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Grief is a universal part of the human experience, yet it’s something many of us feel unprepared to face. Loss touches every life, and navigating the emotions that come with it can be one of the most challenging journeys we walk.

In this episode, we explore the reality of grief—how it affects us personally, spiritually, and within our communities. We also take a closer look at the unique role pastors play as they walk alongside others through seasons of loss while often carrying their own burdens at the same time.

Joining the conversation is Pastor Rusty Richards, a longtime ministry leader who brings both pastoral insight and personal experience to the topic. With decades of ministry and a background in pastoral care counseling, Rusty shares wisdom on how faith, community, and honest conversations can help people move through the grieving process in healthy ways.

This episode offers encouragement for anyone who has experienced loss or is supporting someone who is grieving. It’s a reminder that grief is not something to ignore or carry alone, but something that can be processed with the help of others and the hope found in faith.

If you find these conversations meaningful, be sure to subscribe and share the episode with someone who may benefit from it.

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

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Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

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In this powerful episode, we sit down with graphic designer and skateboard ministry leader Lawton Outlaw for an honest conversation about struggle, surrender, and redemption.

Lawton shares his journey through personal battles, internal chaos, and the search for identity—opening up about the moments that nearly defined him and the faith that ultimately transformed him. What began as pain and uncertainty became a calling rooted in Christ.

Today, Lawton is channeling his creativity and passion into meaningful work with kids in skate parks in Texas, meeting them where they are, building trust, and creating spaces where faith, authenticity, and hope intersect. Through skateboard ministry, mentorship, and design, he is helping the next generation discover peace, purpose, and belonging.

This episode is about more than skateboarding. It’s about:

• Overcoming hidden struggles
• Finding peace in faith
• Turning your pain into purpose
• Leading the next generation with authenticity

If you’ve ever wrestled with your past, questioned your worth, or wondered how God could use your story, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.

Your struggle doesn’t disqualify you. It may be preparing you.

https://www.middleman-ministries.org/

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
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In this important and nuanced conversation, we sit down with Dr. Denny King to tackle a question many parents, pastors, and Christian leaders are quietly wrestling with: When is too much medication a thing for kids… and when is too little actually the greater risk?

From ADHD and anxiety to mood struggles and behavioral concerns, medication in children can feel confusing, emotional, and even spiritual. Are we over-medicating? Are we under-treating? Is taking medication a lack of faith — or could it be wise stewardship of the mind and body God has entrusted to us?

In this episode, we explore:

• How to discern the appropriate use of medication in children
• Common myths and fears Christian families carry
• The role of faith, wisdom, and medical science working together
• How to think about medication without shame, stigma, or simplistic answers

This conversation is thoughtful, balanced, and deeply practical — offering clarity for parents who want to lead with both conviction and compassion.

If this episode helps you, be sure to follow the podcast on whatever platform you’re using and share it with a parent, pastor, or friend who needs a more grounded way to think about faith and mental health.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by Dr. King in this episode reflect his own opinions and those of Kindred Family Care, and do not represent the views of Case Western Reserve University.

https://www.kindredfamilycare.com/about-denny-king

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of the ExEm Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jared Pingleton to talk about his latest book, Mental Health Ministry: The Struggle Is Real. Dr. Pingleton brings a refreshing, honest voice to the conversation around mental health and faith—naming the real struggles people face while offering practical wisdom for churches, leaders, and individuals who want to respond with compassion and clarity.

Together, we explore why mental health can no longer be ignored in ministry, how the Church can become a safer place for honest struggle, and what it looks like to walk with people without oversimplifying pain or losing hope. This conversation is thoughtful, practical, and deeply encouraging for anyone who cares about soul care, ministry, and the intersection of faith and mental health.

Whether you’re a pastor, counselor, leader, or someone navigating your own mental health journey, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that meaningful ministry starts with understanding.

https://drpingleton.com/

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

Season seven of the ExEm Podcast launches with a powerful and timely conversation. In Episode 121, we're joined by the President of Emerge, Dr. Crosby, as we explore the idea of Generational Generativity—what it means to intentionally live as a catalyst for healing, growth, and legacy across generations. Together, we talk about breaking unhealthy generational chains, choosing to give generously—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally—to the generation coming behind us, and resisting the temptation to live only for ourselves. We also reflect on the humility required to remain teachable, honoring and learning from those who have gone before us, even when their paths or perspectives differ from our own.

If you care about legacy, leadership, spiritual formation, and creating a healthier future for the next generation, this conversation will set the tone for a new year in a meaningful way.

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we explore a powerful and practical truth: everyone needs a counselor, a coach, and a consultant. Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, or family life, no one thrives in isolation—and wisdom multiplies when we invite the right voices into our lives.

Our guest is Pastor Jeremy Godwin, COO of Builders International, who brings a unique blend of pastoral insight, executive leadership, and global ministry experience. Jeremy helps unpack the distinct roles of counseling, coaching, and consulting—why each matters, how they differ, and when you might need one more than the others.

Together, we discuss healthy leadership, emotional and spiritual care, decision-making, and how seeking help is not a weakness but a sign of maturity and stewardship. This conversation is especially relevant for leaders who carry heavy responsibility and want to lead well, finish strong, and live whole.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this episode will help you identify the support you need—and permit you to pursue it.

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful episode of the ExEm Podcast, Matthew sits down with author Samantha Jones to talk about her deeply moving book, God and Trauma: The Lessons I’m Learning. Samantha is a wife, mom, and survivor of significant past trauma — and she’s courageously opening the pages of her healing journey for others to find hope.

Together, we explore how God meets us in the darkest valleys, the slow and sacred work of restoration, and the practical lessons Samantha is learning as she continues to walk with Jesus through layers of healing. She shares honestly about her therapeutic journey, EMDR, and the moments when God’s presence has broken through her pain in transformative ways. This episode is an invitation to anyone who has experienced hurt and is longing for hope. Samantha’s story reminds us that healing is possible, God is near, and our scars can become testimonies of His grace.

https://www.amazon.com/God-Trauma-Lessons-Im-Learning/dp/B0DJTYZ6GC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GAARROT1Y7UO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mx3vUceftT4br4G756_ayhfh_tlJr8sf8fI2dp0CFu5C49D_b3RaTOckPqSbkfIeeq3rwL_DUmCz5D0nvteIPI3knOydnDhgvTgZ4NrJlErTa3UTqASkZXxq1IjZmpgVPobbN5AkXTgbvoTSoV4oSupU1EzmQCcFEDsXAoHusLEeDtCuQlxDKZ_jlLYbmk_xGdX19f9jcDZ46PHc176solYaXp_ZtJY-hXTiSeb-8go.3yEPmkMpyRqpzne4umgv44MYYfcy0B4FdSAS3uXghdQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=god+and+trauma&qid=1765206651&sprefix=god+and+trauma%2Caps%2C381&sr=8-1

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we "Zoom" in with Paris Yanno is the Father's Heart Director at the Ohio Church Multiplication Network.  She is a wife, mom of three biological children, and a woman whose heart grew far beyond the walls of her own home. Paris and her husband felt called to open their lives to children in crisis, choosing to foster for an entire decade. Over those ten years, they welcomed numerous displaced kids—each with their own story, their own struggles, and their own need for a safe place to land.

Paris shares how fostering shaped her family, stretched her faith, and transformed her understanding of love and sacrifice. She also tells the powerful story of how three of those children became permanent members of their family through adoption.

This conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply moving. Whether you’re curious about foster care, wrestling with a sense of calling, or simply needing a reminder that ordinary families can make an extraordinary impact, Paris’s story will inspire you to see what’s possible when we make room for others.

Fathersheartohio.com for more resources on fostering

emerge.or/givingtuesday

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

(This episode may not be appropriate for younger listeners)

In this episode, Matthew Knabe sits down with Joshua Rowland from Pure Life Ministries to have an open and redemptive conversation about breaking free from the grip of sexual sin. Joshua shares his powerful story of healing and restoration after years of personal struggle, and how God’s transforming grace led him to freedom and a life of purpose.

Together, they discuss how sexual sin takes root, how shame and secrecy can isolate believers, and what genuine repentance and recovery look like through the power of Christ. This episode offers practical encouragement for anyone battling hidden sin or walking alongside someone who is.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by guilt or wondered if real change is possible, Joshua’s story will remind you that God’s grace reaches even the darkest corners and brings true freedom.

https://www.purelifeministries.org/

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the ExEm Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Santymire, missionary, author, and current Member Care Director for AG World Missions. Dr. Santymire shares his powerful story of life on the mission field: the incredible ways he’s seen God move across nations, as well as the deep challenges and personal adversities that come with serving in cross-cultural ministry.

As the author of The Caring Life and The Caring Family, and host of The Clarity Podcast, Aaron brings a unique perspective on what it means to live a life of compassion and faithfulness in both global missions and personal discipleship. Join us for an authentic and hope-filled conversation about calling, endurance, and the sustaining grace of God through every season of ministry.

A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and couples seeking a more specialized and focused experience.

The assessment and therapy process utilizes robust psychological testing and intensive outpatient counseling to provide mental health support for challenges, including burnout, grief, moral failure, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

https://emerge.org/intensives/

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest...

Support the show

Contact Us:

• Email the show: [email protected]
• Emerge.org
• facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries

Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!

Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support