This episode, we’re out of our usual space and recording from Neighbor Books in McKinney, Texas. We sit down with owner Joey Honesco to talk about place, calling, and the quiet power of presence.

Joey shares his journey of opening a bookstore rooted in community—a “third place” where people connect over books, coffee, and shared rhythms. We reflect on how God uses proximity and intentionality to shape us, drawing from our own stories of friendship, college memories, and the sacred ordinary.

We also dig into the tension of urban life—mobility, isolation, and what it really costs to belong. Through it all, we keep coming back to this: community takes work, but it’s worth it. Especially when we see it as preparation for the kingdom to come.

• (00:00) – Why Place Matters: God’s Intentional Design
• (12:31) – Proximity + Presence: How Real Community Happens
• (15:56) – Life Together: Practicing Connection in a Disconnected World
• (19:51) – Belonging Hurts: The Cost of Community
• (33:32) – The Beauty in the Broken: When Community is Worth It
• (40:47) – Resilience + Shalom: Holding On When It’s Hard

• neighborbookstx.com
• Follow Neighbor Books

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

What does leadership look like when no one’s watching?

In this episode, we sit down with Alan Hooton — educator, elder, and faithful presence at Citizens Church — to explore leadership shaped not by titles or accolades, but by consistency and character. After 19 years in the same classroom, Alan invites us to see leadership as something slow, relational, and deeply rooted in presence.

We talk about leading in the home and in the church, not through platform, but through service — cultivating space for others to grow and gifts to flourish. Alan reflects on marriage, family, and ministry, reminding us that leadership is less about being in charge and more about being faithful.

As the conversation unfolds, we consider how walking with others through pain and healing mirrors the life of Christ. This episode is a reminder that faithful leadership often looks like simply showing up — again and again — with humility, hope, and open hands.

• (11:29) - Leadership as Character Formation
• (26:55) - Learning and Leading With Love
• (43:50) - The Value of Faithful Leadership
• (49:57) - Modeling Obedient Character Formation

• Playing God: Redeeming Power

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenna Hernandez from Citizens Church, who shares how her work in college ministry and prison discipleship is all about meeting people right where they are. Whether she’s leading a Bible study with students at UT Dallas or walking with women behind bars, Jenna brings a grounded, relational approach to spiritual formation—one that’s shaped by presence, patience, and hope.

We talk about the unique challenges young adults are facing today—performance pressure, identity confusion, and constant noise—and how the Church can step in not with quick fixes, but with faithful presence. Jenna’s stories remind us that real transformation often begins in the quiet, overlooked places.

• What are college students really up against right now?
• How do we meet students where they are and invite them into something deeper?
• What prison ministry is teaching us about dignity, identity, and hope.

• Jenna's work at UTD is made possible by support from people like you. Please consider supporting her!
• Follow: Citizens College Life

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, Caroline Smiley joins us to explore God’s vision for friendship and community. How do relationships shift across seasons of life? What does it mean to pursue Christlike friendships in a culture shaped by individualism?

We dive into the biblical foundation of community, from Genesis to today, and how Scripture challenges our approach to relationships. We unpack how deep friendships reveal both our strengths and blind spots, refining us in the process.

Through the lens of a Christ-centered life, we explore how to cultivate friendships that reflect Jesus—embracing diverse perspectives, fostering intentional love, and reimagining non-sexual relationships as spaces for spiritual growth. Join us as we reorient our hearts toward God’s vision for community and imagine friendships that reflect the depth and beauty of His Kingdom.

• What Does God Say About Friendship?
• Why We’re Made for Community
• How Knowing God Changes How We Do Life Together
• Why Different Friendships Make Us Better
• The Messy, Beautiful Work of Relationships
• Rethinking Friendship Through a Gospel Lens
• How Understanding Others Helps Us Love Better
• Bringing Jesus Into Everyday Relationships

• Delighting In The Trinity by Michael Reeves

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Why do spiritual disciplines matter if we’re saved by grace through faith? If salvation isn’t based on works, why do prayer, fasting, and Scripture reading still hold weight? Today, we’re diving into what Paul says in Romans about how salvation isn’t just about avoiding hell—it’s about transformation. Spiritual disciplines aren’t about earning God’s favor; they’re about stepping into the fullness of life He’s called us to.

• The Value of Spiritual Disciplines
• The Power and Practice of Prayer
• Training for Eternity With God
• The Journey of Spiritual Growth

• Check out Liz's newest book
• Check out her other Podcast: Starting Place
• Check out The Woodson Institute
• Follow Liz

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

We are kicking off this special mini-series on Spiritual Formation by sitting down with Robyn, a longtime friend and valued member of our church community. At 58, Robyn embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner, embracing the highs and lows of life with faith and humility. She shares her story through the lens of seasons—how adoption, loss, and her relationship with the church have all shaped her walk with Christ.

We also talk about the hard stuff—letting go, trusting God, and the illusion of control. What it looks like to release our fears, trust God with the people we love, and find peace even when life feels uncertain?

And then there’s joy—the kind that only comes from God. We unpack how deep grief and divine joy can coexist, how scripture can speak into our hardest moments, and why nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from God’s love.

So, join us for this conversation. It’s honest, it’s hopeful, and most of all, it’s a reminder that no matter what season you’re in, God is present.

• Navigating Life's Seasons
• Learning to Let Go and Trust
• Finding Strength in God's Joy
• Wisdom and Growth in Faith

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

We’re kicking off a fresh season of Culture Matters with a new approach—less reaction, more intentional conversation. Inspired by Andy Crouch’s vision of Christians as curators, we’re breaking up the season into six to eight-week mini-series that dig deep into faith, culture, and creativity. Along the way, we’ll explore key cultural moments, theological insights, and the stories shaping our world.

This episode, we’re diving into TV and film like Silo season two, The Diplomat, and Apple TV’s Shrinking. We’re also discussing Conclave, a Vatican-set thriller, plus Disney’s X-Men ‘97 and a new Spider-Man series.

Beyond consuming culture, we’re called to create. We talk about indie artists, the challenge of making authentic Christian art, and our own projects on anxiety and mental health. Creativity isn’t just an outlet—it’s a way to reflect God’s image. So grab a cup of coffee, hit play, and join the conversation.

• Biblical Theology by Andreas Kostenberger
• Union with Christ by G.K. Beale
• Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
• Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
• Gift of the Grotesque - Book of Judges Companion
• One with Christ by Sam Alberry
• Union with Chris by Kyle Worley
• Wolf Hall series by Hilary Mantel

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Amidst the holiday hustle, have you ever considered the impact of pausing to reflect? Advent offers us this sacred pause, inviting us to step away from commercial chaos and embrace the profound of Advent and Christmas. This episode guides you through the themes of Advent—hope, love, joy, and peace—showing how they anchor us during this season. Scripture from Isaiah, Luke, Matthew and James illuminates our path as we enter into the anticipation of Jesus’ birth and His promised return.

We hope this episode blesses you. We will see you next year! Merry Christmas.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co