Rooted in Truth, Growing in Freedom, Prospering in Life with Josie & Symone

EP55 - From Family Road Trips to Fearless Faith: A Rooted Conversation With Our Parents

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this special episode of Rooted, hosts Josie and Symone sit down with their parents, Isaac and Kirsten Harms, for a meaningful and joy-filled conversation about family, faith, forgiveness, marriage, parenting, money, and travel. Fifty episodes after first sharing their story on the podcast, Isaac and Kirsten return to reflect on the lessons that shaped their family. They talk about why they made it a goal to travel to all 50 states, how family trips created lifelong memories, and how seeing history firsthand helped bring faith, freedom, and purpose to life. They also share practical wisdom on generosity, marriage, and parenting, including the importance of explaining the “why,” prioritizing presence over presents, and remembering that children ultimately belong to God. Isaac opens up about the impact of bitterness and how forgiveness became a path to freedom and healing. From hilarious family memories involving road trip snack bags, a rough Alaska boat ride, an Anakin Skywalker mask, and a hidden tea set, to powerful reminders about keeping your eyes on Jesus, this episode is full of wisdom, laughter, and encouragement for families in every season. —---------------------- TIMESTAMP SUMMARY: 00:00 — Why forgiveness sets us free. 00:20 — Isaac and Kirsten Harms return to Rooted 50 episodes later. 00:52 — How traveling to all 50 states became a meaningful family goal. 02:16 — How family travel brought history, freedom, and purpose to life. 03:08 — Favorite family trips to the East Coast, Hawaii, and New York City. 04:44 — The funny travel disasters that became lasting family memories. 05:55 — A rough Alaska boat ride and the reminder to keep your eyes on Jesus. 07:38 — How to approach travel and family goals when finances are tight. 09:00 — Practical memories and lessons from traveling with young kids. 11:20 — What Isaac and Kirsten learned about money, marriage, and generosity. 14:10 — How bitterness affects the heart, mind, body, and spirit. 16:35 — Jesus as the ultimate example of radical forgiveness. 18:20 — The importance of forgiving others and forgiving yourself. 21:05 — Parenting as stewardship and remembering children belong to God. 24:35 — Raising children with wisdom, community, and godly influences. 27:00 — The importance of humility, discipline, and explaining the “why.” 30:00 — Why presence matters more than presents in parenting. 31:40 — Building a strong marriage and handling conflict as teammates. 34:10 — Helping children face fear instead of letting fear grow. 38:00 — A fun rapid-fire round with Isaac and Kirsten. 41:35 — Final encouragement to fear not and rest in Jesus’ love. —---------------------- NOTABLE QUOTES: * “Forgiveness is setting a prisoner free and discovering that that prisoner was you.” * “God wants us to forgive because He loves us and wants us free.” * “When the storms are going around in our lives, we have to look at the horizon, which is Jesus.” * “Change ‘we can’t afford that’ to ‘how could we make that happen?’” * “God taught us not to be a reservoir with our money, but to be a river.” * “Whatever God gives us should go through us.” * “We cannot give what we do not have.” * “You’re not mine, you’re God’s, and He entrusted me to help raise you.” * “Do not prepare the path for the child, but the child for the path.” * “Your children remember your presence long after they forget your presents.” ------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Rooted Episode 5 — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep5-our-roots-dad-mom-share-their-cancer-story-faith/id1744046877?i=1000660044210 * Unoffendable — Book by Brant Hansen - https://a.co/d/0eGvIXad ------------------- FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTED Instagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosper YouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosper Support: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper [https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper] ------------------- ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP54 - It’s God’s Work, Not Ours: Bethel University President Ross Allen on Faithful Leadership in a Busy World

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, we sit down with Ross Allen, President of Bethel University in Minnesota, to explore what it means to lead with faith, presence, and trust in God—without hurry. Ross shares his remarkable journey through global leadership, crisis management, and higher education, reflecting on how God shaped his leadership through seasons of uncertainty, international living, and spiritual surrender. From learning cultural humility overseas to discovering the spiritual discipline of rest, Ross challenges the American obsession with busyness and invites listeners into a deeper, more rooted way of living and leading. Together, we discuss why rest is holy, how leadership flows from abiding with God, and why remembering that this is God’s work—not ours changes everything. This conversation is an encouragement for students, leaders, pastors, and anyone longing to live faithfully without burnout. —---------------------- TIMESTAMP SUMMARY: 00:00 – Introduction to Ross Allen and his leadership journey 02:30 – From corporate leadership to higher education 05:40 – Crisis leadership and learning to trust God’s direction 09:20 – Running for God’s glory: faith shaping leadership decisions 13:45 – Surrendering control and letting God lead 18:10 – Living and leading across cultures around the world 22:40 – How international life reshaped faith and perspective 27:50 – Yosemite, surrender, and learning to let God be God 30:00 – What Americans overlook about work, pace, and presence 33:30 – Cultural honesty, communication, and humility 35:10 – Busyness, burnout, and the neuroscience of stress 37:20 – Why rest is holy and Jesus was never rushed 38:45 – Leadership through presence and personal connection 40:00 – “It’s God’s work, not ours” 41:20 – Eliminating hurry and abiding with Christ 42:30 – Final encouragement: what it means to be truly rooted —---------------------- NOTABLE QUOTES: 1. “God doesn’t need me to glorify Him—He will glorify Himself.” 2. “This isn’t my ministry. It’s God’s work.” 3. “Rest is not lazy. Rest is holy.” 4. “Jesus was never rushed, even when urgency surrounded Him.” 5. “We sacrifice ourselves on the altar of ministry and think God will honor that.” 6. “Our identity isn’t in what we accomplish—it’s in Him.” 7. “Leadership begins with presence, not productivity.” 8. “Busyness can distract us from God just as much as sin.” 9. “When you let go, God takes over.” 10. “Abiding with Christ changes how you lead and how you live.” ------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Book: Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer * Biblical References: * Psalm 23 (rest, quiet waters) * Spiritual Practices: * Silent solo retreats * Sabbath rest * Abiding with Christ ------------------- FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTED Instagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosper YouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosper Support: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper [https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper] ------------------- ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP53 - When Sports Shape Identity: A Message Every Athlete Needs to Hear with FCA Director David Melms

EPISODE SUMMARY: What happens when your identity is no longer tied to performance—but rooted in being loved? In this powerful episode of the Rooted Podcast, hosts Josie and Symone sit down with David Melms, Twin Cities Metro Director and Sports Chaplain with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). David shares his journey of faith, leadership, and calling—from starting FCA as a college student in a spiritually resistant environment to now serving athletes at every level, from youth sports to professional teams. Together, they explore what it means to “play loved” instead of playing for approval, how people-pleasing subtly becomes an idol, and why sports can be both beautiful and broken. David unpacks how identity, worship, and faith intersect in athletics—and how God often uses competition to surface what’s truly going on in our hearts. This conversation is deeply practical, honest, and freeing—whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone learning to live rooted in truth rather than performance. —---------------------- TIMESTAMP SUMMARY: 00:00 Playing loved instead of playing for approval 01:00 Welcome to Rooted + introducing David Melms 02:00 What the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is 04:00 David’s call to ministry through college sports 07:00 Starting FCA at a secular college campus 10:00 Courage, calling, and pioneer leadership 13:00 Faith roots and early spiritual influences 16:00 People-pleasing and identity struggles 19:00 Root idols: approval, power, comfort, control 22:00 Why sports reveal the heart 25:00 Sports as worship and excellence 27:00 What a kairos moment is 29:00 Winning, losing, and identity in Christ 31:00 Adventure camp and spiritual formation 33:00 Mentorship for Millennials and Gen Z 35:00 Core truth: play loved 37:00 How to connect with FCA + closing —---------------------- NOTABLE QUOTES: 1. “I don’t play to win God’s love—I play from His love.” 2. “Sports reveal what’s already in your heart. You can’t hide in competition.” 3. “People-pleasing is subtle, but it’s one of the strongest identity traps.” 4. “Playing loved makes you freer, faster, and fiercer.” 5. “Sport is morally neutral—it becomes beautiful or broken based on who’s leading it.” 6. “God often uses pressure to expose what needs healing.” 7. “Approval, comfort, control, and power—those are the idols beneath the surface.” 8. “Worship isn’t just singing—it’s how you live, play, and compete.” 9. “Leadership is constantly being formed on the field, whether we realize it or not.” 10. “Kairos moments are invitations from God—we choose whether to slow down and listen.” ------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) – https://www.fca.org/ [https://www.fca.org/] * FCA Minnesota – https://www.minnesotafca.org/ [https://www.minnesotafca.org/] ------------------- FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTED Instagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosper YouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosper Support: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper [https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper] ------------------- ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP52 - Growing Up in the Graham Family: Will Graham on Why Faith Can’t Be Inherited and Why Every Person Must Choose Jesus

EPISODE SUMMARY: What does it mean to grow up in the most well-known evangelistic family in modern history—and still need to personally choose Jesus? In this powerful and deeply honest episode of the Rooted Podcast, hosts Josie and Symone Harms sit down with Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham and executive vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, to talk about salvation, obedience, calling, and the unchanging power of the gospel. Will shares the remarkable story of coming to faith at just five years old—not through fame or pressure, but through a quiet realization of sin, grace, and the need for a Savior. He opens up about life inside the Graham family, discerning God’s voice, learning obedience the hard way, and how God led him step by step into full-time evangelism. The conversation also explores how the gospel should be shared in a fast-paced, distracted culture, why technology is a tool (not the message), and how believers can stay rooted in Christ while living with urgency and purpose. This episode ends with a clear, compassionate invitation to salvation—and a timeless reminder from John 3:30 that defines a life well lived: He must increase, and I must decrease. —---------------------- TIMESTAMP SUMMARY: 00:00 – John 3:30: “He must increase, I must decrease” 01:00 – Introduction to Will Graham and his global ministry 02:00 – Growing up in a Christian home—and why faith can’t be inherited 04:00 – Childhood honesty, sin, and learning accountability 07:00 – The moment Will personally gave his life to Jesus at age five 10:00 – Living with the Graham name and embracing personal identity 13:00 – Feeling called to ministry without knowing the destination 16:00 – Pastoring, resistance, and God shaping the heart 20:00 – Hearing God’s voice through Scripture and obedience 23:00 – A rare but powerful moment of divine direction 26:00 – The 13-State Tour and praying for America 31:00 – Evangelism in a distracted, digital culture 34:00 – How Billy Graham embraced technology for the gospel 37:00 – Obedience, regret, and the urgency of sharing Christ 40:00 – Clear gospel presentation and invitation to salvation 48:00 – Final encouragement: what it means to be truly rooted in Christ —---------------------- NOTABLE QUOTES: 1. “You can’t be born a Christian—you have to choose to be a Christian.” 2. “I was religious, but I had never personally asked Jesus to forgive my sin.” 3. “God was doing heart surgery on me.” 4. “You don’t need to know the end—just the next step.” 5. “The best way to hear God’s voice is to read His Word.” 6. “Technology changes, but the gospel never does.” 7. “It’s not about promoting ourselves—it’s about lifting up Jesus.” 8. “God delights in every detail of your life.” 9. “Heaven is eternity—life is short.” 10. “He must increase, and I must decrease.” ------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – https://billygraham.org [https://billygraham.org/] * YouVersion Bible App – Scripture access and translations * Liberty University – Will Graham’s alma mater ------------------- FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTED Instagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosper YouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosper Support: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper [https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper] ------------------- ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP51 - Minnesota Vikings Broadcaster Paul Allen on Purpose, Pain, and Following Jesus

EPISODE SUMMARY: Paul Allen — the iconic NFL voice of the Minnesota Vikings — joins the Rooted Podcast for a raw, powerful, and deeply faith-centered conversation. Known for his passion behind the mic, Paul shares the lesser-known story behind his rise in broadcasting, his love for horse racing, and the long, winding road God used to shape his calling. In this episode, Paul opens up about coming to faith later in life, how Scripture transformed his understanding of purpose and rest, and why Matthew 11:28–30 became a defining passage in his walk with Jesus. He vulnerably reflects on hardship, public pressure, cancel culture, and the moments God made him rest — breaking false idols and re-centering his life on Christ. This conversation is an encouragement to anyone navigating calling, burnout, suffering, or transition — and a reminder that God’s plans cannot be thwarted, even when the path feels uncertain. —---------------------- TIMESTAMP SUMMARY: 00:00 – Iconic Vikings play-by-play cold open 00:20 – Welcome to Rooted + introducing Paul Allen 02:35 – Paul’s journey into broadcasting begins 04:45 – Early career struggles, racetrack announcing, and perseverance 07:10 – Breaking into radio and the NFL with no formal experience 11:55 – Faith awakening later in life 14:55 – First Protestant church experience & Matthew 11:28–30 17:35 – Learning Scripture as an adult 20:10 – God’s sovereignty, calling, and predestination 24:10 – Psalm 23 and being “made” to rest 27:35 – Cancel culture, persecution, and God’s protection 31:50 – False gods, burnout, and redefining success 35:55 – Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also 39:10 – Final encouragement: living rooted in Christ —---------------------- NOTABLE QUOTES: 1. “I didn’t get here because I was qualified — I got here because God was faithful.” 2. “I’ve always looked at my radio job as serving the listener.” 3. “Come to Me and I will give you rest — that’s the most inviting thing I’ve ever read.” 4. “God makes us lie down in green pastures because we won’t stop on our own.” 5. “I didn’t lose my platform — God refined why I have one.” 6. “The Bible didn’t just inform me — it came alive.” 7. “My free will doesn’t outrank God’s sovereignty.” 8. “False gods were broken in my life without me even asking.” 9. “Christian persecution didn’t weaken my faith — it strengthened it.” 10. “My treasure isn’t in sports anymore. My treasure is in Jesus.” ------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Faith Family Church (Burnsville, MN) * Grace Church (Eden Prairie, MN) * Discovery Church (Orlando, FL) Teachers & Influences * Kirk Cousins, Pastor Don Cousins, Tim Keller ------------------- FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTED Instagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosper YouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosper Support: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper [https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper] ------------------- ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.