Halfway There

308: Jodi Rosser and Growing Deep

Jodi Rosser is an author, speaker, and podcaster. She is the host of the Depth Podcast, a podcast to help others grow deeper in their faith and stronger in their relationships. Today, Jodi shares about what she learned through her life’s biggest heartbreak, divorce. She talks us through the struggle and dark days but also the gifts she received like emotional literacy, learning empathy, and freedom from shame. Jodi’s story reminds us that we grow deep before we grow up.
Listen to Jodi’s story in your favorite podcast player now!
Stories Jodi shared:
Growing up in a Christian family with three sisters
Feeling God’s love as a sophomore in college
Getting married and going to couple’s group
Why she wishes she had read more widely as a young woman
Getting her journal when she realized her family would be broken
How the Lord helped her during the difficult days
Learning emotional literacy as they navigated the painful divorce
Struggling with empathy before her heartbreak
How her divorce changed her struggle with anger
Helping her son through his emotions
The conference that encouraged her
How God encouraged her to write about her divorce experience
The responses she received that changed her
The leap of faith to start a podcast
Great quotes from Jodi:
What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth?
“Mom, don’t you know loss shapes character?”
Allow yourself to grieve and go through the pain.
God does not want you to live shackled in your shame.
I used to thing grace was only for eternal salvation but there’s also daily grace.
Resources we mentioned:
Jodi’s website
Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Rosser
Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero by Lisa Bevere
Related episodes:
Sarah Geringer and Transforming Your Thought Life
Corey Nathan and Remembering the Humanity
Jill Baughn and the Adventure of Joy
The post Jodi Rosser and Growing Deep appeared first on Eric Nevins.

307: Corey Nathan and Remembering the Humanity

Corey Nathan is a businessman, theater nerd, fellow podcaster, husband, and father. He’s passionate about creating space in the public sphere for to talk about politics and religion from the “screamers” who’ve come to dominate these conversations. Today, Corey explains how a Jewish kid from New Jersey found Christ, what his conversion meant for his family, and why he believes civil discourse need to make a comeback. Corey’s story reminds us that the Lord is always working if we just have eyes to see and patience to wait for him.
Listen to Corey’s story now!
Stories Corey shared:
How a theater ministry was one of his most rewarding experiences
Growing up in an observant Jewish family
The incorrect foundation that many Evangelicals start with
Embodiment in his Jewish roots
Being a big question asker as a kid
Looking for mentorship as he had a family
His mentor, Hal, who just kept giving him books to read
How the Sermon on the Mount spoke to him
His parent’s reaction to his conversion
The long conversation he had with his dad
Asking questions about Scripture with his friends
Why he started Talking Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other
His advice for engaging in political discussions
Great quotes from Corey:
This is God’s creation and he is going about redeeming it.
Big questions just haunted me.
I don’t care about immigration policy as much as I care how we’re talking to each other.
When want to enter into an extended conversation, have some influence, and maybe be persuasive, it means opening yourself up to the possibility of being persuaded. And that’s dangerous! But the truth is always going to be true.
Resources we mentioned:
Corey’s website
More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
Simply Christian by N.T. Wright
New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright
Related episodes:
Andrew Klavan and the Truth and Beauty
Os Guinness and Understanding Our Moment
Jen Rosner and Finding Messiah
The post Corey Nathan and Remembering the Humanity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

306: Lauren Roskilly and Trusting God For Healing

Lauren Roskilly is a coach, author, and speaker. Today, Lauren shares about growing up in rural Sussex, England, leaving paganism, and finding dramatic physical healing. Lauren also describes significant mental health issues she suffered, including a suicide attempt, and how the Lord began to change her after a prayer of desperation. Lauren’s story reminds us that even when we suffer, the Lord is present and powerful when we turn to him.
Listen to Lauren’s story now!
Stories Lauren shared:
Growing up in rural Sussex, England
Calling herself a “white witch”
The stranger who knew things about her at the pub
The conversation with window cleaner that changed her life
Attempting suicide after struggling with mental health because of a health condition
Where God was while she was suffering
Praying in desperation to the Lord and his response
The moment of surrender with the Lord
Stepping out in faith that the results for her health
The woman on the bus who healed her
Learning to listen and recognize the Lord’s voice
Great quotes from Lauren:
My focus wasn’t on Him anymore but He was there.
I wasn’t asking why. I was asking what. The difference is key.
It wasn’t an instant zap; it was a journey.
Resources we mentioned:
Lauren’s website
Healing Toxic Emotions by Mary Islieb
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Related episodes:
Gil Bentham and Living in the Locks with the Lord
James Prescott and Processing Grief Well
Kari Bartkus and the Friendship of Jesus
The post Lauren Roskilly and Trusting God For Healing appeared first on Eric Nevins.

305: Benjamin Hunter and Telling a Great Story

Benjamin Hunter is a Christian Colorado Filmmaker who loves to tell stories of all sizes. Today, Ben shares with us what he learned from having a brother with cerebral palsy, how he discovered he was an artist, and the moment the Lord inspired him to start his own film production company. He also gives us a little insight into what it takes to make a movie and the documentary he’s making to honor his brother. Ben’s story reminds us that obedience when God calls is always the best choice.
Listen to Ben’s story today!
Stories Benjamin shared:
Growing up in a Christian family in Colorado
His brother Joshua who had cerebral palsy and how Ben’s life was affected
Asking the what if questions and how life might have been different
Struggling with not going to church when he got his first job
Deciding to get baptized on his own
Learning to rely on the Lord for his relational needs
Meeting his wife at a speed dating event
How he got into photography and filmmaking
Getting a cinematography merit badge in Boy Scouts
Going to film school because he wanted to make his own film project
Hearing from God to start his own production company
Deciding to make his new film True North
Great quotes from Benjamin:
It doesn’t matter what physical capabilities someone has, you should treat them the same.
I don’t know how to do that but I’ll try.
Resources we mentioned:
Ben’s website
33 Years Production
Related episodes:
Jill Baughan and the Adventure of Joy
Cliff Haddox and the Story that Grows With You
Michael Woodward and Living a Significant Story
The post Benjamin Hunter and Telling a Great Story appeared first on Eric Nevins.

304: Jill Baughan and The Adventure of Joy

Jill Baughan is an author, speaker, podcaster and joy-seeker who, through adventure and play, helps people find joy, no matter what else is happening good, bad or ugly in life. Long ago, as a kid on the Tilt-A-Whirl,she learned a valuable life lesson, and that was this: It is entirely possible for a human being to laugh and throw up at the same time. Today, Jill shares how her father’s death changed her view of God, how she learned to have fun and follow Jesus at the same time, and the real value of lament. Jill’s story reminds us that it’s both the laughter and the tears that make life beautiful.
Listen to Jill’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Jill shared:
Signing up to be the Chick-fil-a cow and what she learned from it
Feeling like life was as good as it gets growing up in Indiana
The vacation that changed their family
The first prayer she remembers praying
The poor reaction to her father’s death that shaped her view of God
How the church surrounded her family
Searching for how to have a relationship with God as a teenager
Going to church camp
Discovering 1 Corinthians 13 and what it meant to her
The youth leader that taught her that you can have fun and still follow Jesus
Struggling with infertility
Her daughter’s divorce and how God taught her to pray
The value of lament
Why she stared a writing and her podcast
Great quotes from Jill:
I still love the Church; I haven’t always loved the church.
I didn’t really ask questions for a long time after that.
I loved them before I knew them. God came near. And he brought redemption out of brokenness.
Prayer is a mystery.
Even if you get a “happy ending” that does not negate the sorrow you experienced.
Resources we mentioned:
Jill’s website
Born to Be Wild: Rediscover the Freedom of Fun by Jill Baughan
A Hope Deferred: A Couple’s Guide to Coping With Infertility by Jill Baughan
Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by Rachel Held Evans
Related episodes:
Caroline Harries and the Invitation of Hope 
Douglas Groothuis and Walking Through Twilight
Becky Antkowiak and Faithfulness Through Grief
The post Jill Baughan and The Adventure of Joy appeared first on Eric Nevins.

303: Ryan James Miller and Rediscovering Identity

Ryan James Miller is a performance coach, founder of the Foundations to Freedom Coaching Academy, husband of 20+ years, and father to two daughters. Today, Ryan shares how he came to Christ when nothing else satisfied, how he found a community and surrender ed to the Lord, and the mentors that shaped his walk. Then, Ryan tells about his experience at the Las Vegas shooting on October 1, 2017. That experience catalyzed him to become a better follower of Jesus. Ryan’s story reminds us that we cannot afford to waste a moment.
Listen to Ryan’s story in your favorite podcast now!
Stories Ryan shared:
Rediscovering identity and how
Growing up in a Roman Catholic church in Orange County, CA
The emotional turmoil of his family while growing up
Walking away from his faith entirely until he was 26
The moment he woke up and decided to “give God a shot”
The huge fight with his wife that made him take faith more seriously
Finding a community that helped him grow
How Mark Driscoll woke him up to faith
Getting recruited to plant a church
Diving into reformed theology
How God protected him while working in the church
Experiencing the shooting in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017
The perspective that brushing with death gave him
Why he started Foundations to Freedom Coaching Academy
Great quotes from Ryan:
God has to ruin my life to get me to realize what I really have.
What God has in store for us has nothing to do with us and everything to do with him.
God had been calling me my whole life.
Resources we mentioned:
Ryan’s website
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Radical by David Platt
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill
Related episodes:
Angus Nelson and the Power of Being in Christ
Heather Oncken and How to Be a Friend
Michelle Lazurek and Learning to Let Go
The post Ryan James Miller and Rediscovering Identity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

302: Sam Feeney and Experiencing God as Father

Sam Feeney is an author, strategist, coach, husband, and father of five. Today, Sam shares with us the paths he meandered as a young man, how everything changed when he met his wife, and what it meant to learn about God as Father. Also, he tells us why his family took a huge leap of faith and moved from Pennsylvania to Colorado. Sam is passionate about helping men grow in their faith and interactions with their families. Sam’s story reminds us that God is one but also three persons and keeping that perspective changes everything.
Listen to Sam’s story on your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Sam shared:
Growing up in Pennsylvania in a Christian family
Resisting faith because it might mean his dad was right
Deciding that he would become a Christian despite of his relationship with his father
Reconnecting with God on summers off during college
How meeting his wife changed him
How learning to be married challenged them
Learning about the Holy Spirit and navigating the ditches
Finding a church that had a good balance of faith in the Trinity
Holding his son helped bring healing
Why the idea of fatherhood is so valuable
Moving to Colorado with his family and the faith it took
Starting a business and his podcast, Made to Thrive
How career affects men and their interactions with their family
Great quotes from Sam:
For a long time I resisted faith because it might mean my dad was right.
If my dad loves me half as much as I love this kid, I’ve undersold him.
If you put eternity in our hearts, we’re looking for where he shows up as soon as possible.
My biggest challenge as a dad is trying to prolong credibility with my kids as long as I can.
Resources we mentioned:
Sam’s website
Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware
Forgotten God – Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan
Extraordinary: The Life You’re Meant to Live by John Bevere
How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil by D.A. Carson
The Life of Trust: The Autobiography of George Müller: With An Introduction by George Müller
Related episodes:
Tim Winders and Redefining Success
Les Hughes and Jon Sanders and the Rise of EntrePastors
Kari Bartkus and the Friendship of Jesus
The post Sam Feeney and Experiencing God as Father appeared first on Eric Nevins.

301: Lisa Appelo and The Lord’s Mercy

Lisa Appelo is a speaker and author including her latest book Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart. Today, Lisa shares how she found faith while growing up in Florida, learning to trust through a financial crisis, and how she called on that trust when her husband died suddenly. She had to learn how to parent as a single mom while dealing with grief and eventually the Lord led her back to writing. Lisa’s story reminds us that the Lord’s mercy isn’t always what we want but is always what we need.
Listen to Lisa’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Lisa shared:
Being a homeschooling mom of seven
Growing up in Florida in a church going family
Struggling with trusting the Bible and being directed to Jesus by a professor
Going to Youth Camp and rededicating her life at camp
Meeting her husband at church in high school and how their faith grew together
Reading the Gospel of John and deciding she would believe
Trusting God through a financial crisis and how God came through
Her husband’s death and how it affected her
Sensing God’s presence and people’s prayers as she picked up the pieces
Learning to parent as a single mom
How 2 Corinthians 10:5 helped her and how she fought the lies of fear
Learning how self-control had become an idol
Deciding to write instead of return to law
Why she wrote Life Can Be Good Again
Great quotes from Lisa:
Lord, do not let this be a mountain top. I want this to be real.
I saw God in ways I never would have otherwise.
When we step out in faith, he never calls us into a deal; he calls us to himself.
Resources we mentioned:
Lisa’s website
Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart by Lisa Appelo
Countdown to Christmas: Unwrap the Christmas Story with Your Family in 15 Days by Lisa Appelo
Related episodes:
Harriett Miller and a Fierce Faith
Tricia Lott Williford and How God Works in the Waiting
Michelle Bengston and Overcoming Anxiety
The post Lisa Appelo and The Lord’s Mercy appeared first on Eric Nevins.