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

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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

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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

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

The greatest battle of our age is spiritual. Long before Silicon Valley and algorithms, Jesus warned us that our way of seeing determines our way of being. But today, our "lamp is our screen," and the algorithms behind it are engineered to disciple us, shaping our reactions, emotions, and identity.

In this profound conversation, Russ Ewell and Zach Leighton (Reliant Media Group) dive deep into the spiritual crisis of the digital age. They discuss the difference between conforming to the world's patterns and being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Zachary Leighton → Reliant Creative: https://reliantcreative.org/

Zach Leighton, founder of Reliant Media Group, empowers churches and nonprofits with story-driven, digital media strategies that deepen connection and build community. With expertise in brand development he helps ministries share their unique stories in a way that resonates and drives lasting impact.

Scriptures:

• Luke 11:34-36 Voice
• Romans 12:2 NIV
• Hebrews 11:1 NLT
• Romans 5:3-4 NIV
• Revelation 12:11 NIV

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

Chapters:

• 00:00 Coming up
• 01:29 Algorithm of faith introduction
• 06:13 What is Reliant Creative?
• 08:01 Why churches are slow to change
• 13:13 Why we run to social media
• 19:28 [Ad] Deep Spirituality Newsletter
• 20:51 What do churches have to invest in to tell their story
• 30:01 What story does the average Christian need to tell?
• 39:14 [Ad] Deep Spirituality Newsletter
• 40:22 Why does the story speak to our soul?
• 54:03 Reliant Creative + Outro

It’s hard to hear God when life feels chaotic. We often think the solution to our stress is to push harder or move faster, but the story of Elijah shows us that God doesn’t speak through the noise—he speaks through the whisper. Many of us miss moments of insight and renewal simply because we’re too distracted to notice.

In this episode of Scripture Playlists, you’ll hear a short devotional and a curated collection of scriptures designed to help you quiet your mind, calm your heart, and create space to hear God’s voice.

GO DEEPER: DOWNLOAD THE WORKBOOK: If the noise inside feels overwhelming, our free ebook workbook can help you understand what’s going on beneath the surface. It’s designed to help you process your emotions, grow in self-awareness, and deepen your relationship with God and the people closest to you.

https://deepspirituality.com/what-god-whispers

Scriptures used:

• 1 Kings 19:11-13 MSG
• Psalm 46:10 Voice
• Matthew 11:28-30 AMP
• Isaiah 30:15 GW
• Psalm 131:1-3 NLT
• Psalm 62:5 TPT
• Mark 4:39 NCV
• Matthew 7:24-27 TPT
• Psalm 94:19 TPT
• Isaiah 26:3 NLT
• 1 Peter 5:7 NCV
• Psalm 37:7 TPT
• Psalm 42:5 Voice
• Philippians 4:6-7 TLB

Gen Z is hurting—and they know it. In this candid conversation, therapist Liz Llamas and nurse leader MaryAnn McGaret join host Russ Ewell to explore why so many young adults feel exhausted, anxious, and alone—despite being more focused on wellness than any generation before.

We cut through the noise of viral self-care trends and social media “The Great Lock-In” challenges to reveal what’s really missing: authentic connection, true meaning, and the courage to find your own path. Discover how discipline, community, and finding your unique motivation can bring the breakthrough you need—no matter where you’re starting from.

Hit play for practical advice—and a reminder that you’re not alone in the search for a life that finally feels whole.

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Scriptures:

Proverbs 20:5 NIV

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

Chapters:

00:00 What "The Great Lock-In" reveals about Gen Z

07:03 What is your take on wellness

09:56 Why Gen Z is so into wellness right now

20:04 What's missing in Gen Z's relationships

28:47 Promo - The Chemistry Lab: Which super power do you need?

30:07 Simple tools to take care of yourself (AAA)

36:53 Steps towards being a likable person

50:34 Finding the right technique for you

57:45 Why Gen Z is still finding their way and stuck at home

01:08:53 Promo - Your Personalized Power Plan

01:10:11 How to motivate Gen Z towards progress

01:24:15 What did we learn today?

****

📬 Unlock spiritual breakthroughs every week—subscribe to The Chemistry Lab! https://deepspirituality.com/subscribe

Quiz: Which spiritual superpower do you need? https://deepspirituality.com/superpower

Quiz: Your Personalized Power Plan https://deepspirituality.com/your-personalized-power-plan/

If you’ve ever felt the weight of ambition—your own or others’—and wondered why efforts that seem good end up fracturing relationships, breeding anxiety or leaving you empty, this episode offers a clear, faith-rooted perspective. We explore how selfish ambition is driving spiritual and social decay, and how a different kind of ambition—rooted in humility, love, purpose and God’s vision—can rebuild what’s broken.

In this edition of Deep Reads, Darryl Howell reads the article “What’s Going on with Our World? (Part I)” from Deep Spirituality, written by Russ Ewell.

Whether you’re spiritually curious, disillusioned by religion, or simply seeking a truer, healthier way of living, this episode stakes new ground—a place where ambition isn’t the problem but the form of ambition is.

Tune in, press play, and let’s together ask: What kind of ambition is shaping our lives—and what could be different if we chose a better one?

What’s Going on with Our World? (Part I): Selfish ambition is breaking us. But here’s what we can do about it. → https://deepspirituality.com/whats-going-on-with-our-world-part-i/

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:35 - What’s Going on with Our World?

02:55 - The paradox of progress

09:47 - Observation

16:25 - Hypothesis

29:18 - To be continued…

30:22 - Reply or reach out