What do you do when you keep hitting a wall trying to go deeper in friendship? Today, I'm joined by Nicole who is feeling hurt by the cycle of trying to go deeper with friends, but finding herself at a dead end. She's feeling discouraged and wondering if it's even possible to connect with people on the level that she's desiring for friendship. I challenge her to dig deeper into some of her personal fears and triggers that might lie underneath the surface, particularly regarding rejection wounds, and then I give her practical steps for what to do next when you want to go deeper in friendship. If you're struggling to find the right fit in friendships, you have to listen to this episode! We cover this and more, in today's episode of Talk To Me! Dig deeper into going deeper in your friendships and connections by ordering my new book People Skills anywhere books are sold.
The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:
Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!
DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.
Abbie and Gabriel Gamboa join Levi and Jennie for a hilariously honest, deeply encouraging conversation about marriage, calling, and the messy middle between "God said" and "okay... now what?" From conspiracy-theory dabbling to the sacred art of naming what's real (in dating, in ministry, in life), this episode is full of both belly laughs and quiet conviction.
You'll hear how their friendship turned into a seven-year marriage, the wild backstory of getting pulled into music as kids, and the gritty season where they were juggling jobs, babies, and payday loans-until they finally took the leap into full-time ministry and music. Plus: a movie-level travel nightmare involving visas, a Colombian passport, and the terrifying possibility of being homeless and stinky in Paris.
Connect with us on social!
Abbie: @songbirdabbie
Gabriel: @gabrielgamboa
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Check out Abbie's Music: https://bit.ly/3OM0ko5
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Time Stamps:
00:05:05 - "So drama": defining the relationship and finally dating
00:06:28 - The car accident text... and the cold shoulder
00:17:34 - The late-night prayer encounter (3-4 a.m.) and music calling
00:23:59 - Songs that mattered
00:29:46 - Payday loans, diapers, and the leap toward calling
00:37:18 - Paris coffee "Substance," UK visa chaos, and the 20-minute scramble
Have you ever felt like the storm should have taken you out? In this episode, Christine Caine walks through Acts 27-28 and shows how the apostle Paul survived a storm, a shipwreck, and a snake bite-all because he refused to give up. With powerful encouragement, Christine reminds you that even when your journey doesn't go as planned, God still has a purpose for you-right where you are.
What you'll learn:
- How to endure trials without internalizing the pain.
- Why revival often comes in unexpected places.
- What it takes to keep moving forward after you've been bitten.
This is part of our Resilient Hope Summer series - real talk and encouragement to keep your faith strong in every season.
Don't forget to grab your free Episode Reflection Guide here!
P.S. We made a bonus resource for you this summer. Download your free 'Hope Kit' now!
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Christine Caine is a speaker, activist, and best-selling author. She and her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization The A21 Campaign. They also founded Propel Women, an initiative that is dedicated to coming alongside women all over the globe to activate their God-given purpose. Each week she brings you a Gospel-centered message filled with Biblical truths that will equip and empower you to step into the life God has for you.
Welcome to the POGcast! This week, the girls are talking all things the "Lady Wisdom" album. Tune in for sticky note scriptures, behind the scenes stories from the album cover photo shoot, and the spiritual danger of folly.
We want to hear your real stories of true friendship! Email us at pointofgracestories@gmail.com and you may even hear it on the podcast!
Timestamps:
1:52 What's Up: It's "Lady Wisdom" Release Week!
4:11 Circle of Friends: Questions From You! Album Cover Shoot Stories, Songs About Prodigals, and Sticky Note Scriptures
20:00 What in the Word: Proverbs and the Call of Folly
26:19 Circle Up: Decorative Jean Clasps, Ferrero Pocket Coffee Candy, and Cupcake Bouquets
Jimmy Darts joins Levi + Jennie for a wild, hope-filled conversation about the behind-the-scenes heart of the viral kindness videos that have moved millions. From asking strangers for tiny favors to watching generosity "snowball" into life-changing provision, Jimmy shares how God gave him the strategy-and why he's obsessed with keeping the spotlight on everyday people who say yes.
Along the way, this episode goes deeper than you might expect: healing miracles, a Billy Graham YouTube moment that changed everything, a simple way to sort suffering and God's goodness, and why compassion (not polish) is often the catalyst for God's power. If you've ever wanted to live a more "activated" faith-this one will put gasoline on the fire.
Connect with us on social!
Jimmy: @Jimmydarts
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Undercover Kindness book: https://bit.ly/4rZM615
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Time Stamps
0:01:19 - When kindness content went contagious (and why it matters)
0:03:32 - From party videos to "ask for help, then change lives"
0:08:08 - The GoFundMe plaque moment and crowdsourced generosity
0:14:19 - Super Bowl surprises + sorting suffering into two buckets
0:26:35 - Healing in Kona + why compassion is the real catalyst
0:41:15 - Billy Graham on YouTube, the sock miracle, and loving conviction
Welcome to a very special episode of the POGcast! Shelley, Denise, and Leigh walk through Nashville's Museum of Christian & Gospel Music, telling stories of faith, the friends they met on the road, and the impact that Christian music has had in their own lives. Watch this episode now on AccessMore and Apple Podcasts!
In this entertaining and emotional episode Chris takes us on a wild look back at his career and following the "bread crumbs" that brought him where he is today
Visit donate.accessmore.com and give today to help fund more episodes and shows like this.
Delirious? frontman and worship pioneer Martin Smith joins Levi for a heartfelt conversation about music, calling, and the long road of faith. Martin shares how a random suggestion from his dad led him from cricket dreams to a secondhand guitar, a Holy Spirit encounter at nineteen, and early worship songs like "Lord, You Have My Heart" and "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." They trace the unlikely British wave of worship that swept the world, how Delirious? broke all the "rules," and why Martin still believes deeply in the local church as the home that saves, shapes, and steadies creatives.
From the near-fatal car accident that pushed him to go "all in" with Cutting Edge/Delirious? to nine-minute spontaneous tracks and leaving holy space in worship, Martin talks about the power of music to heal, deliver, and reorient our hearts. He and Levi explore prophetic songwriting, how some lyrics arrive far beyond our understanding, why streaming stats feel like everyone's paycheck on display, and how to help a new generation make pure, cutting-edge worship in a numbers-obsessed world.
The conversation also gets wonderfully practical and tender-why "the devil hates flags," what it means to raise a banner and recover undignified praise, how Martin chose to walk away from arenas for the sake of his kids, and the decade he spent in the shadows asking, "Am I done?" Now a grandpa called "Pops," Martin reflects on legacy, singing "Our God Reigns" with new weight, and learning to embrace each season-whether it's feeding 20,000 or 4,000-as part of God's good story.
Connect with us on social!
Martin: @martinsmithtv
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Check out more from Martin Smith: https://bit.ly/3M3KJPl
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Time Stamps
01:16 - From teach-yourself guitar to "Lord, You Have My Heart"
11:35 - A midnight crash, Cutting Edge, and saying yes to God
20:21 - "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble" and breaking the worship rulebook
29:12 - Was creation sung into being? Music, memory, and wonder
31:03 - Romania, gold flags, and why the devil hates flags
38:32 - Leaving Delirious?, hidden years, and becoming Pops
Before you jump into this episode, we want to let you know that while we're having honest conversations today, some of the topics we'll be discussing might not be suitable for all ages.
In this raw and deeply personal episode of Body & Soul, Candace and Lisa continue their vulnerable journey into how we see and treat our bodies. Lisa shares a moment from childhood that shaped her entire body story-a traumatic exposure to pornography that led to years of compartmentalization and perfectionism. Candace relates through her own early body awareness, acting pressures, and a lifelong internal battle with image and value.
Together, they unpack why our relationships with our bodies go sideways-from treating our bodies like projects or performances, to seeing them as props for approval. They introduce the "trifecta" of body compartmentalization and explain why only a solid foundation can bring lasting freedom. They also respond to a moving listener question about emotional eating and point toward scripture as the root of transformation.