Lunchtime in Rome

In this week’s episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys welcome special guest Julia Michalski to the table. Julia, a dental hygienist by day and Young Life leader by night, opens up about her life, faith, and the emotional needs that shape who she is.

The guys guide Julia through a thoughtful and often humorous conversation, exploring her relational needs questionnaire results—with appreciation, encouragement, and security ranking high. She reflects on how those needs show up at work, in friendships, and in her faith journey. The discussion also uncovers her independent streak, people-pleasing tendencies, and her struggle with imposter syndrome as she navigates early adulthood.

Julia shares candid stories from childhood, her college years at Pitt, and her experience growing up in a family with both Catholic and non-denominational church roots. She explains how college ministry gave her community and perspective, ultimately inspiring her to consider future opportunities like medical missions.

The conversation isn’t without laughs—whether joking about homemade chili powder, the challenges of Penn Hills football outreach, or even which liquids each person would choose if they could dispense them from their fingers. Julia holds her own at the table, balancing humor with honesty and depth.

As always, the episode ties back to the heart of the podcast: learning how to better love others by understanding emotional needs, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and mourning with those who mourn.

Troy Hawke

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In this week’s episode, the guys – Jay, Eric, and Chris – gather at the table to tackle a powerful and often overlooked topic: the importance of healing emotional hurts.

The conversation kicks off with some lighthearted banter and personal updates, from family moments and birthdays to concerts and even late steak deliveries. But the heart of the discussion centers on how we handle the emotional wounds we all carry.

The guys break down the many ways people try to cope without truly healing: avoiding pain, minimizing it, numbing it, or just assuming “time will heal all wounds.” They point out that while these strategies may provide temporary relief, they don’t actually address the deeper need. Using vivid analogies—like comparing emotional wounds to untreated physical injuries—they explain why ignoring or excusing hurts only allows them to fester.

Forgiveness also takes center stage. The guys highlight that while forgiveness is essential to prevent bitterness, it’s not the same as healing. True healing requires naming our hurts, acknowledging unmet needs, and finding healthy ways to address them—whether through community, intentional conversations, or tools like therapeutic letters.

As always, the guys weave humor, honesty, and personal stories throughout the conversation, making a heavy topic both relatable and encouraging. By the end, listeners are reminded that while emotional healing takes intentional work, it’s the path to freedom, growth, and stronger relationships.

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In this week’s episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys—Jay, Eric, Brian, and Chris—dive into the theme of healing and how recent events have impacted them personally and collectively.

The conversation begins with Brian sharing a harrowing story involving a dangerous chemical reaction in his pool that nearly created a catastrophic situation. For him, the experience became more than just a physical scare—it sparked deeper reflections on relationships, faith, and the importance of personal growth in the face of challenges.

Eric brings lighter updates, highlighting his growing passion for disc golf, morning walks, and supporting his daughter Maggie as she takes on first base in fall softball. Chris reflects on finding balance in his daily life, carving out intentional time for family, and learning how to let go of unnecessary guilt with the help of strong encouragement from Jay.

Jay shares exciting developments with Young Life at his local school, describing how puzzle pieces of ministry and outreach are beginning to fit together. He also recounts a surreal moment while playing disc golf with his son Joe—learning about the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk. This leads the guys into a heartfelt and difficult discussion on the attack, free speech, and the deep divisions in society. They emphasize that while politics and tragedy can divide, the enemy’s real aim is to separate people from each other. The guys challenge listeners to resist attributing the worst actions of extremists to everyone on “the other side” and instead lean into reconciliation, love, and the mission of building meaningful relationships.

The episode closes with a thoughtful reflection from listener Dan Leopold, who offered poetic insights on noticing life’s small beauties after retiring from teaching. The guys celebrate his wisdom and humor by sharing his unique birthday wish list, reminding everyone of the value of community and joy in everyday life.

At its heart, this episode is about healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and the importance of turning toward one another rather than away in times of hardship.

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Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 295 is titled “Distractions” What gets in our way? What is distracting us? What are those distractions…distracting us from? We’ll be talking about that at The Table this evening.

Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

Episode Summary

In this week’s episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys—Jay, Eric, Brian, and Chris—tackle the topic of distractions: what they are, where they come from, and what they pull us away from.

The conversation starts with some lighthearted updates—birthday parties, Savannah Bananas baseball, sore backs, and a chaotic Donut Dash—before shifting into deeper reflections on how distractions affect daily life. The guys share personal stories of being pulled away by news, politics, sports, inner anxieties, and even other people’s opinions.

Listeners contributed their own thoughts, naming everything from finances and performance expectations to politics and fear as major sources of distraction. The discussion highlighted how comfort, comparison, and the endless noise of modern life can easily steer us off course. The guys wrestle with whether we’re more distracted today or simply less focused than past generations.

Ultimately, they return to the heart of the podcast: relationships and purpose. The guys emphasize that distractions often tie back to unmet relational needs and personal hurts. But they also encourage a solution—focusing on loving God by loving others, investing in relationships, and filtering life through that purpose. When we stand for nothing, everything becomes a distraction; but when we pursue love and connection, we can better guard against the noise.

The episode is both relatable and convicting, mixing humor with honesty, and leaving listeners with practical wisdom: don’t get lost in what you can’t control—focus on the people and purposes that truly matter.

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Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 294 is titled “Unfamiliar Emotions.” Have you ever felt bad but for an unfamiliar reason? Have you ever been unable to figure out why you felt the way you do? We’ll be talking about that at The Table this evening.

Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

Episode 294: Navigating Unfamiliar Emotions

In episode 294 of Lunchtime in Rome, titled "Unfamiliar Emotions," the guys tackle the puzzling experience of feeling bad for reasons that aren’t immediately clear. Guided by Romans 12:15, which calls us to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn, they share personal stories and insights to help listeners understand and process complex emotions.

The episode opens with the guys catching up on life’s recent events. One shares the whirlwind of family activities, including trips to Kennywood, a Pirates game, and plans for the Savannah Bananas, alongside preparing for a daughter’s seventh birthday. Another reflects on the start of the school year, noting how this year’s kindergarteners—born during COVID—are thriving despite early concerns about their social development. They also discuss community efforts, like running a food pantry for young athletes and mentoring through Young Life, as well as lighter moments like buying a new guitar and celebrating a college freshman’s matriculation ceremony.

The core discussion, sparked by one host’s recent experience, dives into the unexpected emotional weight of dropping his son off at college. What he anticipated as a manageable milestone hit harder than expected, stirring feelings of emptiness driven by unfamiliar needs for security, belonging, and comfort—emotions he rarely grapples with. He describes this as a “beautiful hurt,” a poignant mix of joy and pain, and shares how his family’s open communication about emotional needs helped navigate this transition. The guys contrast moments of effective comfort, like a daughter’s wordless hug, with less helpful responses, like well-meaning but dismissive advice from a loved one. They explore how emotional needs can shift in specific contexts and how understanding them brings clarity and healing.The episode closes with gratitude for the emotional tools they’ve developed through the podcast, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own unfamiliar emotions. The guys invite everyone to visit lunchtimeinrome.com to take the relational needs questionnaire and to join them next week for episode 295. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube, and don’t miss this heartfelt conversation about embracing life’s complex feelings.

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Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 293 is titled “Back to School.” What is it like to go back to college? What about going back to school as a teacher? What do parents go through when their kids go back? We’ll be talking about that at The Table this evening. Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe

Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 292 is titled “Brenda Tremblay!” Last week we listed our dream list of guests and Brenda was number 1! You get to know her, and we get to talk to her at The Table this evening.

Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

Brenda Tremblay Joins the Table!

In this lively episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys welcome their dream guest, Brenda Tremblay, for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation that dives deep into life, relationships, and everything in between. Kicking things off, the hosts catch up on their summer adventures—Chris shares tales from family trips to Ocracoke and New Orleans (complete with a gluten-free beignet mishap and a kitchen remodel), Brian recounts a chaotic day fixing a property water main that nearly turned disastrous, followed by a father-son bonding over massive subs at Triangle Bar, and Jay reflects on his disc golf triumphs and the exhaustion of a busy season balancing church, Young Life, and family.

The spotlight quickly turns to Brenda, whom the guys praise for her genuine spirit, servant heart, and effortless way of making conversations flow. Brenda opens up about her journey to self-acceptance in her 40s, sharing how she's always strived to be liked while grappling with guilt and a high need for belonging. She recounts her small-town upbringing in Corry, PA (the "Crossroads of America"), her high school days playing flute and sousaphone in the band, and the serendipitous prom date with her now-husband Jim that led to a lifetime together and five amazing kids.

The discussion explores Brenda's emotional needs questionnaire results, revealing her strong desire for community and how past feelings of exclusion as the "tall kid" shaped her. She shares fun anecdotes, like homeschooling her family, transitioning from 15 years in the hotel industry to remote medical billing, and her phobia of the dark. The guys play a whimsical game: If given an elephant you can't sell or give away, what would you do? Answers range from riding it for fame (Brenda's pick) to exploring its consciousness or monetizing rides.

Brenda's infectious energy shines through as she talks about fostering tribes—from college friends to her quirky, hilarious kids—and her dream lotto splurge: an epic family vacation to Europe or national parks (yurts included, but no sleeping on the ground!). The episode wraps with laughs over inside jokes, hotel stories, and a nod to the guys' worship team dynamics.

Whether you're drawn to stories of personal growth, emotional insights, or just good vibes, this episode reminds us why rejoicing and mourning together builds stronger connections. Pull up a seat and listen now—Brenda's warmth will have you feeling like part of the family! Take the relational needs questionnaire at lunchtimeinrome.com and join the conversation on social media.

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Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 291 is titled “At The Table”. We’ve had MANY folks sit at The Table over the years. We’re going to look back and remember a lot of them and revisit some very special people. That’s what we’re doing at The Table this evening.

Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

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Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 290 is titled “Emonie Campbell”. Emonie lives life to the fullest and teaches students at Woodland Hills High School to do the same. We’ll get to know her at The Table this evening.

Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

Getting to Know Emonie Campbell

In this lively episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys welcome special guest Emonie Campbell, a vibrant educator and Young Life staff member at Woodland Hills High School who inspires students to embrace life fully. The conversation kicks off with the hosts sharing highlights from their recent vacations, blending humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of chaos—like Eric's daughter Maggie's breakthrough body-surfing adventure (complete with a dramatic wipeout), Jay's rejuvenating time fishing with his kids, and Brian's whirlwind trips to D.C. and the beach, where he navigated everything from $100 breakfasts to profound car chats with his daughter Abby.

The episode then shifts to Emonie's compelling backstory. Born in the Bronx but raised in Butler and Pittsburgh after her family sought a fresh start, Emonie opens up about her challenging childhood marked by frequent moves, her parents' struggles with addiction and separation, and stepping into caretaker roles for her siblings and mother at a young age. Despite these hardships, she shares how her faith journey began in middle school through subtle seeds planted by her family and church experiences, eventually blossoming in high school via Young Life. Emonie discusses her work ministering to Woodland Hills students—showing up consistently, earning their trust, and creating spaces like weekly Bible studies at Dunkin' Donuts to foster belonging and support.

Tying into the podcast's core theme from Romans 12:15 ("rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn"), the guys explore Emonie's relational needs, highlighting her high needs for encouragement, comfort, and belonging—shaped by her life's enmeshments and lack of stability. They praise her childlike faith, resilience, and ability to turn personal trials into opportunities for good, as seen in her ministry.

Emonie wraps up with inspiring words: "Forward is forward, whether you're running, walking, or crawling," and shares her favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11, as a reminder of God's hopeful plans. This episode is a beautiful mix of laughter, vulnerability, and encouragement—perfect for anyone navigating life's ups and downs.

First-time listeners: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app or YouTube, follow on social media, and take the relational needs questionnaire at lunchtimeinrome.com. Join the guys next week for Episode 291!

Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe

Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 289 is titled “Why so guarded?” Tonight Jay will tell us all about his Young Life camp trip and dive into why young people seem to be more open than adults. That’s what we’re talking about at The Table this evening.

Pull up a seat at the table and join us!

Episode Summary

In episode 289 of the *Lunchtime in Rome* podcast, titled "Why So Guarded?", the guys dive into a heartfelt discussion about vulnerability, openness, and the differences between how teenagers and adults share their personal stories. The episode kicks off with the hosts—Jay, Eric, Joe, and Amy—sharing their excitement for an upcoming group vacation to Sandbridge, Virginia. They reminisce about last year’s rain-soaked trip, plan for beach time, disc golf, and seafood feasts, and even joke about navigating the nearby naval base fence for some prime shelling.

The heart of the episode centers on Jay’s recent experience leading a Young Life camp trip to Lake Champion in Glen Spey, New York, his first in 17 years. Jay shares the challenges of managing administrative hurdles, like health forms and medical waivers, and the chaos of a norovirus outbreak and heatwave at camp. Despite these obstacles, the camp provided a powerful backdrop for building connections with high school students. Jay describes a pivotal moment on day three when he asked the teens three deep questions:

* What’s something that happened to you that you wish hadn’t?

* What’s something you did that you’d like a redo on?

* What’s something people believe about you that isn’t true on the inside?

To Jay’s surprise, several teens, including some he barely knew, opened up with profound and vulnerable stories about family hurts, personal regrets, and hidden insecurities. One teen, initially perceived as closed-off, revealed a trusting side that transformed his demeanor, earning him the affectionate nickname “Uncle” among peers. This openness led Jay to question whether teenagers today are more willing to share than adults, sparking a lively discussion among the hosts.

The guys explore why teens might be more open, suggesting that their desire for attention and lack of prior betrayals could play a role. They contrast this with adults, who may be more guarded due to past hurts or a stronger sense of self-protection. However, they also consider that in a safe, non-judgmental environment like the camp, adults might open up similarly if given the chance. The hosts reflect on their own regrets and the importance of living transparently, emphasizing that vulnerability fosters deeper connections. Drawing from their faith, the guys tie the conversation to the idea that Jesus knows everything about us, encouraging listeners to share their “darkness” to receive love and forgiveness fully. The episode wraps up with a call to be open and honest, a nod to their supportive community, and an invitation for new subscribers to join the “head of the table” with a special two-month free offer.

Join the *Lunchtime in Rome* crew in two weeks for episode 290, and until then, visit lunchtimeinrome.com to take their relational needs questionnaire and connect on social media. This episode is a reminder that whether you’re a teen or an adult, opening up in a safe space can lead to transformative moments of connection.

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