Claim OwnershipMake It Simple
Subscribed: 15Played: 867
Subscribe
© 2026 Make It Simple
Description
Matt Popovits and Rachel Ryder take complicated issues and break them down into ideas we can understand, truths we can apply, and questions worth pondering--and they do it all through the lens of faith.
With thought-provoking insights and engaging conversations, they explore everything from parenting and anxiety to racism, gender identity, the Enneagram, politics, and more.
84 Episodes
Reverse
This week, Rachel and Matt welcome Dr. Caroline Fleck and talk about validation, drawing from her book on the subject. They discuss how validation, which is about communicating mindfulness, understanding, and empathy to make someone feel seen and accepted, is often misunderstood as agreement or praise, but is actually a crucial therapeutic tool used to facilitate change in behavior. Dr. Fleck outlines the foundational skills of validation, like attending and copying, as a means to decrease ph...
This week, Matt and Rachel talk about disappointment and unmet expectations in life. Using a framework for grieving loss, they wonder if learning to deal with disappointments, both trivial and profound, is key to emotional health. They talk about the power of naming the disappointment and the need if left unmet, and how to reach an adjusted, hopeful expectation for the future—to avoid getting stuck in cynicism or despair. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, hea...
In this week's episode, Rachel and Matt discuss the quiet epidemic of online sports gambling and gaming, and its addictive nature. They explore how the rise of online and in-app betting, which is now everywhere and easily accessible, is particularly affecting young men, and how online spending through betting, gambling, and even games is pervasive in our culture. They also touch on how this stems from a deeper need for human connection, and where do we go from here. Support the show For more ...
This week Matt and Rachel try to work out how to have difficult conversations without letting them "go off the rails." They use the frame work of Susan Scott's "Fierce Conversations" to help them navigate, and agree that while conflict is a natural and necessary part of life, many people try to avoid these crucial discussions, which is ultimately detrimental to relationships and personal growth. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.o...
In this episode of "Make It Simple," Rachel and Matt explore the concept of changing one's mind as adults, noting how challenging it can be. They discuss personal examples of shifting perspectives on things like food, politics, and pop culture, highlighting that deconstruction and maturing often involve this process. They discuss how difficult it can be as adults to admit when we're wrong and the importance of discerning which beliefs should be held firmly versus those we should remain open t...
In this episode, Rachel and Matt talk about shows we've grown up with and their child stars, and examine how we feel about children in media, given how our culture treats celebrities. Given recent discussions around children's roles in social media, it's a timely conversation. Things referenced in this episode: Book: Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire by Ashley Spencer Book: I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy Documentary: Quiet on Set: T...
In this episode, Rachel and Matt discuss the person of Jesus- not the idea of Jesus, the work of Jesus, or even the deity of Jesus. Who is he as a person? Things referenced in this episode: Book: Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund Book: He Loved Them by Jessica Thompson Previous Episode: How Jesus Loves with Jessica Thompson Statistic: Barna Research Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, hea...
This week, we invite Chad Lakies back to help us finish our Junk Drawer Jesus series and talk about how to move forward as believers in today’s culture. Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies is the regional director for North America at Lutheran Hour Ministries, and is a scholar on the intersection of church and culture. Check out his new book, How the Light Shines Through, anywhere books are sold. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To suppor...
This week, we welcome Bob Hiller to discuss Chapter 6, “On Pietists and Party Animals,” and our tendency as believers to swing between legalism and throwing it all out the window. Bob Hiller is the senior pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, CA. He is the content editor for The Craft of Preaching, a preacher on You Are Forgiven Radio, and a contributor to 1517. He is also a co-host on White Horse Inn. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to htt...
This week, we welcome a special guest, Matt’s good friend and Rachel’s husband, Jeremy Ryder, to discuss Chapter 4: "The Why of Work" and finding balance with this significant part of our lives. Jeremy has worked with many large organizations to help with their recruiting and hiring strategies and brings a heart-filled perspective on the way of work. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Sup...
In this special season of Make It Simple, we're having conversations with friends all about Matt's new book, Junk Drawer Jesus. This week, we welcome Erick Sorensen to talk about Chapter 3: "Of Mountains and Measurements" and what do we do about grace when it seems so counter-intuitive. You can grab your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovits today at 1517.org or anywhere books are sold! *** Erick Sorensen leads Church Partnerships at 1517. He holds degrees from Biola and Lutheran Bret...
In this special season of Make It Simple, we're having conversations with friends all about Matt's new book, Junk Drawer Jesus. This week, we welcome Jared Wilson to talk about Chapter 2: "The Myth of the Cosmic Scale" and how the point was never to be perfect (spoiler alert: you won't achieve it anyway). You can grab your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovits today at 1517.org or anywhere books are sold! *** Jared C. Wilson is an assistant professor of pastoral ministry, an author in...
In this special season of Make It Simple, we're having conversations with friends all about Matt's new book, Junk Drawer Jesus. This week, we welcome David Zahl to talk about Chapter 1: "The Spiritual Junk Drawer," and discuss what's in our spiritual junk drawers, and why it's good to declutter our religion. You can grab your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus by Matt Popovits today at 1517.org or anywhere books are sold! *** David Zahl is the director of Mockingbird Ministries, an organization he ...
This week, the podcast welcomes John Busacker for our season finale episode, where we discuss what it means to finish things well in all aspects of life. John shares wisdom to be considered as we look at what it means to move through life with intention. It’s a perfect conversation to close out this podcast season. John Busacker is a writer, speaker and the Founder of Life-Worth, LLC, a personal leadership development firm. He has delivered keynotes, facilitated workshops, coached leaders, a...
This week, Michelle Thompson is back with Matt & Rachel to discuss perfectionism and shame and shows us grief and acceptance are the pathways to growth. As always, Michelle brings wisdom, warmth, and lighthearted grace to the conversation. You don’t want to miss it. Michelle is the Senior Director of External Relations and Executive Coaching and Consulting, Townsend Institute, Concordia Irvine. As a Leadership and Growth Coach, credentialed as a Professional Certified Coach ...
This week, Steve Theiss joins Matt and Rachel to share about the art and craft of comedy. Steve shares insights into the importance of comedy, making people laugh, and the creative process behind humor. Listeners can gain a deeper understanding of the comedic world and pick up a few tips on injecting humor into their own lives. Steve Theiss writes, improvises, acts, directs, teaches improv, and occasionally sleeps. He used to do these things in New York, but now does them in California, wher...
Bob Hiller joins Rachel & Matt to share about some commonly misunderstood and misused Scripture. It’s a fun and grace-filled episode as they dive deep into three commonly misunderstood Bible verses. Bob shares how to better approach Scripture, and they all land on the other side with a deeper insight into the character of God (Warning… You may come away with a new perspective on some favorite verses). You won’t want to miss this episode! Bob Hiller is the senior pastor of Community Luthe...
This week, Matt and Rachel are back, and talk with author and artist Ned Bustard about the true story of Saint Valentine and his new book Saint Valentine the Kindhearted. They discuss how our understanding of love changes, making stories accessible for children, and art of loving through our kindness. *** You can learn more about Ned and check out his beautiful artwork on IG @NedBustard, and find his books on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Ned Bustard is a graphic designer, children’s ...
In this special episode, Rachel and Matt speak with their new friend, Matt Randerson. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion as he shares recent trends presented by the Barna Group regarding intergenerational relationships. He shares insights to help us navigate the generational divides, explains what the cultural labels really mean, and ways we can move forward in community together. Matt Randerson serves as Vice President at Barna Group, working with churches and faith-based orga...
This week, we talk to Dr. John Townsend about navigating tricky relationships with difficult people— what we mean when we say someone is “toxic” or find interactions with them continually causing us hurt. It’s a gracious and truth-filled conversation that will help you love the difficult people in your life while also caring for yourself. Dr. John Townsend is a business consultant, leadership coach and clinical psychologist. He has written or co-written 27 books, selling 8 million copies, in...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States