The Holly Pivec Podcast

How to grow in discernment and not turn cynical? In this episode, Holly shares the subtle line between spotting doctrinal error in the church and not trusting anyone or anything. While this may sound troublesome, she shares her personal experience and growth through three things that have kept her from going down that road, drawing from the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 and Elijah's meltdo...

Can certain so-called "Christian" teachings contribute to anxiety, depression, and feelings of failure? In this conversation, biblical counselor Mark Baker explains how negative narratives, perfectionism, performance-based thinking, and false teachings can deeply impact our mental health. He also shares practical tools for identifying harmful thought patterns, finding hope in the midst o...

Is your mental health suffering because of bad theology? Discover how growing in spiritual discernment can free you from the anxiety, guilt, and emotional damage caused by false teachings. Many modern Christians are caught in a cycle of subtle shaming, false hope, and spiritual burnout. In this video, we break down why true biblical discernment is actually your greatest mental defense mechanism an...

Is the "quick fix" culture of modern church movements actually hurting your mental health? In this clip, we break down why true biblical peace isn’t a supernatural "zap," but a daily process of heart work—and how movements like the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) might be driving people into anxiety and dependency. If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to manufacture supernatura...

Is your spiritual life causing more anxiety than peace? In this episode, I'm with biblical counselor and author Mark Baker to expose the overlooked link between false teachings—specifically within the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)—and mental health struggles like depression and chronic guilt. If you’ve ever felt like you "weren't performing enough" for God, or felt trapped by t...

Is it a miracle from God, a manifestation of the demonic, or just a clever trick? In this deep-dive interview, professional magician and mentalist Terry Holley pulls back the curtain on the "signs and wonders" appearing in modern movements like the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). From gold dust and "glory clouds" at Bethel to the secrets of "words of knowledge," Terr...

Is it a miracle, or just a really good trick? In this revealing interview, 55-year veteran magician Terry Holley pulls back the curtain on the "supernatural" claims of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). While many believers are amazed by "words of knowledge" and "miraculous" powers, Terry reveals how professional mentalism, data mining, and theatrical illusions can...

On March 6, 2026, Francis Chan released a public apology titled "Tremble at His Words, Be Careful with Your Own." In it, he addresses his associations with leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), including Mike Bickle and IHOPKC. But does this apology truly address the root of the problem, or does it sidestep the real issues and dangers? In this special audio-only episode of the...

The ongoing collision with NAR has forced a moment of truth for the Assemblies of God, requiring a clear and final decision on whether it will protect its Pentecostal roots or succumb to apostolic infiltrators.* See a note of correction and clarification from Aaron Mapes below.*In this deep-dive interview, an AG pastor pulls back the curtain on how "Latter Rain" doctrines and modern NAR...

Is the New Apostolic Reformation covertly reshaping your church? Join me and 5th-generation Assemblies of God pastor Aaron Mapes for a deep dive into the "smuggling" of NAR doctrine into classical Pentecostalism. While the boundaries between NAR and Pentecostalism have become increasingly blurred, the differences are critical for those concerned about the future of the Assemblies of God....

Is modern missions work inadvertently hindering the gospel? In Part 2 of our deep dive, former Beyond missionaries Aaron and Chelsea—who were accused by the organization's leadership of being "unteachable"—share their firsthand experiences with the "Church Planting Movement" (CPM) strategy and the controversial "Insider Movements" that allow for religious syncreti...

We Left the Mission Field: The Reality of "Beyond" and the Theological Drift in Modern Missions Why would an ethusiastic, committed missionary couple walk away from their life’s work? In this deep-dive, two-part interview, Aaron and Chelsea Hunter share their jarring experience with the missions organization "Beyond." They reveal how the pressures to "hear God's voice&...

In this episode, I share exciting news about the launch of my new book club and discussion community, over at Substack, called "Hold Fast with Holly Pivec." And I invite you to join us. I explain my vision for Hold Fast with Holly Pivec and share messages from my podcast listeners revealing the need for such a discernment community. I also share my own backstory that motivated me to unde...

Is "listening prayer" the key to intimacy with God, as many Christian teachers claim? In this deep-dive conversation, we discuss a particular view of prayer as "two-way communication" and explore how seeking audible voices or mystical promptings can be a distraction from true spiritual growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting to "hear from God" or worried that you’re...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Doug Geivett, my co-author and long-time colleague, to discuss a very popular teaching in the church right now: “hearing God’s voice” outside of Scripture. Doug and I have co-authored four books on the New Apostolic Reformation. In this conversation, which is part of my larger series on "hearing God's voice," we address why the modern expectation...

Seventh-day Adventists, NAR, and The Miracle Myth: Protecting the African Church from Heresy & Exploitation In the concluding segment of our interview with Paul Carden (Centers for Apologetics Research) and Rodgers Atwebembeire (Africa Center for Apologetics Research), we expose critical doctrinal threats and challenges in Africa, including the rapid growth of Seventh-day Adventism, the stealt...

The future of global Christianity is African, but this explosive growth is under massive attack. Join us as we interview Paul Carden (Centers for Apologetics Research) and Rodgers Atwebembeire (Africa Center for Apologetics Research) to discuss the hidden dangers, manipulative movements, and organized cults aggressively targeting Christians across the continent. This is a deep dive into the "...

Many Christians assume that if a sermon is biblically sound, it must be expository, but is that always true? In this conversation with my husband, Adam Pivec, we look beyond the label to explore what genuine "expository preaching" is. And we provide a checklist of things to listen for during your next Sunday sermon to know if your pastor is exegeting the text. This episode examines subtle, but cru...

How to know if a sermon is faithful to the biblical intent? In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Adam Pivec, to talk about something we care deeply about: expository preaching. We explore what it really is, why it's essential for the church today, and why so many sermons drift away from Scripture without people recognizing it. We explain the difference between exegesis (drawing meaning fro...

Many Christians are told that if they’re not hearing God’s voice through inner impressions, dreams, or prophetic words, they’re missing out on intimacy with Him and knowing His will for their lives. But is that really what the Bible teaches? In this episode, we turn away from popular teachings and look at Scripture itself. What we find is both freeing and grounding: the normative way to hear God’s...

Is “hearing God’s voice” actually harming Christians? In this eye-opening episode, we expose the hidden dangers behind modern teachings that encourage believers to regularly hear God speak outside of Scripture—focusing especially on Pete Greig’s book How to Hear God. You’ll learn how these teachings: - Enslave Christians to their feelings, dreams, and unreliable impressions - Create dependency on...

Will heaven merge with earth, as many scholars claim? What are we to make of NAR leaders' claims that it is the task of the church to "bring heaven to earth"? Is Hillsong's song "What a Beautiful Name" biblical, and should churches sing it? In this conversation, Alan Gomes evaluates popular teachings about heaven found in bestselling books and Grammy award-winning worsh...

Are trips to heaven and hell and near-death experiences proof of an afterlife, or are they the products of fraud, psychology, or even demonic deception? In this episode, we unpack well-known claims, expose fabrications, and show why Scripture, not sensational stories, must be our foundation for understanding the afterlife. Alan Gomes' book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven...

What really happens after unbelievers die? Are the flames of hell literal? Are alternative views of hell gaining popularity? In this conversation, we explore what Scripture actually says about hell and the common misconceptions Christians often hold. Alan Gomes' book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven-Hell/dp/0825442761

Many Christians assume we’ll spend eternity floating in heaven — but what if Scripture paints a different picture? In this first-ever guest interview, Dr. Alan Gomes (author of 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell) unpacks common misconceptions about heaven, what the “eternal state” really is, and what believers will actually do forever — from worship and work to creativity, learning, and community...