Light Talks with 922 Ministries

Is there a conversation you know you need to have, but you’re literally cowering under a blanket to avoid it? The one with the roommate, the coworker, the friend, the parent. So why don't we just... say it?  Host Ali sits down with Matthew Bown — director of Camp Phillip and communication coach — to unpack why hard conversations feel so scary, and how to actually have them in a way that's honest,...

What happens when faith, identity, loneliness, and grace collide in one honest conversation? Pastor Mike sits down with Ben Dose for a raw, compassionate discussion about growing up Christian while wrestling with same-sex attraction — the fear of being known, the weight of shame, and the discovery that God's grace reaches further than either of those things. This isn't a debate. It's not a lecture...

Motherhood isn’t always soft lighting, slow mornings, and perfectly folded laundry, and this episode isn’t pretending it is. In this real conversation, host Ali sits down with Lily Uitenbroek and Emily Chier to talk about the real early days of motherhood—the messy, emotional, exhausting, and deeply meaningful moments that don’t always get talked about. Whether you’re a new mom, hoping to be one s...

No one really teaches guys how to be honest. Not about stress. Not about temptation. Not about the stuff that actually weighs on you when you’re alone. In this episode, host Jason sits down with two 25 year old guys, Payton Dahlke and Jakob Ulman, who decided to stop pretending and started building something most men don’t even realize they’re missing: real brotherhood. The kind that goes past sur...

War. Headlines. Fear that won’t turn off. If your brain has been stuck in a doom-scroll spiral lately, you’re not alone. In this raw, unfiltered episode of Light Talks , Ali, new co-host Jason, and Pastor Michael Ewart go straight at the tension we’re all feeling right now—war, uncertainty, anxiety, and the quiet panic that creeps in when the world feels like it’s coming undone. Because let’s be h...

Let’s talk about the thing married couples don’t always talk about… sex, intimacy, and why marriage can start to feel more like roommates than lovers. In this episode of Light Talks , host Ali sits down with Dr. Brandon Steenbock and his wife, Nicki, for an honest conversation about what actually happens to intimacy after the wedding day. Kids, exhaustion, mismatched desire, postpartum seasons, lo...

Can you love Jesus and still struggle with anxiety or depression? Can you believe in prayer and still need counseling—or medication? Too often, faith and mental health get separated into opposing camps. In this episode, we’re bringing them back together. Join Ali, Pastor Michael Ewart, and professional counselor Mark Scherschel for an honest conversation about where theology meets psychology—and w...

Ever feel like you’re just drifting, trying to fill an ache with relationships, distractions, or substances, only to end up emptier than before? In this honest episode of Light Talks , host Ali sits down with 26-year-old, Jason Heil, as he opens up about his journey through a "dark place" where he chased worldly success—the house, the job, the relationships—only to realize that worldly achievement...

Welcome back to Light Talks, where we’re kicking off Season 2 by bringing the tough, messy, and sometimes taboo questions of faith into the light. Whether you are a lifelong Christian or completely new to your faith journey, our host, Ali, a fellow “question asker”, is joined by Pastors Mike Novotny and Jared Oldenburg to dive into the real-life questions you’ve been asking. In this episode, the t...

Tired of the “So…are you seeing anyone?” Holiday interrogations? Feeling like your relationship status defines your worth or purpose? You’re not alone. In this honest, hope-filled episode of Light Talks , host Ali sits down with Jarrod Pfarr, a 34-year-old educator who is unmarried, to unpack what it means to live fully and faithfully right where you are.  Together, they dive into what Scripture r...

Are you trying to figure out how to live out your faith when the rules aren't black and white? Join Ali, along with Pastors Michael Ewart and Steve Waldschmidt of 922 Ministries, as they tackle the real-world, rapid-fire questions that modern Christians face. The goal is not to create a rigid list of dos and don’ts, but to show how God’s word guides us in those complex gray areas where the world i...

Loss is something most of us struggle to talk about, especially when it comes to miscarriage or infant loss. In this deeply vulnerable episode, Ali sits down with Theresa Kramer and Kim Fenske, two women who courageously open up about their journeys through grief, faith, and healing after the loss of their unborn children. Their honesty reveals not just the heartbreak of loss, but also the unexpec...

Two brothers. Two wild stories. One Savior. Alex and Eddie Valdivia grew up between Mexico and the U.S., chasing identity in all the wrong places - fights, anger, atheism, astrology, even cholo culture. Both found themselves restless, searching, and far from God. In this episode Pastor Mike sits down with Alex and Eddie to share the unfiltered journey of how Jesus broke through their confusion, do...

Let’s be real: porn is everywhere. Most people see it before they hit high school, half of Christians admit they’re hooked, and almost nobody is talking about it. The result? A generation quietly drowning in shame, secrecy, and isolation. In this unfiltered episode of Light Talks , Ali sits down with Pastor Mike Novotny and 24-year-old Payton Dahlke, who get brutally honest about their battles wit...

Let’s dive into the unfiltered reality of marriage with Pastor Michael and Jenny Ewart - three decades, six kids, and a love story that started with a bold move to the heart of Russia. Michael, a seasoned marriage counselor, and Jenny, with her quick wit and authentic insight, share the lessons they’ve learned from both their victories and their “banana hook” moments. From the first-date butterfli...

Welcome back to Light Talks ! This isn’t your typical church Q&A! In this raw and real episode, Host Ali and Pastor Mike Novotny sit down to confront the questions people are actually asking, the kind that keep you up at night, that you’re too afraid to ask out loud in church, or that have made you wonder if faith is even worth it. You’ll hear Pastor Mike’s honest answers, grounded in scriptur...

Welcome back to Light Talks, where we're diving headfirst into topics rarely discussed but certainly needed. In this explosive episode, we pull back the veil on the unseen world, exploring angels, demons, and the spiritual realm with special guest, Pastor Timothy Soukup. Pastor Timothy, drawing on his incredible seven-and-a-half years as a campus pastor in Malawi, Africa, reveals the stark differe...

We’re back and calling all moms for this episode of Light Talks! Host Ali is joined by two mothers, Bethany Lehman and Theresa Kramer, to get real about the messy, exhausting, and beautiful chaos of motherhood. They talk about those moments when you’re totally worn out and have no clue what to do next and how sometimes prayer is the last thing you think of, but maybe it should be the first. Whethe...

Talking to your kids about sex, gender, and identity can feel overwhelming, especially when the world isn’t shy about it, and the church often is. In this honest and grace-filled episode, Jonathan and Ali sit down with Family Pastor and dad of four, Bill Monday, to unpack what it looks like to have open, age-appropriate conversations with your children from toddlerhood through the teen years. 🔔 H...

Feeling Out of Whack? You’re Not Alone. In a world that worships hustle and glorifies the grind, how do we keep from spinning out of control? This week, Nate Paul joins the show—a man with many hats: ministry leader, husband, father of four, board member, coach..and someone who knows firsthand how quickly life can get overwhelming. Speaking especially to the guys, Nate gets real about the pressure...

Hey Light Talks Listeners! In this special release episode, Amna Tasior is back, but this time, with her husband, Tony! Following up on Amna's powerful testimony, this conversation focuses on Tony's side of the story and the incredible journey of their relationship and faith life. Tony shares openly about his challenging upbringing in Chicago, surrounded by gangs and drugs, getting involved in sel...

In part 1 of this episode of Light Talks, Amna Tasior joins to share her powerful and raw life story, starting with a childhood marked by constant moving, absolutely no religious background, and parents struggling with alcoholism. Feeling a deep lack of worth and presence, Amna searched for love and identity at a young age in unhealthy ways, leading to a huge pile of regret. At just 15 years old,...

We’re back with part two of a real and raw conversation about marriage—and it’s time to go even deeper. In this continued conversation on Light Talks , Dr. Brandon Steenbock helps us unpack what it really takes to stay connected when life gets busy, messy, and, let’s be honest—just plain hard. From awkward conversations to intimacy in marriage, this episode is full of practical wisdom, honest laug...

Get ready for a raw and honest look at what it really takes to build a marriage that thrives! Forget the fairy tales and join us on Light Talks for part one of this two part series as we pull back the curtain on the most common illusions about "I do" with the insightful Dr. Brandon Steenbock. Whether you're dreaming of your wedding day or navigating the beautiful chaos of married life, this episod...

In this episode of Light Talks, we tackle a topic that's often avoided in church (or that the church gets wrong) but is undeniably crucial to our lives: money and our faith . Have you ever wondered what God really thinks about your finances? We sit down with Pastor Michael Ewart to explore how the Bible speaks to the practicalities of managing our money and living a life that honors God with what...