Have you ever opened your phone "just for a minute" and ended up angry at strangers on the internet? So many of us pick up our phones to relax, but instead feel restless, stressed, and less present to the people right in front of us.

What if your online life could actually become a place to practice hope and love?

In this episode of our Beholding series, Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson talk about how phones and social media shape our brains, our bodies, and our relationships — and how small, practical practices can help us stay human, grounded, and open to God, even while we scroll.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why doomscrolling creates "micro-stress cycles" in your body

• Honest stories of losing and finding hope in online spaces

• Simple ways to set boundaries and bring your real self back into the room

Show Notes:

• An article by Amy Julia Becker on engaging faithfully in online conversations (featured on The Colossian Forum's blog, The Latest)

• The Colossian Forum "Prayer of the Week" — follow us on Instagram for regular prayers @colossianforum

• The Social Dilemma documentary (recommended pre-phone viewing for teens)

• Practice of tracking daily screen time in a paper planner

• Ideas for analog hobbies: reading, coloring, puzzles, tying flies for fishing, walking outside

If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

Have you ever felt a friendship grow tense or distant and weren't sure why?
In a world marked by polarization and quick assumptions, even strong friendships can feel fragile. A single comment, a post, or a difference in perspective can suddenly amplify the distance between us.

But what if the gap you feel isn't the end of the relationship — just an invitation to truly see each other again?

In this episode, Tanner, Chase, and Sarah explore why division makes friendships harder to navigate, why we sometimes turn friends into "categories," and how small acts of curiosity can soften what feels strained.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why polarized culture makes friendship feel more fragile

• What's really happening when a friend starts to feel like a stranger

• Simple practices for reconnecting with curiosity and humility

Show Notes:

• Curiosity prompt: "How did you come to see it that way?"

• Philippians 4:7

• Practice: Everyday Carry (EDC) Questions

When a friendship feels tense or distant, try carrying an "Everyday Carry" question — one simple prompt you can use to stay curious instead of reactive. Just like you keep your keys or phone on hand, keep a question ready that helps you slow down and listen. Something like "How did you come to see it that way?", "What shaped the way you think about this?", or "What feels most important to you here?" These kinds of questions invite real stories instead of assumptions and create a little more space for connection when a moment feels tender or difficult.

If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

Have you noticed hurry shrinking your capacity to love the people right in front of you?
The pace of life makes us reactive — rushing kids out the door, skimming conversations, and missing moments that matter.

What if slowing down wasn't about doing less, but about learning to see as God sees? In this kickoff to our Beholding series, Tanner, Chase, and Sarah explore how hurry distorts our relationships and how attention, presence, and prayer can restore them. Warm, practical, and honest—this conversation helps you trade frantic for faithful with the people you love most.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why "beholding" (2 Corinthians 5) changes how we see each other

• Everyday practices to resist urgency and be present

• A simple prayer rhythm to rest in God's lovingkindness

Show Notes

• Beholding: "From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view" 2 Corinthians 5:16

• Centering Prayer (Thomas Keating): using a prayer word like "lovingkindness"

• Nikon Small World micro-photography (example of "seeing" the ordinary)

• Resource: How to Slow Down and Be a Peaceful Presence When Tensions Are High — free guide from The Colossian Forum

If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.