Hopefully Ever After Podcast

You believe in God. But is He living in a box in your life, only coming out for Sundays and holidays?

I lived like a “practical atheist” for years. I always believed God was real, but my life didn’t show it. In this episode, I share what changed for me, and why it’s NEVER ever too late to start following God– even in the middle of your packed and chaotic family schedule!

In this episode:

• How I stumbled from believing in God to actually following Him

• The “God in a box” habit and why the faith habits we model are the ones our kids inherit

• Why the Ten Commandments are more like guardrails on a bridge than a list of rules

• Why God isn’t a fickle taskmaster waiting for you to clean up your mess first

• Why you really can’t wait for a calmer season of life, and how to fit actually faith into the nooks and crannies of your schedule

• It’s not too late, even if your kids are grown already

• One simple step to take this week: 10 to 15 minutes of honest prayer

Who this is for: Parents, and anyone who is hesitant in their faith, new to it, or has gone to church their whole life and still isn’t sure what they’re doing there or how to pass it on to their kids.

CHAPTERS: 

1:35: We Can Make God a Natural Part of Our Lives

4:55: When We Have A Little Faith But Don’t Know Why

9:34: Life Has Worked Against Your Growth in Faith, But It’s Not Too Late

13:19: No Really, It’s Never Too Late and You’re Never Too Distant

16:02: We Have to Take God Out of the Box for Our Families

18:20: Please Don’t Think My Family is Perfect

19:35: Getting Practical About the First Step

24:33: After Belief, the First Step Has to Be Obedience

30:25: Why Getting God Out of the Box Actually Frees You Too

36:45: Wherever You’re Starting Out is the Right Place to Start Out

44:20: Psalm 34

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I should have seen this coming sooner, but now I have and I’ll just say it: everything about this channel is changing!

Not my “why” though, that’s the same — I started this to start battling my own doom scroll habit, and start finding God in the chaos of modern life. But I've realized (again) that the headlines aren’t affecting my life as much as I think they are, and I can’t do anything about them anyway! God reminded me there are few things I have actual control over, and raising my kids to actually know Him is the most important one.

So from here on, this channel is for the parents (Christian, Catholic, still-figuring-it-out, wherever you’re at) who want their kids to have a real relationship with God and just aren't sure how to help them build it. The awkward conversations, the questions you don't feel qualified to answer, the stuff you wish someone had told you when you were 16 — that's what we're doing here now.

In this episode I talk about where I'm at, why I'm making this change, and what almost 15 years in youth ministry has taught me about raising kids who know they're loved by God — even (especially) in a world that's constantly telling them otherwise.

If this is where you're at too, I'd love to have you along. And send it to another parent who needs it — heaven for the people we love is the whole goal.

CHAPTERS: 

0:43: The Absolute Hopelessness of Doom Scrolling

1:22: Where I’m At Now & Where We’re Going

1:54: When God Reminds You of the Same Thing for the 500th Time

4:18: Why I Started This Channel

6:15: Pivoting to Normalizing Relationships with God

10:50: The Challenges of Modern Parenting in an Ancient Faith

16:08: If I Don’t Introduce my Kids to God, the World Will

19:04: “Letting Them Figure It Out” Is Not An Option

26:04: Psalm 5

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We've spent this whole series talking about AI companionship, a lot about the kinds of relationships we’re really looking for, and why…and also why it's such a GOOD and natural thing! We talked about why a chatbot is never gonna be able to fill that space for you. But today we're getting PRACTICAL, which is my favorite part!

I have a little four-step plan for actually going out and finding real, in-person friendships — plus a BONUS TIP that I think might be the best one of all – plus ONE LINE you can say that will get you in anywhere. Simple. ;)

I'm totally open with you in this video — I even still get that little urge to walk the other way when I'm about to meet someone new. Yes, even extroverts have these feelings, but we keep it a secret! Let me walk you through this short and powerful plan to get up the confidence to get yourself out there for new friendships, even if you feel rusty.

Missed the first three episodes in this series? Go catch up here first: 

Ep. 1: Ep. 1: Can AI Really Be Your Friend?

Ep. 2: Ep. 2: Why You're Really Talking to AI Like a Friend

Ep. 3: Ep. 3: A.I. is Not a Real Friend, Let Me Tell You Why

And stick around till the end — the bonus tip is worth it, and I've got some big changes coming to this channel, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

CHAPTERS:

02:14: I Know You Think It Will Be Too Weird, Watch Anyway!

03:33: Making it Ordinary (Consistency)

07:14: Multiplicity — giving people a few chances

09:25: Stickability — one thing at a time

11:09: Vulnerability

12:37: Bonus tip: friendship through shared purpose

15:44: The simple line that breaks the ice

17:03: Wrap-up / what's coming next for the channel

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An A.I. chat bot seems like a great solution on the surface to the problem of loneliness…but go any deeper than the surface and all you’re going to find is code. It’s not possible for it to be your friend or companion, but your desire for that relationship is such a GOOD thing! There is a lot of good news in this series if you are struggling or caught up in the habit of treating your robot like a real friend. Let’s get real about what it is and isn’t, and focus on what we were made for and how we can get there. 

CHAPTERS:

01:20: Episode 1 & 2 Recap

02:20: Let’s Get Direct About What A.I. “Friendship” Really Is

07:05: What Are You Looking For In a Friend?

10:35: What’s It Like to Have a Friendship Rooted in Christ?

16:14: John 12:12-15 and Jesus’ Definition of Friendship

18:32: Catechism on God’s Communion and Our Vocation

20:29: There’s Not Only a Better Way, But It’s For You

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Have you found yourself chatting up AI like it’s a friend, but not really sure why? There’s a really good reason why! You’re actually fulfilling a real need that’s built right into you. The question is– will this type of “companionship” really help you long-term? I say no, and I want to talk about what we’re really meant for instead. This is episode 2 in this series, if you missed number 1, go watch it first!

CHAPTERS:

00:44: Intro & Recap of Episode 1

01:27: Your Human Need for Companionship is Not the Enemy!

02:06: Why is the World We Live in Lonely and Fueling This Trend?

05:55: Yes, Scripture Confirms We Were Made for Communion with Other People

06:05: Genesis 1:26-27

08:44: Psalm 139

11:38: Catholic Catechism Also Describes Nature of Humans and Our Relationships

12:51: If You are Turning to AI for Friendship, You’re Actually Aiming for the Right Thing, Just in the Wrong Place

14:23: Let’s Not Just Numb This Real Need with AI

15:37: You’re Not Broken

16:09: How to Let God Speak to You Through Psalm 139 

17:15: Where We’re Going From Here in This Series

Millions of people are talking to AI chatbots every day — not for help with homework or emails, but for companionship. If that hits home, this video is for you! There is a real, valid reason why it feels easier to be “heard” by an AI bot than other people, and a good reason we crave these relationships. But should we be leaning on this technology to fulfill our need for connection? Or can we find ways to cultivate relationships with people who can help us be “known” instead?

This is the first episode in a series for anyone who's found themselves leaning on AI for connection or who wants to know understand why this trend is growing. I want to actually go through what the research shows, and compare it to what Scripture says about our natural ache for companionship. Let’s chat about fulfilling relationships and find out WHY you were made for real connections.

CHAPTERS:

00:59 What is it like to use an AI chat bot?

04:26 Study Results of Young Adults’ Views on AI Relationships

05:50 Greek definitions of “Love”

09:34 The Manliest Perspective of the Crucifixion

10:53 Of Course Relationships are Harder Now

12:33 The Real and Good Root of This Need for Companionship

14:57 Scripture on the Nature of Our Human Need for Connections

19:07 The Hope is in the Ache Itself

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This week, Congress held a hearing on the covert CIA program MK Ultra that studied human mind control back in the 50’s and 60’s. This used to be firmly in “conspiracy theory” territory, but now it’s in the Congressional record. It’s the type of news that is tough to digest when you’re just trying to live your life and hope the people in charge really have our best interests at heart. We’ll talk about what this program was, as well as a bonus thought on the state of the Charlie Kirk investigation. We get out a big ol’ shovel to dig for hope in the midst of these stories, and spoiler alert– you don’t have to feel like you need to change the whole world to find it! Join me for a refreshingly cool glass of hope right now, and SUBSCRIBE to keep them coming!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 MK Ultra Intro

02:17 MK Ultra History Lesson

05:47 Dr. Frank Olson

07:23 Experimenting on Humans Without Consent is Always Wrong & How Mind Control Works

09:34 These Are Real People

12:02 The Biggest Observation I Have About Charlie Kirk

14:31 The Hope!

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Was today’s news already written thousands of years ago? In some cases, yes. This week’s episode looks at the reasons for the protests rocking Albania, and the violence continuing to tear through Iran and Lebanon- and holds them up to the light of Scripture. The names and borders have changed, but the human story never does! The other thing that never changes is Jesus’ call on us to take up our crosses and follow Him no matter our circumstances, because there is nothing new under the sun.

0:38 Why Are the Albanian People Really Protesting?

5:09 This is Naboth’s Vineyard All Over Again

7:00 Iran & Lebanon Updates- Still Going Poorly

10:20 So Where’s the Hope?

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At 27, I was a fallen-away Catholic who reluctantly walked into a confession I didn't want to be in — and it changed the entire course of my life. God meets us where we are if we're humbly open to Him. He doesn't need much — just a tiny mustard seed of faith and willingness.

What He did with mine still surprises me. This is the source and foundation of all of my hope, and I believe it's available to every single person who seeks it. This is my Catholic conversion story. I hope it helps someone else.

Where does your hope come from? I'd love to hear — tell me in the comments.

CHAPTERS:

1:25 Intro to My Story: Growing Up Catholic

8:30 The Confession That Changed My Entire Life Trajectory

24:12 Why My Hope Comes From God Alone

27:53 How Eternity Informs my Temporal Worldview

30:40 How You Can Be the Light of the World

33:45 Satan Always Wants You Alone & Uninspired

36:36 My Promise to You

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The market for your mind is HOT 🔥 We’ve been trapped in this matrix for too long, but there’s nothing in it for us! They want us distrusting each other instead of them and they’ll do whatever is necessary to keep it that way. I take you through my personal journey with politics, a few of the things that have pushed me out of the matrix, and how I consume information now that I’m on the outside. The propaganda machine NEVER SLEEPS so we have to keep our wits about us as events unfold!Chapters:1:30 How I Got Into Politics and What I Thought It Was5:10 Talking Politics in the Politically Correct Era of Division and "Hate"9:36 Why Even Bother Anymore?11:46 My Most Egregious and Specific Trump Disappointments17:47 Why Do We Spend One Minute Listening to Media Talking Points22:35 I Actually Was Never in a Cult, and Neither Were You24:29 What the Media is Really Selling All Day Long27:50 What I Look For In an Independent Media Personality36:07 The One Big Thing Conspiracies Have Taught Me40:14 The True Nature of the Product of Information47:06 So We Really Are All On the Same Side, and It Feels So [email protected]