Provocative, non-religious conversations about life, love and God.
Hosted by Jonathan Puddle and Tryphena Perumalla-Gagnon.
Text transcriptions are available for most episodes.
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Aundi Kolber is a licensed therapist and author who I’ve been following online for the last couple of years. We finally managed to schedule some time together and the result is a really helpful conversation on trauma, what it does in our bodies and brains, and how God designed our bodies and brains to give us the feedback we need in order to heal. As Aundi says, you can become a partner with God in your own healing. Listen and share today!
Read MoreMary DeMuth is the author of over 30 books including popular fiction and Christian living titles. A survivor of sexual abuse at a young age, Mary has devoted much of her life to helping people walk out healing, and now she has turned her sights on the church itself. In this powerful discussion she shared deep truths about where the church is failing, and why, and practical tips on how we can all do better. We discuss her latest book, We Too, which is part expose, part memoir, part healing guide, and predominantly a clarion call for the church to do better.
Read MorePriscilla Shirer came back on the show to discuss finding our identity and significance in God, both major themes of Overcomer, the new film from the Kendrick Brothers which she stars. Priscilla shared about some events in her life that exposed her own identity issues, while I pointed out that in her last film she played a music teacher and now she’s playing a principal. Promotion!
Read MoreI’m taking a little break for the summer to recoup and spend time with family and friends. Lots of great guests are coming up and we’ll be back on air in August! Please consider supporting the show (and my writing) at patreon.com/jonathanpuddle
Read MoreOur series for pastors and church leaders continues with Rohadi, a Canadian church planter, entrepreneur, author and speaker hailing from Calgary. We discussed the importance of creating safe spaces for people to live out the gospel in their unique racial, cultural and neighbourhood contexts. Rohadi argues that the church has not been marginalized by anyone in particular but by its own failure to act.
Read MoreCurtis Hinds wants to help Christians become normal human beings again. Currently serving as the Pastor of Evangelism & Outreach at Catch The Fire Church in Toronto, Curtis joined me to discuss how to stop assaulting people with the truth, and instead build genuine, vulnerable relationships that naturally display the power of God in our lives. If you’ve ever felt ashamed for not doing enough work to spread the gospel then get this in your ears today.
Read MoreMichael Brodeur is a pastor to pastors and a church consultant. We discussed church growth vs church health, the failing megachurch model and the differences between family churches and factory churches. Michael told me that part of the spiritual responsibility of leaders is to help people discover their unique gift mix, their unique passions and dreams, and to get them on a path towards that outcome. If you’re in pastoral ministry you should definitely have a listen.
Read MoreChad Bird is an author, theologian, and teacher, and I was super pumped to have him back on the show to discuss his new book, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life. We talked about God’s perspective versus our own, our goals for marriage versus God’s goals for marriage, and we riffed at length on the nature of freedom in Christ. There’s something in here for everyone!
Read MoreCompassion is a global child development relief organization that exists to end poverty in the lives of kids and their families. I sat down with Allison Alley, the CEO of Compassion Canada to talk about her philosophy of mission as well as the church’s role in development aid.
Read MoreDr. Christena Cleveland is the Director of the Center for Justice + Renewal, and a social psychologist, public theologian, author and professor. Christena joined me on the show to discuss her exploration of the social location of God and concepts of the divine. She helped me understand the damage that the vision of God as a powerful white man has done to people of colour for centuries, and how we can repurpose metaphors to enable us to enter into forgiveness and compassion.
Read MoreBrad Jersak is an author and teacher who was raised Evangelical before joining an Eastern Orthodox monastic community. Brad shared his thoughts about the God we see in Jesus, what The Cross was all about and how to deal with Old Testament violence. In Brad's words, “The law says there must be a payment. But Christ comes and freely forgives. The ledger is not paid off, it is wiped off. God effectively says, ‘If you don’t repent… I will!’”
Read MoreSheila Wray Gregoire, author of The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex, and owner of the popular blog To Love, Honor and Vacuum joined me on the show to discuss sexual intimacy and the many stereotypes that exist surrounding marriage. Sheila shared some insightful and practical advice on dating, marital communication, sex and more.
Read More“The Wisdom of your Heart” by Marc Alan Schelske has been one of the most important books for me in the last few years. In this interview Marc shared his story with me about being a very performance driven pastor and the effect that had on his family, his church and ultimately his mental and emotional health. We talked about why we have emotions at all, what purpose they serve and how to listen to them.
Read MoreKim Walker-Smith’s moving autobiography “Brave Surrender” comes out April, 2019. In it she shares her story of growing up under the shadow of a number of major traumas and how she eventually met Jesus. I was impacted by her vulnerability and authenticity and I cried on almost every page. We discussed her writing process, her worship philosophy, parenting and more.
Read MoreSo I’m talking to William Paul Young, and I’m thinking, “Man, I’ve got the author of The Shack and Lies We Believe About God right here. Do I ask him about universalism? Does he believe God is a woman? What does he believe about hell? Can I ask to see his heretic card? Where do I even begin?!” We ended up having a beautiful, dynamic conversation centred on the intersection of love and justice in the context of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Beware… this might change your life.
Read MoreMost of us have grown up without Godly father figures in our lives and we long for a deep sense of being loved by a truly good father. Kirk Giles, Canadian president of Promise Keepers, shared his thoughts with me on how to become a father that looks like God, and a man who looks like Jesus.
Read MoreFrank Viola’s latest book, ReGrace, looks at the shocking beliefs of many great Christians in order to help us extend grace to one another when we disagree. He reminded me that Jonathan Edwards wrote “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” which I think drastically distorts the character of God while also writing a brilliant apologetic for manifestations of the Holy Spirit, which I wholeheartedly believe in. If the great Jonathan Edwards had blind spots, so do we all.
Read MorePastoring a church is hard work. I spoke with Adam & Amy Ryan about their journey as a pastoral couple leading a small but vibrant Holy Spirit-oriented church. We discussed identity, whose church it really is, and regaining hope after seasons of hardship. Amy & Adam also shared about a chance encounter with Andrew Brunson, the American pastor recently released from prison in Turkey.
Read MoreWhat kind of man does your family say you are? What kind of a men do you want your boys to grow into? This week I spoke with men’s coach Luke Gifford about helping men become aware of their emotions, mastering fear and anger, moving beyond toxic masculinity and trying to raise kids who’ll face their monsters. And yes, of course, we talked about the Gillette Ad as well. This is the second part of our discussion.
Read MoreWhat kind of man do you want to be? What kind of a man do you want your husband to be? This week I spoke with men’s coach Luke Gifford about helping men become aware of their emotions, mastering fear and anger, moving beyond toxic masculinity and trying to raise kids who’ll face their monsters. And yes, of course, we talked about the Gillette Ad as well.
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