Digging in the Dirt, with Jonathan Trotter

Welcome to ground level, to the dirt and the mess. We like green grass under a clear blue sky. We like victory and breakthrough and answered prayers. But sometimes it rains, the shadows deepen, and life turns muddy. Sometimes God seems quiet. What then? What happens when depression descends, or anxiety hangs like a sword overhead? What happens when loneliness suffocates, the thief steals more than stuff, and you get blood on your shoes? In this podcast, we'll delve into the disasters, the darkness, and the deluge, and offer some comfort, presence, and a gentle invitation to hope.

Marriage: Sex and Sexuality

In this episode, Elizabeth and I talk candidly about sex and married sexuality. Resources:Sex and the Married Missionary, by JonathanOn Making Love [Links to all the books we recommend and the articles we’ve written about sex]

06-24
31:12

Marriage: Conflict and Tools (with Elizabeth Trotter)

In Part 2, we talk about how we conceptualize conflict, as well as some evidence-based tools for approaching conflict, including what to do if one or both people get “flooded.”Resources (or ideas) mentioned in this episode:The Four Horsemen (article), by The Gottman InstituteThe Vortex of Terror (video), by JonathanFlooding (article), by The Gottman InstituteJesus Loves Me This I Sometimes Know, by ElizabethWhen Ministry and Marriage Collide, by Elizabeth

06-16
29:36

Marriage: Part 1 (with Elizabeth Trotter)

In this first installment, Elizabeth and I talk about marriage in general, a theology of marriage, and what the “5 magic hours” means. Resources (or ideas) mentioned in this episode:Created for Connection, by Johnson and SanderferCreated for Connection Roadmap, by JonathanThe Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John GottmanA Marriage Blessing, by JonathanOur Journey to Finding Joy in Marriage (and the things we lost along the way), by ElizabethThe Purpose of Marriage is NOT to Make You Holy, by JonathanWhen We Said I Do, by Elizabeth*affiliate links

06-10
27:16

Grief: an Empty Ocean and the Ten Things We Must Remember About Grief and Loss

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll be chatting about “Grief: an Empty Ocean and the Ten Things We Must Remember About Grief and Loss.”In future episodes, we’ll continue to feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here.Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch each episode on YouTube. Also, you can buy your very own copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt: Musings on Missions, Emotions, and Life inthe Mud, here.Thanks for stopping by, and have a greatday!~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com______________________________________________Resources MentionedDigging in the Dirt, by Jonathan TrotterDark Clouds, Deep Mercy, by Mark VroegopThe Gift of Grief, by Jonathan Trotter On Fundamental Sadness, by Jonathan Trotter⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter*Amazon affiliate links

05-13
20:51

Anxiety: What C.S. Lewis, Paul, and the Sword of Damocles can Teach us About Living in Terrible Times.

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll be chatting about “Anxiety: What C.S. Lewis, Paul, and the Sword of Damocles can Teach us About Living in Terrible Times.”In future episodes, we’ll continue to feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here.Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch each episode on YouTube. Also, you can buy your very own copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt: Musings on Missions, Emotions, and Life in the Mud, here. Thanks for stopping by, and have a greatday!~ Jonathan T.www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com ______________________________________________Resources MentionedThe Quotable LewisIn Defense of Sanity, by GK Chesterton⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter*Amazon affiliate links

03-25
13:16

A Lament for the American Church

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll be chatting about Lament.In future episodes, we’ll continue to feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here.Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch each episode on YouTube. Also, you can buy your very own copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt: Musings on Missions, Emotions, and Life in the Mud, here.Thanks for stopping by, and have a greatday!~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com ______________________________________________Resources MentionedA Church Called TOV, by McKnight andBarringerCodependent No More, by BeattieWhen Narcissism Comes to Church, by DeGroat*Amazon affiliate links

03-13
18:14

When Depression Descends

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll be chatting about “When Depression Descends.” In future episodes, we’ll continue to feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch each episode on YouTube. Also, you can buy your very own copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt: Musings on Missions, Emotions, and Life in the Mud, here. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com   ______________________________________________ Resources Mentioned 988 Lifeline C.S. Lewis, Sadness, and What Eternal Hope Looks Like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Dummies, by Rhena Branch and Rob Willson Depression in Adults, by the National Health Service Outlawed Grief Despair is Where Hope Lives (Psalm 130) ⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter *Amazon affiliate links

10-03
16:33

Gandalf’s Scream, Love, and Why We Need More Anger

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll be chatting about “Gandalf’s Scream, Love, and Why We Need More Anger.” We’ll also be answering a listener’s questions about re-entry and transition. In future episodes, we’ll continue to feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch each episode on YouTube. Also, you can buy your very own copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt: Musings on Missions, Emotions, and Life in the Mud, here. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com   ______________________________________________ Resources Mentioned ⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter Burn Up or Splash Down, by Marion Knell Returning Well, by Melissa Chaplin Looming Transitions, by Amy Young *Amazon affiliate links

09-24
30:32

'Twas the Night Before Furlough & The Day We Didn't Go Home

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll be chatting about “The Night Before Furlough” and “The Day We Didn’t Go Home.” In future episodes, we’ll feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch each episode on YouTube. Also, you can buy your very own copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt: Musings on Missions, Emotions, and Life in the Mud, here. [affiliate link] Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com   ______________________________________________ Resources Mentioned ⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter

09-05
12:39

The Missionary Life Cycle (in Five Stages)

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! Listen to Episode 6 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠right here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Buy a copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com *Amazon affiliate link

06-21
14:52

One Simple Way to Bless Third Culture Kids

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! Listen to Episode 5 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or ⁠⁠⁠right here⁠⁠⁠. Buy a copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt, ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠ Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com *Amazon affiliate links help support the work of A Life Overseas

06-10
07:19

Don't Call Your Kids "World Changers"

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! Listen to Episode 4 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or ⁠⁠right here⁠⁠. Buy a copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt, ⁠here⁠. Submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes ⁠here.⁠ Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com ______________________________________________ Resources Mentioned ⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter (We've got a whole section in there about caring for the hearts of your kiddos) *Amazon affiliate links help support the work of A Life Overseas

04-01
11:14

Sex and the Married Missionary

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll talk about one of the things that we don’t talk about very much: sex. In future episodes, we’ll feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes ⁠here.⁠ Listen to Episode 3 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or ⁠right here⁠. Buy a copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt, here. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com ______________________________________________ Resources Mentioned ⁠Serving Well⁠, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter Want to see what a porn-addicted missionary looks like? By Andy Bruner Sex Made Simple, by Barry McCarthy On Making Love, by Jonathan Trotter Sensate Focus in Sex Therapy, by Weiner and Avery-Clark *Amazon affiliate links help support the work of A Life Overseas

03-26
18:21

Politics, Plumeria, and the Kingdom of Heaven

Welcome back to another episode of the Digging in the Dirt podcast! On today's episode, we'll look at one of my favorite chapters that was inspired by our time at an international church in Cambodia. In future episodes, I hope to feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here. Listen to Episode 2 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or right here. Buy a copy of the book, Digging in the Dirt, here. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com ______________________________________________ Resources Mentioned Serving Well, by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter A Gentle Answer, by Scott Sauls Dancing in No Man's Land, by Brian Jennings *Amazon affiliate links help support the work of A Life Overseas

02-21
10:50

A Welcome, an Invitation, and the Ten Things Flying Taught Me About Missions

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Digging in the Dirt Podcast! I'm so glad you're here! I will aim to keep this short, simple, and from the heart. Over time, I plan to read through my entire book, Digging in the Dirt. Think of it as a sort of free audio book! And in addition to the readings, each episode will feature discussions around listener-submitted questions. So, where would you like to begin? You can submit your ideas, comments, and questions for future episodes here. Listen to Episode 1 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or right here. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! ~ Jonathan T. www.seeingtheheartsofthehurting.com ________________________________________________ Resources Mentioned Necessary Endings, by Henry Cloud Digging in the Dirt, by Jonathan Trotter I Walked On the Moon, by Brian Regan (YouTube comedy special) *Amazon affiliate links help support the work of A Life Overseas

02-21
22:28

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