Why does a culture that increasingly says it doesn't need God keep telling stories about

What happens when a culture that says it doesn't need God can't stop singing about longing, emptiness, morality, identity, sacrifice, and the search for something more?

In this episode of Living Grounded, Ron Moore, Jill Kowalski, and Tom Rojahn explore what secular music may reveal about the spiritual hunger that exists beneath the surface of our culture. From Taylor Swift and Noah Kahan, they listen for the deeper questions hiding inside songs that were never necessarily written as Christian statements.

Could our culture's persistent searching actually point to something—or Someone—it cannot find on its own? Maybe the songs we sing reveal that, beneath all our searching, we were made for God and are still looking for our way home.

Our culture may be increasingly secular, but it keeps talking about God—in our music,

What shapes the things we love most? In this thoughtful episode of the Living Grounded Podcast, Ann Marie Pirnat reflects on the enduring gift of Christian friendship, the wisdom of Augustine's ordo amoris—the right ordering of our loves—and the transforming power of Scripture. Together, we explore how God's Word reshapes our hearts so that we learn to love Him above all else and love others through His love. Ann Marie also shares her passion for welcoming seekers and new believers into the Bible, offering practical encouragement for anyone who longs to help others grow in faith. If you've ever wondered how to cultivate a life centered on Christ in a world full of competing priorities, this conversation will inspire you to live with your heart grounded in God's truth.

Have you ever wondered where God is in the middle of grief, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness? In this episode of the Living Grounded Podcast, Allison Byxbe shares how journaling through Scripture became a lifeline that carried her from deep sorrow into a renewed awareness of God's presence. Drawing from her book, Journaling as a Spiritual Practice: Tracing the Lines of Grace to God's Presence, Allison explains how writing through the rich metaphors of Scripture can transform the way we pray, process pain, and experience God's love. Together, we explore why journaling isn't about creating perfect words but about making space to meet God with honesty and hope. Whether you're a lifelong journaler or have never written a single page, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, listen for God's gentle voice, and trace His grace in your everyday life.

Have you ever felt like everything depends on you? In this encouraging episode of the Living Grounded Podcast, author Nichole J. Suvar shares how years of living with undiagnosed anxiety led her to discover that true peace isn't something we create—it's something we receive from God. Drawing from Genesis 2 and Colossians 1, she explains why so many of us build "false Edens" through perfectionism, productivity, and control, only to find ourselves more overwhelmed than ever. Together, we explore God's original design for peace, healthy boundaries, rest, and the freedom that comes from trusting Christ to hold all things together. If you're weary from trying to carry more than God ever intended, this conversation offers biblical hope and practical encouragement for living grounded in His peace.

What if the missing piece in your spiritual life isn't trying harder—but learning to delight in God? In this encouraging conversation, Stephanie Rousselle shares how her journey from atheism to a passionate faith led her to discover that delight in God is not a luxury but the very foundation of a vibrant Christian life. Together, we explore why so many believers struggle with performance-based faith and how delight transforms our relationship with God, even in seasons of suffering. Stephanie offers practical ways to cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence through simple, life-giving spiritual habits. If you've been longing for more joy, peace, and intimacy with Jesus, this conversation will encourage your heart and renew your perspective.

What happens when a child who feels forgotten discovers he has never been abandoned by God? In this deeply moving conversation, Mark Spearman shares his journey through foster care, institutional living, discouragement, and the long road toward healing. Together, we explore how painful experiences shape our identity, how Christ restores what feels broken, and what it truly means to trust God in seasons of waiting. Mark's story reminds us that redemption is often a process, but God's faithfulness never changes. If you've ever questioned your worth, struggled with discouragement, or wondered where God is in your pain, this episode will encourage you to stay grounded in Christ.

What happens when following God's call leads straight into unimaginable loss? In this unforgettable conversation, David and Alicia Lloyd share the story of their family's nearly three decades of ministry in Haiti, the legacy of their son Davy, and the heartbreaking events that shook their mission and the Christian world. Rather than focusing only on tragedy, they reveal the deeper story of hope, purpose, forgiveness, and unwavering faith that continues to shape their lives. You'll hear what sustained them through every parent's worst nightmare and why they still believe the gospel is worth every sacrifice. This episode will challenge, encourage, and leave you asking what it truly means to follow Christ without reservation.

What does it mean to suffer well without pretending that pain is good? In this honest conversation, Brittany Allen and I explore the biblical practice of lament, why comparing grief only deepens our isolation, and how God's unchanging goodness meets us in our deepest suffering. Together we reflect on the lives of Jesus, Paul, and Elijah to discover that healing isn't found in having all the answers—it's found in trusting God's faithfulness, depending on Christ, and allowing the Holy Spirit and Christian community to carry us through.