Have you ever thought that staying married was simpler than it truly is? In this insightful and at times humorous episode of the Jesus Over Everything show, Lisa Whittle engages with author and comedian Harrison Scott Key about the real-life complexities of marriage, as detailed in his book, How to Stay Married.

With a mix of humor and vulnerability, Harrison discusses how the writing process forced him to confront the hard truths in his life, especially surrounding his marriage, which faced the test of infidelity.

Listen in to learn how honesty can become a way to heal, how communication can become a powerful tool for couples, and how discussing sensitive issues can bring families closer together. Join Lisa and Harrison as they peel back the layers on marriage, infidelity, and the strength that comes from being real with oneself and God.

Key Moments to Discover:
(1:41) - Wrestling with beliefs and the writing process
(7:03) - Harrison’s book title: a bold statement on commitment
(14:44) - Understanding the necessary truth: dying to self in storytelling
(17:46) - Grasping the pain of infidelity and betrayal
(22:52) - The complexities of writing about loved ones
(26:28) - Harrison’s key advice for aspiring writers
(38:48) - The importance of honesty and true community within the church
(44:07) - Navigating tough conversations with kids about marriage challenges

Mentioned in the Episode:

ANCHORED VIRTUAL: https://anchoredvirtual.com/cohort

Join the Pastors' Wives Cohort, an 8-week virtual program from Anchored Virtual designed to provide biblical encouragement, practical wisdom, and a supportive community for pastors' wives. Starting May 1st, participants will enjoy live teaching sessions, small group discussions, and access to exclusive resources—all designed to fit your busy schedule. Sign up now at AnchoredVirtual.com/Cohort and use the code JOE for a 10% discount!

BODY & SOUL ONLINE GATHERINGS: MAY 2025: https://www.lisawhittle.com/gathering

Calling all Bible Study Leaders, Small Group Hosts, and Moms of Teenage Daughters! Join Lisa Whittle for an exclusive online gathering where you'll learn to guide women in exploring a biblical perspective on body image and health. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage before the release of her upcoming Bible Study, Body & Soul, launching in July 2025. For more details and registration, visit lisawhittle.com/gathering!

Connect with Harrison:

Book - How to Stay Married: https://a.co/d/cMKDcQB

Website: https://www.harrisonscottkey.com

Instagram: instagram.com/harrisonscottkey

Facebook: facebook.com/harrisonscottkey

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

Have you ever felt like your beliefs about God and your experiences of Him are worlds apart? In this special guest episode of the “I Used to Think” season, Lisa Whittle invites Pastor Steve Cuss to explore the complex relationship between our expectations and the reality of God’s love. Drawing insights from his book, “The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space Between Our Beliefs and Experience of God,” Steve and Lisa delve into the struggles of doubt, vulnerability, and the importance of authenticity in the faith journey. Discover how you can confront your misconceptions, embrace the gifts God provides, and learn to receive His love more fully.

Listen in to learn more:
(0:22) - Meet Steve Cuss: Understanding the chaplain and pastor perspective
(4:50) - A candid look at the relatable struggles of doubt and fear
(11:02) - The biggest challenge facing those in vocational ministry
(19:02) - Finding divine gifts tailored for you within your journey
(31:51) - The lasting impact of agreements we make throughout life
(35:18) - Why downplaying pain can hinder growth and healing
(41:39) - Debunking the myth: “strong people” vs. “weak people”

Mentioned in the episode:

The Expectation Gap: https://a.co/d/bOXAIVX

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE

Called Creatives: https://www.calledcreatives.com

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Connect with Steve:
Website: http://www.stevecusswords.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/stevecusswords
Being Human (Podcast): https://www.christianitytoday.com/podcasts/being-human

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

Do you often find yourself taking on the emotional burdens of others? In this compelling episode of the “I Used to Think” season, Lisa Whittle dives deep into the topic of empathy—specifically, why we sometimes rush to carry the traumas and pains of those we love, even when it's not our responsibility.

Lisa shares personal insights that illuminate the fine line between compassion and overstepping boundaries. Discover four signs that indicate when your empathy has crossed the line and explore practical ways to support your loved ones without taking on their struggles. Listen in to learn how to love well while maintaining your own emotional health!

Discover more:

(0:50) - Understanding the “defender personality” and its impact

(3:12) - Examining the urge to shoulder others’ burdens

(8:56) - Four indicators that empathy has gone too far

(11:19) - Recognizing when you’re playing the role of counselor—red flags to watch

(17:45) - Best practices for advocating for others without losing yourself

(22:50) - The healthiest ways to support your loved ones

Mentioned in the Episode:

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE
Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus
Called Creatives: https://www.calledcreatives.com

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

Have you ever felt you had to put on a mask to fit in or meet others' expectations? In this powerful episode of the "I Used to Think" season, Lisa Whittle sits down with KayDianna MacKenzie, whose journey as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and social media personality vividly illustrates the struggle between societal pressures and authentic self-expression.

What you'll learn in this episode:

(0:45) - Meet KayDianna and how her journey unfolded on social media
(2:50) - The transition from rookie to veteran on the DCC team
(5:00) - KayDianna’s unexpected path to recognizing God’s plan in her life
(7:12) - Growing faith through trials—how obstacles lead to deeper trust
(10:45) - Vulnerability in sharing insecurities and struggles with self-acceptance
(14:33) - Image vs. identity—how KayDianna encourages women to focus on what's inside
(18:01) - The role of mentorship—and how you don’t need to have all the answers
(22:05) - Challenges of maintaining a curated image and the true essence of beauty
(25:27) - Reflecting on the significant misconceptions that shaped KayDianna’s beliefs
(28:45) - KayDianna’s advice to young women

Mentioned in the episode:

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE

The Hard Good: https://www.lisawhittle.com/good

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Connect with KayDianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaydiannamackenzie

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

Have you ever felt that keeping your family’s secrets equates to love? In this compelling episode, Lisa Whittle discusses how the lines between secrecy and privacy can often blur within families. Through her own personal experiences, Lisa reveals the lie that loyalty means covering for others’ sins. With candidness and vulnerability, she emphasizes the importance of bringing the truth to the forefront and allowing God to work in the midst of our family dynamics. Keeping secrets can weigh heavily on our souls—this isn’t the freedom Jesus desires for us. If you find yourself wrestling with the complexities of loyalty and truth, this episode is packed with essential insights you won’t want to miss!

Listen in to learn more:
(0:39) - What God dropped on Lisa’s heart
(2:15) - Should truth tellers share other’s business?
(3:17) - Trust in a pastor’s family
(4:37) - Mistaken beliefs
(7:24) - Secrecy vs. privacy: defining the difference
(10:37) - When privacy becomes more…
(15:14) - Family secrets don’t equal love
(16:35) - Getting out of God’s way

Get ready to challenge your beliefs and embrace the freedom found in truth!

Mentioned in the Episode:

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE
Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus
Jesus Over Everything book: https://www.lisawhittle.com/joe
Jesus Over Everything 6-Week Bible Study: https://shopstyle.it/l/bObaO

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

Ever feel like you need to downplay your accomplishments to be truly humble? Do you ever worry that sharing your passions and talents makes you appear prideful or self-focused? Lisa Whittle gets super honest in this episode, sharing how she used to believe minimizing her work and giftings was a sign of humility. Unpacking the difference between "false humility" (where you focus on not talking about yourself), and true humility (where you focus on recognizing your true identity and purpose in Christ). Lisa shares her own personal experience with both. Get ready to learn how Holy Spirit self-awareness can help you understand what real humility looks like in your own life – tune in to discover a more authentic way to live!

Listen in to learn more:

(0:58) - Lisa shares her personal experience of false humility
(2:26) - Deliverance from a mistaken mindset
(3:29) - Boundaries and ministry
(6:27) - What is true humility? Let’s define it
(9:55) - False humility and who we are fooling
(12:45) - Five symptoms of false humility…plus some
(17:51) - Very demure, cute trends and the pride it reveals
(22:10) - What does false humility point to?

Mentioned in the episode:

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE

The Hard Good: https://www.lisawhittle.com/good

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

**LISTENER NOTE: This conversation contains details of physical abuse and childhood trauma. We encourage you to listen with care and discretion.**

Have you ever questioned whether the love of God truly extends to you, especially in the midst of personal pain or trauma? In this poignant and inspiring episode of the “I Used to Think” season, Lisa Whittle welcomes Pastor Maria Durso, who bravely opens up about her tumultuous past, revealing how the transformative power of God’s love can heal deep wounds from childhood loss, physical abuse, alcoholism and more. Together, they delve into the essential relationship between belief and experience, reminding listeners that it is not merely about knowing God intellectually but truly believing in His unfailing love.

Maria’s incredible story of overcoming adversity serves as a powerful testament to the healing process and the importance of faith. Tune in to discover the importance of believing God loves you, no matter your past.

Listen in to learn more:

(4:03) - Maria’s story of pain and resilience

(6:54) - The challenges of starting school and finding acceptance

(10:11) - A new beginning and what a broken bone taught Maria

(15:06) - The truth about instant transformation vs. the journey of healing

(19:09) - Understanding the foundational love of God

(22:55) - The intricate connections between our hearts and minds

(24:49) - Lisa’s reflections on Biblical literacy and belief

(27:49) - Exploring if anyone can truly comprehend the love of God

(30:58) - A transformative experience in Mexico

(35:58) - The power and purpose of prayer in healing

Mentioned in the Episode:

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus

Jesus Over Everything book: https://www.lisawhittle.com/joe

Jesus Over Everything 6-Week Bible Study: https://shopstyle.it/l/bObaO

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Connect with Maria:
Website: http://www.mariadurso.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariadurso129

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

Have you ever felt inundated with Biblical information, yet still unsure about your grasp of Scripture? Has a lack of understanding ever created a lack of confidence in your faith? In this enlightening episode of the “I Used to Think” season of Jesus Over Everything, Lisa Whittle examines why biblical literacy may not be the primary issue facing believers today but rather a deeper crisis of faith.

Drawing from current research to highlight how this crisis is shaping the Western church, Lisa unpacks four ways believers are affected by this problem, and offers one crucial question you must ask to strengthen your faith.

Key Moments:
(0:40) - Revealing crucial evidence of a widespread problem
(4:07) - Is knowing more the answer?
(5:50) - Is biblical literacy truly our biggest challenge?
(4:28) - Do we need more knowledge of the Bible?
(6:46) - Insights from Pew Research, Barna, and WSJ on Bible consumption trends
(10:34) - What we can learn from James Chapter 1
(14:45) - Why clarity is essential in the face of confusion
(16:43) - Exploring the depth of belief and what it means for your faith
(18:43) - The impact of false doctrine on belief systems
(20:16) - Addressing exhaustion — “It's more than just being overscheduled…”
(23:53) - Why we question our faith when we struggle?
(27:58) - What are the consequences of unfaithfulness and compromised offerings?
(29:19) - A question to ask ourselves about belief

Mentioned in the episode:

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE

Coaching: https://www.lisawhittle.com/coaching-with-lisa

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial