Episode Summary:

In this powerful conversation, Luke sits down with bestselling author, psychologist, and Ramsey Solutions personality Dr. John Delony to explore what happens when we actually slow down enough to feel. John opens up about his own burnout, what led him to join the Holy Work 31-Day Journaling Challenge, and how the simple act of guided journaling brought clarity, peace, and healing. Together, Luke and John unpack why men struggle to admit they have feelings, how culture has shaped emotional suppression, and how journaling acts as both a mirror and a roadmap for spiritual and emotional growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why Men Struggle to Admit Feelings
2. John breaks down how boys are conditioned from a young age to suppress emotions, and how that leads to disconnection, poor relational habits, and internal chaos.
3. Journaling as Emotional Pre-Op
4. John shares how the Holy Work journaling method helped him “clear the clutter” and get honest, calling it a kind of emotional colonoscopy—something that gets you past the surface so you can see what’s really going on.
5. The Problem with Performing
6. Luke and John discuss the pressure to perform—in parenting, work, faith, and even marriage—and how journaling offers a rare moment to take the costume off and connect with your real self.
7. Why We All Need a “Default Reset”
8. Journaling consistently can change your brain’s default narrative. John shares how writing helped him shift from self-doubt and reactive habits to intention, clarity, and peace.
9. You Don’t Need Peace of Mind—You Need Peace from Mind
10. Luke and John explore the idea that journaling provides “peace from mind”—a break from mental chaos—and how that opens up space for truth, presence, and connection with God.
11. Your Feelings Aren’t the Enemy
12. John affirms that emotions aren’t threats to be suppressed but signals to be listened to. When we write them down, they lose their power to control us and become tools for discernment.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Journaling is like emotional pre-op—you have to clear the system before you can see what’s really going on.” – Dr. John Delony
• “You don’t need more discipline—you need more peace. And peace starts by telling the truth about what’s going on inside.” – Luke LeFevre
• “What I wrote may not be true, but my body is still solving for it. That’s why I have to name it.” – Dr. John Delony
• “When you get still, you might hear something you’ve never heard before: You have value.” – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• Holy Work 7-Day Journaling Challenge – holywork.com
• The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Build the Life You Want by Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

Call to Action:

Visit holywork.com to join the free 7-day Holy Work Journaling Challenge and start your journey toward clarity and peace.