The Third Place

This episode was supposed to have a topic. It really was.

Instead, Brian and Lauren spend the entire time catching up with Pastor Scott and Maureen Lessing of Grace Church — and absolutely failing to stay on track.

Every time they try to get serious, something derails it. And honestly, it’s better that way.

What follows is a chaotic, hilarious, completely unserious conversation covering Patrick Swayze, Criminal Minds, bus driving trips, Brian’s birthday, and whatever else managed to come up in the moment. If you’ve ever wondered what it sounds like when four friends with microphones forget they’re supposed to have a plan — this is it.

No outline. No structure. Just laughter and long-standing friendship.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yKmhifbdPnA

Learn more about Grace Church:
https://gracecma.org/

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode made you laugh, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

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In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Blake Kauffman, a Malone University student and founder of R7 Ministries, to talk about what Gen Z is actually seeking in Christianity today.

There’s no shortage of opinions about “kids these days” — but what do young adults themselves say they’re hungry for when it comes to faith?

Blake shares what he’s seeing on college campuses and through R7, and how students are engaging with Scripture, community, and discipleship in this cultural moment.

We discuss:

What Gen Z is really looking for in church

How young believers feel most connected to Christ

The role of Scripture in a generation shaped by social media

Why authentic community matters more than ever

What older generations often misunderstand about Gen Z faith

If you’ve wondered whether young adults are drifting or digging deeper, this conversation offers insight straight from the source.

Learn more about R7 Ministries:
https://www.instagram.com/r7ministries?igsh=MXJ1eXB5djU1aW1mNQ==

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8j_jkLfDjKM

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

What would happen if we stopped overcomplicating faith… and just opened our Bibles?

In this episode, Brian and Lauren discuss a TikToker who has started a Bible reading journey and is being refreshingly honest about the experience with millions of followers online. No polished theology. No curated church answers. Just real-time reactions, questions, confusion, curiosity — and a willingness to read what’s actually there.

It got us wondering: what would change about our faith if we approached Scripture the same way?

We discuss:

Why simple Bible reading can feel revolutionary

How familiarity sometimes dulls our sense of awe

The difference between reading Scripture devotionally vs. culturally

What honesty does for spiritual growth

Whether we’ve made the Bible more complicated than it needs to be

Sometimes the most spiritual advice isn’t complex. It’s just this: open it.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yy6_Bjr1kRQ

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

It’s 50 degrees outside and you’re reaching for the rake… STOP. Step away from the yard tools.

In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by The Cranky Arborist (John Palmer), ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, to talk about why you absolutely should not be cleaning up your garden and yard just yet.

As tempting as those warm days feel, early yard work can actually harm pollinators, beneficial insects, and the health of your landscape. John explains what’s happening beneath the surface in late winter and early spring — and why patience matters more than productivity.

We discuss:
Why you shouldn’t rush spring cleanup

What’s happening in your garden that you can’t see

How early trimming can hurt trees and shrubs

The importance of planting native trees

Why every yard needs a little “Lorax energy”

And yes — he really does want you to plant a tree in your yard.

Find an arborist near you:
https://www.trees4ohio.org/aws/OCISA/pt/sp/trees4ohio_home-page

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EQ1vyajpy90

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

What actually happens to your Social Security benefits when there’s a death in the family? Or a major change in your household?

In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Rob Fenn, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration, to talk through the real-life situations most families don’t feel prepared for — but eventually have to face.

From losing a spouse to changes in custody, disability status, or retirement, we walk through how Social Security payments are affected and what steps families should take to avoid unnecessary stress during already difficult seasons.

We discuss:
What to do immediately after a death in the family

How survivor benefits work

What happens to payments when family dynamics change

Common misconceptions about Social Security

Practical steps to avoid overpayments or administrative headaches

This episode is practical, informative, and surprisingly helpful — because navigating government systems is hard enough without confusion layered on top.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Ltq-F6vQic

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this bonus episode, we sit down with an actual Puerto Rican Christian to get their perspective on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show and the broader cultural reaction surrounding it.

This conversation goes beyond hot takes. We explore the cultural significance of the performance, what it meant for Puerto Rican identity, and why questions of citizenship, belonging, and representation still carry emotional weight.

We also discuss:
The historical and political backdrop of Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States

Why the performance resonated deeply with many Puerto Ricans

The controversy surrounding explicit lyrics and public morality

The tension between cultural pride and Christian discernment

What representation in media does — and doesn’t — accomplish

Rather than reacting from a distance, this episode creates space for a thoughtful, faith-informed perspective from someone personally connected to the culture being discussed.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bpTsedremhc

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month:
https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

What started as a routine day turned into an unexpected physical and emotional response that Lauren didn’t see coming. Lauren and Brian take a break from their usual topics to talk about Lauren’s recent hospital experience after her son’s surgery. 

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZaGEpr9zejY

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

What in the world is going on with Greenland… and why does Iran seem to always be one headline away from a global crisis?

In this episode, Brian and Lauren sit down with Dr. Glen Duerr, Chair of History and Government and Professor of International Studies at Cedarville University, to break down two major geopolitical situations that most of us hear about — but don’t fully understand.

Together they unpack:
Why Greenland matters strategically on the world stage

How global powers think about territory, influence, and security

The ongoing tensions surrounding Iran and why the region remains so volatile

How international conflicts develop — and why they’re rarely as simple as they seem

What Christians should keep in mind when thinking about global politics and conflict

If the news feels overwhelming or confusing, this conversation brings clarity, context, and thoughtful perspective to two situations shaping today’s global landscape.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uC5NTB4Mx7E

Learn more about Dr. Glen Duerr:
https://www.cedarville.edu/academics/schools/arts-and-humanities/history-and-government/faculty-staff/duerr-glen

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this episode, Brian and Lauren dive into a relationship advice column that hits a little too close to home for a lot of marriages.

A wife says she’s exhausted from carrying the mental load of the household — planning, remembering, organizing everything — but also admits she gets frustrated when her husband tries to help and doesn’t do things her way. So… which is it? Do you want help, or do you want control?

Brian and Lauren unpack the tension so many couples feel but don’t always know how to talk about:

What the “mental load” really is and why it feels so heavy

Why help can sometimes feel more stressful than doing it yourself

The difference between shared responsibility and silent expectations

How control, standards, and communication all play into everyday conflict

What it looks like to actually function as a team at home

From dishes in the sink to deeper heart issues, this conversation gets honest about pride, resentment, and the kind of humility and clarity that healthy marriages require.

What would you do?

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oxxX4o8Add8

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thethirdplacepodcast

Learn more about Stained Glass Media:
https://stainedglass-media.com

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

What does ADHD look like in the life of the Church?

In this episode, Brian and Lauren talk with Dr. Steve Grcevich, founder and president of Key Ministry, an organization dedicated to helping churches welcome and include families of kids with disabilities and mental health challenges. Together, they explore how ADHD shapes the way people experience faith, church, and community.

From sitting still in a pew to staying focused during prayer, traditional church environments can be especially challenging for those with ADHD. But what if the very traits that make church hard can also be incredible strengths in living out our faith?

They discuss:
• How ADHD shows up in both kids and adults at church
• Common misunderstandings about attention, behavior, and spiritual maturity
• Practical ways churches can become more welcoming and supportive
• How people with ADHD may actually be uniquely wired to be “doers of the Word”

Whether you have ADHD, love someone who does, or want your church to be a place where every person can grow in faith, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and practical hope.

Learn more about Dr. Grcevich and Key Ministry at: https://keyministry.org/

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LgJS-OrA1Es

This episode is brought to you by Edgewater Investment Group
https://www.edgewaterig.com/

Support the Show:
Exclusive content from Ron and Daria is available on our Patreon for only $10/month: https://patreon.com/thethirdplacepodcast

Donate to our nonprofit, The Cleveland Ministry Collective - https://www.clevelandministrycollective.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podthirdplace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==