The Speakeasy

Visionary leader and scholar Drew Dickens joins Blake to unpack the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in our spiritual and everyday lives. From the temptation of spiritual sloth to the rise of misinformation and echo chambers, we explore how AI can both enrich and erode meaningful engagement with truth, study, and community. The conversation covers practical concerns—like AI-generated sermons, fine-tuned chatbots that reinforce bias, and video generation tools that can spread false doctrine—all while calling listeners to pursue discernment and deeper study. We also reflect on the growing cognitive impacts of relying on AI, and the urgent need for transparency, theological clarity, and critical thinking, especially within Christian tech tools. Whether you're excited or cautious about AI, this episode challenges you to pause, double-check, and stay grounded in spiritual disciplines in the age of automation.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Understand how AI can unintentionally contribute to misinformation and spiritual laziness if not used with discernment.

• Explore the risks of AI-generated content creating echo chambers and reinforcing biases—especially within Christian spaces.

• Reflect on the importance of theological transparency, personal study, and critical thinking in engaging with AI tools and Christian content.

To connect with Dr. Drew…Website: aiandspiritualitypodcast.comPodcast: AI and Spirituality

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Owner of Bow and Arrow Outdoors Camille Kent joins Blake to reflect on their 90s childhoods and explore what it looks like to raise kids in today's tech-heavy world while preserving imagination, outdoor play, and confidence. Camille shares how she and her husband created a children's outdoor apparel brand designed to encourage kids to embrace nature, regardless of the weather or terrain. The conversation dives into realistic strategies for managing extreme weather, including bringing the outdoors inside with imaginative play, shifting screen time boundaries, and making evening walks a family routine. They also open up about overcoming parental fears in the digital age, the value of letting kids take risks, and how outdoor play helps build resilience and emotional strength. At its core, this episode is a hopeful and practical reminder that even in 2025, a childhood filled with dirt, scraped knees, and fort-building is still within reach.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Explore creative ideas for bringing the "outside in" when going outdoors isn't possible.

• Learn how small mindset shifts—like repurposing device time for conversation—can strengthen family connection.

• Understand how unstructured play and nature-based routines can help build your child's confidence, imagination, and emotional resilience.

To connect with Camille…Website: bowandarrowoutdoors.comInstagram: @bowandarrowoutdoors | @camillekent523Facebook: @bowandarrowoutdoors

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President of Christian Emergency Alliance Andy Coleman joins Blake to discuss what it means to live as ordinary Christians in unusual times. Andy shares global stories of persecution and spiritual resilience, offering insight into how believers—whether new to the faith or seasoned—can stay grounded amid cultural pressure and spiritual opposition. They explore the hesitation many Christians feel in naming their experiences as persecution, while highlighting modern realities such as online censorship, conscience violations, and pandemic-era restrictions on churches. Drawing on lessons from persecuted believers around the world and biblical history, Andy emphasizes the need for spiritual readiness, discipleship, and hope—even in dark seasons. The episode is a call to courage, clarity, and preparation for families, churches, and individuals seeking to walk faithfully in a shifting world.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Gain a deeper understanding of what modern persecution can look like for Christians in the West and around the world.

• Learn how to spiritually prepare for increasing cultural pressure and opposition to biblical beliefs.

• Discover why discipleship—especially early in one's faith—is essential for enduring in difficult times.

Andy is the author of In the Days of Darkness – available everywhere now!

To connect with Andy…Website: christianemergency.comFacebook: @andycoleman4OkPodcast: Christian Emergency PodcastX: @christianemerg1

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Anger management coach for Christian moms and podcaster Elizabeth joins Blake to discuss challenges of managing anger as mothers. Elizabeth shares her personal journey, revealing how the stress of motherhood led to moments of intense rage and the profound impact it had on her family. They explore the importance of self-care and spiritual grounding in overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the need for moms to prioritize their well-being without guilt. Through personal anecdotes and practical tips, they provide listeners with tools to cultivate patience and emotional regulation in their parenting journey. Her mission is to empower mothers to leave an emotionally healthy legacy for their children—one rooted in Christ, peace and grace.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Understand the root causes of mom rage and how it often stems from unmet needs, stress, and exhaustion.

• Learn practical strategies for rewiring your responses in high-pressure parenting moments.

• Be reminded that growth is possible—and that you're not alone in the struggle to become the mom you truly want to be.

To connect with Elizabeth…Website: emotionallyhealthylegacy.comInstagram: @emotionally_healthy_legacyPodcast: Emotionally Healthy LegacyCoaching Program: Calm Christian MomFree Training: How to become a patient mom so you can stop screaming over spilled milk

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Founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Anne Beiler joins Blake to share the powerful story behind the brand so many grew up loving. Anne reflects on her upbringing in an Amish Mennonite community, where faith, family, and simplicity shaped her early view that life was good and God was harsh. She vulnerably recounts how this belief was challenged through deep personal loss, abuse, and suffering, ultimately transforming her theology into one rooted in the truth that life is hard, but God is good. Through candid conversation, Anne emphasizes the importance of sharing our stories to connect, encourage, and point to redemption, especially for young moms navigating their own faith journeys.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Hear the heartbreaking story of a mother's loss and how it reshaped her faith and understanding of God's presence in suffering.

• Explore the emotional and spiritual impact of grief on marriage, parenting, and community.

• Learn how unspoken pain, unresolved questions, and the absence of language for grief can shape a person's spiritual journey for decades.

Anne is the author of Come to the Table – available everywhere now!To connect with Anne…Website: auntieannebeiler.comInstagram: @auntieanneb

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Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, author, and mom Clare Morrell joins Blake to discuss her book The Tech Exit and the challenges of parenting in a tech-saturated world. Clare shares her motivation for writing the book, rooted in her background in child protection and tech policy, and emphasizes the need for a countercultural approach to screen use. She encourages parents to reject the idea that giving kids smartphones or social media is inevitable and offers practical principles based on families who have successfully done just that. Throughout the conversation, they stress that this is not about judgment but about equipping parents with hopeful, actionable tools to protect their children's development in a digital age.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Understand why parental controls and screen time limits often fail to protect kids online.

• Discover the developmental reasons why kids and teens are more vulnerable to digital addiction.

• Explore practical alternatives to smartphones that support healthy, age-appropriate tech use.

Clare is the author of The Tech Exit – available everywhere now!To connect with Clare…X: @claremorellEPPCInstagram: @claremorell_thetechexit

Thanks to our sponsors!

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AirDoctor - Visit airdoctorpro.com and get up to $300 off an air purifier when you using the code BLAKE and get a FREE 3-year warranty!

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Podcaster, homemaker, and mom Leslie Burris joins Blake to talk about the power of maintaining peace as a mom, especially in a culture filled with anxiety, judgment, and polarized views. She shares her personal journey of moving from perfectionism and fear-driven living to embracing grace, flexibility, and emotional resilience. The conversation dives into topics like homeschooling, mental health, the "crunchy mom" movement, and the pressure of parenting in the digital age. They reflect on the importance of allowing space for growth, change, and the messy process of figuring things out in faith and motherhood. Ultimately, the episode offers encouragement to moms to stay grounded in Christ and reclaim their peace—without having to do it all perfectly.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Hear how one family's screen reset led to more creativity, play, and connection between siblings.

• Reflect on the long-term benefits of creating a home culture where screens are the exception, not the expectation.

• Discover practical, low-cost ways to foster independent play with tools like Legos, art supplies, and outdoor toys.

To connect with Leslie…Website: leslieburris.comPodcast: Peace on PurposeInstagram: @leslie__burrisFacebook: @leslieblueeyes

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Author Rebecca Medina Stewart joins Blake to share her journey of healing from trauma and rediscovering the true nature of God. A former journalist and sexual assault survivor, Rebecca opens up about years of depression, unhealthy coping, and distorted beliefs about God rooted in early church experiences. She describes how hitting rock bottom became the catalyst for surrendering her life to Christ, which ignited a transformative season of healing through spiritual disciplines, counseling, and authentic community. Rebecca's story illustrates how choosing faith over despair allowed her to see God's presence even in her darkest moments, ultimately leading her to write the book Seen.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Discover the unexpected healing that comes from telling your story, even when it feels uncomfortable.

• Understand how sharing your pain can be a catalyst for someone else's freedom and restoration.

• Explore how trauma can shape identity—and what it looks like to let God redefine who you are.

Rebecca is the author of Seen – available everywhere now!

To connect with Rebecca…Website: rebeccamedinastewart.comInstagram: @rebeccamedinastewart

Thanks to our sponsors!

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In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode, Blake and Jeremy unpack a multi-year journey through uncertainty, major life transitions, and learning to trust God in the in-between. They open up about navigating the emotional roller coaster of a business acquisition that felt dead more than once, the upheaval of leaving jobs, church, and school, and the loneliness and pruning that followed. Through it all, they learned not to waste the waiting — leaning into each other, communicating better than ever, and growing in trust and spiritual maturity. They also get real about how they're prioritizing their marriage in this new season, from nighttime debriefs to scheduled connection time, and even answer some listener-submitted questions about how they met and knew they were meant for each other.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Understand how trust in God can evolve in seasons of uncertainty and waiting.

• Learn practical ways we prioritize connection in marriage through changing routines and stress.

• Be encouraged to find purpose in the wait and see struggle as an invitation to grow.

To connect with Blake…Website: thegirlnamedblake.comInstagram: @thegirlnamedblake

Thanks to our sponsors!

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Singer, songwriter, pastor, and author Tauren Wells joins Blake to explore what true, lasting happiness looks like through a biblical lens. They unpack the idea that spiritual happiness is the anchor that gives meaning to every other kind of joy—whether vocational, relational, or even found in everyday moments like cleaning the house. The conversation centers around the foundational truth that spiritual happiness is the anchor that allows joy in all other areas to not only exist but to last. Together, they challenge the belief that God only cares about our sanctification, reminding listeners that He's also invested in our flourishing and delight. This conversation is a rich reminder that joy doesn't have to be loud to be real—and that God is at work even in the simplest of things.

In this episode, you'll be able to…

• Understand the difference between fleeting happiness and lasting spiritual joy.

• Learn how to find contentment in the quiet, ordinary moments of life.

• Be encouraged that God cares about both your sanctification and your flourishing.

Tauren is the author of Joy Bomb – available everywhere May 20!

To connect with Tauren…Website: taurenwells.comInstagram: @taurenwellsFacebook: @taurenwellsofficialYouTube: @taurenwellsmusicPodcasts: The High Note Podcast | Alive and Wells

Thanks to our sponsors!

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Fatty15 - Take charge of your health by visiting fatty15.com/BLAKE and using the code HEALTHY to get an extra 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit.

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