In this first episode of season three Matt and Rachel are joined by David Zahl to discuss, “performancism” and “seculosity.” David will help us see that we, as a culture, are not less religious as we are so often told. Instead, we have — according to Zahl — shifted our religious needs and impulses to other things, like performance and efficiency.

David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries and co-host of The Mockingcast. He and his family live  in Charlottesville, Virginia. Zahl is the author of Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technlogy, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New
Religion and What To Do About It. His next book, Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself) comes out Sept 2022 from Brazos Press. 

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For more information on MPM, head to mattpopovits.com

Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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For this final episode of Make It Simple season 2, Matt and Rachel are joined by actor Paul Walter Hauser for a fun conversation covering faith, celebrity, and the impact of practicing gratitude in all things.

Paul shares what it was like growing up in small town Michigan, to now quickly being recognized as one of the most talented actors up and coming.  With humility and lightheartedness, he reminds us of the power in being respectful to all and loving others well.

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For more information on MPM, head to mattpopovits.com

Support the show (https://mpm.simpledonation.com)

Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show

Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Jon Tyson joins the podcast to discuss intentional fatherhood, and how relationship shapes our parenting. He brings grace and insight into the truth that we don't have to "try harder, do more," but rather, it's the small moments that make big impacts.

Jon Tyson is a Pastor and Church Planter in New York City. Originally from Adelaide Australia, Jon moved to the United States twenty years ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. He is the author of Rumors of God, Sacred Roots, A Creative Minority, The Burden is Light, Beautiful Resistance, and The Intentional Father. For the last 15 years Jon has lived in Manhattan with his family. He serves as the Lead Pastor of Church of the City New York.

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Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information on MPM, head to mattpopovits.com

Support the show (https://mpm.simpledonation.com)

Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show

Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Clarissa Moll joins Matt and Rachel to share her story with grief and loss. She discusses the different ways grief shows up in our lives and how grief can bring a deeper intimacy with God and those around us. 

Everyone experiences grief of all kinds, as the natural flow of this life. Clarissa brings wisdom and compassion to the conversation as she reflects on experiencing such grief with grace. Join us!

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Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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Support the show (https://mpm.simpledonation.com)

Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Sarah Salzberg joins Matt and Rachel to talk all about the Old Testament, and how significant it still is for people of faith today. She breaks down what the Old Testament is, and how to approach it with new eyes as we look to see what it reveals about God. Sarah brings a delightful perspective to a scholarly and heartfelt conversation.

Sarah Salzberg lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband (Josh), son (Hosea) and daughter (Simone), traveling from one coffee shop to another trying as many cappuccinos and croissants as she can. When not hopped up on espresso, Sarah teaches Old Testament at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange County, CA. In addition, she has served as a planner and theological advisor for the LCMS Youth Gathering as well as a speaker for youth and women's retreats around the country. She earned her Masters in Theology from Concordia University in Irvine, but her pride and joy will always be Concordia Seward where she earned her Bachelors in Education. 
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Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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Support the show (https://mpm.simpledonation.com)

Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Jonathan Merritt joins Rachel and Matt to talk all about marijuana, and how a person of faith can wrestle with differing perspectives. Jonathan shares his personal experience and discusses his article, "A Christian Case for Marijuana."  They look at the history, criminalization, and research around marijuana, and share how we can take a position of mercy and justice no matter where we land on the issue. It's a beautiful conversation filled with compassion. You don't want to miss it!

Jonathan Merritt is one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing and How We Can Revive Them, named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books.

Jonathan is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, and a regular columnist for Religion News Service. He has published more than 3000 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast and Christianity Today.

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To support Make It Simple, head to mpm.simple donation.com

Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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Kirsten shares all about her journey with grace, and what it looks like to treat others with humanity despite hurtful discourse. She breaks down how living a life of grace is more than just “being nice,” but rather leads to kindness and accountability. It’s a great conversation, and we’re so glad to share it with you!

Kirsten Powers is a senior political analyst at CNN and a NYT bestselling author. He latest book is "Saving Grace: Speak Your Truth, Stay Centered and Learn to Coexist with People Who Drive You Nuts." Kirsten formerly was a columnist for USA Today, The Daily Beast, the New York Post, and a political analyst on Fox News.

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To support Make It Simple, head to mpm.simple donation.com

Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

This week, Matt and Rachel are talking all about climate change with Katharine Hayhoe. Katharine is leading the way in helpful, hope-filled conversations about the environment, diving into the ins and outs of climate change, and offering tangible solutions that we can all do, big and small, to turn things around. Her care for the environment and this planet all stems from one place- her love for Jesus.

Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people and the places where we live. She is the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a Horn Distinguished Professor and Endowed Professor of Public Policy and Public Law in the Dept. of Political Science at Texas Tech University. 

Her book, “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World,”  released in Sept 2021 and she also hosts the PBS digital series Global Weirding, currently in its fifth season. Katharine has been named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People, the United Nations Champion of the Environment, and the World Evangelical Alliance’s Climate Ambassador. 

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To support Make It Simple, head to mpm.simple donation.com

Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information on MPM, head to mattpopovits.com

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Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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In this episode, Michael Wear joins Rachel and Matt to talk all about politics. Michael offers advice about how to approach personal opinions, the role politics should play in our lives, and how to approach political discourse. Michael also suggests at at its core, our political views are just another way we can love our neighbors.  You don't want to miss it!

Michael Wear is a leading strategist, speaker and practitioner at the intersection of faith, politics and public life. Michael was also one of the youngest White House staffers in modern American history. Today, Michael is also the founder of Public Square Strategies LLC, and previously served as Chief Strategist and member of the executive team for the AND Campaign, and is the author of, Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America.

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To support Make It Simple, head to mpm.simple donation.com

Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

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In this episode, Frank Hart joins Rachel and Matt to discuss Halloween and his article Christians & Halloween, A Biblical Perspective From Frank Hart.  They discuss origins,  how believers can approach these festivities, and the importance of good candy. Frank gives us this to consider : "It's scary out there, but we don't have to be afraid."  You don't want to miss it!

Frank Hart is the Pastor of NewChurch in Katy, Texas. He is an author, recording artist, frontman for Atomic Opera, public speaker, and record producer. He is also a happy husband and father. His book, “Joyride: A Beginning in Every End” and various albums of his music are available at FrankHart.com.

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To support Make It Simple, head to mpm.simple donation.com

Check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information on MPM, head to mattpopovits.com

Support the show (https://mpm.simpledonation.com)

Support the show

For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/

To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show

Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.