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"

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

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

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"

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

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

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"

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

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"

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

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

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"

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

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

In this powerful episode of the ExEm Podcast, we welcome husband and wife duo Dr. Troy and Jana Jones, authors of The Mosaic Marriage: How Two Imperfect People Become One Masterpiece. Together, they share candid insights from their own journey—filled with broken pieces, grace, and redemption—and how God shaped their imperfections into something beautiful. With wisdom, vulnerability, and practical guidance, the Joneses reveal how couples can move from surviving to thriving by embracing their differences, communicating with compassion, and keeping Christ at the center. Whether you’re newlyweds or navigating decades together, this conversation will inspire you to see your marriage not as a mess, but as a masterpiece in progress.

Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/Mosaic-Marriage-Imperfect-People-Masterpiece-ebook/dp/B0F1ZX8ZCF#:~:text=Their%20anthem%20is%20to%20%E2%80%9CDon,Imperfect%20People%20Become%20One%20Masterpiece.

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

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

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

In this episode of the ExEm Podcast, host Matthew Knabe sits down with guest Tony Galieti to discuss the profound connection between marriage and the gospel. Drawing from biblical wisdom and decades of pastoral and relational experience, Tony shares powerful insights on what makes a marriage thrive, not just survive. We explore the purpose of marriage through a gospel lens, examining how grace and humility shape our relationships and the practical considerations couples need to be mindful of to build a strong, lasting union. Whether you’re single, engaged, newly married, or decades in, this conversation is filled with encouragement, truth, and real talk about love, faith, and commitment.

Emerge Soul Care Intensives:

https://ncrv2.ehryourway.com/?eyJSb3drZXkiOiI3Y2IzOGZiNS1mNGI2LTQxODUtYTM4OC0yYjFjNDljZDQ4YzIiLCJOQ1JrZXl0eXBlIjoxLCJOQ1JfUGF0aWVudFJlZmVycmVyRG9tYWluSW5mb0lEIjoxMDAwMX0=#!/ClientRegFormat2FromPortal

https://linworthbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3039097

https://linworthbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3038157

More Info:

https://www.watermarkresources.com/ministries/merge

https://www.watermarkresources.com/ministries/reengage

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

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

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

In this powerful episode of the Experience Emerge (ExEm) podcast, our host, Matthew, sits down with Laura Howe, a Canadian mental health therapist and founder of Hope Made Strong. Based in Ontario, Laura is a passionate advocate for equipping churches and ministry leaders with practical tools to care for their communities, without burning out in the process.

We delve into the crucial—but often misunderstood—differences between burnout and compassion fatigue, particularly for those working in high-stress, high-empathy roles such as counseling, ministry, and caregiving. Laura explains how these two forms of exhaustion manifest differently and why recognizing the distinction is essential for both personal well-being and professional longevity.

Additionally, Laura shares an exciting glimpse into the Mental Health Summit, taking place online on October 10th, featuring 50 incredible speakers from around the globe, all dedicated to making mental health support more accessible in faith communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in ministry, leadership, or care roles who feels stretched thin and wants to find hope and strength again.

🎧 Tune in, be encouraged, and don’t miss your chance to join the summit: https://www.churchmentalhealthsummit.com/a/2148114765/pqSiw8UG

https://www.hopemadestrong.org/
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/care-ministry-collective

https://www.hopemadestrong.org/care-ministry-cohort

https://www.hopemadestrong.org/podcast
https://www.churchmentalhealthsummit.com/

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

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

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

In this episode of the ExEm Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Dan Owolabi—author, speaker, and passionate advocate for authentic leadership. Dan dives into the heart of what it means to lead with integrity, purpose, and faith in today’s world. Drawing from his impactful book, "Authentic Leadership," available now on Amazon, Dan shares practical insights on how leaders can move beyond titles and techniques to embody the kind of leadership that transforms lives and organizations from the inside out. Throughout the conversation, Dan opens up about his personal journey of faith, how it shapes his leadership philosophy, and why leaving a legacy that truly matters starts with who you are, not just what you do. Whether you’re in the boardroom, classroom, or community, this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead with courage, conviction, and authenticity. Don’t miss this episode filled with wisdom, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on leadership that lasts.

https://www.dan-owolabi.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735047309?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_J7QJCFJT0SKV38FKR3E8_2

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-owolabi/

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

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

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

In this brief but impactful Mental Health Minute, Matthew Knabe, MA, LPCC, host of the Experience Emerge (ExEm) Podcast, shares practical insight on calm parenting. Learn how to respond—not react—in challenging moments, build emotional safety with your children, and model regulation that helps the whole family thrive. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. A healthier kid starts at home.

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

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