Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Christan Causey , an ordained minister and Director of Minister Health for the Southern New England Ministry Network. With a heart for soul care and a deep commitment to helping others live from a place of wholeness, Christan brings a unique blend of pastoral wisdom, counseling insight, and practical ministry experience. Holding a Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Ministry, she is passi...
Apr 01, 2026•36 min•Season 7Ep. 126
Send us Fan Mail Grief is a universal part of the human experience, yet it’s something many of us feel unprepared to face. Loss touches every life, and navigating the emotions that come with it can be one of the most challenging journeys we walk. In this episode, we explore the reality of grief—how it affects us personally, spiritually, and within our communities. We also take a closer look at the unique role pastors play as they walk alongside others through seasons of loss while often carrying...
Mar 13, 2026•44 min•Season 7Ep. 125
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, we sit down with graphic designer and skateboard ministry leader Lawton Outlaw for an honest conversation about struggle, surrender, and redemption. Lawton shares his journey through personal battles, internal chaos, and the search for identity—opening up about the moments that nearly defined him and the faith that ultimately transformed him. What began as pain and uncertainty became a calling rooted in Christ. Today, Lawton is channeling his creativity...
Mar 02, 2026•53 min•Season 7Ep. 124
Send us Fan Mail In this important and nuanced conversation, we sit down with Dr. Denny King to tackle a question many parents, pastors, and Christian leaders are quietly wrestling with: When is too much medication a thing for kids… and when is too little actually the greater risk? From ADHD and anxiety to mood struggles and behavioral concerns, medication in children can feel confusing, emotional, and even spiritual. Are we over-medicating? Are we under-treating? Is taking medication a lack of ...
Feb 16, 2026•58 min•Season 7Ep. 123
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the ExEm Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Jared Pingleton to talk about his latest book, Mental Health Ministry: The Struggle Is Real . Dr. Pingleton brings a refreshing, honest voice to the conversation around mental health and faith—naming the real struggles people face while offering practical wisdom for churches, leaders, and individuals who want to respond with compassion and clarity. Together, we explore why mental health can no longer be ignored in minist...
Jan 26, 2026•32 min•Season 7Ep. 122
Send us Fan Mail Season seven of the ExEm Podcast launches with a powerful and timely conversation. In Episode 121, we're joined by the President of Emerge, Dr. Crosby, as we explore the idea of Generational Generativity—what it means to intentionally live as a catalyst for healing, growth, and legacy across generations. Together, we talk about breaking unhealthy generational chains, choosing to give generously—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally—to the generation coming behind us, and re...
Jan 09, 2026•43 min•Season 7Ep. 121
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore a powerful and practical truth: everyone needs a counselor, a coach, and a consultant. Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, or family life, no one thrives in isolation—and wisdom multiplies when we invite the right voices into our lives. Our guest is Pastor Jeremy Godwin , COO of Builders International , who brings a unique blend of pastoral insight, executive leadership, and global ministry experience. Jeremy helps unpack the distinct roles ...
Dec 19, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 120
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the ExEm Podcast, Matthew sits down with author Samantha Jones to talk about her deeply moving book, God and Trauma: The Lessons I’m Learning . Samantha is a wife, mom, and survivor of significant past trauma — and she’s courageously opening the pages of her healing journey for others to find hope. Together, we explore how God meets us in the darkest valleys, the slow and sacred work of restoration, and the practical lessons Samantha is learning as sh...
Dec 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 119
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we "Zoom" in with Paris Yanno is the Father's Heart Director at the Ohio Church Multiplication Network. She is a wife, mom of three biological children, and a woman whose heart grew far beyond the walls of her own home. Paris and her husband felt called to open their lives to children in crisis, choosing to foster for an entire decade. Over those ten years, they welcomed numerous displaced kids—each with their own story, their own struggles, and their own need f...
Nov 14, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 118
Send us Fan Mail (This episode may not be appropriate for younger listeners) In this episode, Matthew Knabe sits down with Joshua Rowland from Pure Life Ministries to have an open and redemptive conversation about breaking free from the grip of sexual sin. Joshua shares his powerful story of healing and restoration after years of personal struggle, and how God’s transforming grace led him to freedom and a life of purpose. Together, they discuss how sexual sin takes root, how shame and secrecy ca...
Oct 31, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 117
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the ExEm Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Aaron Santymire , missionary, author, and current Member Care Director for AG World Missions . Dr. Santymire shares his powerful story of life on the mission field: the incredible ways he’s seen God move across nations, as well as the deep challenges and personal adversities that come with serving in cross-cultural ministry. As the author of The Caring Life and The Caring Family , and host of The Clarity Podcast , Aaron ...
Oct 17, 2025•34 min•Season 6Ep. 116
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, our host has a thoughtful conversation with Pastor Austin McCann about the diverse ways people encounter Christ and begin their faith journey. While some stories of salvation seem simple and clear, others are marked by struggle, questions, and even deep anxiety. Pastor Austin helps us unpack the reality that there is no single blueprint for coming to faith—God works uniquely in every heart. A significant part of the discussion centers on scrupulosity , a form of...
Oct 03, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 115
Send us Fan Mail What do you get when you run into a great friend at a convention in Orlando? A whole lot of laughs, a few life lessons, and one very traumatized mother-in-law. In this episode, our host sits down with Pastor Jason Burns to catch up on their friendship, hear about his annual Christmas tradition of tormenting his mother-in-law with outrageous gifts, and dive into something we all desperately need—rest. With a mix of humor, honesty, and heart, Jason reminds us that joy and Sabbath ...
Sep 12, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 114
Send us Fan Mail Who are we, really? In a world full of labels, expectations, and shifting definitions of self, it’s easy to lose sight of our true identity. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Darla Rakes, a leader, educator, and woman of deep faith, to talk about what it means to anchor our identity in Christ. Together, we explore why our sense of self apart from Him will always feel incomplete, how faith gives us clarity and purpose, and why knowing who we are in Christ brings freedom from ...
Sep 01, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 113
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Experience Emerge podcast, we converse with Tera Wages, CEO of The Connection Codes, to explore the art of emotional regulation—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform your relationships and daily life. Tera shares practical tools from The Connection Codes framework to help you identify, name, and process emotions in real time so they don’t spiral into conflict, burnout, or shutdown. Whether you tend to bottle up your feelings or wear them on ...
Aug 15, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 112
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the ExEm Podcast, we welcome husband and wife duo Dr. Troy and Jana Jones, authors of The Mosaic Marriage: How Two Imperfect People Become One Masterpiece. Together, they share candid insights from their own journey—filled with broken pieces, grace, and redemption—and how God shaped their imperfections into something beautiful. With wisdom, vulnerability, and practical guidance, the Joneses reveal how couples can move from surviving to thriving by emb...
Aug 01, 2025•54 min•Season 6Ep. 111
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the ExEm Podcast , host Matthew Knabe sits down with guest Tony Galieti to discuss the profound connection between marriage and the gospel. Drawing from biblical wisdom and decades of pastoral and relational experience, Tony shares powerful insights on what makes a marriage thrive, not just survive. We explore the purpose of marriage through a gospel lens, examining how grace and humility shape our relationships and the practical considerations couples need to...
Jul 19, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 110
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the Experience Emerge (ExEm) podcast, our host, Matthew, sits down with Laura Howe, a Canadian mental health therapist and founder of Hope Made Strong. Based in Ontario, Laura is a passionate advocate for equipping churches and ministry leaders with practical tools to care for their communities, without burning out in the process. We delve into the crucial—but often misunderstood—differences between burnout and compassion fatigue, particularly for tho...
Jun 27, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 109
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the ExEm Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Dan Owolabi—author, speaker, and passionate advocate for authentic leadership. Dan dives into the heart of what it means to lead with integrity, purpose, and faith in today’s world. Drawing from his impactful book, "Authentic Leadership," available now on Amazon, Dan shares practical insights on how leaders can move beyond titles and techniques to embody the kind of leadership that transforms lives and organizati...
May 30, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 108
Send us Fan Mail In this brief but impactful Mental Health Minute, Matthew Knabe, MA, LPCC, host of the Experience Emerge (ExEm) Podcast, shares practical insight on calm parenting . Learn how to respond—not react—in challenging moments, build emotional safety with your children, and model regulation that helps the whole family thrive. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. A healthier kid starts at home. A 4-day, in-person program designed for ministry leaders, individuals, and c...
May 09, 2025•8 min•Season 6Ep. 107
Send us Fan Mail Leadership Intimacy: Cultivating Depth in Your Life with Dr. Robert Crosby In this episode, Dr. Robert Crosby continues the conversation in a leadership series we have been releasing every couple of months. Today's discussion is on Leadership Intimacy—Cultivating Depth in Your Life. The call to lead is not just with vision but with vulnerability, depth, and spiritual rootedness. Dr. Crosby unpacks how true leadership begins in the secret place—with intimacy with God—and how that...
Apr 18, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 106
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Pastor Austin McCann from Redemption Chapel for a powerful conversation on the importance of men finding authentic communities with other men. Pastor Austin shares personal insights and biblical wisdom on why brotherhood matters, how isolation can be dangerous, and what it looks like to pursue real, life-giving relationships as men of faith. We also discuss the upcoming Men’s Conference at Redemption Chapel later this month, designed to help men ...
Apr 04, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 105
Send us Fan Mail “The Two-Sided Coin of Pride” In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Galligan, MEd, LPC , as he shares his journey into the world of counseling and the personal struggles that have shaped his faith. Jacob opens up about the challenges he has faced within the church, navigating seasons of doubt, and how his experiences have tested and strengthened his relationship with God. We also dive deep into the two-sided coin of pride and self-deprecation —how both extremes can trap us, di...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 104
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we engage in an in-depth conversation with esteemed author Dr. Robert Crosby. Through his book, "The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration," Dr. Crosby illuminates the profound concept of living a teaming life characterized by collaboration, honor, and unity. He shares practical strategies for cultivating honor circles around individuals, fostering deeper connections and enhancing team dynamics. Moreover, we explore the profound example of perfect...
Jan 31, 2025•42 min•Season 6Ep. 103
Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, We sit down with one of Matt's best friends of over 30 years, Jason Rice, to discuss the incredible journey of friendship, mentoring, and doing life together. From navigating life's toughest challenges to celebrating its greatest victories, we share how staying grounded in God's Word daily and holding each other accountable has been the foundation of our relationship. Join us as we reflect on the joys, struggles, and lessons learned through decades of ...
Jan 10, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 102
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, we sit down with Anne Beiler, the inspiring founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels. Anne opens up about her journey through unimaginable hardships, including personal trauma and deep struggles that could have shattered her faith and family. Instead, she found strength in her relationship with God and emerged stronger, building a thriving business and a healthy and enduring marriage. Anne's story is a testament to resilience, redemption, and the power of fait...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 101
Send us Fan Mail In this landmark 100th episode, we celebrate 100 impactful conversations with an extraordinary guest: Pastor Dino Rizzo! Dino is the director of ARC Churches, a passionate leader equipping churches worldwide, an author, a devoted husband and father, and the pastor of Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. Join us as Pastor Dino shares his incredible faith, leadership, and service journey. From practical insights for church growth to inspiring stories of outreach and com...
Nov 22, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 100
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we are honored to welcome Pastor Rob Ketterling to the show. As our world grows increasingly divided, many believers grapple with how to engage with the political climate while staying true to their faith. Pastor Ketterling brings his wisdom and experience to this timely conversation, offering biblical perspectives on how Christians can navigate political tension, remain grounded in their values, and be a light in these challenging times. Tune in as we discuss t...
Oct 18, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 99
Send us Fan Mail We dive deep into leadership challenges in the Christian community with Emerge’s President/CEO, Dr. Robert Crosby, a seasoned pastor, author, and leadership expert. Our conversation explores unique pressures faced by Christian leaders today—the “leadership squeeze”—from balancing personal faith with public responsibilities to managing expectations within their congregations and communities. Dr. Crosby shares his insights on how Christian leaders can navigate these challenges whi...
Oct 11, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 98
Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Kemp Boyd, the dynamic Executive Director of Love Akron, a nonprofit organization with a mission to bring unity to the city of Akron, Ohio, and beyond. Kemp shares his passion for creating meaningful connections across diverse communities, breaking down barriers, and bringing people together through the Gospel’s transformative power. Discover the story behind Love Akron, its impact on the city, and Kemp’s vision for a unified community rooted in love, compassion...
Sep 06, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 97
