What happens after a narcissist leaves damage behind?

In this Greenhouse discussion, Brian Fisher and Kyle Moody continue unpacking the themes from Episode 44 by exploring healing, discernment, and recovery after narcissistic abuse. Together they discuss God's presence in suffering, the importance of trusted relationships, why Christians are often susceptible to manipulation, and how healthy community helps people regain confidence, hope, and trust. This conversation offers encouragement for anyone navigating the aftermath of a deeply harmful relationship.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

What happens when the person damaging a Christian community claims to follow Jesus?

In this episode, Brian Fisher explores the difficult and often overlooked topic of narcissism in the church. Drawing from personal experience, biblical examples, and the work of Christian counselors and psychologists, he examines how narcissistic personalities operate within Christian organizations, churches, and formative communities.

The conversation explores common narcissistic behaviors such as love bombing, gaslighting, manipulation, and control while offering practical wisdom for recognizing unhealthy patterns. Brian also wrestles with difficult questions about repentance, empathy, spiritual authority, and whether narcissistic people can genuinely change.

Ultimately, the episode challenges listeners to pursue both wisdom and love—learning how to protect healthy communities while still seeking the redemption and restoration of those who have wounded others.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

In this Greenhouse discussion, Brian Fisher and Kyle Moody continue the conversation from Episode 42 by wrestling with two central questions: what does it mean to live in the Kingdom of God, and why does deep discipleship require a serious commitment of time?

The conversation explores why many Christians have inherited a reduced view of evangelism, where sharing the Gospel becomes a script or obligation rather than the natural overflow of love for Jesus. Brian and Kyle discuss Kingdom work in ordinary life, the difference between proclamation and initiation into the Kingdom, and why the best evangelists may be better listeners than talkers.

They also address one of the most common objections to Greenhouses: “I don’t have the time.” If discipleship is the journey of becoming more like Jesus, then time is not optional. It reveals desire.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

What exactly is a Greenhouse—and how is it different from a Bible study, small group, or Sunday school class?

In this episode, Brian Fisher provides one of the clearest explanations yet of the purpose and design of a Greenhouse discipleship community. Building on the Three Primary Problems—the Forgotten Kingdom, the Discipleship Dilemma, and the Formation Gap—he explains why Greenhouses exist and why they are designed differently than many modern church programs.

The conversation explores three defining characteristics of a Greenhouse: teaching and living the Kingdom, becoming more like Jesus as we explore both His heart and our own, and doing so within a committed five-element community built around time, habits, community, intimacy, and instruction. Along the way, Brian examines the early church in Acts 2, the Methodist class meeting movement, and the role of radical generosity in formative Christian community.

If deep discipleship requires more than information, this episode offers a practical vision for what transformational community can look like.

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Web: ⁠⁠https://soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

Can ordinary Christians help one another become more like Jesus?

In this Greenhouse discussion, Brian Fisher and Kyle Moody continue the conversation from Episode 40 by exploring the relationship between discipleship, church institutions, and Christian community. Together they wrestle with questions surrounding authority, mentorship, personal responsibility, and the role of the local church in spiritual formation.

The discussion examines the Kingdom of God as the foundation of discipleship and considers whether modern Christians have become overly dependent on institutions, programs, and professional leaders for their spiritual growth. Along the way, Brian and Kyle explore the value of courageous curiosity, the importance of wrestling with difficult questions, and why intentional communities may be one of the most powerful environments for becoming more like Jesus.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

What if we've outsourced discipleship to professionals?

In this episode, Brian Fisher explores a growing assumption within modern Christianity: that spiritual formation primarily happens through institutions, programs, and professional Christian leaders. Drawing on the writings of Robert Coleman, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and others, he asks whether the New Testament presents a different picture—one in which ordinary believers gather together to help one another become more like Jesus.

The conversation examines the difference between the church institutional and the church universal, wrestles with questions of authority and accountability, and challenges the idea that meaningful discipleship can only occur under professional supervision. Along the way, Brian revisits the Five Key Elements of Formation and explains why Greenhouses are designed to cultivate the kinds of relationships that foster confession, growth, trust, and transformation.

As Season 3 continues, listeners are invited to consider a provocative possibility: that some of the most formative discipleship communities may emerge not from programs and institutions, but from committed groups of ordinary people pursuing Jesus together.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

What if the missing ingredient in modern discipleship isn't more information, but a different kind of community?

In this first Greenhouse episode, Brian Fisher is joined by Kyle Moody to introduce the concept of Greenhouses—intentional communities designed to help people become more like Jesus. Building on the themes of community and spiritual formation explored in Episode 38, they discuss why transformation rarely happens in isolation and why meaningful relationships are essential to deep discipleship.

Together, Brian and Kyle explore the purpose of the Greenhouse conversations, the value of dialogue over monologue, and the role of intentional community in helping people grow, heal, and flourish. This episode serves as an introduction to the Greenhouse model and the discussions that will accompany future episodes throughout the Soil & Roots journey.

Welcome to the first Greenhouse episode!

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

Can we become like Jesus without deep, intentional community?

In this episode, Brian Fisher begins exploring the third Key Element of Formation: community. Building on the themes of the Forgotten Kingdom, the Discipleship Dilemma, and the Formation Gap, he argues that spiritual growth rarely happens in isolation. Instead, disciples are formed through relationships marked by presence, acceptance, vulnerability, commitment, and shared purpose.

Using an unexpected illustration from popular sitcoms like Friends, Cheers, The Office, and Parks and Recreation, Brian examines why these stories resonate so deeply with us. Beneath the humor lies a universal longing to belong to a community where we are known, accepted, challenged, and transformed.

As Season 3 continues, listeners are invited to consider whether their current relationships are helping them become more like Jesus—and what it might look like to cultivate a deeper, more formative community.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

This bonus episode concludes our two-part exploration of the Three Primary Problems that contribute to the modern discipleship crisis.

Building on Episode 36's discussion of the Forgotten Kingdom, Brian Fisher examines the remaining two challenges: the Discipleship Dilemma and the Formation Gap. Why do so many Christians feel disconnected from God despite years of church involvement? Why does spiritual growth often seem slower and more difficult than expected?

The conversation explores the concept of "double knowledge"—the relationship between knowing God and knowing ourselves—and explains why healing, self-awareness, and understanding our stories are essential parts of discipleship. Brian also revisits the Five Key Elements of Formation and shows how the absence of intentional formative environments leaves many believers struggling to become more like Jesus.

Together, these two frameworks provide a roadmap for understanding why discipleship often feels difficult and how deeper transformation becomes possible.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/

Why does modern Christianity often struggle to produce deep disciples?

In this bonus episode, Brian Fisher revisits the foundational ideas behind Soil & Roots and introduces the framework that shapes the entire podcast: the Three Primary Problems. Building on Dallas Willard's concept of the Great Omission, he explains how the Forgotten Kingdom, the Discipleship Dilemma, and the Formation Gap combine to undermine spiritual formation and disciple-making in the modern church.

The episode traces Brian's personal journey into the teachings of Jesus, the Kingdom of God, anthropology, and the concept of "double knowledge"—the idea that knowing God and knowing ourselves are deeply connected. Along the way, listeners receive a high-level overview of how these three problems developed and why recovering a biblical vision of discipleship requires more than information alone.

This conversation serves as a roadmap for understanding the deeper themes explored throughout Seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Soil & Roots.

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Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/