The Harder Way Podcast

NOTE: Mattie and I are working on our new formatting, which will be revealed at the end of January. We will still be coming to you every week but will change up the content a bit. This week and next, we want to encourage our old listeners to engage with Don Roberts' two seminal messages about the persecuted church and living on the Harder Way. I try to listen to these two messages once per year an...

Welcome to a special episode of The Harder Way Podcast as our hosts, Scott and Mattie, celebrate their milestone of reaching 100 episodes. This reflective episode revisits the themes and values that have shaped their journey, exploring the core message of faith over fear. As they review their past discussions on restriction versus persecution and the importance of choosing faith over fear, Scott a...

Mattie is back! This week, we discuss the Cuban people's acts of resistance, the unsettling stories of imprisonment for simple acts of protest, and the parallel scenes in countries like England. Against a backdrop of global unrest, we reflect on the urgency of holding firm to faith in Jesus Christ. Drawing parallels between current events and past revolutionary downfalls, we underscore the perenni...

Welcome to another episode of The Harder Way Podcast. In this installment, Scott leads the conversation solo, as Mattie takes a break to rest her voice after performing in numerous Christmas services. Scott takes the opportunity to dive deep into pressing issues facing the people of Cuba as they struggle with dire economic challenges and looming fears of societal deconstruction. Scott shares a hea...

In this engaging episode of the Harder Way Podcast, hosts Scott and Mattie delve into the fascinating history of Santa Claus, exploring his evolution from the real-life St. Nicholas to the modern-day figure of jolly old Saint Nick. They discuss the controversies surrounding Santa's role in society, from issues of faith and childhood beliefs to cultural impacts and traditional storytelling. Discove...

Welcome back to The Harder Way Podcast! Join Scott and Mattie in the second installment of our three-part Christmas series as we consider the controversial topic: is Christmas rooted in pagan traditions? Discover the origins of various customs and learn whether they connect to paganism. We'll explore biblical references, historical anecdotes, and even a fun story involving Mattie's German-speaking...

We are doing 3 Christmas episodes this year: Lessons from the Nativity (episode 54 remastered) Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday? Even Santa Claus Walked the Harder Way! Welcome to this special Christmas episode of The Harder Way podcast! As we celebrate our first anniversary, join us as we delve into the transformative story of the Nativity, exploring the lives of Mary and Joseph. Despite the daunting...

#95 - Black Friday Madness: A Tale of Deals and Donuts Welcome to the Harder Way Podcast, where Scott and Mattie dive into the post-Thanksgiving frenzy. In this episode, we explore the chaotic allure of Black Friday, sharing personal anecdotes and surprising insights. Discover the origins of this shopping phenomenon and how it turned retail stores into battlegrounds of scarcity. Join us as we refl...

Welcome to the special Thanksgiving edition of the Harder Way Podcast. Join Scott and Mattie as they explore the history and significance of Thanksgiving, exploring its roots in the Christian faith and personal family connections to the Pilgrims of the Mayflower. Discover the remarkable journey of the Puritans, their trials, and the pivotal role of providence in their survival and faith. Through p...

Episode 10: remastered - Focusing on God's Kingdom is Paramount now. In this classic episode of The Harder Way Podcast, Scott and Mattie explore the final principle in their series on resilient, persecuted Christians: living a Jesus-centered life. They discuss the concept of steward theology, emphasizing a shift from a self-centered to a Christ-centered existence. This approach redefines our under...

Whether you're feeling hopeful or anxious about the future, this episode encourages you to trust in God's sovereignty and be an agent of change through love and service. Welcome back to the Harder Way Podcast with Scott and Mattie. In this episode, we dive into a compelling story from Malawi, Africa, where a mission trip led to the establishment of Water Wells for Africa, transforming lives with c...

In this gripping episode, we dive into the complex world of idolatry in modern Christianity, exploring how fear and the desire for control can lead us astray from true faith. Our conversation begins with a shocking event in Kenya, where a pastor's misguided teachings led to a tragic mass suicide, drawing parallels to the infamous Jonestown incident. As we shift focus to the upcoming elections, we...

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on faith, politics, and the enduring power of love amidst uncertainty.   In this episode of The Harder Way podcast, hosts Scott and Mattie discuss the upcoming election in the United States, emphasizing the importance of focusing on God's will rather than political divisions. Our hosts encourage listeners to rise above the fray of political rhetoric, remi...

Welcome back to The Harder Way podcast with Count Scottula and Mattieboo! This episode starts with a thought-provoking "Hot Topics" segment from Australia, looking into cultural practices and freedom of speech issues. We explore the complex themes of compelled speech, hate speech, and religious persecution. We discuss a controversial event in Australia where Christian speaker Dave Pellow faced leg...

episode 89 Welcome back to The Harder Way Podcast with Scott and Mattie. As the seasons change and the podcast nears its 100th episode, Scott and Maddie introduce a new segment called "Hot Topics," discussing current events from a Harder Way perspective. This week's Hot Topic is the early aftermath of Hurricane Helene, its impact on the historically Scots-Irish communities, and the lessons we can...

Welcome to the second part of our special edition of the Harder Way Podcast. In this episode, Scott delves into the challenging topics of persecution and suffering, exploring how to respond with faith and resilience in a changing societal climate. Drawing from biblical teachings and real-life examples, he offers practical prescriptions for dealing with persecution and enduring hardships. Scott emp...

Welcome to a special episode of the Harder Way Podcast. In this "Between the Podcasts" episode, we delve into the profound topics of persecution, suffering, and the purpose of the Harder Way podcast. Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! Scott provides a comprehensive definition of persecution and discusses its relationship with suffering and mart...

Welcome back to the Harder Way Podcast with Scott and Mattie! In this episode, we conclude our series on first principles, focusing on the belief that God has a plan. We discuss how foundational truths like God's reality, His personal nature, and His love for us can help us navigate life's challenges. Through Joseph's compelling story, we explore how faith in God's plan sustained him through betra...

episode 85 Join us in this episode as we explore the third fundamental principle in our series on First Principles: God Loves Me. We explore the profound truth that God's love is a steadfast commitment that underpins our faith and life decisions. Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! We discuss how understanding God's love can provide immense comf...

Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! This week, our conversation revisits the First Principle discussed in a previous episode—acknowledging God's reality—and explores its profound implications for our lives. We highlight God's transcendence and sovereignty and how these truths should profoundly impact our daily walk with Him. This episode also in...

Welcome back to the Harder Way Podcast with Scott and Mattie! In this episode, we address our brief absence and the unexpected challenges we've faced, from physical injuries to spiritual battles. Despite the hurdles, we're here to remind you of a foundational truth: God is real. Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! Dive into a discussion about th...

episode 82 In this episode, we discuss the challenges of living in a society where truth is often seen as subjective and shaped by cultural and personal contexts. With references to first-century Greek thinking and contemporary political debates, we highlight the importance of having a clear starting point or "first principles" rooted in the Holy Bible. We explore historical examples of how truth...

Special episode. As Scott and Mattie transition from our Armor of God Series into our next series, we thought our wonderful listeners would benefit from Scott's commencement speech for EPIC bible college and Graduate School in Sacramento, CA. Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! In this message, Scott discusses how to apply some of the truths we...

Welcome back to the Harder Way podcast with Scott and Mattie for part two of our final episode in the Armor of God series. This week, we explore the last, often overlooked, piece of spiritual armor: prayer. Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! Join us as we explore Ephesians 6:10-20, where Paul, writing from prison, emphasizes the importance of p...

Welcome to part 1 of the final installment of the Armor of God series on The Harder Way podcast! In this episode, we delve into the "Sword of the Spirit," the one piece of armor that stands out vividly in Paul's military metaphor from Ephesians 6:10-20. Send Bibles  to the persecuted church.  Receive the Courier Update Support this podcast! Join us as we explore the significance of the Roman gladi...