What if Lent isn’t about giving things up… but about becoming someone new?

In this deeply reflective episode of Side By Side, we begin the Lenten journey together through the series “Joyful Is the Dark.”

This conversation explores why the Christian life is not formed in moments of ease, but in seasons of waiting, wilderness, and quiet transformation.Lent invites us to slow down, tell the truth about our lives, and rediscover our identity in Christ. Through Scripture, church history, and pastoral reflection, this episode explores how God uses the hidden seasons — the dark places we often avoid — to shape endurance, deepen faith, and lead us toward resurrection.If you feel spiritually tired, restless, or hungry for something deeper, this episode is for you.You are not behind.You are being formed.

In This Episode:

Why Lent matters in the Christian life

The biblical meaning of wilderness seasons

How darkness can become a place of spiritual growth

Practical ways to walk through Lent faithfully

Learning endurance, patience, and trust through Christ

Becoming children of the light through slow formation

Key Scriptures

Colossians 1:11

About Side By Side Podcast:

Side By Side is a pastoral podcast exploring faith, spiritual formation, and walking with God through real life — doubt, hope, waiting, healing, and renewal. Each episode invites you into deeper discipleship with honesty, grace, and practical wisdom.

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Have you ever felt invisible… even in a crowded room?Have you ever prayed and wondered if God was listening — or if anyone truly saw what you were carrying?

In this deeply personal and soul-stirring episode of the Side X Side Podcast, we explore one of the most human experiences we face: loneliness. Through the stories of Hagar in the wilderness, Elijah under the broom tree, and Jesus in Gethsemane, we discover a powerful truth — God meets us not after loneliness ends, but within it.

If you’ve been walking through a quiet season… grieving… waiting… questioning… or simply feeling disconnected, this episode is for you.

👉 Slow down. Breathe. Listen.The God who sees Hagar sees you too.

⏱ What You’ll Experience in This Episode•

A pastoral deep dive into loneliness and faith

• Biblical encouragement from Genesis, 1 Kings, and the Gospels

• Real-life modern examples of isolation and hope

• Guided reflection moments and prayer

• Comfort for weary hearts and renewed assurance of God’s presence

📖 Key Scriptures

Genesis 16 — Hagar and El Roi, the God who sees

1 Kings 19 — Elijah in the wilderness

Matthew 26 — Jesus in Gethsemane

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Growth in Christ doesn’t happen by intention alone.It happens by formation.

In Part Two of this Side X Side podcast, we go deeper into the sacred work of spiritual formation; the slow, faithful shaping of our lives through habits that align with who we say we are in Christ.

This episode builds on the foundation of Part One and presses into the question many of us avoid:If someone followed us around for a week, would our habits reveal that we belong to Jesus?

Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, history, and modern insights from Atomic Habits and other formation-focused thinkers, we explore why evolving our behaviors is not optional for disciples, it’s essential.

In this episode, we explore:

- Why identity in Christ must lead to embodied practice

- How habits quietly shape our loves, desires, and discernment

- What the brain reveals about formation and how God uses repetition for transformation

- Why spiritual stagnation often looks like unexamined routines

- How faithful habits make Christ visible in ordinary life

We look closely at biblical discipleship, from Jesus’ patient formation of the Twelve to the early church’s devotion to prayer, generosity, and shared life.

We also wrestle honestly with modern obstacles; distraction, exhaustion, and the myth of instant change.

This is a pastoral invitation, not a performance metric.

A call to evolve, not to strive and a reminder that grace does not excuse formation, it empowers it.

If you’re longing for a faith that feels grounded, resilient, and real…

If you’re tired of starting over instead of growing deeper…

If you want your life to quietly testify to Christ without having to say a word…

This episode is for you.

Formation is slow.

Faithfulness is often unseen.

But the fruit is undeniable.

What if following Jesus isn’t just about what we believe—but about who we are becoming? In Part One of the Side X Side Podcast, we explore the faithful habits of an evolving and committed Christian. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, modern psychology, and insights from Atomic Habits by James Clear, this episode invites listeners to consider how daily practices shape our identity in Christ.

Faith doesn’t grow by accident. Holiness doesn’t happen overnight. And discipleship is rarely dramatic—but it is deeply transformative.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why habits reveal identity, not just discipline

How our brains are shaped by repetition—and how God works through that design

The connection between spiritual formation and everyday practices

Why Christian growth requires intention, not just inspiration

How Scripture calls us to live a faith that is visible, embodied, and formed over time

This is an honest, pastoral conversation for anyone who feels the tension between believing the right things and living them out faithfully in a distracted, fast-paced world.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Why change feels so slowWhy faith can feel disconnected from daily life

Or how to live a Christianity that actually shapes your habits

This episode is for you.

You don’t have to be perfect.Y

ou don’t have to have it all figured out.

You just have to keep walking—side-by-side.

Key Scriptures Referenced:

2 Peter 3:18

Romans 12:2

Luke 6:45

Galatians 5:22–23

James 1:22

Hebrews 5:14

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If this conversation resonates, subscribe for future Side-by-Side episodes exploring spiritual formation, discipleship, mental health, and faith in everyday life.

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Christmas can be beautiful—but it can also be painfully hard.For many, this season magnifies grief, loss, heartbreak, anxiety, and unanswered prayers. In this episode of the Side X Side Podcast, we create space for those who are hurting while gently guiding listeners toward the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ that Advent promises.This episode is a long-form, reflective Advent meditation rooted deeply in Scripture and honest faith. Together, we explore how God meets us not after the storm, but in the middle of it—how Christ speaks peace while the waves are still crashing, and how God’s light shines through the cracks of our brokenness.You’ll hear:Scripture-based reflections on hope, peace, joy, and loveA powerful meditation on Jesus calming the storm before the disciples reached safetyGentle, compassionate language for those grieving during ChristmasModern illustrations and historical context that bring Advent to lifeA guided, step-by-step healing prayer activityPractical spiritual practices for tending wounds and moving toward hopeEncouragement for Christians who feel weary, numb, or spiritually exhaustedThis episode does not rush healing.It does not minimize pain.It does not promise easy answers.Instead, it reminds us that God’s peace does not wait for everything to be fixed—it is present now, steady and faithful, shining through the broken places.If you are experiencing grief, loss, depression, anxiety, or heartbreak this Christmas…If you are holding faith in one hand and pain in the other…If you are longing for Christ to meet you where you are…This episode is for you.Take a breath.Christ is with you in the middle.

Have you ever wondered if your best days are behind you?Or questioned whether your life still has meaning in this season?In Episode 28 of the Side X Side Podcast, we explore a powerful truth:your value does not expire with age, change, loss, or transition.Whether you’re navigating burnout, grief, disappointment, waiting, or a season that feels overlooked or forgotten, this conversation is a reminder that purpose isn’t limited to one chapter of your life. God is still at work—right where you are.In this episode, we talk about:• Why purpose isn’t tied to productivity• How God uses every season—even the quiet ones• Letting go of comparison and reclaiming meaning• Rediscovering hope when life feels uncertainIf you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or unsure of what comes next, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and be reminded: you still matter—deeply, intentionally, and right now.✨ Subscribe for weekly conversations about faith, purpose, mental health, and navigating real life side by side.

Welcome to the Side X Side Podcast! Today we have solo podcast where we discuss our difficulty with slowing down and listening for God. God tells us to be still and know that he is God. Not just in moments of calm, but even in the midst of the storm. May we learn to trust God enough to stop. Hopefully this podcast uplifts you and encourages you!

Welcome to the Side X Side Podcast! Today we have solo podcast where we discuss the reality that sometimes we get burned out on religion altogether. Maybe it's from all the work, maybe it's from the people, maybe it's from going through the motions. But in that spirit, we are just over it. And yet, our spirits are hungry for Jesus. How do we hold both strings? Hopefully this podcast uplifts you and encourages you!

Welcome to the Side X Side Podcast! Today we have solo podcast where we discuss the reality that sometimes our brokenness gives way to the light of God. That even in the midst of the greatest troubles of our lives, all hope is not lost, because we have Jesus. Hopefully this podcast uplifts you and encourages you!Please like/subscribe and follow the page for more content!

Welcome to the Side X Side Podcast! Today we have solo podcast where we discuss the reality that sometimes God tells us to wait. Sometimes things don't happen on our timetable and we have to learn to trust God and go where God leads. Hopefully this podcast uplifts you and encourages you!Please like/subscribe and follow the page for more content!Watch the latest Talks With Tatum video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afUPGYS9WA8&list=PLn30uXLlG2S7chzmSSJauSXlYaTM9_4AYFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkswithtatum1?lang=enFollow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088147357515Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalksWithTatum#podcast #podcasts #motivation #churchhurt #michaeltatum #therapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #growth #youtubeblack #youtubeblackvoices #worship #success #church #faith #sidexside #sidexsidepodcast #service #ministry #god #selfhelp #selfimprovement #growthmindset #potential