Longtime pastor and author Scotty Smith — founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN, and author of the daily prayer blog Heavenward — joins Dan for a conversation that starts with grace and ends up somewhere more personal. They dig into what Dan calls "horizontal legalism": the subtle habit of keeping a mental ledger of the good we've done for others, and quietly expecting it to be repaid in favor, attention, or love. From there the conversation moves into what that looks like at work (bosses, firing, being "the boss God gave you") and at home (grandkids, marriage, aging out of a leadership role), before Scotty opens up about growing up as what he calls an "emotional orphan" and how that shaped the way he — and many high-performing leaders — chase approval without realizing it.

Mike Smith works in the kind of place where it's dangerous to do what he does - so much so that we can't share his real name or location.

Sadly, there are lots of places that fit this description: cities and countries where children are exploited, and where people from all over the world come to participate in horrific acts of abuse. Mike Smith uses his knowledge and skill as a surgeon to get into places where he can help. Along the way, he's had to learn what it means to care for the whole person in these delicate situations. In this episode, Mike sits down with Dan to discuss what he does and why the glory of God motivates him more than anything else.

Contact Mike: helpthegirlsasia@gmail.com

"Prediction Markets" are becoming a normal sight on our college campuses, in our advertisements, and on the phones of our friends and family. This conversation felt especially relevant to us in light of the ongoing Brendan Sorsby story, the Texas Tech Quarterback who was recently granted a temporary injunction to play, despite being declared ineligible by the NCAA on the grounds of placing over $90,000 worth of bets on sports.

Accounting professor Steve Moerhle joins Dan on this episode to talk about his interest in sports betting: how it's grown in recent years, and how the market value of these companies is an indication that they are betting on people to lose a lot of money through gambling. Steve and Dan cover the ethics of gambling, the traps the industry uses, and what it looks like to use your money wisely.

What can a former pro tennis player teach us about coaching, leadership, and faith-driven work?

In this episode, athlete and Christian school leader Gus Martin joins Dan Doriani to trace his journey from world‑ranked tennis pro and high-end coach to long-time head of Christian schools.

They discuss the hidden grind behind professional sports, the mental game of competition, the essentials of good coaching (technique, focus, and fun), and Gus’s “giving clarity” approach to leadership, culture change, and discipleship in Christian education.

What if the Christian life is less about your spiritual performance and more about the life God gives?

In this episode, Dan Doriani talks with theologian Dr. Kelly Kapic about his book Christian Life, a rich theology of how God the Father, Son, and Spirit shape our daily lives. Instead of a “how-to” guide for prayer and Bible reading, Kapic invites us to see the Christian life as a response to God’s love and grace.

Buy Kelly's latest book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310523583/

How would your life change if you truly believed Jesus is gentle and welcoming toward you at your weakest, not just at your best?

In this conversation with Dane Ortlund, pastor and author of Gentle and Lowly, he and Dan Doriani explore the heart of Christ -- his gentleness toward the penitent, his costly, enduring love, and how this vision reshapes everyday Christian life, from how we see ourselves to how we love our families, coworkers, and even those who have hurt us.

How do we know when a war is not only necessary, but truly just?

In this episode, Dan Doriani sits down with former U.S. Senator Jim Talent, who served on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, to discuss 'just war theory' in today’s world. Together, they examine what counts as war in an age of cyberattacks and proxy conflicts, revisit the classic Christian criteria for a just war, and apply those principles to current events, from Russia–Ukraine to Israel’s conflicts with Hamas and Iran-backed groups, as well as the ongoing, undeclared tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

What does it really mean to be a conservative, and how should Christians think about power, politics, and the common good? In this episode, Dan Doriani talks with writer and former White House advisor Pete Wehner about the moral roots of conservatism, the dangers of tribalism, the importance of character in leaders, and why a market economy can both lift people from poverty and cultivate virtue.