The Next Faith-Filled Step

Ryan Wekenman | Free Me From Me

In this episode of The Next Faith-Filled Step, Sunny sits down with pastor and author Ryan Wekenman to talk about his book Free Me from Me: Escaping the Maze of Self-Centeredness by Embracing a God-Centered Life. Together, they unpack why so many Christians feel stuck in cycles of striving, comparison, burnout, shame, and self-reliance—and how even spiritual growth can become exhausting when we unknowingly keep ourselves at the center of the story. Ryan shares practical insight into what he calls the “me maze”—patterns of performance, comparison, avoidance, and control that quietly shape our lives and keep us spiritually stuck. This conversation offers a refreshing invitation to move from self-focus to surrender, release the pressure to “be enough,” and rediscover the rest that comes from placing Christ back at the center. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: * What the “me maze” is and how it keeps us spiritually stuck * The four common patterns of self-centeredness: performer, comparer, avoider, and controller * Why self-help culture often leaves us more anxious, exhausted, and spiritually burned out * The difference between self-awareness and unhealthy self-focus * How surrender and God-centered living bring true freedom and rest FEATURED BOOK: FREE ME FROM ME: ESCAPING THE MAZE OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS BY EMBRACING A GOD-CENTERED LIFE. [https://a.co/d/00cTDAyO] Connect with Ryan Website [https://www.ryanwekenman.com/] & Church Website [https://www.redrockschurch.com/austin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ryanwekenman] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeChnir2VHBVE8OTYHHWMTnespdIVMlyv] Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeChnir2VHBVE8OTYHHWMTnespdIVMlyv] For more great Faith-Filled, Gospel Centered Content- Download the Pilgrim Radio App today  Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bpilgrimradio.apilgrim&hl=en_US] Apple [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pilgrim-radio/id724803552]Or stream from Pilgrim Radio [http://pilgrimradio.com/]

David Stine | The Way of the Ox: Endurance Through Life’s Storms

On this episode of The Next Faith-Filled Step, Sunny Cain is joined by author, pastor, and leadership coach David Stine to talk about how to endure—and even grow—through the storms of life. Hard seasons are something we all face. But how different might our lives look if instead of shrinking from these seasons and trials, we met them head-on?  Drawing from his book The Way of the Ox, David shares a powerful picture of endurance—one that challenges the fast-paced, comfort-driven mindset of our culture and invites us into a more powerful and purposeful strength: the way of the ox.  In this conversation, we explore: * Why adversity is unavoidable—and how we respond matters * Common mistakes people make when facing hardship * What it looks like to develop true spiritual endurance * The “sacred keys” to advancing through difficult seasons: hope, faith, relationships, prayer, and passion * The role of consistent prayer when breakthrough feels delayed * How relationships strengthen us in seasons of pressure * What it means to take one small, faithful step when you feel overwhelmed If you’re walking through a storm right now, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone—and that God has given you what you need to keep moving forward. FEATURED BOOK: THE WAY OF THE OX: ENDURANCE TO THRIVE IN THE STORMS OF LIFE [https://a.co/d/0j6Eq3kS] Connect with David Stine Website [https://www.davidstine.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/davidistine/] For more great Faith-Filled, Gospel Centered Content- Download the Pilgrim Radio App today  Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bpilgrimradio.apilgrim&hl=en_US] Apple [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pilgrim-radio/id724803552]Or stream from Pilgrim Radio [http://pilgrimradio.com/]

Shalene C. Roberts | When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees

Motherhood is beautiful—but when women get honest, we know it can also feel exhausting, heavy, and impossible.  In this episode, Sunny sits down with Shalene C. Roberts, author of When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees, for an honest conversation about the hidden struggles of motherhood and the spiritual battle many moms don’t realize they are fighting. Together, they talk about: * Why motherhood can feel so hard and emotionally weighty * The spiritual battle mothers face—and how to fight well * Breaking free from comparison, guilt, and the fear of “failing” as a mom * Speaking life over the next generation and recognizing our children were chosen by God for this exact moment in history * How our view of God shapes the way we experience motherhood * Finding purpose and God’s presence in the ordinary, mundane moments of daily mothering If you’re a mom who has ever felt unseen, overwhelmed, discouraged, or like you’re somehow getting it all wrong—this conversation is for you. Because God is at work taking motherhood from gritty to glorious. Featured Book: When Mothering is Hard & No One Sees  [https://www.amazon.com/When-Mothering-Hard-One-Sees/dp/B0FF12XMN7] Connect with Shalene C. Roberts * Website [https://shaleneroberts.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shalenerobertsblog/] For more faith-filled, gospel-centered content, download the Pilgrim Radio app. Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bpilgrimradio.apilgrim&hl=en_US] Apple [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pilgrim-radio/id724803552] Or stream from Pilgrim Radio [http://pilgrimradio.com/]

Stephen McWhirter | Radically Restored- How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness

What does it look like when God reaches into deep brokenness and completely rewrites a life? This week, Sunny Cain sits down with Stephen McWhirter—worship leader, songwriter of Come Jesus Come, and author of Radically Restored. Stephen shares his journey from growing up in a home marked by abuse and religious hypocrisy… to years of addiction and running from God… to a radical encounter with Jesus that changed everything. In this conversation, we talk about: * Praying for prodigals—and not losing hope * When pain and hypocrisy make trusting God difficult * The weight of unforgiveness—and why it can feel justified * What it really means to forgive when it feels impossible * How God’s grace meets us in places we cannot fix on our own This is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond God’s reach—and that the same grace that rescues us is the grace that enables us to forgive. FEATURED BOOK: RADICALLY RESTORED-HOW KNOWING JESUS HEALS OUR BROKENNESS [https://a.co/d/0aEOHjyt]  Connect with Stephen McWhirter Website [http://worshipjesus.life/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stephenmcwhirter/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/stephenmcwhirtermusic/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpRvsq8NLa5KGMqeNS5BmsA] For more great Faith-Filled, Gospel Centered Content- Download the Pilgrim Radio App today  Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bpilgrimradio.apilgrim&hl=en_US] Apple [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pilgrim-radio/id724803552] Or stream from Pilgrim Radio [http://pilgrimradio.com/]

Bart Millard | Even If; Trusting God Through The Fire

What happens when life doesn’t go the way you thought it would? When the prayers don’t get answered the way you hoped… and you find yourself asking, “Is God still good, even when my life is falling apart?”  This week, Sunny sits down with Bart Millard—lead singer of MercyMe and co-author of Even If—for an honest conversation about holding on to faith in the middle of disappointment, suffering, and unmet expectations. Bart shares about a season where life was flourishing—until everything shifted. From success and stability into an unexpected valley, he opens up about wrestling with control, identity, and the belief that he was responsible for everything going wrong. Together, we explore: * Trusting God when life moves from “green pastures” to the valley * Letting go of the pressure to hold everything together * The weight of unmet expectations and unanswered prayers * Learning to rest in God’s grace instead of striving for approval * What it means to say “God is still good”… even if circumstances don’t change Bart also shares the story behind the powerful song Even If, and what it cost him to sing those words honestly. If you’re walking through a hard season… If you’re holding prayers that haven’t been answered… If you’re trying to trust God in the middle of uncertainty—this conversation is for you. ---------------------------------------- FEATURED BOOK: EVEN IF; TRUSTING GOD THROUGH THE FIRE [https://a.co/d/063oIQdV] & MOVIE: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 [https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/i-can-only-imagine-2?utm_source=GoogleSearch&utm_medium=paidmedia&utm_campaign=ICanOnlyImagine2&utm_content=SEARCH3PTitleBroadPhraseExactTitleTermsNACONVCPCTitleRelease&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23643021964&gbraid=0AAAABCyq1YbYYF0AQ6pfuSuKIAeKK7hzW&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkYLPBhC3ARIsAIyHi3SjaTQqZBilwtewML943MvmQSLRQqXMonSUD0aAQR68u9d_e0Ez4iwaApNSEALw_wcB] Connect with Bart Millard Website [https://bartmillard.org/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bartmillard/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheBartMillard/] For more great Faith-Filled, Gospel Centered Content- Download the Pilgrim Radio App today  Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bpilgrimradio.apilgrim&hl=en_US] Apple [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pilgrim-radio/id724803552] Or stream from Pilgrim Radio [http://pilgrimradio.com/]