Fear has a voice — but it doesn’t belong on the throne.

In this episode of the Midtown Podcast, Austin, Jay, and Payton have an honest, raw conversation about anxiety, fear, depression, identity, and what it actually looks like to live with Jesus as King — not just in theory, but in real life.

Payton shares his journey from atheism, addiction, and suicidal thoughts to encountering Jesus in a deeply personal way. Together, they unpack how fear grows in isolation, why community is essential for healing, and how placing Jesus back at the center brings peace when your mind feels out of control.

This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, anxious, ashamed of their thoughts, or tired of fighting alone.
You are not broken. You are not alone. And Jesus is closer than you think.

00:00 – Intro & catching up
02:00 – Identity, image, and why we wear what we wear
05:30 – A hungover church visit that changed everything
06:45 – “Holy Spirit, pull them out of their seat”
08:30 – From atheism to addiction to desperation
10:45 – Suicidal thoughts and hitting the breaking point
12:30 – Experiencing Jesus, not just knowing about Him
14:40 – You don’t have to clean yourself up first
18:30 – Anxiety, fear, and intrusive thoughts
21:00 – Why isolation makes fear louder
22:45 – Putting Jesus back on the throne
25:30 – Community as a weapon against fear
28:40 – Perfect love casts out fear
31:00 – Redefining greatness in the Kingdom
34:40 – Seeking the Kingdom first
38:15 – Thankfulness as a spiritual indicator
41:00 – Going on offense with the Word
45:00 – Identity: who you are vs. what you struggle with
48:45 – God singing a new song over you
51:30 – Final encouragement: you are not alone