The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, we explore some of the biggest questions that challenge our faith and understanding of the world. From the mysteries of life beyond our planet, to meditation practices for calming an overactive mind, to what truly matters about our gender identity in the spiritual realm, we dive into how to navigate these deep topics while staying grounded in faith. 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, we’re diving into the tension so many believers feel but rarely talk about.What happens when your pursuit of God starts to feel like pressure instead of peace? When spiritual disciplines turn into performance? When you’re trying to be faithful in your work, but you’re not sure if it’s costing you your soul—or fulfilling your calling?We talk through what it looks like to move from a works-based mindset into a genuine relationship with God, how to discern whether you’re walking in purpose or drifting into burnout, and why so many people struggle to stay engaged with Scripture—and what to do about it.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in your faith, stuck in routine, or unsure if you’re actually growing, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of the The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown answer questions about manifestation, the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a non-believer, and what emotions we feel if we make it to heaven. This conversation explores whether we can find the answers to these thought-provoking questions in the Bible.  💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast🎵 and TikTok: @debriefpodcast

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown sits down with Luke Bryant to talk about church planting, leadership, and the unexpected path that led Luke from law enforcement into ministry.They discuss the story behind Liverpool One Church, the challenges of planting a church in Europe, and the personal realities leaders face along the way.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode of the The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown address questions about spiritual attacks, disturbing dreams, and whether someone can lose their soul. From wrestling with lust in dreams to wondering if past spiritual decisions have caused permanent damage, this conversation explores spiritual warfare, freedom in Christ, and the hope of redemption.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown talks about what it looks like to stay close to God in the midst of life’s cycles and challenges. From personal struggles with consistency in faith to the pursuit of revival within the church, this conversation explores how Christians can remain open to the Holy Spirit, experience lasting spiritual growth, and live with purpose and passion every day. Show notes: The quote that Pastor Matthew mentions is this episode is from DL Moody, "The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the alter."💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

Today we’re celebrating a huge milestone — 10 years of The Debrief Podcast— with a very special guest, Stephanie Schafer, one of the original co-hosts from when the show first began. Together, Matthew, Stephanie , and Tammy look back on the very first episode that aired on February 8, 2016, the heart behind starting the podcast, and the conversations that shaped the last decade.In this anniversary episode, we revisit defining moments from the show, reflect on how honest dialogue has impacted real-life faith conversations, and explore why transparency — even when it feels uncomfortable — is still deeply needed in Christian spaces today. From topics the Church once avoided to the ones we can’t ignore anymore, this episode is both a celebration and a look forward to what’s next.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

Welcome back to The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown. This week’s episode,  takes a meaningful turn as Pastor Matthew is joined by his daughter, Madison Moses, as co-host for a Valentine’s Day–themed conversation about love, family, marriage, and singleness through a Christ-centered lens.Together, Matthew and Madison respond to real questions from listeners navigating complex relationships and heartfelt longings. From parenting outside of marriage, to prioritizing marriage after God while raising children, to approaching Valentine’s Day with hope when you’re single and longing for connection—this episode explores what biblical love looks like in everyday life.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown explores the tension every relationship eventually faces—conflict. From family dynamics to disagreements with others who don’t share our beliefs, how do Christians pursue peace without avoiding hard truths? This conversation centers on balancing grace, accountability, and healthy boundaries, offering biblical wisdom for navigating relational conflict.  💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief 🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast  🎵 and TikTok:@debriefpodcast

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Matthew Stephen Brown addresses the intersection of faith and mental health in a time when our minds can feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure of what to trust. As conversations around healing, spirituality, and emotional well-being grow louder, this episode focuses on finding clarity, peace, and discernment without giving fear the final word.  💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief 🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast  🎵 and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode, Pastor Matthew addresses a timely cultural question at the start before diving into deeper conversations about how Christians navigate freedom, authority, parenting, and fractured family relationships in today’s world. As theology meets real life, this episode offers biblical clarity and pastoral wisdom for believers facing complex and emotional realities.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

We’re back for part two of Matthew Stephen Brown’s conversation with Pastor John Martinez of Sandals Church Banning. After a powerful first episode, this debrief continues by turning to your questions — honest, practical, and rooted in everyday faith.In this episode, Pastor Matthew and Pastor John respond to audience-submitted questions about what it really looks like to live out your faith in today’s culture. From navigating music and entertainment as a Christian, to understanding what “great faith” actually means and how it grows, to discerning the difference between genuine worship and performance, this conversation is thoughtful, biblical, and refreshingly real.Show notes:  Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 NLT 💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this special episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown sits down with Pastor John Martinez, campus pastor of Sandals Church Banning, to discuss his journey into ministry and how he began working at Sandals Church. John shares the roles he’s held over the years and what those looked like in everyday ministry life. They explore the unseen realities of serving in a megachurch, including both the rewarding moments and the challenges. Pastor Matthew and Pastor John also talk about navigating creative blocks versus true spiritual dryness and how to practice faith authentically rather than performance. The episode touches on handling critique from both church communities and music circles, as well as advice for young Christian artists wrestling with the tension between traditional ministry and creative calling.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown offers compassionate and biblical clarity on some of the most personal questions surrounding faith—what baptism means, how someone becomes a child of God, and how salvation works for people from different backgrounds and beliefs. With both honesty and hope, he explores how God meets us in our darkest moments, how grace covers our imperfect intentions, and how Scripture reveals a God who invites every person into redemption and life with Him. Tune in for a grounded and encouraging conversation that helps make sense of some of Christianity’s most challenging topics.💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, Pastor Matt and Tammy dive into some of the most common—and most misunderstood—topics surrounding Christian relationships. From navigating modern dating culture to discerning God’s guidance in choosing a spouse, we talk about  biblical wisdom for anyone trying to honor God in a complicated world. 💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief  🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support 📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast    🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, we’re diving into the tension many Christians feel around Halloween, and connections to witchcraft. Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown unpacks what it means to live with both conviction and compassion—how to stay grounded in truth while navigating a world that often blurs the lines between light and darkness.Join the conversation as we explore how faith speaks into fear, how to love people with different beliefs, and what it really looks like to follow Jesus with wisdom in today’s culture.**Show notes: In this episode the passage of scripture that Pastor Matt is referring to is in Luke 16. 💬 Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief 🙏 Support us: sandalschurch.com/support📱 Follow us on IG: @thedebrief_podcast 🎵  and TikTok:@debriefpodcast 

Welcome to ANOTHER bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast. You asked — they answered. In this episode, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Pastor Justin Kowalski tackle your questions about faith, calling, and creativity. From discovering purpose to staying faithful in the unknown, this honest conversation will encourage and challenge you to live out your calling with courage and authenticity.💬 Use this link to drop your own questions in the comments for a chance to be featured in a future episode! : sandalschurch.com/thedebrief

Welcome to special bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast! Meet Pastor Justin Kowalski — Associate Pastor at Sandals Church Palm Avenue and longtime member of the Sandals team for over 20 years. In this episode, Pastor Matt sits down with Justin to share his story, his journey in ministry, and what it means to live out faith with authenticity and creativity. Get to know one of the voices helping shape the culture and community at Sandals Church. 🎧 Subscribe for more honest conversations about faith, life, and becoming real with yourself, God, and others. Ask a question here: Sandalschurch.com/thedebrief **Show Notes** Sandals Church Renovates Home Article: CitynewsgroupLocal Church Rallies to Renovate Home for Single Mom (with Video)

This episode might not be suitable for younger audiences. In this deeply personal episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown sit down to talk about the challenges that can come after choosing to follow Jesus more closely. Why does life sometimes feel harder when you're trying to do the right thing? What does it look like to fight through temptation, especially when the struggle feels constant? With raw honesty and biblical truth, this episode offers encouragement for anyone walking through spiritual growth, healing, and the real tension between our past and the lives we’re trying to build.🎧 Listen, share, and submit your own questions at sandalschurch.com/thedebriefSupport content like this and the vision of Sandals Church at http://sandalschurch.com/support/Join our email list for content updates: http://sandalschurch.com/subscribeDownload the Sandals Church App: http://sandalschurch.com/app/If you have questions, need prayer or want to get connected, please email us anytime at online@sandalschurch.com!

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matt and Tammy Brown dive into some of the most pressing and personal questions facing Christians today—from immigration and justice to protests, discernment, and the way we judge ourselves. With honesty, biblical insight, and real-life perspective, they unpack how to navigate complex cultural and spiritual issues with both compassion and conviction. Whether you’re feeling torn, confused, or just curious, this conversation offers thoughtful guidance and encouragement for your faith journey.👉 Submit your questions at sandalschurch.com/thedebrief 🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode resonates with you!Support content like this and the vision of Sandals Church at http://sandalschurch.com/support/Join our email list for content updates: http://sandalschurch.com/subscribeDownload the Sandals Church App: http://sandalschurch.com/app/If you have questions, need prayer or want to get connected, please email us anytime at online@sandalschurch.com!