The Alive & Free Podcast

Check out our new emotional health membership for women called The Alive & Free Collective. It has monthly coaching with Sammi and Spencer, Monthly calls with experts and Q&A, access to all emotional health courses and a vault of over 50 trainings from experts, an exclusive fb community, and all for $47/mo. https://www.yourheartfree.com/aliveandfreecollective for more info!

To become a life coach and get started in your career helping people get free and healthy emotionally and start a business doing so, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/watch to learn more.

Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Sam Cabra, a pastor from Reunion Church, as we explore the depths of our spiritual journeys and the quest for authenticity in our relationship with God.

In this episode, you'll discover the transformative power of personal encounters with the divine, moving you beyond intellectual understanding into the realm of experiential faith. We tackle the challenging task of reconciling the images of God from the Old Testament with the loving figure of Jesus, and engage with touching stories of healing, miracles, and the pursuit of a deeper connection with our Creator.

Our dialogue with Pastor Cabra offers profound insights into the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our faith and decisions, and how embracing the concept of God as 'Abba, Father' can enrich our spiritual lives. Hear about moments that defy logic and challenge the balance between faith and reason, inspiring a renewed openness to the charismatic gifts of the Spirit.

This conversation is an invitation to reflect on the humility and growth that come from our personal experiences with God, and how they can navigate us through trauma, skepticism, and towards a genuine embrace of His presence. Wrapping up, we contemplate the delicate dance between taking action and patiently waiting on God's timing.

The heart and the Holy Spirit emerge as central guides in this journey, leading us to trust in the wisdom within us. As you join us on this episode, we trust you'll be inspired to recognize the joy that stems from a true, loving connection with God, and to appreciate the balance between self-reliance and divine surrender. Don't miss the opportunity to have your heart stirred towards a deeper, more authentic faith.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:01) - Navigating Relationship With God and Authenticity

(0:10:43) - Encountering God's Healing Presence

(0:15:49) - Encountering Miracles and Spiritual Growth

(0:28:11) - Deep Dive Into Spiritual Growth

(0:39:44) - Fatherhood and the Holy Spirit

(0:43:48) - Trusting Your Heart in Faith

(0:48:14) - Trusting in God and Self

(0:57:56) - Gratitude for Podcast Support

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:01) - Navigating Relationship With God and Authenticity Experiencing God's presence, reconciling Old Testament image with Jesus, creating space for personal encounter to understand His goodness.

(0:10:43) - Encountering God's Healing Presence Spiritual experiences can heal trauma, bypass conventional communication, and challenge traditional religious expectations.

(0:15:49) - Encountering Miracles and Spiritual Growth Divine intervention, humility, skepticism, and healing through prayer and ministry are explored through transformative experiences. (0:28:11) - Deep Dive Into Spiritual Growth Jesus's actions reflect God's nature, offering choices and challenging individuals to let go of pride and find fulfillment in their soul and love.

(0:39:44) - Fatherhood and the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit helps us see God as a loving father, transforming our beliefs and behaviors through encountering His love.

(0:43:48) - Trusting Your Heart in Faith God's word, heart's deepness, old vs. new covenants, trusting our hearts, Holy Spirit's guidance, genuine desires for joy and love.

(0:48:14) - Trusting in God and Self Trusting God in decision-making, balancing action and waiting, and staying connected to Him through life's challenges.

(0:57:56) - Gratitude for Podcast Support Nature's discussions on language, culture, and perception, and the importance of ratings and reviews for our work.

To learn more about what Sam is doing in church or in his ministry school:

Reunion Church: www.reunionhawaii.com

Kingdom Living ministry school: www.kingdomlivingoahu.com

Check out our new emotional health membership for women called The Alive & Free Collective. It has monthly coaching with Sammi and Spencer, Monthly calls with experts and Q&A, access to all emotional health courses and a vault of over 50 trainings from experts, an exclusive fb community, and all for $47/mo. https://www.yourheartfree.com/aliveandfreecollective for more info!

To become a life coach and get started in your career helping people get free and healthy emotionally and start a business doing so, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/watch to learn more.

If you've been a christian long enough and attended church for long enough, the chances are high that you have been hurt by a person or a leader...

So what do you do with that?

And what is a healthy way to go about church community?

Should we just attend and serve? Is it wrong to "church shop"? Should we just honor leaders no matter what?

We get very vulnerable with our process in this episode as well as build a case for how we believe church community should be done.

Hope you enjoy the episode!

This is for your brief thorough enjoyment...

Check out our new emotional health membership for women called The Alive & Free Collective. It has monthly coaching with Sammi and Spencer, Monthly calls with experts and Q&A, access to all emotional health courses and a vault of over 50 trainings from experts, an exclusive fb community, and all for $47/mo. https://www.yourheartfree.com/aliveandfreecollective for more info!

To become a life coach and get started in your career helping people get free and healthy emotionally and start a business doing so, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/watch to learn more.

Embark on a soul-searching expedition with us as we confront the comfortable but treacherous terrains of 'cruise control Christianity.' We lay bare our own spiritual struggles and triumphs, revealing how an active pursuit of God goes beyond prayer to include decisive action. As we peel away the layers of guilt-driven religion, we uncover the liberating truth that God's love is the real spark for change. We'll invite you to consider the authenticity of your faith journey and challenge you to stoke the spiritual flames that lead to a life transformed by divine love.

In our candid conversation, we delve into the complexities of human narratives and the necessity of leaders to embrace vulnerability, drawing lessons from the stories of public figures like Mike Bickel and Carl Lentz. By sharing our own moments of reckoning, we hope to illuminate the grace found in our imperfections and the strength gained by admitting our uncertainties. This episode is not just a dialogue but a heartfelt communion with all who seek a deeper, more meaningful connection with God amidst the cacophony of life's demands.

Finally, we make a heartfelt request to continue this conversation beyond just our voices. Your experiences, thoughts, and stories are a crucial thread in this tapestry of shared spiritual growth. As you carve out your own sacred spaces and confront the noise of the everyday, remember that your journey, like ours, is vital to the collective experience. We eagerly await your insights and extend our deepest appreciation for your companionship on this path. Join us, share with us, and let's burn with a passion for God, together.

(0:00:01) - Journey to Burn for God Active pursuit of God, avoiding guilt and fear, and taking responsibility for our faith to deepen our connection with Him and the community.

(0:11:46) - Understanding Narratives and Embracing Uncertainty Human tendency to create narratives for powerlessness in relationships and faith, embracing uncertainty and vulnerability, and returning to God's grace.

(0:15:41) - Finding Margin for Spiritual Growth Stepping back from social media to prioritize spiritual growth and authenticity, and the impact of busyness on inner fire.

(0:22:10) - Seeking Deeper Connection With God Creating space to reconnect with God, avoiding complacency, being present in life, reassessing motives and actions.

(0:33:43) - Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership Leaders face challenges like moral failures and influencer culture, but authenticity and vulnerability can lead to profound love and personal growth.

(0:49:07) - Request for Ratings and Reviews Nature's impact on our lives, your feedback's importance, and our gratitude for your engagement on this journey.

Spiritual Invigoration, Relationship with God, Passionate Faith Life, Spiritual Walk, God's Love, Transformative Force, Human Narratives, Divine Journey, Vulnerabilities, Leadership, Social Media, Spiritual Growth, Quietude, Vulnerability, Authenticity, Genuine Leadership, Unconditional Love, Empowerment, Authentic Pursuit, Divine Inspiration, Personal Responsibility, Inner Fire, Busyness, Spiritual Nourishment, Identity in Christ, Cruise Control Christianity, Worldly Pursuits, Moral Failures, Public Life, Influencer Culture, Fame, Personal Empowerment, Ratings and Reviews, Feedback, Engagement

Check out our new emotional health membership for women called The Alive & Free Collective. It has monthly coaching with Sammi and Spencer, Monthly calls with experts and Q&A, access to all emotional health courses and a vault of over 50 trainings from experts, an exclusive fb community, and all for $47/mo. https://www.yourheartfree.com/aliveandfreecollective for more info!

To become a life coach and get started in your career helping people get free and healthy emotionally and start a business doing so, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/watch to learn more.

In this episode we take you through our personal experiences with money and how we've navigated our relationship with it in our marriage, our faith, and our pursuit of dreams. We challenge the common misconception that money is the root of all evil, clarifying that it's the love of money that can be problematic.

I share my journey of overcoming a poverty mentality, while Spencer offers insights into his straightforward approach to financial conversations.

We tackle the intricate relationship between money, purpose, and personal growth, reflecting on our journey with Alive and Free—a business and ministry that generated significant income while serving others. I share my internal conflict over the necessity of money in achieving our goals without letting it overshadow our core values.

We explore the journey of faith and obedience in entrepreneurship, highlighting the sacrifices made when choosing to follow a spiritual calling over purely financial success.

Together, we address the complexities of discussing wealth and abundance, acknowledging the various triggers and religious mindsets associated with this topic. We aim to strike a balance between recognizing the potential excellence of prosperity and maintaining humility in our financial blessings.

Join us as we candidly explore the emotional landscape of money, our path to an abundance mentality, and the grace we afford ourselves along the way.

(02:09 - 03:22) Mindsets and Abundance in Money (05:20 - 07:00) YouTube Support and Money Mindsets (10:00 - 11:00) Balancing Wealth and Humility (16:28 - 20:15) Challenging Limiting Beliefs About Money (22:45 - 23:44) The Rich Young Ruler's Dilemma (26:52 - 27:46) Teaching Heart Posture in Life (32:01 - 33:37) Teaching Abundance and Gratitude (39:18 - 40:33) Investing in Skills and Knowledge (44:52 - 46:17) Giving & Trust (49:59 - 50:33) Navigating Relationships and the Gospel

Check out our new emotional health membership for women called The Alive & Free Collective. It has monthly coaching with Sammi and Spencer, Monthly calls with experts and Q&A, access to all emotional health courses and a vault of over 50 trainings from experts, an exclusive fb community, and all for $47/mo. https://www.yourheartfree.com/aliveandfreecollective for more info!

To become a life coach and get started in your career helping people get free and healthy emotionally and start a business doing so, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/watch to learn more.

Do you ever feel like you're being fixed by your partner?

Or do you ever feel the urge to fix your partner's pain or struggles?

We address the challenges and nuances of avoiding codependency and 'fix-it' dynamics in relationships, particularly between spouses and friends.

We talk about the balance between being supportive and overstepping into a counseling role within our personal connections.

Through our personal experiences, we touch on the importance of self-awareness, growth, and the recognition that relationships naturally ebb and flow through phases of codependency. We also explore the power of surrender, ownership, and the gift of love that comes with less dependency on others' affection.

Through this episode we hope that you will learn how to question your intentions and be comfortable with rejection, and aim to cultivate healthier dynamics in your relationships and avoid the helper or fixer roles.

Check out our new emotional health membership for women called The Alive & Free Collective. It has monthly coaching with Sammi and Spencer, Monthly calls with experts and Q&A, access to all emotional health courses and a vault of over 50 trainings from experts, an exclusive fb community, and all for $47/mo. https://www.yourheartfree.com/aliveandfreecollective for more info!

To become a life coach and get started in your career helping people get free and healthy emotionally and start a business doing so, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/watch to learn more.

In this episode, we share our story of transitioning from best friends to life partners, a topic that garnered a whirlwind of reactions when I shared a piece of our story online. We dive into the backlash we received on a recent instagram post, and further explain to give more context how our friendship evolved into a complex but rewarding romantic relationship. Now, six years into our marriage, we celebrate the growth and healing it has required. Through this episode, we aim to inspire others to embrace their narratives of love, regardless of societal expectations or judgments.

(06:08 - 08:06) Interpreting Video Comments and Masculinity Issues (17:24 - 19:16) Healthy Boundaries in Relationship Communication (27:14 - 28:03) Miscommunication About Friendship and Romance (29:50 - 32:36) Learning Emotional Intelligence and Communication (36:14 - 38:35) Adjusting Boundaries With a Friend (44:54 - 46:30) Sexual Trauma and Breakup Podcast Episode (51:21 - 53:15) Confessing Feelings, Uncertain Response (54:31 - 56:31) Unexpected Romantic Encounter (01:01:42 - 01:03:55) Healing and Growth in Relationships

In this episode I sit down with Jake Dowd, whose story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and recovery. I first met at an event in Hawaii when he let me sample his $12,000 bottle of wine...and today we got to "talk story" (as they say in Hawaii) Jake shares how he went from being $250,000 in debt and facing marital issues, to making millions by becoming involved in the dangerous world of arms dealing, influenced by the film "War Dogs." A pivotal moment in the episode is Jake's recounting of a supernatural encounter that serves as a turning point in his life. Describing a spiritual battle and his brother's role in it, Jake speaks about experiencing protection through a vision of angels and ultimately finding safety in Jesus. The latter part of the episode focuses on overcoming addiction, restoring his marriage, and experiencing a drug raid. Jake's story emphasizes the role of divine intervention and the spiritual darkness he had to navigate to transform his life. This episode covers an intense and personal story of struggle, addiction, and eventual redemption.

(05:51 - 06:59) Starting a Business Journey and Success (09:47 - 10:37) Business Evolution and Taking Huge Risks (13:11 - 14:04) Rogue Mission for Guns in Peru (19:15 - 20:54) Unbelievable Experience With Sudden Wealth (24:55 - 25:41) The Devil's Connection to Drugs (30:45 - 31:56) Unsettling Experience in a Luxurious Penthouse (43:50 - 45:21) Unbelievable Encounter With a Red Dot (48:44 - 50:33) Encounter With Power and Forgiveness (53:05 - 54:14) Brother's Spiritual Revelation and Its Impact (01:01:17 - 01:02:11) God's Grace and Redemption in Addiction

In this episode we'll take you on an intimate journey through the peaks and valleys of parenting. We open up about the profound transformation that parenting has brought into our lives, reshaping not only our daily routine but also our personal growth, faith, and our approach to leadership. The episode is a candid exploration of intentional parenting and the emotional healing that's necessary to break free from the cycles of our past. We touch on how parenting serves as a mirror, reflecting our unresolved issues, and we share our experiences with the hope of sparking a wider conversation. We invite you, the listener, to reflect on your own experiences as we all aim to envelop our children in love, respect, and wisdom. We hope this episode sheds light on the beautiful complexity of parenting and offers support to those on their own parenting journey. Join us as we continue this conversation in the episodes to come.

https://aliveandfreeconsulting.com/our-courses

(01:27 - 03:08) Beliefs and Practices of Parenthood (07:28 - 08:23) Learning, Reflecting, and Healing (20:11 - 21:06) Responding to a Crying Child (27:15 - 28:11) Christian Faith and Desires (31:37 - 34:44) Parenting With Intention and Discipline (42:23 - 45:25) Teaching Children to Align With Love (53:39 - 54:49) Understanding Child Development for Effective Parenting

In this episode, we dive into the heartfelt and often complex topic of embodying Christlike love in the midst of disagreements and differences. Drawing on Jesus' life and teachings, we explore how to stand firm in our faith while engaging others with a transformative and gentle love. It's a vulnerable conversation that hopefully invites you into a space of self-examination, questioning how to maintain our principles in Christ and build genuine connections.

Throughout the episode, we didn't shy away from the practical aspects, such as setting boundaries and the role of mature believers in reaching out with love to those who may not share our faith. We get into personal stories, tackling controversial topics within the church and maintaining friendships amidst differing views.

Our aim was not just to inspire but to guide you toward a path of wholeness and love—whether you're dealing with 'church hurt', longing for a deeper connection with God, or seeking to live out your faith with true passion. Join us on this journey of sharing our hearts and stories as we pursue genuine transformation.

Find our Come Alive Course here: https://aliveandfreeconsulting.com/our-courses

(03:32 - 05:29) Loving Like Jesus (08:05 - 09:00) The Importance of Faith and Identity (12:22 - 13:16) Metanoia and Healing in Personal Transformation (18:37 - 20:47) Building Trust in Relationships (31:01 - 31:45) Jesus' Message of Love and Freedom (33:47 - 35:10) Loving and Accepting Others Without Judgment (38:59 - 40:02) The Power of Love and Fatherhood (46:57 - 48:14) Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler (50:56 - 53:05) Struggling With Faith and Church Hurt (55:27 - 57:26) Power of Love and Wholeness