Thread

By Dr. David Pocta & Hannah Desouza

Thread is a podcast about finding our place in God’s story. We invite you to follow along with Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza as they guide us on a journey through the Bible, exploring how the bib... more

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How many episodes does Thread have?

The podcast currently has 83 episodes available.

Thread episodes:

July 28, 2025 Episode 50: The Ministry of Jesus
In this episode of Thread, hosts Hannah de Souza and Dr. David Peck explore the heart of Jesus' public ministry, examining how he built it, what he demonstrated, and how people responded. Journeying from Matthew 4 to 12, the episode traces Jesus’ transformative approach to leadership, his compassionate healing, and his countercultural teachings. Along the way, they unpack rich theological insights, explore discipleship challenges, and reflect on what it means to follow Jesus in a world that may resist his message.
00:00 What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
01:18 Intro to the episode and Matthew’s Gospel structure
03:30 Jesus begins his ministry: the Kingdom is near
05:30 Calling disciples: What made Jesus different from other rabbis?
09:04 Threefold ministry: Teaching, Proclaiming, Healing
12:00 9 miracle stories (Matthew 8–9) in 3 triads with discipleship interludes
19:15 Cost of discipleship & bad “Peter’s mother-in-law” joke
21:26 Does Jesus’ ministry still shape how we serve today?
26:01 “The harvest is plentiful”: Jesus sends out the 12 (Matthew 10)
29:51 Responses to Jesus: John the Baptist, crowds, and whole cities
34:26 “Come to me, all who are weary…” – Soul-level rest in Christ
38:07 What is the unforgivable sin? Blasphemy against the Spirit explained
43:09 Who is my family? Jesus redefines it
46:00 Jesus brings hope and rest, but demands a response
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48min
July 21, 2025 Episode 49: The Teacher Jesus
In this episode of Thread, Dave and Hannah delve into Jesus' role as teacher in the Gospel of Matthew, centering on the Sermon on the Mount. They explore the structure of Matthew's Gospel, comparing it with Mark, and focus on the significance of Jesus' teachings, particularly how they challenge conventional norms and emphasize humility, righteousness, and love. The episode also touches upon the importance of the Beatitudes, inner righteousness, and the ethical and spiritual demands Jesus places on his followers.
00:00 Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
01:10 Exploring Jesus' Influence and Teachings
02:13 Tattoo Stories and Personal Anecdotes
04:33 The Significance of the Sermon on the Mount
05:25 Understanding Matthew's Narrative
09:18 Jesus' Role as the New Moses
12:22 The Five Major Sermons in Matthew
21:51 The Great Commission and Discipleship
27:00 The Spirituality of Matthew's Gospel
29:17 Understanding the Sermon on the Mount
29:31 The Significance of the Whole Sermon
30:55 Righteousness Beyond Behavior
32:15 Jesus' Teaching Posture and Audience
35:15 The Beatitudes: A New Vision
36:06 Inner Life and Character
39:51 Salt, Light, and Wholeness
41:54 Addressing Anger, Lust, and Lying
43:08 Nonviolent Power Dynamics
44:30 Love as the Hermeneutical Key
49:05 Living in the Presence of God
51:04 Judgment and Choices
54:23 Concluding Thoughts and Personal Reflections

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55min
July 14, 2025 Episode 48: The Jewish Jesus
In the first episode of Season Two: Jesus and the People, hosts Hannah Desouza and Dr. David Pocta dive into Matthew's Gospel, focusing on its Jewish roots and the relationship between Jesus and the Old Testament. They discuss the concept of encountering the divine, the unique spiritual vision of each of the four gospels, and how Matthew emphasizes the ongoing presence of God. They examine the genealogy and birth of Jesus, the role of John the Baptist, and the beginning of Jesus's public ministry. The episode also highlights key themes of judgment and action in Matthew's Gospel, exploring how these concepts underpin the transformation that Jesus brings.
00:00 Encountering the Divine: Introduction
01:11 Welcome to Season Two of Thread
01:59 The Transition from Old to New Testament
02:38 Understanding the Four Gospels
09:10 The Early Church and the Gospels
17:34 Matthew's Gospel: Themes and Spiritual Vision
25:25 The Jewish Jesus: Prophecies Fulfilled
27:32 The Scandalous Lineage of Jesus
32:09 Embrace the Scandal
32:39 Joseph's Role in Jesus' Birth
33:39 Jewish Heritage and Traditions
36:02 The Arrival of Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem
36:55 John the Baptist's Ministry
41:55 The Meaning of Repentance
51:05 Jesus' Baptism and Wilderness Temptation
56:58 The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry
58:25 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
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58min
April 28, 2025 Special Episode: God's People Waited - Intertestamental Period
In this special episode, we cover the period between the Old and New Testaments which is often referred to as '400 years of silence." As you see from our discussion, nothing could be further from the truth as these centuries set up God's people for the coming of the messiah. This episode can serve as a great end to season one or an excellent primer for season two.
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1h 12min
April 07, 2025Episode 46: Rebuilding the Wall
In today’s episode, co-hosts Hannah Desouza and Dr. David Pocta continue the God’s People Blessed series, wrapping up the Old Testament with a discussion on rebuilding the wall. They take you through the final chapters of Ezra and Nehemiah, exploring God’s guidance, the people’s obedience, and the incredible restoration journey of God’s chosen people. The episode highlights how, even in the face of opposition, the people of God are called to play their part in God’s greater plan.
Topics Discussed:
The Setting of Ezra & Nehemiah: A historical backdrop of 458 BC, Ezra leading exiles to Jerusalem, and the cultural and spiritual issues faced.
The Purification of the Community: Ezra's controversial decision to remove foreign wives, its scriptural significance, and the deeper narrative of God’s call to holiness.
Nehemiah’s Bold Mission: The heart of Nehemiah, from his emotional response to the condition of Jerusalem, to his leadership in rebuilding the wall despite ridicule and opposition.
The Role of the People in Restoration: How the Jews, despite mockery, come together to complete the wall, demonstrating God's faithfulness through community effort.
The Significance of Genealogy: The emotional weight behind the genealogy list found by Nehemiah, highlighting the sacrifices made by those returning to Jerusalem after exile.
A New Covenant and Hope for Restoration: The renewed covenant the people make in chapter 9, their commitment to God, and the subsequent fall short in Nehemiah 13. Nehemiah’s fierce response and the underlying need for a Messiah to bring about true transformation.
The Already, But Not Yet Paradigm: The ongoing tension between spiritual restoration and the recognition that only God’s Spirit and the new covenant can bring true renewal.
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38min
March 31, 2025Episode 45: Esther
In this episode of Thread Podcast, hosts Hannah DeSouza and Dr. David Pocta dive into the Book of Esther, reflecting on how Esther’s story of courage, faith, and community support applies to their own life experiences. They are joined by special guest Melanie Singh, who provides a deep analysis of Esther's character transformation and her significance as a figure of bravery and spiritual growth, emphasizing themes of faith, agency, and God's providence.
Topics discussed:
Esther’s rise to the queen of Persia.
Her strategic and patient approach to save her people, and the historical and religious context surrounding her story.
Reflections on how the themes of fasting and trusting in God resonate with personal challenges and spiritual journeying.
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45min
March 24, 2025Episode 44: Rebuilding the Temple
On today's episode of the Thread podcast, join your hosts as they explore the return of the Jewish exiles to Judah and the rebuilding of the temple. The episode delves into various passages from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, highlighting the themes of comfort, restoration, and a future kingdom. Prophets Haggai and Zechariah are introduced as pivotal figures in motivating the Jews to resume construction. The episode concludes by noting the absence of the Shekinah glory in the newly rebuilt temple, suggesting a greater fulfillment to come.
Topics include:
They discuss the human instinct to restore the past and the importance of reimagining the future.
The role of home in spirituality, the significance of the exile and return, and the challenges of resistance and stalled efforts in rebuilding the temple.
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47min
March 17, 2025Episode 43: Exilic Prophets
In this episode of Thread, join your hosts as they delve into the unique roles and messages of the exilic prophets — Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah. They explore the prophets' responsibilities to provide comfort, interpret current events, and guide Israel through their tumultuous exile. The discussion highlights the need for critical thinking and theological reflection in modern faith communities to navigate today's challenges.
Topics discussed include:
Jeremiah's 'Weeping Prophet' persona and his focus on a new covenant
Ezekiel's symbolic street theater and his visions of a new heart and spirit
Isaiah's messages of comfort, theological reflection, and the hope brought by the 'servant songs.'
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46min
March 10, 2025Episode 42: Life in Exile
Join us as we begin God's People Returned, the last series in our first season, YHWH and the People, with this episode that examines what life was like for the Jewish people in Babylonian exile. Hannah and Dr. David discuss the impact of exile on Jewish faith and identity, emphasizing the transformative change it brought. The insights are drawn from prophetic voices like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who offered messages of hope and redefined the covenant. The episode concludes with a reflection on how these historical lessons can be applied to contemporary spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's voice and adopting a 'both-and' paradigm to navigate changing times.
Topics discussed:
The shift from temple-based to Torah-centered worship.
The emergence of synagogues, and the deepening of monotheistic belief.
The psychological, emotional, and cultural challenges faced by the Jews and the lessons learned about faithfulness and identity.
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44min
February 10, 2025Episode 41: Jerusalem's Fall
In this episode of the Thread Podcast, hosts Hannah DeSouza and Dr. David Pocta explore the spiritual and historical significance of Jerusalem's fall, as detailed in the Book of Lamentations. The discussion covers various key events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem, the importance of the Battle of Carchemish, and the resulting exile of the Jews to Babylon. They delve deeply into the chapters of Lamentations, analyzing the grief, sorrow, and hope portrayed in the poetic verses. The episode highlights how ancient Israel understood and processed their suffering and God's silence during these moments. It concludes by discussing the lasting impact of these events on Jewish tradition, particularly through Tisha B'Av, and sets the stage for the next series on life in exile.

Topics discussed include:
Jerusalem's Fall and Historical Context
The Battle of Carchemish and Its Impact
The Book of Lamentations: An Overview
An Exploration of the Themes of Lamentations
The Role of Grief and Lament in Spiritual Life
This Series Conclusion and Sneak Peak of the Upcoming Series
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Hannah DeSouza
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40min

FAQs about Thread:

How many episodes does Thread have?

The podcast currently has 83 episodes available.

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