Surface Tension

Alex and Craig start with a simple thought experiment: “there are two kinds of people in the world,” and follow it all the way to identity, grace, and eternity. This is a hopeful, honest conversation about letting God hold the pen for your story instead of white knuckling it yourself.

Craig is joined by Maverick Moore for his God Story. Maverick shares a brutally honest story of how family fracture, addiction, and a double life nearly destroyed him, and how God met him through a lifeguard mentor, a moldy childhood Bible, a trip to Mammoth, and the radical forgiveness of the woman who became his wife. Craig helps unpack what it means to hit “no more wiggle room” rock bottom, to...

Alex and Craig unpack David Benner’s  Surrender to Love  and ask why so many of us settle for spiritual “okayness” instead of the ocean of the Father’s love. Through movie metaphors, the prodigal son, and honest personal stories, they explore how fear, control, and religious earning keep us stuck in mud puddles while Jesus invites us home. This conversation will help you reimagine obedience as sur...

Alex and Craig unpack what it means to recognize and respond to God’s invitations hidden among life’s noise. Through humor, scripture, and heartfelt stories, they explore why we often ignore what’s most meaningful, and how saying “yes” can change everything. A moving reflection on forgiveness, surrender, and rediscovering God’s handwritten call to the heart.

In this episode of  Surface Tension , Alex and Craig explore how to process pain and sadness through a lens of faith, empathy, and surrender. Drawing from Dostoevsky and their own personal stories, they unpack what it means to “metabolize pain” and let God transform wounds into wisdom. A raw and hopeful conversation about healing, humility, and grace.

After a powerful men’s retreat, Alex and Craig wrestle with what happens  after  a genuine encounter with God. From “The Biggest Loser” to mountaintop faith, they unpack why lasting transformation often fades, and how Jesus, the ultimate trainer, walks with us long after the show ends. A heartfelt conversation about surrender, presence, and spiritual endurance.

This episode explores forgiveness through the lens of Matthew 18’s parable of the unmerciful servant. Alex and Craig break down why relational ruptures feel overwhelming, tying it to the human tendency to see problems as personal, pervasive, and permanent. They highlight how true forgiveness must come “from the heart,” not just as words, and contrast justice with the radical grace of God. Their co...

Are you waiting on God, or is He waiting on you? In this episode, Alex and Craig explore the tension between divine direction and human obedience, weaving in Scripture, everyday stories, and the challenges of letting go of control. From Whole Foods encounters to Abraham’s radical faith, they challenge us to start with the small yeses that prepare us for God’s bigger callings.

Alex and Craig return to  Surface Tension  with a deeply personal conversation about teaching, marriage, and how real life tests our faith. In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shocking death, they wrestle with one central question:  how do we forgive and love those who harm us when our hearts want justice instead?   Through stories of their own struggles with anger, pride, and judgment, they contrast a...

In this episode, Alex and Craig revisit the story of the prodigal son, but with a twist. What happens when the son returns home and tries to  earn  his way back into the Father's favor? This leads to a vulnerable and timely conversation about how we see value, in ourselves, in others, and even in God. Are we caught in an exhausting cycle of performance, or can we begin to live as people loved...

What if life is like a carnival, and we’re running from booth to booth, chasing prizes that never satisfy? In this episode, Alex and Craig dive into a vivid dream about a carnival, revealing how we often find ourselves  hustling for worth, approval, and success  in all the wrong places.

Why is it so easy to believe the worst about ourselves, and so hard to receive what’s good and true? In this episode, Alex and Craig explore why affirmations often bounce off our hearts while criticism cuts deep. They reflect on the emotional walls we build, the spiritual consequences of rejecting love, and the importance of choosing to trust the voice of God over the noise of fear and self-doubt....

When you hear the words “Judgment Day,” do you feel fear… or anticipation? In this episode, Alex and Craig challenge the fire-and-brimstone narrative by asking a bold question:  Should we actually be excited for it?   Through the stories of Babel, Jesus' mercy, and personal reflections, they explore what it means to truly believe that Christ has already paid the price on our behalf. This is an...

What if two seemingly opposite emotions (like fear and joy, or vulnerability and safety) could exist together, rather than cancel each other out? In this episode, Alex and Craig explore the surprising spiritual maturity found in holding tension: between shame and love, pain and hope, disappointment and delight. Drawing from personal stories, relationships, and even cultural observations, they invi...

What does it look like to serve God on the frontlines (literally)? In this gripping episode, former SWAT team member and Air Rescue 5 veteran Jim Moss shares how decades in high-stakes law enforcement shaped his faith, refined his prayer life, and revealed God’s purpose in both chaos and stillness. From spiritual awakenings during tactical raids to the quiet miracle of fatherhood, Jim's story...

In this episode of  Surface Tension , Alex and Craig explore the concept of choosing which "god" to serve in life, discussing the difference between the "Big G God" (the one true God) and the many "little g gods" that often distract us, such as societal approval, money, and comfort. They reflect on how these "little g gods" can subtly take control of our liv...

Are you okay? Are things going to be okay? In this episode, Alex and Craig go beneath the surface to explore these two deceptively simple questions. They reflect on how childhood, emotional wounds, and our pursuit of validation shape our sense of security and identity. Through personal stories and spiritual insight, they invite listeners to consider where they're looking for okayness—and wheth...

In this episode, Alex and Craig unpack three foundational questions:  Who is God really? Do we want to live in reality? How important is love?  The way we answer these shapes everything—from our faith to our relationships. Join the conversation as we  examine the illusions we cling to, confront the truth God invites us into, and discover how shifting our core beliefs can transform our lives.

Craig and Alex sit down to hear Melissa Whiteman's God Story. From an early age, Melissa faced hardships many wouldn’t be able to bear. From extreme violence to drug use and trafficking, she found herself desperate for God, and by His divine grace and intervention, she was saved in more ways than one. She has devoted her life to helping children in similar situations move toward physical, ment...

Craig and Alex explore what it means to love someone for their soul, rather than merely for their thoughts, emotions, or decisions: an approach that surpasses the typical focus of most personal relationships.

Craig and Alex discuss the spiritual implications of the impending AI revolution, and examine what underlying assumptions and promises have been motivating people to do and become more.

Craig and Alex explore Acts 8:9-25, the story of Simon the Magician, and reflect on what it means to surrender our version of "good" for His ultimate "Good."

Craig and Alex discuss reclaiming how we move through the world and how we all need coaches, one coach in particular.

Craig and Alex explore what it means to navigate challenging times—whether you're the one in the hot seat or supporting someone who is.

Craig sits down with Pastor Doc Jacobs to discuss "everywhere ministry," true courage, and how even pastors must constantly reset on prioritizing Jesus, family, and community.