“We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented. It's as simple as that.” — Christof, The Truman Show

How often do we accept the way we're living without stopping to question whether it's helping us become who God created us to be?

In this episode of The Lost Sheep Podcast, we take inspiration from The Truman Show and explore how the realities we accept shape the way we think, live, and see the world. We also dive into How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, exploring what research suggests about the relationship between spiritual practices, meditation, and the brain.

How can the practices we build into our lives change us over time? And what might happen if we become more intentional about making space for God?

Plus, we introduce this week's Shepherds of the Week: the authors of How God Changes Your Brain, and share a simple Practical Prayer Practice you can incorporate into your own spiritual life.

Maybe becoming found begins with questioning the reality we've grown comfortable accepting—and making room for God to change us.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” — Aristotle

We often think we have to figure everything out on our own. But what if part of the way God intends us to grow is through the people He places around us?

In this episode, we talk about the power of community, friendship, and recognizing that we aren't meant to walk through life—or our faith—alone. Sometimes the people around us can challenge us, encourage us, and help us become who we're meant to be.

And for this week's Practical Prayer Practice, we're taking that idea into prayer by doing something simple: praying with friends.

Plus, this week's Shepherds of the Week are Cole, Robert, and Henry.

Maybe the people around you aren't just part of your life. Maybe they're part of how God is trying to lead you closer to Him.

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What if adversity isn't simply something we have to survive, but something God can use to transform us?

For Episode 99 of The Lost Sheep Podcast, we take inspiration from Mulan: “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” We dive into what happens when life gets difficult, why suffering can produce growth, and how God can bring beauty out of circumstances we never would have chosen for ourselves.

Our Practical Prayer Practice invites us to meditate on Mary opening the tabernacle, entering into the mystery of her relationship with Christ and learning from her example of complete openness to God. Plus, we introduce this week's Shepherd of the Week.

https://coleebissot.wixsite.com/thelostsheep

This week on The Lost Sheep Podcast, we wrestle with the question:

What are we really seeking?

Inspired by Rumi's famous quote, “What you seek is seeking you,” we explore the role of desire in our lives and in our relationship with God. Are our desires something we should follow, something we should suppress, or something we need to learn how to discern? We talk about the difference between good desires and disordered desires, how God can work through the deepest longings of our hearts, and what it means to allow Him to lead us toward what we're truly made for.

Our Shepherd of the Week is Zack Zvosecz, and for this week's Practical Prayer Practice, we're challenging you to spend time discerning your desires—bringing the things you want most before God and asking Him what those desires might be revealing about your vocation, your relationships, and your life with Him.

Podcast Website: https://coleebissot.wixsite.com/thelostsheep

Sometimes the things that disturb us are the very things that can change us. This week we dive into Banksy's famous quote about art and ask what happens when beauty, truth, and creativity challenge our comfort. We explore why Christians shouldn't be afraid of art that makes us uncomfortable—and how God can use those moments of disruption to reveal something we need to see. We also look at the Prophet Amos, a Shepherd who certainly wasn't afraid to disturb the comfortable, and introduce a Practical Prayer Practice that invites you to encounter God through a piece of art.

Transformation doesn't begin with our actions—it begins with our minds. This week we discuss how our thoughts shape our lives and why the Christian journey starts with allowing God to renew the way we think. Inspired by Earl Nightingale's famous quote, we explore the power of attention, the formation of virtue, and practical ways to keep Christ at the center of our minds. Plus, a Practical Prayer Practice designed to help listeners become more intentional with their thoughts throughout the week.

This week, we unpack a timeless quote on responsibility and integrity. Why are we so quick to justify our mistakes instead of owning them? We discuss the difference between making excuses and accepting responsibility, and how true freedom begins with humility and honesty. As we celebrate Independence Day, we also challenge listeners to pray intentionally for our nation through a Litany for the United States. Finally, we honor Frances Xavier Cabrini as our Shepherd of the Week, reflecting on her courageous faith and unwavering service to those most in need.

"This isn't flying. This is falling... with style."

Inspired by one of the most iconic lines from Toy Story, this week we explore what it means to step into the unknown with courage and trust. Faith often doesn't feel like soaring—it feels like falling. Yet when we place our lives in God's hands, even the moments that seem uncertain become opportunities for grace and growth. We discuss the difference between reckless confidence and authentic trust, highlight John J. Eagan as our Shepherd of the Week, and close with a Practical Prayer Practice for the Month of the Sacred Heart by praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart.