Soil and Roots

Brian explores one of Jesus’ most surprising traits—how deeply relaxed He is—and why that matters for deep discipleship. Building on this season’s portrait of Jesus (emotionally secure, living as the Beloved, relationally shrewd, just, and gentle), Brian shows how Jesus moves calmly through storms, conflict, and pressure without losing agency or love. The invitation? If we’re becoming like Jesus, we’ll grow in that same inner ease—rested, present, and at peace.Instead of rewriting the past or controlling the future, we practice living in the present, so our hearts loosen their grip and rest in God. It’s not emotionless; it’s anchored. As we receive our identity as the Beloved, we learn to relax from the inside out—even when life isn’t.

Most of us would never talk to a friend the way we talk to ourselves. Yet our inner “talk tracks” run all day—and they quietly shape how we relate to God, others, creation, and even our own souls.In this episode, Brian and Doc take a fresh look at self-gentleness—what it is, why it’s missing from most church conversations, and how it deepens real discipleship. (Kyle’s out this week at a very important men’s hair and beard convention—we expect him back looking sharper than ever.)We begin with the four relationships we’re made for and why “self” belongs there. Then we dive into metacognition—thinking about what we think about. What do you say to yourself when you mess up? Would Jesus say that to you?We also tackle why so many Christians struggle here: a “reductionist gospel” that emphasizes sin management and leaves little room for God’s delight in us. Along the way, we contrast Sinclair Ferguson’s “God accepts us despite who we are” with Dallas Willard’s “Jesus wants to be with the you-that-is.”Gentleness is power restrained. It’s how Jesus treats us—and how he invites us to treat ourselves.Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

What does it really mean to be gentle? Is it weakness, meekness, or something far stronger? In this episode, Brian explores the biblical virtue of gentleness through surprising stories—from Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride to the quiet strength of Jesus on the cross.We’ll look at how gentleness is often misunderstood in Western Christianity, especially around masculinity, and why true gentleness is actually power restrained, strength refined, and love expressed with precision. Along the way, we’ll consider how gentleness shapes our four core relationships—with God, with others, with ourselves, and with creation and culture.Discover why gentleness isn’t just “being nice” but a crucial marker of deep discipleship and Christlike formation.Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Greenhouse time!  Handsome Kyle, Doc, and Brian review Ep 126, which was all about Jesus as judge.  We all make judgments every day, about people, information, events, and conversations.  Yet we live in an age where we are repeatedly told not to judge one another. We should just “live and let live.”Let’s take a look at what Jesus said about judging, and how He did or did not judge.  Since we are to become more like Him over time, how should we judge or refrain from judging?Today’s Greenhouse features the normal depth, humor, and sarcasm found in most of our conversations…Enjoy!Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

We all judge—and we all get judged. But what does it mean to judge like Jesus? In this episode, we explore one of Christ’s lesser-discussed traits: his role as judge. We unpack the tension between “Do not judge” and “judge with righteous judgment,” examining why judgment is inescapable, how it reveals the hidden ideas and desires in our hearts, and what it looks like to remove the logs from our own eyes before helping others. With insights from Dallas Willard, the Bible Project, and personal stories, we learn that discerning, humble judgment can become a powerful act of love—if rooted in Kingdom ideas.Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

In this episode, Doc, Reverend Pastor Handsome Kyle, and Brian explore the relational discernment of Jesus and its significance for deep discipleship. Jesus engaged people not as categories, but as individuals—offering personal attention, deep listening, and an unhurried presence. This stands in contrast to modern Christian culture’s tendency to prioritize systems, sermons, and superficial connections over the slower, riskier work of authentic relationships. We wrestle with how discipleship is more about being than doing—an ongoing formation in Christlikeness that embraces complexity, welcomes grace, and prioritizes love over perfection. As Western Christianity often sidesteps the moral gray areas of real life, let’s try a Spirit-led approach rooted in empathy, discernment, and community. Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

What does it mean to reflect the relational wisdom of Jesus in a complex world? In Episode 124, we explore the striking balance Jesus models between innocence and shrewdness—what He called being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Jesus didn’t relate to everyone the same way. Sometimes cryptic, sometimes candid, He always saw to the heart. He navigated human motives with remarkable discernment, adapting His approach with stunning nuance.Drawing from the stories of Sherlock Holmes, the Hebrew midwives, and the parable of the shrewd manager, we unpack what it means to engage others with holy perception. We also revisit the practice of Heart Listening—attuning ourselves to the deeper signals beneath words, behaviors, and emotions.If Jesus is our model for love, wisdom, and relationship, we must learn to listen like Him, discern like Him, and respond like Him. This episode invites you to pursue spiritual maturity that’s not just innocent—but also perceptive, courageous, and creatively compassionate.Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

In this funny yet thought-provoking episode, Brian, Doc, and Handsome Kyle take on one of Jesus's intriguing characteristics—his enigmatic style.  Jesus was sometimes puzzling, confusing, and vexing.  So, if we are to become more like Him, should we expect to be more enigmatic?  What would that even look like?Once the guys finally settle into the topic, they debate whether this aspect of Jesus is for Him alone, or whether we may sometimes confuse people in our quest to become more loving. One thing is for sure - Jesus is tough to pin down. Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Jesus often confused people—and it seems He did so on purpose. While this isn’t a characteristic we typically highlight in Sunday school, a quick look through the Gospels shows that our King didn’t always speak plainly, explain Himself, or behave in the ways people expected.In short, Jesus was often enigmatic. He could be mysterious. Even puzzling.So, if the goal of discipleship is to become more like Jesus, should we expect to carry a bit of that mystery as well? And if so, why?Let’s begin a two-part exploration of one of Jesus’s most intriguing traits.Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

The guys head back into the Greenhouse to explore what it means to live like the beloved. Along the way, they wrestle with the difference between an intellectual agreement and a heart experience and how we need both for a “complete belief.” This leads to some vulnerable and transparent story-telling, as well as what it means to experience God’s love when life doesn’t go our way. Come alongside for this very personal episode!Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

We continue to explore what it means to increasingly think, act, relate, and love more like Jesus. Jesus is the most relationally secure person in history. His love flows from a deep, abiding attachment to his Father, so he is not swayed by people's opinions or manipulations. How might we become more like that?Today, we focus on experiencing what it means to be "the beloved." Our identity and security are ultimately wrapped up in experiencing and living in the reality of being beloved by God. This is not simply an intellectual statement - it is a way of experiencing God in the depths of our souls.Let's jump in!Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormationSpotify: ⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/soilandroots/episodes/Ep-119-GH-A-Voice-from-the-Clouds-e2vq7eb⁠YouTube:  ⁠https://youtu.be/bGhHowZJRc0⁠

What does it mean that Jesus is the most relationally and emotionally secure human being in history?  The guys jump back into the Greenhouse to dissect the idea that, based on Jesus's life, we can become more relationally secure, attuned, and restful in our relationships with God, others, and ourselves. Though this is not normally explored in modern-day discipleship, it is directly related to the biblical concept of “abiding.” They also explore ways that relationally insecurity finds its way into our faith today - and some of those explorations are surprising. Come on in and enjoy another deep, perhaps out-of-the-box Greenhouse discussion.  Join us online! Web: ⁠soilandroots.org⁠ Substack: ⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

As we continue to explore Jesus, the object of our formation, we marvel at one of His most compelling characteristics: his relational and emotional security. He isn't anxious, rattled, confused, or manipulated by other people's perspectives and opinions. He operates from a rock-solid sense of identity. If we are to become more like Him, is this type of groundedness also for us? Join us online! Web: ⁠soilandroots.org⁠ Substack: ⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

What does the Bible mean by "good" in reference to the creation story? Is creation still good today? Are human beings "good"? How do we reconcile some sort of inherent goodness with the pervasiveness of harmful behaviors? Doc, Brian, and Handsome Kyle delve into these and other challenging questions raised in the previous episode. As our hearts continue to be formed, we seek to love more like Jesus loves. If we define love as "seeking goodness according to God's ideas," how do we define love and goodness in a world that can't agree on any such definitions? Join us online! Web: ⁠soilandroots.org⁠ Substack: ⁠https://substack.com/@soilandroots⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

We've turned our attention to exploring what it means to think, act, relate, and love like Jesus, and the answers aren't necessarily straightforward. At the same time, coming to an agreement on definitions of key words such as "love" and "goodness" can be challenging in our modern culture. How can we love someone if we disagree on what love is? What does it mean to "seek goodness" if we can't agree on what's good? So, let's dig in and wrestle with what it means to love God, ourselves, others, and creation. Join us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

As we launch further into Season 6, Doc and Handsome Kyle rejoin Brian for the first Greenhouse episode of the season. We are spending this season exploring what it means to think, act, relate, and love like Jesus. The guys briefly review the path we've taken to get here so far, and then wrestle with two key points leading into the rest of the season: -What is the difference between being like Jesus and simply doing the things He said to do? -Just how complex and mysterious is Jesus, the object of our formation? Thanks for being with us! Join us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Welcome to Season 6! We've mentioned numerous times that the primary purpose of following Jesus is to become more like Him. We intend to think, act, relate, and love like Him more. It's now time to explore what that really means—and it's not as simple as we might think. As usual when we start a new season, today we'll review the key points from Seasons 1-5. Then, we'll look forward and sketch the idea-transforming route we'll take in this new season. Thanks for coming along as we venture into exploring the object of our spiritual formation! Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Facebook: /soilandrootspodcast Instagram: / soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr42... YouTube: / @soilandroots

Doc, Handsome Kyle, and Brian reconnect in the Greenhouse to wrestle with our bedrock desire for deep, intentionally formative communities in a culture that often promotes the opposite.  If many modern church institutions only help us with the first few stages of our discipleship, where do we go after that? Perhaps the “Dones” are not so much guilty of a lack of church attendance as they are signaling a need to which the church should respond.  As usual, Doc poses insightful and difficult questions and delights in watching Kyle and Brian struggle to provide helpful, articulate responses.  He invites us to explore genuine definitions of “deep” and “community,” and then presses into what the church should do if it agrees that we are not providing small, vulnerable groups in which we grow to become more like Jesus. 

For almost five seasons, we’ve explored the world’s desperate need for deep people and how those people are formed.  We’ve concluded that we best become more like Jesus in small, organic communities that often look and function differently from some modern church experiences. While we love and support our local and national institutions, what do we do if we conclude that we are missing these types of intimate, deeply formative communities?

Handsome Kyle and Brian jump into the Greenhouse to further explore Richard Foster’s comment, that what the world needs most is deep people. If a deep disciple is someone increasingly attuned to the heart of God, others, and themselves, what does that mean, exactly?  And why is a consistent awareness of our own thought patterns, behaviors, inner desires, and assumptions so essential to our walk with God? Join us online!   Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e   #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation