Exploring More

To help fuel this podcast: Zoweh.org/give The Stories Fathers Leave Behind In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings conclude the Father Matters series with a powerful conversation about legacy —what fathers ultimately leave behind in the hearts of their children. Legacy isn't built through perfection or achievement. It's formed through presence, engagement, f...

Link to the Pursuit of Happiness: https://youtu.be/UZb2NOHPA2A?si=uW8ZKT1F4mNo2pvF To help fuel this podcast:  Zoweh.org/give Healing Shame in the Family Story In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by addressing one of the most powerful and often hidden forces shaping father–child relationships: shame . Many fathers carry...

To help fuel this podcast: Zoweh.org/give Seeing the Glory in Your Child In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by stepping into one of the most sacred assignments of fatherhood: supporting your children's dreams. Building on previous conversations about glory and identity, this episode explores how fathers can affirm the...

To help fuel this podcast: Zoweh.org/give Seeing the Glory in Your Child In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by moving fatherhood beyond behavior management and into something far deeper: character, calling, and glory. Too often, parenting can default to correction, compliance, and control. But what if fathering is abou...

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—...

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 th...

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...

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 Go...

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 character...

The Gospel in Lord of the Rings In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings journey through the epic world of The Lord of the Rings —exploring how Tolkien's masterpiece mirrors the deeper spiritual realities of our own lives. From the quiet comfort of the Shire to the battlefields of Middle Earth, the conversation follows Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the fellows...

The Gospel in Tombstone Sign up for the Father Matters Zoom Group: https://www.zoweh.org/events#circles   In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings kick off their new "Faves" series by diving into one of their all-time favorite films: Tombstone . Through the lens of the friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, they unpack themes of sacrifice, loyalty, a...

Give and End-of-Year Gift Here: zoweh.org/eoy25 In the final Exploring More podcast episode of the year, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings slow down to reflect on presence, soul care, and the relentless love of God. From the joy of receiving a personal sign from God to the challenge of letting go of false beliefs, they unpack the paradox of a love that both has no limits and still honors our bounda...

Give and End-of-Year Gift Here: zoweh.org/eoy25 In this special Christmas Eve edition of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings invite you into a reflective and joy-filled conversation about the heart of the holiday season. Far beyond the tinsel, carols, and gifts, they explore the true significance of Christmas— the presence of Jesus as the ultimate present . Through persona...

What if the Holidays are Hard?  In this heartfelt episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings dive into the complex emotional terrain of the holiday season. While Christmas and Thanksgiving are often painted as joyful and magical, they acknowledge that for many, the holidays bring up grief, loneliness, and the ache of change. Whether it's a first Christmas without a lov...

What makes a gift meaningful?  In this heartwarming holiday episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings unpack the deeper meaning behind giving and receiving gifts. What makes a present truly meaningful? It's not the price tag—but the story, the thought, and the heart behind it. From a toy fire truck that honored a man's courageous past to a miniature Jeep gifted with i...

Sign up for the December 10 Allies Roundtable: Zoweh.org/allies Start With Story: Vision, Brotherhood & Guardrails in Men's Ministry In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson, SJ Jennings, and Josh Overton close out the Men's Ministry series with a conversation rooted in one of the most important elements of group life: story. They unpack how storytelling builds trust, cataly...

Sign up for the December 10 Allies Roundtable: Zoweh.org/allies Men's Ministry That Heals, Not Just Helps. In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson, SJ Jennings, and Josh Overton continue the series on men's ministry, diving deep into the practicalities of leading and sustaining groups built around connection, brotherhood, and the heart. They unpack how to lead a men's group...

Starting Something That Lasts What if launching a men's group was less about curriculum and more about culture? In this episode of the Exploring More Podcast , Michael Thompson, SJ Jennings, and Josh Overton continue their deep-dive into the world of men's ministry. Building on years of experience, they offer practical insights for those looking to start or strengthen a gathering of men rooted in...

From Good Men to Loved Men What if the real invitation of men's ministry isn't to be better, but to be loved? In this episode of the  Exploring More Podcast , Michael Thompson, Josh Overton, and SJ Jennings take an honest look at the past, present, and future of men's ministry. They reflect on the shift from performance-based models of discipleship, service, and behavior modification to a new fron...

Unplugging from the Matrix: Spiritual Training for Real Life In this episode of the  Exploring More Podcast , Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings dive into the metaphor-rich world of The Matrix to explore how spiritual training transforms our ability to live with power, love, and freedom. Just like Neo needed to learn the rules of the system, believers must become aware of the unseen battle between g...

Encounter Weekend: www.zoweh.org/the-heart-of-a-warrior-encounter   The Heart of the Story: Why Everything Flows from the Inside Out In this episode of the  Exploring More Podcast , Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings unpack the central role of the heart in the spiritual life. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and personal experience, they explore how the heart is not just symbolic—it's the seat of b...

The Kingdom for You: Hearing God's Voice and Partnering in the Battle In this episode of the  Exploring More Podcast , Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings explore the profound reality that the Kingdom of God isn't just coming—it's for you . Picking up the thread from previous episodes on the map of darkness and light, they discuss how Jesus didn't just defeat the enemy—He invites us to join Him in br...

Mapping Darkness and Light: Discernment, Love, and the Spiritual Battle In this episode of the Exploring More Podcast , Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings dive into the ongoing spiritual battle between darkness and light. Using stories from Scripture, personal experiences, and even a 1974 NFL game, they highlight the critical importance of discernment—knowing the enemy's tactics and understanding wh...

The Hero's Journey and the Map of the Larger Story In this episode of the Exploring More Podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings dive deeper into the theme of this first series: learning to read the map of the Larger Story. Through the lens of beloved classics like Pinocchio, The Lion King, and The Wizard of Oz, they unpack the shape of the hero's journey and the spiritual landscape we all live...

Maps, Mountain Lions, and the Larger Story Season Five kicks off with Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings reflecting on where the journey has taken them—and where it's going next. Surrounded by memorabilia, laughter, and memories, they introduce the guiding theme for this new season: understanding the larger story through the lens of maps, spiritual reality, and the battle between light and darkness....