On this episode of The Rear View Mirror Podcast, Jeff and Steve kick things off swapping stories about Steve’s basketball days and the upcoming Tennessee (Jeff’s team) vs. Arkansas (Steve’s team) showdown. From there, they look back at the 50th anniversaries of Saturday Night Live and Willow Creek Community Church, with a fun detour into 1970s disco and Jeff’s homecoming dance memories.

But the heart of the episode is a deep and honest conversation about leadership. They ask some big questions — does everything really rise and fall on leadership? Is it about power and authority, or character and service? Can the two actually come together? Jeff and Steve explore the differences and similarities between corporate and church leadership, and even talk about the dangers of making leadership an idol.

It’s a mix of nostalgia, laughter, and thoughtful insight — the kind of conversation that makes you think long after the episode ends.

In this conversation, Jeff and Steve reflect on the shifting cultural climate in America—especially the growing polarization and the ways politics and faith are often intertwined. They begin by acknowledging their own limitations in fully grasping all that’s happening, yet they share observations from their lifetimes: the loss of decorum in dialogue, the struggle to hold paradox, and the troubling trend of “Christian” becoming more of an adjective than a noun. While they affirm their love for America and honor those who serve in politics, they also express concern about the dangers of conflating politics with Christianity. Ultimately, they point to the Gospel as the true priority and remind us of the call in Hebrews 13:16: “Do good and share”—perhaps the greatest impact we can have in such divided times.

In this episode of The Rearview Mirror Podcast, Jeff and Steve continue their unofficial series on core emotions by unpacking the often-misunderstood emotion of anger. Rather than seeing anger as only destructive, they explore how it can actually point to what we value most—our passions and desires. Together they discuss practical ways to recognize anger when it rises, understand what it’s trying to tell us, and channel it in healthy, life-giving directions instead of harmful ones. When anger is acknowledged and used wisely, it becomes a force that fuels change, protects what matters, and deepens relationships.

In this episode, Jeff and Steve dive into the question, “How do you process sadness? Or even more foundational, are you aware of your sadness?” They explore the steps of healthy grieving, which ultimately lead to acceptance. Along the way, they highlight how sadness is always connected to loss—whether it’s something small, like misplacing an iPad stylus, or something life-altering, like the death of a loved one. The need remains the same: to learn how to sit with our sadness rather than rush past it, so that we can eventually move toward hope and joy.

Jeff and Steve kick things off with some lighthearted banter—Steve confessing he’s a curmudgeon when it comes to fireworks, and Jeff sharing his very first cup of coffee with Steve. From there, the conversation shifts to a deeper theme: What’s the difference between worry and anxiety? That question opens the door to exploring fear—how it can leave us stuck when we don’t know how to process it, or how, when acknowledged and worked through, it can actually guide us toward wisdom and forward movement.

Is it Season 3? In Episode 22 of the Rearview Mirror Podcast, Jeff and Steve reconnect after taking two months off for summer. The conversation flows easily as they swap stories about summer travels, camping, reflect on the quirks of living in the South, and dive into timely topics like the impact of NIL in college sports. Along the way, they touch on a variety of other everyday experiences, making this episode a laid-back catch-up between friends that listeners can relate to and enjoy.

In this episode, Jeff and Steve unpack key takeaways from a recent talk they heard by Dr. John Delony, focused on the pressures, struggles, and internal battles men—and particularly fathers—commonly face. They appreciated Delony's honest, vulnerable approach, noting how he shared personal stories that resonated deeply without shifting into a rigid list of "shoulds" or prescriptions.

Instead, Delony invited men to sit with their experiences, to acknowledge the weight they carry, and to reflect on the complexity of their reality without rushing to fix or dismiss it. Jeff and Steve reflect on how refreshing that posture is—creating space for men to name their struggles, pressures, and insecurities in a culture that often discourages such vulnerability.

Listeners will hear insights about fatherhood, masculinity, and the silent burdens many men carry, along with encouragement to engage those realities with grace rather than guilt.

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Dr. John Delony Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3q3Uzj7jdndNfvKlMXuN9J?si=de569e671261401a

Delony's talk at Church of the City: https://www.youtube.com/live/5aTBvEjVE24?si=3iWqmOouHYM2OBr- (starts at 42:11)

In this episode, Jeff and Steve respond to a listener’s question about how to support a family member who frequently finds themselves caught in the middle of two others in conflict. They explore the concept of triangulation—the unhealthy dynamic where a third party becomes the go-between—and offer practical guidance on boundary setting to avoid being pulled into drama that’s not theirs to resolve. Jeff and Steve also discuss the value of understanding our conflict styles, and how recognizing whether we tend to avoid, accommodate, compete, or collaborate can shape the way we engage (or disengage) from relational tension. It’s a helpful conversation for anyone navigating family conflict with empathy and wisdom.

In Episode 19 of The Rearview Mirror podcast, Jeff and Steve dive into the topic of work—how it shapes us, stretches us, and sometimes stirs up deeper questions of calling and identity. They respond to honest listener questions about generational shifts in how we approach careers, how ambition fits with faith, and how to discern when it's time to move on from a role. One listener wonders if the guilt of taking personal time as a working parent ever fades, and Jeff and Steve reflect with empathy and experience, acknowledging the tension many feel between responsibility and renewal. Throughout the episode, they offer encouragement and grounded wisdom, especially on how God's design for work is not just about production but also about purpose, stewardship, and peace—reminding us that our identity is not in what we do, but in who we are becoming.

In episode 18 (or season 2, episode 2!) of The Rearview Mirror Podcast, Jeff and Steve dive into the fine line between contentment and complacency—a conversation sparked by a probing question from one of Jeff’s sons. With honesty and humor, they unpack what it means to live with peace and gratitude without losing drive or purpose. Are you truly content—or just stuck? Tune in for a grounded and relatable take on ambition, aging, and learning to rest without giving up.