When Following Jesus Is Inconvenient…

The Lies you Embrace Become your Reality— w/ Luis Ortiz

What does it take to actually hear God for the first time? Austin sits down with one of his oldest friends, Luis Ortiz, for a testimony that doesn't sound like anyone else's. Luis grew up in Puerto Rico without faith — but with a spiritual sensitivity that pulled him into Santeria, demonology, and conversations with spirits he could literally see. By 18 he'd attempted suicide, come out as gay, and started building a life around an identity he was sure was his. He moved to Tennessee at 20, got plugged into a campus ministry, lived a double life for years, and in 2015 ended up in a jail cell where the voices in his head wouldn't stop. He started practicing meditation just to quiet his thoughts — and that's when he heard the voice of God for the first time in his life: "Finally." In this episode: * The demonic figure who told him "we never have to be apart" * The teacher's words that became the foundation of a lie he believed for years * The suicide attempt at 18 that his mom stopped mid-act * The pastor who first "leveled the playing field" with him * The jail cell encounter that started everything * The Lord telling him: "Your identity and who you're attracted to are not the same" * Walking away from the faith in 2020 — "I'm done. You're a liar." * The youth camp sabbatical where the Holy Spirit said "just shut up. I want your heart." * The treadmill moment when he heard: "I have set you free and I'm redeeming your sight" * Becoming a husband and a brand-new dad * The birth-song he and his wife sang over their newborn daughter * A closing prayer you should not skip Whether you've struggled with identity, addiction, same-sex attraction, the demonic, the dark night of the soul, deconstruction, or just the slow grind of trying to be a Christian without ever really meeting Jesus — this one is for you. Hosted by Austin. Keep Jay in prayer through his back recovery. Listen on every platform: linktr.ee/midtownpodcast Need someone to clean your home (and pray over it)? Hallel Home Cleaning Co — DM Luis.

Addiction Is a Spiritual Disease — w/ Matt @ The Way Recovery

What if everything we've been treating as a clinical problem is actually a spiritual one? Austin sits down with Matt — founder and leader of The Way Recovery in Crossville, TN — for a collab episode that goes deep on addiction, recovery, the love of the Father, and one of the most arresting personal testimonies we've ever had on the show. In this episode: * What The Way actually is: five recovery homes, a 24/7 prayer house inside an old theater, and a coffee shop run by people in active recovery * Why most recovery programs are either "all clinical" or "all spiritual" — and why neither is enough * The "both/and" model that's actually working * "Our big thing is: how can we help you?" — invitation vs. the pitchfork * Matt growing up in the Bible Belt without really knowing Jesus * Falling through the cracks of his own family * The first drink that filled the hole — and the slow descent that followed * Watching his brother Jake find Jesus while Matt stayed resentful * January 18, 2025: waiting to go to jail, sitting in his mom's living room, The Chosen playing on the TV * The overwhelming conviction: "Wait. Maybe it's me." * Feeling content for the first time in his entire life * "It's not your fight to have" — for families of people in addiction * "Surrender is simple. You just have to admit you need help." — for people still in it * How the Church can actually show up for people in recovery If you have someone you love in addiction, if you're in it yourself, or if you've ever wondered what real transformation looks like — this one will preach. Hosted by Austin. Keep Jay in prayer through his recovery. Listen on every platform: linktr.ee/midtownpodcast Learn more about The Way: thewayrecovery.org (or search "The Way Recovery" on your podcast app)

Hearing God's Voice in Love, Marriage & Hard Conversations — w/ Josh & Baylee Meeks

What does it actually look like to hear God's voice in the most important decisions of your life? Austin sits down with Josh and Baylee Meeks for the follow-up to Josh's testimony episode — this time, the love story. And it's not the polished version. In this episode: * Bailey's childhood faith and the day Jesus literally helped her button her jeans * The hidden pressure of being a pastor's kid (and how her parents helped her keep an authentic faith) * Josh praying for a wife at 21 — and Bailey praying she wouldn't end up like her parents * The worship night where Josh called her by the wrong name * The country-church vision Bailey received in high school, years before they met * The fertility word Bailey heard at 20 — at the same age Josh was learning he might never have biological children * The 40-minute date where Josh disclosed his cystic fibrosis * Pre-engagement counseling with Josh's parents (and why they were ready to call it off if their parents flagged anything) * Getting engaged in 5 months and the lies they had to push back against * The first year of marriage: family fallout, anxiety, apocalyptic dreams, and a husband on his knees in prayer * 46 years of marriage wisdom in one word: "Consider" * "You are not the judge. Jesus is." — for the young men carrying condemnation * Why your identity isn't in the season you're waiting in — it's in the One who's already loving you Whether you're single, dating, newly married, or 30 years in, this conversation will preach. Hosted by Austin. Jay is still recovering from his back injury — keep him in prayer. Listen on every platform: linktr.ee/midtownpodcast

Live Like You're Already Forgiven — w/ Josh Meeks

What does it actually mean to be forgiven — not in theory, but in the way you wake up every single morning? Austin sits down with his brother Josh Meeks for an honest conversation about what it took to stop trying to earn grace and start living like a new creation. In this episode: * Growing up the youngest of five in a missionary family * Complications at birth — and the doctor who walked out and prayed * The 6-month media detox his dad enforced at 15 (and what it actually did to him) * The condemnation spiral that pulled him into depression * The morning he woke up excited to be alive for the first time * Why most people never find real community — and the "cabin in the snow" idea that explains why * A real-time answered prayer in the middle of an Iceland storm If you've ever felt like you can't out-confess your sin, or like the table of real community is something you can only watch from the outside, this one is for you. Hosted by Austin and Jay. Jay is recovering from a back injury — keep him in prayer. Listen on every platform: linktr.ee/midtownpodcast

When Following Jesus Is Inconvenient…

In this episode, we dive into a real and honest conversation about what it actually looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life. Through personal stories and recent experiences, we talk about the tension between our own plans, ambitions, and comfort—and the moments where God calls us into something unexpected, inconvenient, and deeply impactful. From spontaneous encounters to missed opportunities, this conversation highlights the reality that obedience to God doesn’t always feel easy or convenient—but it is always worth it. We also unpack: • People-pleasing vs obedience to God • Disappointment and expectations in relationships • Recognizing God’s voice in everyday moments • Stepping out in faith when it doesn’t make sense • The heart of God for “the one” (Luke 15) • Why we often miss what God is doing around us This episode is a call to slow down, pay attention, and say “yes” to what God is doing—right in front of you.