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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue their conversation around The Life You Built by Scott Jennings, diving deeper into one of the most important realities of spiritual formation: growth is cyclical, not linear.
Many of us expect healing and transformation to happen in a straight line. But what if the journey actually looks more like a wave? Awareness. Breakthrough. Peace. Trigger. Old patterns resurfacing. New awareness. Deeper surrender. Renewal.
Michael and SJ explore how the false self and true self continue to emerge throughout life, especially in our closest relationships. They discuss the challenges of marriage, recurring conflicts, and the temptation to interpret, predict, and protect ourselves rather than remain open, curious, and compassionate. The conversation reveals how the false self operates through fear and self-protection, while the true self invites us into trust, presence, and connection.
The episode also continues the discussion on the Enneagram as a tool for understanding motivations, emotional patterns, and relational dynamics. Rather than serving as a label, it can become a map that helps us recognize why we react the way we do and where God may be inviting deeper freedom.
At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reminder: healing is not a one-time event. It's a lifelong process of learning to "ride the wave"—returning again and again to awareness, compassion, and truth.
If you've ever felt discouraged by recurring struggles or wondered why old patterns keep resurfacing, this episode offers hope. Growth isn't about never falling back. It's about learning how to return.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson, SJ Jennings, and Scott Jennings continue their conversation around The Life You Built, exploring one of the most transformative ideas in the spiritual journey: the Great Exchange.
What if the life you've been living was built around survival rather than freedom?
Together, they unpack the ongoing process of moving from the false self to the true self—from protecting to trusting, performing to resting, pretending to revealing, and fear to love. While survival strategies may have helped us navigate pain, wounds, and difficult seasons, they were never meant to become our permanent identity.
The conversation highlights the reality that freedom isn't about becoming someone new; it's about returning to who God created you to be. Michael, SJ, and Scott discuss how awareness, reflection, and grace help us recognize the ways the false self still operates in our lives and relationships.
They also dive into the Enneagram, not as a tool for labeling people, but as a map for understanding motivations, patterns, and the hidden drivers behind our behavior. While acknowledging the controversy surrounding it, they explore how the Enneagram has helped many people gain greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and deeper compassion for themselves and others.
Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to exchange survival for freedom, fear for love, and self-protection for trust. The true self isn't something you have to create—it's the person God has been calling forth all along.
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Manglende episoder?
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson welcomes Scott Jennings and Steve Knee for a powerful conversation around Scott's book, The Life You Built, and one of the most important journeys a man can take: moving from the false self to the true self.
What if the version of you that learned to survive isn't the real you?
Together, they explore the ways men construct false identities through wounds, fears, coping mechanisms, and performance. Over time, these strategies can become so familiar that they feel like who we are. But beneath the masks, defenses, and self-protection is the true self—the man God created and loves.
The conversation centers on what Scott calls "The Great Exchange"—the ongoing process of recognizing the false self, releasing its grip, and learning to live from a place of truth, freedom, and belovedness. Michael, Scott, and Steve unpack practical steps for this journey, including awareness, self-observation, compassion, and choosing presence over fear.
They also discuss the role of community in healing, using the image of interconnected aspen trees as a reminder that transformation was never meant to happen alone. Freedom isn't found by trying harder—it's found by becoming more honest, more awake, and more connected to God and others.
If you've ever felt trapped by old patterns, exhausted by performance, or disconnected from your true self, this episode offers a hopeful invitation: the real you is still there, waiting to emerge.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings reflect on the impact of the Good Man Series and the lifelong journey of becoming wholehearted men. Looking back on years of ministry, friendships, and conversations with men, they explore what it means to move beyond performance and into a life marked by healing, freedom, and authenticity. Drawing from stories of transformation and personal experiences, Michael and SJ revisit one of the central themes of the series: becoming the man God created you to be. They discuss the importance of identity, brotherhood, and the courage it takes to engage your story honestly. The conversation highlights how healing is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that continues to shape every area of life. They also explore the significance of legacy—not just what a man accomplishes, but who he becomes and the impact he has on others. Through stories of friendship, mentorship, and spiritual growth, this episode serves as a reminder that every man is invited into a greater story, one where his life, wounds, gifts, and experiences can be redeemed and used for good. Whether you're just beginning your journey or have been walking this road for years, this conversation offers encouragement to stay engaged, remain open to God's work, and continue becoming more fully alive.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue unpacking the heart behind the Good Man Series, an eight-session journey created to help men recover their identity, heal what has been wounded, and step into the fullness of who God created them to be.
What does it mean to become a good man? Not merely a better version of yourself—but a man who is becoming more wholehearted, more free, and more alive.
Michael and SJ revisit some of the central themes of the series: masculinity, healing, the false self, and the invitation to rediscover the true self beneath the wounds, performance, and expectations that shape so many men's lives. At the center of the conversation is a profound idea from Saint Irenaeus: "The glory of God is man fully alive."
The episode explores the significance of the final session on glory—the unique strength, calling, and beauty God placed in every man. It's not about ego or achievement. It's about becoming the man God dreamed of when He made you.
Michael and SJ also reflect on the importance of commissioning, brotherhood, and continuing the journey beyond a single event or study. Healing isn't a destination—it's a lifelong invitation into deeper freedom, intimacy with God, and wholehearted living.
This episode is an encouragement to stay in the process, share what you're learning with others, and trust that your story still holds purpose, healing, and more life ahead.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the conversation around the Good Man Series, exploring what healing actually looks like—and why becoming a good man is inseparable from learning how to receive love.
Healing isn't just about fixing what's broken. It's about uncovering the true self beneath the wounds, agreements, disappointments, and grief we've carried for years. Michael and SJ discuss the deeper work of restoration, the resistance many men feel toward receiving encouragement, and why even something as simple as a compliment can reveal what still needs healing.
At the center of the conversation is a profound truth: good overcomes evil through love. Not striving. Not performance. Not shame. But through the restoring work of God that calls men back to who they truly are.
Michael and SJ also unpack the effects of unresolved grief, the connection between emotional and physical health, and why healing is never meant to happen in isolation. Whether through friendship, brotherhood, or intentional spiritual practices, men need others to walk with them as they recover strength, goodness, and wholeheartedness.
The journey toward healing isn't quick—but it is good. And the more whole a man becomes, the more freely he can love, lead, and live from the heart God intended.
This episode is an invitation to keep going—to embrace the process, receive what God says is true about you, and trust that healing is still unfolding.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson continues the journey into the Good Man Series, offering a deeper look at the path men are invited to walk—from confusion and isolation to clarity, healing, and freedom.
At the heart of the series is a bold claim: many men are living from a false version of themselves—shaped by wounds, agreements, and survival strategies—while their true self, created in the image of God, remains waiting to be recovered.
Michael explores the core movements of the series—the larger story, the false self, and the true self—while sharing personal stories and real-world experiences from walking with men through this process. From moments of spiritual awakening (like being called "Aspen Andy") to the quiet, consistent work of brotherhood and community, this episode reminds us that transformation doesn't happen in isolation.
The journey to becoming a good man isn't instant—it's formed through awareness, healing, courage, and training over time. It requires honesty to face your story, humility to receive help, and a willingness to remain engaged with God and others.
If you've ever felt stuck, isolated, confused, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation is an invitation to keep going—to believe there is more healing, more freedom, and more life available.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson continues the journey into the Good Man Series, offering a deeper look at the path men are invited to walk—from confusion and isolation to clarity, healing, and freedom.
At the heart of the series is a bold claim: many men are living from a false version of themselves—shaped by wounds, agreements, and survival strategies—while their true self, created in the image of God, remains waiting to be recovered.
Michael explores the core movements of the series—the larger story, the false self, and the true self—while sharing personal stories and real-world experiences from leading men through this process. From moments of spiritual awakening (like being called "Aspen Andy") to the quiet, consistent work of community and brotherhood, this episode highlights that transformation doesn't happen in isolation.
The journey to becoming a good man isn't instant—it's formed through awareness, healing, and training over time. It requires courage to face your story, humility to receive help, and a willingness to stay engaged with God and others.
This episode is an invitation to keep going—to stay in the process, to step into community, and to believe that your story is not finished. There is more healing, more freedom, and more life available.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the journey into the Good Man Series, focusing on the process of becoming the man you were always meant to be—and the environments that make that transformation possible.
What does it actually look like for a man to engage his story, face his patterns, and recover his true self?
Michael and SJ unpack the heart behind the Good Man Series as more than just content—it's an experience. Whether through small groups, weekend intensives, or intentional conversations, this resource is designed to create space for men to slow down, reflect, and engage the deeper questions shaping their lives.
They explore the tension many men live in—swinging between aggression and passivity—and the importance of self-awareness, honesty, and community in breaking those patterns. The conversation emphasizes that growth begins with recognizing where you are, naming what's not working, and choosing to step toward something better.
At the core of it all is identity. Not something you earn, but something you uncover. As men begin to see that their true self is good—and worth fighting for—it opens the door to deeper intimacy with God and more authentic relationships with others.
This episode is an invitation to stop going it alone, to step into brotherhood, and to take the next step in your journey toward wholeness.
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the conversation around the Good Man Series, stepping into one of the most foundational—and often misunderstood—questions: Are men truly good?
Challenging the deeply rooted belief that we are primarily broken or bad, Michael and SJ explore the biblical truth that we are created in the image of God—and that goodness is not something we earn, but something we recover. Drawing from passages like Romans 12 and Matthew 12, they unpack the reality that good is not only powerful, but meant to overcome evil.
Through stories, Scripture, and real-life examples—including coaching and fatherhood—they contrast two approaches to growth: condemnation versus affirmation. One produces shame and performance. The other calls out identity and invites transformation.
This episode presses into the idea that what a man believes about himself will shape how he lives, loves, and leads. When men begin to see themselves rightly—as beloved sons with goodness at their core—it changes everything.
This is more than a theological conversation. It's an invitation to reject false narratives, confront the lies you've believed, and step into the kind of man God says you are.
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For more information on "The Good Man Series"
Visit: https://www.thegoodmanseries.com/
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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue introducing the Good Man Series—a powerful, biblically grounded resource designed to help men rediscover who they truly are and step into a life of freedom, strength, and connection. This series isn't just content—it's a guided journey.
Through four key movements—understanding the larger story, identifying the false self, addressing past wounds, and recovering the true self—men are invited to examine the narratives shaping their lives and begin the work of healing and transformation. Michael and SJ unpack the reality that many men are living from a version of themselves shaped by fear, shame, and performance.
The Good Man Series offers a way out—through intentional reflection, honest community, and deeper intimacy with God. Alongside the video sessions, the companion journal and leader guide provide practical tools for individuals and groups to engage the process in meaningful ways. This episode is an invitation to step into the journey—not alone, but with others—and to discover the kind of man God created you to be: one who knows his identity, faces his story, and lives from a place of belovedness. -
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The Gospel In Secondhand Lions
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue their exploration of powerful stories by stepping into the film Secondhand Lions—a story rich with themes of honor, courage, and what it truly means to become a good man.
Why do certain stories stay with us? Why do lines from films resonate in our hearts the same way Scripture can? Michael and SJ unpack the idea that great storytelling acts like a tuning fork—awakening something deep within us that was always meant to respond to truth, beauty, and goodness.
Through the journey of young Walter and his uncles Hub and Garth, they explore the masculine journey, the power of initiation, and the importance of having older men speak identity and courage into the next generation. A pivotal moment in the film—Hub's speech about what makes a man—becomes a doorway into deeper conversations about belief, virtue, and choosing to live for something worth fighting for.
This episode is an invitation to rediscover the power of story—not just as entertainment, but as formation. To consider the stories shaping you, the truths they awaken, and the kind of man they are calling you to become.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
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The Gospel In The Matrix
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings step into one of the most iconic films of a generation—The Matrix—and explore its powerful spiritual parallels to the Christian journey.
What if the world isn't as it seems? What if much of what we believe, pursue, and react to has been shaped by a system we were never meant to live in?
Through the story of Neo's awakening, Michael and SJ unpack themes of deception, identity, and freedom—drawing striking connections between the Matrix and the spiritual reality of a world at war for the human heart. The idea of being "unplugged" becomes more than a cinematic moment—it becomes a picture of what it means to awaken to truth, to step out of false narratives, and to begin living as who we were truly created to be.
They explore the role of the mentor, the cost of awakening, and the ongoing training required to live free. Along the way, they reflect on personal moments of spiritual awakening—times when God broke through assumptions, exposed lies, and invited them into a deeper understanding of His presence and kingdom.
This episode is an invitation to examine the systems shaping your thinking, to recognize the battle for your heart, and to consider what it might look like to truly wake up—and live free.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
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The Stories Fathers Leave Behind
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings conclude the Father Matters series with a powerful conversation about legacy—what fathers ultimately leave behind in the hearts of their children.
Legacy isn't built through perfection or achievement. It's formed through presence, engagement, forgiveness, and the stories we share along the way. Michael reflects on the lasting influence of his own father's words and presence, reminding dads that their impact doesn't end when children grow up. The invitation is to stay engaged, to keep asking questions, and to continue investing in relationship no matter the stage of life.
Throughout the episode, Michael and SJ explore the role of forgiveness in shaping legacy, the importance of sharing personal stories so children understand their parents' journey, and the power of prayer as fathers bless and intercede for their sons and daughters. Practical ideas—simple conversations, shared experiences, texts, letters, and moments of attention—become the building blocks of a meaningful inheritance.
As the series closes, fathers are reminded that the greatest legacy is not wealth or accomplishment but a heart that felt seen, known, and loved.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
Link to the Pursuit of Happiness: https://youtu.be/UZb2NOHPA2A?si=uW8ZKT1F4mNo2pvF
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Healing Shame in the Family Story
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by addressing one of the most powerful and often hidden forces shaping father–child relationships: shame.
Many fathers carry unresolved shame from their own stories, and without realizing it, can pass that weight on to their children through words, expectations, or reactions. Michael and SJ unpack the crucial difference between guilt and shame—guilt says "I did something wrong," while shame whispers "something is wrong with me." When shame takes root, it can quietly shape identity and relationships for years.
Through personal stories and honest reflection, the conversation explores how fathers can become more aware of the impact of their tone, responses, and presence. They highlight the power of empathy, attentive listening, and real-time repair—those humble moments when a father says, "I'm sorry." Far from weakening authority, these moments build trust, healing, and connection.
This episode invites fathers to move beyond fear and perfection into humility and redemption—becoming men who confront shame, repair wounds, and help their children grow in freedom and belovedness.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
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Seeing the Glory in Your Child
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by stepping into one of the most sacred assignments of fatherhood: supporting your children's dreams.
Building on previous conversations about glory and identity, this episode explores how fathers can affirm the direction their children are heading—without controlling, lecturing, or projecting their own unmet ambitions. Through the story of Rudy and personal parenting moments, Michael and SJ highlight the power of simple but life-shaping words like, "I'm proud of you," and "I want to."
They unpack the difference between interpreting your child's story accurately versus imposing your own narrative, the importance of being present in both success and failure, and the critical role of prayer in guiding a child's path. Supporting dreams isn't about guaranteeing outcomes—it's about offering belief, advocacy, and steady love along the way.
This episode is an invitation for fathers to move from correction to encouragement, from pressure to partnership, and from fear to faith as they walk with their children toward the future God is shaping.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
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Seeing the Glory in Your Child
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by moving fatherhood beyond behavior management and into something far deeper: character, calling, and glory.
Too often, parenting can default to correction, compliance, and control. But what if fathering is about recognizing and nurturing the unique "glory" God has placed within each child? Drawing from Proverbs 22 and personal stories of missed and redeemed opportunities, Michael and SJ invite fathers to shift from shaping behavior to stewarding identity.
They explore the long-term impact of presence, the courage it takes to truly understand a child's heart, and the importance of advocating for a child's interests—even when it requires inconvenience or sacrifice. The conversation also widens the lens, reminding men that spiritual fathering isn't limited to biological children. There are sons and daughters everywhere who need affirmation, guidance, and belief.
This episode is a call to see your children as image bearers, to pursue understanding over control, and to nurture the particular design God has entrusted to you.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
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Fighting for the Hearts of Your Kids
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by exploring a powerful dimension of fatherhood: advocacy.
What does it mean to truly fight for your children's hearts?
Michael and SJ unpack the difference between passive fathering and aggressive control—and introduce a third way: engaged, intentional advocacy. Fathers are invited to move beyond simply providing or correcting and into actively supporting their children's interests, decisions, and growing agency. Whether it's backing a big move, stepping into online gaming worlds, or standing up for a child in difficult environments, advocacy communicates something profound: "I am with you."
The conversation also revisits the deeper roots of fathering—how our own upbringing shapes our instincts, reactions, and fears. Healing matters. Being fathered by God matters. Because when we receive unconditional love from the Father, we're empowered to extend that same steady presence and strength to our sons and daughters.
This episode is a call to courageous engagement—to become the kind of father who protects without controlling, guides without shaming, and loves without condition.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
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Restoring Relationship with Your Kids
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by diving into the heart of fatherhood—a journey that begins with healing and continues through connection, repair, and redemption.
Through Ephesians 5:1–2 and personal stories, the conversation unpacks the core truth that you can't love your kids well if you haven't received the extravagant love of the Father. Michael and SJ share their own experiences of navigating past wounds, rebuilding trust, and falling off the pedestal of perfection. They speak candidly about parenting from the false self, the challenges of offering real apologies, and the power of engaging our kids in conversations about their experience of being fathered.
This episode is an invitation for dads to move from performance into presence, from distance into intimacy—with their children and with God. Whether you're starting the journey or already in the deep waters of fatherhood, there's more healing and hope available than you think.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here
📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast -
In this week's episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue their deep dive into fatherhood with Part 2 of the Father Matters series. Centered around three foundational truths—that you can't father well unless you've been fathered, that fatherhood is relational not transactional, and that fatherhood never ends—the conversation challenges men to reflect on their own stories and press into presence over performance.
Through personal stories and practical insights, Michael and SJ explore how being present, engaged, and intentional creates space for deeper connection and healing in relationships with children. They name the common distractions—busyness, financial stress, past wounds—and point to the quiet heroism of simply showing up. The power of meaningful questions, the role of forgiveness, and the impact of being emotionally available are all part of the journey.
Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned father, or healing from your own father story, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that God is still fathering you—and He wants to empower you to father well.
We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!
Email us: [email protected]
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