Practically Christian Podcast

Leave the Shore: Paddling out past Anxiety

Send us Fan MailFear is loud, persuasive, and weirdly logical when it’s talking you out of the very things that would help you grow. Josh is joined by Kayla for a candid, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about fear, anxiety, and the kind of pressure that hits teens hardest: rejection, embarrassment, and getting labeled by other people. We start with the fear of being outcast and why it can feel so crippling even when you can “find your people” online, then we pull that thread into what fear does to your choices day after day. From there we get practical through stories. Surfing big waves with a lot of fear in the background. Paddleboarding in Florida water where you can’t see the bottom and your mind fills in the blanks with gators and worst-case scenarios. Those moments expose what anxiety often is: a stack of scary outcomes plus a belief that you cannot handle them. We also talk parenting and why kids need safe, guided chances to face hard things now, because life won’t always offer a soft landing later. We take a Christian perspective on overcoming fear by reframing faith as more than agreement. Faith becomes movement: “because I believe, I will.” Fear becomes the opposite: “because I don’t believe, I won’t.” That shift changes how you handle stage fright, social pressure, fear of conflict, and fear of being seen as “that Christian.” If you want tools for overcoming fear, reducing anxiety, and building courage in everyday life, this one will meet you where you are. Subscribe, share this with someone who’s been stuck, and leave a review. Then message us what fear you’re tackling in the next two weeks and how you pushed through it.https://www.missionsent.org/

Embracing the Suck: Motivation vs. Discipline

Send us Fan MailShow Notes:Is your faith giving you a free pass from hardship, or is it giving you the grit to push through it? This week, we are talking about the military concept of "Embracing the Suck"—accepting miserable circumstances and choosing to complete the mission anyway.In This Episode:The Reality Check: Why modern culture expects an easy life, and how to change your mindset when trials inevitably hit (James 1).Motivation vs. Discipline: Why motivation is just an emotion that fades, and why true discipline is the vital follow-through you need.The "Gasser" Sprint: How surviving a brutal season is exactly like running exhausting sprints at the end of football practice—you just have to take it one bite at a time.The Challenge: We challenge you to join our "No Complain Zone" this week. Stop wasting energy on the negative and start focusing on the next right step.Resources & Links:Learn more about our mission and grab some gear at [Link to Mission Sent website/store]Have a question or a topic you want us to cover? Drop us a line at [Email Address]If this episode helped you, text the link to one person who needs to hear it today!https://www.missionsent.org/

Beggars Telling Beggars Where to Find Bread: Faith on the Front Lines

Send us Fan MailThe Rundown: In this episode, Josh sits down with Jared Altic, a veteran police chaplain and host of the Hey Chaplain podcast. They dive deep into the often-overlooked world of law enforcement chaplaincy—from delivering death notifications to supporting officers who see the worst of humanity.They discuss the theology of trauma, why a "safe" childhood isn't a spiritual disadvantage, and how the church can move beyond shallow support to truly partner with their local police departments.3 Key Takeaways:1. The "Beggars Telling Beggars" Mindset: Jared and Josh discuss why the church isn’t a country club for the perfect, but a hospital for the broken. Effective ministry (and parenting!) requires the humility to admit we are all just "beggars telling other beggars where to find bread."2. Resilience vs. Calluses: We often think we need a gritty testimony to be tough. Jared breaks down the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score and explains why a safe, loving upbringing isn't a weakness—it’s the foundation for the resilience needed to help others in crisis.3. Practical Support > Cookies: Want to support your local police? Stop guessing. Jared challenges listeners to move beyond dropping off cookies (which often get thrown away!) and instead ask the department what they actually need. Whether it’s funding a vest, a radio, or daycare for a single mom in uniform, true support solves real problems.Links & Resources:Check out Jared's Podcast: https://heychaplain.buzzsprout.com/Mentioned in this episode: Jimmy Carr on "Low Stakes" living vs. Fatherhood.Scripture Reference: "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) – Loving the unlovable cop.https://www.missionsent.org/

From Lent To Wilderness: Finding Faith When God Feels Silent

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Josh and Debbie brave the elements—literally. With the office heater broken, we’re recording outside in the Florida "cold" to talk about a different kind of chill: The Wilderness Phase.We often think spiritual dryness is a punishment or a sign that God has left the building. But what if the wilderness isn't about abandonment? What if it’s about preparation? Just as Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, sometimes God strips away the noise and comforts to get us ready for the mission ahead.We also breakdown the upcoming season of Lent, the real meaning of Shrove Tuesday (it’s more than just pancakes), and why "following your heart" is terrible advice when you're lost in the woods.In This Episode:The "Icebox" Studio: Why we are recording outside and how distraction works.Theology of the Wild: The difference between wandering due to a lack of faith (Israel) vs. wandering for training (Jesus).Counseling Corner: Distinguishing between "Spiritual Dryness" and clinical depression.The "Shrove" Strategy: How to "clear the deck" of your heart before Lent begins.The Challenge: The Pancake Summit. Before Ash Wednesday, sit down for a meal with your family (phones away!). Ask this question: "What is the one thing distracting us from God right now?"Action Step: Pick Your Fast. Don't just pick something convenient. Choose one thing to "kill" for the next 40 days. Whether it's social media, sugar, or TV—pick a sacrifice that will actually cost you something, and use that space to seek God.https://www.missionsent.org/

Win The Fight By Changing The Rules

Send us Fan MailArguments don’t wreck relationships—bad rules do. We sat down to unpack a counterintuitive promise: you can “win” every fight by changing what winning means. Instead of louder voices and sharper comebacks, we build a simple, repeatable framework that turns conflict into connection, whether you’re married, parenting, or navigating tough moments at work.We start by swapping pride for purpose. Borrowing the logic of rules of engagement, we set boundaries that keep the relationship safe: when to talk, when to pause, and where the hard conversations happen. You’ll hear why a demilitarized zone—a consistent, private space—reduces shame and performative arguing, and how banning the words never and always stops character attacks before they start. We also explore why only a few hills deserve a fight and how aligning on end goals keeps you moving toward a shared future rather than short‑term wins.Then we get practical. We break down a de‑escalation continuum you can use tonight: start with curiosity, keep it private, escalate slowly, and agree on a timed pause when tempers spike. There’s a quick tour of the brain science behind anger—why the prefrontal cortex goes quiet and the limbic system takes over—and how sleep, movement, and clear reconvene times restore logic and empathy. Throughout, we anchor the conversation in faith and humility, showing how restraint is strength and how peacemaking protects intimacy.Ready to rewrite the script on conflict? Grab our free Rules of Engagement at missionscent.org/church under Resources, put them on the table with your spouse or family, and try them this week. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who argues about everything, and leave a review to help others find the show.https://www.missionsent.org/