Depression, Anxiety, and Hope in the Church — An Interview with Pastor Ken Kirkley

Nov 18, 2025

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Distracted Christian, Podcast

The Historian Between Worlds Part 2

Somewhere in the long corridors of late antiquity, when the empire’s old gods were losing their voice and a new divine order was whispering its name into the ears of scribes and bishops, a man sat writing. His robes were dusty. His hand, arthritic from transcription. His name was Eusebius… Listen ⇢
When Faith Feels Like Nothing

There’s a kind of faith that burns like a wildfire, and there’s a kind that barely flickers in the dark. One feels glorious. The other? Terrifying. But St. John of the Cross says the second kind—the quiet, flickering faith in the dark—is the one that leads to union with God.… Listen ⇢
When Joy Is the Missing Piece

Some say spiritual growth only comes through suffering. That joy is a phase we grow out of. But the Psalms, the Gospels, and the apostles tell a different story. Joy isn’t a reward for the strong. It’s the strength of the weak. It’s not something we lose on the path… Listen ⇢
For Those on the Long Road

Maybe the lights have gone out. Maybe you don’t feel anything when you pray. Maybe you’re still going to church, still reading your Bible but it all feels like ash in your mouth. That’s the road not many talk about. The long one. The narrow one. The one where Jesus… Listen ⇢
The Curse and the Kingdom: Divine Restraint, Human Rebellion, and Cosmic Consequences

Episode Summary:In Episode 3 of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David return to Genesis—this time focusing on Genesis 3 and the profound ripple effects of the Fall. But this isn’t just a story about punishment—it’s a conversation about divine restraint, cosmic conflict, and the mercy of God in the midst… Listen ⇢
The Historian Between Worlds (Part 1)

In the twilight between the empire’s pagan gods and the dawn of Christian orthodoxy, one figure roamed the intellectual borders with the nervous energy of a diplomat and the fastidious habits of a librarian. Eusebius of Caesarea, bishop, historian, apologist, and sometime controversialist, did not merely record the great transformation… Listen ⇢
Divine Restraint—Not Just Divine Wrath

What if the curse in Genesis 3 isn’t about vengeance, but restraint? In this week’s upcoming episode of Fresh Ground Theology, we dive deep into how the curse serves not only as judgment but also as mercy. Rather than being a punitive hammer, it’s a divine braking system, slowing the… Listen ⇢
Shadows and Light: The Journey Through the Dark Night of the Soul

Episode Overview:In this second episode of The Distracted Christian Podcast, host Nate Labadorf continues our contemplative exploration of The Dark Night of the Soul, moving beyond the introduction into the heart of its spiritual mystery and practical reality. This episode is a soul-deep invitation to rethink how we interpret silence,… Listen ⇢
What If the Night Is the Doorway?

So often, we pray for the night to end and for God to bring the dawn. But what if the night itself is a doorway to deeper faith? In next Tuesday’s episode of The Distracted Christian Podcast, we’ll walk through St. John of the Cross’s teaching on the Dark Night… Listen ⇢