Rusty George Podcast

Rediscovering Advent: Light in the DarknessIn this episode, journey back to the fourth century and explore the origins of Advent. Discover how early church leaders grappled with preparing for Christ's coming amidst societal turmoil and how their profound question of 'how to prepare for God becoming human' still resonates today. Understand the staggering impact of depression, anxiety, and political polarization in 2025 and how Isaiah’s promise of light offers hope. Learn about the roots and significance of Advent as a season of active waiting, not just for Christ's birth, but for His promised return. Watch and be inspired to embrace Advent as a time of acknowledging darkness, practicing active anticipation, and keeping Christ as the blazing light in our modern world.00:00 Setting the Scene: The Fourth Century Church00:54 Modern Struggles and Ancient Questions02:06 Isaiah's Prophecy: Light in Darkness03:31 The Messiah's Unexpected Arrival04:57 The Early Church's Waiting Game06:06 The Birth of Advent07:03 Advent

In this week’s episode, Rusty sits down with counselor and coach Leah A. Ondiek to break down EMDR and mindfulness in a clear, accessible way. Leah explains how these practices help us process stress, calm our minds, and stay grounded in our faith—without overwhelming terminology.If you’re curious about mental health tools that actually make a daily difference, this episode offers simple steps and encouraging insight.

Pain is something we all experience — but what if hope can still be found right in the middle of it? In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with Brooke Martin, author, speaker, and storyteller, to talk about how faith can anchor us through life’s hardest seasons.Brooke opens up about her personal journey through loss, healing, and rediscovering joy — and how God met her in the midst of heartbreak. Together, she and Rusty explore how simple faith can bring extraordinary peace when life doesn’t go as planned.

In this heartfelt episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Pastor Mike Linch and author Ira Blumenthal for an inspiring conversation about guiding others back to faith. Together, they explore what it really means to help someone “come home” to Jesus—through compassion, patience, and genuine relationship.Mike Linch shares stories from his ministry that show how simple acts of love can open hearts, while Ira Blumenthal—renowned author of books like Your Best is Next and Ready, Blame, Fire!—reflects on the power of transformation, hope, and second chances.Join Rusty, Mike, and Ira as they discuss how faith can change everything when we make space for others to find their way back to God. Whether you’re deep in your faith journey or just beginning, this episode will remind you that everyone has a path home.

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Justin Moxley, a seasoned church consultant and pastor, to explore the changing landscape of the modern church. Together, they unpack the latest church trends, discuss how leaders can adapt with clarity and purpose, and dive into practical ways to make generosity simple and meaningfulfor every congregation. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or someone passionate about building a stronger faith community, this conversation offers real-world insights and encouragement to help your church thrive.

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Dubb Alexander—author, speaker, and global Kingdom influencer—to ask a powerful question: “Is the Kingdom of God different than the Church?”Dubb, author of From the Cult to the Kingdom and Kingdom Theology Vol. 1, shares his incredible journey from growing up in a cult to becoming a voice of Kingdom transformation at the U.N. and beyond. Together, Rusty and Dubb unpack what it really means to live in the Kingdom, not just go to church.If you’ve ever wondered how God’s Kingdom and the Church intersect—or differ—this conversation will challenge, inspire, and deepen your faith.

THIS WEEK on Simple Faith, Rusty sits down with guest Jason Cusnick, a chaplain, pastor, and author. Jason talks through what it looks like to be a father whose heart is centered in Christ. You won't want to miss this episode no matter what stage of life you might be in.Check out more below!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonq6/Church Website: https://journeyoffaith.com/author/jason-cusickjourneyoffaith-com/

In this episode of Simple Faith with Rusty George, Rusty welcomes Becky Harling, author of How to Listen So Your Kids will Talk for an inspiring conversation on “Making Motherhood Simple.” Becky shares her heartfelt insights on how to navigate the ups and downs of motherhood with grace, faith, and authenticity. Together, she and Rusty explore how simplifying expectations, embracing God’s presence, and prioritizing meaningful connection can bring peace to the chaos of everyday family life.Whether you’re a new mom, an empty nester, or someone longing for deeper relationships, this conversation offers practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement to help you find joy in the journey.

THIS WEEK on Simple Faith, joining us are guests Mike and Debbie Breaux, speaking about marriage, parenting, and everything in between from a Biblical perspective. Mike has been a pastor for over 40 years, and married to his wife Debbie for over 30 years. Together, they have three children, nine grandkids, and have learned a lot over the years about what Biblical parenting and marriage looks like. Tune in to hear more about this!

Rusty George sits down with Rodney & Michelle Gage—pastors, authors, and founders of The Winning Family—to talk about what makes a marriage thrive. With over 30 years of marriage, three kids, and a ministry dedicated to helping families stop drifting and live with intention, they share practical tools for unity, communication, and faith.Discover more from the Gages: Winning Family Podcast | Books

In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Mike Foster, author of Primal Questions. Together, they explore the core questions that shape how we see ourselves, our relationships, and even our faith. Mike unpacks how understanding your primal question can bring clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to God’s truth. Rusty and Mike show how these big, sometimes overwhelming questions can actually be made simple—and how you can begin to live with greater freedom and purpose.If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, belonging, or self-worth, this conversation will give you practical tools and hope-filled insight to help you walk forward in faith with confidence.Primal Question Website: https://www.primalquestion.com/primal-bookMike Foster Instagram: MikeFoster2000 - The Seven Primal QuestionsInstagram · mikefoster200062.6K+ followers

In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Jim Dalrymple, Executive Vice President of College Advancement and Professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College. Together, they unpack how spiritual growth doesn’t have to be complicated. With wisdom from years of teaching and ministry, Jim shares practical ways to deepen your walk with God, build lasting habits of faith, and keep your focus on what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of “growing spiritually,” this conversation will encourage and equip you to take simple, meaningful steps toward a stronger faith.

On this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Joey Odom, founder of Aro—a company dedicated to helping families find freedom from phone addiction and rediscover meaningful connection. Joey shares practical insights and simple strategies to help you and your kids break free from unhealthy phone habits and create space for what matters most. If you’ve ever struggled to set boundaries with technology or wished your family spent more time together without screens, this conversation will inspire and equip you to take the next step.Website:Joey Odom | Aro - Praxis Labshttps://www.praxislabs.org › people › joey-odomInstagram: Joey OdomInstagram · joey.odom820+ followersLinkedIn:Joey Odom - Keynote Speaker on Intentional Tech UseLinkedIn · Joey Odom2.3K+ followers

When life feels overwhelming, how do you find peace and clarity? In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Pastor and author Damian Boyd, the mind behind The Gospel Challenge Devotional. Damian opens up about what it means to hold on to simplicity when everything around you seems chaotic.They discuss practical ways to anchor your faith during a crisis, why returning to the basics of the Gospel changes everything, and how you can experience true hope even in uncertain times. Whether you’re in a personal storm or simply want to strengthen your foundation, this conversation will encourage and equip you.Website: https://www.damianlboyd.com

The August 25th Monday Minute is here! Listen in for a minute of encouragement and thoughts that didn't make it into the weekly sermon from Pastor Rusty. Tune in now!

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, confusing, and impossible to overcome—but what if it could be made simple? In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with therapist Matthew LaGrange to unpack practical ways to understand and manage anxiety.With years of experience helping people navigate mental health, Matthew brings wisdom, clarity, and encouragement for anyone who feels stuck in worry or fear. Together, he and Rusty explore how faith and therapy can work hand-in-hand to bring peace in the middle of life’s stress.Whether you struggle with anxiety yourself or want to better support someone who does, this conversation offers hope—and a simpler path forward.

Have a free minute on your drive to work or to pickup the kids? Tune in for some encouragement from Rusty as he recaps some elements of this past Sunday's sermon and brings some encouragement to the start of your week.

Join host Rusty George—lifelong Kansas City Royals fan—for a deeply meaningful conversation with the legendary Royals announcer, Ryan Lefebvre, known affectionately as “The Voice of the Royals.” In this heartfelt episode, Ryan opens up candidly about his personal battle with depression and how his Catholic faith became an anchor in his journey toward healing and hope. From sharing insights from his memoir The Shame of Me: One Man’s Journey to Depression and Back to discussing the power of vulnerability and spiritual resilience, this episode is both a tribute to faith and an invitation to anyone struggling in silence.Tune in as Rusty and Ryan explore the truth that strength isn’t about never falling—it's about finding faith and community to rise stronger.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanlefebvre24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Your weekly Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear from Rusty about this week's sermon, kicking off the series "Weeds in My Garden." 

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Clayton Hentzel, Lead Pastor of The Crossing—a multisite church with 11 locations across three states. With over 20 years of ministry experience, Clayton brings wisdom, humor, and practical insight to a topic we all deal with: anxiety.But not all anxiety is the same. Clayton helps break down the different types, where they come from, and how your relationship with Jesus can bring peace in the middle of it. Whether you're facing stress at work, worry about the future, or just can't quiet your mind—this conversation will help you name it, understand it, and take the next simple step toward freedom.