The Big Top

Latest Episodes:

Episode 24: Male and Female Friendships with Craig Flack May 09, 2019

Show notes

“Avoidance is not a boundary. It’s a wall. Half of my church is female. If I don’t have women in my life helping to shape my thinking then they will feel voiceless.” -Pastor Craig Flack

How do we have healthy male-female friendships in our adult life? Is it possible? What about in the church context? God has given us brothers and sisters and He is the Father. But how do we do it well? What do we lose and what do we gain with having coed relationships or not having them? Let’s talk wisdom, good boundaries, laws, and the spirit. Aaaand let’s talk about Lori’s new job and Amy’s new book! All the things. We think you’re going to love this one!

Episode 23: Forgiveness with Steve Rieske Mar 28, 2019

Show notes

“As soon as I say: When another person changes, then I can finally be Ok, I just farmed out my well being into some else’s life.” - Steve Rieske, pastor and counselor. How often do we do that? Put our well-being into someone else’s hands? Bank our ability to be OK on someone else changing? All. The. Time. So what do we do with this thinking, with forgiveness, with reconciliation, with all the relationship exchanges? We brought on our dear friend Steve Rieske to talk all about this topic. And we all need it. You know what else you need? To laugh about what kind of pool you might want to jump in if it was filled with something besides water. Like mayo. You never know what kind of laughing and learning you’ll come across under The Big Top but we think you’ll love it!

In the fall of 2019, Steve became the full-time Lead Teaching Pastor at Brookside Church and he has been involved with Brookside since its creation, serving in multiple roles including as an Elder. In addition to serving Brookside, Steve served with the college ministry CRU since 1999. Steve holds an undergraduate degree from Ohio University and in 2014 received his Masters of Arts and Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. Steve and his wife Sandy were married in 1997 and have three children (Narnia, Danny, and Jack).

Episode 22: Slow Growth in a Fast World with Amy and Lori Mar 14, 2019

Show notes

Would you rather be an olympic athlete or The U.S. President? TOUGH CALL. Also. Just as importantly, how do we have good, slow growth in our life in our fast paced world? What’s been a hard but really good practice that is actually changing your life? Why? Amy and Lori share their recent practices for growth in the middle of their jobs, their family life, their dreams. This one is SUPER practical - you’ll walk away with some great ideas!

Some references from the show: The Good and Beautiful God and Dallas Willard’s Triangle for Spiritual Growth

Episode 21: Tackling Tough Topics: Marriage & Family with Krista Cassell Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

“The unfortunate thing is that married couples come in about ten years too late.” This is a consistent pattern that marriage and family life coach and counselor Krista Cassell is seeing in our marriage culture. Why is that? What is the first step back toward one another when contempt has crept in? Let’s talk! Also. We’ll talk about double bacon croissants, saltwater cleanses, and eroded trust in marriages and rebuilding that trust! All completely related, obviously.

Krista Cassell is a Board Certified Biblical Counselor (BCBC) and Board Certified Christian Life Coach (BCLC) who graduated from Light University with a Masters diploma in Biblical Counseling, specializing in adolescents. She received her Board Certification in both counseling and coaching through the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Although Krista counsels and coaches families and individuals in all walks of life, she is most passionate about working with hurting families struggling with difficult relationship and behavioral issues. Her passion developed through her personal experience within her own family. Having a child with a mis-diagnosed neurobiological disorder for many years, she has a heartfelt interest in helping families who share the same struggles and want to seek restoration and healing. Krista is trained in the Love and Logic parenting curriculum, which provides practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children.

Bonus Episode 20: Valentine's Day on Sex & Marriage Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

It’s Valentine’s Day! So we put together a good, honest bonus episode about marriage and sex. Nothing is off limits under The Big Top. Today we have a bonus guest with us as well, none other than Pastor Craig Flack. He is the Teaching Pastor at Celina First Church of God and we have had him on before to tackle some tough topics. We love his candid, funny, and God-honoring nature. We talk about why sex seems so very complicated, what we can do to improve this sacred space, and what Craig (from his years of pastoral marital counseling) sees as some steps we can take to redeem the broken places.

Episode 19: Tackling Tough Topics: Racial Reconciliation Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

If ever we needed to tackle a tough topic, this is it. We can do this, friends. We have to do this. Let’s talk. And we have THE best woman to talk to. Mika Karikari graciously discusses racial healing and reconciliation on this episode of The Big Top. She has fight, she has brains, she has grace. Also. She has thoughts. Particularly on either kangaroos or koalas. It’s all about the pockets. DO not miss this one! But truly, we share fails and wins, she shares heartbreaking realities, and we all pitch in and discuss steps forward for every one of us. Prepare your heart and tune in.

Mika is a 30 something who loves Jesus, her husband, baking, hugs, writing, coffee and her beloved hometown of Cincinnati. Professionally, she works in higher education and enjoys being part of student's collegiate journey. She is also a current doctoral candidate whose research is focused on Black women and leadership. When not working you can find Mika baking, reading for fun, or watching sports with her hubby.

Mika’s references and resources:

The Danger of a Single Story TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh- This oldie but goodie is a written work that every white person should read.

Racial Microagressions in Everyday Life by Dr. Sue- Although this article is in the context of clinical practice, it does an excellent job of addressing microaggressions in an accessible way.

The Hate you Give by Angie Thomas- Great fiction book that addresses relevant race issues in America. It also was made into a movie.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely- Great fiction book that addresses police brutality from the perspective of both a white boy and a Black boy.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult- Her website includes questions that are great prompts to having an honest conversation about race

Bonus Episode: New Year's Resolutions! Jan 01, 2019

Show notes

Happy New Year! You did it. 2018 is gone and we are facing a brand spanking new year. This quick bonus episode has some shenanigans, reflections, rainbow trout discussions, and resolutions. How do we reconcile the past resolutions we’ve broken? What does it even mean to resolve? Listen to Amy and Lori’s plans and resolutions for themselves and their family this new year!

Episode 17 | Tackling Tough Topics: Emotional Risk Factors and God's Protective Factors with Lorianna Joos Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Bananas for fingers or bananas for toes? You be the judge. AND just as importantly, let’s tackle another tough topic. What emotional risk factors do you have in light of your history, family of origin, your personality? How does this affect your daily life? And where does God come into all of that? And what do you actually do about it all? All this and more in our conversation with the lovely and lively Lorianna Joos, who gives us extremely practical advice in this area. You are going to adore her!

She is a licensed counselor who has been practicing for 11 years and has experience working with relationship issues, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, anger, domestic violence, obsessions, grief and loss, trauma, sexually maladaptive behaviors, substance use, family counseling, couples counseling, premarital counseling, teenagers, and children. She has taught various workshops on emotional healing, boundaries, healthy relationships, and surviving trauma. She currently serves as a licensed counselor with A Renewed Mind in Perrysburg

Episode 16 | Tackling Tough Topics: Raise Your Voice with Kathy Khang Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

Do you ever feel like an imposter? Like someone is going to figure out that you aren’t really who you are? That you can’t really do what you have set out to do? It’s a real thing, a real fear. The Imposter Syndrome is just ONE of the places we go on this amazing episode. We are tackling tough topics, y’all and we got one of THE best on the show today. You may have heard her on Jen Hatmaker’s For The Love podcast recently as her latest book was released, “Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up.” She KILLS it on exploring finding your voice, failing as you go, and raising it up in confidence. You are NOT going to want to miss this.

Episode 15 | Tackling Tough Topics: Anger with Lori and Amy Nov 16, 2018

Show notes

What does an extra toe, the butter to potato ratio in mashed potatoes, and throwing shoes have in common? THIS episode! We are talking Thanksgiving AND tackling tough topics. Today: Anger, among other shenanigans. If there’s one topic we could talk for days about, it’s anger. But let’s be clear. We aren’t here to rant. We are here to recognize anger and reel it in. So what do we get angry about? What does it look like? And how do we manage this every day common emotion? Let’s talk anger. And resources. And tips and tricks. One of Amy’s favorite books on this topic (along with counseling!) is Controlling Your Anger Before It Controls You by Gregory Jantz. We are certain everyone can relate to this episode, no matter your stage of life or your season. Enjoy!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected