In this episode, I am exploring what it actually takes to be transformed. Christianity’s central claim is that God doesn't just want to form our behavior or make us "nice people." He wants to completely transform us into new creations. To break down how this works, I am using the brilliant mind of C.S. Lewis to guide the conversation.

We will look at why doing the right thing even when your heart's not in it isn't necessarily hypocrisy. Rather, it is a "holy pretense" that God uses to change us from the inside out. I talk about the painful, crisis moments of change, the danger of letting our raw feelings drive our actions, and the eternal splendor that this transformation ultimately produces.

Here's the link to this previous episode was referenced.

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dhqGSN010hgev8kZW2aa2?si=VgGVyc3_THm2uMXQsqXjEA

Apple Music:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charting-habits-aristotle-ai-and-attention-spans/id1682690061?i=1000763408022

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30bd3434-2e91-43aa-a421-443222fb4346/episodes/a5bbaac0-b111-4a9e-8200-fc86f2213035/charting-life-charting-habits-aristotle-ai-and-attention-spans

How does a Christian reconcile the need for medication with the biblical promise of divine healing? In this episode, I sit down with pastor and author Joshua Kohl to discuss the intersection of faith and mental health. We explore the daily choice to take medication, the destructive lies we believe about our own value, and how to find God's grace when the miraculous healing doesn't come.

Connect with the guest:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586462704753

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Faithful-Prayer-Meets-Prescription/dp/B0H2Y16CZT/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Are you living your life, or are you just managing it? In this episode of the Charting Life Podcast, I sit down with Michael Sirmon to discuss the hidden pressures of leadership and the danger of losing your identity under the weight of expectations. We explore the difference between burning out and shutting down, the power of "open hand management," and why you are ultimately always in the people business.

Connect with Michael:

Website (Coaching, Books & Resources) https://www.michaelsirmon.com

Lead Well. Live Whole. Podcast

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-well-live-whole/id1813158443

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/

Podbean: https://michaelsirmon.podbean.com/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@leadwelllivewhole

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sirmon/

Amazon / Books https://a.co/d/0aW7Hknr

How does the culture we live in shape our pursuit of the good, and what does it take to build a lasting family legacy?

In this cross-cultural conversation on the Charting Life Podcast, I sit down with Tony, the creator behind the popular YouTube channel British Dad Reacts. We navigate the distinct cultural differences between the UK and the US, examining how nations can mutually inspire one another. Tony shares his profound personal journey of overcoming childhood adversity and homelessness to find his ultimate anchor and purpose in fatherhood.

We also dive into a philosophical exploration of the true meaning of liberty and the freedom of speech. By contrasting the American instinct for celebrating success with different cultural mentalities, we uncover the importance of shared gratitude, resilience, and recognizing the inherent value in every person. This episode is a deep dive into how the freedom to pursue the good can actively transform our local communities.

What is one cultural trait or freedom you are most grateful for in your own community? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow Tony:

https://www.youtube.com/@BritishDadReacts

For more Charting Life, follow these links:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChartingLife

https://www.tiktok.com/@charting.life4

What is the biggest, most unexpected detour your life has ever taken?

From navigating life as an Army brat and witnessing the realities of the Vietnam War to facing a decade in prison for dealing drugs, Jack Hager's trajectory was anything but conventional. We dive into his unexpected, radical encounter with a Bible in a Texas jail cell. This was an encounter that abruptly shifted his course and led to over forty years in youth and prison ministry.

Jack brings a blunt, refreshing transparency to the table. He boldly challenges the modern cultural embrace of the victim mentality and warns against the church's dangerous drift toward "easy believism." Together, we discuss why true discipleship requires extreme personal responsibility, why teenagers desperately need to be challenged rather than coddled, and why every single believer is called to full-time ministry, regardless of their day job. Join us for an honest conversation about sovereignty, the weight of our choices, and the relentless pursuit of God's grace.

Check out Jack's Book: https://a.co/d/02nTQy7p

What is the hardest part about forgiving someone who hurt you deeply? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Is it possible to truly forgive someone who hasn't apologized and still broke your heart? In this episode, I sit down with speaker and coach Rebekah Storey to tackle the heavy, often misunderstood reality of forgiveness. After experiencing a painful family estrangement right before her wedding, Rebekah had to learn that forgiveness isn't an emotion—it's a choice to release your right to revenge. We discuss how buried anger leads to burnout, why you need a small community for spiritual warfare, and how to tell if your emotions are acting as indicator lights or decision-makers.

Connect with Rebekah: http://www.rebekahstorey.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583260950257 https://www.instagram.com/rebekahstorey/

Is a four-year college degree still the best default path for young adults? Tell us your experience or thoughts in the comments below!

In this episode, author Tory Haas challenges the cultural defaults handed to today’s youth and young adults. We examine the practical necessity of seeking wise mentors, the long-term impact of building sustainable physical habits early in life, and why young people should prioritize "career first, credentials second." Whether you are a high school student, a young professional, or an adult investing in the next generation, this conversation provides a grounded framework for making intentional, long-term life decisions.

How do you build a life of purpose when you mind is constantly fighting the urge to escape the boredom of the daily grind?

In this episode, Aaron Benfield joins the conversation to discuss the realities of living and working with ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Together, we explore the theology of work, the human rebellion against boredom, and why Socrates' call to live an "examined life" is essential for navigating our psychological limitations and finding true purpose.

Are your daily digital habits shaping you into the person you actually want to be?

In this special solo episode, I am turning my seminary paper into a practical conversation about how social media actively forms our character. We explore the philosophy of Aristotle and René Girard to understand how the algorithms underlying our favorite apps are designed to make us highly predictable and emotionally attached to our screens. From diminishing attention spans to the temptation of political rage bait, we take an honest inventory of the gritty realities of our daily digital rituals.

But should we just delete our apps and walk away? We explore the tension between Immanuel Kant's ethics and the reality that social media is the primary place where people actually gather. We discuss the Holy Spirit's role in sanctification, the importance of intentionally cultivating virtue over vice, and practical ways to curate a digital life that actually encourages human flourishing.

How do you go from a childhood in foster care believing God is imaginary, to a Christian author defending the absolute authority of Scripture?

In Part 2 of my conversation with fantasy author Lee Monroe, we shift from the physical prison system to the intellectual journey of faith. Lee opens up about his difficult upbringing in foster care and his early, staunch commitment to atheism . We explore the specific apologetics that dismantled his worldview, leading us to examine the "three miracles of atheism" and the logical necessity of a Creator.

Topics Discussed: Christian Testimony, Atheism vs. Christianity, Evidence-Based Faith, Apologetics, The Three Miracles of Atheism, Writing Christian Fantasy, The Discipline of Reading, Biblical Context, The Gospel Explained.