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.

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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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.

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

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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

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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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

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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(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/

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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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.

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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In this episode, our host has a thoughtful conversation with Pastor Austin McCann about the diverse ways people encounter Christ and begin their faith journey. While some stories of salvation seem simple and clear, others are marked by struggle, questions, and even deep anxiety. Pastor Austin helps us unpack the reality that there is no single blueprint for coming to faith—God works uniquely in every heart.

A significant part of the discussion centers on scrupulosity, a form of religious anxiety often tied to OCD-type thinking, where individuals become overly preoccupied with sin, confession, or the fear of not being “saved enough.” This intersection of mental health and spirituality can create heavy burdens for believers who long to follow Jesus but feel trapped in cycles of doubt and guilt. Pastor Austin shares wisdom and pastoral insight on how the church can come alongside those wrestling with these struggles, offering compassion, patience, and the hope of God’s grace.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your faith story “measures up” or struggled with relentless thoughts about salvation, this conversation will remind you that God’s love isn’t bound by formulas or checklists. Instead, it’s an invitation into a relationship—one that meets us in our questions, our weaknesses, and even our mental health battles.

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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What do you get when you run into a great friend at a convention in Orlando? A whole lot of laughs, a few life lessons, and one very traumatized mother-in-law. In this episode, our host sits down with Pastor Jason Burns to catch up on their friendship, hear about his annual Christmas tradition of tormenting his mother-in-law with outrageous gifts, and dive into something we all desperately need—rest. With a mix of humor, honesty, and heart, Jason reminds us that joy and Sabbath go hand in hand and that friendship makes the journey a whole lot better.

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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Who are we, really? In a world full of labels, expectations, and shifting definitions of self, it’s easy to lose sight of our true identity. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Darla Rakes, a leader, educator, and woman of deep faith, to talk about what it means to anchor our identity in Christ. Together, we explore why our sense of self apart from Him will always feel incomplete, how faith gives us clarity and purpose, and why knowing who we are in Christ brings freedom from comparison and striving. Dr. Rakes shares both personal stories and biblical truths that point us back to the One who created us, reminding us that identity isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we receive.

If you’ve ever wrestled with questions of worth, belonging, or direction, this conversation will encourage you to find your answer in the unshakable foundation of Christ.

https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/the-real-you-discover-the-person-god-made-you-to-be-by-dr-darla-rakes-now-available/

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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In this episode of the Experience Emerge podcast, we converse with Tera Wages, CEO of The Connection Codes, to explore the art of emotional regulation—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform your relationships and daily life. Tera shares practical tools from The Connection Codes framework to help you identify, name, and process emotions in real time so they don’t spiral into conflict, burnout, or shutdown. Whether you tend to bottle up your feelings or wear them on your sleeve, this conversation will give you a clear, compassionate path toward feeling your emotions without letting them control you.

https://connectioncodes.co/experience-emerge

https://terawages.com/

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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