Soul Care in Real Life

What happens when following Jesus means questioning the stories we’ve been told, challenging the powers that be, and discovering that the Bible might be a little more disruptive than we were led to believe?

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, I sit down with Dale Gibson, author of The Bible Smuggler, to talk about faith, Scripture, and what happens when the Bible refuses to stay safely tucked inside the boundaries we’ve built for it.

We explore the risks and rewards of taking Scripture seriously, the ways religious institutions can shape—or limit—our understanding of God, and what it means to follow Jesus when faith challenges our assumptions rather than simply confirming them.

Because sometimes the Bible doesn’t need our help defending it. Sometimes it needs us to actually read it.

Join us for a conversation about faith, courage, and the kind of spiritual growth that doesn’t always leave us with easy answers, but might leave us with a more honest faith.

Soul Care in Real Life explores the intersection of faith, meaning, leadership, and the wonderfully complicated experience of being human.

When did concepts like "do more" or "be better" become the measure of faithfulness?

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian Sturtz welcomes theologian and author Dr. Andrew Root for a thought-provoking conversation about his new book, Baal and the Gods of More.

What if the church's relentless pursuit of bigger attendance, larger budgets, greater influence, and constant innovation isn't simply a leadership strategy—but a spiritual temptation? Dr. Root explores the striking parallels between ancient Israel's worship of Baal and the modern church's tendency to equate numerical growth with God's blessing.

Together, Brian and Andrew examine how our culture's obsession with "more" can quietly reshape our understanding of ministry, success, and even God. They discuss the dangers of measuring faithfulness by metrics alone and why dependence on strategy can sometimes replace dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Rather than chasing endless growth, Dr. Root invites us to explore how the wisdom found in 1-2 Kings might recover a deeper vision of the Christian life—one centered on God's presence, genuine relationships, and the quiet work of grace that cannot be measured on a spreadsheet.

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, healthcare professional, or someone longing for a faith that resists the pressures of performance and productivity, this conversation offers a refreshing invitation to rediscover what truly matters.

Join us as we explore Dr. Root's newest book Baal and the gods of more and embrace a life shaped by the presence of God.

Can love become the way we read the Bible?

How do we make sense of Scripture's most difficult passages? What do we do with stories of violence, judgment, and hell? And what if the way of love isn't progressive or conservative—but simply the way of Jesus?

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian Sturtz welcomes psychologist, theologian, and bestselling author Dr. Richard Beck to discuss his new book, The Book of Love. Together they explore why love is the interpretive center of Scripture and how reading the Bible through the life and teachings of Jesus transforms our understanding of God, judgment, grace, and hope.

Their conversation tackles difficult biblical texts, the importance of hermeneutics, preserving the soul in a chaotic culture, and how choosing love becomes a faithful response to fear, division, and outrage.

Whether you're wrestling with Scripture, rethinking your faith, or longing to follow Jesus more deeply, this thoughtful conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and a compelling vision of a life rooted in God's love.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why love is the interpretive center of Scripture
• How to approach difficult biblical passages with honesty and hope
• Why hermeneutics matters more than many Christians realize
• A fresh perspective on judgment, grace, and hell
• How to preserve your soul in a chaotic and polarized culture
• Practical ways to cultivate hope, joy, and love in everyday life

This is a conversation for anyone seeking not only to understand the Bible more deeply, but to become the kind of person whose life increasingly reflects the love of Christ.

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian Sturtz sits down with author, pastor, and speaker Zach Lambert for a thoughtful conversation about faith, Scripture, and the journey of spiritual transformation.

Drawing on themes from his book Better Ways to Read the Bible, Zach shares his spiritual autobiography and reflects on how his understanding of God, the Bible, and the Christian faith has evolved. Together, Brian and Zach explore what happens when long-held assumptions are challenged, how curiosity can become a spiritual practice, and why many people are searching for a faith that is both intellectually honest and deeply compassionate.

The conversation touches on deconstruction and reconstruction, the role of humility in reading Scripture, the importance of community, and how Christians can approach difficult biblical texts in ways that lead to greater love of God and neighbor.

Whether you are wrestling with questions, navigating faith transitions, or simply looking for a deeper way to engage Scripture, this episode offers wisdom, grace, and hope for the journey.

Join us for a conversation about discovering better ways to read the Bible—and perhaps better ways to see ourselves, our neighbors, and God.

In this episode of Soul Care, Brian Sturtz sits down with Allison Pugh — sociologist, Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and author of The Last Human Job — for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to remain human in an age increasingly shaped by AI, automation, and productivity culture.

Together they explore the importance of “connective labor” — the deeply human work of listening, comforting, recognizing, and caring for others. The conversation touches on loneliness, burnout, dignity, healthcare, chaplaincy, technology, and the spiritual hunger many people carry beneath the surface of modern life.

What happens when efficiency becomes more valued than presence? Can empathy be automated? And why do people long so deeply to be truly seen?

This episode offers a reflective and hopeful conversation for caregivers, leaders, healthcare workers, pastors, and anyone trying to cultivate deeper presence in a distracted world.

Listen in for a rich discussion on soul care, human connection, and the sacredness of attention.

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian sits down with Dr. Carmen Imes, Old Testament scholar and author of Bearing God’s Name and Being God’s Image, for a conversation that is both grounding and quietly disruptive.

Together, they revisit the Old Testament—not as a relic of the past, but as a living invitation to rethink who we are and how we live. Dr. Imes helps untangle common misunderstandings about God’s wrath and love, revealing a vision of God that is deeply relational, holy, and committed to human flourishing.

The conversation takes a surprising turn into one of the most misunderstood commandments—“taking God’s name in vain.” What if it’s less about what we say and more about how we live? What if bearing God’s name is a calling that reshapes our speech, our leadership, and our presence in a fractured cultural moment?

At the heart of it all is a powerful, clarifying truth: to be human is to be made in the image of God. That identity carries both dignity and responsibility. It pushes back against dehumanization and invites a way of life marked by integrity, humility, and care for others.

This episode offers a steady, hope-filled vision for navigating a tense and uncertain world—rooted not in fear, but in a deeper understanding of God’s character and our shared calling.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the relevance of the Old Testament or wondered what it really means to live as God’s image in everyday life, this conversation opens up fresh and meaningful ground.

Takeaways

• Exploring faith and spirituality in real life
• Understanding the Old Testament and its relevance to our lives Intrinsic worth and value of every human being
• The relevance and importance of the Old Testament in understanding human identity and purpose

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to SoulCare in Real Life
• 05:05 Misrepresenting God's Name and Image
• 12:25 Cultural Moment and Reshaping Speech and Leadership
• 21:34 The Image of God and Human Dignity
• 28:51 Cultural Tensions and Hope in Scripture

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian sits down with Dr. Thomas Jay Oord—a leading voice in contemporary theology and one of the most influential thinkers shaping conversations about God, love, and human freedom today.

Dr. Oord invites us into a deeper understanding of love as the defining reality of God—not as control or coercion, but as relational, uncontrolling, and always working for the good. Drawing from his work in open and relational theology, he explores what it means to live in a world where God does not override suffering but faithfully participates with us in it.

Together, the conversation wrestles with questions many carry quietly:

• Where is God in suffering and tragedy?
• What does it mean to trust a God who doesn’t control everything?
• How can love shape the way we respond to pain, uncertainty, and others?

This episode offers both intellectual depth and pastoral care, creating space for listeners to reflect on their own experiences of faith, doubt, and hope. Whether you’re navigating loss, asking hard theological questions, or simply longing for a more compassionate vision of God, this conversation opens a path toward a more honest and life-giving faith.

Learn more about Dr. Oord's work at the Center for Open and Relational Theology - here

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian Sturtz sits down with Dr. James Kimmel Jr.—Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and author of The Science of Revenge. Together, they explore a powerful and often hidden force shaping our inner lives: the pull of revenge.

Drawing from both clinical research and human experience, Dr. Kimmel reframes revenge not simply as a moral issue, but as something more like an addiction—one that can quietly shape our thoughts, relationships, and sense of self. This conversation invites listeners to consider what happens in the soul when we hold onto resentment, and what becomes possible when we begin to release it.

Through thoughtful reflection, Brian and Dr. Kimmel explore:

• Why revenge can feel so compelling—and why it ultimately costs us more than we realize
• The connection between pain, justice, and our desire to settle the score
• How forgiveness is not weakness, but a pathway toward healing and freedom
• Practical ways to begin letting go, even when the hurt runs deep

This episode offers a gentle but honest invitation: to notice what we’re carrying, to name it, and to consider a different way forward.

Find out more about Dr. Kimmel's work and take the Revenge Quiz! Click here.

What does it mean to care for the soul of a city?

In this episode of Soul Care in Real Life, Brian Sturtz sits down with Meghan Muller, CEO of the Homeless Alliance, for a thoughtful and grounded conversation about homelessness, dignity, and the systems that shape our communities. Drawing from her background in social work and years of leadership, Meghan offers insight into the realities behind the headlines—challenging common assumptions while pointing toward more human, holistic responses.

Together, they explore the emotional weight of this work, the resilience of those on the front lines, and the small but meaningful ways individuals can engage without becoming overwhelmed. This conversation invites listeners to consider not just solutions, but posture—how we see, respond to, and care for our neighbors.

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold compassion and complexity at the same time, this episode offers a place to begin. Learn more about the work of the OKC Homeless Alliance by clicking here.

Lee C. Camp, creator and host of the acclaimed podcast No Small Endeavor, joins Soul Care for a rich conversation about what it means to live a good life. As a professor of theology and ethics, Lee brings thoughtful insight into the intersections of faith, culture, and human flourishing—inviting us to consider how truth, beauty, and goodness shape our lives and communities.

Learn more about Lee and his podcast by clicking here.