This vs. That

On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Rebekah Hannah about her book The Secret to Confidence and the difference between focusing on our identity in Christ and rooting our confidence in Christ Himself.

We reflect on how self-focused “identity talk” can subtly become a self-help tool, why real stability can’t come from our performance (or from other people), and how beholding Christ changes the way we live,...

On this episode of This vs. That, we celebrate our 80th episode by pulling back the curtain on eight seasons of the podcast. We reflect on what we've learned through this journey, discuss the original intention behind the show, and share how the podcast has evolved over time.

We talk about finding our voice as co-hosts, the spiritual and emotional tone we hoped to create, and how our conversations have deepened from being more forma...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore a tension that many in ministry face: being needed versus being known. We're joined by Rebekah Hannah and Kari Ann Tilson, co-founders of Rode Leadership, a partner organization of Anchored Virtual.

We discuss Rode Leadership's upcoming pastor's wives cohort and examine why this topic is especially relevant for pastor's wives. Pastor's wives often feel the pull of being needed by many peo...

On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Jared Wilson to explore the tension between gospel-centered and issue-driven ministry. We ask whether gospel centeredness was just another evangelical trend or if it remains essential to the DNA of healthy Christians and churches.

Jared breaks down what gospel-centered ministry actually means—centering on Christ in Scripture, trusting grace for heart-level change, and finding ...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the relationship between professional counseling and everyday counseling with Dr. Kristin Kellen, associate professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss how these two forms of counseling exist on a spectrum, examining the differences in formality, reciprocity, and structure.

We consider the biblical foundation for everyday counseling through th...

On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome back Yana Jenay Conner to explore the difficult but essential work of forgiveness in close friendships. We discuss why forgiveness matters so deeply in our faith and why it's such hard work when friends wound us.

We examine what makes God's way of forgiveness different from our culture's approach, moving beyond self-centered freedom to an other-centered response that reflects the gospel. ...

On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Ronnie Martin, pastor and Director of Leader Care and Renewal for the Harbor Network, to explore unhurried ministry versus anxious ministry.

We dig into why so many ministry leaders find themselves overextended and running ragged. Ronnie shares insights from his book "The Unhurried Pastor," co-authored with Brian Croft, which draws on Eugene Peterson's work to address the burnout ep...

On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Darby Strickland, faculty member and counselor at CCEF, to discuss understanding trauma versus simplistic responses to trauma. We explore what trauma really is and how it impacts people—disrupting their sense of self, safety, and ability to connect with others and the Lord.

Darby helps us recognize common simplistic responses that can unintentionally harm trauma survivors, lik...

On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Brad Hambrick, pastor of counseling at the Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, to discuss one of the most painful experiences a marriage can face: betrayal.

We explore the tension between idealized expectations of quick healing and the reality that recovery requires an intentional, patient process. Brad shares why "rarely is the first story, the whole story" and how incomplete ...

On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Trevin Wax and Thomas West to explore their new book, The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths that Take On the World. We discuss how catechisms serve as powerful tools for spiritual formation and discipleship in an ever-changing culture.

Trevin and Thomas share the inspiration behind their work, drawing from the influence of Lesslie Newbigin and Tim Keller's concept of counter catechesi...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore one of the most important yet often misunderstood aspects of Christian marriage: sex. We sit down with Scott Mehl, pastor of Cornerstone Church of West LA and author of Redeeming Sex and Marriage, to discuss the difference between self-centered sex and God-centered sex.

We tackle questions like: What is God's design for sex and marriage? Why does physical intimacy get complicated even in ...

On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Rebekah Hannah, not as our usual co-host, but as a special guest to discuss her leadership journey and the upcoming Women in Leadership cohort offered by Anchored Virtual starting in September. We explore how this cohort creates a space for women serving in various leadership roles to come together, find encouragement, and receive valuable teaching.

Becca shares her diverse leadership rol...

On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Dr. Nate Brooks about navigating the tension between honesty and cynicism when dealing with chronic illness. We discuss how the church often struggles to address the realities of chronic pain in authentic ways, sometimes offering shallow platitudes rather than genuine understanding. Dr. Brooks, an associate professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and founder of Courage C...

On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Harrison Scott Key, author of the incredibly popular book "How To Stay Married" as well as "Congratulations, Who Are You Again?" and "The World's Largest Man" (winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor).

We explore the theme of fairytale versus real marriage through Harrison's raw, honest, and often humorous account of marital betrayal. Harrison shares his journey of discovering h...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the profound topic of rejection and how we respond to it with our special guest Tabitha Panariso. We dive into the contrast between hiding and being held when facing rejection in our lives. Tabitha, a licensed professional counselor, writer, and speaker, shares her personal journey with rejection and how these experiences shaped her identity.

We discuss why rejection leaves us feeling so ...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the relationship between the church and outside counseling resources. Our guest, Garrett Higbee, shares his extensive experience as founder of 12 Stones and president of Soul Care Consulting International.

We discuss the challenges churches face when navigating the counseling world, from concerns about liability to questions about theological alignment. Garrett offers insights on how cou...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the topic of nourished souls vs. starved souls with guest Kristen Wetherell, author of "Help for the Hungry Soul."

We discuss why Christians sometimes lose their appetite for God's Word and how to recognize the signs of spiritual malnourishment. Kristen shares personal insights about her own struggles with treating Bible reading as a checklist rather than an encounter with Jesus.

We exam...

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the tension between accepting limitations and neglecting responsibility with Kelly Kapic, Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College. Kelly, author of "Your Only Human" and the upcoming devotional "You Were Never Meant To Do It All," shares his personal struggles with productivity culture and the constant pressure to do more.

We discuss how human dependency—on God, other p...

On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Kyle Worley, founder and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Richardson, Texas. We explore the profound concept of our identity in Christ and what it means to be adopted as children of God. Kyle unpacks how our relationship with God as Father transcends mere acquittal from a holy judge—it's an invitation into a family where we are welcomed and delighted in despite our unworthiness. We ...