The Third Place

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking back on the year and talking through the things that stood out the most. From our top purchases to the shows, podcasts, and books that shaped our thinking, this episode is a full rundown of what we loved—and what we’re ready to leave behind.

We also talk about what we’re taking with us into 2026, what habits and mindsets we’re letting go of, and how this past year has shaped where we’re headed next. And yes… there’s a surprise guest visit at the end you won’t want to miss.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eL-JEzLty3s

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAsAttachment.png • Upliftd StreamAttachment.png • Edgewater Investment GroupAttachment.png

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

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guest is Lisa Anderson from Focus on the Family’s The Boundless Show.

Lisa joins us to talk about her unexpected sunsetting season at Focus on the Family after more than 20 years of ministry. We have an honest conversation about what it looks like to start a new chapter after decades at one organization, how you even begin to write a resume after that long, and the emotional and spiritual toll that layoffs bring.

We also zoom out to talk about the broader “year of layoffs” so many people are experiencing—what God may be teaching us through loss, uncertainty, and forced transitions, and how faith shapes the way we walk through change.

This episode is for anyone navigating career shifts, endings they didn’t choose, or wondering what faithfulness looks like when the future feels unclear.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jT8-BCzXjwg

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAs • Upliftd Stream• Edgewater Investment Group

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

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guest is Eddie Cuevas, Jr. — Lauren’s husband.

Eddie joins the show to answer all of Brian’s questions about why Lauren is the way she is. From personality quirks to marriage dynamics, nothing is off the table as we pull back the curtain on life behind the mic.

We also talk about Lauren and Eddie’s podcast, Car Seat Questions, including their most popular episode on divorce, and why honest, thoughtful conversations about family, marriage, and faith resonate so deeply with listeners.

This is a fun, personal, and surprisingly insightful conversation you won’t want to miss.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lz1VMo5vrlc

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAs • Upliftd Stream • Edgewater Investment Group

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

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guest is Nancy Kane of the Caritas Center for Christian Formation
https://www.thecaritascenter.com/about/

Spiritual growth doesn’t usually stall because of one big, obvious failure. More often, it’s the subtle, unexpected stumbling blocks that quietly take root in our lives. Nancy joins us to talk about the hidden habits, attitudes, and distractions that can slow or even stop our growth in Christ—often without us realizing it.

We explore surprising barriers to spiritual formation, how they sneak in so easily, and what it looks like to recognize and remove them so we can continue growing in faith with intention and clarity.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uS0SlOF0YkM

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAsAttachment.png • Upliftd StreamAttachment.png • Edgewater Investment GroupAttachment.png

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

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guest is Bettina Hermann, Executive Director of Love INC of Cuyahoga County https://www.loveinccuyahoga.org/

What does poverty actually look like in our communities—and how often do we misunderstand it? Bettina joins us to unpack the realities of poverty, the gaps that churches sometimes face when trying to meet complex needs, and how Love INC comes alongside local congregations to help bridge those gaps.

We talk about the biblical call to love our neighbors well, the importance of relational—not transactional—help, and how Love INC equips churches to serve individuals and families with dignity, compassion, and long-term support.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SvTCN4z9rj4

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAsAttachment.png • Upliftd StreamAttachment.png • Edgewater Investment GroupAttachment.png

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==

Our guest is Daria Swisher.

Men across generations are struggling to form meaningful friendships—and many feel isolated, lonely, or unsure where to begin. Daria joins us to explore why male friendship is declining, what’s contributing to the problem, and whether wives should (or shouldn’t) play a role in helping their husbands build relationships.

We talk about healthy support vs. unhealthy pressure, how couples can work together to prioritize community, and why strong male friendships matter not just for men, but for marriages and families as a whole.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fW-0niW9CCU

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAsAttachment.png • Upliftd StreamAttachment.png • Edgewater Investment GroupAttachment.png

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

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guest is Nathan Zion, attorney at Mulhall Zion LLC (https://www.mz-llc.com/).

The Supreme Court is preparing to hear a pivotal case centered on a major question: Can a licensed counselor legally engage in what the state defines as “conversion therapy”? Nathan joins us to break down what the case is actually about, why it matters for counselors, pastors, parents, and ministries, and what the implications could be for free speech, religious liberty, and mental-health practice in America.

We unpack the legal nuances, the cultural tensions, and what Christians should understand as this case moves forward.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YosL-b4m3q8

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAs • Upliftd Stream • Edgewater Investment Group

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: stainedglass-media.com

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guests are Dr. Ron and Anita Morrison of Hope Alliance Bible Church.

Every pastor eventually faces one of the most important transitions in ministry: passing the baton to the next generation. Dr. Ron and Anita Morrison join us to talk about how pastors can hand off leadership well—with intentionality, humility, and a long-term vision for the health of the church.

We discuss what makes succession so challenging, how to mentor emerging leaders, the spiritual posture needed for a healthy transition, and why preparing the next generation is one of the greatest gifts a pastor can give to the body of Christ.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dNien85U_0c

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAs • Upliftd Stream • Edgewater Investment Group

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: stainedglass-media.com

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guests are Jaime Buxton, Anna Nagirnyak, and Jen Andrews from The City Mission (thecitymission.org).

What does volunteering really look like? And what are the myths we need to leave behind? The team from The City Mission joins us to talk about meaningful, healthy, and impactful ways individuals, families, small groups, and entire churches can serve neighbors experiencing homelessness.

We unpack what volunteering is—showing up consistently, building trust, meeting real needs—and what it is not—savior complexes, quick fixes, or checking a box. Jaime, Anna, and Jen share powerful insight into how everyday people can make a difference, how to get started, and how to serve with dignity, empathy, and purpose.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ekkIgZ0b0QQ

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAs • Upliftd Stream • Edgewater Investment Group

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: stainedglass-media.com

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==

Our guest is Dr. Steve Grcevich from Key Ministry (https://keyministry.org/).

Anxiety is everywhere—and it seems to be hitting young people harder than ever before. But is the modern church equipped to help? Dr. Steve Grcevich joins us to unpack why anxiety has exploded in this generation, what’s driving it, and how the ancient practices of the Christian church may offer exactly the kind of grounding and healing our culture is missing.

We talk about the root causes of rising anxiety, what the data shows, how faith communities can respond wisely, and why the local church—when functioning as God designed—might be one of the most powerful tools we have for emotional and spiritual resilience.

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k-4wbhbVK90

Special thanks to our sponsors:
JLP CPAs• Upliftd Stream • Edgewater Investment Group

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://wwe.stainedglass-media.com

Like the episode? Subscribe, review, and share 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==