Halfway There

173: Engel Jones and the Power of Connection

Engel Jones is a podcaster and the best networker you’ve ever seen. He has to be because his podcast is all about 12 minute conversations and he’s done 2460 of them. Last year, he and his wife traveled the continental United States and Canada throughout the summer. I was privileged to sit down with Engel and his wife at Red Rocks park in beautiful Colorado while they were on that epic journey.
Today, Engel shares with us how growing up in an extended family influenced him, finding Christ in the religious melting pot of Trinidad, and how the Lord led him through divine connections. Engel sets tremendous goals and depends on the Lord to get them done. Even when he misses his target, he is still doing incredible things.
Give Engel’s story a listen!
Stories Engel shared:
Growing up in an extended family in Trinidad
Experiencing community of a large family
Going to church every Sunday as a child
The spiritual smorgasbord of Trinidad
Experimenting with marijuana as a teenager
Speaking in tongues for the first time
Starting a business and getting off of marijuana
How Gospel music and preaching helped him grow
How God uses divine connections in his life
How his podcast was inspired
How his show has changed his life
Setting tremendous goals to see what God will do
Great quotes from Engel:
I have never felt that God has left me.
Sometimes we need just one thing, one person to speak to us, to help us, to guide us to so much more.
Humanity is beautiful.
Resources we mentioned:
Connect with Engel on LinkedIn
Engel’s website
Engel’s YouTube channel
Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Waking the Dead: The Secret to a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge
Other episodes about community:
Gunnar Falk and Grace Extended in Community
Trevor Kapralos and the Power of Community
Laura Flanders and the Mentored Life
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172: Laura Flanders and The Mentored Life

Laura Flanders is the Associate Lecturer and Chair of Training and Mentoring Curriculum and one of my personal mentors. Today, we talk about mentoring, what mentoring is, and how to go about it as both a mentor and a mentee. We take questions from my friends on Facebook about mentoring, and Laura reaches to her bookshelf to share the books and resources that have shaped her ministry in mentoring.
Listen to our conversation now!
Stories we talked about:
Her role as a mentor at Denver Seminary
How knowing and community relate
Definition of mentoring that we can share
Different kinds of mentors
Being interdependent as a mentee
How to take ownership of your own learning
Discovering your bent in mentoring
The mentors you probably didn’t know you had
Questions and answers from the audience
Boundaries in mentoring
Resources for mentoring
Great quotes from Laura:
The way we learn changes as we age.
It’s not easy to practice being known.
Mentoring is a relational practice in which there is intentional pursuit towards growth and transformation.
Listening is a peacemaking activity.
Resources we mentioned:
Laura’s original appearance on Halfway There
The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life, 20th Anniversary Edition by Parker Palmer
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani
The Uncommon Individual Foundation
Trust in the Slow work of God – Pierre Chardin
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene Brown
Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Directionby Keith R. Anderson and Randy D. Reese
Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Emerging Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith by Sharon Daloz Parks
The Mentee’s Guide: Making Mentoring Work for You by Lois Zachary
The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich
Laura’s website, The Colorado Backyard Gardener
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171: Dave Ebert and A Funny Way to Overcome Depression

Dave Ebert is a comedian and founder of Well Versed Comedy, and a fellow podcaster. Today, Dave shares the story of how he learned improv in professional wrestling, faced depression and suicidal thoughts, and found a new start in comedy. Dave is transparent about going through the dark seasons and we spend a few minutes talking about why the funniest people are sometimes the most depressed. It’s a tragedy that needn’t persist. Dave is passionate about helping those on the brink while also bringing some laughter and cheer. How the Lord brought him here is a fun story.
Listen to Dave’s story now!
Stories Dave shared:
Growing up in Illinois and moving to Virginia
The lack of discipleship he had as a child
Dealing with depression and contemplating suicide
Why he used humor to cover up his real feelings
What to signs of depression to look for in your funny friends
Getting into professional wrestling
How professional wrestling set him up for improv
Learning how to not treat God like a genie
Getting mad at God when he didn’t show up
Starting over again in Illinois
Starting Well Versed Comedy and finding himself
Using his “sacred scars” to help others
Great quotes from Dave:
We’re too afraid to get our hands dirty and find out the truth.
On the mountain there were two choices, I can take my life or I can give my life.
I’ve got quite a few of those sacred scars that I’m using through various things I’m involved in.
Take that next breath. Take that next step. Live that next hour. Live that next day. Because it’s worth it and God will use it once you’re ready to give it over to him.
Resources we mentioned:
Dave’s website
Well Versed Comedy
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren
My appearance on Dave’s show Gifts4Glory
Reach out to Dave if you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts: Dave@gifts4glory.com
Related episodes:
Mike Savage and God’s Great Self-Sacrifical Love
Julie Court and the Power of Forgiveness
Jim Barnard Finds Hope in Suffering through Community
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170: Kelly Albright was Saved in Sin City

Kelly Albright is a friend from long ago. We used to be coworkers and at the time, she did not know Jesus. A few months ago, she got in touch on LinkedIn and mentioned that she was now following him. Well, I couldn’t possibly miss the opportunity to learn how that happened so I invited Kelly to come on the show to share her experience.
Today, Kelly shares that she was always somewhat curious about the Lord but a little afraid. She sought a medium, had a dream about Christ’s love, and suffered spiritual attacks she after. Now, Kelly is following the Lord and growing in her faith step by step and it’s a beautiful thing.
Listen to Kelly’s story now!
Stories Kelly shared:
Growing up in a non-Christian home, a little fascinated by the Bible but afraid of it
Living her live life as an atheist and a “blasphemous God-hater”
Visiting a medium in 2012
Her wild past with drugs and how she now understands some of this as demonic
Moving to San Diego and going to an a cultic church
The dream of Christ that convinced her of his love
Asking the Lord to show himself as the Way, Truth, and Life
Throwing out her dreamcatchers, crystals, and new age items
Praying for deliverance for weeks
Getting some Biblical counseling
Feeling like the Lord called her to stay in isolation for a period of time
Great quotes from Kelly:
The one thing that stood out about me as a little kid was the number of tears I cried.
God comes after you; you’re not coming after him.
God’s love language is sacrifice.
Resources we mentioned:
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
Related episodes:
Patrick Meyers and the Kind Initiator
Tony Weedor and The Cost of of the Gospel
Tonya Jewell Blessing and the Servants See the Miracles
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169: Cody Dakota Wooten and Listening and Leading

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Cody Dakota Wooten is a coach, teacher, and speaker with a passion for leadership. Today, Cody shares how growing up without his father affected him, the night a coyote led him to Jesus, and why he loves helping people find their true selves. Cody tells us about how learning the lives of the saints gave him something to aspire to in the faith. His story reminds us that even when things look bleak, if you’re waiting for the Lord to lead, he always will. You just need to pay attention.
Listen to Cody’s story now!
Stories Cody shared:
How he coaches people to find their heroic potential
Being raised by three women as a child without a father figure
When his mother gave the religious choice to him as a child
Expecting God to speak to him
Deciding to be baptized as a young man
Pursuing relationships in difficult ways
Choosing a Catholic college
Learning about the saints and how that shaped him
Learning to cultivate an attitude of prayer
How a coyote led him to Jesus
A relationship that went wrong
The dark night after his fiance broke up with him and dated his best friend
How this dark time helped him grow closer to the Lord
Getting into personal development
Great quotes from Cody:
In seeking God, I learned how to value myself.
You are infinitely valuable.
God is going to speak to you in a way that you will understand, that is meaningful to you. He may not use words; he may not use dreams; he may not use compulsion but he’s going to use something that will speak to you.
Resources we mentioned:
Cody’s website
Connect with Cody on Instagram
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy Podcast
Related episodes:
Chuck Malott is a Hippie Turned Saint
Doug Eisenbrandt and Jesus Found in the Long Run
Sarah Ehambe and Faith as Action
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168: Sarah Geringer and Transforming Your Thought Life

Sarah Geringer is a blogger, speaker and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus. Today, Sarah shares how the Lord helped her overcome depression, why being a child of divorce stinks, and how she invested in her dream to become a writer. Sarah’s practice of Christian meditation using Scripture is a wonderful tool that will help you focus your thoughts in productive directions. If you are struggling with run away thoughts, Sarah’s story will encourage you because victory is possible.
Listen to Sarah’s story now!
Stories Sarah shared:
Growing up in the middle of the Bible belt
The heritage of faith in her family
How her church and school class became her family after her parent’s divorce
The shock of public school
Giving her life to Christ and experiencing the peace of the presence
Losing her best friend when she moved away
Hearing the Spirit tell her she didn’t have to think suicidal thoughts anymore
Experiencing relationship with Jesus
The battlefield of the university classroom
Giving up her scholarship to go to a different school
Realizing marriage does not solve loneliness
How being a child of divorce affected her
Deciding to invest in herself with a writing
Publishing her first traditionally published book
Great quotes from Sarah:
I knew his presence felt warm and comforting.
If you start with his Word then you start recognizing his voice. Then you can grow a very close an intimate relationship with him. His Word is the doorway to a deeper relationship with him.
I realized marriage is not the solution for loneliness and that was a crushing disappointment.
Become a Patron!
Resources we mentioned:
Sarah’s website
Sarah’s blog on divorce as Living Death
Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus by Sarah Geringer
Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley
The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt
Chandler Bolt’s Self-Publishing School blog
She Speaks Conference
Related episodes:
Caroline Abbott and Coming Home to the Lord
Marc Schelske and the Wisdom of Your Heart
Sharon Swing and How to Listen to Your Life
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167: Jeff Tacklind and The Winding Path of Transformation

Jeffrey Tacklind is a pastor, spiritual director, and author. Today, Jeff shares his journey from trying to be his dad to serving a congregation as Jesus intended him to. Jeff shares how he chose a small church to serve, discovered spiritual masters, and why he wrote a book on the process of transformation. We also discuss the tension between the longing for glory and the humility of submission to the Lord. Along the way, Jeff shares plenty of personal experiences and I know you will be drawn deeper into God’s heart for you as you listen.
Listen to Jeff’s story now!
Stories Jeff shared:
Pastoring in Laguna Beach, CA
Growing up in Orange, CA in a Christian family
The question someone asked him that changed how he sees people
Trying to be his dad as he went into ministry
How seminary affected his journey
Finding his church and enjoying the community and diversity
Wrestling with insecurity in his journey
How God spoke to his heart
The surf trip that served to remind him of the growth process
How vulnerability sets the tone for relationship
Being introduced to Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton’s work
Why he wrote The Winding Path of Transformation
Understanding the tension between glory and humility
Great quotes from Jeff:
I was just this kid growing up always asking questions and would kind of make everybody uncomfortable like I was asking the question we agreed not to ask.
It’s not that I left that story behind; it’s that the story just got bigger.
People don’t need my advice right now. They need good questions. To ask the right question unlocks things for people.
Resources we mentioned:
The Winding Path of Transformation: Finding Yourself Between Glory and Humility by Jeffrey Tacklind
Jeff’s website
After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory, Third Edition by Alasdair MacIntyre
Little Church by the Sea
The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition by Janet O. Hagberg & Robert A. Guelich
Related episodes:
Richard Jacobson and Unchurching
Laura Flanders and Her Bleeding Heart
Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation
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166: Karen Gonzalez and the God Who Sees

Karen Gonzalez is a native of Guatemala and is a speaker, writer and immigrant advocate. Karen works for World Relief and attended Fuller Theological Seminary, where she studied theology and missiology. Her first book is The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong. Today, Karen shares what it is like moving to a new country, how Christians can help immigrants, and what the Bible really says about how immigrants should be treated. While immigration is a political hot potato of a topic, Karen helps us take a fresh look at those around us and see them with God’s eyes.
Listen to Karen’s story now!
Stories Karen shared:
Growing up in Guatemala in a Roman Catholic home
Always being interested in faith and seeing different ways of interacting with God
Leaving Guatemala due to war
The difficulties of integrating into life in the United States
Going to church with her grandmother and giving her life to Christ
How to handle undocumented people in a Christian way
Moving to Florida after receiving Green Cards
Losing her mother to cancer
The tug and pull between the two cultures she found herself in
Discipleship as a college student
Questioning things like the death penalty
Discovering that the Gospel doesn’t “work” everywhere
Going to seminary to get a more robust
Why she wrote the God Who Sees using immigration stories
Great quotes from Karen:
Migration is a really traumatic experience.
What’s morally right and the right thing to do as a Christian is often at odds with the right thing to do as a U.S. citizen.
Seminary saved my faith.
Nobody’s faith is static.
Resources we mentioned:
The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong
Karen’s website
When Life and Beliefs Collide by Caroline James
Related episodes:
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