Make It Simple

This week, Matt and Rachel discuss the often-misunderstood concept of discipleship, arguing it's fundamentally about a daily relationship "with God" rather than actions "for God." Drawing from Skye Jethani's book "With," they emphasize that discipleship is about walking with Jesus, resting in His promises, and letting His presence shape our identity and acti...

In this episode, Rachel and Matt talk about shows we've grown up with and their child stars, and examine how we feel about children in media, given how our culture treats celebrities. Given recent discussions around children's roles in social media, it's a timely conversation. Things referenced in this episode: Book: Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Chann...

In this episode, Rachel and Matt discuss the person of Jesus- not the idea of Jesus, the work of Jesus, or even the deity of Jesus. Who is he as a person? Things referenced in this episode: Book: Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund Book: He Loved Them  by Jessica Thompson Previous Episode: How Jesus Loves with Jessica Thompson Statistic: Barna Research Support the show For more information on Make...

This week, we invite Chad Lakies back to help us finish our Junk Drawer Jesus series and talk about how to move forward as believers in today’s culture. Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies is the regional director for North America at Lutheran Hour Ministries, and is a scholar on the intersection of church and culture. Check out his new book, How the Light Shines Through , anywhere books are sold. Support the sh...

This week, Chad Bird returns to discuss Idolatry, its large role in our lives, and what we can do about it. Chad is an author and a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He also has a new book out, Hitchhiking with Prophets , available at 1517.org . Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head...

Frank Hart is back on the podcast this week to talk with Matt and Rachel about happiness and its role in our lives. Frank Hart is the Pastor of NewChurch in Katy, Texas. He is an author, recording artist, frontman for Atomic Opera, public speaker, and record producer. He is also a happy husband and father. His book, “Joyride: A Beginning in Every End” and various albums of his music are available...

This week, we welcome Bob Hiller to discuss Chapter 6, “On Pietists and Party Animals,” and our tendency as believers to swing between legalism and throwing it all out the window. Bob Hiller is the senior pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, CA. He is the content editor for The Craft of Preaching, a preacher on You Are Forgiven Radio, and a contributor to 1517. He is also a co-host on...

This week, we welcome back our good friend Tanner Olson to talk about How God Speaks to us in today’s world. Tanner Olson is an author, speaker, poet and the founder of Written to Speak which aims to spread hope and announce love through spoken word and poetry. He's written three books of poetry: Walk A Little Slower , As You Go: Words for the Unknown , and I’m All Over the Place . Support th...

This week, we welcome a special guest, Matt’s good friend and Rachel’s husband, Jeremy Ryder, to discuss Chapter 4: "The Why of Work" and finding balance with this significant part of our lives. Jeremy has worked with many large organizations to help with their recruiting and hiring strategies and brings a heart-filled perspective on the way of work. Support the show For more information...

In this special season of Make It Simple, we're having conversations with friends all about Matt's new book, Junk Drawer Jesus . This week, we welcome Erick Sorensen to talk about Chapter 3: "Of Mountains and Measurements" and what do we do about grace when it seems so counter-intuitive. You can grab your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovits today at 1517.org or anywhere...

In this special season of Make It Simple, we're having conversations with friends all about Matt's new book, Junk Drawer Jesus . This week, we welcome Jared Wilson to talk about Chapter 2: "The Myth of the Cosmic Scale" and how the point was never to be perfect (spoiler alert: you won't achieve it anyway). You can grab your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovits today...

In this special season of Make It Simple, we're having conversations with friends all about Matt's new book, Junk Drawer Jesus . This week, we welcome David Zahl to talk about Chapter 1: "The Spiritual Junk Drawer," and discuss what's in our spiritual junk drawers, and why it's good to declutter our religion. You can grab your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovit...

This week, the podcast welcomes John Busacker for our season finale episode, where we discuss what it means to finish things well in all aspects of life. John shares wisdom to be considered as we look at what it means to move through life with intention. It’s a perfect conversation to close out this podcast season. John Busacker is a writer, speaker and the Founder of Life-Worth, LLC, a personal l...

Dr. Jordan Cooper joins the podcast to help us break down and understand Christian nationalism and share wisdom about living as a believer and a citizen. It’s a meaningful conversation with a new perspective on political responsibility.  Jordan Cooper is an ordained Lutheran pastor, a Professor of Systematic Theology, the Executive Director of Just and Sinner, and the President of the American Lut...

This week, Matt and Rachel welcome screenwriter and filmmaker Joshua Salzberg, who shares about the power found in storytelling. He shares how stories help change and shape us, and often, leads us to great empathy. It’s a very fun episode,  filled with a lot of wisdom (and a little bit of movie talk). To learn more and stay updated about Joshua's newest project, follow @ThePerformance on Inst...

Terra McDaniel joins the podcast this week and brings a new perspective on grief. She shares how many people don’t know how to process mourning and instead struggle to honor their tears, vulnerability, and the full weight of these disillusioning times. She offers several practical ways to express lament and leaves us with hope for moving forward. Terra McDaniel is a spiritual director for adults a...

Elrena Evans joins the podcast this week to share her experience as part of a family with special needs. She beautifully shares her story and what inspired her to write a book of prayers for when you don't have the words, and she gives us practical and loving ways to truly be welcoming to everyone, especially people navigating a world not designed for them. It's an empathetic conversatio...

This week, Michelle Thompson is back with Matt & Rachel to discuss perfectionism and shame and shows us grief and acceptance are the pathways to growth. As always, Michelle brings wisdom, warmth, and lighthearted grace to the conversation.  You don’t want to miss it. Michelle is the Senior Director of External Relations and Executive Coaching and Consulting, Townsend Institute, Concordia Irvin...

This week, Steve Theiss joins Matt and Rachel to share about the art and craft of comedy. Steve shares insights into the importance of comedy, making people laugh, and the creative process behind humor. Listeners can gain a deeper understanding of the comedic world and pick up a few tips on injecting humor into their own lives. Steve Theiss writes, improvises, acts, directs, teaches improv, and oc...

Bob Hiller joins Rachel & Matt to share about some commonly misunderstood and misused Scripture. It’s a fun and grace-filled episode as they dive deep into three commonly misunderstood Bible verses. Bob shares how to better approach Scripture, and they all land on the other side with a deeper insight into the character of God (Warning… You may come away with a new perspective on some favorite...

This week, Matt and Rachel are back, and talk with author and artist Ned Bustard about the true story of Saint Valentine and his new book Saint Valentine the Kindhearted. They discuss how our understanding of love changes, making stories accessible for children, and art of loving through our kindness. *** You can learn more about Ned and check out his beautiful artwork on IG @NedBustard, and find...

In this special episode, Rachel and Matt speak with their new friend, Matt Randerson. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion as he shares recent trends presented by the Barna Group regarding intergenerational relationships. He shares insights to help us navigate the generational divides, explains what the cultural labels really mean, and ways we can move forward in community together. Ma...

Re-release of this special episode with VoxCon speaker, Tanner Olson! Enjoy this encore presentation, and catch Tanner this September live at VoxCon 2023. Tickets available at www. GoToVox.com ***** This week, we’re talking with our friend Tanner Olson all about Creativity, and spreading the message of hope through Poetry. Tanner joins Rachel and Matt to talk about how poetry and speaking beautifu...

Re-release of this special episode with VoxCon speaker, Chad Bird! Enjoy this encore presentation, and catch Chad this September live at VoxCon 2023. Tickets available at www. GoToVox.com ******* Chad Bird joins Matt and Rachel this week as we aim to make sense of hell on the podcast. Chad answers all our burning questions ( get it?! ) about hell, and helps us understand the often misunderstood th...

Re-release of this special episode with VoxCon speaker, Katelyn Beaty! Enjoy this encore presentation, and catch Katelyn this September live at VoxCon 2023. Tickets available at www. GoToVox.com ****** Katelyn Beaty (author of Celebrities For Jesus) joins Rachel and Matt to discuss our culture's fascination with famous Christians, and the roll fame and celebrity play in today's popular e...