The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Undivided Follower | What is a follower of the way? | Menlo Midweek Podcast

   Description Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! Following Vision Sunday at Menlo Church, host Matt Summers sits down with Phil EuBank to launch our new year-long journey: Reclaiming the Way of Jesus. In this episode, we dive into Week 1 of our study in James (The Mirror) to unpack what it actually means to be an Undivided Follower in a culture designed to fragment our focus, schedules, and devotion. From shifting from a "researched faith" to a "reclaimed faith" to exploring why James shifted from Jesus' skeptical brother to His servant, Matt and Phil map out how our daily habits are already forming us—and how to align our actions back to the Way of Jesus. In this episode, we discuss: Researched vs. Reclaimed Faith: Why knowledge about God isn’t enough and what it takes to recover what’s been quietly stolen from our attention and schedules. The 30,000-Foot Map: A look at the year ahead as we reclaim worship, the table, focus, and work. The James Dilemma: How proximity to Jesus doesn't equal following Him, and what James’ transformation teaches the saint, the skeptic, and the prodigal. Double-Mindedness (Dipsychos): The difference between honest doubt and trying to follow Jesus with a backup plan. Staying at the Mirror: Why prolonged reflection moves us from spiritually educated to spiritually activated. How to Use the Reclaiming Journal: Practical ways to use the new physical journal without turning it into spiritual homework.

   August 19, 2026·40min
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   Number 2: The System of Merit (Catholicism) | Let's Be Honest | Menlo Midweek Podcast

   In this week's episode, Phil EuBank sits down with Matt Summers to dive into Sunday’s message, The System of Merit. Framing Roman Catholicism as our theological parent in the Christian family tree, they explore how a system built on human merit, sacraments, and tradition can subtly turn faith into a tollbooth or a self-funded spiritual insurance policy. Together, Phil and Matt discuss the core contrasts of the Protestant Reformation, specifically Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) and salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Drawing from Phil's childhood friendship with a local priest named Father Michael, they highlight the vital need to hold deep conviction without losing the humble, loving posture of Jesus. They also turn the mirror on Protestant culture, exposing the invisible performance tolls we often pay when we try to earn God's love or blame ourselves during life's hardships. Listen to the Menlo Midweek Podcast Tune into new episodes released every Wednesday as we break down Sunday’s sermon, share behind-the-scenes insights, and discuss practical ways to live out our faith. Listen now at menlo.church/podcasts. 🎙️ In This Episode The Family Tree: Viewing Catholicism as our theological parent and recognizing shared history while clarifying key Reformation distinctions. Tollbooths vs. Free Gift: Examining how a system of merit and cooperation can turn faith into an anxious attempt to self-fund eternal security. Posture Over Winning: Learning from Phil’s childhood friendship with Father Michael on how to hold firm conviction without losing the humble, loving heart of Jesus. Invisible Tolls We Pay: Uncovering the subtle ways Protestants fall into merit-based thinking, performance loops, and self-condemnation. 💬 Discussion Questions In what ways do you find yourself paying "invisible tolls" by trying to earn God's favor or blaming yourself when difficult circumstances happen? Phil shared how Father Michael showed a Christlike posture even amidst theological differences. How can you practice holding strong conviction while maintaining humility and grace toward others? How does resting in the truth that Scripture is our ultimate authority (Sola Scriptura) and that grace is completely unearned bring peace to your daily walk with God? 📅 Series Schedule Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions. Check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism (Available Now) July 19: Mormonism (Available Now) July 26: Catholicism (Available Now) August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished - The Gospel 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-system-of-merit-catholicism Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe, or if you don't believe anything at all, you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

   July 29, 2026·49min
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   Number 3: The Cycle of Self-Liberation (Buddhism) | Let's Be Honest | Menlo Midweek Podcast

   We are continuing our summer series, Let’s Be Honest, a thoughtful, humble exploration of what it means to navigate faith, culture, and big intellectual questions today. This week, host Matt Summers sits down with Brett Koerten for an honest, deeply respectful look at Buddhism. Instead of relying on easy stereotypes, they start with a deeply human question we all face: why life feels unstable and why even the good things in this world never seem to last. Using the metaphor of two glasses—one empty, one full—they explore how different paths approach this universal ache. While Buddhism focuses on emptying ourselves of cravings to find peace, Christianity offers a completely different hope. You see, Christianity has an emptying too. But instead of that emptying being a requirement by us to receive freedom, in Jesus, God emptied himself to enter our suffering, take it upon himself, and make us whole. 📍 In This Episode: Naming Reality as It Is: Recognizing what Buddhism sees clearly about the heavy reality of human pain, and why Christians shouldn't just "put a smile on" and ignore suffering. The Empty vs. The Full Glass: Unpacking the fundamental fork in the road between a spiritual path aimed at total detachment and a Gospel aimed at relational restoration. The "GLP-1" of Religions: A fun, insightful look at how emptying ourselves can feel like an inoculation from the noise of the world, and where we must have our antennae up regarding "mindfulness syncretism." From Meditation to Relational Prayer: Brett shares practical, next-step coaching on how to transition from solo, self-reliant emptying into conversational prayer with a God who wants to carry your weight. 💬 Discussion Question: If you’ve been practicing mindfulness or meditation, is it pulling you toward trying to empty yourself of anxiety on your own, or is it leading you to cast your cares onto a living Savior who actively wants to carry them with you? #MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #TheCycleOfSelfLiberation #LetsBeHonest #Buddhism #MenloMidweekPodcast 📅 Series Schedule: Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions—check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism (Available Now) July 19: Mormonism July 26: Catholicism August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished (The Gospel) 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-cycle-of-self-liberation-buddhism Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe—or if you don't believe anything at all—you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

   July 15, 2026·22min
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   Number 4: The Cycle of Self-Liberation (Buddhism) | Let's Be Honest | Brett Koerten

   Buddhism identifies suffering as the core human problem and offers the Eightfold Path as the solution. It is a religion of radical self-effort and "emptying" oneself to find peace. This week, we compare the "work" of self-liberation with the "rest" of the Gospel. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

   July 13, 2026·33min
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   Number 5: The Five Pillars of Effort (Islam) | Let's Be Honest | Menlo Midweek Podcast

   We are kicking off week two of our summer series, Let’s Be Honest, a thoughtful, humble exploration of what it truly means to navigate faith, culture, and big intellectual questions in today's world. Host Matt Summers sits down with Menlo Church Lead Pastor Phil EuBank to take an honest, respectful look at Islam. Together, they discuss the critical importance of engaging with other worldviews on their own terms—seeking to understand the strongest, most intelligent form of what another faith actually teaches rather than knocking down weak, uncharitable caricatures. Phil pulls back the curtain on his own inbox to share the raw, tension-filled feedback he receives from both sides of the conversation, using it to highlight how difficult yet vital it is to thread the needle of truth and love in our local communities. The conversation dives deep into the heart of the weekend message, contrasting two fundamentally different documents: the "report card" of performance versus the "birth certificate" of identity. While the five pillars of Islam demand an admirable, rigorous level of human effort, discipline, and devotion, they ultimately leave even their greatest prophets facing a ledger of profound spiritual uncertainty. Matt and Phil explore how the radical promise of Jesus completely upends the scales of behavior modification. Instead of offering a manual or an oppressive checklist to measure up, the Gospel offers an invitation to abide daily in a living relationship with a Savior who already overcame the grave to secure who we are. 📍 In This Episode: Honesty Over Caricature: Discussing how to represent other faith systems with profound respect, intellectual clarity, and curiosity rather than trying to "own" the other side. Report Card vs. Birth Certificate: Analyzing the foundational difference between a performance-driven faith that evaluates your best efforts and the gospel-driven security of knowing your identity is anchored in Christ. The Admirable Weight of the Pillars: Taking a respectful look at the intense devotion, prayer rhythms, and deep commitment required by the five pillars of Islam, and why structure is so compelling to a confused world. Engaging with Our Neighbors: Practical, warm advice on how to initiate honest, safe, and friendly conversations with the Muslim friends and co-workers in your life without feeling the pressure to "seal the deal." 💬 Discussion Question: Are you treating your daily faith like a report card to be graded on your performance, or are you living out of the security of a birth certificate that defines your identity as a child of God? #MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #TheFivePillarsOfEffort #LetsBeHonest #Islam #MenloMidweekPodcast 📅 Series Schedule: Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions—check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism July 19: Mormonism July 26: Catholicism August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished (The Gospel) 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Sermon Study Guide Dive into this week's discussion with your small group or family: https://www.menlo.church/resources/2026-07-05-sermon-study-guide-lets-be-honest-week-2-islam Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-five-pillars-of-effort-islam Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe—or if you don't believe anything at all—you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

   July 08, 2026·39min
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