What if the secret to keeping the next generation in church isn’t better programs… but simply learning to listen?

In this powerful Episode 85 of Hear Where You Belong, pastor, strategist, and host of the Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr., pulls back the curtain on the real crisis facing the church today: 70% of kids raised in church walk away and never come back.

Loren and Dea dive deep into:

• Why long-term marriage and big accomplishments aren’t about the mountaintop moment, but the daily micro-commitments most people never see

• The one practice that makes people feel instantly seen and valued (hint: it’s not more events—it’s listening)

• How “comparison is the thief of joy” is destroying our peace—and the simple mindset shift that brings it back

• Why churches must stop “protecting the brand” and start confessing publicly if they ever want to feel like family again

• The uncomfortable truth about institutional church vs. authentic family—and how to have both without losing your soul

If you’ve ever wondered why people leave church the moment life gets hard, or how to create a community where everyone—from the quiet introvert to the skeptical Gen Z—actually feels like they belong, this conversation will light your heart on fire.

Hit play and remember: the church still matters… but only when we learn to truly listen.

#TrueBelonging, #HearWhereYouBelong,, #ChurchBelonging #FutureChurch, #ComparisonIsTheThiefOfJoy, #ListenToBeHeard, #ChurchLeadership, #ChristianPodcast, #FaithAndFamily, #SpiritualGrowth, #GenZFaith, #ChurchRenewal, #AuthenticFaith , #ChristianCommunity, #PodcastForBelievers

She’s walked for Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Bob Mackie… and now she walks for the King of Kings.

In this dazzling, joy-filled Episode 84, international supermodel and runway icon Lu Sierra shares how the girl discovered by the legendary Zoli Agency traded the world’s spotlight for the ultimate spotlight: 19 years ago she gave her life to Christ and has never looked back.

You’ll hear:

• How a boyfriend watching her pray over dinner led to her baptism on November 6th (and she just celebrated her 19th spiritual birthday!)

• The parenting genius that made her a legend: “Every class I wanted, I paid for half with coupons”

• Why she says life is “a whole lot better with God than without Him”

• How she went from Paris couture to pouring into the next generation with purpose

• Her infectious invitation: “If you don’t know God yet, please get to know our Father!”

If you’ve ever felt too far gone, too old, or too “worldly” for Jesus—this episode is proof the runway to redemption has no expiration date.

Hit play and get ready to strut into your own faith story with confidence.

#SupermodelSaved #RunwayToRedemption #FaithAndFashion #HearWhereYouBelong #LuSierra

When Michelle Bader Ebersole’s healthy 39-year-old husband Luke died suddenly, she thought her story was over.

Instead, God whispered, “I’ve chosen you for this.”

In this tear-soaked, hope-drenched Episode 83, Michelle shares how she walked Luke through his final days, raised three teenagers alone, and built Widow Goals—a ministry that’s now bringing thousands of widows from isolation to belonging.

You’ll hear:

• The vision at the foot of the cross that changed “Why me?” into “I’m chosen”

• Why her greatest accomplishment isn’t the non-profit—it’s being the best wife she could be in Luke’s final moments

• The 11-week program any church can run to love widows well (leader guide included!)

• How she went from sobbing on the bathroom floor to speaking hope into widows worldwide

• Her raw plea: “Just reach out to one widow today”

If you’ve ever lost someone, walked beside someone who has, or simply want to love better—this episode is holy ground.

Hit play. Bring tissues. Leave ready to change a widow’s world.

#WidowGoals, #ChosenInThePain, #HearWhereYouBelong, #GriefAndHope, #YouAreNotAlone

At an age when most people are picking cruise brochures, Kerry Damiano said “Hold my passport” and launched Mrs. World Traveler—a glamorous, hilarious, faith-filled web series that’s now taken her to 140 countries and all 50 states.

In this sparkle-filled Episode 82, former pageant queen turned global content creator Kerry Damiano proves passion has zero expiration date.

You’ll hear:

• How getting saved at 8 years old became the single greatest accomplishment of her entire life

• Why she started traveling the world (and filming it) in her 60s

• The power of using someone’s name (and why it’s the most beautiful sound in any language)

• Her Legacy Award after 25+ years in pageantry—and why she still coaches crowns and confidence

• The line she ends every episode with that will wreck you: “It’s never too late to go somewhere new and try something different”

If you’ve ever thought “I’m too old” or “My ship has sailed,” this episode is your boarding call.

Hit play and remember: the second half of life can be the adventure you were born for.

#NeverTooLate, #MsWorldTraveler, #FaithAndFashion, #HearWhereYouBelong, #DreamBigAfter60

What started as a random idea in 2016 is now a full-time mission to arm this generation with Scripture… one epic card battle at a time.

In this high-energy, laugh-out-loud Episode 81, Jai Roza (founder of Eden’s Conflict™ card game) shares how God hijacked his “side hustle” and turned it into a movement that’s getting teenagers and adults alike obsessed with memorizing and wielding God’s Word.

You’ll hear:

• How a prodigal kid who walked away from church came running back after one encounter with the Holy Spirit

• The moment Jai realized his card game wasn’t entertainment—it was training for war

• Why his greatest accomplishment isn’t the game… it’s hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” (and he’s not waiting till heaven to chase it)

• The wild vision of building a community now that he wants to spend eternity with

• How Eden’s Conflict is making Scripture memory fun, fierce, and fiercely competitive

If you’ve ever wished Bible study felt more like game night and less like homework—this episode (and this game) will light your soul on fire.

Hit play and get ready to level up your faith.

#EdensConflict, #BibleCardGame, #SpiritualWarfare, #HearWhereYouBelong, #MakeHeavenCrowded

She’s completely blind.

She’s also a business owner, bestselling author, podcaster, life coach, and one of the most joyful humans I’ve ever met.

In this life-giving, perspective-shifting Episode 80, Teresa Blaes (founder of Kadosh Media Productions) proves that the eyes in your heart can see farther than physical eyes ever could.

You’ll hear:

• How she spoke on the main stage at Podcast Movement – twice – as a blind woman in a sighted world

• The day she realized her blindness was God’s protection, not punishment

• Why “we don’t know what we don’t know” is the phrase that changed everything

• How she and her husband help people turn their God-stories into world-changing podcasts

• The simple invitation she gives every person who feels lost: “Today’s a good day to meet Jesus”

If you’ve ever felt limited, overlooked, or like your “disability” (visible or invisible) disqualifies you – this episode is holy medicine.

Teresa doesn’t need sight to see the Kingdom.

And after this conversation, neither will you.

#BlindButBold #GodSeesYou #KadoshMedia #HearWhereYouBelong, #Episode80Live #BlindButBold #GodIsGood 

What if the secret to fixing America isn’t a new policy… but an old-fashioned word: VIRTUE?

In this rich, witty, and surprisingly hopeful Episode 79, theologian, college professor, and father of five Richard Raines (author of Finding Washington) unpacks why George Washington’s character—not just his victories—built a nation, and why the next generation desperately needs to rediscover it.

You’ll hear:

• The hilarious story of how Richard swore he’d never teach… and now teaches college theology full-time

• Why he gives every single student his personal cell number (and they actually call!)

• The forgotten prayer Washington wrote that still wrecks Richard every time he reads it

• How one tiny Bible college in snowy upstate New York starts every semester with a full week of prayer

• Why “You’re either a missionary or you need one” is the line Richard stole from me (and I’m totally okay with it)

If you’re tired of the shouting, worried about the future, or just want to feel proud to be American again—this conversation is a deep breath of fresh air.

Hit play and remember: nations aren’t saved by politics.

They’re saved one virtuous heart at a time.

#GeorgeWashington, #VirtueMatters, #ChristianEducation, #HearWhereYouBelong, #RaiseThemRight

Eight years.

Totally bedridden for four of them.

Career gone.

Dream marriage cut short after one year.

Husband dead at 38.

Most people would have walked away from God screaming.

Lara Silverman (Stanford Law, federal prosecutor, jazz singer, comedian) walked straight into the fire and somehow came out singing.

In this raw, tear-streaked, laugh-out-loud Episode 78 of Hear Where You Belong, Lara shares the story behind her bestselling memoir Singing Through Fire—and the unshakable grace that met her when everything else burned.

You’ll hear:

• The moment she realized “clinging to Jesus” was her greatest accomplishment

• Why bitterness almost won (and how God refused to let her go)

• The vintage romance God wrote into the ashes

• How comedy, jazz, and 2 Corinthians 4:17 became her lifeline

• Her brutally honest advice for anyone currently furious with God

If you’ve ever asked “Why me?”, felt abandoned, or wondered if faith can survive real tragedy—this episode is medicine for your soul.

Lara didn’t just survive the fire.

She learned to sing in it.

Hit play. Bring tissues. Leave changed.

#SingingThroughFire #WhenGodIsEnough #FaithInTheFire #HearWhereYouBelong #ChristianHope

Most people slow down at 65.

Meri Lynch hit the gas.

In this feel-good, fire-up Episode 77 of Hear Where You Belong, Distinguished Toastmaster and brand-new entrepreneur Meri Lynch shares how she walked away from a comfy retirement to launch NC Estate Services at age 67—because the idea of sitting on a porch swing just wasn’t her vibe.

You’ll hear:

• Why she finally gave in to the family real-estate gene she’d ignored for decades

• How she helps grieving families (and their pets!) when a loved one dies—turning chaos into calm

• The exact free program that helped her build a real business from scratch (Launch Holly Springs—shout-out!)

• The surprising way Toastmasters turned her into a leadership ninja and gave her a second family

• Her message to anyone who thinks they’re “too old” to start: Colonel Sanders started KFC at 65… you’re not late, you’re right on time

If you’ve ever felt the itch to do something new but talked yourself out of it because of age, timing, or fear—this episode is your permission slip.

Hit play and remember: the best chapters often start when everyone else thinks the book is finished.

#NeverTooLate #StartAtAnyAge #Toastmasters #EstateHelp #HearWhereYouBelong #SecondAct

What happens when the little boy who never had a steady dad decides to become the most intentional father on the planet?

In this warm, powerful Episode 76 of Hear Where You Belong, CPA & entrepreneur Paden Squires shares how growing up in rural Missouri with an in-and-out dad and a hustling single mom lit a fire in him—not just to build a successful tax-planning firm from his kitchen table, but to give his three kids (two daughters and a son) the presence, curiosity, and love he always craved.

You’ll hear:

• Why being a dad tops every business win (and how having a son actually scared him at first)

• The 4:50 AM miracle morning that changed everything

• How he went from broke college kid to owning a thriving firm—without ever taking the “safe” corporate path

• Why most adults have forgotten how to answer the simple question kids nail: “What do you want?”

• The real reason work-life balance is a myth (and what he does instead)

If you’ve ever wanted to break a cycle, rewrite your family story, or simply remember how to dream like a kid again—this conversation is pure medicine.

Hit play and remember: the life you build tomorrow starts with the father (or mother, or human) you choose to be today.

#BreakTheCycle #IntentionalParenting #EntrepreneurDad #HearWhereYouBelong