Hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by author, coach, and consultant J.R. Briggs for a thought-provoking conversation on the art of crafting questions. Drawing from his new book and years of research, Briggs helps us explore the life-giving power of questions—not just as a way to learn, but as a path to deeper connection with God, greater self-understanding, and more authentic relationships with others.

Briggs shares personal stories of his father modeling curiosity and the impact it had on his own spiritual journey, and considers the hundreds of questions Jesus asked as relayed in the gospels. The author invites us to see questioning as central to faith, including a fascinating Jewish tradition in which questions about Scripture take precedence over finding answers. Whether you're a church leader, a parent, or simply someone seeking to better love your neighbor, this episode will encourage you to embrace curiosity and thoughtful inquiry as a vital spiritual practice.

Stay tuned for practical tips on building your own “back pocket” questions, and insights into the possibility that better questions can foster genuine hospitality and relational connection in today’s world.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. The Transformative Power of Questions
   Asking good questions—of God, ourselves, and others—has a profound impact on the quality of our lives. Briggs suggests that questions are not just tools for gathering information, but actually transformative, helping us to reflect, connect, and grow. He traces the influence of his father’s question-asking, and points to Jesus as a continual question-asker.
2. Questions Foster Relationships and Hospitality
   Especially when asked with the right motive and at the right time, questions can be an act of hospitality and love.They create space for relational intimacy, make people feel seen and valued, and can be healing in a world marked by loneliness and division. Briggs underscores that questions are often a greater gift than answers, and essential for loving our neighbors well.
3. We Learn Best in Community and Through Wrestling with Scripture
   The Jewish practice of “havruta” (studying Scripture through questions in a communal setting) is introduced, showing how generating questions together deepens engagement and learning. Wrestling with passages through curiosity rather than rushing to answers can unlock new perspectives and foster spiritual growth.

Resources:

• The Art of Better Questions - J.R. Briggs: https://a.co/d/0bcUwPQQ
• Together - Vivek Murthy: https://a.co/d/0dhyHKhe
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scazzero: https://a.co/d/02A89zeE
• Havruta (Jewish Practice of Communal Question Asking)
• The Sabbath - Abraham Joshua Heschel: https://a.co/d/0iAPfIXy
• God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism - Abraham Joshua Heschel: https://a.co/d/07VTnR3J

Timestamps:

00:00 "The Power of Better Questions"

03:23 "The Gift of Asking Questions"

07:47 "God: The Ultimate Question Asker"

11:02 "Havruta: Learning Through Questions"

13:47 "Fascinating Questions on Isaac"

18:16 "Who Do You Say I Am?"

20:36 "Equipping for Monday Mission"

23:01 "The Power of Good Questions"

27:10 Spiritual and Emotional Maturity Journey

32:28 "Questions That Spark Deep Insight

33:35 "Deep Questions for Connection"

36:57 "Window Washing"

On this episode of theFormed.life, hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman sit down with renowned architect David Greusel, founder of Convergence Design, for a conversation that redefines what it means to be creative, no matter your profession. With over 40 years of experience, from humble beginnings detailing grease factories to designing iconic baseball stadiums like PNC Park in Pittsburgh, David Greusel shares how every act of work—whether sketching with ink or crafting a spreadsheet—mirrors the creative nature of our Creator.

Together, they explore how spiritual formation, the biblical mandate to make something more of God’s good world, and the joy of meaningful work can shine through in grand architectural projects and the everyday tasks we tend to overlook. Whether you're crunching numbers, parenting, or shaping city skylines, this episode offers fresh insight into how we can all embrace our role as creators, designed to bring beauty, order, and flourishing to the spaces and places we touch. Get ready to see your own work in a whole new light!

3 Main Takeaways:
1. Everyone Is Creative and Called to Create
David Greusel firmly rejects the idea that only certain people are creative. He points out that creativity is inherent to everyone, whether it's expressed by designing a building, crafting a memo, or putting together a spreadsheet. As humans made in the image of the Creator, we all participate in creativity, regardless of our vocation.

2. Our Work is a Spiritual Discipline and Fulfillment of the Cultural Mandate
The episode explores how any work or vocation is both a means of spiritual formation and a way to participate in God's ongoing creation. David Greusel discusses how the iterations, frustrations, and disciplines of his profession shape his character, just as spiritual disciplines do. The conversation connects this directly back to the “cultural mandate” from Genesis, highlighting our shared calling to take the world’s raw materials and shape them into something meaningful.

3. Design and Place Matter: Loving Our Neighbor Through Our Work
Through stories from his career (notably designing PNC Park in Pittsburgh), David Greusel illustrates how thoughtful design can help people love their cities and neighbors better. Paying attention to the particularities of place and the needs of others can become a way to serve family and community and reflect God's love in the world.

Resources:
- The Art of The Spreadsheet: https://comment.org/the-art-of-the-spreadsheet/
- Sidewalks in the Kingdom - Eric Jacobsen: https://a.co/d/7YboNIp
- From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of - Technology - John Dyer: https://a.co/d/49FkNU7
- Grand River Center (Convention Center, Dubuque, Iowa) - David Greusel (Architectural Project): https://www.grandrivercenter.com/
- PNC Park (Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - David Greusel (Architectural Project): https://www.mlb.com/pirates/ballpark
- Daikin Park [Formerly MinuteMaid Park, (Stadium, Houston, Texas)] - David Greusel (Architectural Project): https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark

Timestamps:
00:00 Faith and Architecture Journey
05:40 "Architecture and Spiritual Disciplines"
07:07 "Frustrations Shape Architectural Growth"
10:13 "Design: Transforming Earth's Resources"
14:35 "Bezalel and Oholiab's Calling"
19:06 PNC Park: Privacy Meets Beauty
23:14 "Buildings That Reflect Their Place"
24:41 "Designing Dubuque's Grand River Center"
28:06 "Creativity in Everyday Tasks"
31:20 Marriage, Comedy, and Career Dreams

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In this conversation, hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman are joined by wife, parent, and photographer Allie Coyle to dive into one of the foundational concepts from the Bible: the cultural mandate. Together, they explore what it means to be invited by God into his creation, tasked with being fruitful, multiplying, and cultivating the world around us.

Allie shares thoughtful insights on how the cultural mandate extends beyond just having children, touching on work, creativity, and spiritual growth—reminding us that every person, regardless of their season of life, is called to participate as an image bearer of God. The discussion weaves through the joys and challenges of parenting, the beauty of daily faithfulness, and even how a creative vocation, like photography, fits into God’s original calling for humanity.

This episode also gets real about facing the hardships brought by the brokenness of the world, offering practical wisdom on finding rest, modeling faith for the next generation, and living intentionally whether you’re at home, at work, or in community. There are personal stories, laughter, and encouragement for embracing the ordinary and extraordinary ways to live out the cultural mandate right where you are.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. The Cultural Mandate Is For Everyone
   Genesis 1’s "be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it" (often called the cultural or creation mandate) is not limited to biological parenthood. It applies broadly to all people, whether single or married, parents or not. Fruitfulness includes both family life and the creative, meaningful work we do in the world as God’s image bearers.
2. Intentional Living and Work as Cultivation
   Allie gives practical examples of intentionally living out the cultural mandate in everyday life, both as a parent and a professional photographer. The heart of the cultural mandate is to faithfully steward and creatively contribute in whatever context God has placed us.
3. Rest and Dependence in a Broken World
   The conversation acknowledges the realities of Genesis 3—that work and life are often hard and marked by struggle, the importance of honest dependence on God in all areas, and the need for practices of rest to help handle the challenges of life while remaining faithful to the cultural mandate.

Resources:

• The New City Catechism - Tim Keller: https://newcitycatechism.com/
• The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin: https://a.co/d/6pk023c
• The Intentional Father - Jon Tyson: https://a.co/d/6pk023c
• God's Design for Sex Series - Stan and Brenna Jones: https://a.co/d/htzj2YI
• How and When to Tell Your Kids About Sex: A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child's Sexual Character (Parent's Guide): https://a.co/d/1J9rIxK
• Good Pictures, Bad Pictures: Jr. Christian Edition: https://a.co/d/8GIdD1V
• POD 043 | Parenting Insights: Embracing Faith and Family Life with Dan and Mindy Ott: https://youtu.be/2CbfSlx2Qug?si=MK_e48lZofnWngU1

Timestamps:

00:00 "Understanding the Cultural Mandate"

03:29 "Be Fruitful: Make Disciples"

06:57 "Faithful Steps for God's Glory"

12:29 "Intentional Parenting Through Faith"

14:42 "Intentional Milestones for Growth"

16:55 "God's Design and Personal Connection"

22:01 "Capturing God’s Beauty Within"

23:51 "Photographs as Timeless Treasures"

29:22 "Let God Lead My Work"

31:52 "Parenting, Faith, and Letting Go"

35:18 "Prayer as Rebellion Against Darkness"

36:59 Dream of Travel Writing