In this episode, we talk honestly about perfectionism—what it looks like when your identity is built on performance, and how exhausting that kind of striving can become. Lauren shares how, from childhood, she felt driven to succeed: getting the best grades, being first chair in band, doing everything “right,” and eventually trying to be the perfect Christian, worship leader, and mom.

But underneath all that achievement was a deeper desire for glory—her own glory. And that pursuit can quietly shape the way we see ourselves, our failures, and even the people around us.

We discuss how God began to expose that in Lauren’s life through music, ministry, and eventually Celebrate Recovery. What looked like success on the outside was actually fueled by fear, shame, and the pressure to prove she was enough. The turning point came through rediscovering the gospel—not just that Jesus died for our sins, but that He also lived the perfect life we couldn’t live and gives us His righteousness.

That realization changes everything. It frees us to admit weakness, ask forgiveness, and stop striving to prove ourselves. We talk about Martin Luther’s idea of the “theology of glory” versus the “theology of the cross,” and how learning to embrace weakness has actually opened the door to deeper joy, healthier relationships, and more freedom in parenting, ministry, and everyday life.

ORDER MY LATEST BOOK

Becoming Like Jesus is a book about “progressive sanctification” that takes it beyond church words into the honest conversation so many Christians have navigated. Rooted in the Beatitudes, this book unpacks the lifelong series of highs and lows that the Holy Spirit uses to shape us into a person who looks like Jesus.

If you Pre-Order the book now, you will get access to some bonus content, including access to a 2 hour long conversation we got to have with our friends, Ali Parsons, Philip Anthony Mitchell, Joel Muddamalle, and Jonathan Pokluda. You can Pre-Order here.

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Global Christian Relief

GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit https://bit.ly/GCRMatt to learn more.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, we talk about our journey with the Holy Spirit. We both grew up in church contexts where He wasn’t ignored—but He wasn’t really known either. Over time, through Scripture, ministry, and seasons of stretching, we’ve learned that the Spirit isn’t just a doctrine to understand or gifts to experience. He is God with us.

We share what it looks like for us to walk with Him between Sundays—asking Him to illuminate the Word, guide our steps, soften our hearts, and provide power where our strength runs out. More than anything, we’ve learned that the Holy Spirit loves to make much of Jesus, and life with Him is marked not just by power, but by tenderness.

Our hope is simple: that you’d open your Bible, ask the Spirit to speak, and begin growing in friendship with Him.

ORDER MY LATEST BOOK

Becoming Like Jesus is a book about “progressive sanctification” that takes it beyond church words into the honest conversation so many Christians have navigated. Rooted in the Beatitudes, this book unpacks the lifelong series of highs and lows that the Holy Spirit uses to shape us into a person who looks like Jesus.

If you Pre-Order the book now, you will get access to some bonus content, including access to a 2 hour long conversation we got to have with our friends, Ali Parsons, Philip Anthony Mitchell, Joel Muddamalle, and Jonathan Pokluda. You can Pre-Order here.

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Global Christian Relief

GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit https://bit.ly/GCRMatt to learn more.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, we walk through what it looks like to do a “drain audit.” What drains us emotionally? Physically? Spiritually? Relationally? We talk honestly about how tragedy, busyness, sickness, loud rooms, traffic, and even good ministry can leave us thin.

We also talk about rhythms—daily, weekly, and seasonal—that help us build a replenishment cycle. Not as indulgence. Not as an escape. But as obedience. Because running empty isn’t holy. And exhaustion isn’t a mystery—it’s a pattern.

If you’ve been chasing rest but still feel weary, we hope this conversation encourages you & helps you build your own rhythms of replenishment.

In This Episode

• [01:00] Lauren’s Ice Cream Jackpot & Cricked Neck
• [04:00] Rest vs. Replenishment – What’s the Difference?
• [06:00] The Drain Audit: What Empties Your Cup?
• [10:00] Emotional Drain: Tragedy, Busyness & Feeling “Thin”
• [16:00] Physical Drain: Sickness, Sleep & Human Limits
• [18:00] Spiritual Drain: When We Can’t Hear the Lord
• [21:30] Longing, Ecclesiastes & Living Life Backwards
• [23:30] Stop Treating Exhaustion Like a Mystery
• [25:00] Check Engine Lights
• [27:00] What Actually Replenishes Us
• [32:00] Building Daily, Weekly & Seasonal Rhythms
• [38:00] Replenishment Is Not Indulgence — It’s Obedience
• [41:00] Seasons Change the Strategy
• [45:00] Doing the Replenishment Audit Together

Resources and Mentions

• Living Life Backwards by David Gibson

ORDER MY LATEST BOOK

Becoming Like Jesus is a book about “progressive sanctification” that takes it beyond church words into the honest conversation so many Christians have navigated. Rooted in the Beatitudes, this book unpacks the lifelong series of highs and lows that the Holy Spirit uses to shape us into a person who looks like Jesus.

If you Pre-Order the book now, you will get access to some bonus content, including access to a 2 hour long conversation we got to have with our friends, Ali Parsons, Philip Anthony Mitchell, Joel Muddamalle, and Jonathan Pokluda. You can Pre-Order here.

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Global Christian Relief

GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit https://bit.ly/GCRMatt to learn more.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co