The Alive & Free Podcast

Bethel, Shawn Bolz, and "Cover-Up Culture" — Our Honest Conversation

For many believers, recent conversations around church leadership, prophetic ministry, and spiritual authority haven't just felt theological — they've felt deeply personal. In this episode, Spencer Robbins and Josh Straub sit down to talk honestly about what surfaces when trust is broken, leaders fall, and faith feels shaken — especially in light of the growing discussion around Shawn Bolz and Bethel Church. This isn't a reaction episode or an online takedown. It's a grounded, compassionate conversation about how to walk through church hurt, leadership disappointment, and spiritual grief without partnering with cynicism, accusation, or walking away from God altogether. Together, they explore why we place leaders on pedestals, how wounds quietly shape our view of God, and what it looks like to hold justice and compassion at the same time. They also share practical ways to grieve well, rebuild trust, and process pain honestly instead of spiritually bypassing it. This episode is for anyone who: Feels unsettled or faith-shaken by recent events Has experienced church hurt or leadership betrayal Wants healthy discernment without becoming cynical Is carrying anger, confusion, or grief beneath the surface Desires to reconnect with God after disappointment At its heart, this conversation invites you to bring your pain into the light, remove people from pedestals, and rediscover a faith rooted in relationship — not performance or platforms. To find freedom, healing, and emotional wholeness, check out the Alive & Free Collective: 👉 www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com To become a life coach and learn how to help people get free emotionally while building a meaningful business, watch our Coach Training: 👉 www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com

Do You Actually Want Freedom? (The Gospel vs Religious Control)

Many Christians long for freedom, healing, and intimacy with God—yet remain exhausted, anxious, or stuck in cycles of striving and self-effort. In this episode, Spencer Robbins and Josh Straub explore what happens when faith quietly shifts from relationship to performance. They talk honestly about burnout, the hidden addiction to significance, and why shame—not sin—is often the real barrier to transformation. Together, they unpack the difference between guilt and shame, why grace must come before truth can be lived, and how control disguises itself as faithfulness. This conversation invites listeners to examine whether they are pursuing freedom—or merely managing behavior to feel safe. This episode is for anyone who: Feels tired of trying harder spiritually Struggles with shame or fear of being exposed Knows the gospel intellectually but doesn't feel free emotionally Wants a faith rooted in union, not performance At its core, this is an invitation to trade control for trust—and discover the freedom that comes from being loved before you change. To find freedom, healing, and emotional wholeness, check out the Alive & Free Collective: 👉 www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com To become a life coach and learn how to help people get free emotionally while building a meaningful business, watch our Coach Training: 👉 www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com

When "Hard Work" Is Just Avoidance (and What You're Really Running From)

You might call it ambition. Work ethic. Faithfulness. Discipline. But sometimes "busy" is just pain avoidance with better branding. In this episode, Spencer and Sammi unpack what they call hustloin—the cycle where hustle and busyness become a way to outrun what you don't know how to feel. From the tension of motherhood and autonomy, to entrepreneurship, provision pressure, and the subtle addiction to significance… we get honest about what's really driving you when you can't slow down. We talk about: The difference between purposeful work and pain-driven hustle How "I have to do it all" creates chronic overwhelm Why you can't problem-solve well while you're triggered (and what to do first) The motherhood tension: impact and autonomy vs presence and slow living The "10x version of you" high—and how it can become a form of self-medication Integrity, impostor syndrome, and why connection has to come first If you've been calling it productivity but it feels like pressure… this conversation will put language to what's happening inside you—and give you a path back to peace without quitting your life. If this hit home, share it with a friend who's "always busy." And if you want to go deeper into emotional health, wholeness, and building a life from connection, stay close—we're bringing you into the real conversation.     See all of our resources at www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com    

Why We Get It Wrong: The Pain and Beauty of Discerning God's Voice

What do you do when you're convinced you've heard from God—and everything falls apart? In this episode, Spencer and Sammi Robbins share stories of confusing dreams, missed signals, and the longing for divine direction that so often leads us into pain or shame. They unpack the subtle ways our desires and fears can shape what we think God is saying, and why it's so important to hold space for uncertainty, humility, and curiosity in our relationship with Him. Instead of formulas or guarantees, discover a grace-centered approach to hearing God's voice—one that's rooted in intimacy, not control. Whether you're wrestling with disappointment, searching for clarity, or simply longing to connect with God in a real way, you'll find hope, wisdom, and practical tools for your journey here. Chapters & Timestamps  00:00 Introduction & the longing to hear God  03:45 Sammy's stories of God, desire, and confusion  21:40 Disappointment and shame: when you think you missed it  28:03 Taking risks, risking failure, and the heart-lifting shift  36:35 Direction vs. intimacy: what matters more  49:16 How certainty (and desperation) can become its own idol  59:41 Learning to rest in mystery, humility, and connection  Learn more, find resources, or get in touch at: www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com

How to Regulate with No Margin (Baby #2, Toddler Tantrums, & Trusting a Good Father)

Out of margin? Whether you're navigating a new baby, a demanding job, a strained relationship, grief, or a big transition, this conversation gives you practical ways to stay grounded when life won't slow down. We share Romi's birth story and the grief that unexpectedly opened the door to peace, unpack why people "borrow" each other's nervous systems, and walk through simple, repeatable practices to regulate in real time—without perfection or spiritual jargon. Who This Is For (and Why It Helps) Parents and caregivers feeling stretched thin and reactive—learn how to co-regulate and repair. Singles and married couples without kids facing career pressure, loneliness, or change—use micro-practices to steady your inner world. Leaders, pastors, and coaches who carry others' emotions—discover how presence resets a room better than control. Anyone in transition or grief—see why honest sorrow can become the doorway to peace rather than a detour. You'll walk away with language for what's happening in your body, a kinder way to meet your triggers, and small steps that create real change. What You'll Learn How grief can make space for breakthrough (Romi's story) The pain–fear–tension loop and how to break it "Borrowed nervous systems": why your presence matters more than perfect words A clarifying question that transforms reactivity: "Why does this bother me?" Zero-margin tools: two breaths + one sentence, name the wave, orient to good, rhythm over rules, repair over perfection Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 When life feels unmanageable (why margin matters) 03:20 Grieving what's ending and how it made room (Romi's birth) 10:10 Pain–fear–tension: what bracing does to your body 16:45 Borrowed nervous systems: presence over control 23:00 The belief beneath the reaction: "Why does this bother me?" 31:15 Micro-practices for zero-margin moments (step-by-step) 38:00 Being parented by God so we can lead from peace   Learn more, find resources, or get in touch at: www.aliveandfreeconsulting.com