The Grotto Podcast

We're starting a new mini-series called "This Just In". In the midst of the election buzz and the uprise of politics in our news today, we wanted to address the current situation and talk about the latest in politics, social media, and the economy.

This is part 1 of a 3-part series and in this episode, Michael and Steve talk about the upcoming provincial election in British Columbia, Canada. We get right into the series as Michael and Steve stress the importance of exercising our right to vote and then from there, the conversation opens up as we discuss about the role of the church and government, democracy and socialism, and yes, we even touch on fake news and the validity of news media sources.

This conversation can get a little controversial as some of the opinions and views expressed may not align with your own, so heads up and please put on your best listening ears and have an open mind as enjoy this conversation.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about this topic, please reach out to us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @thegrottopodcast.

In this episode, Michael and Steve talk about how some people are demanding to cancel or de-platform certain public figures because what they're saying isn't politically correct or socially acceptable and so they discuss what it takes to have the courage to speak up.

In any argument or disagreement, it's so important to engage in an open dialogue where opposing points of views are expressed and heard - only then can any real solutions be discussed and accepted. I think this is an important topic to cover because what we have to say as Christians should be heard even though it may not be too popular or appropriate.

In previous episodes, we've talked about how our Vocation is a vehicle to say something, to speak our message. Well we hope that this episode gives you some hope and encouragement to take a stand for what is important especially during these times.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about this topic, please reach out to us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @thegrottopodcast.

In this episode Steve shares about his recent health scare and how a surprise colonoscopy helped reveal what was really going on. Michael and Steve talk about some practical things we can do to maintain our health when it comes to nutrition and exercise and it's a great reminder that we are to see our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and it's important to steward it as much as we do with our finances.

If you have any questions please reach out to us by e-mail us at [email protected] or message us on instagram at @thegrottopodcast.

Today we have our very first guest on the podcast. The very talented Jimmy Yi joins us to share his journey from being a pastor to a successful actor in TV, Film, and Theatre. He's been on the silver screen with Seth Rogen and James Franco in The Interview, and most recently known as Jimmy Young in the TV Series, Kim's Convenience.

In this episode, Jimmy shares with Steve and Michael on the challenges he faced and the lessons learnt while pursuing acting and how trusting in God made a pivotal difference in his career. We had a lot of fun in this talk and I hope that this episode encourages those who are pursuing their careers in the creative arts.

If you want to get a hold of Jimmy for his acting classes, please reach out to him at [email protected] or @yi.jimmy on Instagram. 

In this episode, we received an e-mail from a listener asking us about our thoughts on how to posture ourselves in trusting God through the real estate process.

Selling and buying a home can be a very stressful time...it's easy to be overwhelmed when looking for the right realtor, navigating through the negotiations, getting caught up with the backdrop of emotions when making these big life decisions. Michael and Steve give you the one-two punch approach on how to navigate through this.

Michael draws from his experience in the real estate industry and shares some practical wisdom on how to posture yourself for success when buying/selling a home and Steve shares on some sound biblical principles when it comes to trusting God with your finances through various seasons.

If you want to find out more about real estate, check out the Oakwyn Podcast. As usual, if you have any questions and want to reach out to us, please contact us at [email protected].

In this episode, Michael and Steve get into the depths of religion and what happens when church leaders start presenting the Gospel through a set of rules and regulations and leave out the presence and person of God.

We get a little controversial in this one so if you're ready for some bold statements on the current state of the church, make sure you're strapped in tight in your seat belts - this conversation is going to take you from economy to first class...don't worry, you'll get the reference when you listen through. As usual, if you have any follow up questions or would like us to talk more about this topic, please contact us at [email protected]

In this episode, Michael and Steve discuss about what money represents in our lives and how it reveals the state of our hearts. We address many other related topics like tithing, the poverty and prosperity mindset, and clarify some misconceptions with scripture.

Instead of just talking about money, we also share some practical ways in how to exercise our Faith, especially when it comes to stewarding our finances and what it looks like to partner with God. We also dive a little into psychology and how proper cognitive behavioural change can help develop the way we think, behave, and feel towards developing healthy habits.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].

In this episode, we address mental health and depression. It's one of those topics that not a lot of people want to talk about but a lot of us experience it in some way shape or form. Michael and Steve discuss how the state of your mental health and falling into depression is linked to knowing who you are, and the meaning and purpose you have in your life.

It's interesting how a lot of the mental health issues stem from a lack of having a space to genuinely connect and be intimate with others whether it's with family or friends.

If you're struggling with depression or mental health, we hope that you experience help and healing through this episode and we want you to know that you're not alone in this. If you want to connect with us, we'd love to hear from you so reach out to us at [email protected].

In today's episode, we dig a little deeper on how we can have the courage to live with our convictions and take a stand for what is true to ourselves even though it may not be popular. Michael and Steve talk about the difference it makes when you're operating from a place of knowing your value and self-worth as opposed to proving your worth through external accomplishments and results.

We also discuss the importance of taking the time to be still, reflect, and listen to how God values us all uniquely...and how the expectations from the world can prevent us from allowing us to have these times of contemplation and discovery. At the end of the day, every human longs to be wanted, not needed...to be valued just as they are and not purely on what they can do.

If you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected].

In this episode, Steve and Michael talk about getting into the grind, going through the motions to graduate from school, so we can get a job, a car, a house, and a family and how most of us make the external things in the world form our identity.

We also share our own personal journey of discovering our purpose and talk about seeing the subtle signs that God reveals along the way, as well as having the courage to break out of the mundane and to live with our convictions. As we discover God's calling for our lives, we often see that God brings us to a place of solitude - away from the noise, away from the grind so that we can hear his voice and listen to what he's saying...

And this is what the Grotto Podcast is about - the word Grotto represents a cave and it's symbolic to a season of transformation where many key figures in the Bible such as Moses, Elijah, and David took refuge to rest, recover from the chase, and to ultimately hear the voice of God before they were launched into their calling that would then define their Godly identity.

If you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected].