On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Kyle Worley, founder and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Richardson, Texas. We explore the profound concept of our identity in Christ and what it means to be adopted as children of God. Kyle unpacks how our relationship with God as Father transcends mere acquittal from a holy judge—it's an invitation into a family where we are welcomed and delighted in despite our unworthiness. We discuss the struggle many Christians face in accepting this gift of gra...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min•Season 7Ep. 4
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the critical distinction between pastoral care and counseling with Dr. Jeremy Pierre. We dive into how these two forms of care overlap and where they differ, examining the unique role each plays in the spiritual formation of believers. Drawing from his 22 years of experience as both a pastor and professor, Dr. Pierre helps us understand how counseling serves as a specific tool within the broader context of pastoral care. We discuss why counseling is "...
Jun 18, 2025•57 min•Season 7Ep. 3
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the concept of whole body theology and how it differs from the body positivity movement with bestselling author Lisa Whittle. We discuss her forthcoming book Body and Soul , which takes a biblical look at how God created us to be whole persons - body and soul. We examine why simply having good feelings about our bodies isn't enough, and how understanding Christ's incarnation and "glorious exchange" provides a deeper foundation for how we view and trea...
Jun 11, 2025•59 min•Season 7Ep. 2
On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Eric Schumacher to explore the profound concept of weakness in Christian life. We discuss how recognizing our limitations and dependence on God's grace can lead to greater freedom and spiritual growth. Eric shares personal insights from his latest book, addressing the paradox of working diligently while maintaining complete reliance on God's strength. We examine how understanding our weakness doesn't eliminate it, but rather transforms our persp...
Jun 04, 2025•51 min•Season 7Ep. 1
On this episode of This vs. That, we tackle the complex balance between church and family priorities in ministry life. We welcome special guests Jenna Allen and Stephanie Gilbert from Pastors' Wives Tell All who share raw, honest perspectives about navigating the demands of church leadership while protecting family wellbeing. Through candid conversation, we explore how to set healthy boundaries, support children in ministry families, and handle expectations from congregations. Our guests offer p...
Mar 19, 2025•56 min•Season 6Ep. 10
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore how to effectively help those suffering from depression without unintentionally causing more harm. Our guest Kathryn Butler, a former trauma surgeon turned writer, shares her unique perspective from both sides of depression - as a medical professional and as someone who has experienced it personally. We discuss the complexities of depression, including its various causes and manifestations, the role of antidepressants, and how to approach Scripture in...
Mar 12, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 9
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the tension between hope and despair in the face of evil with guest Collin Hansen, vice president and editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition. We tackle one of Christianity's most challenging questions: Where is God in a world of suffering? Collin shares insights from his forthcoming book and his years of wrestling with difficult questions of faith. We discuss practical ways to cultivate resilient hope and challenge common misconceptions Christians ha...
Mar 05, 2025•59 min•Season 6Ep. 8
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the challenging balance between anxious parenting vs. parenting with hope. We're joined by author and speaker Melissa Kruger, who brings wisdom and practical insights to this important conversation. We discuss how parental anxiety manifests in different seasons - from checking if babies are breathing to teaching teens to drive. We examine how social media amplifies parenting pressures and the overwhelming number of choices modern parents face. Through...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 7
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the important distinction between practical theology and prideful theology with guest Wendy Alsup, author and math professor. We discuss how true theology should lead to humility and practical life changes, while examining why theological discussions sometimes become prideful and condescending. Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, we unpack how genuine knowledge of God naturally results in humility and transformed lives. Together, we consider...
Feb 19, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 6
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the complex relationship between neglecting and embracing emotions with Joe Hussung, Director of Ministry Partnership and Senior Counselor at Fieldstone Counseling . Our conversation examines the role of emotions in the Christian life, cultural differences in emotional expression, and how the Bible speaks to our emotional experiences. Joe brings unique insights from his doctoral work on empathy, his personal journey with anxiety, and his extensive cou...
Feb 12, 2025•53 min•Season 6Ep. 5
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the fascinating topic of good stress versus bad stress with our guest Eliza Huie, Director of Counseling at McLean Bible Church and biblical counseling instructor at Reform Theological Seminary. We discuss how certain types of stress can actually be beneficial for growth and motivation, while other forms can be detrimental to our wellbeing. Drawing from her expertise as a licensed professional counselor and author of "I'm Stressed: A Path from Pressur...
Feb 05, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 4
On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Robert Cheong, founder of Gospel Care Ministries and former pastor of care at Sojourn Church Midtown. We explore the critical distinction between normal ministry tiredness and burnout, discussing how we can recognize the signs when regular exhaustion begins shifting toward burnout. Drawing from his extensive pastoral experience, Robert shares valuable insights on maintaining healthy rhythms in ministry and understanding the challenges faced by c...
Jan 29, 2025•59 min
On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Toni Collier, founder of Broken Crayons Still Color . We explore the powerful contrast between hiding vs. healing, as Toni shares her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming an author and speaker. We discuss what it truly means to heal, the importance of being honest with our pain, and how we can find hope and security in Christ even when life falls apart. With raw authenticity, Toni helps us understand that healing isn't about erasing ...
Jan 22, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 2
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the fascinating tension between fear of man and fear of God with special guest Ed Welch and guest co-host Jonathan Holmes, Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. We trace Ed's journey of writing his influential book "When People Are Big and God Is Small," which began as a response to the codependency movement of the 1980s. Through our conversation, we discover how Ed's perspective shifted from a sharp critique of cultural trends to a more pastor...
Jan 15, 2025•50 min•Season 6Ep. 1
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Ginny Owens, a talented singer-songwriter, author, and Director of Worship Arts and Community Engagement in New York City. We explore the intriguing topic of Seeing vs. Believing through the unique perspective of Ginny, who lost her eyesight at the age of three. We discuss how Ginny's experience of blindness has shaped her faith journey and her understanding of trust and belief. We examine the prevalence of sight and blindness imagery in Scripture and...
Aug 21, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 10
On this episode of This vs. That, we have a captivating conversation with Jonathan Holmes, the Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling and a visiting professor at CCEF and Westminster Theological Seminary. We discuss the topic of modern identity versus gospel identity, a central theme in his upcoming book, Grounded in Grace, which helps kids build their identity in Christ. We explore the distinction between an identity shaped by self-perception versus one defined by God's words. We talk abou...
Aug 14, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 9
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome our good friend Jeff Dalrymple, founder and executive director of the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention and Lumino Global , as well as chairman of Anchored Hope's board of directors. Jeff joins us to discuss the topic of stewardship versus complacency. We explore what it means to be a faithful steward of God's gifts in every area of life and how to identify and uproot complacency. Jeff shares his insights on stewardship, drawing from his extens...
Aug 07, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 8
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Rush Witt, the lead pastor of Paramount Church in Bexley, Ohio, and author of "I Want to Escape" and "Die Hard Sins: How to Fight Wisely Against Destructive Daily Habits." Rush joins us to discuss themes from his book, specifically distinguishing destructive habits from everyday sins and how we can combat these issues in our lives. We explore how to understand the operation of these sins and the importance of ongoing repentance. Through personal anecd...
Jul 31, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 7
On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the topic of church hurt and discuss when to stay versus when to go. We talk with author and Bible teacher Courtney Reissig about the different perspectives of church hurt—from being a witness in the pews, to causing hurt as a leader, to being the one who is hurt. Courtney shares her personal experiences and insights from nearly 20 years in ministry, highlighting the complexities and spectrum of church hurt. We also discuss the importance of understan...
Jul 24, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 6
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Alicia Britt Chole, a wife, mother, mentor, and author, known for her unique and refreshing style that connects with people of all ages. We discuss her newest book, "The Night is Normal," and explore the concepts of disillusionment versus reality. Alicia shares her personal story, including how her father's view of questions as sacred shaped her upbringing, and her journey from atheism to faith. We dive into the painful but necessary process of sheddi...
Jul 17, 2024•53 min•Season 15Ep. 5
On this episode of This vs. That, we have an engaging conversation with Trevin Wax. Trevin joins us to discuss the nuances between tribal leadership and multi-directional leadership. We explore the differences between leaders who align strictly with a particular group versus those who address challenges from multiple perspectives. Trevin shares insights on why multi-directional leadership is essential for the health of families, churches, and institutions. We also dive into Trevin’s background, ...
Jul 10, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 4
On this episode of This vs. That, we are joined by Dr. Mike Emlet, a faculty member and counselor at CCEF, who brings his extensive experience and expertise to our discussion. Emlet offers valuable insights into how we can apply the gospel to those grappling with religious scrupulosity, whether in its extreme forms or more common experiences of an oversensitive conscience. We cover the definition of scrupulosity, its various manifestations, and the underlying issues that drive it. Throughout the...
Jul 03, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 3
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Pastor Joby Martin, lead pastor at The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Joby shares his journey into ministry, his passion for evangelism, and his drive to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation with the Gospel. In our conversation, we tackle the complex topic of Contentment vs. Satisfaction, exploring what these terms truly mean in a Biblical context. We also examine the role of ambition in the life of a believer and how to balance our hum...
Jun 26, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 2
On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Abbey Wedgeworth about exhaustion vs. perseverance. Abbey shares her experiences as a mother of three young boys and a devoted member of her local church. We explore the balance of managing various commitments, how parenting pushes us to our limits, and how that can actually bring us closer to God. Abbey shares her insights into how we can find strength and perseverance in Christ, even when we feel overwhelmed. Tune in as we offer encouragement and ...
Jun 19, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode of This vs. That, we welcome back Jeff Dalrymple, the executive director of ECAP and Chairman of the Board at Anchored Hope, as our guest host. We spend time discussing the core principles of Anchored Hope, focusing on what it means to be both biblically grounded and clinically informed. Available to anyone, anywhere, and anytime, Anchored Hope aims to provide accessible virtual counseling services both in the U.S. and globally. ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Ho...
Jun 05, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 13
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Jeff Dalrymple, the executive director of ECAP and Chairman of the Board at Anchored Hope, as our guest host. We spend time discussing the mission and vision of Anchored Hope, a biblically grounded, clinically informed virtual counseling center. We share the story of our journey, how we began, and how we've grown, highlighting our dedication to making counseling accessible worldwide. We also talk about the personal lives and stories of the team member...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 12
On this episode of This vs. That, we discuss the upcoming auxiliary event at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference. This special event is held in partnership with Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling, two organizations that share a common goal of providing quality, gospel-centered counseling. In this episode we’ll look at the origins of this collaboration, the benefits of joint efforts, and our shared passion for helping people. We firmly believe that these organizations' combined strengths...
May 08, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 11
On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Dr. Russell Moore, the editor in chief of Christianity Today and author of the book Losing Our Religion: an Altercall for Evangelical America . We discuss a variety of topics, from the current state of politics and its impact on the church, to the personal struggles individuals face within this politically charged environment. We also explore the concept of political engagement versus political idolatry, delving into the nuances of each and their im...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 10
On this episode of This vs. That, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dani Treweek. Joining us from Sydney, Australia, Dani is a renowned Christian theological researcher, author, speaker, and the founding director of Single Minded Ministry. We discuss her work, which focuses on exploring God's purposes for singleness and equipping Christians. Throughout our discussion, we touch on the intricacies of singleness within the church and the societal pressures that surround it. We also...
Apr 03, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 9
On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Tim Challies. Our conversation centers around the challenging and deeply personal topic of grieving with hope versus grieving without hope. We explore how Tim's faith shaped his response to loss, the role of lament in the grieving process, and how to navigate the difficult balance between accepting God's decree and dealing with personal sorrow. This episode is an insightful journey into the spiritual and emotional aspects of grieving, providing listen...
Mar 27, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 8