Podcasts about textus

Comparison is the quiet engine behind condemnation.In this episode, we explore why sizing ourselves up against others feels so natural and why it so often turns us anxious, resentful, and judgmental. Drawing on insights from René Girard, social psychology, and Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we uncover how comparative desire fuels rivalry, outrage, and “us vs. them” thinking.From the Ten Commandments to social media envy, from Cain and Abel to modern prestige rankings, we discover why wanting what our neighbor has never ends well and what Jesus offers as a radically different way to live.Today's Resources:René Girard, I See Satan Fall Like LightningJonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation

We all have a them.The people we quietly feel superior to.The ones we distance ourselves from.The ones we're pretty sure God should work on… preferably far away from us.In this episode, John Ortberg takes an honest look at how a condemning mind works and why Jesus' story of the Pharisee and the tax collector still exposes us today. Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and Kenneth E. Bailey, we explore how contempt sneaks into our prayers, how “us vs. them” thinking feels spiritual, and why Jesus refuses to stand aloof from anyone.The twist?For Jesus, there is no them.If you've ever caught yourself thinking, “At least I'm not like that person,” this episode might rearrange how you see others, and how you pray. Today's Resources:Kenneth E. Bailey, Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes Lauren F. Winner, The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin 

We're surprisingly confident judges for people who barely know the math.In this episode, John Ortberg explores why condemnation feels so natural, why it's usually way off, and how Jesus exposes the absurdity of our moral scorekeeping. Using a strange but unforgettable math exercise (and an even stranger plumbing illustration), we discover why we're uniquely qualified to judge exactly one person… ourselves.Drawing from Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we learn what “non-condemning math” really looks like—and why grace, like a stubborn plunger, works even when we think nothing else will.If you've ever felt morally superior, quietly judgmental, or secretly exhausted by your own mind, this episode is for you. And when you get it wrong (you will), there's still good news: there is now no condemnation.Today's Resources:Mihaly Csikszentnihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience 

Text Us!In this episode, we talked to actress, model, and disability advocate Miracle Pelayo.  To find out more about Miracle, visit her website miraclepelayo.com or follow her on Instagram @miraclepelayooficial TikTok @miraclepelayo_ or Twitter/X @miraclepelayo20 Please subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media to know about upcoming episodes and to participate in this podcast.Instagram - @raisingdisabledpodcastFacebook - Raising Disabled Podcast

Today's guest is Jacquelyn De Jesu, the founder, CEO, and inventor of Shhhowercap. Built 11 years ago, Shhhowercap turned the humble shower cap into a premium, reusable staple designed to protect blowouts and styled hair from water and humidity. Made with breathable, hydrophobic nanotech fabric that repels water, is antibacterial, machine washable, and backed by seven patents, the brand is a testament to thoughtful design and innovation in beauty. Jacquelyn shares how her background as a creative director led her into beauty, her advice for founders without a “traditional” industry path, and why protecting her invention through patents was non-negotiable while building the business. Plus, what happens when your patent is challenged and the outcome of Shhhowercap's 2023 jury trial. Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HAPPY THURSDAY! Time for an ALL NEW WAR OF THE ROSES. First though, Johnjay is posting weird purse pictures and Kyle got a FINAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM SCOTT! Then, Dyllan hosts a NEW GAME! All of this and SO MUCH MORE are available for you RIGHT NOW! If you TRULY think you can WIN MINUTE TO WIN IT... TEXT US! We want a real challenge... MAKES IT TO QUESTION 9 LEVEL CHALLENGE! You can do it! We want to give away that $1000 ASAP!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Condemnation doesn't just come from what others say about us — it also comes from the stories we tell ourselves. In this episode of Become New, John Ortberg explores how easily we slip into self-condemnation, why shame has so much power over our thoughts, and how Jesus offers a radically different way of seeing ourselves. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and everyday experience, John shows how our minds can become trapped in false beliefs that distort reality and quietly shape how we live.This teaching invites us to slow down, notice the inner narratives driving our reactions, and learn how to bring those stories into the light of truth. If you struggle with negative self-talk, guilt, anxiety, or feeling like you're never enough, this episode offers a practical and hopeful path forward. Discover how Christian faith, spiritual formation, and the message of no condemnation can lead to greater freedom, clarity, and peace — not by denying reality, but by learning to see it truthfully.Today's Resources:Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Something to say? TEXT US, for GODS sake! Grab your bad boy ex and shake him all around cause it's time to “Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out” PART 1. We are shockingly ready to embrace Jess and tickled to see him. Also, Lorelai can't pick a paint color and if you think we can't mine a good 20 minutes of content out of talking about our own struggles with paint swatches, you don't know us at all.Support the showJoin our patreon!

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this episode of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, Jerry L. Martin and Scott Langdon reflect on what it means to live in partnership with God in a world where evil persists and meaning is still unfolding.Drawing on biblical scholar John D. Levinson, they explore order and chaos, the idea of a developing God, and how discernment shows up in lived experience.Referencing William James, the conversation turns to faith as embodied wisdom rather than rule-following, and to Jesus as an unfiltered expression of divine presence.Through reflections on ego, power, tough love, and the teaching “knock and you will find,” the episode contrasts horizontal and vertical ways of seeing reality, suggesting that seeking itself may already place us within the Kingdom of God.Related Episodes:263. From God to Jerry to You- The Problem of Evil and the Kingdom of God264. Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue- Evil, Love, and God265. Radically Personal – William James on Religious ExperienceOther Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Stay ConnectedShare: questions@godandautobiography.comGet the books: God: An Autobiography, Radically PersonalShare Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

We live in a culture of condemnation.Online. In politics. In families. And, if we're honest, in our own hearts.In this episode, John Ortberg explores why judgment comes so easily, what actually fuels it, and the one question condemning people almost never ask. Through a powerful story made famous by Stephen Covey, we see how quickly our perceptions can shift and how grace begins not with changing behavior, but with changing how we see.Jesus invites us into a way of life marked not by assumptions, but by curiosity. Not by condemnation, but by compassion. Because the truth is simple and humbling: we never know the whole story.If you've ever judged too quickly, been misunderstood yourself, or felt trapped in cycles of irritation and self-condemnation, this episode offers a wiser, freer way forward and reminds us why the good news really is good news.Today's Resources:Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 

We live in a culture of condemnation: cancel culture, self-judgment, outrage, and quiet shame. Most of us are swimming in it without even realizing it.But the good news of Jesus points to a radically different reality: “There is now no condemnation.”In this episode, John Ortberg explores why condemnation feels so normal, how it shapes both our inner lives and our public conversations, and what it looks like to become a person of blessing instead of judgment. Along the way, we reflect on the remarkable true story of a six-year-old girl who responded to hatred not with fear or anger, but with prayer—and changed history in the process.Today's Resources:Robert Coles, The Story of Ruby BridgesDallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy 

We're kicking things off this week asking ourselves the eternal question: why do we willingly go get waxed?! The conversation is inspired by Marcello Hernandez's painfully accurate bit about just how brutal beauty salons can be. On that note, we're sharing a major listener-exclusive deal with SEV Laser — a free underarm laser hair removal treatment for first-time customers (!!).Then we dive into What's On Your Face?, including Saie's new CitySet setting spray and Kirbie's current lip-and-cheek MVPs. From there, we time-travel back to 2016 beauty trends — think blinding highlight, matte liquid lips, bold brows, mermaid makeup, and the YouTube era that made beauty feel playful, expressive, and empowering — and unpack why we're all so nostalgic for that moment.Finally, we break down the latest headline around Kendall Jenner denying plastic surgery, what Accutane can (and can't) do to your nose, and why face-analysis culture online is getting increasingly out of hand.Part of this episode is sponsored by Saie. We partnered with them on this content, but all thoughts and opinions are our own.Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every person you encounter today is carrying a story you cannot see.In this episode, John reflects on the unseen battles every human being fights and the surprising truth that healing often comes not from focusing on our own pain, but from learning to notice and care about the stories of others.Drawing from the Book of Job, insights from Eleanor Stump, and lived experiences of suffering, forgiveness, and mercy, this teaching explores how God is at work in stories within stories. Like a fractal, each life reflects a larger pattern of divine care, love, and redemption.This message invites us to slow down, to see the person in front of us, and to remember: when we step into someone else's story with compassion, generosity, or forgiveness, we enter a reality much larger than our own—and God uses it in ways we may never fully understand.

We're joined by Erica Taylor, a professional makeup artist with nearly 30 years of experience, the internet's go-to voice for women over 40, and the Global Makeup Coach at IT Cosmetics. With a community of more than three million followers, Erica has built a loyal audience by demystifying makeup for midlife skin, blending expert technique with refreshing honesty. Erica breaks down her current must-haves and explains why skin-first, forgiving formulas matter more than ever for mature skin. From her early days in portrait painting and working makeup counters to navigating social media as the “midlife makeup guru,” Erica opens up about aging in a youth-obsessed industry, the makeup mistakes women over 40 should stop making ASAP, and the realities of being an influencer later in life.This episode is made possible by IT Cosmetics, as part of Gloss Angeles Confidential.Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John reflects on Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount regarding giving in secret. His words weren't just spiritual advice. They were revolutionary. In a world built on reciprocity, status, and public recognition, Jesus offered a radically different way to live—one rooted in gratitude, freedom, and quiet goodness.Drawing on insights from ancient history, lived experience, and wisdom from voices like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this reflection shows how generosity can slowly retrain our hearts. When we practice giving without announcing it, something remarkable happens: we become less impressed with ourselves and less dependent on other people's approval.Over time, generosity becomes second nature. The left hand forgets what the right hand is doing. And goodness begins to feel free.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this special edition of What's Your Spiritual Story?, philosopher Abigail Rosenthal sits down with her husband, Jerry L. Martin, for the most extended and personal telling of her spiritual story to date.Drawing on her memoir, Confessions of a Young Philosopher, Abigail traces the formation of her inner life from an Edenic childhood and early encounters with loss, to adolescent philosophical crisis, homesickness, and the search for a reality that could withstand time, absence, and illusion.Along the way, she reflects on formative influences, including Thomas Mann's Joseph novels, Homer's Odyssey, Gandhi, existentialism, political idealism, and the dangers of moral absolutism and ideological guilt.This conversation explores themes of time and impermanence, spiritual longing, innocence and disillusionment, femininity and intellectual life, and what it means to test ideas by living them.Abigail recounts her experiences in Paris, London, and the American academy, examining how philosophy, spirituality, and personal history intersect—and sometimes collide—in a woman's life.Rather than offering tidy conclusions, this episode presents a lived spiritual journey: one shaped by curiosity, risk, error, and hard-won clarity. It is a story about becoming—not only a philosopher, but a person capable of resisting illusion while remaining open to meaning.Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Stay ConnectedShare your thoughts or questions at questions@godandautobiography.com

Why do some habits change and others seem impossible to break?In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked role of belief in transformation. Many of us confuse our habits with our identity. We say, “That's just the way I am.” But Scripture, psychology, and lived experience all point to a deeper truth: habits feel natural, but they are not our nature.Drawing on insights from Ezra Sullivan, Charles Duhigg, and the lived wisdom of communities like Alcoholics Anonymous, this reflection shows why change rarely lasts without faith. Not just belief that habits can change, but belief that you can change—with God's help.Transformation happens in community. We borrow belief from one another. We practice hope until it becomes real. And over time, love itself becomes habit-forming.So the question for today is simple:Who helps you believe that change is possible?

Something to say? TEXT US, for GODS sake! Get in, losers. We're going to the cottage. ALSO, apologies, not our greatest audio ever. Some mic mix ups and a hungry cat make for a slightly challenging audio experience, we do apologize for the technical difficulties and hope you can still enjoy this, our foray into gay hockey romance.Support the showJoin our patreon!

Sarah Michelle Gellar is in the studio! From Buffy and Cruel Intentions to Scooby-Doo and beyond, she helped define an entire era, and she's here to talk beauty, her go-to products, and aging. We dive into how her relationship with beauty has changed over the years, her most nostalgic '90s and early-2000s product obsessions, and what it was really like being an It Girl before social media existed. Sarah also opens up about raising Gen Z kids in the age of skincare TikTok and how she keeps beauty from becoming an obsession. And yes — we talk Buffy, including what finally made her say yes to revisiting the series and what fans can expect next.Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darkness won't have the last word.Today's reflection centers on a simple, powerful word: light. Scripture tells us that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. That doesn't mean we deny the reality of suffering, grief, or burden. It means those things are not ultimate.Drawing from Scripture, everyday moments of joy, and insights from Dallas Willard, this episode invites us to see the world the way Jesus did—as a God-bathed, God-permeated reality. A world where light is always closer than we think. A world where God is “right upstairs,” friendly and near.This message is for anyone feeling weighed down by life, anxious about the future, or unsure how to live faithfully in a dark moment. Jesus' promise still stands: His burden is light. And His message—to both Israel and the Gentiles—was a message of light.Pay attention today. Look for joy. Look for goodness. The light has already come.

What if faith isn't meant to comfort us, but to disturb us?In today's reflection, we explore conscience, prophecy, and the unsettling gift of a sensitive soul. Throughout history, God has sent “disturbing people” into the world—prophets who refuse to ignore injustice, suffering, and hypocrisy.We meet Margery Kempe, a 14th-century woman whose tears became a form of truth-telling, and we reflect on the nature of prophets through the wisdom of Abraham Joshua Heschel, who reminds us that prophets feel the world's pain more deeply than others.

What if one of the most important spiritual practices is learning to laugh at yourself?This teaching centers on Rule #62, a simple but liberating wisdom that emerged from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous: Don't take yourself too seriously. Drawing on Christian thinkers, church history, Scripture, and everyday life, John Ortberg invites us to be freed from the exhausting burden of self-importance.Joy is not frivolous. Humor is not shallow. And humility is not self-hatred. They are deeply connected, rooted in the very character of God. From Abraham and Sarah's laughter to the resurrection itself, Scripture reveals a God who brings joy, who relieves gravity, and who delights in human lightness.Today's invitation is simple but powerful: stop playing God. Let yourself be human. And let joy ripple outward to everyone around you.

Text Us!In this episode, Deonna and Rhandyl share the high, low, and buffalo (random thing that happened) from the holiday break.  We share all about our Thanksgiving, Christmas, family events, and everything in between that made our holidays so fun this year!Please subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media to know about upcoming episodes and to participate in this podcast.Instagram - @raisingdisabledpodcastFacebook - Raising Disabled Podcast

Glams, today we're joined by Sarah Hindsgaul, a two-time Emmy–nominated hair designer from Denmark best known for creating the iconic looks of Stranger Things (seasons 1–5). We talk about the products she's loving right now, her earliest ideas of beauty growing up in Denmark, her new haircare brand Hindsgaul Hair (out 1/12), and just how emotional it was to say goodbye to Stranger Things—and all of those unforgettable hairstyles. Sarah takes us behind the scenes of some of the show's most memorable moments, including the decision to shave Millie Bobby Brown's head in season one, the toughest creative calls across five seasons, and some fun on-set dynamics. Plus, a rapid Hellfire round covering fan theories, favorite characters, and a certain Purple Rain moment.Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a virtue that doesn't get much love anymore.It sounds cautious. Boring. Overly careful. But the ancient world believed that PRUDENCE was the hinge on which a good life turns. In this episode, John Ortberg reclaims prudence as a courageous commitment to reality. Not wishful thinking. Not emotional reaction. But clear-eyed wisdom that asks: What is really going on, and what is the most loving, skillful way forward?Drawing from Scripture, the story of Abraham Lincoln, and the biblical image of “the stars fighting in their courses,” this teaching invites us to trust that God is already at work in reality itself.The most prudent thing you can do today may simply be to face what's real and take one wise step forward.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this episode of Radically Personal, Jerry L. Martin turns to the work of American philosopher and psychologist William James to explore how divine reality is encountered in lived experience. Drawing from The Varieties of Religious Experience, Jerry reflects on James's influence on the philosophy of religion and his claim that religion begins not with doctrines or institutions, but with personal experience—with what happens in the depths of a human life.This conversation examines how experience functions as a window onto reality, why feelings and intuitions matter for discernment, and how religious and spiritual experience may reveal divine presence not as an object we perceive, but as a reality we participate in. Jerry explores prayer as relationship, the limits of abstract theory, and the importance of remaining open to fleeting, partial, and even unsystematic glimpses of meaning.Radically Personal invites listeners into a seeker-centered approach to spirituality—one that trusts experience, honors personal vocation, and explores how God may still speak within the drama of everyday life._______________Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Radically Personal – Reflections on lived experience, divine encounter, and personal vocation, drawing on a seeker-centered approach to spirituality in a new Axial Age.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. _______________Stay ConnectedShare your thoughts or questions: questions@godandautobiography.comGet the books:  Radically Personal: God and Ourselves in the New Axial Age God: An Autobiography, As Told to a PhilosopherShare Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Forgiveness is never simple. And it's rarely quick.In this episode, John Ortberg explores a powerful, research-backed practice that helps move forgiveness from an idea into the heart. Drawing from the story of Joseph and his brothers, and the work of psychologist Everett Worthington, we're invited into a deceptively simple exercise involving two chairs.Forgiveness does not excuse harm. It does not erase boundaries. And it does not guarantee reconciliation. But it does free us from being trapped by resentment and bitterness. This teaching offers a compassionate, practical way to begin that journey, even when wounds are deep and time has passed.What if forgiveness isn't something you feel first, but something you practice?

Something to say? TEXT US, for GODS sake! Gather round the campfire, kittens, because daddy is finishing up S6E5, "We've Got Magic To Do". If you remember our conversation from last week, we are wary but supportive of Lorelai's mission to "Let Luke Live" (LLL), we agree that children can be seen and also heard but if that little gremlin throws glitter on me, its ON SIGHT, and finally, Richard confronts The Truth about the Mitchem and the Huntzbergers, et al, and invites the news mogul to step outside for a round of fisticuffs, figuratively speaking, of course. We'll see you boys on the front lines! Bombs away!Support the showJoin our patreon!

Gloss Angeles Confidential is a product seeding program open to all listeners. Products discussed through this program are paid partnerships. Learn more on our website!We're kicking off the year by manifesting what's next: the dream guests we want on the pod (Sara is calling in the Heated Rivalry boys, while Kirbie has her sights set on myth-buster Dr. Mike), plus our predictions for where the beauty industry is headed, from stress-busting supplements to the oral-care glow-up we all need. We're also aligning on our 2026 beauty goal: prioritizing hair and scalp health! In our latest WOYF (what's on your face), Sara shares why she's loving the Biossance Growth Factor Firming Anti-Aging Moisturizer, while Kirbie breaks down her current obsession with the Soocas toothbrush and water flosser. Plus, we unpack the biggest beauty headlines of the week, including Rare Beauty's expansion to Ulta Beauty and what's really going on with Pat McGrath Labs. Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every human being longs for significance.Not just to be busy. Not just to be successful. But to know that their presence has made a difference in someone else's life. In this teaching, John Ortberg explores five relational needs identified by psychologist David Richo that help people flourish: attention, acceptance, affection, appreciation, and allowance.These are not abstract ideas. They show up in marriages, friendships, families, workplaces, and churches. They reveal the heart of God and the way Jesus treated people, especially those who were often overlooked.What if today you chose to help one person feel seen, valued, and free? That might be the most significant thing you do all day.

What if the sound of heaven is laughter?Drawing on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, biblical wisdom, and surprising research, this episode explores joy not as a personality trait, but as a spiritual strength. Humor. Playfulness. Delight. These are not distractions from spiritual growth. They are often the pathway into it.From babies laughing at peekaboo to the story of Isaac, whose very name means laughter, we discover that joy is woven into the heart of God. Even more, joy is compatible with pain. Real joy does not deny suffering. It survives it.So today, laugh. Do something fun for no reason at all. You might just discover that God is closer than you thought.

Your face is never neutral. It communicates hope or fear, welcome or distance, trust or anxiety. In this reflection, John Ortberg explores the profound idea that our faces are not just physical features but outward expressions of our inner life and our sense of God's presence.Drawing from the Gospel of John, the teachings of Jesus, and wisdom from Dallas Willard, this episode invites us to consider what it means that God made himself known in a face. Not an abstraction. Not an idea. But in Jesus. The Word made flesh.What if the invitation today is not to manage your face, but to let God reshape your inner life so that joy, trust, and love naturally shine through?You are not alone. And it shows.

Every January, millions of people make bold resolutions.And by mid-January… they're negotiating with a Twinkie.In this teaching, John Ortberg draws on wisdom from Dallas Willard to explain why willpower alone always fails—and why that's not because you're weak, lazy, or spiritually defective.The real issue isn't effort. It's vision.We don't fail because we want the Twinkie too much. We fail because we don't yet have a compelling vision of life without it. This episode invites you to stop trying harder and start living inside a bigger, truer vision of life with God—one where God is here, God is able, and God is good.Also, yes. Everyone has a Twinkie.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this year-end intimate dialogue, philosophers Jerry L. Martin and Abigail L. Rosenthal return to one of the most enduring questions in philosophy and theology: why evil persists, and what that persistence reveals about God. Drawing on Jerry's prayer experiences and Jon Levenson's Creation and the Persistence of Evil, the conversation explores the idea of an evolving God—not as a denial of divinity, but as a way of understanding divine struggle, incompleteness, and ongoing relationship with the world.Moving through Jewish thought, rabbinic midrash, and biblical interpretation, Jerry and Abigail consider divine ambivalence and the intimacy implied in speaking to God as a family member rather than a distant abstraction. Abigail reflects on her own philosophical autobiography, "Confessions of a Young Philosopher," while Jerry situates God and Autobiography within a broader narrative of God's interaction with cultures, histories, and individual lives.The dialogue turns to skepticism and epistemology, questioning whether modern habits of doubt genuinely reflect how human beings know and live. Against intellectual posturing, the episode argues for sincerity, trust in experience, and the moral seriousness of truth-seeking. Love, in particular, emerges not as a distraction from philosophy but as a decisive mode of knowing—one that reshapes memory, reframes the past, and opens new ways of understanding both God and the self.This conversation closes the year by inviting listeners into a deeper form of spiritual inquiry—one grounded in history, relationship, and lived truth rather than abstract certainty.Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Stay ConnectedRead the book: God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher at godanautobiography.com or AmazonShare your questions and reflections: questions@godanautobiography.comShare Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Why do so many goals fail, even when our intentions are good?John Ortberg explores why lasting change doesn't begin with outcomes or even habits, but with identity. Drawing on wisdom from James Clear, the apostle Paul, and everyday experience, we're invited to ask a deeper question: Who am I becoming?Transformation isn't about achieving “it.” It's about becoming a certain kind of person and allowing small, faithful habits to shape us over time. This is a vision of change that is patient, grace-filled, and rooted in God's work within us.What if today isn't about fixing everything, but about taking one small step toward the person God is forming?

Something to say? TEXT US, for GODS sake! Well gang, for two people who confidently claimed they would not be discussing Heated Rivalry, we sure did spend 20 min discussing Heated Rivalry. Other than that, we've got the DAR, Rory invents digital marketing, Emily and Richard FINALY find out about the truth of Mitchum and the Huntsbergers, and Paris joins the proletariat. It'll be a regular old piperoo!Support the showJoin our patreon!

We tend to believe contentment is always just around the corner. One change away. One upgrade away. One new season away. But what if that belief is the very thing stealing joy from our lives?John Ortberg reflects on wisdom from C. S. Lewis and The Screwtape Letters, inviting us to rediscover God's gift of rhythm: change and permanence held together. Seasons that repeat. Days that feel familiar. Moments we rush past without seeing the miracle inside them.Contentment, it turns out, isn't about getting a new life. It's about seeing the same life with new eyes. Eyes of gratitude. Eyes of love.What if today, right now, is more than enough?

What if worry isn't just a bad habit but a misunderstanding of reality?John Ortberg invites us to reconsider how we see God, how we see the world, and how we carry today's concerns. What if trust is not passive resignation, but active attentiveness to a God who is already here?Jesus taught that with a good and competent God present all around us, the universe is a perfectly safe place to be. Not easy. Not painless. But safe. In this episode, we sit with some of Jesus' most unsettling words about anxiety, provision, and trust, alongside wisdom from Dallas Willard and an unforgettable illustration involving a dog, a wagging tail, and deep focus.Take a breath. Look around. And consider living today as if Jesus was right.

Becomenew.com/Give Thank you for being on the journey with us. We are so grateful and plan to keep at it.We will return with FRESH teaching from John on January 1st and then again January 19th for our new series: NO CONDEMNATION.

Away in a Manger isn't just a sweet song. It's a radical message of hope. In today's episode, John explores why Jesus was born in a manger, what that says about who He came for, and how Christmas answers the question we all carry: what will become of us? This episode is tender, thoughtful, and quietly powerful. A reminder that Jesus meets us where we are and heals what's broken.

This song doesn't just sound beautiful. It tells the truth about you. In today's episode, John unpacks O Holy Night and explores what it means for the soul to feel its worth. From the Bible's understanding of the soul to the surprising backstory of this carol, this episode offers a new way to talk to God, to yourself, and to others. If you've ever questioned your value, this one is for you.

This Christmas song isn't just festive — it's revolutionary. In today's episode, John unpacks Go Tell It on the Mountain, tracing its roots through Scripture, the African American spiritual tradition, and the long struggle for freedom and dignity. From Isaiah's prophecy to Watch Night services to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s final Christmas sermon, this episode reminds us that good news is meant to be shared — and lived. Especially by those who think good news isn't for them.

The “three kings” weren't kings at all. They were outsiders. In today's episode, John explores We Three Kings and what this carol teaches us about light, belonging, and letting go of what weighs us down. From sunrise reflections to strange gifts to the invitation to “travel light,” this episode is a reminder that no one is beyond the pale and everyone is welcome in the light of Christ.

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Regardless of what anyone believes about Jesus, it's impossible to deny his impact. In this special Christmas teaching, John Ortberg asks a simple but profound question: Who is this man? Without religious hype or argument, this episode explores how one uneducated carpenter from Nazareth reshaped history, compassion, human dignity, education, art, forgiveness, and hope itself. If you've ever wondered why Jesus still matters, this is an invitation to look honestly and decide for yourself.

This is a Christmas episode for anyone carrying trouble. In today's teaching, John explores I Wonder as I Wander, a carol born out of poverty and lament, and reflects on how suffering can sometimes become a meeting place with God. If life feels uncertain, confusing, or heavy right now, this episode offers permission to bring your whole heart to Jesus and wonder in the wandering.

This Christmas carol was born out of a broken organ, a quiet night, and a simple guitar. In today's episode, John explores Silent Night and invites us into a deeper understanding of intimacy, stillness, and God's gentle presence. If you're longing for connection with God or with others, this episode is a reminder that intimacy often begins in silence.

This Christmas carol isn't saying “be happy.” It's saying “be held.” In today's episode, John unpacks the surprising meaning behind God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and why this ancient song speaks directly to our need for strength, belonging, and hope. If you've been craving control but need peace instead, this one might change how you hear Christmas.

Today John sits down at the piano and plays Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, then talks honestly about expectations, hope, and real life during the holidays. This episode isn't about a perfect Christmas. It's about a real one. The kind where joy shows up in ordinary moments and Jesus meets us right where we are. If the season feels full or messy or both, this one is a gentle reminder that there is still treasure here.

Today John sits down with Rolf Geyling, President of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, for an honest and moving Advent-conversation about suffering, generosity, and what it really means to be present. From powerful stories of life transformation to Rolf's own journey through profound loss, this episode reminds us that Christmas is not about fixing pain, but about Emmanuel. God with us. Especially when life hurts.