The Juxtaposition Podcast

In this episode, we get honest about the in-between seasons: looking back at old photos and barely recognizing who we were, learning to stop living in the past or racing to the future, and trusting that God is still working in the slow, unseen parts of the process.

From Philippians 3:13 ("forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead") to Philippians 1:6 ("He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion"), we talk about why your growth won't look like anyone else's, why gratitude is the key that keeps you going in the valleys, and why we'll never fully "arrive" — and that's actually the beauty of it.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 — Welcome & looking back at old photos
• 1:44 — Past, future, or present: where do you live?
• 5:19 — Philippians 3:13: forgetting what is behind
• 6:09 — Growth is not linear, it's gradual
• 7:03 — Sidesteps aren't progress: fear & people-pleasing
• 8:48 — Growing in your walk with God
• 10:58 — Everyone's growth looks different
• 12:31 — Obedience: just say yes
• 13:33 — Philippians 1:6: He who began a good work
• 15:11 — Will we ever feel like we've "arrived"?
• 17:54 — Why gratitude matters in the process
• 20:09 — Gratitude for the little things, even in the valleys
• 22:30 — The ten lepers: be the one who comes back
• 23:16 — A broken wrist & appreciating the small things
• 25:53 — Closing: one step at a time
• 26:21 — Outro & the road to 700 subs

What does your brain do when you finally rest — and why can't it rest while you're hustling? This week we sit down with Dr. Krissy Doyle-Thomas, medical neuroscientist and professor, for a conversation where faith meets neuroscience. She breaks down why sleep is your brain's housekeeping shift, what gratitude physically does to your prefrontal cortex (and why it's not toxic positivity), and how Romans 12:2 described neuroplasticity centuries before science caught up. Plus: why your brain defaults to the negative, and what that means for young people making big decisions.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Welcome + meet Dr. Krissy
1:20 — Her story: 20+ years in neuroscience
2:44 — Taking brain science out of the lab
4:10 — What real rest does to your brain
9:33 — How to actually rest (schedule it)
11:41 — Rest and digest: flipping the parasympathetic switch
14:13 — The brain-body connection and health
17:47 — The renewed mind (Romans 12)
24:42 — Gratitude vs. toxic positivity
32:03 — When science confirms Scripture
34:42 — The future of neuroscience + advice for young Christians
39:12 — Young brains and decision-making
44:50 — Where to find Dr. Krissy

Our first-ever audio-only episode! We lost our recording space (again), so we're keeping it intimate — just us, no cameras. We take a trip down memory lane through every studio space we've ever had, we recap the live show: new faces, new followers, and the vendors who leveled up with us. We also finally answer the Slido Q&A questions we ran out of time for — how to know you're ready for a relationship, standing firm on not wanting kids, turning down a brother or sister in Christ with grace, and whether there's really just "the one." Plus, an update on Nana's wrist injury and what slowing down is teaching him.

Timestamps

• 0:00 — First audio-only episode + losing our space
• 0:42 — Every studio we've ever recorded in
• 4:37 — Bernie's mouse stories
• 7:40 — Live show recap: new faces, new followers
• 12:49 — Answering the Slido questions we missed
• 14:09 — Nana's wrist injury update
• 16:40 — What slowing down is teaching him
• 18:54 — How do you know you're ready for a relationship?
• 23:44 — "I don't want kids" — when they try to change your mind
• 28:29 — Turning down a brother/sister in Christ, gently
• 33:44 — Is there "the one," or many ones?

The church does not need more winning arguments. It needs more humility, more love, and a better way to handle disagreement without turning every issue into a crisis.

Pastor Jonathan Smith brings more than 30 years of ministry experience to a timely conversation about how followers of Jesus can navigate controversy without losing sight of Christ. From politics and worship styles to gender, sexuality, race, and social media outrage, he explores why believers may treat “discuss” issues like “die for” issues—and how that can hurt people, divide churches, and leave little room for nuance.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- Jonathan’s three-bucket framework for theology and doctrine: die for, defend, and discuss

- How to distinguish biblical conviction from personal preference

- Why unity matters to the church’s credibility

- The difference between forgiveness, reconciliation, and justice

- How to resist false either-or choices and make room for thoughtful conversation

Bernice and Janet ask the difficult questions: When should you hold firm? When should you yield? And how can Christians disagree while leading with love? Jonathan answers with stories from his pastoral experience and a reminder that humility can help heal relationships and communities.

If you’ve ever felt caught between truth and grace, or wondered how to stay faithful without becoming cynical, this conversation offers a thoughtful path forward: keep your convictions, check your posture, and make love part of the way you engage.

What does it really mean to “not settle” in dating? In this honest episode of the Juxtaposition Podcast, Nana and Janet sit down with Pastor Charlene and Pastor Duane, who have been married for 28 years.

They share practical Christian dating and marriage advice on recognizing red flags, setting healthy standards without creating unrealistic expectations, pursuing someone with respect, discerning relationships, navigating conflict, and keeping love strong over time. Whether you’re single, dating, engaged, or married, this conversation offers faith-filled wisdom for building healthy, lasting relationships.

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Don’t Settle: What It Really Means
• 01:28 — Meet Pastor Charlene & Pastor Duane
• 03:05 — What They Value After 28 Years of Marriage
• 03:58 — How They Met Through Conversation
• 06:48 — Why People Are Waiting Longer to Marry
• 11:18 — The Biggest Relationship Challenges Couples Face
• 13:26 — Commitment, Timing & Letting Love Develop Naturally
• 16:07 — Pursuing Someone Respectfully
• 19:18 — Healthy Standards vs. Unrealistic Expectations
• 22:18 — Red Flags People Ignore Because of Attraction
• 23:43 — Green Flags in a Healthy Relationship
• 24:41 — Communication: Staying Connected Through Conflict
• 30:34 — “God Told Me You’re My Wife”: Discernment vs. Pressure
• 36:02 — Rejection, Intentional Pursuit & Asking for Counsel
• 41:39 — Contentment in Singleness and Marriage
• 45:58 — Protecting Your Marriage While Doing Ministry Together
• 52:17 — Keeping the Spark Alive After 28 Years
• 55:29 — Why Conflict Isn’t Always a Bad Sign
• 58:16 — Lightning Round: Love, Romance & Everyday Joy
• 01:04:17 — Closing Prayer

If you’re ready to unlearn unhealthy patterns and discover what healthy, God-centered relationships look like, this conversation is for you.

It’s Deeper Than That Part 2: Healthy Relationships, God’s Way & Healing

📅 Friday, September 4, 2026

🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM

📍 Portico Community Church

🎟️ Get your tickets!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/deeper-than-that-20-healthy-relationships-gods-way-tickets-1992324749959?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAae3t76_eOU_1igNkjCkPJUdZ75Pa1xKFXH89L8e6hsMQaAguuzVyxZMj3uKUw_aem_UsVYv26l_na4_ETltkUMDA

What do you do when your faith feels dry?

In this episode, we dive into Ezekiel 37 and the Valley of Dry Bones — a powerful picture of hopelessness, dead situations, and God’s ability to bring life back to what feels impossible.

We talk about seasons where faith feels stagnant, prayers seem unanswered, and situations look too far gone to recover. From family struggles and spiritual dryness to waiting seasons, prayer, worship, and trusting God when nothing seems to be moving — this conversation is a reminder that God still revives dead things.

Sometimes the miracle starts when you open your mouth and speak life again.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro + losing the last episode audio

03:33 – Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones

07:33 – Dead faith, hopeless seasons & hidden pain

11:17 – Is there a cap on people’s faith?

13:31 – Bearing fruit in every season

14:22 – Worship can revive dry places

16:20 – Serving, burnout & staying faithful

18:23 – Mental health, hopelessness & speaking life

20:19 – Prayer, prophecy & partnering with God

22:29 – Spiritual warfare is real

24:42 – Trusting God when situations look dead

26:30 – Waiting on God vs rushing decisions

29:36 – Declaring life over dry seasons

30:20 – Final takeaways: speak when God tells you to speak

32:20 – Outro + encouragement to revive dead areas of your life

In this episode of The Juxtaposition Podcast, we break down the real meaning of God’s mercy and why so many people misunderstand it. Mercy is more than kindness—it’s not receiving the punishment we deserve, and it shows up in ways we often overlook. We talk about pride, stubbornness, and why people reject God’s second chances, using biblical examples like Pharaoh, while also connecting it to real-life struggles with forgiveness, anger, and faith. From everyday protection to deeper questions about suffering and injustice, this conversation challenges how you see God, grace, and your own life. If you’ve ever questioned God’s mercy or taken it for granted, this episode will push you to think deeper.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro + funny moments

02:20 – What is God’s mercy?

05:00 – Mercy = not getting what you deserve

08:50 – Pharaoh, plagues & God’s justice

11:00 – Sin, death & grace

13:15 – Pride, karma & rejecting God

18:20 – Spiritual burnout & humility

23:00 – Gratitude vs complaining

25:30 – Showing mercy to others

29:20 – Mercy in everyday life

30:25 – Faith in suffering & hard questions

35:00 – Final thoughts + outro

Ever read the Bible and felt completely lost?

In this episode, we have an honest conversation about the frustration of reading Scripture without understanding it—especially when diving into deeper books like Hebrews.

From relying on the Holy Spirit, to slowing down your reading, to letting go of pride and performance, we break down what it actually looks like to grow in your faith, even when nothing is “clicking.”

We also dive into surrender, fear, and what might be holding you back from fully trusting God.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged in your Bible reading, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:30 – Banter/Watching Crime Docs

12:00 – Struggling with Hebrews

15:40 – Reading without understanding

18:30 – You can’t rely on yourself

20:20 – Slow down your reading

25:40 – Not knowing is okay

33:50 – Fear & calling (Moses)

41:00 – Trust, peace & surrender

44:20 – Outro

In this episode, we get real about lamenting, healing, and dealing with pain the right way.

We talk about how our generation often avoids pain — choosing distractions, productivity, or isolation instead of actually bringing our emotions to God. But what does it truly mean to lament? Is it just crying… or is it something deeper?

From personal stories about heartbreak, disappointment, and suppressed emotions to biblical examples like Job, David, and Moses — this conversation unpacks why healing isn’t instant, why you can’t skip the process, and how God meets you in it.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to process what you’re going through… this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Desire, waiting & real talk

05:53 – What is lamenting?

08:15 – How we deal with pain (distractions, isolation, “I’m fine”)

13:31 – Vulnerability, emotions & avoidance

17:15 – Unprocessed grief & where it comes from

21:20 – Disappointment, faith & trusting God

23:34 – Biblical perspective: waiting, pain & process

27:09 – Why you can’t skip healing

31:45 – Perspective, heartbreak & identity

35:44 – How to actually heal (practical steps)

39:36 – Final encouragement: healing takes time

41:17 – Outro

In a culture that craves affirmation and avoids discomfort, have we started choosing validation over truth?

In this episode of The Juxtaposition Podcast, we dive into the tension between validation culture and godly correction. Why do we resist being corrected—even when it’s rooted in love? What fears, insecurities, or past experiences make us avoid wise counsel?

From childhood wounds to fear of judgment, we unpack what stops us from opening up and seeking guidance. We also explore the power of honest friendships, the role of tone and humility, and how God uses correction not to reject us—but to refine us.

If you’ve ever struggled with receiving truth, giving correction, or surrounding yourself with the right voices—this conversation is for you.

Truth may hurt—but it heals. Choose growth over comfort.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Childhood Stories

04:20 – Validation Culture vs Truth

06:30 – Fear of Judgment & Avoiding Counsel

10:20 – The Power (and Risk) of Being Transparent

14:00 – Hearing Advice but Not Applying It

16:20 – When Correction Feels Like Rejection

20:00 – God’s Correction vs Our Projection

22:00 – Truth in Friendship

26:30 – Speaking Truth with Love

28:30 – Tone, Transformation & Spiritual Growth

31:00 – Knowing When & How to Speak

33:30 – Final Reflections: Truth Over Comfort