Reflection

On this episode climber, mentor, and storyteller Craig DeMartino joins me for a powerful conversation about faith, perseverance, and discovering purpose in every season of life. Craig shares how the outdoors shaped him, how community forms us, and how God meets us in moments of challenge, growth, and calling. Whether you’re a climber, an adventurer, or someone navigating a season of change, Craig’...

On this episode, I talk with Joel Biermann of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis about Christian leadership, the challenges facing the Church today, and the hope that continues to anchor God’s people. Dr. Biermann—longtime professor, pastor, and current candidate for president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod—reflects on the experiences that shaped his calling, the role of theological formation...

They met as kids, grew up together, then started a life together! Meet Jonathan and Christa Petzold. He's an author and pastor of church in Northeast Illinois. She's an author and doctoral student and pastor's wife. And they are living in Christ! You can find out more about the Petzolds and get their books here. Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—...

Imagine what your life would be like if you were to do the things that Jesus says - which is in red letters in many Bibles? That's the premise of the Red Letter Challenge by Zach Zehnder and that is what we talk about on this episode! Check out the Red Letter Challenge website here. Purchase your copy of Red Letter Challenge here. You can find out more about Zach and his ministry here. Please...

Dr. Jeff Kloha, dean of the Center for Missional and Pastoral Leadershi, has spent his career helping the Church think deeply about Scripture, formation, and the mission of God in a changing world. In his work with pastors and leaders, he brings a rare blend of theological depth, practical wisdom, and a heart for equipping God’s people for faithful ministry. For more information about The Center f...

He comes from New York, grew up in Iowa and now lives in Wisconsin. A life-long - and long-suffering - Buffalo Bills fan, as well as being the youngest of seven children, Steve Kline has a rather unique insight on who God is and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. To find out more about Steve: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Books recommended by Steve: Crucial Conversations: Tools for T...

He is a husband, father, pastor, public speaker, and author. And he’s got something to say to today’s generation! The Christian Faith is not an obligation. The Christian Church is not a place where you “check the boxes.” Meet Zach Zehnder, who tells us that following Jesus is an opportunity! For more about Zach, head over to his website, Red Letter Challenge. Red Letter Challenge Books recommended...

From humble beginnings growing up in Texas to being the leader of several churches, a District President and the the President of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod - a church body of nearly 2 million people - the Rev. Dr. Jerry Kieschnick inspires us to answer God's call to serve others! Books recommended by Jerry: The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People The 7 Habit...

Life feels heavy at times. Especially in dark times. Where do you turn when it does? Who do you turn to to get through what you're going through? Tanner Olson returns to the Reflection Podcast with a new book of poems and essays! To find out more about Tanner, go to Written to Speak. To get a copy of Getting Through What You're Going Through, click here. Here are the previous episodes feat...

What if I told you that the Christmas story you know—Mary, Joseph, a manger, and a baby—wasn’t a surprise to God… not even close? In fact, He announced it centuries in advance, hiding jaw-dropping clues in plain sight all throughout the Old Testament. Some scholars say there are as many as 300 specific prophecies about the Messiah written hundreds, even thousands of years before Jesus was born. On...

Today you'll get a little insight into how a preacher learns how to preach from one of the men responsible for teaching preaching! He grew up in a church worker family, became a parish pastor himself and then was called to teach homiletics at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. To find out more about Peter Nafzger, click here . Book recommendation: The Genius of Luther's Theology: A...

From small town Iowa to the capital of the United States, Mark Shaltanis serves as pastor in one of the most contentious but also exciting places in the world! He will inspire you to reflect God's light and love in this world! Book Recommendations Fearful Breakers by Janice Sebring The Story of Civilization: The Reformation by Will Durant Martin Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation The Lu...

A public school teacher who ends up serving as a missionary in Europe then comes back to America to lead Deaconess studies in the U.S. This is the inspiring story of Dr. Jennie Asher, Deaconess and Director of Deaconess Studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. To find out more about the Deaconess Program at Concordia Seminary, click here . Books recommended by Dr. Asher: The Lutheran...

Sometimes we have a plan for our lives and then God comes along and says, "Have I got something for you!" That's what happened to Jamie Crustals. And you are about to hear her story. Books recommend by Jamie: Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel Spark by John J. Ratey MD and Eric Hagerman The Spark of Learning by Sarah Rose Cavanagh To connect...

Dreams are a reflection of what is in our heart. And if our heart belongs to God then our dreams can be anchored in God! Today's conversation is with Dave Ficken, who is the Chicago City Director for LINC - Leaders in every Community (the "e" is silent). The dream of LINC is that there will come a day when everyone on every corner of our cities can experience the Gospel in terms they...

The Latin Phrase "Extra Nos" means "outside myself." This is the theme of the life of Flame, a rap music artist who was taught about Jesus from his grandmother and grew up in the Reformed Church tradition. But then he discovered God's grace comes outside of himself and found a home in Lutheranism. Now he composes music, hosts a podcast, and writes books telling his story and leading others to find...

Untamed Prayers will take you out of your spiritual comfort zone. On this episode we’ll leave behind the boring, predictable prayers that so many Christians are stuck in and dive into ones full of praise, despair, joy, and lament. Based on The Book of Psalms, these prayers cover all parts of life—the good times and the tough ones—and what better way to find the right words to say to God than the v...

Untamed Prayers will take you out of your spiritual comfort zone. On this episode we’ll leave behind the boring, predictable prayers that so many Christians are stuck in and dive into ones full of praise, despair, joy, and lament. Based on The Book of Psalms, these prayers cover all parts of life—the good times and the tough ones—and what better way to find the right words to say to God than the v...

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Pastor Matt Peeples of the Kairos Network in Saint Louis, MO, as he shares the journey of creating The Missionary Pathway. Born from a passion for making disciples and connecting the disconnected to Jesus, this project builds on Matt’s ministry experience that began in 2011 at The Point in Knoxville, TN. There, he pioneered innovative outreach strategies—...

Season 5 Begins September 3, 2025!

Ever feel like your own worst enemy when chasing your dreams? Those nagging voices in your head whispering, "Your purpose is too big," or "Your dreams will never come true"? In this electrifying episode, Jeff Meyer unveils a game-changing mindset shift: transforming those inner critics into your personal  Internal Board of Directors ! Discover how to harness these voices, align...

The "Sermon." It has been a part of the Christian Church forever. But how does a preacher craft a sermon? On this episode, I talk with three preachers and collectively, we have over 120 years of experience crafting and preaching sermons! To find out more about these pastors, here is there contact information: Kurt Taylor - https://blog.cuw.edu/dcm/ Steve Kline - https://www.shepherdhills.org Mark...

God took the son of a milkman from the Southside of Chicago and used him to reflect His light and love via parish ministry, teaching, a speaker on the longest-running religious radio program in the world, and as president of a prestigious theological institution. Now you'll hear his story - this is Dale Meyer who tells us, "Tomorrow needs you!" Books recommended by Dale ⁠ Amusing Ourselves to Deat...

Poetry and music go together! On this episode you'll get both! The poetry and stories of Tanner Olson. The music and stories of Blake Flattley. Rate, comment and share the show! Tanner’s Website https://www.writtentospeak.com Tanner’s Merch (including published books) https://www.writtentospeak.com/store Pre-Order All The Things I Say to God: Learning to Pray Anytime, Anywhere by Tanner Olson http...

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election was historic! And there was - and is - a lot to say about it! But what do Christians do now? Greg Seltz, leader of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington D.C. talks about the Christian's response to the election and to the government. Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty American Betrayed: How a Christian Monk Created America & Why the...