Created in the Image of God

Many Christians talk about the body as “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” but few know what it looks like to live that out in the middle of trauma, addiction, and everyday stress. Matthew Headden’s story brings the language down to ground level. Raised in a loving Southern Baptist home but never quite fitting the mold, he bounced between church leadership and rebellion—kicked out of school even as he led worship and graduated valedictorian. After enlisting in the military just days before 9/11, he spent years in combat, burying friends, taking lives, and watching others lose limbs and loved ones. The cost was deep: survivor’s guilt, hyper‑vigilance, and a growing conviction that he was a monster who didn’t matter.Back home, that identity played out in brutal alcoholism, drug abuse, infidelity, obesity, and even a failed suicide attempt. Success on the outside—a six‑figure income in the fitness world, promotions, relationships—masked a man who hated himself. The turning point came one early morning drive, after yet another night of drinking, when Matthew finally prayed for a sign and, within hours, learned that a very real DUI case had been dismissed. For him, it was too specific to be coincidence. Dropping to his knees, he surrendered—“never again”—and began the slow work of letting God change not just his habits, but his core beliefs about who he was.In this episode, Matthew and his wife Leah share how that surrender grew into Temple Keepers, a ministry that helps believers treat health as an act of worship and stewardship. They walk through four pillars—nutrition grounded in God’s design, daily movement, real rest, and stress management rooted in Scripture—and explain why identity in Christ is at the center of lasting change. Leah speaks candidly as a mom of three about releasing worldly body ideals and finding freedom in caring for herself so she can serve others well. Together, they challenge churches and pastors to move beyond “I’m praying about it” toward disciplined, grace‑filled action.For anyone battling food, weight, addiction, exhaustion, or quiet self‑contempt, this conversation offers both conviction and hope. Temple Keepers isn’t about chasing a perfect image; it’s about learning to live strong, clear‑minded, and present for the people and purposes God has entrusted to you. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Joy can feel like a luxury when life is heavy. For Wanda Thibodeaux, it became a lifeline. Growing up in a small rural community in Michigan, she walked through trauma, confusion about her worth, and seasons where the loudest messages around her were anything but kind. That journey pushed her into psychology, music, and writing—eventually becoming a Christian author, ghostwriter, and host of the Faithful on the Clock podcast.In this episode, Wanda talks candidly about how words—both spoken and unspoken—can shape a person’s sense of identity, and how the enemy uses those lies to drain joy and distance people from God. She unpacks her conviction that “if we can be joyless, we can be godless,” and explains why fighting for joy is not denial but spiritual resistance: a refusal to agree with darkness about who God is and who we are. Along the way, she reflects on themes from her new devotional, Grace in the Grind, and how daily practices can reconnect work, faith, and emotional health.The conversation is grounded and hopeful, offering clear encouragement for anyone who feels stuck in discouragement, burnout, or old stories about their value. Wanda’s mix of warmth, insight, and practical wisdom invites listeners to see joy not as something reserved for “after” the struggle, but as a way of backhanding the devil right in the middle of it. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Most believers know the warning about serving two masters—God and Mammon—but few have traced how closely those two have traveled together in Western history. In this episode, Dr. Devin Singh, associate professor of religion at Dartmouth College, unpacks the long, complicated relationship between Christian theology and economic life. From early doctrines of debt and sacrifice to modern ideas about markets, value, and sovereignty, he shows how religious concepts have quietly shaped the financial systems people now take for granted.Drawing on his books Divine Currency and Economy and Modern Christian Thought, as well as his current research for Sacred Debt on the economic vision of the Torah, Devin explains how images of God, judgment, and salvation have influenced the way societies think about money, credit, and obligation. He also names the hard truth: Christian teaching has not only tried to correct economic injustice; at times, it has helped reinforce it. By surfacing this history, he opens space to ask what a more faithful ethic of exchange might look like.For viewers who sense that personal stewardship is only part of the story, this conversation widens the lens. It invites a fresh look at how belief and economics intertwine, and how ancient wisdom about jubilee, debt release, and shared flourishing might speak into today’s global economy. If you’ve ever wondered how to follow Jesus in a world built around money, this episode offers both challenge and clarity. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Many faith conversations stay abstract, far from the messy places where people actually live. Lorraine Hess and Erica Strong are trying to close that gap. As co-hosts of the Beloved podcast, they sit down each week to talk about the things most people are really dealing with—loss, gratitude, parenting, calling, discouragement—and then ask what those stories look like when seen through the eyes of faith.In this episode, Lorraine and Erica reflect on how two women from different backgrounds—a Catholic musician and ministry leader from New Orleans and a writer and spiritual mentor passionate about women’s healing—discovered just how much they share. They describe the joy and vulnerability of swapping stories on air: the triumphs, the falls, and the quiet moments when God’s presence shows up in unexpected ways. What began as friendship has become a space where listeners are reminded they are never alone, and that even ordinary days can hold traces of grace.The conversation is warm, honest, and deeply relational. It invites anyone who has felt isolated in their faith journey to consider the power of shared stories and spiritual friendship. At its heart is a simple reminder: beneath all our differences, every person is seen, known, and loved by God—we are, each of us, truly beloved. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

In a moment when nearly every issue becomes a battlefield, Marlena Graves offers a different starting point: we belong to each other. Drawing on the Southern African concept of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—and the teachings of Jesus, she argues that genuine spiritual formation cannot be separated from the pursuit of justice. Our well-being, she insists, is tied to the flourishing of those we might be tempted to ignore: the poor, the immigrant, those outside our tribe, and even those we see as enemies.In this episode, Marlena traces how segments of American Christianity, especially white evangelical culture, have often lost sight of that interconnectedness. She names the “fruit of bad theology”—a selective compassion that treats some neighbors as optional—and contrasts it with Jesus’ command to love without exception. Along the way, she weaves in her own pastoral and academic experience, stories of polarization, and the quiet, patient work of building relationships across political, racial, and religious lines.The conversation is honest about harm yet grounded in hope. Marlena speaks about holding space for growth, refusing to cancel people who are just waking up, and remembering that each of us is still on a journey. For anyone weary of culture wars but longing for a faith that looks like Jesus in public as well as in private, this episode offers a thoughtful, courageous vision of what it means to live Ubuntu in everyday life. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

From the outside, Megan Rosselot looked like a teenager who just wasn’t trying hard enough. Inside, she was fighting a very different battle. Undiagnosed learning disabilities turned school into a constant struggle; while her younger sisters seemed to glide through academics and activities, Megan failed tests, stumbled in sports, and absorbed the labels that came her way. Resentment and shame slowly deepened into anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts, all fed by a relentless inner voice telling her she had no purpose.In this episode, Megan reflects on the long process of resisting that voice and learning to hear another one—the patient, persistent voice of God. She talks about how getting curious about who God is, and how the Holy Spirit speaks, began to change the way she saw herself and others. That shift eventually led her into the world of behavioral therapy and the creation of The Behavior Project and The Behavior Collective, where she now helps families reframe “bad behavior” as a signal, not a verdict, and teaches them how to respond with both structure and compassion.The conversation offers grounded encouragement for anyone who has felt misunderstood, mislabeled, or unsure what to do with the difficult behaviors in their home or their own heart. Megan’s story is a reminder that God meets people in the middle of their confusion, and that with the right understanding and support, change is not only possible—it’s often where purpose begins to emerge. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

On the surface, many men look successful—solid job, decent income, life “under control.” Underneath, the story can be very different: numbness, quiet resentment, or the sense of living someone else’s script. Scorpio Lamonte calls this mediocrity a social disease, and he has built his life’s work around confronting it. As an identity mentor and founder of Hope Elevation, he helps men and young people turn back toward the person they were meant to be, rather than the role they’ve drifted into.In this episode, Scorpio breaks down what identity mentoring looks like in real life: helping people recognize where herd mentality and hurt mentality have shaped their choices, and guiding them to see hope as an active discipline. He describes hope as a decision and a muscle—something strengthened through small, consistent choices that honor the truth of who you are in God, not the lies spoken over you. Instead of outsourcing worth to other people’s opinions, he invites listeners to look within and discover that “His grace is sufficient” and “you are more than enough.”The conversation is energetic and practical, offering clear encouragement for anyone who feels stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to move forward. With a focus on mindset shifts, micro‑habits, and honest self‑definition, Scorpio’s message points to a simple but demanding invitation: start making hope‑filled decisions for your own life, and watch how purpose, resources, and relationships begin to align. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Wanting to quit and knowing how to quit are two very different things. Rose Ann Forte understands that gap from the inside. After years in corporate leadership and a private battle with alcohol, she reached a breaking point that became a turning point. What followed was a season of surrender, rebuilding, and discovering how Scripture and neuroscience together could support real, lasting transformation.In this episode, Rose Ann explains how her own experience led to the Choose Freedom® Program and a series of devotionals, books, and courses aimed at people who feel stuck in substances or life-interfering behaviors. She outlines the core ideas behind The Plans He Has for Me and Transformed by His Promises, showing how daily engagement with God’s word, paired with practical tools, helps rewire thought patterns and open the door to new choices. Rather than shame or quick fixes, her approach is rooted in grace, clarity, and small, steady steps.The conversation offers encouragement for anyone who has tried to change and slipped back, or who loves someone caught in a cycle they can’t seem to break. It’s a clear, compassionate look at how faith, honest preparation, and a renewed mind can work together to make freedom more than a wish—it can become a way of life. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Streaming platforms are filled with scripted drama, but some of the most gripping stories are the ones that actually happened. Mick Wienholt has built his life around listening to those real accounts—the moments when something unexplainable breaks into an ordinary day—and then helping people name what those experiences mean. As host of the When You Look show, he creates space for guests to ask a simple but demanding question: was that just coincidence, or was that God?In this episode, Mick reflects on his own journey through heartbreak, near-death, and unexpected grace, and how those seasons shaped his hunger to hear from others. He describes conversations with people who have come through grief, danger, or radical change, each standing at the same crossroads: dismiss the event as random, or recognize it as an invitation into a deeper relationship with Christ. Rather than forcing conclusions, Mick’s approach is to listen closely and let people discover, in their own words, what their stories reveal about faith, fear, and hope.For viewers who are tired of fictional escapes and ready for true stories with spiritual weight, this conversation offers a different kind of narrative—one that honors both mystery and honesty. It’s an episode for anyone who has ever wondered if something that happened “to them” might actually have been happening for them. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Some decisions make no sense on paper—and yet, in hindsight, they mark the beginning of an entirely new life. In this episode, Jonathan England tells the story of how he went from building community in Austin, Texas to founding Earthwaking Village in Costa Rica, guided by what he understands as a clear and urgent call from God. Along the way, he describes a shocking encounter with a prophet living in a storage shed, visions that unfolded over three days, and a promise that if he gave his life completely to God, he could never take credit for anything again.From there, the path only becomes more unlikely. Jonathan and his wife heard the words, “You have one hour—pack your bags and fly to Costa Rica.” They obeyed, arrived, and watched the world shut down as COVID hit and borders closed. Out of that disruption, a new experiment in community began to take shape: people gathering around Divine Law, releasing fear and control, and learning to live from a place of trust, purpose, and shared responsibility.This conversation explores what it means to “leave Babylon”—not just geographically, but spiritually and emotionally. Jonathan speaks candidly about surrender, the cost of obedience, and the joy of seeing lives transformed when people step into their true identity. For anyone sensing that the systems around them no longer fit, or wondering what it might look like to follow God into something radically different, this episode offers both challenge and hope. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Every day, headlines claim to tell “the truth,” while fiction invites readers into stories that never happened. John DeDakis has spent a lifetime moving between those worlds. As a former White House correspondent and CNN editor, he covered real events in real time during the Reagan years. As an award‑winning mystery‑thriller author, he now transforms that experience into stories that let readers feel the pressure, danger, and moral tension of life behind the scenes.In this episode, John unpacks the relationship between facts, narrative, and the search for truth. He describes daily journalism as a mosaic of “small t” truths—fragments of fact that never quite capture the full picture, yet point toward it. From there, he reflects on how fiction can sometimes reveal deeper realities by exploring motive, character, and consequence in ways a news story cannot. Along the way, he speaks candidly about objectivity, media bias, and the challenges of reporting in a polarized age.The conversation also follows his journey as a novelist and writing coach, including how personal loss and spiritual questions have shaped his work. For anyone wondering how to navigate the blur between news and narrative—or how writing can become a path toward healing and understanding—this episode offers a clear, thoughtful look at truth on the page and in public life. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Most people feel that something is broken in education, but struggle to name exactly what it is. Joseph Atman believes the problem goes deeper than test scores or funding—it reaches into how we form concepts, define our terms, and understand reality itself. As the founder of Middle Tree, a nonprofit committed to making education accessible to everyone, he has spent years building a system where students can learn at their own pace, in their own way, without being turned away for lack of resources. As a philosopher of religion, he has also been writing A Philosophical War, a trilogy that starts in the Garden of Eden and asks hard questions about good, evil, and consciousness.In this episode, Joseph explains why true philosophy begins by questioning everything—even our most familiar religious and moral categories. He describes how unexamined definitions of “good,” “evil,” or even “truth” can lock people into narrow frameworks that no longer match reality, and how revisiting those concepts can open new space for both faith and understanding. Drawing on imagery from Genesis, the tree in the middle of the garden, and Paul’s call to “exercise the senses to discern good and evil,” he connects the work of spiritual maturity with the work of education: learning to tune our senses and language to what is actually real.The conversation then turns concrete, as Joseph shares how Middle Tree’s model—“educate everyone”—puts these ideas into practice: unlimited time, individualized support, and new vocational programs, all designed to treat education as a right rather than a luxury. For anyone longing for a deeper, more coherent way to think about faith, knowledge, and how we teach the next generation, this episode offers a thoughtful, challenging, and hopeful path forward. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Conversations about nearly any topic in America today seem to turn political in seconds. Behind that tension is a long story about how religion has shaped public life—and how public life has shaped religion. In this episode, Mark Silk brings that story into focus. A historian by training and a journalist by vocation, he began his career studying the Middle Ages before turning his attention to contemporary America just as the Religious Right was taking shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s.Drawing on that dual lens, Mark explains how the United States moved from a largely Christian‑Jewish frame to a more visibly pluralistic society, increasingly open to a wide variety of faiths. He describes the hopeful expansion that took place in the late 20th century, then names the more recent pullback—where old patterns of hostility and suspicion are resurfacing in new forms. Using comparisons from medieval Christian and Jewish experience, he shows how organized power, fear, and religious identity have historically combined to both protect and endanger minorities, and asks whether similar dynamics are now returning.The result is a grounded, historically informed look at questions many people are feeling but struggle to articulate: Are we still moving toward greater openness, or sliding into something harsher and more closed? What can the past teach about navigating this present moment without repeating its worst mistakes? For anyone trying to make sense of religion’s role in today’s culture wars, this conversation offers clarity, context, and a wider frame of understanding. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

For many Christians, horror movies sit on the edge of what seems acceptable, if not far beyond it. Josh Larsen believes that boundary is exactly where some of the most important questions can be asked. A veteran film critic and author of Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror, Josh has spent years considering how the genre grapples with fear, evil, and the human longing for deliverance—and why thoughtful engagement with these stories might matter for people of faith.In this episode, he explores the surprising ways horror can echo biblical images and themes, from the terror of the cross to the desperation of the demon‑possessed man called Legion. Rather than dismissing the genre outright, Josh suggests approaching it theologically: paying attention to what horror reveals about isolation, sin, sacrifice, judgment, and the hope of rescue. Along the way, he addresses common concerns believers have about watching horror and offers a framework for discernment rather than simple rejection.The result is a conversation that is both candid and deeply reflective. It invites listeners to reconsider where God might already be at work in the stories culture tells about fear and darkness—and how even the most unsettling images can send us back to the heart of the gospel with fresh eyes. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

For decades, evangelical Christianity shaped America’s spiritual landscape—but today, more and more people find themselves searching beyond the familiar labels. In this episode, Dr. David Gushee—author, ethicist, and trusted voice on faith—examines the rise and unraveling of a movement and the unexpected hope waiting on the other side.Drawing from his years of scholarship and experience, Gushee traces the path from passionate beginnings to painful disillusionment: how political entanglement and division have left many believers wondering if there’s anything left to reclaim. Yet within the loss, he sees signs of life—a post-evangelical movement rooted not in nostalgia, but in the genuine teachings of Jesus: humility, courage, and a deeper commitment to healing and inclusion.This conversation offers perspective for anyone sorting through old questions or longing for a more honest spiritual home. What if letting go is only the beginning? For those willing to start again, the future of faith may be wider, braver, and more connected than ever before. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Raised in the rituals of Catholicism, Julia Strukely found early meaning in scripture, teaching, and community life—yet her deepest growth came when she stepped outside the boundaries she’d always known. Her pursuit of media literacy, curiosity about pop culture, and experience in an ecumenical spiritual direction program taught her that God can’t be contained by any one tradition.In this episode, Julia reflects on what it means to guide others gently along their spiritual path, letting real listening and honest encounter lead the way. She explains how faith becomes more vibrant when it opens to questions, when classrooms turn into sacred spaces, and when each person’s background is an invitation to something deeper rather than a barrier.Her story is a reminder that there’s always room for another perspective, another story around the table—even (or especially) if it’s different from our own. For anyone hoping to widen their understanding of God, or simply to walk the road with greater compassion, Julia’s journey sparks encouragement to take the next step, wherever you are starting. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

Most people admire heroic lives from a distance without ever imagining they could live one. Audrey Rindlisbacher began in that same place, reading The Hiding Place while raising small children and simply wanting to be “a family like that” without knowing how. What followed was a deep study of the lives of men and women who seemed extraordinary—and the surprising discovery that they all started as ordinary people with familiar struggles.In this episode, Audrey unpacks the 7 Laws of Life Mission that emerged from her research and experience. She explains why mission doesn’t begin with a grand vision, but with practicing true principles in the middle of everyday challenges: strengthening a marriage, being more present as a parent, facing personal weaknesses with honesty. Over time, those small but consistent choices create the character, clarity, and courage needed for larger impact.This conversation is both grounding and hopeful. It offers a clear path for anyone who senses there is “more” to their life but feels unsure where to begin. Step by step, Audrey shows how starting exactly where you are—doing the next right thing—can quietly lead to a mission‑driven life that blesses others far beyond what you might expect. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

For the first episode of 2025, Wade Fransson welcomes writer and pastor Morgan Guyton for a special New Year’s conversation that goes far beyond ordinary resolutions. Together, they chart a course into what Morgan calls a “New Year’s revolution”—rooted in mercy, courageously using privilege for the good of others, and forging authentic community in the face of division. Their discussion travels from the dynamics of privilege and the call to use our resources for solidarity and support, to the role of worship, the relationship between prophets and priests, and the irreplaceable value of real, personal relationships—especially in a digital age more accustomed to debates than dialogue. With trademark honesty and warmth, Morgan challenges the easy patterns of arguing with strangers online, and instead champions a faith that listens, shows up, and does the hard work of building a culture where people care for each other in tangible ways. Inspired by the wild ride of a true new beginning and laced with practical hope, this conversation invites listeners to make 2025 less about self-improvement and more about collective healing and bold, relational mercy. Whether you’re ready for new adventures or simply hoping to start the year with deeper meaning, Wade and Morgan’s dialogue is the beginning of something that just might last. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

What should we expect from science—and where must we look beyond it? In this episode, Wade Fransson welcomes Alan Lightman for an hour-long journey through the frontiers of knowledge, awe, and responsibility. Drawing on his years as a physicist, novelist, and teacher at MIT, Lightman opens up about the curious intersection where theoretical physics meets philosophy and the search for meaning.The conversation ranges from star-filled nights on a quiet boat to the realities of climate change and the pandemic, exploring how science approaches—and sometimes collides with—the big questions of human existence. Lightman shares candid thoughts about the limits of scientific inquiry: the kinds of questions data can answer, and the mysteries that remain stubbornly outside its grasp. He also addresses the public’s growing skepticism around scientific authority, pointing toward the importance of humility, clear communication, and an honest admission of what we simply don’t know.Listeners will find themselves challenged to rethink “certainty,” and inspired to reclaim a sense of wonder. Whether science is your daily work or a distant headline, Alan Lightman’s perspective offers a refreshing space for doubt, discovery, and genuine curiosity. This episode is a rare reminder that the most important answers start with a willingness to wrestle with questions we cannot solve. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe

What if hell isn’t a place beneath our feet—but a metaphor for what we experience inside? In this episode, Wade sits down with David Langness, a Baha’i of 56 years and the editor of Baha’iTeachings.org, to unravel one of religion’s oldest—and most misunderstood—concepts.David explains how the idea of hell has often been used to frighten and control, but the Baha’i writings invite us to see it differently: as a condition of the soul, born from selfishness, ego, and the instincts that pull us away from our higher purpose. The conversation is an honest exploration of what it truly means to “conquer hell”—not by escaping punishment, but by facing our shortcomings, overcoming the animal side of our nature, and striving for something nobler.With wisdom drawn from decades of study and service, David offers a perspective that’s at once challenging and hopeful. Viewers will come away with a new understanding of character, the nature of the self, and the daily practices that enable us to move from darkness to light. If you’re looking for an uplifting yet grounded discussion about human potential and spiritual growth, this episode is not to be missed. Get full access to SOOPMedia on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe