Hole in My Heart Podcast

Episode 14: Idolatry of Sex

How can we as the Church look more like the Church? It starts with looking at what we have misperceived to be the ultimate connector for too long: sex. We need to confess our idolatry of sex, and lean into relationships in a new way.
The crew also discussed worst dates and Christmas favorites. (Hallmark movies? Yay? Nay?)
 
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Episode 13: Marriage Matters

How can we cultivate intimacy in marriage when we're in a tough season?
But wait! This track is not just for married folk. People who are in relationships of any nature will benefit from practical ways to lean into relationships when they are not easy. Also discussed are things to bring on a desert island (hint: bag o' books) and swallowing the first five sentences you want to say when someone triggers you.
[Please note we talk about sticking with marriage no matter what, but know if you are in an abusive relationship, we are not encouraging staying. Please read this article "Enough is Enough" with Gary Thomas for more.
 
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Episode 12: Heart to Heart Prayer with Carolyn Schroeder

Laurie's "Spiritual Dumbledore" is in the house! Often when Laurie speaks she talks about her mentor/counselor, Carolyn Schroeder. Carolyn was instrumental in Laurie's decision to follow Christ no matter what. Matt, Laurie, Producer Steve, and Carolyn talk Heart to Heart Prayer, how to find your own spiritual Dumbledore (AKA...a good counselor or mentor), and discuss what they wish they hadn't quit from childhood.
 
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Episode 11: Forgiveness is the Worst Best, Too

How do we forgive each other in a way that's less gritting our teeth when the offender is around, and more genuinely loving the offender?
Matt and Laurie pick up the story when Laurie had a hard time forgiving Matt after he came forward with secret porn use. Also heard this week is a story about when Laurie wasn't served her favorite ice cream treat because it had too many calories. (Oh, California!)
 
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Episode 10: Lament Is the Worst Best

Episode 10, y'all! To celebrate the team did a Dad Joke Competition! (Watch it on YouTube to see their expressions here). Laurie, Matt, and Producer Steve also talk fasting fails, the angst about how no one can ever be happy or sad enough with you, "what is lament?" and Laurie's specific lament after Matt came forward with his pornography addiction.
 
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Episode 9: Pillar Practices with Marvin Williams

Pastor Marvin Williams of Trinity Church in East Lansing, MI joins Matt and Laurie on location (or off location?) at Our Daily Bread studios. (Thanks, ODB!) Things discussed are The Daily Examen, favorite and least favorite chores, true self/false self, and when the Holy Spirit convicts you to go back and apologize for something no one knows you did wrong. Thanks for your authenticity and courage as always, Pastor Marvin.
 
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Episode 8: Pillar People with Dave Beelen

Oh, Pastor David Beelen. Wisdom exudes from you. Matt, Laurie, and Producer Steve sat down to chat with Senior Pastor David Beelen of Madison Square Church in Grand Rapids, MI (and the chairman of the board of HIMH), to hear how Pillar People in his life push him onto more Christlikeness. The crew also discussed how much Dave sounds like Harrison Ford, and who they each would choose to play themselves in a movie.
 
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Episode 7: Holy Hate?

Welcome back! Laurie, Matt, and Producer Steve discuss whether or not we can hate people with a holy hate. They also chatted about what the crew might want to do if they weren't in the job they were in, Dwight K. Schrute, dungarees, Mutual of Omaha (listen to the whole podcast for a secret track!), and how we can love everyone from Neo-Nazis to each other in the room.
 
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Episode 6: TogOtherness

I Have you ever felt "other"? Have you ever "othered" someone else?
After Laurie, Matt, and Steve recorded this podcast and the next one, the three of them stared at one another saying, "Wow." They have never had so much fun and felt such a Holy Spirit movement while talking on a microphone. The focus of this episode is feeling "other" (ie. when you feel like you don't belong). The group will not simply throw logs on a fire of Church-angsting; they will turn the the conversation back around to how they "other" others. They also talk about clown music (Goofball Island got a soundbite!), Cincinnati-style chili (ie. dog food, according to Laurie), and how it sounds when two therapists golf together.
 
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Episode 5: Producer Steve’s Story

Who is Producer Steve?
When Producer Steve agreed to be a part of the HIMH podcast, he thought he would simply push buttons and do a little editing. Oh, no. Not when you're hanging out with Matt and Laurie. You got to talk deep. And they are grateful for it.
In this episode, Steve shares his story of finding God as he wrestled through addiction, pain, and the hole in his heart. (Also: The crew talks about personal idiosyncrasies such as including mispronouncing words, never touching metal, and Wicked Witch of the Westing their shoes.)
 
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