I thought I was fine… until therapy.

In this episode of A Conversation with Matthew, I sit down with licensed therapist Lori Benedict for one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve ever had.

We talk about attachment styles — anxious, avoidant, secure, and disorganized — and what they actually look like in real life. Not just in theory, but in relationships. In conflict. In the way we respond to our parents. In the way we love.

I never realized how much my childhood, my relationship with my mom, and even being raised by my aunt and uncle shaped the way I attach to people today.

Attachment styles are formed early in life, often before we even have language. They influence how safe we feel in relationships, how we handle disagreement, whether we fear abandonment, or whether we emotionally shut down.

This conversation with Lori Benedict connected dots I didn’t even know were connected.

If you’ve ever:
• Felt like you push people away
• Needed constant reassurance
• Struggled with emotional safety
• Or thought you were “fine” but something still felt off

This episode might be for you.

Why does God sometimes feel far away?
What happens when you grow up in church but start wondering if you really believe it for yourself?
And is it actually okay to ask questions and still have faith?

In this episode of A Conversation with Matthew, we sit down for an honest, real discussion about the doubts, fears, and thoughts many middle school and high school students carry but don’t always say out loud. This isn’t about pretending to have perfect answers. It’s about creating space to talk, learn, and grow together.

If you’ve ever felt unsure, confused, or nervous to admit you’re struggling with faith, you’re not alone. This conversation is for you.

Subscribe for real talks, real stories, and voices that help you take your next step forward.

📌 Episode Description

In this episode, we sit down for an honest, thoughtful conversation built around real questions people wrestle with when it comes to healing, boundaries, relationships, and emotional health.

This isn’t a lecture or a list of answers. It’s a back-and-forth dialogue—I bring questions that have shaped my own growth, and she brings questions that challenge how I think. We respond to each other in real time, sharing what we’ve learned so far, what’s helped us, and where we’re still growing.

We talk through things like:
• Recognizing emotional triggers versus present pain
• Learning healthier communication during conflict
• Setting boundaries without guilt
• Understanding burnout while still functioning
• Rebuilding trust in yourself after hard choices

We’re not experts—and we’re not pretending to be.
This conversation is simply about learning out loud, reflecting honestly, and offering a perspective that might help someone else feel less alone or see things a little more clearly.

If you’re in a season of growth, healing, or self-reflection, this episode is an invitation to think, learn, and grow with us.

This is the most honest and emotional conversation I’ve ever had with my mother.

In this exclusive sit-down, my mom opens up about the addiction that shaped the beginning of my life—an addiction that nearly took both of our lives the day I was born.
While she was giving birth to me, she was battling cocaine addiction and undiagnosed walking pneumonia… and we were both dying in the hospital. But God stepped in.

In this interview, she shares:
• What really happened in the hospital the day I was born
• How addiction took control of her life
• The moment she realized she might lose me forever
• Why I was placed in foster care
• How my aunt and uncle stepped in and raised me as their own
• The depression, the suicidal thoughts, and the fallout of a broken 14-year marriage
• The turning point—when she knew she had to get clean
• How I became the reason she fought for her life
• The healing that came years later, and what our relationship looks like now

This is a story of addiction, redemption, second chances, and a mother’s love that refused to quit.
Thank you for watching something this deeply personal.

Last year, Stephan Lester dropped a message that shook the internet: “Don’t play with God’s daughters.” Over 100,000 views later, we had to bring him back for another raw, unfiltered conversation.

In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to date as a believer in today’s culture, the weight of emotional accountability, how men and women can honor each other in relationships, and the spiritual consequences of playing with hearts God designed with purpose.

Whether you’re single, dating, or waiting on God—this is for you.