S2 E131: Can Christians Be Ambitious Without Losing the Plot?

S2 E137: Why Does Disagreement Feel So Personal?

Why Does Disagreement Feel So Personal? Why does a simple disagreement sometimes feel like a personal attack? Why do conversations become emotional, defensive, and hostile when two people simply see things differently? In a world where everything seems divided into teams, learning how to disagree well has never been more important. In this episode, I explore why we often confuse disagreement with rejection, how we tie our identity to our opinions, and why social media has made healthy conversations more difficult. I also share personal experiences from online discussions and reflect on what Scripture teaches about humility, grace, and responding with love when others see things differently. In this episode: * Why disagreement often feels personal * The difference between disagreement and rejection * How we tie our identity to our opinions * Wanting validation instead of genuine discussion * Social media, division, and "team mentality" * Learning to disagree without hostility * Personal reflections from online conversations * Responding with truth, humility, and grace Scripture References: * Romans 14:1 * Ephesians 4:2-3 * Proverbs 15:1 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #BiblicalWisdom #Romans14 #ChristianEncouragement #SpiritualGrowth #HealthyConversations #UnpolishedButCalled

S2 E136: Why Do We Need to Have an Opinion on Everything?

Why Do We Need to Have an Opinion on Everything? A news story breaks. A controversy starts. Someone posts something online. Within minutes people are demanding answers, reactions, and opinions. But what if we don't actually know enough to have one? What if we've confused having an opinion with having wisdom? In this episode, I explore the pressure to weigh in on every topic, the difference between information and wisdom, and why Scripture reminds us that sometimes silence is the wiser choice. I also share personal reflections on social media, debate culture, learning to let things go, and the freedom that comes from being able to say, "I don't know." In this episode: * Why we feel pressure to have an answer for everything * The difference between information and wisdom * How social media rewards instant reactions * Why Jesus didn't answer every question * Learning when to speak and when to stay silent * The freedom of saying "I don't know" * Personal reflections on debate, growth, and humility Scripture References: * Proverbs 17:28 * Ecclesiastes 3:7 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWisdom #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Proverbs1728 #Ecclesiastes37 #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianEncouragement #UnpolishedButCalled

S2 E135: Why Are We So Quick to Assume the Worst?

Why Are We So Quick to Assume the Worst? Have you ever noticed how quickly your mind fills in the blanks? Someone doesn't text you back, and suddenly you're replaying every conversation you've had with them. Someone seems distant, and before long you've convinced yourself they're upset with you. In this episode, I explore why we so often assume the worst when we don't have all the facts, how fear creates stories that may not be true, and what Scripture teaches about giving people the benefit of the doubt. I also share some personal reflections on anxiety, people-pleasing, and learning to respond with compassion instead of assumptions. In this episode: * Why our minds fill in missing information * The stories we create when we don't know the whole picture * How fear fuels assumptions and unnecessary hurt * Giving people the benefit of the doubt * Learning to respond with compassion instead of suspicion * Personal reflections on anxiety, relationships, and people-pleasing Scripture References: * Proverbs 18:13 * 1 Corinthians 13:7 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #ChristianEncouragement #Proverbs1813 #FaithAndGrowth #ChristianLiving #Mindset #BiblicalWisdom #UnpolishedButCalled

S2 E134: Are We Listening to Understand or Just Waiting to Respond?

Are We Listening to Understand or Just Waiting to Respond? Have you ever noticed that sometimes we stop listening halfway through a conversation because we've already started preparing our response? In this episode, I reflect on a recent conversation where I realized I had already built my rebuttal before fully understanding what the other person was trying to say. That experience led me to explore what Scripture teaches about listening, assumptions, judging motives, and the difference between hearing words and truly understanding another person. We'll look at James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13, and why so many conversations break down before they ever have a chance to become meaningful. In this episode: ·         The difference between hearing and listening ·         Why we often fill in the blanks before asking questions ·         Assumptions, motives, and social media conversations ·         Understanding without agreement ·         Why people often want to be heard more than corrected ·         What James 1:19 teaches about communication 📖 Scripture References: James 1:19 Proverbs 18:13 Philippians 2:3-4 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Communication #BibleStudy

S2 E133: Why Are We So Busy Fixing Everyone Else?

Why Are We So Busy Fixing Everyone Else? It's easy to see what's wrong with everyone else. It's much harder to examine our own hearts. In this episode, I explore why we're often quick to correct, critique, and point fingers while overlooking the work God may be trying to do in us. Drawing from Scripture and personal reflection, we'll discuss listening, humility, self-examination, and why not every observation is an assignment. In this episode: * Matthew 7 and the beam in our own eye * Why correcting others can feel productive * Being right versus being helpful * Humility and self-examination * Focusing on your own assignment 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #Humility #ChristianLiving