Trusting God’s Presence in Success and Sorrow: Dude Perfect & Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

Trusting God’s Presence in Success and Sorrow: Dude Perfect & Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

Today, we’re joined by Coby and Cory Cotton of Dude Perfect [https://dudeperfect.com/about], who share how a simple idea filmed in a backyard with friends grew into videos watched by millions around the world on YouTube. They reflect on the early days of creating trick shots just for fun, the challenges that came with unexpected success, and a medical emergency that reminded them to slow down and make room for what matters most. Next, we hear from author and grief counselor Jennifer Marshall Bleakley, [https://www.jenniferbleakley.com/] who shares how losing her golden retriever, Bailey, opened her eyes to the depths of pet grief, the memories that remain, and the love we carry after saying goodbye.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Steve Wohlberg [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/our-divine-bond-with-animals-and-nature-featuring-steve-wohlberg-sy-garte/] Upcoming interview: Megan Piphus [https://www.meganpiphus.com/]   Coby and Cory Cotton of Dude Perfect [https://dudeperfect.com/about] Bell’s Palsy [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bells-palsy] www.DudePerfect.com [http://www.dudeperfect.com] Operation Trick Shot [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400217105]   Jennifer Marshall Bleakley [https://www.jenniferbleakley.com/] Paws In His Presence [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496487710] Pawverbs devotional series [https://www.amazon.com/Pawverbs-Dog-Lovers-Heart-Faithfulness/dp/1496447271/] ww.JenniferBleakley.com [http://www.jenniferbleakley.com] Thank You For Loving Me [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVTV2W53]   Interview Quotes: “I’ve gone through different seasons in my life where I’ve been more consistent and less consistent, but there is no doubt that meeting with Jesus every single day differentiates someone that just says they’re a believer and someone that actually has a relationship with Jesus.” - Cory Cotton  “I wouldn’t trade that experience [of having Bell’s Palsy] for the world, because I think it was really God helping me lean into that dependence on Him.” - Cory Cotton  “The only answer for how [Dude Perfect] happened is God, because it doesn’t really make a lot of sense.” - Cory Cotton “The business [Dude Perfect] cannot be healthy unless our friendships are healthy.” - Coby Cotton  “I think when I meet with [God] in the morning and try to find the peace in whatever situation that I’m dealing with, and try to center [myself] on what the priority in life really is—if you’re not in the Word, or if you’re not in the devotional that’s pointing you to the Word, I think you’re missing out.” - Cory Cotton  “I think God planted the seeds in my heart to see animals as ambassadors of His grace on this planet.” - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley “The world right now can seem a rather harsh place. So many people have been so hurt by other people. How kind of God to sprinkle ambassadors of His grace all across this planet in the form of animals. God is constantly pointing us to animals throughout Scripture, encouraging us to look to the eagle, to look to the lion who He feeds, to look to the ant who’s busy at work.” - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley “Animals are the ones that we can be 100% ourselves with. They show up for us on the good days and the bad days and are as impressed by us when we feel like we have it all together and when we’ve just fallen on our face. I really do think it is a beautiful picture of God’s love and His feelings toward us that we don’t have to try to clean ourselves up to come to Him. He just loves us as we are and just desires for us to be present with Him.” - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley  “I discovered firsthand that God is not afraid of our questions and that He will hold us through them.” - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley  “I think it’s vitally important for us, especially as believers, to honor the grief that people feel when they’ve lost a pet. It is such a kindness and a gift to hold space for someone who is grieving, to be a compassionate witness and just say, ‘I see you and I’m going to stay here with you in the hurt and in the heavy.’” - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley  “Invite people to invite us into their pain and then to weep with them, to stand with them in that pain, to sit with them, and then gently start to walk with them toward the light of healing.” - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Interviews: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Video Interviews: https://bit.ly/4f79RAW [https://bit.ly/4f79RAW]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/4q5iTCx [https://bit.ly/4q5iTCx]  Scripture Series: https://bit.ly/4wAVGKU [https://bit.ly/4wAVGKU]  Celebrity Readings: https://bit.ly/4bIS5BJ [https://bit.ly/4bIS5BJ]  Video Devotionals: https://bit.ly/4fG1kFb [https://bit.ly/4fG1kFb]  Sleep Meditations: https://bit.ly/4w0xu37 [https://bit.ly/4w0xu37] Shorts: https://bit.ly/3RHFubh [https://bit.ly/3RHFubh]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

[BONUS] Jesus Calling Scripture Study: Mothers in the Bible with Rhonda Stoppe

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we examine the stories and roles of mothers in the Bible with author and host of the Old Ladies Know Stuff podcast Rhonda Stoppe. Rhonda walks us through the lives of women in the Bible like Naomi, Eunice the mother of Timothy, Mary, Rahab, the woman at the well, Herodias, and more. Rhonda shows us what we can learn from Biblical mothers that challenge and equip us to guide the next generation.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Rhonda Stoppe [https://www.rhondastoppe.com] Moms of the Bible [https://www.amazon.com/Moms-Bible-Life-Changing-Fearless-Faithful/dp/0736993223/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1E9P7WGDUP19P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3I67-kfm-4ITDYTVKg85qh4mNI-IVgBpe2C3DyBdKKMCD-vC4Du5b-IIt7RKL41xDUPKtp-xQqeZKZ639lokpg.fe3kQA_vezg1MnciA8j7Ot9FIpHABx2uLSb6OL2embc&dib_tag=se&keywords=moms+of+the+bible+rhonda+stoppe&qid=1774453101&sprefix=moms+of+the+bibl%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1]   Interview Quotes: “God calls older women to teach the younger. When I look back on my life, I remember not having a clue how to be the wife I wanted to be, the mom I wanted to be, the woman I wanted to be. I needed mentors. I needed help.” - Rhonda Stoppe “I couldn’t stop exploring the lives of these women in history that God used for their time. So many of their flawed stories reflect the grace of God that says, ‘Now I’ve got you broken and now I can use you in a way I never could have used you had you not failed.’ Because now you’re relying completely on Christ alone.” - Rhonda Stoppe   “If you look at all the moms in Scripture, and children throughout history, you will find that their first teachers were not theologians. It was their moms.” - Rhonda Stoppe  “Eunice and Lois were pouring into Timothy. They didn’t know that they were raising the young man who Paul would one day hand over the mantle of his ministry to. Do what’s in front of you, trust God with the outcome.” - Rhonda Stoppe “We want to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We want to raise our kids in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We want to live in a manner worthy of our calling. And we want our life to reflect Christ’s love so that our kids want to follow Jesus.” - Rhonda Stoppe "‘No greater love has a friend than this: that he lays down his life for a friend.’ You are God-ordained, called to be the moms of this next generation. You’re shaping world changers. You are the architects of the next generation—this is an incredible calling that God has put on your life." - Rhonda Stoppe Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

How Faith Finds Us When Life Takes a Detour: Heather Land & Rachel Kessler

Joining us this week is worship leader turned viral comedian Heather Land [https://www.heatherlandofficial.com/]. After growing up in the shadow of her mother’s decades-long addiction, Heather reflects on how this painful season—alongside her unexpected shift from the worship stage to the world of comedy—taught her that while our paths may take unforeseen turns, our core calling to encourage and uplift others remains constant. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Rachel Kessler [https://www.nerdypriest.com/], an Episcopal priest and Kenyon College chaplain who completed her PhD in medieval studies at the University of Toronto before pivoting to seminary after hitting academic burnout, then built a following as the “Nerdy Priest” on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdypriest] after a student secretly downloaded the app on her phone.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Cole Arthur Riley [https://colearthurriley.com/] Upcoming interview: Dude Perfect [https://dudeperfect.com/]   Heather Land [https://www.heatherlandofficial.com/] @heatherland_iaintdoinit [https://www.instagram.com/heatherland_iaintdoinit] Heather Land’s books [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Heather-Land/author/B07NNQXWHY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1785515565&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=7fb69c44-965e-4d8d-a185-bea9e86a4f1e]   Rachel Kessler [https://www.nerdypriest.com/] “Nerdy Priest” on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdypriest]  Harcourt Parish Episcopal Church [https://www.harcourtparish.org/] Rachel Held Evans [https://rachelheldevans.com/] www.nerdypriest.com [http://www.nerdypriest.com] Nerd Faith [https://churchpublishing.org/products/9781640658875-nerd-faith]   Interview Quotes: “It was challenging growing up in addiction. I think when you’re young, you don’t necessarily know what’s going on. You hear your family talking about it or you know it in theory, but you don’t know how to piece it together.” - Heather Land  “When you’re in addiction, codependency is just alive and well. And I think it makes the best of people act extremely erratically and say things they don’t mean.” - Heather Land  “I asked [my mom] one time, ‘What keeps you sober now?' And without hesitation, she said, ‘This time, I finally decided to stop living in shame.’” - Heather Land “I went through a little season where I really questioned my faith. I had a lot of doubt. I think I was undoing some messed up theology that I needed to deconstruct. This was no surprise to God.” - Heather Land  “When you’ve had a certain life for fourteen years or however long, and then you find yourself walking into the unknown, it is very scary.” - Heather Land “When we doubt God and we’re like, ‘I don’t know about this,’ He’s like, ‘Well, hang on, I’ve got something up My sleeve!’ I just think that's such a beautiful story of who God is and how faithful He is.” - Heather Land  “There is something to be said for the habits of faith when we’re not necessarily feeling that deep connection to God, for just still showing up.” - Rachel Kessler “My online platform as ‘The Nerdy Priest’ really is just an authentic representation of who I am.” - Rachel Kessler “I think you get burnt out in ministry when you are focusing on the ends as opposed to the means. It is so easy to get caught up in writing a good sermon or making a good post that goes viral and getting the engagement. What’s so critical is staying grounded in the truth.” - Rachel Kessler “What I came to realize is that there aren’t rules on how we are meant to relate to Jesus. Through ritual, through the traditions of the church, those are the ways that I communicate with Jesus.” - Rachel Kessler ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Interviews: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Video Interviews: https://bit.ly/4f79RAW [https://bit.ly/4f79RAW]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/4q5iTCx [https://bit.ly/4q5iTCx]  Scripture Series: https://bit.ly/4wAVGKU [https://bit.ly/4wAVGKU]  Celebrity Readings: https://bit.ly/4bIS5BJ [https://bit.ly/4bIS5BJ]  Video Devotionals: https://bit.ly/4fG1kFb [https://bit.ly/4fG1kFb]  Sleep Meditations: https://bit.ly/4w0xu37 [https://bit.ly/4w0xu37] Shorts: https://bit.ly/3RHFubh [https://bit.ly/3RHFubh]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Living Truth in a World of Lies: Sarah Jakes Roberts & Timothy Cho

*This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.*  Today we’re joined by author and speaker Sarah Jakes Roberts [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/hold-up-your-lost-dreams-to-god-brett-young-and-sarah-jakes-roberts/], who invites us to rethink what true strength looks like—shifting from building a tolerance for the world’s noise to finding stillness in our calling. From stepping back from social media to anchoring identity in daily prayer, Sarah shares the liberating truth she discovered when she finally hit “mute” on the digital world.  Next, we hear from human rights defender Timothy Cho [https://genevasummit.org/speaker/timothy-cho/], who recounts his harrowing escape from North Korea. He recounts the oppression and lies that were leveled at him from an early age and the moment he was labeled a traitor in his own country, driving his daring escape to experience the freedom truth brings, and how he now advocates for others to find their own freedom.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Cyntoia Brown-Long [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/god-can-rewrite-any-story-cyntoia-brown-long-and-liz-marie-galvan/] Upcoming interview: Heather Land [https://www.heatherlandofficial.com/]   Sarah Jakes Roberts [https://sarahjakesroberts.com/] Woman Evolve [https://www.womanevolve.com/] 2 Corinthians 12:9 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%2012%3A9&version=NIV] www.SarahJakesRoberts.com [http://www.sarahjakesroberts.com] The Power in Surrender [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400236924]   Timothy Cho [https://www.instagram.com/timothycho2022/] Tumen River [https://www.britannica.com/place/Tumen-River] Timothy Cho’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/timothycho2022/]   Interview Quotes: “Strength is not our tolerance for whatever comes our way. It is our ability to stay focused regardless of what comes our way.” - Sarah Jakes Roberts  “Coming to a place where you can admit that I don’t have to be strong enough takes so much pressure off of yourself.” - Sarah Jakes Roberts “My gratitude becomes more magnified because I realized just how unworthy I am, and how good God has been in allowing me this space and opportunity.” - Sarah Jakes Roberts “When we talk about trying to figure out our identity in Christ in a world that is so noisy, we have to be the one to turn the volume down. You have to remember that you hold the remote control. At any given moment, you can hit mute. And in the process of hitting mute, you have to be willing to confront some of those voices that exist within our own head.” - Sarah Jakes Roberts  “Our identity is constantly being developed, and we get to decide whether we allow it to be formed by digital algorithms or by words from God, affirmations that come from stillness and prayer.” - Sarah Jakes Roberts  “Connecting with God daily allows us to be rooted and anchored in such a way that when we show up to the world, we’re not asking the world to tell us who we are.” - Sarah Jakes Roberts  “I asked God, ‘If you are really there and you give me freedom, I will give my life to you.’” - Timothy Cho “Arriving in a democratic country, a free country, I thought it was the end. What I didn’t realize was that it was the beginning of another part of the journey.” - Timothy Cho “I was [able to] fight back against a wave of darkness and trauma. In my desperation and screaming out and tears, I would keep hearing, ‘Son, I love you, I love you, I love you.’” - Timothy Cho “We are facing a lot of hatred in this world at the moment. But hatred never [wins]; only love can overcome all of this hatred.” - Timothy Cho ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw [https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C [https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C]  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj [https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj]  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u [https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u]  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj [https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj]  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY [https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

How We Find God In the Highs and Lows of Life: Butch Hartman & Matt Cooper

This week, we’ll hear from Butch Hartman, the animator and creator behind Nickelodeon’s biggest shows, including The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom. Butch grew up in a chaotic household in Michigan, where television and comic books served as his primary escape. This early passion eventually led him to California’s top animation school and then to a long career at Nickelodeon. Today, we’ll hear why he walked away after nearly twenty years at the network to start his own studio.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Matt Cooper, a country artist from Jacksonville, Florida who turned the worst year of his life into a number one radio single. After losing his mother to cancer, Matt found himself white-knuckling his grief, until a late night group therapy session cracked something open and sent him home to write a song in a single hour that would change everything.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Jimi Cravity [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/a-time-to-grieve-a-time-to-heal-jimi-cravity-leslie-means/] Upcoming interview: Sarah Jakes Roberts [https://sarahjakesroberts.com/]   Butch Hartman [https://butchhartmanstudios.com/about]  CalArts [https://calarts.edu/]  The Garden [https://gardencartoon.com/] - Cartoon created by Butch Hartman   Matt Cooper [https://mattcoopermusic.com/]  “Good God” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELxWRTRIsmw] - song by Matt Cooper “Highs and Lows” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxh_QMreinM] - song by Matt Cooper   Interview Quotes: “I was [at Nickelodeon] for a lifetime, and I thought it’s time to go build a new life somewhere else with my own way to do this.” - Butch Hartman “There are millions of people out there that will never go into a church, but they’ll hold a screen in their hand and they’ll watch something. So it’s my job as a producer and a showrunner and a studio head to make sure that whatever goes on that screen is uplifting and is good for people’s souls and their spirit.” - Butch Hartman “There are kids out there I will never meet, but I know that the content I’m producing is going to somehow affect their life in a positive way for the Lord.” - Butch Hartman “We have to be very wise about the decisions we make, especially when it comes to entertainment, because it lives forever.” - Butch Hartman “I think it’s really hard, especially as a man, to deal with grief, because you try to white knuckle everything as a dude.” - Matt Cooper “I’m a big believer in therapy. It was really, really great for me. It was a way for me to talk through the emotions that I had just been hiding a lot.” - Matt Cooper “I wrote my song 'Highs and Lows' in one hour. It was the fastest song I ever wrote. And that was the first sense of like finding music as a way of dealing with my grief.” - Matt Cooper “I think the biggest thing that I’ve taken away from grief is that I understand more of the love of the Father than I ever had in my life.” - Matt Cooper ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https:/bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw [https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C [https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C]  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj [https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj]  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u [https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u]  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj [https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj]  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY [https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en]   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].