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The Story is God's Story
Those with the loudest microphones try to convince us that the main story is politics or the pandemic. But the story of God and of Jesus has been, is now, and always will be the story. And that is really good news.
181 | Overcoming Chaos
In the past year, our world has been shaken in almost every conceivable manner. We have been shaken as well—with chaos coming agains our dreams, hopes, and hearts in uniquely personal ways. In this conversation, Allen Arnold—Wild at Heart team member and author of the new book Chaos Can't—reveals where chaos comes from and why our usual responses to it fall short. Discover how not to let chaos in as well as God's invitation to fill the empty, void places in your world—and within you—with light, hope, beauty, and order.
Eyes on Jesus
As the presidential election nears, our nation is in a place of heightened divisiveness and growing censorship. In part two of the series, John and Stasi share how the only antidote is to keep our eyes and hearts on Jesus—and what he is doing.
This Presidential Election
With two weeks left before one of our nation's most significant presidential elections, John and Stasi discuss how to keep our eyes—and hearts—focused on Jesus.
180 | Power of Story #3: Hope Versus Dread
Whether written, visual, oral, or music, stories serve as mini periscopes that reveal the world around us—and within us. The best movies, novels, and television shows are more like smelling salts than sermons, awakening us to the truer version of who we are...and more importantly, who we can be. Discover both the helpful and harmful ways stories shape us...and why that matters far more than most realize.
179 | Power of Story #2: Going Off Script
This week, we head to Hollywood. It's where a lot of stories are brought to life. And where actor, director, and author Nathan Clarkson spends his days. He takes us behind the scenes to discuss the wild world of movies, what it means to be a good man in the midst of it, and how, as an actor, he could more easily lose himself in roles once he found his true identity. God created us with great intentionality. Because of that, we can pursue our creative desires with intention. Doing so makes for the best story of all—the one we were created to live.
Our Favorite Movies
In today's world, we could all use more good stories. Stasi, Lisa Beck, and Allen share their favorite movies...and what draws us to certain films.
178 | Power of Story #1: Journey of Discovery
We all love a good story. But rarely do we see our lives as a story. In this episode from 2017, Sam and Blaine discuss the DNA of creativity and story with Allen Arnold from the Wild at Heart team. Allen is an author and—in his former life—the publisher of more than 500 novels. Along the way, he's discovered what makes a really good story...and how we can enter into our own story with more passion and purpose once we begin to see it as a journey of discovery.
When Will Life Be Good Again?
In Part 5, John and Blaine conclude the series by sharing how the restoration we long for in ourselves and others is exactly—and only—what the return of Jesus will bring about.
177 | Soul Care #4: The Story of Your Soul
We wrap our Soul Care series with a look at what we usually try to hide—the state of our soul. Trying to figure out how our soul is doing can feel like an incredibly complicated process. Until you realize the answer is revealed through the story of your life. It's a restoration project that begins with reflection. To get you stated, Sam and Blaine share ways they are pursuing their stories...and souls.
The Roots of Our Embarrassment
In Part 4 of the series, John and Blaine talk about fashion, fear, and how none of us want to be "that guy."
176 | Soul Care #3: Remembering Who You Are
How well do you know yourself? Odds are...not very well if you don't regularly tend to the inner needs of your heart and soul. This pursuit begins with you...but doesn't end there. Because you'll never know anyone else's heart better than you know your own—or treat their hearts with more care than you treat yours. In this podcast that originally aired in 2017, Sam and Blain serve up several unexpected ways to grow in self-knowledge through the lost art of soul care.
Divided Allegiances
In Part 3 of this series, John and Blaine reveal how to loosen our grip on this world and focus on the return of Jesus.
175 | Soul Care #2: Invitation into the Unseen
We live at a time where everyone strives to be seen, celebrated, and productive. Yet what if being hidden in a world where everyone else fights to be noticed is actually...a gift? Sara Hagerty, the author of Unseen, joins Sam and Blaine to discuss her journey from burn-out to being fully present—and what shifted when she finally slowed down to focus on the unnoticed areas of her life.
Change Doesn’t Mean Loss
In Part 2 of this series, John and Blaine unpack why there is a lingering ambivalence in our hearts even towards something as wonderful as the return of Jesus.
174 | Soul Care #1: Simple Practices
Your soul takes plenty of hits each day—and it doesn't just get better on its own. Time alone never heals those kind of wounds. Nor does it automatically happen through outdoor adventures or relaxing with friends. Soul care isn't hard—but it does take intention. In this first of four podcasts on the topic (originally episode 78), Sam and Blaine share some basic practices for slowing down, seeking stillness and restoring one's soul.