Living Wholehearted Podcast With Jeff and Terra

Sexual intimacy is more deeply connected to emotional and spiritual intimacy than most of us realize. Maybe you’ve wondered why you don’t talk with your spouse about sexual intimacy? Maybe you feel like the years are full of too much hurt. Maybe you're a newlywed and want to build health in this area. Wherever you are today, we hope the conversation with our guest will be a catalyst to more wh...

How do we find time to build prayer into our busy lives? How do we train our eyes to recognize the Holy amidst the mundane and the ordinary? "When I opened the pages of Every Moment Holy, I found beautiful, simple prayers for specific moments of my daily life,” our guest recalls. “From morning coffee to changing a diaper, as well as prayers for gardening, grieving, or welcoming a new pet to th...

There are many people who were raised in the Church (capital "C") and have walked away with doubts, questions, and major wounds. Our conversation with Bekah McNeel, journalist and author of Bringing Up Kids When Church Lets You Down, was an authentic look at what it means to stay open to the process. Whether someone is "deconstructing" their faith or what we might call "reconst...

Today we are going to talk about moving through suffering and loss and finding meaning in life - the deep waters. With Bo Stern-Brady as my guest, I know you will find some gold in the midst of this conversation. Bo is the author of Beautiful Battlefields, When Holidays Hurt and Ruthless. She has been a pastor for a few decades and speaks nationally. She’s a mom, step-mom, and a grandma. Jeff and...

Some consider work a part of the Fall. The toil. The hardship. It’s a means to an end. Others wake up and love what they get to do. It’s a call. A passion. It’s more than a paycheck. It definitely feels like a divine opportunity. Some are fighting for their identity at work and others are using it to numb out. We call that workaholism. Wherever you are on the spectrum, we think today’s conversatio...

“Your biological clock is ticking.” “You’ll regret not having kids.” Any woman who even hints she is maybe questioning whether or not she wants to have kids has heard some form of these cultural scripts. Our guest today asks, “Is it possible to do something more meaningful than mothering?” (Hint: the answer is yes.) The conversation today is for anyone—whether mom or non-mom, stepparent or foster...

Being a girl can be hard - especially in a world of confusing messages. We wanted to jump onto today's episode to share some insights from years of raising our own two daughters, teaching others about raising girls, and the deeper needs all women have (young and old). Whether you are raising daughters or working with girls (of any age), this episode is for you. From anxiety and big emotions to...

Marriage. Work. Life. It’s hard to juggle it all, especially if you have chosen to work together as husband and wife. Today, we are unpacking some of the myths around being a husband and wife team and looking at the layers of a healthy marriage through the lens of the Gottman’s Relationship Sound house. You want real insights about growing a healthy marriage?  Listen in to this episode and then ch...

Parenting is not easy. Let’s just start there.    And yet, being a parent is one of the most important leadership roles we can have. Parents remain the most powerful and important influence in their kids’ lives. Many parents lose sleep over their responsibility, wondering if they’re providing the right boundaries, discipline, and examples to ensure their children have a bright future. Commonly kno...

Thanks for being a part of our Living Wholehearted community, shrinking the gap between what we preach and how we live. This week, we are talking about video games! Are you a parent who is confused by all the controversial opinions about video games? Are they okay for our kids? When do they become a problem? Which games should our kids play? We have friends and clients who confront these questions...

How familiar are you with the unique challenges of women in leadership? From childcare concerns, to re-entering the workforce after years devoted to parenting, to the lack of resources and training available for women leadership. This conversation is one we have in our coaching practices with female leaders over and over again. Today, we decided to bring one of our very own Living Wholehearted Exe...

Rest is a discipline. Sometimes we are so responsible, our leadership feels so important, that we forget that even God, Himself, rested. Really, who doesn’t need rest? And let’s be honest, we are not God. Rest is meant to be a gift to us. So why do we fight it so much? Today we are going to talk about Sabbath and taking Sabbaticals and how to do that well. We’ll discuss why organizations, especial...

When someone asks you for help, what do you say? For many, the answer is typically “yes” - especially for women! And many of us have an “if not me, then who?” mindset - especially high-capacity leader types. Reality is that when we consistently say yes and prioritize the needs of others, we often find ourselves exhausted, overcommitted, and empty. Anyone? Today, we are talking about much-needed bo...

Are you a woman who feels bombarded with narratives about how you should look, behave and live? Do you feel exhausted by trying to live up to opposing expectations from social media feeds, entertainment, and peer groups? Do you find yourself struggling with insecurity, self-doubt, and negative self-talk? You’ve come to a safe place… and if you are a guy tuning in today - stay with us! This might b...

This conversation is a great refresher for busy moms who need to slow down and get back to a rhythm with God and His Word. Sometimes we overcomplicate things and it helps to go back to what Jesus says is the greatest commandment: to love God and love others. As you end your year, moms, consider your rhythms with God, His Word and those who help you grow toward Him. Our guest, Brittany Ann, speaks...

We are in the middle of a short series on detoxing. Today, we are talking about detoxing from the digital world. Don’t worry, this is not a guilt-ridden episode on why all digital devices are bad and from the pit of hell. But it is timely as you consider what you are buying for your kids during the holiday season and as you think ahead about setting new healthy rhythms in your home for next year....

For years, the Mattsons have claimed that most high-capacity leaders have a trauma story (though many would never call it that). This episode is not only telling of this research, but it’s profoundly encouraging to anyone with a story who needs a reminder of how God uses it ALL. Jeff and Terra, co-hosts of the podcast, had an incredible time listening to Dr. Ron Archer share his powerful story. It...

We are diving into an important topic today addressing abuse and how the church can grow in health and wholeness in our response to survivors. We talk about why victims do not speak up, helpful messages from the pulpit and not so helpful messages. We address how a person can find healing from their abuse and the compassion needed for the long journey. Listen to the first half of this vital convers...

After launching the Living Wholehearted Podcast two years ago, the Mattsons are airing their first reruns. The Trauma-Informed Theology episodes from January 2021 were the most listened to podcasts of all time. It might seem odd, but the truth is, people are becoming more and more aware of how trauma is affecting all of who we are - even our understanding of God, the church, and our communities.  ...

Have you not known the words to pray? Have you been so exhausted in your parenting journey, all you needed or wanted was for someone to read your mind and care for you? Well, this conversation will not only be a breath of fresh air, but one that will nourish any season you are in as a parent. Whether you are changing diapers, teaching your child to drive, or preparing to send them off to college,...

Do you ever wonder if boundaries are unloving or selfish? Do you have trouble deciding if it’s time to bring closure or continue to work on a relationship? What does the Bible even say about relationships when they become unsafe or unsustainable? Then, once you discern it's time for change, how do you set boundaries? Based on our stories, our wirings, and our theology, we can get confused and...

This is one of co-host, Jeff Mattson’s favorite interviews! The Mattsons want everyone to meet Toni Collier, a hope coach (don’t you just love that term?!) and founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, an international women’s ministry to help women process their brokenness and reclaim hope. Toni is full of passion and she talks about the moment she realized that God is in the business of using broke...

Do you ever feel like God is giving you more than you can handle? In your trials and suffering, do you find yourself doubting and questioning His goodness, or even his existence? Where is God in the suffering? Maybe you are at a loss when it comes to figuring out how to walk alongside others who are in pain? Or maybe you are just tired of the myths around suffering and the trite sayings that come...

Are you a pastor or ministry leader who is longing to have someone see you, understand your needs and remind you of who you are and to whom you belong? Sadly, pastors, ministry leaders and their families often find themselves isolated, struggling, and burned out.   Everyone wants to be a healthy, wholehearted leader, who lives their life with integrity. Not just for a season, but for the long-haul...

The relationship between men and women in the church has some history, to say the least. Do you find yourself wondering why it's so much more complicated than it needs to be? Especially as we labor together in the workspace. Questions rise around stereotypes and gender roles, marriage and singleness. Confusion and frustration surround the conversation and it gets muddled as we continue to see...