The Nook Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we take a look at suffering and what it looks like in God's eyes. Today's guest, Paul Granger, host of the Where Did You See God podcast , and I discuss suffering in a biblical context. suf·fer·ing /ˈsəf(ə)riNG/ noun the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Nothing about that description sounds like anything that any of us would ever seek and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we bring this series on depression and mental health to a close.  I get to have a conversation with Jim Barnard about how my own depression is playing out in the now and in the future. These shows have been educational, edifying, and taxing. I hope that they have been impactful for you as well. HELPFUL LINKS: Better Help - on-line counseling Honey Lake Treatment C...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we take a look at the increasing percentage of depression and other mental health issues in teenagers. Depression has become increasingly common among American teenagers – especially teen girls, who are now almost three times as likely as teen boys to have had recent experiences with depression. In 2017, 13% of U.S. teens ages 12 to 17 (or 3.2 million) said they h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of postpartum depression (PPD) and how it can profoundly affect new mothers. My friend Amanda Bjornson opens up about her personal battle with PPD, having faced it twice, and shares valuable insights that can help both mothers and fathers understand and navigate this difficult condition. Postpartum depression is a complex condition...

Send us Fan Mail This is not at all what I had in mind for this week, but dealing with depression myself has taken an unexpected turn. If you need someone to listen to what's going on with you, drop me a note: steven@nookpodcast.com *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this community to rally together...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m honored to welcome back Dr. Greg Smalley—author, counselor, and Vice President of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family. With over a dozen books on relationships and decades of experience in counseling, Dr. Smalley offers powerful insight into how depression can impact marriages and family dynamics. As part of our month-long series, The June Glo...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue in this series, The June Gloom , talking about various aspects of depression and how people deal with it... it is my honor to introduce you to Diana Gruver . She is the author of Companions in the Darkness;  Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt. In Companions in the Darkness , Diana looks back into church history and finds depression in the lives of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I invited Jim Barnard to come back and get into an entirely different aspect of his story; life-long issues with depression. I'll be look at various aspects of depression for the entire month of June in a series I'm calling, "The June Gloom" . If you know someone dealing with depression or anxiety, please share these episodes; your concern coul...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I get to introduce you to Rodney Olsen, host of the Bleeding Daylight Podcast ... but the twist is that he interviewed me for his show and allowed me to re-air it here. This conversation will give you some insights to my own story and how it affects what I am doing now. I would also encourage you to stay through the very end as there is a detailed peek into what i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, you will meet Brady Shearer ; he is the boss man at Pro Church Tools , a company built on the premise of helping churches create great content that will engage their members well beyond the weekend services. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this community to rally...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I have the privilege of introducing you to my friend, Brittany Durphey . She is a live event producer, podcaster, and an amazing human. She is a live event producer, and that may be a term you are not unfamiliar with; so we will break down what kind of work she does, and how she approaches her work as a follower of Christ. Brittany is also the creator and host of...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue in The Makers Series , it's an honor to introduce you to Jim Barnard . He's a coach, pastor, and author of The Suffering Guy ; a book about dealing with his wife's chronic illness over the past 15 years. Jim And Alisha have been through so much after she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome just 3 months into their marriage. The disease slows her...

Send us Fan Mail There are so many people who operate in relative obscurity, and unless you sit through the credits at the end of a film or TV show, you might never know that they exist. These are some of the people that I naturally gravitate towards. Having worked in the television industry for more than 30 years, I am very familiar with their roles and hard work. Justen Overlander is one such in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I have the privilege of introducing you to Ross King . He is a singer, songwriter, and collaborator... but he would likely tell you that his greatest work is raising four adopted kids with his wife in Nashville, Tennessee. *** *** Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time… I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast —a way for this comm...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, we continue our celebration of adoption stories—each one unique, personal, and deeply moving. I’m honored to introduce you to Jeanette Jolley, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in high-end television production, and more importantly, a fellow adoptee with a story that will stay with you long after the episode ends. In her early t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, you will meet Josh &. Renae Bradley. They are the parents of four adoptive kids, each with their own set of challenges... some medical and some with mental issues. Josh and Renee will tell you that no matter what each of these kids is dealing with, they know that they were called to be the parents of these beautiful children. Josh and Renae are on the board of...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, I share a story that is very close to home—literally. You’ll hear powerful insights about how both my sister, Erin Smalley, and I were adopted, and how those early beginnings shaped our lives in meaningful ways. But that’s only the beginning. We also dive into the extraordinary journey of my niece’s adoption from China; a beautiful, f...

Send us Fan Mail Going solo for this one as we finish a series of shows on making regular, intentional bible study a good habit. I break down my own habits as a guideline for you. I hope that you have enjoyed this month of focus on the bible. Make sure that you are subscribed/following on your favorite podcast app. Please email me if you have any questions; steven@nookpodcast.com I have hidden you...

Send us Fan Mail A bonus episode! This is a valuable, previously unpublished portion of the conversation from this week's regular episode with Tim Shelton . Having a small group of people that you trust to speak into your life and to help you be accountable is so important. This extra bit of content will encourage you to find a circle of friends who will stir you up to love and good works. Ch...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tim Shelton from Seek Well returns to the show to talk about how our rhythms with God, spending time with God in the Word, and being intentional are so critical for a healthy relationship with Jesus. You will learn some key elements in starting your own healthy patterns of drawing in closer to God. Spiritual Rhythm; A disciplined, unhurried, effortless connection...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I have gathered a small group of friends to discuss our own experiences in bible study habits. None of us claim to be an expert in this area; we're just people who love God and want to know him more. It's a good conversation that will encourage you to go deeper in your own pursuit of Jesus. Resources mentioned: Download the free YouVersion bible app &quo...

Send us Fan Mail The Nook Podcast is one year old! Thank you so much to all of the subscribers! The whole month of February will be dedicated to discussing the importance of regular bible study; how we as believers can keep learning about the depths of God through consistent reading. In this episode, I'm happy to introduce you to Carrie Cristancho . She's a young wife, mom and graphic de...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the importance of godly, authentic, and vulnerable community with author, Justin Camp. Justin and Jennifer Camp are passionate about helping busy, modern men and women find ways to connect with God. With honest teaching about who He is and who we are, they try to write and create things that are beautiful and stirring, yet stripped-down and unpretentiou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Scott Wood—a devoted husband, father, and talented photographer from Bentonville, AR. More than 20 years ago, a single, unexpected panic attack landed him in the hospital. What was meant to be a short-term solution—a prescribed medication—quickly turned into a gripping addiction, making it an immense struggle to break free. Scott shares his powerf...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Chris Kuti; husband, father of three, and the Global Worship Pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, TX. Chris brings incredible wisdom on maintaining the right priorities and embracing the reality that God’s calling isn’t always comfortable. Beyond his leadership in worship ministry, Chris has made a significant impact...