Between Sundays with The Chandlers - Matt Chandler & Lauren Chandler

Latest Episodes:

On Suffering and Sonship Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Josh Turner—pastor, leader, and now author of Into the Storm. Josh’s story is one of unexpected suffering and surprising strength. We talk about his daughter Riley, born with a rare condition, undiagnosed for 12 years, and now living life with courage and clarity most adults don’t have. Josh shares what it was like walking through that pain while pastoring, wrestling with God’s sovereignty, and being forced to reexamine what he actually believed about suffering.

That experience, by the grace of God, moved Josh from being just a servant of God to living like a son. We also dive into the ministry he now leads, 10Ten Project, which helps pastors get healthy before they burn out or blow up. This episode isn’t just for church leaders—it’s for anyone walking through pain, anyone looking for hope, and anyone needing to be reminded: God is doing more than you think He is.

In This Episode

Suffering as a young pastor and preparing the church for it
Josh’s early ministry influences and meeting Matt
The story of Riley’s birth and undiagnosed condition
Wrestling theologically with suffering and God’s sovereignty
Transition from servant to son – a pastor’s identity crisis
Why 10Ten exists: helping pastors finish well
How many pastors are emotionally unaware
Real stories from intensives and ministry breakdowns
A theology of suffering is essential for everyone
Encouragement to those in suffering or leadership burnout

Guest Resources

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Overcoming the Darkness by Nate Pickowicz

This book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons.Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.

On Our Way Home by Colleen Chao

Through Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ.Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Embodied Faith and the Death of Platitudes Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

I sat down with artist, writer and friend Josh Nadeau to explore his path from theological precocity to personal crisis and ultimately, redemptive beauty. Josh shares how growing up steeped in Reformed theology didn’t insulate him from a slow descent into apathy, addiction, spiritual numbness, and walking through life “as a ghost”. It was beauty—raw, embodied, soul-stirring beauty—that woke him up. We talk about deconstruction, embodiment, addiction, the love of God, and why aesthetics — embodied faith — might be what Saints are made from. If you’re barely hanging on or wondering what a holy life could look like beyond checklists, I commend his book Room For Good Things to Run Wild to you.

In This Episode

Growing up “super Christian” and deeply catechized
University: the intellectual wrestling match of faith
Burnout, apathy, and alcohol: five years of slow unraveling
Rock bottom: bourbon at 5am and the call of hidden music
Churchy clichés and the need for something that can bear the weight
The boxing gym: embodied weakness and discipleship
Gnosticism, disembodied faith, and hunger for incarnation
Theology of the Body & rediscovering the sacred in flesh
Becoming a saint: not instant, not easy, but beautiful
God’s love beyond usefulness, the danger of returning to slavery
Why Josh wrote Room for Good Things to Run Wild
Beauty as the apologetic for a disenchanted age
Speaking to the silent middle: the “4 out of 10” Christian life

Guest Resources

Room for Good Things to Run Wild by Josh Nadeau
Josh’s Instagram
Josh’s Substack

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Overcoming the Darkness by Nate Pickowicz

On Our Way Homeby Colleen Chao

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

When One Drink Isn't Enough Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with JP and Ashley Graves—longtime friends and members of our church—with a story that’s both difficult and deeply hopeful. We talk about alcohol—not just as a drink, but as an idol that slowly took the throne in JP’s life and nearly destroyed their marriage. What started as casual drinking turned into dependence, deceit, and despair. Ashley shares what it was like to live with a man she barely recognized, and JP walks us through the moment of surrender that led to healing. This isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about learning to recognize the lies you may be believing and the power of Jesus to meet us in our mess, pull us out, and redeem what feels too far gone. If you’re feeling stuck, ashamed, or maybe you aren’t sure if your drinking is a problem—this episode is for you.

In This Episode

A Fun Marriage with a Hidden Struggle: JP and Ashley share their early faith journeys, how they met, and the beginnings of alcohol use in their marriage.
Numbing with Alcohol Becomes Normal: COVID, cultural norms, and unprocessed pain escalate drinking into full dependency—especially for JP.
Deception, Distance, and Despair: JP begins hiding alcohol, Ashley senses the loss of connection, and both begin living separate lives under one roof.
A Daughter’s Baptism and a Drunken Confession: JP breaks down the night before he’s supposed to baptize their daughter, leading to a confession that changes everything.
Recovery, Rebuilding, and Radical Forgiveness: JP enters counseling and AA. Ashley processes her pain and begins to hope again as God starts to restore.
For the One Who Feels Hopeless: JP and Ashley speak directly to listeners—those stuck in addiction and those silently suffering beside them.

Resources

If you are struggling with alcohol, I want to encourage you to find help. Find a Recovery program at a local church or if you are local to Dallas, Check out Recovery at The Village Church.

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Covenant Eyes

Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change.

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Acts 29

This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Purpose, Identity and Calling Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

I sat down with Luke Lezon and Will Chung to explore how Gen Z and Millennials are wrestling with identity, dignity, and discipleship in a rapidly shifting culture. These young pastors are preaching into cities like Orlando and LA—transient places that offer gospel-sending opportunities—and we unpacked the dangers of comfort culture and over-therapeutic narratives. We talked about how the call to follow Christ includes self-denial, repentance, and mission. Each of us shared stories of wilderness seasons, pastoral burnout, and the deep healing required to lead from wholeness. This is a deep dive into the joys and costs of courageous ministry today. I pray it encourages you — whatever context you’re in.

In This Episode

[02:00] Identity vs. Dignity: Will’s Pastoral Lens
[05:30] Cultural Pressures and Fragile Worth
[06:30] Luke on the “Identity Fair” and a Better Story
[07:45] Gospel Ministry in a Collapsing Secularism
[08:45] Ministering in Transient Cities: Orlando & LA
[10:00] Mission Field Mindsets and “Sending Capacity”
[12:00] Five-Year Discipleship Windows
[14:00] Lies This Generation Believes About God
[17:30] The Overcorrection of Self-Care & Gospel Rest
[21:00] Rest vs. Replenishment: Jefferson Bethke’s Shift
[23:00] Gen Z’s Pain Tolerance & Hunger for Mission
[24:00] Will’s 2020 Breakdown: Performing to Be Enough
[29:00] Depression and Identity
[31:00] Luke’s Story: Betrayal, Leadership, and God’s Timing
[35:00] “Cut Robes, Don’t Kill Kings”: Leading Through Hurt
[38:00] Repentance + Healing = Transformation
[41:00] Therapy, Trauma, and the Gospel of Repentance
[45:00] What Christian Therapy Is—and What It’s Not
[47:00] Courage in the Pulpit: What It Looks Like Now
[50:00] Don’t Be Lazy with the Word: Clarity Over Comfort
[52:00] Hermeneutical Bubbles and Pastoral Cowardice
[54:00] What the Church Needs to Repent Of (Apathy)
[56:00] The Radical Disciple and the Lost Mission
[58:00] Stop Selling Out for Ministry Success
[01:01:00] Hearing from God, Not Social Media
[01:04:00] Final Words + A Call to Spiritual Fathers

Guest Resources

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Acts 29

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Faith in the Workplace Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Marty Bryan—founder of Marty B’s Restaurant—and Eric Loper, a former tech executive turned faith-driven consultant. Together, we dive into what it really looks like to integrate your faith into your business—whether you’re the CEO or just starting out.

Marty shares the story behind Marty B’s, a now nine-restaurant enterprise built on Christian values and radical hospitality. Eric opens up about leaving a high-powered tech role to launch companies that give 100% of their profits to ministry. We talk ambition, humility, leadership, and why bold faith in the workplace might cost you—but is worth it every time.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a manager in a Fortune 500 company, or just trying to live out your faith at work, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode

Why Faith and Business Don’t Need to Be Separate
Marty’s Journey: From Learning the Industry to Owning 9 Restaurants
Eric’s Story: Leaving Big Tech to Build Kingdom-Focused Ventures
Integrating Faith in a Hospitality Business
Men’s and Women’s Bible Breakfasts at Marty B’s
Starting Worship Nights and Staying Bold
Ambition, Ego, and Kingdom Impact
Building Team and Culture Through Hospitality
Handling Pushback, Staying Faithful
Being Salt and Light in Secular Workplaces
Prayer as a Witness in the Workplace
Culture Building: Alignment and Drift
Systems, Structure, and Knowing Your Strengths
Truth Telling as a Cultural Foundation

Resources Mentioned

First Liberty Institute – Legal help for religious freedom cases
Marty B’s Restaurants

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Moody Publishers

Find Grace Beyond Salvation and I Choose Joy wherever you get your books or at Moodypublishers.com

Acts 29

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Caring Well for Others Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

This is a sobering yet hope-filled episode. I sit down with Summer Vinson Berger and Adam Paa to discuss the pain, complexity, and redemptive potential of shepherding care in the local church. From owning massive failures in 2015 to building a robust, gospel-centered care framework at The Village Church, we discuss stories, strategies, and heartfelt convictions about what real, redemptive care looks like when the church chooses humility over image.

Whether you’re walking through trauma, burnout, addiction, or just longing for your church to care better—you’ll find wisdom and honesty here. This episode is a call to take the mess seriously, to listen better, and to believe that Jesus still heals through His body.

In This Episode

The Weight of Shepherding
2015: Owning the Failures of Care
Introducing Summer Berger and Adam Paa
Building a Comprehensive Care Ministry
What Is Redemptive Care?
Why Recovery Must Stay Messy
The Three Buckets of Recovery
Ministry through Recovery: A Front Door to the Church
Integrating Gospel and Therapy
Psychology Catching Up to Scripture
Gratitude, Paul, and Neuroscience
Common Grace and Counseling
When Churches Resist Therapeutic Tools
Why Shepherding Is So Complex
Trust, Time, and Trauma Recovery
The Risk of Mislabeling Problems
The Weight and Cost of Church Hurt
Training Churches to Respond Better
A Call to Action for Pastors and the Broken

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Moody Publishers

Find Grace Beyond Salvation and I Choose Joy wherever you get your books or at Moodypublishers.com

Acts 29

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

A Word for Tired Church Planters Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Today I unpack the gritty, grace-filled realities of planting churches with three faithful men—Ronnie, Travis, and Spencer—who are living it right now. We talk about the surprising slowness of fruit, the wounds of unmet expectations, and the refining power of suffering. We also celebrate the deep friendships, family sacrifices, and the sacred calling of building from scratch. Whether you’re dreaming of planting, deep in the trenches, or a church member wondering how to help—this one will stir your heart and steady your hands.

In This Episode

Why Church Planting Still Matters
First-Year Surprises: Slow Growth, Big Work
Vision Matters More Than You Think
Heart Maintenance in the Hustle
Questioning the Call: When Doubt Creeps In
Family and Friendship on the Frontlines
When Kids Feel the Cost
Paper Cuts and Perseverance
God's Provision in Scarcity
The Power of Sending Churches
Preaching and Leading from the Trenches
A Word for the Weary Planter
A Call to the Comfortable: Join the Work

Resources Mentioned

Book: Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer - https://a.co/d/dij4kT2

Organizations & Networks:

NAMB (North American Mission Board) – namb.net
Send Network – sendnetwork.com
Acts 29 Church Planting Network – acts29.com

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Finishing Well with Ray Ortlund and Crawford Loritts Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

This episode is special to me. I sit down with two of my heroes in the faith—Ray Ortlund and Crawford Loritts. These men have been anchors for me in moments of doubt and discouragement, and I wanted to ask them the questions that most pastors eventually ask themselves: How do you stay faithful for the long haul? How do you finish well when so many don't? We talk about the rhythms that sustained them over decades, the call of ministry that’s far more than a career, and what it looks like to fight pride and pursue humility every single day. We also dive deep into marriage, legacy, and the sacredness of being a pastor. If you're in the trenches—especially in your 20s to 40s—this one's for you. I want to finish well, and I know you do too.

In This Episode

[02:00] Rhythms That Sustain the Soul
[05:00] The Call of God vs. a Career in Ministry
[08:00] Shepherding, Not Hiring: A Vision for Pastoral Ministry
[13:00] The Crisis of Calling in a Careerist Culture
[16:00] The Tragedy of Falling Away
[20:00] Discerning the Dangers in Different Seasons
[25:00] Kill the Lion: Confronting Sin Early
[30:00] The Deception of Success
[33:00] The Call to Vulnerability and Brotherhood
[36:00] Marriage, Legacy, and Intimacy
[40:00] Cultivating Lifelong Love with Your Spouse
[45:00] Final Encouragement: Stay Low, Stay Faithful

Resources

Finishing Strong by Steve Farrar
Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Warrior Wounds and Gospel Hope May 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with three close friends—Zack Brown, Kasey Brown, and PJ Kratohvil—all veterans who served overseas in the Army and Marines. We unpack what life in the military gave them, what it took, and how faith became the thread that started to stitch them back together. From life growing up to the trauma of combat, and from isolation to post-traumatic growth, this conversation is raw, redemptive, and real. If you’ve ever wondered how to care well for the veterans in your life—or if you're a veteran yourself looking for hope—this one’s for you.

In This Episode

[00:00] Meet Zach, Casey, and PJ: Army and Marine Corps Vets
[03:00] Church Kids with No Relationship: How Faith Rekindled in Combat
[07:00] Not Called to Be Good Men: Deconstructing Religious Misconceptions
[10:00] Gold and Shadow: What Military Life Taught Them
[16:00] Isolation After Return: Why Veterans Struggle in Civilian Life
[22:00] Surface-Level Friendships and the Mission That’s Missing
[26:00] War, Guilt, and God’s Grace: Wrestling with Moral Injury
[31:00] Misconceptions About Vets and What They Really Need
[36:00] “You're Not Special”: The Lie of Isolation and the Need for Brotherhood
[41:00] Welcome Home, Not Just Thank You: Honoring Veterans Well
[44:00] Jobs, Purpose, and the Path to Healing
[47:00] Faith and Freedom: How Jesus Heals the Warrior’s Heart
[54:00] Organizations on the Frontlines of Veteran Healing

Resources

Books

On Combat by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
On Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
On Spiritual Combat by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
Tribe by Sebastian Junger

Veteran Support Organizations

TRG (Therapeutic Recreation Group)
Website
Instagram
Denton County MVPN (Military Veteran Peer Network)
Website
Victory Therapy Center
Website
GallantFew (provides free counseling for veterans)
Website
Casualties of War (Founded by Zack Brown)
Website

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Communio

Communio is not another program. It’s a non-profit organization that comes alongside churches, training and equipping them to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family. Family structure is key for passing on faith to children, yet 72 percent of churches lack significant relationship ministry. That’s where Communio comes in. Communio has worked with hundreds of churches across the country. These churches have seen divorce rates drop – attendance rise – weekly generosity increase – and marriage and family bonds restored.

Visit: communio.org/overcomers to learn more about the Communio impact and how Communio can come alongside your church.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Why Elders Matter May 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with Mason King and Nick Crawford—two of my fellow elders at The Village—to talk about plurality. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s biblical, and because it has been a safeguard in my ministry. Early on, I had all the power, all the control—and I knew it. It was efficient, it was fast, and it was dangerous. So we talk about why one-man leadership is a bad idea, what true elder plurality actually looks like, and how it’s protected us, humbled us, and served the body over the years. If you’re planting a church, rethinking leadership, or just wondering how to build something that lasts—this one’s for you.

In This Episode

[03:00] The Biblical Case for Plurality
[06:00] Why We Avoid Plurality
[12:00] What Plurality Has Given Us
[16:00] Shield-to-Shield Leadership
[21:00] How We Choose Elders
[30:00] When Plurality Prevents Church Hurt
[38:00] Signs of Fake Plurality
[43:00] First Steps Toward Plurality
[49:00] Final Encouragements to Young Leaders

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Communio

Visit: communio.org/overcomers to learn more about the Communio impact and how Communio can come alongside your church.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co