theFormed.life

TFL BLOG | Celebrating God’s Faithfulness: Feast of Tabernacles

TFL BLOG | The Day of Atonement

TFL BLOG | God’s Refreshing Gift of Rest

TFL BLOG | Traditions

TFL BLOG | Celebrating God’s Deliverance: The Feast of Trumpets

TFL BLOG | Pentecost and Feast of Weeks

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/

POD 050 | God's Presence and the Power of Exodus in Our Everyday Lives – Dr. Richard E. Averbeck

Welcome to theFormed.life podcast! Today, with Dr. Richard Averbeck, Old Testament expert from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, we're exploring the richness of the Exodus. Join hosts Paul Brandes, Bill Gorman, and Jonathan Neef as we discuss its enduring themes of deliverance, God's faithfulness, presence, the law at Sinai, God's name, and Pharaoh's hardened heart, and how this pivotal story informs our spiritual lives today. Bio: Dr. Richard E. Averbeck is a distinguished scholar in Old Tes...

TFL BLOG | Seeking the Prosperity of the City

TFL BLOG | Carosello, Little Wars and the Gospel in My Art Studio

Ongoing Legacy Gathering | April 8th, 2025

POD 049 | Following Jesus Through Middle School – This Time Tomorrow

Introduction: Welcome to another episode of theFormed.life podcast! In today’s conversation, host Paul Brandes is joined by Brent, student pastor at the Leawood campus, and Anna, a thoughtful seventh grader from Christ Lutheran School in Kansas City. Together, they explore what it’s really like to live as a middle school student in 2024 while following Jesus. Anna shares candidly about her daily school life, the joys and challenges of adjusting to a new and smaller environment, and the significa...

TFL BLOG | Live It Like It’s True

TFL BLOG | Living Water

POD 048 | Exploring Virtue, Vice, and Spiritual Growth with Dr. Rebecca DeYoung

On this episode of theFormed.life Podcast, hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman are joined by Dr. Rebecca DeYoung, a professor of philosophy and renowned author, to dive deep into the ancient world of virtues and vices—and why they’re still wildly relevant for us today. Together, they explore how concepts like pride, envy, gluttony, and vainglory aren’t just relics of the past, but powerful forces that shape our character, relationships, and spiritual growth in the present. Dr. DeYoung shares her ...

TFL BLOG | An Excerpt from Why Your Work Matters by Tom Nelson

POD 047 | How Beholding Beauty Transforms Our Faith and Communities

Welcome to another enlightening episode of theFormed.life podcast, where we delve into the profound intersection of beauty and faith. Today, our hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman are joined by Dr. Jeff Hoffmeyer and guest host Gabe Coyle, as they navigate the compelling conversation around how beauty manifests in Christianity. They explore the role beauty plays in reflecting God's character, how it influences our everyday lives, and how embracing beauty can deepen our faith experience. From app...

POD 046 | The Power of Humor with Kutter Callaway

Introduction Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of theFormed.life podcast! In this episode, hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman sit down with the insightful Kutter Callaway for part two of their engaging conversation. Dr. Callaway, an esteemed professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and a self-professed lover of humor, delves into the significance of laughter in the life of a Christian. He explores how humor, when used wisely, can be a powerful tool to navigate the absurdities of life,...

POD 045 | Why Your Work Matters With Tom Nelson & John Daigle

Welcome to theFormed.life podcast, where we explore how integrating faith and work can lead to personal and societal transformation. In today's episode, "Work Matters," hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by Tom Nelson, lead senior pastor and author of the new book Why Your Work Matters, and Johnny Daigle, associate director of Seminary Partners for Made to Flourish. Together, they discuss the expanded and updated version of Tom's 2011 book Work Matters, which delves into contemporary ...

POD 044 | Navigating Parenting and Gender Conversations with Dr. Julia Sadusky

Introduction: In this episode of theFormed.life podcast, hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Julia Sadusky, a clinically licensed psychologist based in Colorado, who specializes in the complex intersections of sexuality, gender, and theology. Having previously joined the podcast as one of its very first guests, Dr. Sadusky returns to delve deeper into the challenges faced when engaging our youth in conversations about sexuality and gender. The discussion includes ...

POD 043 | Parenting Insights: Embracing Faith and Family Life with Dan and Mindy Ott

In this episode Dan and Mindy Ott share their wisdom, challenges, and the joys of raising young men anchored in spiritual growth. From the importance of intentional family gatherings to the art of giving children choices, the Otts offer practical tips and heartfelt stories that illuminate how parenting shapes not only our children's lives but our own spiritual journeys as well. Whether you’re navigating the early years, walking alongside teenagers, or transitioning to parenting adult children, t...

POD 042 | Decoding Sports Betting: Balancing Fan Engagement and Spiritual Wellness with Darin White

How do we navigate the ethical and personal challenges of sports betting from a Christian perspective? In this episode of theFormed.life, Darren White, Executive Director of the Center for Sports Analytics at Samford University helps us explore the explosive growth of sports gambling, its impact on fan engagement, and the importance of self-awareness and transparency. Join us as we examine the delicate balance between enjoyment and caution, offering thought-provoking perspectives for both sports...

POD 041 | Practical and Theological Approaches to Burnout with Liz and Tom Nelson

How can we effectively address burnout in our modern lives? Joining us today are repeat guests Liz and Tom Nelson, who provide personal, theological, and psychological insights on the topic. Discover practical strategies to manage life's pace, the importance of Sabbath and community, and how to nurture a secure relationship with God to combat burnout. Plus, enjoy a light-hearted moment as our guests share their favorite ice cream flavors. Join us for a concise, impactful discussion on finding ba...

TFL BLOG | How To Practice Stillness in a Hurried Season

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/2024/12/noticing-in-silence-05/

TFL BLOG | Silent Night, Silent Prayer

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/2024/12/noticing-in-silence-04/

TFL BLOG | When God Is Silent

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/2024/12/noticing-in-silence-03/

TFL BLOG | From Distraction to Devotion

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/2024/12/noticing-in-silence-02/

TFL BLOG | Making Space for Silence

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/2024/11/noticing-in-silence-01/

POD 040 | The Role of AI in Modern Ministry: Insights from Joshua K. Smith

How can churches responsibly engage with artificial intelligence to benefit their communities? In this episode of theFormed.life , we step into this crucial question with theologian and AI ethics expert Joshua K. Smith. Joshua discusses how churches can actively participate in the ethical use of AI, from generating prayer templates to assisting with Bible translations. He emphasizes the need for faith communities to take a proactive stance in tech conversations, ensuring AI's potential is harnes...

TFL | The Sacrifice of Running With A Partner

READ the written blog on our website: https://theformed.life/2024/11/learn-about-sacrifice-15/

POD 039 | Leadership and Faith: Insights from Jeanette Thomas’s Life and Career

What does it mean to live a life beautifully formed in the way of Jesus? In today's episode of theFormed.life, we sit down with Jeanette Thomas—pastor, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor—to explore her profound journey from pastoral leadership to innovative coaching. Join us as we journey through Jeanette's inspiring story, highlighting the transformative power of community, curiosity, and faith. Bio Jeanette Thomas, founder of Storyboard Coaching, is an executive coach with over two decades of e...