Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step? In this episode of Encounter Grace, we explore the difference between Christian counseling, life coaching, and spiritual discipleship—and how these three powerful pathways overlap to bring healing, clarity, and growth.

Whether you're in a season of emotional pain, seeking direction for your calling, or desiring to grow in Christlikeness, we break down how to know which kind of help you need—and when you might need all three. We also talk about how counseling, coaching, and discipling complement one another to help you flourish in faith, purpose, and relationships. 

Learn:

• When to pursue Christian counseling
• How coaching helps you take action and set goals
• Why discipleship is essential for spiritual maturity
• How these areas overlap and work together for lasting transformation

#ChristianCounseling #LifeCoaching #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndMentalHealth #ChristianCoaching #EmotionalHealth #SpiritualFormation #EncounterGrace #ThinkingChristians

Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership isn't just about avoiding burnout or managing stress—it’s about confronting the internal dysfunctions that silently sabotage our influence. Every leader, whether in ministry, business, or the home, carries a shadow side—those unexamined compulsions and character flaws that emerge under pressure.

In this episode of Encounter Grace, we explore how leaders can identify, understand, and overcome five dark leadership styles—compulsive, narcissistic, paranoid, codependent, and passive-aggressive—based on insights from Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership by Gary McIntosh and Sam Rima.

You’ll learn:

What the “dark side” really is and why all leaders have one

How unresolved wounds and pride fuel destructive leadership patterns

Biblical examples of leaders who wrestled with their shadow side

Five practical, gospel-centered steps for healing and growth

If you've ever struggled with insecurity, control, approval addiction, or the pressure to perform, this conversation will give you clarity, hope, and tools for becoming a healthier, more Christlike leader.

🎧 Whether you’re leading a church, a team, or your family—this episode will help you lead from identity, not dysfunction.

#ChristianLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #NarcissisticLeadership #Codependency #ChurchLeaders #BiblicalLeadership #EmotionalHealth #RelationalHealth #LeadershipPodcast #SpiritualFormation #ChristianPodcast #DarkSideOfLeadership #PastoralMinistry #HealingAndLeadership #JesusCenteredLeadership #EncounterGrace

Can a Christian lose their salvation? Is it possible to fall away from faith, commit the unpardonable sin, or be cast out after once believing? In this powerful episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin tackle one of the most debated questions in Christian theology: Can you lose your salvation?We explore the biblical truth behind eternal security, the assurance of salvation, and what it really means to be in Christ. From Ephesians 2, Romans 8, John 10, and Hebrews 6, we weave together God’s promises, sober warnings, and the unshakable hope of the gospel.You’ll learn the difference between momentary doubt and true apostasy, and why being a new creation, adopted child of God, and sealed with the Spirit is more than a temporary status—it’s a permanent identity.Whether you’re struggling with sin, spiritual coldness, or deep questions about your faith, this episode offers hope, clarity, and deep encouragement to thinking Christians wrestling with real-life doubts.🕊️ God is too powerful and gracious to leave your eternity in your own hands.🎧 Tune in now to find confidence and rest in His finished work.#Salvation #EternalSecurity #AssuranceOfSalvation #PerseveranceOfTheSaints #CanYouLoseYourSalvation #ChristianPodcast #ThinkingChristians #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth #FaithInChrist #UnpardonableSin #BlasphemyOfTheHolySpirit #Hebrews6 #Romans8 #EncounterGrace

What does healthy patriotism look like for a follower of Jesus?In this timely episode of Encounter Grace, we unpack the difference between biblical patriotism and nationalism, explore why equating America with God's people is a dangerous mistake, and challenge the growing trend of Christian apathy toward our cultural moment.Join Jason and Justin as they help thinking Christians think clearly about faith, freedom, and what it means to love your country without compromising your kingdom calling. You’ll walk away with 3 unbiblical extremes to avoid and 4 postures of godly patriotism: Gratitude, Grief, Hard Work, and Hope.Whether you’re wrestling with cultural chaos, political fatigue, or simply want a Christ-centered lens for July 4th, this episode will anchor your love of country in the unshakable truth of the Gospel.🎧 Tune in, and discover how to be a patriot who honors God first.#ChristianPatriotism #FaithAndFreedom #HealthyPatriotism #ChristianNationalism #GodAndCountry #BiblicalWorldview #FourthOfJuly #JesusFirst #EncounterGrace #ThinkingChristian #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualFormation #GospelCentered #HopeFilledFaith

10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health

How spiritually healthy are you—really?

In this episode, we walk through 10 heart-level questions to help you take inventory of your walk with God. These aren’t just devotional thoughts—they’re diagnostic tools meant to stir honest reflection and deeper faith.

You’ll be challenged to consider:

• Do I thirst for God?

• Am I increasingly governed by His Word?

• Am I becoming more loving, more forgiving, more aware of His presence?

• Do I grieve over sin?

• Do I truly long for heaven?

Each question is rooted in Scripture and designed to help you grow in spiritual maturity, emotional honesty, and Christlikeness. Whether you’re feeling strong in your faith or stuck in a dry season, this episode offers a clear path to evaluate where you are—and where God may be calling you next.

Listen in and ask yourself: What is God revealing to me today?

Episodes on Forgiveness:

Ep. 134 - What is Forgiveness, Part 1: https://youtu.be/KJTzqQqLANk?feature=shared

Ep. 135 - What is Forgiveness, Part 2: https://youtu.be/1K5Z9bWB4JA?feature=shared

#SpiritualGrowth #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualHealth #FaithJourney #Discipleship #JesusFollowers #SpiritualMaturity #KnowGod #BibleTeaching #ChristianLiving #HeartCheck #WalkWithGod #EncounterGracePodcast

What is Artificial Intelligence—and how should Christians respond?

In this episode of the Encounter Grace Podcast, we dive into the rapidly expanding world of AI through a biblical lens. From Siri and ChatGPT to algorithms that shape your social feed, artificial intelligence is already shaping how we live, work, parent, and even pursue spiritual growth. But as thinking Christians, how do we navigate these technologies with wisdom, not fear? With discernment, not blind enthusiasm?

You’ll learn:

• What AI actually is and how it functions
• How AI can enhance human flourishing—or lead to spiritual and societal harm
• The ethical concerns Christians should prayerfully consider
• Whether AI can write a sermon, lead someone to Christ, or help you parent
• Five biblical principles to guide faithful engagement with AI

This conversation is honest, hopeful, and grounded in Scripture. Whether you're excited about tech or skeptical of it, this episode will help you think critically, live intentionally, and honor Christ in a world shaped by algorithms. Don’t miss this one—it’s not science fiction, it’s discipleship.

#ChristianPodcast #FaithAndTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #ChristianEthics #BiblicalWisdom #AIandFaith #ThinkingChristian #DiscipleshipInTheDigitalAge #AIandChristianity #SpiritualFormation #ChurchAndCulture #EncounterGracePodcast #SermonPrep #ChristianParenting #TechAndFaith #GodAndTechnology

How do you help kids actually fall in love with God’s Word? In this joyful and inspiring episode of the Encounter Grace Podcast, Jason sits down with Amy Gannett, founder of Tiny Theologians, and Kent Henderson, musical creator and voice of Mr. Truman, to talk about the incredible impact of the Tiny Theologians Podcast.

Amy shares the heart, theology, and imagination behind one of the fastest-growing children's discipleship podcasts in the country, while Kent gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how music helps lock truth into kids' hearts. Together, they explore how adventure, theology, and story-telling can help form a child’s understanding of God—without dumbing it down. You'll hear how they tackle deep doctrines like the Trinity and union with Christ in ways that resonate with kids of all ages.

This is a must-listen for parents, children’s ministry leaders, and anyone passionate about raising the next generation to know and love Jesus. Don't miss Amy's insights on trusting God through risk, creating theologically sound content, and equipping parents with free, engaging discipleship tools. 

Listen to the Tiny Theologians Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7t2nvw1vNhmO7YXZ1fM1yl?si=4943e548dc774380 

Explore the full line of discipleship tools, workbooks, and theology resources for kids at:

https://www.tinytheologians.shop

#TinyTheologians #ChristianParenting #FamilyDiscipleship #TheologyForKids #KidsMinistry #BiblicalParenting #ChristianPodcast #EncounterGrace #AmyGannett #KentHenderson #TrainUpAChild #KidsTheology #FaithFilledFamilies #GospelParenting #ChristianResources #SpiritualFormation #JesusForKids #ParentingWithPurpose #DiscipleshipTools #BibleForKids

Why do some of us struggle to trust God's love—even when we believe it’s true? In this episode of Encounter Grace, we explore how your attachment style may be shaping your spiritual life more than you realize.

Whether you’ve wrestled with feeling distant from God, anxious in prayer, or numb in worship, it might not be a lack of faith—it might be your attachment filter at work.

We unpack:

The 4 core attachment styles: Anxious, Avoidant, Fearful, Secure

How early relational wounds impact your connection with God

Why spiritual growth starts with emotional safety

How to begin healing through secure attachment to God

Practical tools like Immanuel Journaling to help you feel safe, seen, and soothed by His presence

We bridge attachment theory, relational neuroscience, and Christian formation to help you grow not just in knowledge—but in connection. 

Whether your faith feels solid or shaky, this conversation will help you feel more known, more loved, and more secure in your relationship with God.

#AttachmentTheory #SpiritualFormation #ChristianMentalHealth #SecureAttachment #RelationalSpirituality #JimWilder #CurtThompson #ToddHall #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndNeuroscience #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #HealingWithGod #EncounterGrace #ChristianGrowth #ImmanuelJournaling #DiscipleshipJourney #TraumaHealing #AnxiousAttachment #AvoidantAttachment #FaithAndFeelings

Your brain was designed to run on JOY. In this powerful episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin explore how emotional resilience is already wired into your brain—and how joy is not just a feeling, but a neurological fuel that anchors your identity and drives your capacity to thrive. Drawing from both Scripture and neuroscience, they unpack the concept of the “Joy Center” of the brain, explain the four floors of the “Joy Elevator,” and reveal why fear, shame, or anger short-circuit our best responses.

You’ll learn:

Why Nehemiah 8:10 (“The joy of the Lord is your strength”) is more than a spiritual slogan—it’s biological truth.

How to re-engage your relational circuits and access joy in moments of stress or disconnection.

What gets your brain “stuck” in immature reactions—and how to grow out of them.

Simple, practical ways to quiet yourself, return to peace, and re-center on joy.

This isn’t pop psychology or just good vibes. This is the neurotheology of joy—and it might just change your life.

#ChristianPodcast #SpiritualFormation #NeuroscienceAndFaith #EmotionalResilience #JoyCenter #BiblicalMentalHealth #RelationalSpirituality #FaithAndScience #TheJoyOfTheLord #EmotionalMaturity #RightBrainDiscipleship #EncounterGrace #ChristianGrowth #Nehemiah810 #BrainScienceAndBible #IdentityInChrist #JoyIsStrength #RelationalHealth #JesusCenteredLiving

In this episode of Encounter Grace, we're diving deep into Jim Wilder’s 5 Stages of Maturity, a game-changing framework for understanding spiritual growth, emotional health, and relational maturity. Spoiler: maturity isn’t automatic—and it’s not just about how long you’ve been in church.

We’ll walk through the stages—Infant, Child, Adult, Parent, Elder—and unpack what each one means for your discipleship journey, your spiritual formation, and how you relate to others. Drawing from biblical wisdom, neuroscience-informed discipleship, and relational brain skills, we explore how to recognize maturity gaps, heal from past wounds, and grow into wholeness in Christ.

This episode is for anyone who’s serious about becoming the kind of person who loves God and others well—not just in theory, but in real life. Whether you’re early in your faith or decades into the journey, this conversation will give you fresh insight and hope for the road ahead. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if this helped you grow!

#SpiritualMaturity #5StagesOfMaturity #JimWilder #Discipleship #ChristianGrowth #EmotionalMaturity #RelationalHealth #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualFormation #BiblicalMaturity #JesusCenteredGrowth #EncounterGracePodcast #ThinkingChristians #RelationalDiscipleship #ChristianLeadership #ChurchLife #EmotionalIntelligence #SecureAttachment #FaithAndHealing #GrowInGrace #HealingWithJesus