show them the best wholesale transactions, and explain why each option is priced the way it is." This consultative, open-book approach ensures that buyers understand what they're paying for—without the usual dealership markup games.But Imotobank's ambitions go beyond selling cars. The company is currently raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Netcapital. With the funds, Phillip plans to unite 50 to 100 independent dealers under Imotobank's innovative umbrella. This will enable them to share technology, reduce costs, and provide better financing options for underserved consumers. "We want to create a captive finance company that doesn't prey on the consumer but gives them a reasonable rate," he explains.Phillip's vision for Imotobank isn't just about making car buying easier—it's about leveling the playing field for both consumers and independent dealers. "The future of the car business isn't static listings on a website," he says. "It's giving people proper advice, full transparency, and fair pricing."Traditional car dealerships have long been associated with high-pressure sales tactics and hidden fees. But Phillip Ibrahim, CEO of Imotobank, is changing that by pioneering a new model that prioritizes transparency, convenience, and customer empowerment.When Phillip started selling cars online in 2001, he saw an opportunity to remove the unnecessary overhead costs that traditional dealerships pass onto customers. "What does this $20 million building add in value to the consumer?" he recalls asking himself. "And I couldn't answer anything positive other than the consumer has to pay for it."Fast forward to today, and Imotobank operates on a radically different model. Customers can browse, consult, and finalize their purchases through a streamlined digital experience. "Within 12 or 15 minutes, we have a computer meeting with them, we source a car if we don't have one already, and we fill the order," Phillip explains. "Five to seven days later, the car is delivered to their doorstep."Beyond convenience, Phillip's model is designed to make car buying fairer. "Most car dealers don't give that level of transparency, and we do," he says. "We share screens with customers, show them the best wholesale transactions, and explain why each option is priced the way it is." This consultative, open-book approach ensures that buyers understand what they're paying for—without the usual dealership markup games.But Imotobank's ambitions go beyond selling cars. The company is currently raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Netcapital. With the funds, Phillip plans to unite 50 to 100 independent dealers under Imotobank's innovative umbrella. This will enable them to share technology, reduce costs, and provide better financing options for underserved consumers. "We want to create a captive finance company that doesn't prey on the consumer but gives them a reasonable rate," he explains.Phillip's vision for Imotobank isn't just about making car buying easier—it's about leveling the playing field for both consumers and independent dealers. "The future of the car business isn't static listings on a website," he says. "It's giving people proper advice, full transparency, and fair pricing."tl;dr:Phillip Ibrahim founded Imotobank to revolutionize car buying with a transparent, customer-first approach.Imotobank's digital model allows customers to buy cars online in minutes with full pricing transparency.The company is raising capital on Netcapital to expand its network of independent dealers and services.Phillip's superpower—faith—has helped him embrace risk, rebuild after failure, and drive innovation.His story teaches us to trust opportunities, learn from setbacks, and lead with integrity and purpose.How to Develop Faith-Driven Innovation As a SuperpowerPhillip Ibrahim's superpower is rooted in faith—faith in himself, his ideas, and in divine guidance. "I trust that God has been good to me," he says, emphasizing that his ability to recognize new opportunities and adapt to challenges stems from this deep-seated belief. "Even if I make a mistake, He kind of fixes them up for me and makes them go more smoothly."Summary of the Superpower:Phillip's faith-driven mindset has allowed him to embrace risk and innovation with confidence. He describes his superpower as recognizing opportunities and having the courage to pursue them. "I'm the product of two engineers, and I ended up having two kids who are both studying mechanical engineering. My superpower is recognizing interesting and new things, being totally unafraid to try them." His faith acts as a guiding force, allowing him to navigate uncertainty with trust rather than fear.Illustrative Story:One of the most defining moments of Phillip's career came when he was at the peak of his business in 2006, selling 100 cars a month on eBay. "I never thought we were going anywhere but up," he recalls. However, a sudden system failure shut down all of his eBay accounts overnight, leaving his business with no foundation. The collapse was financially and emotionally devastating. "I had a $2 million local line of credit, a mortgage, and was charging $350,000 a month on my Amex card. Imagine how it felt to come crashing down." Instead of giving up, Phillip leaned on his faith. "I prayed, and I felt an epiphany: If I put all my energy into building something new and great, it would be far more productive than fighting the past." This resilience allowed him to rebuild his business into the innovative Imotobank model that is thriving today.Tips for Developing This Superpower:Trust in the Process: Be open to new opportunities and trust that challenges will lead to growth.Embrace Failure as a Lesson: View setbacks as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.Take Calculated Risks: Fear often holds people back from innovation—push past hesitation with confidence.Stay Rooted in Your Values: Whether faith-based or principle-driven, let your core beliefs guide decisions.Focus on Building, Not Fighting: Energy spent on creation is always more valuable than energy spent on conflict.By following Phillip Ibrahim's example and advice, you can make faith-driven innovation a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfilePhillip Ibrahim (he/him):CEO, Imotobank DealershipAbout Imotobank Dealership: We pioneered every aspect of the online sale and facilitation of automobiles. We were among the first on eBay 2001, YouTube 2008, Cargurus, OVE, Simulcast, gotomeeting...We innovated the use of technology to actually sell cars in real-time. Our goal is to continue to make buying cars as easy as ordering a pizza. Our overarching goal is to unite 50-100 dealerships across the country and work as one giant consortium to vertically integrate all the functions, reduce insurance costs, own a captive warranty company, own a captive finance company, own the finntech/software to operate the entity. Each dealer would buy shares in the company. Website: imotobank.comOther URL: netcapital.com/companies/imotobankdealershipBiographical Information:Phillip Ibrahim is a visionary entrepreneur and industry expert with a passion for innovation and service. As the CEO of Imotobank, he has redefined the car-buying experience by leveraging technology, transparency, and efficiency to better serve customers locally and worldwide. With a deep commitment to gratitude and excellence, Phillip has nurtured relationships with over 15,000 clients and continues to expand his impact.Beyond his leadership in the auto industry, Phillip is a sought-after expert witness, providing valuable insights to insurance companies and other entities navigating complex cases. His ability to optimize existing technologies and embrace new ideas makes him a dynamic problem solver and strategist. With expertise spanning automobile remarketing, internet distribution, finance, aviation, and global sales, he is always open to innovative collaborations and investment opportunities.Phillip's mission is clear: to build a company that reflects his faith and gratitude by delivering exceptional service and creating opportunities for growth.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phillip-ibrahim-5825142Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Pivotal Health, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on April 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Gene Massey, Chairman/CEO of MediaShares, will lead a session on "Secrets For Creating Great Content To Attract Investors." He'll share expert insights on crafting compelling content that engages and converts potential investors. Whether you're launching a crowdfunding campaign or looking to enhance your storytelling strategy, this session is a must-attend! Don't miss it!SuperCrowdLA: we're going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can't-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.Asheville Neighborhood Economics, April 1-2, 2-25.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe
The Go, Ladies! are back and we have a guest! LaKesha Thomas of Rooted Core graced us with her presence and brought joy to the couch. Have you ever met someone who radiates joy and serenity? That is LaKesha! Join us as we talk about holistic wellness and how it looks different for every one. Follow LaKesha on IG at rooted core.
Pastor Travis of Impact Church delivered an unforgettable sermon titled Under the Influence of Faith, Hope, and Love, blending real-life stories, bold truth, and timeless scripture to ignite hope and challenge hearts. He shared his own journey from being arrested at 17 to finding freedom in Christ that same night, showing how God can turn any situation around. This powerful message explored what influences us—fear, sin, or faith—and revealed how living under God's influence brings freedom, purpose, and lasting impact. With practical wisdom from Galatians 5 and a fresh look at 1 Corinthians 13, Pastor Travis invited everyone to step into a life of bold faith, unshakable hope, and transformational love. Whether you're searching for change or just curious, this message will leave you inspired and ready to live differently.
Pastor Travis of Impact Church delivers an inspiring and powerful message in his sermon Under the Influence, sharing his personal story of transformation—from being arrested for a DUI to giving his life to Jesus that very night. He challenges us to reflect on what's shaping our decisions, mindset, and direction in life, urging us to move away from worldly influences and embrace the life-changing power of God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and a strong, faith-filled community. Through real-life examples, scripture, and encouragement, Pastor Travis reminds us that God's influence leads to freedom, strength, and purpose. This uplifting message inspires us to stay rooted in God's truth, walk in the power of the Spirit, and surround ourselves with people who bring out the best in us. It's a call to live boldly, intentionally, and fully under the influence of Christ.
In this breakout during our Be Strong men's conference, Hank Parker Jr. shares why it's important for all of us to study the Bible on our own. Personal Bible study helps us deal with challenges and guide our families. Hank walks through five simple tips to improve your study, focusing on understanding the context and keeping our eyes on Jesus. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your faith, we hope this episode gives you helpful insights to grow in God's truth. Find resources on Snowbird's WebsiteBlue Letter BibleAsk Pastor JohnRead ScripturePlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.
Emmanuel Baptist Church San Jose, CA www.emmanuelbc.org
This video was released on August 20, 2024.In this powerful and insightful conversation with Natalie Runion, author of "Raised to Stay," we dive deep into the reality of church hurt and how to overcome it without abandoning your faith. Natalie shares her personal journey and offers practical advice on navigating offense, dealing with leadership issues, and staying rooted in your mission despite challenges. If you've ever felt hurt by the church or are struggling with the pain inflicted by those in leadership, this video will provide you with hope, encouragement, and the tools to persevere in your faith journey. Don't let your Judas keep you from your Jesus. Watch now to learn how to navigate hurt and offense within the church and come out stronger in your walk with God.
Are you ready to transform your trials into triumphs? Join us as Pastor Verna DeHart delivers a powerful message on how to stay rooted in love amidst life's challenges.Description:In this inspiring episode, Pastor Verna DeHart, Senior Pastor at Soul Harvest Worship Center Church, continues the "Overcomer" series with part 8, titled "Stay Rooted in Love." Discover how to believe in God's plan, even when it doesn't make sense, and learn to take steps of faith. Pastor Verna emphasizes the importance of re-routing your expectations from people to God, re-evaluating your expectations, and learning from your experiences.Key points discussed include: Taking personal inventory and reframing your experiences. Standing firm in your faith and limiting contact with negative influences. Feeding on the Word of God to develop and maintain strong faith muscles. The necessity of choosing reliable friends and avoiding the disappointment of unfaithful people. Join us for this impactful message as Pastor Verna guides us on how to grow our roots deep in God's love, turn irritations into pearls of wisdom, and make lemonade out of life's sour moments. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your faith and overcome with love!
This week Pastor Justin talks about how to build spiritual resilience and greater spiritual health and wellbeing! You can now see on our Youtube Channel by following this link: Building Spiritual Resilience Important Points: I will Stay Rooted in God's Word! I will Cultivate a Consistent Prayer Life! I will Engage in my Faith Community! Important Scriptures (NLT version unless stated otherwise): Matthew 7:24-27 Psalms 1:2-3 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Hebrews 10:24-25
On this episode, MHD talks about education, family, and community with Inglewood's own D Smoke. Daniel “D Smoke” Farris is an acclaimed American rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to fame after winning Netflix's "Rhythm + Flow" in 2019. Known for his seamless blend of rap, R&B, jazz, and gospel, and for incorporating both English and Spanish in his lyrics, D Smoke's music often tackles themes of social justice, community, and identity. His debut album, "Black Habits," released in 2020, was critically praised and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. With a background as a music educator and a family deeply rooted in music, D Smoke's work is characterized by its lyrical depth, musicality, and a mission to inspire and educate.Resources:www.dsmokemusic.comwww.instagram.com/dsmoke7Episode Playlist:https://playlist.sptfy.com/mhdotr25Community Announcements:Line Dancing ClassFridays 10:00am - 11:30am Constituent Services Center, 8475 S. Vermont Ave, 90044www.instagram.com/p/C3vHUk7OTSh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Summer Night Lights Hiring HubSaturday March 9th from 8am - 2pmSouth LA Sports Activity Center, 7020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90003.Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/C306IOsrjl1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==CA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program www.CalHFA.ca.gov/dream(877)9 CalHFA
Plugged In's Adam Holz shares how God designed our eyes to take in the world around us and why things like VR can complicate this. Kim Dolan Leto, author of "Fit God's Way," outlines the need to live out the Truth found in Philippians 4:6-7, not letting anything enter our minds that would zap our peace, and getting back in the fight for Jesus, because He has work for us to do. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here
This is the secret to unending growth, success, and abundance. From the analogy of a plant or a tree, think of a farmer who's harvesting fruit trees… The farmer cultivates the soil, plants the seed, waters, weeds, feeds and exposes it to the proper light. Eventually, the seed sprouts and becomes a tree, but all along the farmer continues to nourish its roots. Over time, it starts sprouting fruits, which the farmer harvests and enjoys, but he stays very much focused on the roots. Whereas the analogy to a lot of individuals, is we may spend time on the seed, the soil, and the roots for a period of time. When we start to get some level of success in our lives, whether it's that we're not in as much pain, or in as much resistance, or we start to feel a level of momentum, we tend to get caught up in the fruits, and stop tending to the roots. Our ego has been programmed to think that what's appearing is where the power, source, and substance is. It's great to enjoy and celebrate the fruits of your labors; your progress and momentum, but don't forget what got you there. The daily work of cultivating the soil of your soul, doing the inner work of coming into greater congruence and alignment with the vibration of your vision. Your inner work is the foundation of everything. It's about developing a way of life – it's about changing your ultimate character, which allows you to fulfill your ultimate destiny. It's about falling in love with the process and the practice, with prayer and meditation, visualization, affirmation, and nourishing yourself with high vibrational material as a way of life. Equally important, it's not so much stay rooted as you rise, but stay rooted even as you fall. Maybe you start experiencing a level of success or progress, but then things start to go downhill. That's the time to build those muscles, that inner soul stamina so that you become stronger and stronger in your capacity to know and feel the truth, and be the truth in the midst of any condition. That's where you become truly unstoppable. Listen to the podcast episode above for the full explanation and learn how you can put it to work in your life TODAY. And remember, self-help is shelf help – you have everything you need already! Stay inspired! Like this episode? Please rate it, post a review, and share it! Want more free trainings? Check out my free training page: https://derekrydall.com/free-trainings Get a copy of my best-selling book, EMERGENCE, and $1791 in huge bonuses! https://myemergencebook.com Get a copy of my best-selling book, THE ABUNDANCE PROJECT and $891 in amazing bonuses! https://theabundanceprojectbook.com Subscribe to Podcast here, or subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher, via email or Android: https://derekrydall.com/subscribe-to-podcast
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
