Episodes

  • Rising Up From Our Lowest Moments: Benjamin Hall & Chris Janssen

    Rising Up From Our Lowest Moments: Benjamin Hall & Chris Janssen
    Jun 26 2025
    *This episode contains mature content. This week, we’ll hear from war correspondent Benjamin Hall, who has spent much of his career reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. In 2022, while covering the war in Ukraine, he was gravely injured in an attack that killed two of his colleagues. Today, he shares how that harrowing experience challenged his limits and instilled in him the unshakeable belief that we all have the strength to overcome—no matter what we face. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from author and life coach Chris Janssen as she shares her firsthand experience with alcoholism and the path to recovery. Now, through her journey of sobriety, Chris uses the lessons learned from her lowest moments to help others rise to new heights. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Natalie Grant Upcoming interview: Jared Orton Jesus Calling commemorative edition Benjamin Hall Japanese prison camp War in Ukraine Kyiv Ukrainian Special Forces Fox News Save Our Allies Brooke Army Medical Center Psalm 23 NIV Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds Chris Janssen www.chrisjanssencoaching.com Grace Yourself: How to Show Up for the Sober Life You Want Interview Quotes: “I learned how much your mind can influence how you are feeling and how you can find another level of strength when you have to.” - Benjamin Hall “I do think that I must now live for those who died [in the car bombing I survived in Ukraine], and that I must challenge what I do for them. I make it drive me to be better, make it drive me to go into things that I think would inspire them and make them happy.” - Benjamin Hall “You mustn’t let fear disable you. You’ve got to address it, but also not run from it. I think that the worst thing you can do is hide from them, run from them, pretend they didn’t happen.” - Benjamin Hall “We are survival machines—humans. If you can channel your feelings, if you can talk to God, if you can find the strength you need, you can get through absolutely anything.” - Benjamin Hall “Everyone has resilience. I suppose what’s difficult is learning how to really use it. I always managed to find the beauty in every day while acknowledging loss. I think that’s something that is so important for people to learn—how to balance those two things in your life and not let the loss overwhelm you, but how to let the positive really guide you.” - Benjamin Hall “I just think anybody, regardless of how you grew up, can get caught in the snare of addiction.” - Chris Janssen “When the shame and guilt flew off my shoulders, my belief changed from I’m a monster to I’m deserving of recovery and community and sobriety because I’m addicted to alcohol.” - Chris Janssen “To me, physical wellness leads to emotional wellness.” - Chris Janssen “The way I describe sobriety is more than abstinence—it’s a lifestyle, not an event. I don’t believe I’m giving something up by sobriety, I’m gaining something. And what’s gained is my life, my memories, my presence with people, my ability to have fun.” - Chris Janssen “I felt like everything I did, I had to earn it, and that’s the opposite of grace. When we live in a mindset of control, we’re unable to accept grace. We’re taking control of our own worthiness, and we don’t get to do that. God has said we’re worthy and valuable no matter what.” - Chris Janssen ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY ________________________ Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    29 mins
  • [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] Prayers for When You’re Full of Questions & Doubt: Quina Aragon

    [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] Prayers for When You’re Full of Questions & Doubt: Quina Aragon
    Jun 24 2025

    On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’re joined by author, editor, and spoken word artist Quina Aragon. Quina shares her passion for helping others see themselves and their story within the pages of the Bible—being willing to engage even with our dark, painful, embarrassing, or shameful chapters toward healing and redemption in Jesus.

    Guest’s Links
    Quina’s YouTube: @QuinaAragon

    Quina’s Facebook: @QuinaAragon

    Quina’s Instagram: @quina_aragon

    Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/3T2C8fX

    ________________________

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    11 mins
  • Trusting God in the “Not Yet” and the “What If”: DawnCheré Wilkerson & Erin Hicks Moon

    Trusting God in the “Not Yet” and the “What If”: DawnCheré Wilkerson & Erin Hicks Moon
    Jun 19 2025
    This week, we’ll hear from pastor, speaker, and author DawnCheré Wilkerson. After walking through an eight-year journey of infertility, DawnCheré began to have a new understanding of what it means to trust God even when the answer is “not yet.” Now a mother of four, she encourages others to look for God’s presence not just in fulfilled promises, but in the slow, sacred work of waiting. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Erin Hicks Moon. Erin is a writer, podcaster, and the resident Bible scholar on the Faith Adjacent podcast. Known for creating thoughtful space for spiritual questions, Erin invites listeners to engage their faith with open hands and open hearts, believing that questions aren’t roadblocks but profound invitations. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Austin and Marideth Telenko Upcoming interview: Benjamin Hall Jesus Calling commemorative edition DawnCheré Wilkerson VOUS Church Infertility Isaiah 40:31 NIV Psalms Hebrews Slow Burn Erin Hicks Moon Faith Adjacent www.erinhmoon.com I’ve Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out With God Interview Quotes: “All of life is waiting. I think that we feel the tension between hope and despair, but I found that a relationship with God and faith in Jesus, make all the difference.” - DawnCheré Wilkerson “It’s in the waiting that I discovered who God is. The intimacy that you feel when you’re desperate for God, knowing that He’s close, knowing that He’s involved in every second, knowing that He’s orchestrating your life; there’s a confidence that we can hold on to. And when we find it in seasons of desperation, we don’t just find it for that moment, we get to carry it for the rest of our life. ” - DawnCheré Wilkerson “In those eight years of infertility, I came to a place where I discovered there is work in this wait. There’s soil for me to dig deep into. There are areas for me to grow, areas for me to prune, areas for me to be outstretched and generous with my life.” - DawnCheré Wilkerson “Hebrews is very clear. Abraham, Sarah, Rahab, Moses… Scripture tells us in Hebrews that they all died still believing in what they had not seen. So if these heroes of the faith, the matriarchs, the patriarchs of our faith, didn’t see all of the promise in this life, why do I think that I will? This is where we get to trust God, but know that this is not the end of the story.” - DawnCheré Wilkerson “I think what life is really about is this long burning fuse attached not to a seasonal outcome of the explosion of God’s faithfulness, but rather to the promise of eternity.” - DawnCheré Wilkerson “We say we’re waiting, but we’re filling the time with a million different things that are really turning down the volume on the voice of God. A lot of my focus in life is how to prune out distractions because I’m prone to pick up so many different things to fill the time while I’m waiting on God.” - DawnCheré Wilkerson “There’s a really heavy leaning on preaching and crafting sermons and getting people in line with exact ‘correct’ theological beliefs, but I think there’s a disconnect between that and actually being pastored. Do people believe what we say because of what we do? I think a lot of younger generations are seeing a disconnect between that, and they want to follow the fruit.” - Erin Hicks Moon “I think we often tend to over complicate things at times. The disciples—we don’t have any record of them arguing about atonement theory or transubstantiation—what we’re mostly left with is just ‘go do the thing. Take care of the people. Tell them about Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit do the Holy Spirit’s work.’” - Erin Hicks Moon “I think if we lean in with a posture of curiosity, it’s one of the avenues through which we love our neighbor as ourselves. I think we want our kids and the people who come after us to have better tools and be more informed to have a fuller faith.” - Erin Hicks Moon “I see prayer as life with God, and I think there are so many ways to be with God. You don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out with God to talk to God, to be with God, and to look for God everywhere.” - Erin Hicks Moon “The goal is being with Jesus and letting Jesus transform you. I would tell you not to be afraid or to try to push past the fear of burning something down, like your faith, because ash is fertilizer and good things will grow again.” - Erin Hicks Moon ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u What’s ...
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    26 mins
  • What God Will Do If We Just Say Yes: Becky Murray & Andrea Kazindra

    What God Will Do If We Just Say Yes: Becky Murray & Andrea Kazindra
    Jun 12 2025
    * This episode contains mature content. This week, we get to hear from Becky Murray, the founder and CEO of One By One, an organization committed to ending exploitation and bringing freedom to vulnerable children around the world. Becky’s journey began with a simple desire to fight injustice—a passion that eventually led her from her dreams of a law career to the front lines of global humanitarian work. Becky shares how a pair of pink flip-flops sparked a lifelong mission and why she believes that even small acts of kindness can change the world—one life at a time. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Andrea Kazindra, co-founder and co-CEO of Musana, a Ugandan-led organization transforming communities through schools, hospitals, and businesses. What began as a college internship turned into a lifelong commitment to creating sustainable, locally-driven change. Nearly two decades later, Andrea continues to lead with humility, vision, and a deep belief in the power of community. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Lori Allen Upcoming interview: DawnCheré Wilkerson Becky Murray One By One Luke 10:25-37 NIV Embrace The Journey Andrea Kazindra Musana Mohammed Yunus Interview Quotes: “The temptation is because I can’t fix it all, I’ll shrink back and do nothing at all. It sometimes feels like when I look out at the ocean of need before us, it feels like I’ve got a teaspoon in my hand, and I’m attempting to empty an ocean. God doesn’t ask us to go and feed the 5,000, but what is in our hands that we can make an impact with today.” - Becky Murray “If we would just have eyes to see the needs of the ones that God brings across our path day in and day out, and if we just constantly have this heart of, Who today can I reach, who’s my neighbor today? Every day, we can see a big impact in and through our lives.” - Becky Murray “We’ve got incredible staff around the world that are running our centers. I see the kids who were supposed to not make it even past elementary education because they were so ill. And yet, after encountering the love of Christ and being given the help and the medical care that they needed, they’re now graduating around the world. To see the difference that God has made in their lives is what helps keep us motivated to keep reaching that next one.” - Becky Murray “Live with our hands open, saying, ‘Okay, God, I’m not perfect and maybe I’m still needing healing in certain parts of my own life, but despite all that, you can still flow through me if I just say yes.’” - Becky Murray “I think as long as our eyes are constantly fixed on Him, that makes all the difference, because it takes your eyes off the mountain and puts them on the One who can move those mountains.” - Becky Murray “The kids became more than just kids that were abandoned or vulnerable, living in poverty, they became names and faces and personality.” - Andrea Kazindra “If a woman delivers a baby in one of Musana’s hospitals, it is four times more likely that the baby will survive than if the baby is born at another facility in Uganda.” - Andrea Kazindra “One thing that I’ve learned being in Uganda is that prayer can be a part of every day, throughout the day. I think when you don’t have much and you don’t know what you’re going to feed your family next week, your reliance and trust has to be in God.” - Andrea Kazindra “The only reason Musana is what it is today and has grown into what it is today is because it has had God’s hand in it.” - Andrea Kazindra ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY ________________________ Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    26 mins
  • Finding Your Footing in the Face of Uncertainty: Mike Nawrocki and Jennie Smythe

    Finding Your Footing in the Face of Uncertainty: Mike Nawrocki and Jennie Smythe
    Jun 5 2025
    This week, we’re joined by Mike Nawrocki, best known for his work in co-creating the beloved children’s series VeggieTales, and voice of Larry the Cucumber. Mike shares the leap of faith he took with college friend and VeggieTales co-creator Phil Vischer, the setbacks and devastating losses they faced along the way to create what would become an iconic staple for families all over, and how simple stories told by talking vegetables helped people understand just how much God loves them. Later, we’ll hear from Jennie Smythe, the CEO of Girlilla Marketing. Through the tragic cancer diagnosis that Jennie helped her father walk through, to her own battle with breast cancer, Jennie shares how life’s challenges have shown her that her security and identity rests in Jesus alone. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Brandi Rhodes Upcoming interview: Becky Murray Jesus Calling commemorative edition Mike Nawrocki VeggieTales Phil Vischer Dead Sea Squirrels Christian and Missionary Alliance Crown College Jim Henson Peace Corps Everland Entertainment 3-2-1 Penguins Jonah My Utmost for His Highest The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything Lipscomb University Matthew West Mac Powell Ellie Holcomb www.mikenawrocki.com www.gominno.com Jennie Smythe Girlilla Marketing pancreatic cancer breast cancer www.girlillamarketing.com Becoming Girlilla Interview Quotes: “The Silly Songs helped the kids fall in love with Larry the Cucumber and the other characters to the point where they love this character, they trust this character, and they care what the character has to say about God making them special and loving them very much.” - Mike Nawrocki “We lost everything, so it was a really, really tough time. For me, from a kind of a personal and spiritual standpoint, it really made it clear to me how much I needed God in my life. It's like my only security can be found in my relationship with Jesus. That's really the only truly secure thing that there is in this world.” – Mike Nawrocki “It’s really neat to see kind of everything coming together and the heart of the [Dead Sea Squirrels series] and my wanting to do this in the first place was to share more of the gospel story, tell more New Testament stories, and share the gospel message with kids.” - Mike Nawrocki “While there’s nothing great to talk about in terms of pancreatic cancer and losing your father, what was amazing about that situation is that he gave me forgiveness.” - Jennie Smythe “I can’t help but think that my dad speaking to me at that time was a little bit of a divine intervention, and I am forever grateful for that.” - Jennie Smythe “As I was able to get better physically [from my cancer], I was also able to recognize the amazing things that I had. I just decided I wouldn’t have any bad days. I might have bad moments. I certainly still get angry and emotional, say the wrong things, don’t do the right things–you know—normal human behavior. But [I approach life] more from a place of appreciating that I wake up each day and I have the opportunity to make it the best day of my life.” - Jennie Smythe “It’s really important to show up when you are vulnerable and when you’re struggling, because you can really help people.” - Jennie Smythe ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY ________________________ Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    30 mins
  • [BONUS] Healing For a World in Need with Saleem Shalash

    [BONUS] Healing For a World in Need with Saleem Shalash
    Jun 3 2025

    For this special bonus episode, we’re joined by Pastor of Home of Jesus the King Church in Nazareth, Saleem Shalash. Since Biblical times, there’s been animosity between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East, and as an Israeli Arab Christian, Pastor Saleem often felt stuck in the middle. He was raised with hatred for Israel buried deep in his heart, but after God opened his eyes to the reconciliation and love that’s so desperately needed in the world right now, Saleem began providing much-needed humanitarian support to Jews, Muslims, and Christians through his affiliation with Joseph Project International. In his pursuit to be a peacemaker that helps bring healing to a hurting world, Pastor Saleem is serving families from all ethnic and religious backgrounds across the nation—praying for the next generation to be free of hatred, and instead fueled by love and compassion.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Saleem Shalash Instagram

    The Joseph Project website

    Joseph Project Facebook

    Joseph Project Instagram



    Interview Quotes:

    “When they gave me the Bible, [it was] like giving a thirsty man a cold cup of water.” - Saleem Shalash

    “The Lord said, ‘Saleem it is your choice. Do you want to be part of the family or do you want to stay out?’ I was weeping that night. And I said, ‘God, I can't do it by myself. I need your help.’ I felt that God set me free from this hatred.” - Saleem Shalash

    “I believe that God keeps His promises. God changed all my life upside down. And I became one of the people that supports Arabs and Jews, who builds bridges between Arab and Jewish people; peacemakers in the land of Israel.” - Saleem Shalash

    “We need to create a new generation that's empty of hatred. We don't want to create a new generation that continues with the same conflict, with the same fight, with the same words.” - Saleem Shalash

    “Reconciliation is our message. Love is our message. We want everyone to live in peace and to be bridge builders in these difficult days.” - Saleem Shalash

    ________________________

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    17 mins
  • Rebuilding After Life’s Setbacks: Jennifer Tucker & Cole Prasse

    Rebuilding After Life’s Setbacks: Jennifer Tucker & Cole Prasse
    May 29 2025
    This week, we’re joined by Jennifer Tucker, an author and illustrator. When her youngest daughter began experiencing severe panic attacks as a teenager, Jennifer found herself seeking help for her daughter, only to discover that she herself needed help for her long-ignored struggles with anxiety. Through research and the practice of using breath as prayers, Jennifer discovered powerful ways for managing anxiety while deepening her faith. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from college-age athlete Cole Prasse, who shares how a sudden cancer diagnosis upended his baseball dreams, forcing him to fight a battle he never saw coming. Through months of treatment, unexpected setbacks, and moments of deep uncertainty, he leaned on his faith and the support of those around him to find the strength to push through his toughest season yet. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Desiree Siegfried Jesus Calling for Moms Jesus Calling for Graduates Jennifer Tucker sympathetic nervous system Psalm 23 NIV www.littlehousestudio.net Present in Prayer Cole Prasse Tommy John surgery Non-Hodgkin lymphoma ABVD [chemotherapy drug] ICE treatment immunotherapy Interview Quotes: “I did not know how to reconcile my own feelings of anxiety with what I thought I was supposed to be [in order to] be a good Christian. I must not have enough faith, I must not be praying enough or the right way. My personal anxiety was really enveloped in a lot of shame and a lot of just pushing it down, but inside I was struggling.” - Jennifer Tucker “The breath is the bridge between the brain and the body, and [my daughter’s psychiatrist] really emphasized how important it was to really slow down those breaths and to breathe in deeply and slowly, and exhale slowly and fully, and how significant that was.” - Jennifer Tucker “I found this idea of breath prayer where you connect that slow, deep breathing to a very simple, short prayer from God’s Word—like a little verse—and you inhale one part of it, exhale the other part of it.” - Jennifer Tucker “God’s not mad at us because we’re anxious or afraid. He knows we’re gonna feel these things. He knows we’re gonna be anxious. He knows we’re gonna worry. He comes to us not as a harsh judge, but as a loving Father.” - Jennifer Tucker “It’s an intentional choice I have to make every single day to return my heart to Christ, return my mind to the truth in His Word, and really cling to that regardless of what’s happening around me because that’s where my source of hope and peace is.” - Jennifer Tucker “For me, being a pitcher, positive self-talk is a big thing for me in my game and when I’m on the mound. Being in that hospital bed alone at night on the seventieth day that you’re there, you learn a little bit about the way that you think and the way that you process things.” - Cole Prasse “I wanted to be cancer free, and I surrounded myself with everybody that wanted me to be cancer free, and that made it a lot easier because they shared the same thoughts as me. The ministry of presence goes a long way.” - Cole Prasse “You can’t plan for things like cancer. It’s about learning, moving forward, pushing through, trusting the process, and trusting that your story is written. So you can be mad at the story that’s been written, or you can make the most of the story.” - Cole Prasse ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY ________________________ Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    24 mins
  • [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] Prayers for Chasing Big Dreams: Paige Murray

    [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] Prayers for Chasing Big Dreams: Paige Murray
    May 27 2025

    On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’re joined by rancher and rodeo wife Paige Murray. Paige shares how she met her 9x world champion rodeo husband Ty Murray, the life values they’ve learned by working on their ranch, and about her children’s book, Rosie’s Wild Ride—inspired by her daughter Oakley’s brave ride on their family Clydesdale horse.

    Guest’s Links
    Facebook: @PaigeDukeMurray

    Instagram: @paigedmurray

    Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/4j7tpVi

    ________________________

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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    Facebook

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    9 mins