027 | How Suffering Changed His Faith | Jenahl Alexander

027 | How Suffering Changed His Faith | Jenahl Alexander

Character | Worship | Near-Death Experience | Grilling Meats | Homosexuality In this deeply personal episode of Hold This Thought, Christian sits down with worship leader and longtime mentor Jenahl Alexander for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, suffering, worship, excellence, doubt, leadership, and the moments that shape who we become. What begins as a conversation about in-ear monitors and church sound systems quickly evolves into something far deeper. Jenahl opens up about nearly dying from kidney disease, the emotional and spiritual valleys that followed, and the miraculous moments that transformed the way he sees God’s provision. Together, they unpack the difference between performative worship and genuine surrender, why discipline matters for musicians and leaders, and how doubt continues to exist even after experiencing miracles firsthand. Jenahl also shares a personal conviction on how Christians should view and respond to Homosexuality today. The conversation also explores church culture, mentorship, craftsmanship, grilling, creativity, humility, personal growth, and the importance of taking your eyes off yourself in order to truly see God and the people around you. Chapters: 00:00 | Introduction & In-Ear Monitor Conversation 07:18 | Better Sound, Better Worship Experiences 14:05 | The Difference Between Worship & Performance 20:31 | Why Musicians Need Discipline & Practice 27:52 | Church Culture, Structure, and Leadership 35:44 | Burnout, Sabbaticals, and Finding Balance 42:16 | Jenahl’s Kidney Disease Journey Begins 49:11 | Hospital Pain, Fear, and Wrestling With Doubt 56:08 | God’s Provision During The Transplant Process 1:03:14 | Mentorship Memories & Grilling Discovery 1:10:03 | Steak Techniques, Charcoal, and Cooking Tips 1:17:12 | Sauces, Food Quality, and Modern Conditioning 1:24:41 | Travel, Perspective, and Learning From People 1:31:52 | Humility, Leadership, and Serving Others 1:39:27 | Letting Your Light Shine Publicly 1:47:08 | How Christians Should Respond to Homosexuality 1:54:46 | Final Reflections, Faith, and Keeping Our Eyes On God

026 | It Went Off the Rails Almost Immediately | Haley Ozier

Comedy Conversations | Trivia | Personal Stories | Friendship Energy | Curiosity We started with a “simple” trivia game… and somewhere along the way it turned into whatever this is. No real structure, no clean agenda, just two people committing a little too hard to the moment. Questions get missed, answers get overconfident, bits start forming out of nowhere… and somehow it all works. Underneath that, there’s actually a lot going on. Haley shares stories from high school that feel straight out of a movie, including a relationship built on lies, a last-minute prom pivot, and a few moments her parents might be hearing for the first time. We talk about identity, growing up, and how easy it is to believe something just because you want it to be true. We also get into the value of boundaries, why curiosity matters more than being right, and how some of the things that annoyed us most growing up end up shaping us the most. There’s a thread through all of it about paying attention… to people, to patterns, and to what’s actually underneath the surface. It’s messy, it’s funny in a way we didn’t really plan, and every now and then it lands somewhere real. And yeah… I probably loosened up a little more than usual on this one. Feel free to skip my final Trivia Card. (~02:16:00) ....And if you somehow make it to the end, there’s a tasteful blooper reel waiting for you… not because we trimmed much out, but because a couple moments didn’t make the final cut- but are so good we couldn't leave them out. Chapters: 00:00 | A Calm Start… That Doesn’t Last 05:14 | Expired Food, Risky Decisions & “I’d Still Eat That” 11:38 | A “Simple” Game That Changes the Energy 27:36 | Confidence, Wrong Answers & Competitive Chaos 36:48 | Bits, Tangents & Fully Losing the Plot 46:00 | Who You Were in High School (and Who You Thought You Were) 55:18 | The Story That Should’ve Been a Red Flag 1:04:36 | Stories Your Parents Definitely Don’t Know 1:13:48 | Looking Back With Different Eyes 1:23:06 | Boundaries You Didn’t Understand Yet 1:32:24 | What Actually Shapes You Over Time 1:41:36 | Why Curiosity Fixes More Than You Think 1:50:54 | Slow Growth, Patience & Letting Things Take Time 2:00:12 | Routine vs Creativity (and Why Both Matter) 2:09:30 | One Last Push Before It All Ends

025 | What 150 Days Alone In The Wild Taught Me About Life | Miller Hollstein

App Trail Thru-Hike | Adventure | Solitude | Resilience | Nature | Presence This episode of Hold This Thought dives deep into what happens when you remove yourself from modern life and finally confront your own mind. Miller Hollstein shares the story of leaving everything behind to live in the woods for five months to thru-hike the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail (2200 miles), searching for clarity, purpose, and truth. What starts as a physical journey quickly becomes something much deeper… a confrontation with identity, discomfort, boredom, and the internal noise we all carry. We explore the realities of life on the trail, from sleeping on the ground and encountering wildlife to stripping life down to only what’s essential. But the most powerful part of the conversation isn’t survival… it’s what happens mentally when distractions disappear. This episode touches on grounding, nature, discipline, self-reflection, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of questioning who you really are. It challenges the way we think about modern life, food, technology, and the constant need for stimulation. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, stuck, or unsure of your direction… this conversation will make you think twice. Miller Hollstein is an author, speaker, and guide for those navigating change and searching for deeper direction. After stepping away from the conventional path to hike the Appalachian Trail and create space for clarity, he now helps others reconnect with themselves, trust their intuition, and move forward with purpose. millerhollstein.com YT: @themillerhollstein IG: @miller_hollstein Chapters: 00:00 | Opening + Barefoot Living, Comfort vs Conditioning 12:38 | High School Identity, Ego, and Early Self-Expression 25:11 | The Decision to Leave Society and Live in the Woods 38:47 | Expectations vs Reality of Isolation and Silence 52:26 | Wildlife Encounters, Fear, and Respect for Nature 1:06:41 | Hunting, Food, and Our Disconnection From Nature 1:21:18 | Modern Life, Convenience, and Lost Perspective 1:36:52 | Structure vs Freedom and Designing Your Life 1:50:07 | Meditation, Self-Awareness, and Mental Separation 2:03:29 | Boredom, Internal Dialogue, and Facing Yourself 2:16:44 | Identity, Beliefs, and Rewriting Your Inner Narrative 2:26:18 | Final Reflections on Meaning, Growth, and What Matters

024 | I Had to Know the Truth… Even If It Cost Me Everything | Grant Adams

Cults | Dopamine | Smartphones | Video Games | Sex | Biology | Faith | Protestantism | Catholicism In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Grant Adams for a raw, wide-ranging conversation that cuts straight through modern life. We talk about why he ditched his smartphone for a flip phone, how technology is quietly reshaping our brains and relationships, and what we lose when convenience replaces presence. From there, we dive into deeper territory… marriage, sexuality, and whether modern culture has drifted away from how humans are actually wired to live. Grant shares his journey from Protestant pastor to Catholicism, unpacking the problem of authority, the explosion of denominations, and how early Christianity shaped his beliefs. This is one of those conversations that challenges assumptions, pushes boundaries, and forces you to think about how you’re living. Grant Adams is the husband of his sweet wife, Bridgette, and father of three wild kids. After several years of children’s, youth, music, and pastoral ministry, God brought him and his family home to the Catholic Church. Grant currently serves as the teen chastity educator for an ecumenical pro-life clinic and gives talks to local parishes sharing his testimony and love for the Catholic faith. Follow Grant on: IG: @rangergrant YT: @RangerGrant Chapters: 00:00 | The Lip Bite Story & Cold Open 09:41 | Why He Switched to a Flip Phone 20:12 | GPS, Memory & Are We Getting Dumber? 30:28 | Technology Trade-Offs & Losing Presence 41:07 | Discipline vs Convenience in Daily Life 51:18 | Abstinence, Teens & Cultural Reality 1:01:29 | Sex: Good, Dangerous & Misunderstood 1:11:42 | Biology vs Society (Are We Out of Sync?) 1:22:05 | Marriage Age, Fertility & Modern Norms 1:32:18 | Meaning, Family & Long-Term Purpose 1:42:27 | From Protestant Roots to Big Questions 1:52:36 | The Authority Problem in Christianity 2:02:41 | Why Thousands of Denominations Exist 2:12:53 | Sola Scriptura & Interpreting the Bible 2:23:04 | Early Church Fathers & Getting to the Source 2:30:12 | The Turning Point Toward Catholicism

023 | The Battle With Addiction Most People Never See | Sarah Carter

Sustainable Wellness | Faith & Redemption | Fitness Mindset | Personal Growth | Real Life Transformation This episode explores the deeper layers of health, identity, and transformation through a powerful and honest conversation with Sarah Carter. We begin with her early life, from being born in Spain to growing up in an active family, and how those experiences shaped her independence and mindset. What starts as a light conversation quickly evolves into a deeper look at personality, discipline, and the way people approach growth. Sarah shares how her passion for fitness developed over time, not through trends or shortcuts, but through consistency and a desire to build a lifestyle that lasts. That foundation eventually led her to create a business centered around sustainable wellness, helping others simplify fitness and focus on what actually works. As the conversation unfolds, we dive into the realities of modern fitness culture, including misinformation, comparison, and why so many people struggle to stay consistent. From macros and metabolism to long-term habits, this episode breaks down what truly leads to lasting change. There is also a much deeper layer to this conversation. Sarah opens up about addiction, both personally and within her marriage, and the challenges that came with it. What follows is a story of struggle, faith, and transformation that reframes everything about discipline, identity, and what it really means to rebuild your life. This is not just a conversation about fitness. It is about healing, growth, and becoming the person you were meant to be. Sarah is the founder of Swellness, where she helps busy women create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. She is a certified health coach, personal trainer, and nutritionist, and is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle from the inside out. When she’s not working or in the gym, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and reading mystery novels. Follow Sarah at: https://swellnessllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/swellness_llc Chapters: 00:00 | First Impressions, Personality, and Lighthearted Start 07:18 | Born in Spain and Early Childhood Story 14:09 | Middle Child Identity and Independence 21:27 | Discovering Fitness and Love for Movement 29:11 | Anti-Trend Mindset and Sustainable Approach 36:42 | Building Swellness and Starting the Business 44:03 | Group Fitness, Community, and Connection 51:36 | GLP-1 Medications and Weight Loss Debate 59:08 | Food Noise, Addiction, and Internal Struggles 1:06:41 | Faith, Surrender, and Breaking Strongholds 1:14:22 | Nutrition Education and Fixing the System 1:21:47 | Macros, Metabolism, and Building Muscle