The Harder Way Podcast

In this episode of The Harder Way Podcast, Scott and Mattie explore the spiritual significance of waiting and how God uses these periods to shape our character and faith. Listeners will gain insights into the dangers of rushing God's timeline, illustrated by biblical examples such as Abraham, Joseph, and Esther. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith, expressing gratitu...

Welcome to The Hardaway Podcast, where hosts Scott and Mattie tackle one of life's most challenging questions: Why does God allow suffering? In this episode, they examine the personal and theological aspects of suffering, drawing wisdom from religious texts and personal experiences. The discussion explores how suffering can refine faith, the difference between punishment and discipline, and how tr...

In this episode of The Hardaway Podcast, Scott and Mattie examine the often-overlooked realm of spiritual warfare, focusing on how subtle distractions and fears can hinder our spiritual growth. They explore common tactics used against Christians, such as busyness and self-doubt, and discuss how to combat these challenges by staying rooted in Scripture and engaging in sound faith communities. Liste...

Join Scott and Mattie in this compelling episode of the Harder Way Podcast, as they share their experiences and challenges faced while embarking on a critical mission to deliver Bibles to persecuted Christians in communist nations. Discover the physical and spiritual hurdles the team encounters, from severe power outages to the constant need for prayer and protection. Here’s how you can specifical...

In this episode of the Harder Way Podcast, Scott and Mattie explore the challenges of living a faith-filled life in a world that often demands certainty and control. Using the powerful phrase "I do not know, but God knows," they explore biblical examples like Job, Abraham, and Joseph, who trusted in God's plan despite not having all the answers. The hosts discuss the significance of surrendering c...

Welcome to the Harder Way Podcast, where hosts Scott and Mattie explore the challenges of living faithfully in a world of uncertainty and change. This week, they share personal experiences of unexpected health scares and discuss the paradox of holding onto life's temporary nature while embracing the eternal promises of faith. Through the lens of Christian perseverance, Scott and Mattie emphasize t...

Welcome to the Harder Way podcast, where hosts Mattie and Scott explore the challenges Believers face when pressured to compromise their faith in today's culture. This episode explores the inspiring stories of Christians who have demonstrated unwavering faith, including acts of courage by actor Neil McDonough and the founder of Voice of the Martyrs, Richard Wurmbrand. Additionally, biblical exampl...

Episode 101 (New 5-ish Minute Format)  In this episode of The Harder Way Podcast, Scott and Mattie explore the transformative power of viewing the Bible as a field manual for everyday life. They challenge listeners to see themselves as missionaries in their own communities, emphasizing the importance of active participation in God's mission. By drawing from the experiences of persecuted Christians...

Join missionary Don Roberts as he shares his profound experiences from over 33 years of serving in restricted countries like China, Cuba, and Vietnam. In this episode, Don explores the importance of living by faith in the face of persecution and the lessons learned from Christians who endure such hardships daily. Discover the seven keys to understanding and preparing for religious restriction and...

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...