Make It Simple

Re-release of this special episode with VoxCon speaker, Mike Pacchione! Enjoy this encore presentation, and catch Mike this September live at VoxCon 2023. Tickets available at www. GoToVox.com ***** Mike Pacchione shares with us all the best tips for public speaking! This week, Rachel and Matt talk with their friend, Mike Pacchione. Mike brings his public speaking expertise to the conversation and...

This week, we talk to Dr. John Townsend about navigating tricky relationships with difficult people— what we mean when we say someone is “toxic” or find interactions with them continually causing us hurt. It’s a gracious and truth-filled conversation that will help you love the difficult people in your life while also caring for yourself. Dr. John Townsend is a business consultant, leadership coac...

This week, our summer series continues with a fascinating conversation about the history of the Bible (specifically, how ancient texts have been passed down and what makes the Bible different from other documents). It’s interesting and informative, and you’ll surely learn something new! Jeffrey Kloha, the Chief Curatorial Officer for the Museum of the Bible, manages the Museum of the Bible Educati...

Welcome to season 6! This week, Rachel and Matt talk with Chad Lakies and break down Apologetics. It's a conversation about faith and our current culture and what it means to ask and answer, "What does it mean to be "Christian" today?" Join us! Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies is the regional director for North America at Lutheran Hour Ministries, and is a scholar on the intersection...

This week, Alan Fadling joins the podcast to discuss what it looks like to slow down. He shares the how being unhurried is a rhythm of rest, and more about your soul than your calendar. It’s a conversation that will make you want to take a deep breath in and lean into the good things around you. Alan Fadling is president and founder of Unhurried Living, Inc., inspiring people to rest deeper, live...

This week, Jared Wilson joins the podcast to talk about Pastors, and shares some inside baseball about what it's like to be a pastor these days. He brings empathy and compassion to the conversation, and reminds us all that sometimes the key to success... is time and experience.  It's a surprising conversation that you won't want to miss.  Jared Wilson is Assistant Professor of Pasto...

This week, Alan Noble joins the podcast to talk about his new book, On Getting Out of Bed, and considers about the unique burden of everyday life in the modern world. Alan shares how the choice to carry on amid great suffering—to simply get out of bed—is itself a powerful witness to the goodness of life, and of God.  Alan Noble (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of English at Oklahoma...

This week, the delightful Jessica Thompson joins the podcast to talk about her new book, He Loved Them , and offers a fresh examination on the love of Jesus. She shares why we all benefit from understanding not only that Jesus loves us, but how he loves us, and how that can change our daily lives. It’s an episode that will hit you in the feels, and leave you feeling loved. Jessica Thompson is co-a...

This week, David Zahl is back to talk with Matt and Rachel about Low Anthropology, and share why the sooner we realize that everyone struggles like we do, the sooner we can show grace to ourselves and others. It’s a really great conversation that will change the way you look at your neighbor (and yourself).  David Zahl is the director of Mockingbird Ministries, an organization he founded in 2007....

Season 5 kicks off with a great episode with Kelly Flanagan joining Matt and Rachel to talk about companionship. He shares what to look for in true friend, and how companionship is a deeper way of looking at relationships. Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist and cofounder of Artisan Clinical Associates in Naperville, Illinois. In 2012, he began the now popular blog UnTangled, where he writes...

We are so excited to welcome Jon Collins for a study of wisdom.  Jon Collins, from The BibleProject, joins the podcast for a special conversation, where we will learn about wisdom by looking at what Scripture has to show us. We take a look at different examples of wisdom, and learn what it means to let Scripture answer our questions. You won’t want to miss it! Jon was a pastor then stepped into th...

Joshua Becker joins the podcast this week to talk all about minimalism! We dive into understanding minimalism, and discover that it’s more a conversation about values, than about stuff. Joshua gives practical advice, as well as shares how a journey about minimalism is really a spiritual journey. You won’t want to miss it! Joshua Becker is an author and the founder of Becoming Minimalist, a communi...

This week, we are joined by Brian McKenna for a very important conversation about anxiety and depression. Brian helps us understand the journey of anxiety and depression. He shares the differences between the two, and offers hope with the power of small victories. With compassion, Brian helps individuals and families gain skills for life so they can achieve a healthy level of functioning, renewed...

Meredith Miller joins the podcast this week to share how to teach kids about the Bible. Meredith shares with Rachel and Matt all about how to talk with kids about Jesus (and, even, what can be avoided for now!). It’s a sweet and informative conversation. You won’t want to miss it! Meredith is a pastor and parent with over 20 years experience helping families follow Jesus. She wants to help parents...

Join our discussion about the Future of the Church with Nancy Beach and Samantha Kiley Nancy Beach and Samantha Beach Kiley join us for an honest conversation about the future of the church in America. We discuss the struggles that have hindered the church’s witness today and what must be done in order for the church to be faithful and fruitful going forward. ***** To support Make It Simple, head...

Learn all about discovering your gifts with Don Everts This week, Rachel and Matt are joined by the delightful Don Everts. Don shares all about what it means to live out the gifts, talents, and passions God has given you, and what life looks like when a person fully recognizes who they are. It’s an encouraging conversation that will leave you excited about your gifts and who God made you to be. **...

Beth Moore joins Rachel and Matt to share her journey in finding a new church, and to graciously share what the last few months have been like as she has walked through controversy. It’s a lovely conversation, filled with truth, grace, and wisdom. Best-selling book and Bible study author Beth Moore is a dynamic teacher whose conferences take her across the globe. She is a dedicated wife, and mothe...

For the Season 3 finale, Dr. Anjeanette “AJ” Roberts is back to talk with us about Lessons from Covid. AJ joins us this week to look at the lessons from Covid-19 and the pandemic, and look at how the aftermath continues to effect us all, in big and small ways. AJ is a molecular biologist and virologist and public advocate for the Christian faith, and she conducted SARS-CoV research at the National...

In this week's episode, Andrea Davis joins the podcast to talk all about the ever present screens in our lives, and how to have a better relationship between screens and your family. Andrea brings encouragement, new insights, and practical strategies to help all people navigate this tech-filled world. For more information, follow Andrea at  Better Screen Time on Instagram,  or head to BetterS...

Steve Cuss is back to talk with us about Relational Anxiety. Steve joins us this week to look at anxiety & conflict that arises between us and others, with co-workers, friends, family, and even strangers. He shares pitfalls to be aware of and tips for navigating our relationships. Steve is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs and the founder of www.capablelife.me , an on...

This week, we talk with Preston Sprinkle about Gender Identity. Preston will help us ponder sensitive questions surrounding transgender identities, and he will help us wrestle with how the local church can show love and compassion to its trans-identifying neighbors. Dr. Sprinkle is a Biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, the New York Times bestselling author of “Embodied", and the co-founder...

This week, Rachel and Matt welcome Sarah Condon to the podcast to talk grief and faith. Sarah is an Episcopal priest, an author, and a co-host of the popular Mockingcast . Sarah will share her story of trauma and grief and help us grapple with the presence of God in times of unimaginable loss. *** Love this podcast? Then check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wh...

Mary Van Geffen is an international parenting coach who helps moms and dads of “spicy” children stay calm, kind, and firm. In this episode Mary will help Matt and Rachel understand what it means to parent in a gentle, respectful, and effective way—especially if you weren’t raised that way. Love this podcast? Then check out What Matters Most, daily teachings from Matt Popovits, available wherever y...

In this first episode of season three Matt and Rachel are joined by David Zahl to discuss, “performancism” and “seculosity.” David will help us see that we, as a culture, are not less religious as we are so often told. Instead, we have — according to Zahl — shifted our religious needs and impulses to other things, like performance and efficiency. David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbi...

For this final episode of Make It Simple season 2, Matt and Rachel are joined by actor Paul Walter Hauser for a fun conversation covering faith, celebrity, and the impact of practicing gratitude in all things. Paul shares what it was like growing up in small town Michigan, to now quickly being recognized as one of the most talented actors up and coming.  With humility and lightheartedness, he remi...