In this episode of Deep Spirituality, Russ Ewell chats with Matt McChlery about why picking up a book is actually a "rebellion" for your soul in a world of endless scrolling. After interviewing nearly 100 authors, Matt has seen firsthand how the power of story helps us connect with God far better than a dry lecture ever could.

They get real about authenticity, sharing that we need to drop the "perfect Christian" mask and be honest about our messy journeys. Matt even opens up about his own battle with cancer, explaining that when we share our "storms," it creates "light through the cracks" for everyone else. To wrap things up, they talk about the magic of music—how it gets into the gaps of our hearts to take us straight to God—and why every community should celebrate its own unique "sound".

• Check out Matt! → https://www.mattmcchlery.com/
• Matt's podcast, Christian Book Blurb → https://open.spotify.com/show/32gv1Rl6HFBneRMygfjzM2
• Matt's books → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-McChlery/author/B09L4YQGCL

Scriptures:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
• 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV
• Philippians 1:30 NLT
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 TLB
• John 13:35 BSB
• John 17:23 NLT
• 1 John 5:2 TPT

► SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Matt McChlery

02:30 - The power of pages

08:11 - The power of story when we read

16:24 - Promo: Why we're talking more about AI than God

17:32 - Insights from 98 Christian author interviews

22:39 - Struggle is normal, ditch the perfect performance

30:46 - Why we should journey together in faith

37:43 - Promo: The Kingdom of Change

38:54 - Why music is part of our spiritual journey

42:33 - What every worship leader should know

50:12 - Find and follow Matt McChlery

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Zack and Becky Mariscal return to the Deep Spirituality Podcast to discuss the "spiritual mechanics" of resilience. Their story reveals how internal strength is forged through profound suffering, moving from a place of human fragility to firm faith.

This episode will help you shift your perspective on current troubles—not by ignoring them, but by learning how to fix your gaze on the unseen. Whether you are facing a health crisis or navigating the "ups and downs" of life, you will walk away with a meaning-making framework for resilience and the inspiration to turn toward God instead of shutting down.

► SUBSCRIBE: ⁠https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1⁠

Scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV
• Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIV
• 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NLT
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
• Romans 15:4 NASB
• Psalm 46:1-3 NASB95
• Psalm 77:19 NLT

Chapters:

00:00 - Optimistic resilience

01:56 - How does your knowledge of God increase your resilience?

08:16 - How breaking up made us stronger.

21:44 - What young men can do.

26:09 - How do you stay joyful in suffering?

32:30 - Ad: Kingdom of Prayer

33:24 - Take initiative in relationships

40:05 - How what we go through can help others

50:51 - Wrap up

What happens when your "perfect" life is upended by a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis at just 17 years old? In our latest episode, Zack and Becky Mariscal join the podcast to share their incredible journey of faith, wrestling with God, and finding a love that endures the unthinkable.

Whether you are walking through your own "wilderness" or supporting someone who is, this story is a powerful testament to the God who heals the brokenhearted and carries us through the storm.

🎧 Listen now to find hope in the struggle.

Scriptures:

• Genesis 32:24,28 NIV
• Luke 7:47 Voice
• Isaiah 6:5 NIV
• Titus 2:12 NIV
• Acts 2:38 NIV
• 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 NIV
• Exodus 3:10-12 NASB95
• Psalm 56:8 NLT
• Psalm 126:5-6 NLT
• Psalm 147:3 NLT

► SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/deepspirituality/?sub_confirmation=1

Chapters:

00:00 - Zack and Becky Mariscal

01:52 - Wrestling with God

04:58 - When they became Christians

08:29 - How do you handle the struggles of being a Christian as a teenager

14:14 - What young men can learn from others

19:03 - Getting sick and starting to date

27:03 - How God moved through the struggle

31:29 - The shock and trials of being diagnosed with cancer

46:01 - The scriptures reveal how the spirit brings us through difficulty

52:04 - Why God wants us to just show up sometimes

56:36 - God brings us through our sufferings to our destiny

****

#DeepSpirituality #FaithJourney #CancerSurvivor #RelationshipGoals #GodIsReal #HopeInTheStruggle #PodcastRecommendation