In this episode of Between Sundays, Lauren and I talk about something that’s foundational to life in Christ but often overlooked: friendship. God made us for connection. You and I were not designed to walk this life alone, and yet so many of us are doing just that. We unpack the epidemic of loneliness, how real transformation happens in community, how to pursue meaningful friendships, and how to discern who is safe to be vulnerable with. It’s not easy. It takes time. It takes risk. But it is also worth it. Our hope is that this conversation gives you vision and practical tools to form the kind of deep, gospel-centered friendships we all need.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Lauren’s Dad Joke
• [02:00] The "At the Table" Series and the Loneliness Epidemic
• [04:49] Transformation Happens in Community
• [06:00] What Real Friendship Looks Like (and Why It’s Hard to Find)
• [09:02] Risk, Vulnerability, and the Role of Wisdom
• [10:00] How to Spot a Fool (and Why You Shouldn’t Be Friends with One)
• [13:10] Wise vs. Simple vs. Foolish: Who Can You Trust?
• [15:00] Belonging Deficits and Misreading Social Cues
• [18:00] Hurt, Healing, and How We Grow in Relationships
• [21:00] You Are Becoming Like Your Closest Friends
• [23:00] Inside Lauren’s Closest Friendships: A 20-Year Story
• [31:00] Evaluating Your Current Friendships
• [34:00] Inviting Friends Into the Journey (Without Breaking Up With Them)

Resources and Mentions

• Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 22:24–25 – On choosing friends wisely
• U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 report on loneliness as an epidemic
• The Overcomers: The King's Table episode - On Male Friendships
• Becoming Like Jesus - Matt’s Forthcoming Book

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Thank you to our Sponsors

Global Christian Relief

GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit Globalchristianrelief.org to learn more.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Hey friends—Matt Chandler here. If you’ve followed The Overcomers, you know I’ve spent years telling stories of God’s grace amidst unimaginable pain. But we’re starting a new chapter doing something Lauren and I have desired to do for awhile now. We are pulling up two chairs and inviting you into the kinds of conversations we’ve had over two decades of marriage—some tender, some funny, all rooted in grace and truth.

In this first episode, we walk through our first seven years of marriage. We talk about unmet expectations, brokenness, and the power of covenant love. We dig into how God met us—not with quick fixes, but with the slow, steady work of transformation. If you’re married, want to be, or walking with someone who is, our prayer is this gives you some practical steps for building a strong marriage and reminds you we are all in need of God’s work in our lives.

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

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

Global Christian Relief

GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit Globalchristianrelief.org to learn more.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Between Sundays with the Chandlers is a candid podcast hosted by Matt and Lauren Chandler that invites listeners into the everyday conversations that happen between church services and busy weeks. With warmth, honesty, and humor, the Chandlers talk about real life, marriage, parenting, faith, leadership, suffering, joy, and the ordinary moments that shape who we’re becoming.

Rather than polished answers or Sunday morning soundbites, Between Sundays offers thoughtful reflections rooted in Scripture and lived experience. Matt and Lauren share openly about the challenges and blessings of walking with Jesus in the middle of work, family life, and personal growth, creating space for listeners to feel seen, encouraged, and grounded.

This podcast is for anyone who wants faith to connect to real life, not just on Sundays, but in the in-between moments where discipleship is actually lived.

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Matt | Lauren | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

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!

Global Christian Relief: We’re grateful for partners like Global Christian Relief. They are on the front lines supporting our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world — delivering food, shelter, Bibles, and hope where it’s needed most, and calling the Church to pray boldly and stand faithfully with them.Visit GlobalChristianRelief.org to learn how you can pray, give, and stand with believers who are a light for Jesus in the darkest places. Global Christian Relief is helping faithful believers stand firm for the Gospel.

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co