In this deeply personal episode of Lights On, a father sits down with his wife Laura and daughter to reveal the unconventional family culture that has their kids choosing couch time over parties. They dive into the "corny" traditions that actually work, why confrontation leads to clarity, and how making awkward topics conversational changed everything. From discussing porn at the dinner table to the "no snitch" rule they completely reject, this family shares raw insights on raising emotionally intelligent kids who actually want to be home. Whether you're struggling to connect with your teenagers or wondering why family dinners matter, this conversation offers practical wisdom mixed with laugh-out-loud moments and surprising tears. Warning: This episode might challenge everything you think you know about "appropriate" family conversations.

00:00 - Family Culture & Why Our Kids Choose Us Over Parties (Intro)

00:53 - Summer Jobs, Stripper Poles & Love Island Drama

04:30 - The Father's Day Dinner That Changed Everything

11:10 - Why "Corny" Family Traditions Actually Work

20:47 - How Close Families Can Be Annoying (The Warning)

21:47 - God Behind Bars Partnership

22:23 - Confrontation Creates Clarity: Our Family Rules

31:02 - The Power of Family Dinners (Harvard Study)

40:30 - Breaking the "No Snitch" Culture

44:41 - Plana.org: Help for the Unexpected

45:23 - Why We Talk About P*rn at the Dinner Table

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Supported by God Behind Bars https://godbehindbars.com

Supported by Plana https://plana.org/

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In this episode, Carl and Laura Lentz reveal what the growth phase of healing actually looks like after 4.5 years of intensive therapy work. Discover why growth includes failure, conflict, and moments of joy - and why most people quit before reaching this transformative stage. Carl shares his experience completing a rigorous 4.5-year therapy program and why consistency over convenience became the key to lasting change. Laura breaks down how to navigate conflict as a sign of growth rather than regression, and why you need trusted voices (not each other) to tell you when it's time to move forward. They expose the hard truth about dragging reluctant spouses into healing work and reveal why 60-75% of couples who commit to intentional repair work stay together. This isn't about perfection - it's about building a life where even your failures become fuel for something better.

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In this episode, Carl and Laura Lentz reveal the 3-stage healing framework that saved their marriage after infidelity and public scandal. Discover why most people never truly heal from breakdown because they skip the discovery phase, try to heal while sprinting through life, and focus on cleaning up "leaves" instead of healing the root system. Carl shares his transformative experience at Onsite therapy and why being sorry you got caught is completely different from being sorry you made destructive choices. Laura breaks down why 60-75% of couples survive infidelity when they commit to intentional repair work and how removing shame from broken commitments becomes the key to rebuilding trust. This isn't about saving face - it's about transforming the person you're becoming so you never have to repeat these patterns again.

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In this episode, executive coach Janet Breitenbach reveals the integrity framework that's transforming high performers and why most people unknowingly sabotage their success. Discover the shocking difference between moral integrity and workability integrity, and learn why doing what you say you're going to do by when you say you're going to do it is the secret to unlocking your potential. Janet breaks down the survival needs keeping you stuck (look good, feel good, be right, be in control) and introduces the game-changing "Be, Do, Have" framework that flips traditional goal-setting on its head. Carl shares vulnerable stories about his own integrity struggles in ministry and how this work radically transformed his leadership. This isn't theory - it's battle-tested wisdom that will help you stop playing small and start creating the life you actually want.

Follow Janet at: https://www.instagram.com/janet.breitenbach/

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In this episode of Lights On, Carl and Laura Lentz dive deep into what it really means to listen. From miscommunication in marriage to growing through silence, they share personal stories about learning to hear each other—without judgment, defense, or distraction. If you’ve ever struggled to truly listen—or felt unheard—this one’s for you.

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In this revealing episode of Lights On, Carl and Laura Lentz tackle the hidden baggage that can make or break relationships. With divorce rates climbing above 50%, they share the critical questions you must ask before committing your life to someone.

The couple dives into relationship templates and patterns, revealing how your upbringing shapes your expectations in love. They explore the difference between healthy disagreement and toxic manipulation, offering practical tools to spot red flags early.

Carl and Laura also address the overuse of "narcissism" as a relationship buzzword, providing clinical insight into what true narcissistic behavior actually looks like versus normal selfishness or addiction-related patterns.

From money conversations to compatibility, they share the essential discussions every couple needs to have—and why waiting until after marriage might be too late.

This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who's ever wondered why their relationships keep following the same destructive patterns, offering hope and practical wisdom for building something better.

Follow Carl at: https://www.instagram.com/carllentz/

Follow Laura at: https://www.instagram.com/lauralentz/

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As always, we appreciate you lights on listeners.

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In this powerful episode of Lights On, Carl Lentz sits down with longtime friend Andrew Simila for a raw, vulnerable conversation about healing after church hurt. The two reflect on their years of ministry at Hillsong, the fallout that followed, and the emotional wreckage left behind.

Andrew opens up about the personal cost of staying loyal, the silence that followed the scandal, and the hard work it took to rebuild from rock bottom. Carl shares how one unexpected phone call with Andrew became the turning point in his own healing journey.

Together, they explore what it really means to forgive, grow, and show up healthier than before—not for anyone else, but for yourself.

This episode of Lights On is a gripping reminder that restoration is possible, but only if you’re willing to do the work.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - The Impact of Church Hurt

07:55 - Restoration Is Possible — But It Takes Work

15:30 - How Coaching Triggered a Healing Journey

23:06 - Trying to Rebuild Life After Hillsong

30:20 - Comfort vs. Growth: The Coaching Mindset

38:30 - What 'Church Hurt' Really Means

45:12 - The Real Work Behind Reconciliation

52:06 - Victim Mentality vs. Ownership

59:27 - How to Rewrite Your Story

1:06:57 - Digging Deep to Heal for Real Growth

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Your experience is real—but is it the whole truth? In this episode of Lights On, Laura and I unpack how to honor what you've been through without letting it hijack your future. We talk about healing, empathy, church hurt, relationships, and why holding your experience with humility might be the most powerful thing you can do right now.

This one's honest, unfiltered, and necessary. Let’s keep getting better—together.

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Charles Metcalf joins Carl Lentz to talk about untouchable confidence, overcoming shame, and what it means to believe God chose you. This raw, hope-filled conversation will challenge your perspective on yourself and your purpose.

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In this episode, Cody Jefferson and I keep it real—talking about healing, mindset shifts, and what it actually takes to get unstuck. If you're tired of surface-level fixes and ready for real transformation, this one’s for you. We dive into inner work, truth, accountability, and living with purpose. No fluff. Just an honest conversation that’ll push you to take action today. Let’s go. #lightson

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