Exploring More

Father Matters: Fighting for Their Hearts | S5E21

To help fuel this podcast: Zoweh.org/give Fighting for the Hearts of Your Kids In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by exploring a powerful dimension of fatherhood: advocacy. What does it mean to truly fight for your children's hearts? Michael and SJ unpack the difference between passive fathering and aggressive control—and introduce a third way: engaged, intentional advocacy. Fathers are invited to move beyond simply providing or correcting and into actively supporting their children's interests, decisions, and growing agency. Whether it's backing a big move, stepping into online gaming worlds, or standing up for a child in difficult environments, advocacy communicates something profound: "I am with you." The conversation also revisits the deeper roots of fathering—how our own upbringing shapes our instincts, reactions, and fears. Healing matters. Being fathered by God matters. Because when we receive unconditional love from the Father, we're empowered to extend that same steady presence and strength to our sons and daughters. This episode is a call to courageous engagement—to become the kind of father who protects without controlling, guides without shaming, and loves without condition. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us! Email us: exploringmore@zoweh.org 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

Restoring Relationship with Your Kids | S5E20

To help fuel this podcast: Zoweh.org/give Restoring Relationship with Your Kids In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by diving into the heart of fatherhood—a journey that begins with healing and continues through connection, repair, and redemption. Through Ephesians 5:1–2 and personal stories, the conversation unpacks the core truth that you can't love your kids well if you haven't received the extravagant love of the Father. Michael and SJ share their own experiences of navigating past wounds, rebuilding trust, and falling off the pedestal of perfection. They speak candidly about parenting from the false self, the challenges of offering real apologies, and the power of engaging our kids in conversations about their experience of being fathered. This episode is an invitation for dads to move from performance into presence, from distance into intimacy—with their children and with God. Whether you're starting the journey or already in the deep waters of fatherhood, there's more healing and hope available than you think. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us! Email us: exploringmore@zoweh.org 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

Presence Over Perfection: Fathering From the Heart | S5E19

In this week's episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue their deep dive into fatherhood with Part 2 of the Father Matters series. Centered around three foundational truths—that you can't father well unless you've been fathered, that fatherhood is relational not transactional, and that fatherhood never ends—the conversation challenges men to reflect on their own stories and press into presence over performance. Through personal stories and practical insights, Michael and SJ explore how being present, engaged, and intentional creates space for deeper connection and healing in relationships with children. They name the common distractions—busyness, financial stress, past wounds—and point to the quiet heroism of simply showing up. The power of meaningful questions, the role of forgiveness, and the impact of being emotionally available are all part of the journey. Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned father, or healing from your own father story, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that God is still fathering you—and He wants to empower you to father well. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us! Email us: exploringmore@zoweh.org 📕 Podcast: zoweh.org/podcast 📅 Register for The Heart of a Warrior Encounter (April 16–19, 2026): zoweh.org/events

Our Deepest Dive into FATHERHOOD | S5E18

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings launch a powerful new series called Father Matters—an eight-part journey into the heart of fatherhood, sonship, and legacy. Inspired by the final chapters of Michael's book King Me, the series invites men to examine their fathering stories: how they were fathered, how they father now, and how their relationship with God the Father can transform both. Michael and SJ walk through the first few themes of the devotional—beginning with the foundational idea that we are sons before we are fathers. The conversation explores the tension between presence and performance, the impact of blessing and naming identity, and the need to initiate—not just manage—our children's experiences. From making repairs to setting boundaries to letting go, each session of Father Matters invites deep reflection and courageous conversations. As Michael shares, the way we were fathered influences how we lead, protect, and love. This episode is a personal and practical start to a series that calls men to heal old wounds, live from their restored identity, and leave a meaningful legacy. 📕 email us: exploringmore@zoweh.org 🧭 Join a Father Matters Zoom group: https://www.zoweh.org/allies 📅 Register for The Heart of a Warrior Encounter (April 16–19, 2026): https://www.zoweh.org/events

The Gospel Hidden in a Love Story | S5E17

The Gospel in The Notebook In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings turn to an unexpected favorite—The Notebook—to explore the deeper longings of the human heart. What might seem like a simple romantic drama becomes a window into themes of pursuit, sacrifice, faithfulness, and sacred romance woven into the larger story God is telling. Through the characters of Noah and Allie, Michael and SJ unpack what it means to fight for love over time, through opposition, loss, and suffering. They reflect on the beauty of being chosen, known, and pursued—and how true romance always carries a cost. The conversation moves beyond sentimentality into the reality that real love is forged through perseverance, courage, and self-giving devotion. Alongside their film analysis, Michael shares a personal story of encountering God's presence in an unexpected moment—drawing a parallel between divine pursuit and human romance. Together, they invite listeners to consider how stories like The Notebook awaken something holy in us: a longing to be fully loved and to give ourselves away for something greater. We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us! Sign Up for the Heart of a Warrior Encounter: www.zoweh.org/events 📧 Email us: exploringmore@zoweh.org 🌐 Learn more: https://www.zoweh.org/podcast