Charting Life

Can you truly know God while leaving His book unopened on the coffee table? In this episode, author and writer Lynn Busby (The Scent of Water) and I explore where Scripture meets our deepest pain. Lynn opens up about surviving childhood trauma, how Jesus removes the poison from our painful memories, and what she learned after jumping all-in (and eventually walking away from) the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Together, they unpack why anti-intellectualism leaves believers vulnerable to spiritual manipulation, why the "angry Old Testament God" is an 1,800-year-old myth, and how simple, contextual Bible reading habits can anchor your soul when your heart is in despair.

Connect with Lynn -

Substack: https://vulnerableisbeautiful.substack.com/

Her book: https://a.co/d/09MfZTmy

Connect with Charting Life -

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093839421655

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

Can a mind committed to rigorous logic and historical evidence genuinely embrace faith in Jesus Christ?

On this episode of the Charting Life Podcast, I talk with author and Christian apologist Dr. David Shapiro to explore the intersection of science, faith, and history. Raised in an insulated Orthodox Jewish community, Dr. Shapiro spent over a decade as an atheist before an intense intellectual investigation into the archaeological and historical evidence for the Bible completely shifted his worldview.

Because the unexamined life is not worth living, we slow down to look at the overlooked parts of this debate. We unpack Dr. Shapiro's journey from atheism to defending the resurrection and why true apologetics must always be rooted in love rather than winning intellectual arguments.

If you are looking for intellectual rigor paired with honest conversations about human flourishing, this episode is an essential guide to a life well lived.

What We Discuss: • Leaving Orthodox Judaism and the drift into atheism • Using distractions to run from silence • Why science explains the mechanics, but faith explains the meaning • The historical and archaeological proof for the resurrection of Jesus • Why defending your faith must prioritize compassion over debate

Connect with Dr. David Shapiro:

• Book: Unshakable: The Evidence Behind the Bible https://a.co/d/07fTLESX

• Website: Drdavidshapiro.org

Connect with Brandon:

• Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChartingLife

• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093839421655

Did you know that most couples wait six years too long to get counseling? When conflict arises, our brains actually react to emotional threats the exact same way they react to a deer jumping in front of our car. If you are operating out of fear in your relationship, your critical thinking shuts down, and connection becomes impossible. In This Episode: I sit down with Keith Dorscht, a marriage and relationship coach with three decades of experience and over 500 marriage intensives under his belt. We trace his journey from a rural Canada to Colorado Springs, diving into the pivotal conversation with a friend at a Tim Hortons that completely altered his life's trajectory. Keith breaks down the fascinating neuroscience behind why we fight with our spouses and how the baggage of our past dictates our present reactions. We explore the red flags of traditional counseling, why standard 50-minute sessions often fail to reach the root of the problem, and how his innovative "Communication Cure" method forces couples to bypass their fear and actually communicate.

Follow Keith:

Website: keith.coach

Free Trial of The Communication Cure: keith.coach/gift

In the 1800s, there was a prominent movement of Christians who believed that if you took medicine, you were actively showing a lack of faith in God. Today, we have tech companies trying to figure out how to implant computer chips into our brains so we can merge with AI and escape death entirely. How do we navigate the space between rejecting science completely and using technology to play God?

In this solo episode, I am exploring the boundaries between healing, science, and the future. I start by sharing a personal story from my college ministry days about a miraculous healing, but then I ask a bigger question: are spiritual gifts just momentary magic tricks, or do they reveal God's actual plan for human flourishing?

We take a look at the "Faith Cure" movement of the 19th century and contrast it with John Wesley's holistic approach to medicine and compassion. We also trace history back to Basil of Caesarea, who built the first true hospital, and examine how early Christians ran into plagues to care for the sick while others fled. Finally, I tackle the modern frontier of Artificial Intelligence. While using AI to detect cancer perfectly aligns with God's desire for healing, where do we draw the line with transhumanism and technologies like Neuralink that seek to redefine what it means to be human?

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/