Deeper Still

Suanne & Kris Stevenson talk about the origin & traditions of Advent, the gift of longing for Christmas, how each Gospel treats the Christmas narrative a little differently and what the gifts of the wise men have to teach us about Christmas.

Author, speaker and seminary professor Steve Argue explains the landscape facing emerging adults today. Not only does he share the unique challenges adults in their 20s are facing, but reminds all of us--parents, mentors, employees, church leaders, aunts, uncles, grandparents!-- why empathy and presences are key to connecting with this generation. Visit his website to learn more about Steve's speaking, writing and resources.

Sherri Adams, Christ Church staff member and Generis Consultant, talks about her passion for the local church, why generosity matters in the lives of God's people, and how her plan to donate a kidney to her brother went completely awry. Sherri opens up about being diagnosed with breast cancer, questioning her faith, what if felt like to be angry with God, letting go of her pride, and how God ultimately used her story in ways she never could have imagined.

ABC7 Chicago's Tracy Butler joins the podcast to talk about her journey through broadcasting (including the surprising call she received in 7th grade that changed her life), what might surprise you about her job and how her faith has grown through family, friendship and studying God's Word. Tracy also shares what it was like hear the word "cancer," how early detection may have saved her life, and why she is now so passionate about encouraging women to schedule their mammograms.

Tracy Butler is Chicago's longest-running female meteorologist and an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Spiritual director, author and teaching pastor Casey Tygrett talks about this new book The Gift of Restlessness: A Spirituality for Unsettled Seasons.

Suanne interviews Dan Meyer, Lead Pastor of Christ Church, about the complexities of following Jesus in a changing world, the importance of turning down the noise so we can hear God's voice, the joys and challenges of being a pastor, and how pain in the midst of our journeys point us towards the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Suanne talks with Jenni Wong Clayville, Weekend Experience Pastor at National Community Church in Washington D.C., about how she stepped into church leadership when she thought women could only be pastor's wives, how empowering others is the best leadership move we can make, what it's like to work alongside Mark Batterson, why hospitality matters and how being clear about who we serve in today's polarized culture makes all the difference. Follow Jenni on Instagram @jclayville

Suanne interviews Tammy Melchien, teaching pastor at Community Christian Church. Tammy is a writer, teacher and speaker who loves helping people take their next steps with Jesus. Listen in as Tammy talks about her journey as a female leader, how finding your unique gifting makes all the difference, what it's like to lead a teaching team at a mega-church and why she believes the book of Revelation has something to say to the Church today. Learn more about Tammy at tammymelchien.com

Suanne interviews best-selling author, pastor and speaker John Ortberg about why who we become is the most important thing God gets out of our lives, how pain seems to be the thing that most often changes people, why confession and transparency are so good for community, how political frameworks fail us, and how God is calling him to go deeper still right now.

Suanne interviews Jeff Crosby, the President & CEO of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association, and author of The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of our Hearts. Listen in as Suanne & Jeff talk about what it means to be created as a person who longs, how those longings manifest themselves in our own hearts, how they affect the world around us, and what happens if and when we fail to pay attention to them.