Halfway There

260: Dr. Michelle Bengtson and Overcoming Anxiety

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist, author, and fellow podcaster. Today, Michelle shares about struggling with depression and anxiety, how she worked so hard she made herself sick, and the practice that helped her trust the Lord with everything. She also shares how to train your brain to think positively and let God’s Word give us identity instead. Michelle’s story reminds us that the Lord nevers wastes our pain.
Listen to Michelle’s story now!
Stories Michelle shared:
Growing up as a church kid in Michigan
Struggling with depression after getting sick
Health struggles as a child
Self-punishment as a child for not being good enough
How to take a step back from acting on emotions
Learning what the Lord said about who she is
How her son challenged her thinking
How your brain is like a running trail
The reception of her first book
Why perfectionism has no place at church
Episodes of her podcast that are helpful
Great quotes from Michelle:
Who but God would know that a book on worry, fear, and anxiety would need to come out in fall of 2019?
Drivenness really comes back to a spirit of fear.
Be careful what you say to yourself because you’re listening.
I thought I was responsible for the harvest.
Resources we mentioned:
Michelle’s website
Breaking Anxiety's Grip
Hope Prevails Bible Study: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression
Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Related episodes:
Marc Schelske and The Wisdom of Your Heart
Julie Hamilton and Trusting Over Pleasing
Terry Wardle and the Healing Journey
Sarah Geringer and Transforming Your Thought Life
The post Dr. Michelle Bengtson and Overcoming Anxiety appeared first on Eric Nevins.

259: Cliff Haddox and The Story that Grows With You

Cliff Haddox is a pastor and TikToker (@RevnGeek). Today, we talk about his TikTok, why he started it, and how the platform has influenced his ministry. Cliff also shares the dangerous prayer he prayed, why community is so great in seminary, and the struggle of being unwanted at his church. We also talk about ways to engage people online during Sunday services. Cliff’s story reminds us that God is always leading when we’re open to following him.
Listen to Cliff’s story now!
Stories Cliff shared:
How Cliff got into TikTok
Growing up in WV in a Christian family
The pastor who mentored him through questions
Going to college to be a broadcaster
The invitation to a young adult group that solidified his faith
The moment he gave God his life
How quickly his life changed after praying to see if God had a different plan for his life
Getting called into ministry
Going to seminary in Louisville, KY
How seminary challenged his assumptions
The Christian community that he had in seminary
How he left a church that wanted to leave the denomination
The problem with prosperity gospel
Learning to engage online during Covid
Great quotes from Cliff:
What I have is the assurance that I’ve always had it [salvation].
Faith formation is very different from the academic side of seminary. From the academic side,  you have to be prepared to have a wrecking ball swung through everything that the little old ladies taught you in Sunday School.
Jonah is a story that grows up with you.
If you ever go to seminary, treasure the time you’re there because, if you’re lucky it will be the closest to Christian community like the Bible you’ll ever experience.
There is no time when God offers an Easy button.
Resources we mentioned:
Cliff’s church website
Cliff’s TikTok
Related episodes:
Markus Watson and How Suffering Transforms
Merritt Onsa and the Patient Love of God
Christina Dent and Compassion for Others
The post Cliff Haddox and The Story that Grows With You appeared first on Eric Nevins.

258: Janell Wood and the Shaping of Identity

Janell Wood is the podcaster behind Finding Something Real. Today, Janell shares about the youth pastor who served as a great example of God’s love, when she wrestled with a sinful relationship, and how the Lord met her through a series of miscarriages. Janell learned to trust the Lord with each experience and finally accepted that he gets to choose who she becomes. Her podcast serves young women with questions about faith by making them part of the conversation. Janell’s story reminds us that the truest thing about us is that we are loved by our maker.
Listen to Janell’s story now!
Stories Janell shared:
How she got into hosting exchange students
Growing up in a Christian family in Washington State
The day her older sister left home
The youth pastor who showed her Jesus
Looking for love in all the wrong places
The relationship that she knew was sin but couldn’t give up
Moving to Pennsylvania and having weeks alone with God
Dealing with anxiety that was compounding
Wrestling with God after a series of miscarriages
Discussing her belief in God with her husband and his wise words
The church service that helped her
Choosing the Lord after the birth of their daughter
Discovering her identity in Christ
Why she has different co-hosts on her show
Great quotes from Janell:
I always wanted Christ because I loved who he was.
We can talk about Jesus and get in the Word but the Christian walk was not meant to be walked alone.
The more you look at yourself, the more messed up your identity game will be.
“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are indistinguishable.” David Augsburger
Resources we mentioned:
Janell’s website
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Believing God – Bible Study Book: Experience a Fresh Explosion of Faith by Beth Moore
Related episodes:
Dan Rudman and Ripples of the Gospel
Cliff Ravenscraft and Finding Himself in Christ
Cherlyn Decker and Learning to Roar 
The post Janell Wood and the Shaping of Identity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

257: Jeff Brown the Exponential Value of Reading

Jeff Brown is an award winning radio producer and personality, who launched his podcast in 2013. He is the host of Read to Lead and just published his first book of the same title. Today, Jeff shares how the Lord provided a job and moved him into Christian radio, how dark moments motivate him to draw closer to the Lord, and why he started Read to Lead. He also shares why reading is such a valuable habit that you cannot afford to miss out on. Jeff’s story reminds us that learning is an essential component of life with God.
Listen to Jeff’s story now!
Stories Jeff shared:
Publishing his first book
Growing up in Indianapolis, IN
Loving radio even as a child and testing on it
Growing up in a Christian family but deciding not to go as a teenager
Accepting Christ on Easter Sunday
Getting a job in Christian radio providentially
Moving to Nashville and working in the Christian music industry
Getting married and divorced
Feeling the Lord’s comfort when this happened
Losing his job in radio and pivoting into small business
Starting the Read to Lead podcast
The habits of successful people
Why he decided to start the show he did
How reading got him noticed at worked and advanced his career
Great quotes from Jeff:
When you find what interests you, research books in that industry.
When adverse things happen, those things get my attention and bring me to my knees.
When the person who hired you leaves, and you are not replacing them, tidy up your resume.
Resources we mentioned:
Read to Lead Book website
Jeff’s website
Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career by Jeff Brown and Jesse Wisnewski
Multipliers, Revised and Updated: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman
Do You Talk Funny?: 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker by David Nihill
Related episodes:
Karen Swallow Prior and the Spiritual Practice of Reading Fiction
Kevin White and Audacious Generosity
Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Longings
The post Jeff Brown the Exponential Value of Reading appeared first on Eric Nevins.

256: Erica Wiggenhorn and Learning to be Brave

Erica Wiggenhorn a speaker and author of three Bible studies including her most recent, Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck & How Surrender Sets You Free. Today, Erica shares how she learned to enjoy studying the Bible, how she learned the difference between faith and trust, and the moment she realized that God is enough for her. Erica also takes us through some painful moments when the Lord shaped her identity. Erica’s story reminds us that the Lord will always lead even through the dark places.
Listen to Erica’s story now!
Stories Erica shared:
Growing up in a Christian family but not going to church every week
Being terrified by the preacher at her grandparent’s church
Going to Christian school as a child
The youth pastor who patiently answered her questions
Feeling guilt because she didn’t enjoy reading the Bible
Beginning to pursue bible study while dealing with infertility
Realizing the difference between faith and trust
Learning to shed the busyness as a sign of godliness
The process of sanctification for her
The moment she learned that the Lord is enough for her
Great quotes from Erica:
You can’t teach what you won’t live.
I realized that I had been feasting on crumbs rather than dining at the Savior’s table.
When we seek his approval, we can begin to let go of self-imposed expectations.
Resources we mentioned:
Erica’s website
Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck & How Surrender Sets You Free by Erica Wiggenhorn
Unexplainable Jesus: Rediscovering the God You Thought You Knew by Erica Wiggenhorn
Related episodes:
Caroline Harries and The Invitation of Hope
Dan & Lindsey McKenzie are Living a Big Adventure Together
Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life with God
The post Erica Wiggenhorn and Learning to be Brave appeared first on Eric Nevins.

255: Mark Brownson and Honesty with God

Mark Brownson is a pastor and author. Mark’s recently published book is Honesty, A Believer’s Struggle with Prayer and Faith. Today, Mark shares his struggle to teach himself to read, achieving his dream to go to seminary, and his experience pastoring churches. Through it all, Mark has wrestled with God in prayer with an honesty seldom found among God’s people. Mark’s story reminds us that the Christian life is one of being with God even when it’s not easy.
Listen to  Mark’s story now!
Stories Mark shared:
Teaching himself to read in seventh grade
Finding faith in Jesus while being disciplined by his mom
Discipleship on the couch listening to Christian radio
Going to college at Azusa Pacific with his dyslexia
Helping out with a church plant and feeling a call to ministry
How a comparative religion class shaped him
Going back to Montana State and teaching for awhile
Deciding to go to seminary
How seminary shaped him
Pastoring churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania
Meeting his wife as God’s provision
His wife’s bipolar breakdown on their honeymoon
Learning to share the Gospel as a “weak thing”
How he serves his community
Great quotes from Mark:
The Christian life is certainly no bed of roses, at least it hasn’t been for me.
God and I frequently have arguments. He always wins.
My relationship with God is one of honesty.
Faith is akin to dependence.
Resources we mentioned:
Connect with Mark
Honesty: A Believer’s Struggle with Prayer and Faith by Mark Brownson
Related episodes:
Charles Causey and Chasing Candor
Mike Elder and the Legacy of Faith
Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures
The post Mark Brownson and Honesty with God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

254: Shā Sparks and Finding Purpose

Shā Sparks is the CEO (Chief Excitement Officer) of Sparks of Fire International, a Certified Fearless Living Coach and Trainer, host of The Power of Investing in People Podcast, and Co-Founder of #FIRESTARTERS Book Project. Today, Shā shares how she spent much of her life without love and waiting to die, how she broke up with alcohol, and why she decided to pray for herself. Shā also tells us how God led her into her calling helping other as a coach. Her story reminds us that learning to receive love is an important part of the journey.
Listen to Shā’s story now!
Stories Shā shared:
Spending many years wanting to die
Why she chose the title “Chief Excitement Officer”
Growing up on a farm in Central Iowa
Her dad’s anger at home and how it started depression in her
Having a kegger at 11 year old
Dealing with suicidal ideation
Feeling that the Lord was always with her even in her darkest time
Sensing the devil speaking to her
Giving her life to Christ after a DUI at 16
Realizing that she needed to leave her abusive relationship
Deciding to pray for herself instead
Getting counseling to discover herself for the first time
Contemplating the love of God
Getting into coaching to help women out of abusive relationships
Great quotes from Shā:
I was so giving that I forgot to give to myself.
I thought if I had needs, I was a bad person. The reality is we all have needs.
Love is what really surprised me.
When you are working to heal, you are working on your purpose.
Resources we mentioned:
Shā’s website
FIRESTARTERS: How to Be a Spark of Hope in the Midst of Change by Sha Sparks
Women Who Love Too Much: When You Keep Wishing and Hoping He’ll Change by Robin Norwood
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Related episodes:
Paul Sohn and Finding Your God-Given Purpose
Idella Kercher and God’s Abundant Provision
Marc Schelske and the Wisdom of Your Heart
The post Shā Sparks and Finding Purpose appeared first on Eric Nevins.

253: Chuck DeGroat and Invitation to Obscurity

Chuck DeGroat is professor of pastoral care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary and author of When Narcissism Comes to Church. Today, Chuck shares about dealing with anxiety his entire life, pursuing a life of influence, and how stepping back from that helped him find wholeness. Chuck also discusses the brokenness that so many pastors experience and how we can facilitate wholeness. Chuck’s story reminds us that honesty is the key to walking with the Lord.
Listen to Chuck’s story now!
Stories Chuck shared:
Growing up on Long Island, NY
Experiencing anxiety as a kid
The chaotic nature of his religious world as a child
Why he was drawn to Calvinism
Going to Dort College to find a softer version of reformed faith
Moving to Chicago and having a bit of a faith crisis
Feeling like he should go to seminary in Florida
Reaching the height of anxiety while in seminary
Going to see the professor of counseling
Deciding to get a degree in counseling to buy some time
Getting called out for flirting with a client
Taking a job at a church plant and getting fired years later
Moving to San Francisco and a new kind of anxiety and busyness
Getting counseling that picked up the fractured pieces
Why we get so many narcissistic pastors
Great quotes from Chuck:
We all at some level have to reckon with our own dividedness.
We are all walking contradictions.
Resources we mentioned:
Chuck’s website
When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse
Wholeheartedness: Busyness, Exhaustion, and Healing the Divided Self
Toughest People to Love: How to Understand, Lead, and Love the Difficult People in Your Life — Including Yourself
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill
Related episodes:
Jeff Munroe and Stewarding Your Pain
Kristin Kobes Du Mez and Knowing Christian History
Laura Barringer & Scot McKnight on Becoming an Agent of Tov
The post Chuck DeGroat and Invitation to Obscurity appeared first on Eric Nevins.