Hole in My Heart Podcast

These days, it's so easy to fall into a "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" mindset. We like following that person, we enjoy that podcast, we appreciate that channel--but serve them? Partner with them? Nah. Unless we do. We are so grateful for listeners who have stepped up to support and volunteer with our ministry--including the two we are highlighting today: Jon Leach and Amanda Mclaurin. These t...

Purity culture—yep, we’re going there. Ladies and gents—if you’ve ever felt that your worth, dignity, or purity were wrapped up in your sexuality, this is for you. On this episode, Rachel Joy Welcher, author of new book *Talking Back to Purity Culture*, helps us debunk the myths of sexuality that have come from purity culture. Join us as we celebrate the gospel and all the gifts Christ gives—even...

2020 has been a year of uncertainty and suffering for all of us. Joy might be the farthest thing from our minds as we look back on this season of loss and chaos. But guys? Joy is still God’s heart for us. Today, we hear from Shaunti Feldhahn about how we can cultivate a habit of joy—even in the midst of the deepest loss and confusion. Join us as we hear from her on this delightful gift that God ha...

Do you remember even two or four years ago when you could remind stirred-up Christians, "Hey, guys? We got to love our enemies!" and they would often say, "Oh, yeah!" Nowadays, when you say the same thing, it would not be unusual to hear something like, "Nah. I'm good." Pastor and author Scott Sauls is here to wake us up with how to address our enemies in this sometimes-hostile 2020 world. This is...

It’s Thanksgiving in the States! Today, from our respective shelter-in-place spots (again!), we are sharing what we are grateful for and hearing from you. Not only that, however, but we are sharing what we have learned in this very hard year, and how we can take that good, suffering-produced fruit into 2021. We are thankful for YOU guys, today! //: Highlights "I’m thankful for how much it’s had to...

We have been on pins and needles waiting to release this episode to you all! It is one of those episodes we can't stop thinking about... Author and pastor, John Mark Comer, brings it. He helps us to think deeply about questions like, "What is success?" "What defines failure?" "What do we do when we are overwhelmed with the calling God has on our lives?" "How do we understand our identity in the mi...

Walking alongside people who wrestle with their gender identity is such a unique journey. Because it is so unique and often very complex, it's wise to hear from the experts, don't you think? Dr. Mark Yarhouse is one of the preeminent gender + psychology + Christianity experts, and we brought him on to share about his new book, Emerging Gender Identities, and help us to learn how to walk better alo...

Have you ever struggled to find quiet? In the world, in your life, in yourself? We’re here with singer/songwriter and now AUTHOR Jamie Grace to talk about what it looks like to find peace and center ourselves on the Lord in this crazy world we’re living in! Join us as we hear from her about artistry, anxiety, mental health, comparison, social media, and so much more! //: Highlights: “We have this...

It’s the Hole in My Heart Podcast LIVE! True story: This was about Plan D of our celebratory-book-launch-party-worship fest (thanks, Rona!), but God was in it all the same. Today, Matt, Laurie, Steve, and some special guests celebrate the work of the gospel through Matt and Laurie’s story and through you all. There are testimonies, prizes, jokes, and GOOFBALL ISLAND is back for one night only. Tha...

What does “fasting from your desire from sex” mean, and why was it so significant to Matt? Why do so many male Christian leaders fall sexually? Is “maintenance sex” good for marriages? How can guys access their hearts more (and how can women help)? Today we are concluding our deep-dive of themes in our Impossible Marriage book with a co-author, Matt Krieg. //: Highlights: “Oftentimes, because we a...

We often encourage people to: "Live the Metaphor." It means, "show us heaven in how you live and love." Sure, in our Impossible Marriage book we mainly use the phrase to exhort married people, but SINGLE PEOPLE LIVE THE METAPHOR, TOO. How? One of our favorites, Greg Coles, brings the heat, the love, and the real-time conviction about how single people equally give us a glimpse of heaven, too. Brin...

When past trauma affects today's living, it can be challenging to function in any way. In this first episode of our Impossible Marriage Moments' mini-series of three, we dive deep into that theme: Laurie experienced trauma's effects in her marriage, it magnetized to her attractions toward women, and together, they almost walked her to a divorce. What can we do if past trauma is affecting us now? W...

We often talk about sexuality or racial equity--but what about when both hit home? Our new friend, Henry Abuto, helps us understand what it is like to live life as a Black man who is also a sexual minority (and an immigrant!), and how we can all engage each other like Jesus. //: Highlights: “When I’m not easily swayed by my emotions and I inform my feelings rather than just follow them blindly, th...

He's Black. She's white. He has his past. She has hers. Then they get married. Guys, we have our REAL LIFE FRIENDS in the house, and they are here to show us a microcosm of the critical bridging of divides that must happen in our world. How do they bridge barriers in their marriage? What can we learn from them about bridging racial divides today? Chaplain of the Kent County jail, Jason Botbyl and...

If you've been around the church for a while, you know the verse:  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 has been showing up on coffee mugs and social media posts for years...but what if, as Megan Fate Marshman says, "we've been holding onto the wrong promises"? Join us today as we...

Do you wrestle with shame? Us, too. Today, we hear from Curt Thompson, author of The Anatomy of the Soul and the Soul of Shame, about how shame affects us, specifically in this pandemic time. Join us as we learn the roots of shame, how to hear from God, practices that help deal with shame, how to meet each other in it--and even talk about Jesus' lightsaber! This week's episode is balm to the stres...

Raise your hand if you've ever felt lonely! In this pandemic world we're living in--and even more, just in general--loneliness is something we all experience--and none of us talk about. Today, we welcome Jason Gaboury, author of Wait With Me, to tackle the uncomfortable and vitally important topic of loneliness. Why do we experience it? What do we do about it? Where is God in the midst of it? Join...

It’s Election Time! Is the gospel still good news...? Today, we invite Michael Wear, Chief Strategist of the AND Campaign, to discuss how to hold onto Christ’s heart in the midst of intense election year. For a few years now, Michael and the AND Campaign have been wrestling with the tension of unity and diversity, especially when engaging in politics. Join us as we discuss unity in the Body of Chr...

Has it ever been hard for you to come to Jesus? What do we do in those moments? When we are at the end of our rope, how to do we approach God exactly as we are? Today, we welcome Rashawn Copeland, author of Start Where You Are, to discuss his experiences with these questions and more. Rashawn brings good and gracious wisdom to the table, inviting us to come to God from the place we're in--not wher...

Parents...this is your week! This week, Matt and Laurie take your questions on the advice they give to parents of LGBTQ+ kids--and, really, it's just good advice for everyone, always coming back to the gospel and the purpose of our lives in God's eyes. Topics include: What is the advice we offer to all parents of LGBT+ kids? Would we bake the cake/do the photography/do therapy for a same-sex coupl...

Welcome to Season 4! We're kicking off this season with a discussion on endurance and courage! What do we do when suffering hits and we're called upon to continue in the work God has given us? Join Matt, Laurie, and Steve as we explore practices and experiences that help build up "endurance muscles" for any form of suffering.  //: Highlights: “More and more, [looking back] instills more trust that...

Guys! It's the season three finale! After walking through this episode, we felt this season gutted us in the best way and offered hope when we needed it. We did get practical (our theme this season), and we did get real (our constant desire). We were so grateful to listen back to highlight clips from some of our favorites and yours: 1. Episode 99:A Gender Conversation Part 2 Heather Skriba 2. Epis...

*Real* talk: Authenticity seems to be currency we can "use" to deepen friendships, feel seen, or even to get more followers.  But that type of authenticity--that is an end in itself--isn't what we are calling "authentic authenticity." There is selfishness in it, and the fruit produced from it ... tastes gross. How can we and why should we be truly authentic? How can single people experience this?...

Today is question and answer time with Matt and Laurie! We cover a lot including these questions: How did we first meet Steve? How do we handle Pride Month? How do we plan to address our mixed-orientation marriage with our kids? How can straight, single guys and girls be friends without the relationship getting weird? If we, as a married couple, invite a single person into our home how can we prev...

**FIRST: We have VIDEO!! WATCH this episode here. ** In the midst of national and global suffering, it seems almost wrong to put the word "hope" near it. However, pastor and author Sam Collier, alongside his wife and ministry leader, Toni Collier, know how to carry both hurt and hope in each hand. How can we do that, too? Just ... listen. //: Highlights: “It’s impossible to pursue justice without...