The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown

This week on The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, we welcome special guest Vivi Bezansky, the Next Gen Director at Sandals Church. Over the summer at Sandals Church we invest in the next generation by opening up residency positions to equip young adults with ministry skills. In this episode, we tackle our residents' most difficult questions on how to navigate this particularly hard seas...

Why does the Catholic Bible have seven extra books, and is your entire life already scripted by God? Pastor Matt answers some of your toughest questions about predestination, church history, and how to interact with other religions without losing your mind.

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew and Tammy Brown dive into conversations surrounding dating, marriage, spiritual maturity, and trusting God through different seasons of relationships. Together, they explore what it looks like to pursue relationships with wisdom, intentionality, and a desire to honor God in today’s world. Whether you’re single, dating, or preparing for marriage, this...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast , Matthew Stephen Brown is joined by Dr. Joshua Knabb for a conversation about trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional healing through a Christian perspective. Together, they explore why people get stuck in cycles of fear and rumination, how trauma affects the mind and body, and what hope and healing can practically look like for Christians navigating ment...

This week on The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown responds to questions from listeners wrestling with some of the hardest tensions in Christianity. From struggling to feel gratitude for salvation, questioning why God created humanity at all, to navigating the debate between science, creation, and the age of the earth — this conversation explores what it looks like to bring honest doubts to G...

This week on The Debrief Podcast , Matthew Stephen Brown sits down with Pastor Fredo Ramos for an honest, thoughtful conversation about theology. Drawing from years of pastoral experience, Pastor Fredo shares insight into the kinds of struggles, doubts, and tensions many people wrestle with—especially when it comes to end times, or the afterlife. Together, they explore how to navigate uncertainty,...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, we explore the challenges of faith, identity, and personal struggle. From navigating feelings of judgment and unfair treatment in the church, to wrestling with questions of sexuality and salvation, to confronting personal temptations and preparing for healthy relationships, we discuss how God’s grace, guidance, and truth meet us in the messiness of life. 💬...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast , we explore some of the biggest questions that challenge our faith and understanding of the world. From the mysteries of life beyond our planet, to meditation practices for calming an overactive mind, to what truly matters about our gender identity in the spiritual realm, we dive into how to navigate these deep topics while staying grounded in faith. 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast , we’re diving into the tension so many believers feel but rarely talk about. What happens when your pursuit of God starts to feel like pressure instead of peace? When spiritual disciplines turn into performance? When you’re trying to be faithful in your work, but you’re not sure if it’s costing you your soul—or fulfilling your calling? We talk through what i...

In this episode of the The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown answer questions about manifestation, the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a non-believer, and what emotions we feel if we make it to heaven. This conversation explores whether we can find the answers to these thought-provoking questions in the Bible.    💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at san...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown sits down with Luke Bryant to talk about church planting, leadership, and the unexpected path that led Luke from law enforcement into ministry. They discuss the story behind Liverpool One Church, the challenges of planting a church in Europe, and the personal realities leaders face along the way. 💬 Have a question for a future episode?...

In this episode of the The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown address questions about spiritual attacks, disturbing dreams, and whether someone can lose their soul. From wrestling with lust in dreams to wondering if past spiritual decisions have caused permanent damage, this conversation explores spiritual warfare, freedom in Christ, and the hope of redemption. 💬 Have a questi...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown talks about what it looks like to stay close to God in the midst of life’s cycles and challenges. From personal struggles with consistency in faith to the pursuit of revival within the church, this conversation explores how Christians can remain open to the Holy Spirit, experience lasting spiritual growth, and live with purpose and pass...

Today we’re celebrating a huge milestone — 10 years of The Debrief Podcast— with a very special guest, Stephanie Schafer, one of the original co-hosts from when the show first began. Together, Matthew, Stephanie , and Tammy look back on the very first episode that aired on February 8, 2016, the heart behind starting the podcast, and the conversations that shaped the last decade. In this anniversar...

Welcome back to The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown. This week’s episode,  takes a meaningful turn as Pastor Matthew is joined by his daughter, Madison Moses, as co-host for a Valentine’s Day–themed conversation about love, family, marriage, and singleness through a Christ-centered lens. Together, Matthew and Madison respond to real questions from listeners navigating complex relationsh...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast , Matthew Stephen Brown explores the tension every relationship eventually faces—conflict. From family dynamics to disagreements with others who don’t share our beliefs, how do Christians pursue peace without avoiding hard truths? This conversation centers on balancing grace, accountability, and healthy boundaries, offering biblical wisdom for navigating rela...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast , Matthew Stephen Brown addresses the intersection of faith and mental health in a time when our minds can feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure of what to trust. As conversations around healing, spirituality, and emotional well-being grow louder, this episode focuses on finding clarity, peace, and discernment without giving fear the final word.    💬 Have a...

In this episode, Pastor Matthew addresses a timely cultural question at the start before diving into deeper conversations about how Christians navigate freedom, authority, parenting, and fractured family relationships in today’s world. As theology meets real life, this episode offers biblical clarity and pastoral wisdom for believers facing complex and emotional realities. 💬 Have a question for a...

We’re back for part two of Matthew Stephen Brown’s conversation with Pastor John Martinez of Sandals Church Banning. After a powerful first episode, this debrief continues by turning to your questions — honest, practical, and rooted in everyday faith. In this episode, Pastor Matthew and Pastor John respond to audience-submitted questions about what it really looks like to live out your faith in to...

In this special episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown sits down with Pastor John Martinez, campus pastor of Sandals Church Banning, to discuss his journey into ministry and how he began working at Sandals Church. John shares the roles he’s held over the years and what those looked like in everyday ministry life. They explore the unseen realities of serving in a megachurch, i...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown offers compassionate and biblical clarity on some of the most personal questions surrounding faith—what baptism means, how someone becomes a child of God, and how salvation works for people from different backgrounds and beliefs. With both honesty and hope, he explores how God meets us in our darkest mo...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, Pastor Matt and Tammy dive into some of the most common—and most misunderstood—topics surrounding Christian relationships. From navigating modern dating culture to discerning God’s guidance in choosing a spouse, we talk about  biblical wisdom for anyone trying to honor God in a complicated world.  💬 Have a question for a future ep...

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, we’re diving into the tension many Christians feel around Halloween, and connections to witchcraft. Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown unpacks what it means to live with both conviction and compassion—how to stay grounded in truth while navigating a world that often blurs the lines between light and darkness. Join the conversation as we...

Welcome to ANOTHER bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast. You asked — they answered. In this episode, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Pastor Justin Kowalski tackle your questions about faith, calling, and creativity. From discovering purpose to staying faithful in the unknown, this honest conversation will encourage and challenge you to live out your calling with courage and authenticity. 💬 Use t...

Welcome to special bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast! Meet Pastor Justin Kowalski — Associate Pastor at Sandals Church Palm Avenue and longtime member of the Sandals team for over 20 years. In this episode, Pastor Matt sits down with Justin to share his story, his journey in ministry, and what it means to live out faith with authenticity and creativity. Get to know one of the voices helping sha...