Saulo Ortiz Better with Jesus Podcast

Tune in for a very special podcast with a man with the best last name I know Cormack LAZARUS. AKA DR. LAZARUS, M.D.!  In this podcast we talk about the impact The Chosen, a TV series on the life of Jesus, has had on our lives and how it can help draw others closer to Jesus. We talk about pain and faith and how there is beauty in following Jesus through the pain.  Cormack discusses putting his faith to the test in applying for medical school and how Jesus has shown his faithfulness in getting him through medical school–now being months away from graduating! Cormack further shares how Jesus has shown up for him in his life and what he is believing for now.  Cormack touches on a book he is reading called Habits of Grace and how the word, prayer and community draw us closer to Jesus. He talks about discovering his primary and secondary purpose living for the Lord.  We have some fun at the end and play a question with some deep questions.  We recorded this episode last month when he was awaiting his residency match results….Commack has matched into a medical residency here in Michigan!!! Congrats Dr. Lazarus!!! Look at GOD! 

In this episode I sit down with one of my best friends and roommate SEAN FILSINGER. I've had the privilege of getting to know Sean over the years since moving to Detroit metro. What a guy!  Sean goes deep into his upbringing and describes life changing moments that set a foundation for his walk with Jesus–including a visit from a family member, revival at his home church, and going to bible college.  Sean describes his passion for graphic design, creativity, and real estate and how he is using it to build the Kingdom of God. He provides advice to those wanting to pursue similar passions/giftings.  In this episode we also discuss social media, miracles, purpose and preaching.  Here are some of my favorite thoughts from this episode: If you lose it all, you still have Jesus. He remains and that’s all that matters. You can put your trust in God. He is faithful. Your purpose will cost you something. The call of God will chase you. God may put you in situations that you can’t control so that you can really pause, focus, and listen to Him. Do your best and leave the rest to God. God is good, not the active Good, He IS good--the definition of it.  There are things that God keeps us from–things we may not be aware of, and those are miracles.

This episode is a personal one for me. My sister Aimee joins me on the podcast and shares her story! In this episode we explore the difficulties of our childhood. Aimee describes how the grace of God allowed her to process these experiences and make it through them. She talks about encountering the love of Jesus which changed her life forever. Other topics explored in this episode include:  *Aimee’s personal Christian journey through challenge and experiencing new environments  *Aimee’s journey to becoming a mental health therapist  *Mental health and Christianity *Advice for a healthy mind and navigating trauma  Here are some of my favorite thoughts/quotes from this episode: God is in the stillness, not just in highly supernatural experiences. God will wreck your plans, when He sees your plans are going to wreck you. Feelings are not facts. Be mindful of the feelings your thoughts are feeding you. Are these thoughts biblically true? People are attracted to authenticity. Be real. Be yourself. If you’ve gone through abuse and trauma, it’s important to process this–it may not be as easy as replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Anxiety is fixation on the future; depression is fixation on the past. Meditation is something that brings you to the present and can help produce a healthy mind. 

Hi y'all!! Tune into another great episode as I talk with Manu Anish!! Manu is a fourth year medical student at Ross University School of Medicine pursuing his MD degree. Born and raised in New York City and a first generation South Indian American, he considers this “dual upbringing” something that continues to enrich and inform his life’s journey. He is passionate about all things faith, healthcare, music, food, and most recently running. He enjoys encouraging people to live out their God given purpose and potential with boldness. In this episode Manu describes how Jesus is purpose, presence and promise and asks us the question, WHO is Jesus to YOU?? Manu and I discuss how being from two difficult cultures enriches our experiences and how it can also be a source of tension. We discuss how it can help us serve as a bridge--bringing others together and pointing them to Jesus.  None of us are immune to anxiety, and Manu describes how he combats the anxiety that comes with medical school-- by avoiding comparison and engaging in activities that bring him joy.  He talks about how to deal with the insecurities that may ravage our minds but surrounding ourselves with people that speak life into our lives and hiding God's Word in our hearts.  This episode also includes a series of back to back questions about Manu's goals, favorite book, scripture, etc.!  Here are some of my favorite quotes/thoughts from this episode: "Even in our failures, we are met by the faithfulness of God" The moments you feel the worst, isolated and overwhelmed, are the places where you can meet God the closest. Be generous with the time you give others--it has healing qualities. God is the constant in the change. 

WHOA! What a conversation! You're NOT going to want to miss this one! Micah is a great friend of mine and he has an incredible story and perspective on God. In this episode Micah discusses the pain of losing his father, and he describes what the healing process has looked like for him.  We dive into the topic of fatherhood, "daddy issues", and what it means for God to be our heavenly father. Micah talks about the importance of having an intimate relationship with Jesus, especially for men who may shy away from this.  We discuss how we often find Jesus in the chaotic, the importance of not being afraid to take risks for Jesus, and how there is spiritual growth in doing things that are uncomfortable.  Micah reminds us that we serve a global God and that He can be found in people all around the world.  Here are some of my favorite quotes from this episode:  "Be patient, let other people in, and let Jesus be the center." --On advice to those that have lost a loved one.  "The uncomfortable places are the places where you can grow the most spiritually." "A state of comfort, doesn't allow for miracles".  The more experiences we get around the world, the more we're able to understand God".  **Note: The audio gets louder at around 10 minutes and stays at the same level after we adjusted our mics. You may also hear some background noise around 50 minutes for a couple of minutes, but you're still able to hear the conversation :)**

Welcome to the third episode of the Better with Jesus Podcast Series! This interview is with a great friend and former coworker, LaTina Jackson. In this episode we discuss prayer, journaling, life transitions, what to do if you feel like you're on hold, and how Jesus meets us in all of this. LaTina reminds us that there is depth to the simple fact that we are God's children. Listen in for some great words of wisdom from LaTina from a life well lived devoted to God. Here are some of my favorite quotes from this podcast: "God does not fail, therefore, you will not fail." "As a Christian, the word of God is my truth".  "The best friends you can have in life are the ones that pray for you and speak the word of God over you."  

This SECOND episode is the FIRST interview of this podcast. Listen in as I interview one of my best friends, Clark Campbell. In this interview we discuss the infilling of the holy spirit, the unique encounters Clark has experienced with Jesus, and how Jesus has met and continues to meet Clark in his struggles. Clark provides 3 great keys to overcoming the frustrations and obstacles that come our way.  If you're interested in learning more about Clark's story and how weaknesses are strengths visit his podcast at "This Ability Podcast". God bless you all! 

In this introduction, I explain the heart and goals behind the podcast. Enjoy!