Welcome back to Light Talks ! This isn’t your typical church Q&A! In this raw and real episode, Host Ali and Pastor Mike Novotny sit down to confront the questions people are actually asking, the kind that keep you up at night, that you’re too afraid to ask out loud in church, or that have made you wonder if faith is even worth it. You’ll hear Pastor Mike’s honest answers, grounded in scripture, shaped by personal experiences, and full of grace. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, healin...
Aug 05, 2025•44 min•Ep. 16
Welcome back to Light Talks, where we're diving headfirst into topics rarely discussed but certainly needed. In this explosive episode, we pull back the veil on the unseen world, exploring angels, demons, and the spiritual realm with special guest, Pastor Timothy Soukup. Pastor Timothy, drawing on his incredible seven-and-a-half years as a campus pastor in Malawi, Africa, reveals the stark difference in the devil's strategy, from getting us to forget him in America to outright, blatant fear in A...
Jul 22, 2025•52 min•Ep. 15
We’re back and calling all moms for this episode of Light Talks! Host Ali is joined by two mothers, Bethany Lehman and Theresa Kramer, to get real about the messy, exhausting, and beautiful chaos of motherhood. They talk about those moments when you’re totally worn out and have no clue what to do next and how sometimes prayer is the last thing you think of, but maybe it should be the first. Whether you’re just starting out or have kids who keep surprising you, this conversation is full of honest...
Jul 08, 2025•58 min•Ep. 14
Talking to your kids about sex, gender, and identity can feel overwhelming, especially when the world isn’t shy about it, and the church often is. In this honest and grace-filled episode, Jonathan and Ali sit down with Family Pastor and dad of four, Bill Monday, to unpack what it looks like to have open, age-appropriate conversations with your children from toddlerhood through the teen years. 🔔 Heads-up: This episode includes candid conversations about anatomy and sexuality. Consider listening ...
Jun 03, 2025•49 min•Ep. 13
Feeling Out of Whack? You’re Not Alone. In a world that worships hustle and glorifies the grind, how do we keep from spinning out of control? This week, Nate Paul joins the show—a man with many hats: ministry leader, husband, father of four, board member, coach..and someone who knows firsthand how quickly life can get overwhelming. Speaking especially to the guys, Nate gets real about the pressure to keep all the plates spinning and how even good things—family, work, ministry—can start to crowd ...
May 20, 2025•44 min•Ep. 12
Hey Light Talks Listeners! In this special release episode, Amna Tasior is back, but this time, with her husband, Tony! Following up on Amna's powerful testimony, this conversation focuses on Tony's side of the story and the incredible journey of their relationship and faith life. Tony shares openly about his challenging upbringing in Chicago, surrounded by gangs and drugs, getting involved in selling drugs at a young age, and dealing with an abusive stepfather. Moving to a small town didn't sto...
May 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 11
In part 1 of this episode of Light Talks, Amna Tasior joins to share her powerful and raw life story, starting with a childhood marked by constant moving, absolutely no religious background, and parents struggling with alcoholism. Feeling a deep lack of worth and presence, Amna searched for love and identity at a young age in unhealthy ways, leading to a huge pile of regret. At just 15 years old, she met Tony, and within two weeks, they found out they were pregnant. Navigating teen pregnancy, ea...
May 06, 2025•52 min•Ep. 10
We’re back with part two of a real and raw conversation about marriage—and it’s time to go even deeper. In this continued conversation on Light Talks , Dr. Brandon Steenbock helps us unpack what it really takes to stay connected when life gets busy, messy, and, let’s be honest—just plain hard. From awkward conversations to intimacy in marriage, this episode is full of practical wisdom, honest laughs, and biblical truth that will challenge and encourage you to pursue real connection with your spo...
Apr 22, 2025•50 min•Ep. 9
Get ready for a raw and honest look at what it really takes to build a marriage that thrives! Forget the fairy tales and join us on Light Talks for part one of this two part series as we pull back the curtain on the most common illusions about "I do" with the insightful Dr. Brandon Steenbock. Whether you're dreaming of your wedding day or navigating the beautiful chaos of married life, this episode will equip you with essential truths and practical steps for a stronger, more fulfilling partnersh...
Apr 08, 2025•52 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of Light Talks, we tackle a topic that's often avoided in church (or that the church gets wrong) but is undeniably crucial to our lives: money and our faith . Have you ever wondered what God really thinks about your finances? We sit down with Pastor Michael Ewart to explore how the Bible speaks to the practicalities of managing our money and living a life that honors God with what we have. We're tackling questions like: Why is contentment so difficult in today's world? Where do w...
Mar 25, 2025•47 min•Ep. 7
Ever wondered what actually happens after we die? Like, do we get judged in front of everyone ? Is heaven just a never-ending church service? And what’s this whole new heaven and new earth thing about? In this episode of Light Talks , Pastor Tim Glende , Lead Pastor at 922 Ministries, is breaking down everything we know (and don’t know) about eternity. No fluff—just straight-up biblical truth with answers that can help answer some of life’s most sought after questions. We’re tackling questions l...
Mar 11, 2025•52 min•Ep. 6
Tired of superficial connections and ghosting ? Let's get real about building legit relationships that matter. In this episode, we're diving deep into what it means to create quality friendships that last. Pastor Mike Novotny, author of "Lonely Less," shares his take on why so many people struggle to form meaningful relationships. We're exposing how our hyper-connected world can actually leave us feeling more isolated than ever. Tune in to discover: • Hard truths about leveling up your friendshi...
Feb 25, 2025•47 min•Ep. 5
In this thought-provoking episode of Light Talks , we welcome Dr. Brandon Steenbock, Family Minister at St. Mark Ministries in Green Bay, for an honest conversation about the intersection of marriage and parenting. Is it better to have an amazing marriage and be okay at parenting, or vice versa? We're tackling that question and more! Here’s a snapshot of what we dive into: Cultural Shifts: How modern parenting culture may be unintentionally idolizing children and the dangers that come with it. B...
Feb 11, 2025•48 min•Ep. 4
Ever feel like your teenager is wrestling with faith? Do you wonder about these same questions? Are they leaving you stumped and feeling a little confused? Pastor Bill Monday joins this episode of Light Talks for an honest conversation about navigating the rocky terrain of faith in the teenage years . More importantly, he gives such great insight and helps equip all listeners to be able to answer valid questions about the Christian faith. This episode dives headfirst into the questions that keep...
Jan 28, 2025•51 min•Ep. 3
Let's get real! This week on Light Talks, we're diving deep into all things dating, relationships and faith—the stuff that’s awkward to ask your pastor about, but you’re definitely thinking about. We've got Pastor Mike Novotny speaking truth about the questions you've been wrestling with in the dark. Get ready, because we’re not holding back. We’re diving headfirst into: Can I date a non-Christian? Is it a deal-breaker or a chance to share the love? Living together before marriage? Saving money ...
Jan 14, 2025•45 min•Ep. 2
Ever feel like science and religion are locked in a never-ending battle? On this inaugural episode of Light Talks, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of faith and science with Pastor Michael from 922 Ministries, who thinks he would’ve become a research scientist if he hadn’t become a pastor. Does it seem weird to you that a Pastor would love science? When you break it down, it’s not that weird at all! In this episode, we're tackling some BIG questions: Can you really believe in God and...
Jan 01, 2025•48 min•Ep. 1
Have you noticed how the world isn't afraid to talk about anything? It's loud, it's everywhere—while sometimes, we in the church... we tend to stay quiet about the tough stuff. Our world and our community are filled with people who feel hurt, confused, and lost—not knowing where to turn or what to believe. But here's what we know for certain: God’s Word doesn't shy away from the hard conversations. And neither should we. That's why we're excited to introduce "Light Talks" – a new podcast from 92...
Dec 23, 2024•1 min
