Deep Spirituality

Latest Episodes:

Gen Z Expert: Why Your Identity Isn’t About Being Liked | Dr. Tanita Maddox Aug 30, 2026

Show notes

If you've ever wondered whether Gen Z still wants anything to do with God, this conversation is for you. Dr. Tanita Maddox, Gen Z expert and the National Director for Generational Impact at Young Life, has spent 26 years on the front lines of Gen Z ministry, and what she taught me about talking to Gen Z about God completely reframed how I see this generation — and it's the most hopeful conversation I've had in a long time.

We dig into why relationships — not statistics, not sermons, not slick programs — are still the doorway into faith for young people. Tanita shares the three things Gen Z says makes them actually feel listened to, why so many of them trust a stranger on TikTok more than the adults in their own home, and the surprising reason AI is becoming a competing spiritual authority in their lives. We also talk honestly about why being comfortable with being uncomfortable might be the most important skill we can give our kids — and ourselves.

This one is for parents wondering how to reach their teenager, for pastors wondering why Gen Z church attendance doesn't always translate into real faith, and for anyone who's ever felt rejected while trying to love someone well. There is so much hope found in this conversation, and I think you're going to walk away encouraged, equipped, and ready to show up differently in the lives of the young people God has placed around you.

TANITA'S LINKS:

Website — https://tanitamaddox.com/
Book — https://a.co/d/0btS5MXa

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Meet Dr. Tanita Maddox & Her Heart for Gen Z
08:14 - Why Relationships Open Every Door to Faith
20:06 - Trust Lives in People, Not Institutions
26:19 - Answering the Questions They're Actually Asking
30:53 - How to Truly Listen to Your Kids
37:08 - Is AI Becoming a Spiritual Guide?
45:30 - Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
51:08 - The Power of Just Showing Up

SCRIPTURES:

1 Corinthians 9:22 NASB95
Psalm 22:30 NLT
Psalm 71:18 NIV
Acts 13:36 NIV
Exodus 33:11 TLB
2 Timothy 3:10 NIV

How Reading the Bible Lowers Anxiety, According To Research | John Plake Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

What if I told you there's hard data proving the Bible is changing lives right now — not someday, not in theory, but measurably, scientifically, today? Dr. John Plake from the American Bible Society joins me to unpack the research behind Bible engagement and mental health. Honestly, it left me smiling.

Dr. Plake leads the State of the Bible study—the longest-running research on how Americans engage with Scripture—and what he's found is genuinely hopeful. People who are deeply engaged with the Bible show lower anxiety, lower traumatic stress, and higher hope than those who aren't. Harvard's Human Flourishing Study confirms it. Gen Zers, who statistically struggle the most with anxiety and depression, look completely different when they're Scripture engaged — like they've unlocked something their peers haven't found yet.

We also dig into the real barrier holding people back: it's not desire, it's guidance. Millions of people want to read the Bible but don't know where to start, what translation to pick, or how to make sense of it. Dr. Plake breaks down practical first steps—from finding the right translation to using audio and video to build a consistent habit—so we can turn curiosity into a life-giving relationship with Scripture. If you've ever picked up a Bible and felt lost, this episode is your on-ramp.

JOHN’S LINKS:

State of the Bible → https://sotb.americanbible.org
American Bible Society → https://www.americanbible.org
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanBibleSociety

SCRIPTURES SHARED:

Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV
John 10:10 NIV
Hebrews 4:12 NIV

CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Trailer
01:03 — The Data Behind a Life-Changing Book
05:02 — Why Accessibility Matters More Than "The Right" Translation
11:00 — You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
12:28 — Inside America's Curiosity Wave
23:24 — What the Fastest-Growing Group Can Teach Us All
40:49 — The Well-Being Breakthrough: Hope, Resilience, and Science
47:41 — Rebuilding Real Community, One Honest Step at a Time

The Empowered Parent: Raising a Child With ADHD With Hope and Direction | Ryan Wexelblatt Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

The best podcasts don’t just inform you. They hold up a mirror.

That’s what happened the first time I listened to Ryan Wexelblatt, founder of ADHD Dude, licensed social worker, and one of the clearest voices on parenting I’ve ever encountered. I was ten minutes in before I started laughing at myself. Not because he was funny. Because he was right.

I knew I had to get him on the Spiritual Frontier.

Here’s the reality: 1 in 9 American children, 7 million kids, are carrying an ADHD diagnosis. Behind that number are millions of parents who love their children fiercely and were never handed a map. That’s not a failure. That’s simply where we begin.

Here’s a number that stopped me cold: 40% of parents want to be the fun parent. Only 7% want to be seen as strict. But Ryan helped me see what I’d been missing. We’ve confused strictness with structure, and they are not the same thing. Strictness controls a child. Structure sets one free. For a child with ADHD, structure isn’t a cage. It’s the scaffolding they climb to become who they’re capable of being.

Ryan doesn’t avoid the difficult. He explains and inspires. That’s his gift. He trades guesswork for what the evidence actually shows: how to read your child’s big emotions instead of fearing them, how to stop rescuing and start equipping, how to raise a child who learns they are capable rather than helpless.

This is one of the most enjoyable, inspiring, and detailed episodes I’ve ever produced. Maybe the best yet. Not because it will make you feel you’ve gotten it wrong, but because you’ll walk away believing you can get it right.

Don’t miss it.

RYAN WEXELBLATT:

Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, is a licensed social worker, ADHD specialist, and founder of ADHD Dude. An expert in behavior management and executive functioning, Ryan combines clinical expertise with his personal experience to help families replace daily chaos with structural discipline, resilience, and real-world independence.

RYAN'S LINKS:

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDDude
Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/7xATyVhNZU3abIejNIggvD?si=f06f32163dc04dcb
Website → https://www.adhddude.com/

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPIRITUAL FRONTIER:

Deep Spirituality → https://deepspirituality.com/the-spiritual-frontier/
Substack → https://spiritualfrontier.substack.com/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Trailer
00:51 - ADHD Is Not an Attention Problem
04:12 - The #1 Mistake in Every ADHD Household
08:38 - "Parental Accommodation" Is Making It Worse
13:01 - Why Your ADHD Kid Ignores Lectures
15:56 - Why Individual Therapy Alone Doesn't Work
25:42 - Stop Making ADHD Their Identity
28:56 - How to Build Real Confidence (Not Reassurance)
36:04 - Scaffolding: Teaching Kids to Do It Themselves

The Spiritual Frontier: Faith, Courage & the Life You Were Made to Live Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

There are places in life most of us are afraid to go.

The unknown. The unpredictable. The dreams we’ve quietly stopped believing in. The versions of ourselves we’ve glimpsed but never fully become. These are spiritual struggles. And they’re exactly where the most important growth happens.

That’s The Spiritual Frontier.

It’s not a place on a map. It’s the courageous decision to stop letting fear write the story of our lives and to start trusting that God has something extraordinary waiting on the other side of our hesitation. Proverbs 29:18 says it plainly: “Without vision, people perish.” The Spiritual Frontier exists to give us that vision back.

And it’s for everyone. Whether you’re deeply rooted in faith or just beginning to wonder if there’s something more, you belong here.

The Spiritual Frontier includes essays and podcast episodes that will go deep into faith and God—that’s the heartbeat of everything I do. But it won’t stop there. We’ll bring in researchers, psychiatrists, and business leaders. We’ll talk about developing the faith to conquer the things that are real and complex in our lives—like grief, leadership, disabilities, and more. God is the source of all wisdom and understanding, and he wants to fully equip us to be the best we can be in every area of our lives.

I’m learning as I go. I’m overcoming my own fears in real time. And I’m inviting you to come with me.

Watch the video above for my full launch message, where I share exactly what this new chapter is, where it’s headed, and what’s coming in the very first episode. (Spoiler: it might be the best one I’ve ever made.)

The frontier is waiting.

Let’s go.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPIRITUAL FRONTIER:

On Deep Spirituality → deepspirituality.com/subscribe

On Substack → spiritualfrontier.org

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - The Courage to Cross the Frontier
00:37 - Welcome to The Spiritual Frontier
01:03 - Why We Made This Easier to Access
01:46 - Faith Means Facing the Impossible
02:18 - The Vision That Changes Everything
02:39 - Experts, Psychology & No Gatekeeping
04:34 - The ADHD Episode That Changes Everything

Spiritual Lessons on Resilience From Two Elite Athletes Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Is your independence actually your biggest weakness? In football, a player left on an "island" is a liability. In life, a man who isolates himself is dangerous—to himself and everyone around him.

In this episode of the Deep Spirituality Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Ross (Former Cal & NFL Receiver) and BJ Jones (Cal Football Linebacker) to decode the "internal game" of elite athletes. We move beyond the clichés of "grinding" to explore how the high-pressure crucible of sports accelerates character growth and why you cannot win the battles of life without a team.

If you are tired of fighting your battles alone or struggling to maintain focus when things get hard, this conversation provides lessons on resilience and building internal strength that lasts.

About Our Guests:

Jeremy Ross: Former Cal and NFL receiver (Packers, Lions, Patriots) who now mentors athletes on faith, resilience, and identity through '7 Mind and Body.'
BJ Jones: Bishop O'Dowd alum and Cal Linebacker who champions neurodiversity and empowers athletes through inclusive E-Football programs.

Check out Jeremy's website! → 7mindandbody.com

Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NASB
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
Matthew 7:24-27 TLB

► SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:55 - Run with purpose

04:00 - How you got started in sports

10:02 - The importance of playing outside

13:47 - How physical training reveals your heart

18:10 - Building culture in family and football

22:57 - How sports can help young people build character

29:04 - Sports builds friendships

44:24 - What churches can learn from sports

53:25 - Managing ADHD

01:00:30 - 7 Mind and Body

Journeying Together: Finding Spiritual Community in a Lonely World Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Spirituality, Russ Ewell chats with Matt McChlery about why picking up a book is actually a "rebellion" for your soul in a world of endless scrolling. After interviewing nearly 100 authors, Matt has seen firsthand how the power of story helps us connect with God far better than a dry lecture ever could.

They get real about authenticity, sharing that we need to drop the "perfect Christian" mask and be honest about our messy journeys. Matt even opens up about his own battle with cancer, explaining that when we share our "storms," it creates "light through the cracks" for everyone else. To wrap things up, they talk about the magic of music—how it gets into the gaps of our hearts to take us straight to God—and why every community should celebrate its own unique "sound".

Check out Matt! → https://www.mattmcchlery.com/
Matt's podcast, Christian Book Blurb → https://open.spotify.com/show/32gv1Rl6HFBneRMygfjzM2
Matt's books → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-McChlery/author/B09L4YQGCL

Scriptures:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV
Philippians 1:30 NLT
1 Corinthians 12:13 TLB
John 13:35 BSB
John 17:23 NLT
1 John 5:2 TPT

► SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Matt McChlery

02:30 - The power of pages

08:11 - The power of story when we read

16:24 - Promo: Why we're talking more about AI than God

17:32 - Insights from 98 Christian author interviews

22:39 - Struggle is normal, ditch the perfect performance

30:46 - Why we should journey together in faith

37:43 - Promo: The Kingdom of Change

38:54 - Why music is part of our spiritual journey

42:33 - What every worship leader should know

50:12 - Find and follow Matt McChlery

From Fragile to Firm: The Spiritual Mechanics of Building Resilience Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Zack and Becky Mariscal return to the Deep Spirituality Podcast to discuss the "spiritual mechanics" of resilience. Their story reveals how internal strength is forged through profound suffering, moving from a place of human fragility to firm faith.

This episode will help you shift your perspective on current troubles—not by ignoring them, but by learning how to fix your gaze on the unseen. Whether you are facing a health crisis or navigating the "ups and downs" of life, you will walk away with a meaning-making framework for resilience and the inspiration to turn toward God instead of shutting down.

► SUBSCRIBE: ⁠https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1⁠

Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV
Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NLT
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
Romans 15:4 NASB
Psalm 46:1-3 NASB95
Psalm 77:19 NLT

Chapters:

00:00 - Optimistic resilience

01:56 - How does your knowledge of God increase your resilience?

08:16 - How breaking up made us stronger.

21:44 - What young men can do.

26:09 - How do you stay joyful in suffering?

32:30 - Ad: Kingdom of Prayer

33:24 - Take initiative in relationships

40:05 - How what we go through can help others

50:51 - Wrap up

Before & After Cancer: How Our Relationship with God Transformed | Zack & Becky Mariscal Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

What happens when your "perfect" life is upended by a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis at just 17 years old? In our latest episode, Zack and Becky Mariscal join the podcast to share their incredible journey of faith, wrestling with God, and finding a love that endures the unthinkable.

Whether you are walking through your own "wilderness" or supporting someone who is, this story is a powerful testament to the God who heals the brokenhearted and carries us through the storm.

🎧 Listen now to find hope in the struggle.

Scriptures:

Genesis 32:24,28 NIV
Luke 7:47 Voice
Isaiah 6:5 NIV
Titus 2:12 NIV
Acts 2:38 NIV
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 NIV
Exodus 3:10-12 NASB95
Psalm 56:8 NLT
Psalm 126:5-6 NLT
Psalm 147:3 NLT

► SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1

Chapters:

00:00 - Zack and Becky Mariscal

01:52 - Wrestling with God

04:58 - When they became Christians

08:29 - How do you handle the struggles of being a Christian as a teenager

14:14 - What young men can learn from others

19:03 - Getting sick and starting to date

27:03 - How God moved through the struggle

31:29 - The shock and trials of being diagnosed with cancer

46:01 - The scriptures reveal how the spirit brings us through difficulty

52:04 - Why God wants us to just show up sometimes

56:36 - God brings us through our sufferings to our destiny

****

#DeepSpirituality #FaithJourney #CancerSurvivor #RelationshipGoals #GodIsReal #HopeInTheStruggle #PodcastRecommendation

Desperate Prayers | Scripture Playlists Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Desperation is a feeling that no one really likes, but our willingness to admit that we are desperate is the key to experiencing God’s supernatural power. Desperation opens our hearts and makes room for God to move in ways that go far beyond our wildest dreams.

In this scripture playlist, we’ll go from denial to desperation so that God can turn the impossible into the inevitable.

Scriptures referenced:

Psalm 34:6 MSG
James 4:2 ERV
Mark 11:25 ERV
Psalm 66:18-20 NIV
Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG
Psalm 5:1-3 TPT
Psalm 77:2 AMP
Psalm 86:1 TPT
Psalm 107:6 CEB
Jeremiah 29:11-13 TPT
Isaiah 55:6 TPT
Matthew 6:5-6 MSG
Revelation 3:20 ERV

(00:00) Introduction and Welcome

(01:31) Four reasons we don’t pray desperate prayers

(04:06) After clearing our heart, we can pray

(05:26) Powerful prayers unlock a powerful future

(06:58) Desperate prayers start with simple steps

(08:30) Outro and credits

Can Faith Survive a World Ruled by Algorithms? | Zach Leighton Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

The greatest battle of our age is spiritual. Long before Silicon Valley and algorithms, Jesus warned us that our way of seeing determines our way of being. But today, our "lamp is our screen," and the algorithms behind it are engineered to disciple us, shaping our reactions, emotions, and identity.

In this profound conversation, Russ Ewell and Zach Leighton (Reliant Media Group) dive deep into the spiritual crisis of the digital age. They discuss the difference between conforming to the world's patterns and being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Zachary Leighton → Reliant Creative: https://reliantcreative.org/

Zach Leighton, founder of Reliant Media Group, empowers churches and nonprofits with story-driven, digital media strategies that deepen connection and build community. With expertise in brand development he helps ministries share their unique stories in a way that resonates and drives lasting impact.

Scriptures:

Luke 11:34-36 Voice
Romans 12:2 NIV
Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Romans 5:3-4 NIV
Revelation 12:11 NIV

► SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1

Chapters:

00:00 Coming up
01:29 Algorithm of faith introduction
06:13 What is Reliant Creative?
08:01 Why churches are slow to change
13:13 Why we run to social media
19:28 [Ad] Deep Spirituality Newsletter
20:51 What do churches have to invest in to tell their story
30:01 What story does the average Christian need to tell?
39:14 [Ad] Deep Spirituality Newsletter
40:22 Why does the story speak to our soul?
54:03 Reliant Creative + Outro

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