Ep. 20: Deconstructing Faith, False Peace, and Building Your Life on Christ

Ep. 20: Deconstructing Faith, False Peace, and Building Your Life on Christ

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about deconstructing faith, spiritual resilience, and what it really means to build your life on the cornerstone of Christ. Shannon opens up about the grief, isolation, and struggles he went through during COVID after losing someone close to him, and how that season slowly began to challenge and erode his faith. The conversation turns into an honest discussion about doubt, temptation, false peace, spiritual warfare, and why so many people walk away from Christianity. We talk about the difference between religion and relationship, how easy it is to drift when we stop feeding ourselves spiritually, and why building a strong daily foundation matters so much as Christians. Kenny shares his perspective from years of teaching resilience, and how trials don’t create someone new; they reveal what has already been built inside of us. We also discuss discernment, Mormonism, cultural Christianity, daily prayer, discipleship, and the responsibility Christians have to lead by example in the places God has called them. This episode is a reminder that faith is not built in one moment. It’s built daily. One decision, one prayer, and one step of obedience at a time. Scriptures referenced (in conversation): Matthew 7:24–27 Matthew 11:28 Matthew 16:24 Revelation 22:18–19 John 14:6 1 Peter 5:8 Ephesians 6:11–17 Matthew 28:19–20 1 Corinthians 13 Luke 9:23 Psalm 34:8 We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: JOIN The Rock! [https://www.skool.com/the-rock-2336/about] THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

Ep. 19: Are Angels Real? Dreams, Protection, and Biblical Encounters

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about angels, the supernatural realm, and what the Bible actually says about these spiritual beings. The conversation starts with personal stories, including moments where both Kenny and Shannon wondered if they may have encountered angels without realizing it. We dive into biblical examples of angels appearing in dreams, protecting people, delivering messages, and guiding believers through difficult moments. Kenny shares thoughts about the supernatural experiences he had during the cartel attack in Mexico, including the possibility that angels may have been involved in protecting and guiding him through the mountain. We also talk about dreams, spiritual warfare, the hierarchy of angels, and the difference between cultural ideas about angels versus what Scripture actually teaches. This episode is a reminder that there is a spiritual realm beyond what we can physically see, and that God’s protection, guidance, and presence often work in ways we may not fully understand. Scriptures referenced: Hebrews 13:2 Acts 10 Revelation 22:16 Daniel 6:22 Acts 5:19–20 Acts 12:7–11 Matthew 4:11 Psalm 91:11–12 Hebrews 12:22–23 Luke 1:26–38 Matthew 1:20–21 We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: JOIN The Rock! [https://www.skool.com/the-rock-2336/about] THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

Ep. 18: Are Miracles Still Happening Today? Faith, Healing, and the Supernatural

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about miracles, divine intervention, healing, and whether miracles still happen today. Kenny shares more about the supernatural experiences he had during the cartel attack in Mexico, including moments that could only be described as God stepping in and protecting him. From there, the conversation opens up into faith, healing, exorcism, prayer, and the role miracles play in the Christian life. We talk about Forrest Frank’s healing story, modern miracle testimonies online, the power of prayer and fasting, and what Scripture says about signs, wonders, and the supernatural power of God. Shannon shares a personal story about losing his glasses in the ocean and how God used that moment to draw him back into deeper dependence on Him. We also wrestle honestly with questions like: Do miracles still happen today? Should Christians seek miracles? How much does faith play a role in healing? And how do we discern what is truly from God? It’s a conversation about faith, surrender, and remembering that God still moves in ways we cannot always explain. Scriptures referenced: Acts 9:35 Acts 9:42 John 14:12 Acts 5:12–16 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 Matthew 17:20 Matthew 16:1–4 Luke 23:8 Acts 8:21–22Matthew 10:8 Acts 4:29–30 Psalm 145:18–19 Key takeaways: • Miracles were not limited to biblical times • faith plays a major role in how we experience God • Miracles are meant to point people toward God, not toward people • Prayer and fasting deepen dependence on God • God still works in supernatural ways today • Discernment matters when evaluating signs and wonders • Salvation and transformed hearts are miracles, too • Sometimes the greatest miracle is how God changes us internally We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: ■ JOIN THE ROCK [https://www.skool.com/the-rock-2336/about] THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

Ep 17: The Truth About Sin, Temptation, Conviction, and Walking with Jesus

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk about sin, what it is, why it matters, and how it shows up in our daily lives as Christians. We break down what sin actually is, not just actions, but also our thoughts, attitudes, and nature. From there, the conversation gets real. We talk about the daily battle, the tension between temptation and choice, and what it looks like to follow Jesus while still struggling. Kenny opens up about his personal battles with lust and anger. Shannon shares his perspective on temptation, growth, and what it means to not hide from God in the middle of it. It’s an honest conversation about the fight, and learning how to lean into Jesus instead of away from Him. What we talk about: • what sin actually is • sin as action, attitude, and nature • temptation and how it shows up • the difference between temptation and choice • the daily battle every Christian faces • lust, anger, and real struggles • conviction and spiritual growth • how sin affects our relationship with God • why we shouldn’t hide from God in our sin Scriptures referenced: • Exodus 20:17 • Matthew 5:22 • Matthew 5:28 • Galatians 5:20 • Mark 12:30• Genesis 4:7 • Romans 6:23 • Romans 8:1 • 1 John 1:8 • Ephesians 4:30 • Hebrews 12:6 • 1 Corinthians 10:13 • Matthew 6:9–13 Key takeaways: • sin is not just what we do; it includes our thoughts, attitudes, and nature • temptation is not the same as sin, but it leads to a choice • The Christian life includes an ongoing battle with sin • Conviction is a sign that God is working in us • Sin can distance us from God, but it can also be a moment to turn back to Him • We are not meant to hide from God in our sin, but to bring it to Him • Growth comes from choosing to lean into Jesus daily We just launched The Rock, our new community where we’re building together and going deeper beyond the podcast. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to be part of it, you can join here: ■ JOIN The Rock! [https://www.skool.com/the-rock-2336/about] THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

Ep 16: What Is HELL? Truth, Free Will, and Separation from God

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson take on one of the hardest topics in the Christian faith. HELL. Not the version people joke about. Not just the fire and imagery we’ve heard growing up. But what it actually is and why it matters. We talk about the tension a lot of people feel when they hear this topic. How could a loving God allow hell? Is it punishment? Is it separation? Is it something we choose? Kenny shares real conversations he’s had with people who struggle with this idea, including the question, do you really believe a good person goes to hell? Shannon brings perspective around free will, the holiness of God, and what it actually means to reject Him. This isn’t a perfect explanation. It’s an honest conversation. We talk about what we understand right now, what we’re still learning, and why this topic is one that can either strengthen your faith or challenge it. But more than anything, this episode is a reminder. This is not a topic to ignore. It’s one to wrestle with. And it should move us, not to fear, but to care. What we talk about: • what hell is and why it’s such a difficult topic • hell as separation from God vs a physical place • free will and the idea that we choose our eternity • the question of good people and salvation • why this topic can cause people to question or deconstruct their faith • the role of pride, forgiveness, and surrender • why Christians should approach this with humility and compassion • how this conversation should lead us to share the gospel more boldly Scriptures referenced in conversation: • Matthew 25:41 • Matthew 25:46 • Mark 9:43 • Luke 16:22–24 • Isaiah 55:8–9 • Romans 9:2 • Revelation 1:18 If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and take your faith seriously. THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe