In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, we’re diving into the tension many Christians feel around Halloween, and connections to witchcraft. Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown unpacks what it means to live with both conviction and compassion—how to stay grounded in truth while navigating a world that often blurs the lines between light and darkness.
Join the conversation as we explore how faith speaks into fear, how to love people with different beliefs, and what it really looks like to follow Jesus with wisdom in today’s culture.

**Show notes: In this episode the passage of scripture that Pastor Matt is referring to is in Luke 16. 

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Welcome to ANOTHER bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast. You asked — they answered. In this episode, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Pastor Justin Kowalski tackle your questions about faith, calling, and creativity. From discovering purpose to staying faithful in the unknown, this honest conversation will encourage and challenge you to live out your calling with courage and authenticity.

💬 Use this link to drop your own questions in the comments for a chance to be featured in a future episode! : sandalschurch.com/thedebrief

Welcome to special bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast! Meet Pastor Justin Kowalski — Associate Pastor at Sandals Church Palm Avenue and longtime member of the Sandals team for over 20 years. In this episode, Pastor Matt sits down with Justin to share his story, his journey in ministry, and what it means to live out faith with authenticity and creativity. Get to know one of the voices helping shape the culture and community at Sandals Church.

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**Show Notes**

Sandals Church Renovates Home Article: CitynewsgroupLocal Church Rallies to Renovate Home for Single Mom (with Video)

This episode might not be suitable for younger audiences. In this deeply personal episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown sit down to talk about the challenges that can come after choosing to follow Jesus more closely. Why does life sometimes feel harder when you're trying to do the right thing? What does it look like to fight through temptation, especially when the struggle feels constant? With raw honesty and biblical truth, this episode offers encouragement for anyone walking through spiritual growth, healing, and the real tension between our past and the lives we’re trying to build.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matt and Tammy Brown dive into some of the most pressing and personal questions facing Christians today—from immigration and justice to protests, discernment, and the way we judge ourselves. With honesty, biblical insight, and real-life perspective, they unpack how to navigate complex cultural and spiritual issues with both compassion and conviction. Whether you’re feeling torn, confused, or just curious, this conversation offers thoughtful guidance and encouragement for your faith journey.

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 🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode resonates with you!

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Not all friendships last forever—even the ones that feel God-ordained. In this heartfelt episode of The Debrief, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and special guest Madison Moses address what to do when your relationships leave you feeling alone, hurt, or confused.

Is God calling you into a season of separation, or are your friendships revealing deeper emotional and spiritual truths? From ghosted texts to years-long friendships that suddenly break, we explore how to grieve well, set boundaries with wisdom, and move forward with grace.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to keep reaching out or finally let go, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and special guest Madison Moses tackle tough questions about denominational differences, evolving church practices, and what it means to walk in the fullness of faith. From Orthodox traditions to women in church leadership, the conversation dives deep into whether Christian diversity reflects unity—or division.
Whether you’ve wondered who’s “right,” why churches interpret Scripture differently, or how to stay grounded when people you love take different paths, this episode will help you find clarity and compassion in your faith journey.

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Revision: In this episode, Pastor Matt mentions that China has more Christians than the US, this is a common misconception, and China is predicted to have more Christians than the US by 2030  

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matt and Tammy Brown respond to heartfelt questions from parents trying to love and lead their adult children through spiritual doubts, broken relationships, and emotional struggles. How do you stay anchored in your values without alienating those you care about most? This conversation dives into the real-life challenges of parenting grown children when faith, boundaries, and heartbreak collide. 

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matt and Tammy Brown respond to thoughtful questions from listeners about spiritual practices that are popular in today’s culture. From traditions rooted in emotional healing to symbolic numbers and cleansing rituals, they explore how these ideas relate—or don’t relate—to a biblical worldview. If you’ve ever wrestled with where culture and Christianity overlap or conflict, this conversation is for you.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew and Tammy Brown take on questions that challenge us to examine the heart behind our choices—what we listen to, how we serve, and the symbols we surround ourselves with. It’s a conversation about staying grounded in truth while navigating the gray areas of modern faith. If you’ve ever wrestled with what it really means to honor God in everyday decisions, this one’s for you.

Show Notes: 
Scripture on defects r - Leviticus 21:18-21 

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