The Third Place

Daria is here! She talks with us about the realities of being a working mom. Daria shares what it was like returning to work after maternity leave, navigating mom guilt, balancing family and ministry, and learning to cherish the small moments that matter most. Brian and Lauren join the conversation with their own stories about parenting, milestones, and the pressures parents face today. Whether yo...

In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Nathan Zion, attorney at Zion Law, for a conversation about mentalism, AI deepfakes, deception, and discernment. Nathan explains how magicians and mentalists use misdirection to fool audiences, and how similar principles are showing up in today's technology. Together, they discuss the legal and ethical implications of AI-generated content, the g...

What happens when the career you've known for decades suddenly comes to an end? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Lisa Anderson, formerly host of The Boundless Show at Focus on the Family, to talk about navigating an unexpected career transition and what it looks like to step into a brand-new season. After spending more than two decades at one organization, Lisa shares what her...

What if the future of ministry requires a little more creativity? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Calvin Brown, President of the Northeast Ohio Leadership Foundation, to discuss the concept of modern-day tentmaking and how churches and ministries can think differently about funding Kingdom work. Drawing from Paul's example of supporting his ministry through tentmaking, Calvin...

If missions matter so much to God, why do we spend so little time thinking about them? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Nathan Kurcsak, Missions Pastor at Maranatha Bible Church, to discuss why the opportunity for missions exists only on this side of eternity. As Nathan explains, there are no mission trips in heaven—no unreached people groups, no opportunities to share the Gospel wi...

What does it actually mean to live a balanced life? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Crystal Kershaw of Fieldstone Counseling to discuss the challenge of finding balance in a world that constantly demands more of our time, attention, and energy. Drawing from both biblical wisdom and practical counseling experience, Crystal helps unpack what Scripture says about rest, priorities, and...

There’s a new podcast in town… and the host is sitting right in front of us. In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Jaime Buxton, Senior Manager of Community Engagement at The City Mission, to discuss the launch of The City Mission’s brand-new podcast, Not That Different. Naturally, Brian takes this development as a direct threat to the existence of The Third Place. What starts as a conve...

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, what does the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom look like today? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Dr. Glen Duerr, Chair of History and Government and Professor of International Studies at Cedarville University, to discuss King Charles’s recent visit to the United States and th...

What does real prison reform look like—and why should Christians care? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Ben Chambers, Senior Director of Outreach at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois, to talk about prison reform, second chances, and why this work matters for both justice and discipleship. Ben recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he was lobbying alongside Pri...

What does it look like to stay faithful when the work feels hard, the fruit feels slow, and discouragement starts to settle in? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Dr. Ron and Anita Morrison of Hope Alliance Bible Church to talk about faithfulness, discouragement, and what the book of Jeremiah teaches us about obedience in difficult seasons. Drawing from recent preaching through Jeremi...

Who actually has the authority to declare war—the President or Congress? And why does it feel like that line isn’t always clear? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Dr. Mark Caleb Smith of Cedarville University—Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Director of the Center for Political Studies, and Professor of Political Science—to break down one of the most important and often mis...

Be honest… when was the last time you thought about your website? In this episode, Brian and Lauren welcome their web designer, Jonah Swenson, to the podcast to talk about why your website matters more than you think. From first impressions to clear communication, Jonah breaks down how design shapes the way people experience your brand, ministry, or business. They talk about why so many websites m...

Mother’s Day can be a beautiful celebration—but for many women, it’s also a painful reminder of loss. In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Erica Kurcsak from Maranatha Bible Church’s Grace and Beauty Ministry to talk about caring for women who are often overlooked during this season—those who have experienced the loss of a child, infertility, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Erica shares how...

He’s back — and somehow even crankier. Brian and Lauren are joined again by John Palmer, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (aka The Cranky Arborist), for another round of laughs, strong opinions, and actually helpful yard advice. This time, John goes head-to-head with “The Lorax” energy as they talk about what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing in your yard, with your trees, and in your landsca...

Is caring about immigration part of being pro-life? In this episode, Brian and Lauren tackle a question that’s guaranteed to spark conversation. Using an article from Relevant Magazine as a jumping-off point, they wrestle with how Christians should think about immigration, human dignity, and what it really means to hold a pro-life ethic. The conversation doesn’t stay theoretical for long. As usual...

There is no one better positioned to mentor a teenager than the adults already in their life. In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Matt Brinkley, founder and associate director of PACT Ministry, to talk about his new book MentorMe and what it really looks like to invest in the next generation. With over 50 years of experience in youth ministry, Matt brings both wisdom and practical insi...

When Jesus flipped tables in the temple, what was really going on? In this episode, Brian and Lauren dig into one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospels and ask an important question: does Jesus flipping tables mean we can justify being angrily outraged about anything we want today? The conversation looks at the real reason Jesus drove out the money changers and merchants in the temple and ho...

Marriage therapy isn’t just for couples on the brink of divorce. In fact, many healthy marriages benefit from a regular tune-up. In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Christie Orosz from Married Life Counseling to talk about why more couples should consider marriage therapy before things get serious. Instead of seeing counseling as a last resort, Christie explains how it can actually str...

There are 2,165 children in Cuyahoga County right now who need someone to show up for them in court as they navigate the foster care system. In this episode, Brian and Lauren welcome CASA of Cuyahoga County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to the podcast to talk about what that number really represents — not statistics, but children who need stability, advocacy, and a consistent adult in their...

This episode was supposed to have a topic. It really was. Instead, Brian and Lauren spend the entire time catching up with Pastor Scott and Maureen Lessing of Grace Church — and absolutely failing to stay on track. Every time they try to get serious, something derails it. And honestly, it’s better that way. What follows is a chaotic, hilarious, completely unserious conversation covering Patrick Sw...

In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Blake Kauffman, a Malone University student and founder of R7 Ministries, to talk about what Gen Z is actually seeking in Christianity today. There’s no shortage of opinions about “kids these days” — but what do young adults themselves say they’re hungry for when it comes to faith? Blake shares what he’s seeing on college campuses and through R7, and...

What would happen if we stopped overcomplicating faith… and just opened our Bibles? In this episode, Brian and Lauren discuss a TikToker who has started a Bible reading journey and is being refreshingly honest about the experience with millions of followers online. No polished theology. No curated church answers. Just real-time reactions, questions, confusion, curiosity — and a willingness to read...

It’s 50 degrees outside and you’re reaching for the rake… STOP. Step away from the yard tools. In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by The Cranky Arborist (John Palmer), ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, to talk about why you absolutely should not be cleaning up your garden and yard just yet. As tempting as those warm days feel, early yard work can actually harm pollinators, beneficial...

What actually happens to your Social Security benefits when there’s a death in the family? Or a major change in your household? In this episode, Brian and Lauren are joined by Rob Fenn, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration, to talk through the real-life situations most families don’t feel prepared for — but eventually have to face. From losing a spouse to changes in cus...

In this bonus episode, we sit down with an actual Puerto Rican Christian to get their perspective on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show and the broader cultural reaction surrounding it. This conversation goes beyond hot takes. We explore the cultural significance of the performance, what it meant for Puerto Rican identity, and why questions of citizenship, belonging, and representation still car...