Do you feel that you deserve love? Do you struggle to accept love from others?

In this episode, Bill and Scott explore the process of spiritual maturing, defining it as the shift from doing more for God to trusting what God says is already true about our identity in Christ. They discuss how shame-based beliefs distort identity and influence behavior, especially in emotional triggers. Bill invites us to be loved, regardless of how we feel. Receiving love from God and from others can result in true transformation.

Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:

(00:33) The theme of spiritual maturity and how it involves believing who we are in Christ.

(03:43) Shame creates false self-messages that people often learn to trust as reality.

(08:35) Challenging performance-based thinking by suggesting maturity is about trusting truth instead of doing more.

(14:58) Realizing a huge problem can be not knowing how to be loved.

(16:49) Bill highlights how experiencing love in relationships is essential for growth and transformation.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

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This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

What expectations have you had to live up to? Has it helped you grow and mature, or has it actually hindered you?

In this episode, Bill and Scott discuss how living up to others’ expectations, especially in leadership, parenting, and relationships, can actually hinder genuine growth. They talk about how people tend to perform in order to meet expectations, rather than develop true transformation rooted in trust. Instead of growing in maturity, expectations often produce performance-based behavior that masks deeper issues and prevents us from learning how to trust truth for ourselves. Real maturity comes through trust, not effort or compliance. When we can learn to trust truth rather than conform to expectations, we have the amazing opportunity to experience authentic transformation, rather than surface-level behavior change!

Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:

(01:32) True maturity is rooted in trust rather than personal effort or striving.

(02:21) Allowing others to live by your expectations can hinder their development.

(05:14) Leaders can unintentionally create performance-based followings instead of mature individuals.

(08:05) Contrasting competency-based leadership with human-centered leadership.

(12:05) A story about leaders resisting mutual expectations, revealing deeper leadership issues.

(17:54) How unmet expectations serve as a deep source of emotional pain.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

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This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

What would change if you acted on what you already know?

In this episode, Bill and Scott explore the critical difference between simply knowing truth and trusting it, emphasizing that real maturity comes through experience, not information. They challenge us to shift from trying to change ourselves on our own power, to learning to trust truth in everyday life. They also highlight how love and trust create powerful environments for growth, both personally and in leadership. Transformation happens when truth is experienced through action, not merely understood intellectually.

Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:

(00:38) Maturing is a process that should not push people beyond their pace of growth.

(01:12) Teaching without experience leads to knowledge without true maturity.

(04:07) Transformation comes through experiencing truth, not just knowing it.

(09:14) How traditional systems of theology often fail to help individuals truly mature.

(12:30) Loving others is the primary way to practice righteousness.

(14:47) Leadership lesson question… the answer - lasting success is built on loving people.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How would your life change if you were trusted and loved in spite of your behavior?

In this episode, Scott and Bill discuss the detrimental effects of behavior-based accountability groups, which often act as shame incubators, rather than places of healing and growth. They explain how true Christ-like maturity stems from being fully known and loved in a safe community where judgment is replaced by grace. They challenge each of us to rethink Church and community as a safe place where we can be fully known, in spite of what is true about us. A place without fear of judgment. A place where we don’t have to fear losing fellowship.

Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:

(00:53) Heart for a grace-based theology that focuses on love and trust, rather than legalism.

(01:50) A listener’s letter describing a behavior-focused accountability group that became a “shame incubator.”

(04:42) Accountability is helpful for business and tasks, but harmful when applied to relationships.

(05:40) Trust, not failures, is what creates true safety between people.

(08:33) A safe place values the person over their behavior, and removes the need to hide.

(12:54) A vision for Churches to become places of love and trust, regardless of what is known about a person.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Imagine you could stop working on your life, and step into a life that was already yours. We’re talking about how to rebuild your faith if your faith has been rocked. What do you think of this statement?

In this episode, Scott, Bill, and Waldemar explore how to rebuild faith when it has been shaken by life’s challenges. They discuss the concept of rebuilding faith by shifting from a performance-based lifestyle to stepping into the life and identity God has already provided. They also talk about the dangers of "sin management theology,” which traps us in a cycle of shame and self-effort. Remember that circumstances don’t define you… God does. Let Him transform your person.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(01:50) The question of how to rebuild faith when life circumstances shake belief.

(02:21) The concept of “imagine” is introduced as a parallel to faith—believing in what is not yet seen.

(03:07) The “upside-down mountain” in the Living Influence logo emphasizes trust over accumulating principles.

(05:43) The difference between trusting God for forgiveness versus trusting Him with one’s identity.

(10:48) Feelings of inadequacy, shame, and worth are connected to environments that reinforce performance-based identity.

(14:10) Adding personal responsibility to spiritual growth undermines grace.

(18:11) The power of authentic storytelling in building trust and creating environments of grace.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Can you imagine finding a community where it is actually safe for you to be fully known?

In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar explore the struggles young adults face as they wrestle with shame, confusion, and questions about identity. They explain why behavior-focused thinking often leaves people trapped in hiding and why discovering the true significance of one’s person brings freedom. They emphasize embracing a message of grace and the life-changing power of safe relationships where young adults can be fully known and guided toward hope and a real identity in Jesus.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(01:28) Young adults feel overwhelmed by shame, confusion, and uncertainty about how life and belief actually work.

(04:36) The story of a young man who asked, “What do I do now?” after becoming a believer, which changed how Bill viewed responsibility for guiding others.

(06:40) The goal is not to fix young adults but to come alongside them and honor the significance of their person and who God says they are.

(10:55) The tension many young adults feel between their sense of failure and the possibility of a completely new way of living.

(19:14) Today’s young adults are highly sensitive to what is fake and are searching for something real and authentic.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Why is experiencing a crisis before adulthood actually beneficial for children?

In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar explore the importance of grace-based parenting by challenging the idealization of the "perfect" Christian family and, instead, encouraging parents to be real with their children. They discuss how children need parents who respond to mistakes with wisdom and compassion, rather than shock or shame. The conversation emphasizes building trust and openness so children can process crises and strengthen a child's character, preparing them for the realities of adulthood.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(01:37) Raising five young children and feeling pressure to do everything “the right way.”

(05:38) How children quickly learn to hide when parents react with shock or condemnation toward their mistakes.

(07:39) Why it can be helpful for children to experience major crises while still living at home so they can learn how to process them.

(10:56) How sharing openly about his own life helped his children begin to trust him more.

(14:26) The transition from rules to guidelines as children grow, including research suggesting age nine is a key turning point in development.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Are your children experiencing your love, or simply responding to your authority?

In this episode of Living Influence, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar unpack the powerful role trust plays in parenting. They challenge parents to move beyond authority-driven compliance and instead cultivate authentic relationships rooted in vulnerability and love. By risking being authentically known - struggles and all - parents can create an environment where children experience love and genuine transformation, rather than outward conformity.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(02:40) Questions Parents Often Wrestle With, Including Struggles With Authenticity And Fear Of Being Exposed.

(06:15) The Greatest Gift A Parent Can Give A Child Is To Become Someone They Can Trust.

(07:50) Warning to Parents Against Using Authority Alone To Control Behavior Rather Than Building Relational Trust.

(11:22) Your Children Need To Know Your Struggles and Why.

(13:46) A Personal Story About Waldemar’s Children Struggling With The Idealized Image They Had Of Him.

(16:34) How Idealizing The Christian Life Creates Compliance Without Heart Transformation.

(18:07) Compliance vs True Submission, And A Warning That Compliant Children Often Walk Away Later In Life.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Who is Jesus, and can you really trust Him with who you are?

In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar explore why believers often find themselves in crisis, and why the church and striving to lead “the Christian life” frequently fail to provide the necessary relief. They challenge us to shift our focus from religious performance to the person of Jesus. They also invite us to consider that healing often begins with trust and vulnerability, as well as being loved by Jesus and others. Bill, Scott, and Waldemar highlight the freeing power of vulnerability, trusted relationships, and allowing love to reach the places shame has kept hidden.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(02:19) The Real Question Many Christians Are Asking Is Why Christianity Isn’t Working For Them.

(04:50) The Difference Between Striving To Live The Christian Life And Resting In The Reality That Believers Are Already Made Righteous.

(07:31) The First Critical Step In Crisis: Admitting That You Are Actually Hurting And Need Help.

(09:24) Shame Keeps People From Being Known - Bringing Darkness Into The Light Breaks Its Power.

(10:50) The Connection Between Trust And Love Is Explored, Emphasizing That The Degree Of Trust Determines The Degree To Which Love Can Be Experienced.

(17:34) Honestly Asking Whether Jesus Has Been Blamed For The Crisis and The Freedom That Comes From Realizing Faith Is About Who Is Being Trusted

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How would your life change if you truly believed that God is delighted in you right now?

In this episode of Living Influence, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar address the quiet frustration of the exhausted believer who wonders why faith doesn’t seem to “work.” They discuss why many feel their faith is failing when they rely on personal effort over the finished work of Jesus. The hosts explain that true rest and joy come from shifting focus from "becoming" to simply living out of one’s established identity in Christ. By embracing humility and being authentic with God and others, believers can finally step into a life defined by grace and mutual love.

Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:

(02:14) Challenging the phrase “my faith is not working” and questions whether faith has subtly become effort rather than trust.

(04:21) Exploring how turning spiritual growth into self-effort leads directly to exhaustion.

(06:28) The difference between striving to become godly and expressing who you already are.

(09:39) Can you trust that God is already delighted in you?

(10:54) God actually enjoys His people and offers them His joy.

(15:17) Grace is given to the humble and defines humility as trusting God “with me.”

(18:39) Scott describes the powerful experience of being fully known in a safe community and discovering love instead of rejection.

This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.

Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/

Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast

* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI

Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books

Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/