How I See It

Thanks for hanging in there with us last week and listening to our "Encore" presentation of the "White Blank Page" episode. This week, we're back in the studio, and we got a brand-new episode for you. On this latest episode of How I See It, we wrestle with the ideal of "excellence" and how to pursue it in a healthy, sustainable way. We discuss how the relentless c...

Mark and Justin are taking a break from recording new episodes this week, so we're bringing you an encore presentation of one of our most meaningful conversations from the archives - "White Blank Page." In this episode, Mark and Justin dive into overcoming perfectionism and approval addiction. They talk honestly about surrendering unhelpful thoughts, learning from failures, and reali...

Mark and Justin discuss how beards and tattoos have become meaningful parts of their identities. They share stories behind Justin's 11 tattoos and Mark's 5-year beard journey. Though cautioning against over-identifying with external appearances, they reflect on how tattoos and beards can represent faith, relationships, interests, and uniqueness. Share your beard, tattoo, or other appearanc...

"Sticks and Stones might break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Don't you wish this was true?! In today's dialogue, we unpack stories of words that impacted our lives, exploring the power to build up or tear down. We share some thoughts on critiquing carefully (or not at all), embracing the gift of encouragement, and walking with humility. From inner insecurities to regre...

Big decisions got you tossing and turning all night? In this episode, we (Justin and Mark) have an earnest discussion about how to approach important life decisions, specifically as people of faith. Responding to Mark’s probing, Justin explains some of his big-decision-making process. And we talk about the value of coming to agreement with a spouse before making big decisions to prevent future res...

In today’s episode, we decided to pull an episode out of a hat… An AI ChatGPT hat. We used ChatGPT to generate some random topics using our previous episode titles as the source/inspiration, then put those topics in a randomizer. The topic for today… "Should athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem?" Proceeding with this topic, we discuss how this is a polarizing issue, wi...

Join Mark and Justin today as the duo explores the value of quietness. Mark begins by describing a serene encounter with a fox on an early morning run, which prompts reflections on introversion, extroversion, and the evolving relationship with solitude. They delve into the peaceful and contemplative aspects of being quiet while acknowledging its challenges, especially for those facing mental healt...

In this episode, we discuss the topic of quitting. We explore the stigma associated with quitting, and how and why it is sometimes necessary. We share personal experiences with quitting, and how we have learned to recognize when it is time to move on. We discuss the importance of knowing when a season is over, and how to gracefully transition into a new season.

Today, we discuss the concept of spiritual balance and the duality of good and evil. Mark reflects on a recent sermon about the authority of Jesus and the limitations of seeking balance from a cosmic perspective. They emphasize the importance of faith and trust in our higher power, even when answers are not fully comprehensible. We explore some theological concepts and challenges of understanding...

In this podcast episode, Mark and Justin discuss the five apology languages, which are similar to the five love languages. They talk about how important it is to understand your own apology language and the apology language of the people you care about. They also discuss how pride and guilt can sometimes get in the way of apologizing effectively, and offer some tips for overcoming these obstacles....

Today is the continuation of the conversation we started last week about abortion, with our guest Sarah Hall. We appreciate her coming on How I See It to share her personal experience with abortion, and bravely offering encouragement to others who may be in a similar situation. We talk about the importance of offering love and grace to those who have had abortions, rather than judgment, and we dis...

Sarah shares her personal experience with abortion and how her views on the issue have evolved over time. She discusses the challenges of being pro-choice and pro-life and argues that a middle ground needs to be explored. She also talks about the importance of faith in her journey and how it has helped her to change her mind about abortion. Listen to this thought-provoking discussion on this extre...

Today we explore the concept of pride; the positive and negative facets, and examine its implications in various contexts such as personal achievements, national pride, and parenting. We compare the differences between humility and false humility, highlighting the delicate balance between accepting compliments graciously and avoiding excessive self-focus. This episode also emphasizes the importanc...

Today is the continuation of the conversation we started last week about brains, with our guest and Mark’s daughter — Lizzie Pratt. Together, we explore brain science, focusing on the advancements by Elon Musk’s Neuralink in connecting the brain to computers. We recruited Lizzie, a biopsychology student, as our “expert” on the subject, and she shared insights into the interplay between biology and...

“If the human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we couldn’t.” — physicist Emerson M. Pugh Today, we introduce Mark’s daughter, and our guest, Lizzie Pratt. Together, we explore brain science, focusing on the advancements by Elon Musk’s Neuralink in connecting the brain to computers. We recruited Lizzie, a biopsychology student, as our “expert” on the subj...

Today on How I See It, we explore the impact of social media on children's developing minds. We discuss how it affects their self-esteem, body image, relationships, and mental health. Through research, we uncover the risks of excessive screen time including things like cyberbullying. We provide a few how-I-see-it strategies for parents to foster healthy digital habits and open communication. T...

In today's episode, we explore the role of boundaries in codependency. We discuss the challenges of setting boundaries in codependent relationships, the reasons behind boundary violations, and practical strategies for establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. Join us as we discuss the difficult but important work of establishing boundaries in order to foster healthier relationships.

Today, we continue our discussion of truth with guest Jeff Lindholm (be sure to check out part 1 !). We continue with our exploration and questions such as: What is truth? How do we determine what is true? And how do we reconcile differing viewpoints on truth? Together, we delve into the importance of seeking truth, both personally and in our communities, and how it can lead to greater understandi...

On this episode of "How I See It," co-hosts discuss the often misunderstood and complex topic of truth, joined by guest Jeff Lindholm. They explore questions such as: What is truth? How do we determine what is true? And how do we reconcile differing viewpoints on truth? Together, they delve into the importance of seeking truth, both personally and in our communities, and how it can lead...

Welcome to "How I See It"! In this episode, we're getting real about codependency as we kick off a multi-episode chat regarding codependency and boundaries. Join us today as we dive into the world of enabling and addiction, and explore the struggles of codependent relationships. But don't worry, we're not all doom and gloom - we'll be tackling this heavy topic with some o...

Last week, we discussed marriage counseling, and this week we discussed what often happens when a marriage goes sour — Divorce. In this episode, we share how we see divorce, our own experiences with those on the brink of divorce (or tipped over), and discuss what we believe Jesus and the Bible have to say about it. Tune in to find out where we land on this tricky subject. If you've experienced...

Today, we dive into the polarizing topic of marriage counseling. Some people swear by it, some simply view it as a waste of time and money, while others see it as a shameful admission of failure. Mark shares a bit of background into how and why he (and his wife Chris) became so passionate about the topic of marriage, marriage counseling, and marriage ministry, and Mark and Justin each share their...

Purpose is the focus of today’s episode on How I See It, as we chat about the ways we seek out and discover our purpose, as well as the importance of finding our purpose through the mundane and routine experiences of life. We hope this episode brings encouragement to begin or continue the hunt for your divine purpose.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for" - but what does that mean? In this episode of "How I See It," we explore the topic of faith. From personal experiences to Biblical beliefs, we dive into how faith shapes our lives and perspectives. Join us as we discuss the role of faith in our lives, how it shapes our views of the world around us, and more importantly our view of Go...

In this episode, co-hosts Mark and Justin explore the idea that our strengths and weaknesses are often intertwined. They delve into the concept of "The Stick" - the notion that the weakness that accompanies our strengths is like a stick, meant to keep us humble and grounded. In typical “How I See It” style, we examine how our strengths can bring perspective to our weaknesses and how we can learn t...