Best The Wisdom Coalition Podcasts (2025)

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Manage stress in your mind, heart and body with Karen Wright 23:19

Play Pause

1d ago23:19

23:19

Our thoughts, feelings and emotions create stress in our minds and our bodies. Our guest, Karen Wright, is the creator of Pause Breathe Proceed, which is a powerful framework that addresses mental health through an awareness and understanding of self and stress. In this episode Karen gives great insights into how you can calm yourself and others, a…

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How to Care for Sufferers (with Joni Eareckson Tada) 1:03:11

4d ago1:03:11

1:03:11

Joni Eareckson Tada knows a thing or two about suffering. Ever since a diving accident left her paralyzed nearly 60 years ago, she has given eloquent testimony to the sovereign goodness of our Savior. In this powerful episode of The Everyday Pastor, Joni joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to share lessons she’s learned about enduring hardship, a…

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How to find the benefit in any situation with Kim and Nancy 18:31

8d ago18:31

18:31

After a difficult or even traumatic event, would you think you could find something good? In positive psychology, we use so-called Benefit Finding to look back at our challenges and see what we can learn about ourselves, and our lives. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition, walk you through a process from their workbook, Filling in…

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Weddings 23:33

11d ago23:33

23:33

Every pastor has the joy (at least usually it’s a joy) of officiating Christian weddings, which can be a beautiful picture of the gospel. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst offer practical advice for stewarding these opportunities and making the most of a wedding weekend.…

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Unleash your very best life with Nancy and Kim 17:33

15d ago17:33

17:33

Your very best isn’t going to show up by accident. You need to be intentional about the things you do that will increase your happiness, positivity and satisfaction. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition describe small steps you can take right now that will have a huge impact on how you feel. Tune in and design your very best life …

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Ministry Lessons from Tim Keller 52:15

18d ago52:15

52:15

Two years ago today, Tim Keller went to be with the Lord. Using Matt’s new book—Tim Keller on the Christian Life, published by Crossway—as a discussion guide, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst reflect on underappreciated teachings from Tim’s body of work.By Matt Smethurst, Ligon Duncan

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Banish negativity from your life, even when people around you are negative with Kim and Nancy 15:38

22d ago15:38

15:38

Do you know someone who is always negative? It can make YOU feel drained after every interaction! What can you do? In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition, discuss exactly how you can protect your own well-being in these situations so you can have better mental and physical health with tips like: setting boundaries staying grounded u…

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Women’s Ministry in the Church 43:51

25d ago43:51

43:51

Ministering to the women in our churches and equipping them to disciple one another is a privilege. But how can pastors do this well? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst welcome Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor to the podcast. They draw from extensive experience to discuss practical tips for cultivating a healt…

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Let your mindset bloom with Dr. Wendi Zimmer, mindset expert 23:00

29d ago23:00

23:00

This spring, let your mindset bloom in new and colorful ways! Our guest is mindset expert, Dr. Wendi Zimmer. She tells us, “Too often we get in this downward spiral of what we think other people want for us, or from us. And we try to live up to those expectations and we don’t think about our expectations.” In her new book, The Force Continuum: How …

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Why You Need Good Deacons 39:12

1M ago39:12

39:12

Show us a church with distracted elders, and we’ll show you a church without effective deacons. For better or worse, deacons are difference-makers in congregational life. But when it comes to this topic, too many churches are operating from custom and tradition—with Bibles closed. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Dun…

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Transform your thinking with Kim and Nancy 17:55

1M ago17:55

17:55

Don’t get stuck thinking about every situation in exactly the same way! Transform your thinking by understanding it, reacting to it and shaping it in a positive way. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition, discuss how to: learn to hear your mindset voice understand which thoughts are helping and which thoughts are hurting you realiz…

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Working with Fellow Elders (Part 2) 30:07

1M ago30:07

30:07

Last week, we considered what elders are, biblically speaking, and which traits should characterize a candidate for the office. In this follow-up episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan get even more “nuts and boltsy,” discussing tips for working with fellow elders, leading elders’ meetings, establishing healthy cultural dyn…

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How to handle criticism with positivity with Kim and Nancy 21:03

1M ago21:03

21:03

Taking criticism from another person can sting. But, it doesn’t have to! You can actually use criticism to expand and grow in positive ways. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition, outline a few things about how to react to criticism including: how to avoid being defensive how to adapt a growth mindset understanding oversensitivity …

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Working with Fellow Elders (Part 1) 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

There are few greater gifts for a pastor than getting to serve with a godly band of brothers. But not every church has multiple elders—and not every elder team functions in a healthy way. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss what elders are, why every church should seek to have them, and what a pastor shou…

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How little gratitude habits will change your life with Kim and Nancy 16:33

2M ago16:33

16:33

Gratitude is the gateway to hope. There are so many ways to use gratitude to propel your life. We explain why, and a myriad of ways to express gratitude that you might not have thought of. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition also talk about releasing a new workbook called Filling in the Missing Peace. Get yours on Amazon.…

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Teach People How to Read Their Bibles 36:50

2M ago36:50

36:50

It’s the most important book in the universe, but it can also be intimidating. Many of our members may be discouraged to admit that their resolutions have sputtered out—again. As pastors, how can we prepare and motivate our members to dive into God’s Word for themselves? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share …

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How to turn your personal shame into a source of strength with Dr. Abbie Maroño, scientist 21:59

2M ago21:59

21:59

“Shame is a signal,” says our guest Dr. Abbie Maroño, who is a scientist and a practitioner in the field of human behavior. She says we need to understand what our personal shame is telling us, and use that message as a teacher to show us how to live the life we want. Dr. Abbie has a fascinating way of reframing shame as a source of strength we can…

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When the Pastor's Family Suffers (with Garrett Kell) 33:09

2M ago33:09

33:09

Pastors are called to walk alongside suffering saints, but what about when the pastor is the sufferer? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, pastor Garrett Kell joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to share about a season of family hardship—and what it looked like to receive care from his church community. He testifies to the beauty of Christ’s …

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WOW 378 ~ How to feel more confident by getting rid of clutter with Gina Morton, Declutter coach 23:41

2M ago23:41

23:41

Does the thought of cleaning out your closet make you cringe? It does for most of us! But our guest says you need to uncover the emotional reasons you feel this way. Declutter coach Gina Morton works by going into peoples’ homes and closets or even working virtually to help them declutter. She says our clutter says a lot about who we are and reduci…

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The Praying Pastor 37:35

2M ago37:35

37:35

Every pastor affirms the importance of prayer and likely excels at it publicly, but consistency in private prayer is hard. And it isn't easy to foster a congregation-wide culture of prayer. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practical tips for improving your prayer life—and the praying habits of your who…

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WOW 377 ~ How to map out a path to more hope with Kim and Nancy 16:10

2M ago16:10

16:10

Are you born with hope or can you cultivate it? Research says you can build hope in your life and we’ve developed a Hope Map to help you do so! We explain it all in this podcast! In this episode, Kim and Nancy of https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/ also talk about releasing a new workbook called Filling in the Missing Peace available on Amazon.…

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How Pastors Should Lead (with Paul Tripp) 58:41

2M ago58:41

58:41

Leadership is an art, and many pastors get it wrong—sometimes with devastating results. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Paul Tripp joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to discuss how a pastor can lead well for the flourishing of the whole church. The conversation touches on the importance of fostering a healthy leadership community, the gi…

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WOW 376 ~ Are we addicted to money with Jeff Golden, author 24:26

3M ago24:26

24:26

Do you think you’d be happier if you had more money? Research shows you probably wouldn’t be, and the addiction to money that many of us have actually makes us unhappy!! We speak with researcher Jeff Golden https://reclaimingthesacred.net/, who told us that while the US is one of the richest countries in the world, it’s not one of the happiest. In …

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Toward a Theologically Minded Church 28:04

3M ago28:04

28:04

Theology is vital for life. We know this as pastors, but do our members? Are we helping them to grow in thinking theologically? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practical ways to promote deeper love for God’s truth. After all, how our people view him will make all the difference in their lives.…

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WOW 375 ~ How to cope with negative feelings with Kim and Nancy 16:52

3M ago16:52

16:52

What is the automatic negative thought that plays in your head in response to a stressful situation? One effective way to manage stressful situations is to bring a coping thought to mind. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/, outline exactly how you can define your automatic negative thoughts, a…

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The Pastor and Purity 39:25

3M ago39:25

39:25

When Paul lists elder qualifications, he mentions Satan twice (1 Tim. 3:6–7). Why? The devil loves to stalk and destroy shepherds. And one of his main strategies is tempting us toward little compromises—which never remain little—in the realm of sexual purity. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Garrett Kell joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan…

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WOW 374 ~ The Secret to happiness is to complain less with Kim and Nancy 15:46

3M ago15:46

15:46

What significance does complaining have in your life? Is it taking away from your sense of joy and peace? Complaining can be a poison if we let it take over our outlook. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/, outline the latest research into the power of limiting how much you complain every day. …

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Teach Gospel Assurance 38:56

3M ago38:56

38:56

Assurance of salvation is a deeply precious gift, but many Christians struggle to experience it. Pastors have the unique privilege—and challenge—of being “soul doctors” in our people’s lives. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss how to apply the gospel to nominal Christians (who shouldn’t have assurance), …

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WOW 373 ~ Why belonging is so important with Janet Sherlund, author 21:55

3M ago21:55

21:55

“Adoption is a trauma and the victim is expected to be grateful,” says our guest Janet Sherlund, author of, Abandoned at Birth: Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me. She talks about the grief and longing that can haunt children and adults who have been adopted. Sherlund outlines what she wants the world to know about how adoptees feel, the biol…

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Prepare Your People For Sunday 32:07

3M ago32:07

32:07

Do your members prioritize the Lord’s Day? Are they maximizing their time at church? In a hyper-busy age, we can serve our people by preparing them to come on Sundays ready to grow, ready to serve, and ready to launch. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst offer practical tips for helping your congregation get the …

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WOW 372 ~ How being creative can save your life with Jacob Nordby, author 21:22

4M ago21:22

21:22

“Your greatest creative project is to become yourself,” says our guest Jacob Nordby, www.jacobnordby.com co-founder of A Writing Room Collective, Jacob shares strategies from his latest book, The Creative Cure: How Finding and Freeing Your Inner Artist Can Heal Your Life. He says each of us is creative, and creativity is the essence of our humanity…

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Supporting Women in the Church 32:07

4M ago32:07

32:07

Men and women aren't interchangeable, and God’s gendered design is a beautiful thing. How can pastors encourage and equip the godly women that the Lord entrusts to their care? It has been said, after all, that there’s no such thing as a healthy church in which the men flourish but the women don't. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethu…

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WOW 371 ~ “Unsubscribe” from the things that don’t matter with Julio Vincent Gambuto, author 22:30

4M ago22:30

22:30

What have you emotionally subscribed to that isn’t bringing you joy or adding value to your life? Our guest, Julio Vincent Gambuto https://www.juliovincent.com/ , says you can take back control of your life by cleaning out and clearing out what you no longer need to subscribe to. Gambuto is the author of, "Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!: How to Take B…

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The Value of Theological Triage 34:02

4M ago34:02

34:02

Doctrines are more like an interconnected web than an itemized list. So how do we determine which matters are debatable in a church—and which are not? Not all beliefs are equally important, after all. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan encourage pastors to think carefully about the respective “weight” Scripture …

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WOW 370 ~ Why you should bust out of your normal routine with Kim and Nancy 14:01

4M ago14:01

14:01

Do you like routines? They have a place in our lives to offer us comfort and stability, but experts say we should try to find some novelty in our routines to enrich our lives and our outlook. Novelty is anything that you experience as new, which can expand your brain and your thinking. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition https://…

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Don’t Underestimate Ministry Philosophy 40:33

4M ago40:33

40:33

Have you ever wondered why two churches can be so similar in their doctrinal beliefs but so different in their practices? How can we make sure our methodology is rooted in theology, not mere pragmatism? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan are joined by Michael Lawrence to discuss the underrated importance of mini…

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WOW 369 ~ How to harvest happiness with Lisa Cypers Kamen, author 22:55

4M ago22:55

22:55

Plant the seeds now so you can harvest happiness later, says our guest Lisa Cypers Kamen, MA, https://harvestinghappiness.com/ , a lifestyle consultant who explores the science of happiness. Lisa says, “Where we focus our attention is usually where we find ourselves.” She gives tips from her book, Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful …

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Build a Culture of Discipleship 39:43

4M ago39:43

39:43

If pastors are the supply line, members are the front line. How can pastors equip their sheep to take responsibility for one another’s spiritual well-being? How can pastors foster a culture of relational initiative and deliberate discipleship? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share practical ideas on how to sh…

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WOW 368 ~ Your body is talking, are you listening with Dr. Torkil Færø, emergency physician and author 21:01

4M ago21:01

21:01

How would you like to feel better and live longer? Dr. Torkil Færø. a general practitioner and emergency physician, has been blowing up the best seller list in Norway for more than 66 weeks with his book, The Pulse Cure https://thepulsecure.com/ . He says our heart rate variability can tell us all kinds of things about our health, “Our body whisper…

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The Art of Pastoral Care 29:36

5M ago29:36

29:36

Pastoral ministry is far more than preaching. Pastors are fundamentally shepherds, which means we’re called to care for particular sheep. How do we do that well? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan consider specific ways pastors can care for their congregation. Recommended resources: Jordan Stone, Love to Christ:…

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WOW 367 ~ What is your body image trying to tell you with Deb Schachter, Therapist and author 23:00

5M ago23:00

23:00

“Our body image houses our story,” says Body Image Therapist Deb Schachter https://debschachterlicsw.com/, who has been recognized as one of Boston’s leading clinicians in the areas of body image and eating disorder recovery. She has co-authored a book with former Olympic athlete Whitney Otto http://whitneyottocoaching.com/ called Body Image Inside…

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The Soul of the Pastor 31:42

5M ago31:42

31:42

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” Paul exhorts the young pastor Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16). For many of us, it’s dangerously easy to guard our doctrine but not our lives. How can a busy pastor tend to his soul? In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practices for maintaining intimacy with Chri…

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WOW 366 ~ Can you give someone else a generous assumption with Kim and Nancy 15:10

5M ago15:10

15:10

Every action has a reaction. How are you reacting to other people? Do you assume they have the worst intentions or the best intentions? Kim and Nancy take a look at the power of a generous assumption based off of a recent blog they wrote: https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/post/the-power-of-a-generous-assumption . Learn how this concept can help YO…

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Top Theology Stories of 2024 1:09:29

5M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. They discuss: The rise in Bible sales in 2024 Declining fertility rates worldwid…

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WOW 365 ~ Put some joy into your holiday season despite your circumstances with Kim and Nancy 19:05

6M ago19:05

19:05

The holiday season should be a time of joy, but it can be especially difficult if you are grieving someone you love. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/, share from their recent grief workshop about the possibility that joy and grief can exist at the same time. They outline tips to manage grief…

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Convey the Glory of the Incarnation 43:18

6M ago43:18

43:18

The greatest threat to Christmas isn't secularism or consumerism but our own boredom with the most thrilling story ever told. In this special Christmas episode of The Everyday Pastor, Sinclair Ferguson joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to marvel at the miracle of the incarnation. How can pastors help their people recapture the wonder? The trio …

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WOW 364 ~ Five Ways to Silence Self-Doubt with Tara Mohr, leadership coach and author 21:33

6M ago21:33

21:33

“We all have this voice of self-doubt, this loop of self critical thoughts,” says our guest, Tara Mohr https://www.taramohr.com/, leadership coach and author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom For Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead. Tara explains how we can break that destructive loop of self doubt with our thinking and our attitude. She he…

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Church Polity Is Like Stretching 30:26

6M ago30:26

30:26

Church polity is like stretching. It seems boring until something tears—and then you wish you’d devoted more time to it. Despite their differences (Matt Smethurst is a congregationalist and Ligon Duncan is a Presbyterian), both agree Scripture has a lot to say—more than many evangelicals assume—about how a local church should be structured. This is…

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WOW 363 ~ How to heal that child within you with Ramaa Krishnan, author 22:53

6M ago22:53

22:53

“Our inner child is the person inside of us that deep down we feel we truly are,” says our guest Ramaa Krishnan, founder of the Full Bloomed Lotus Center for Self-Awareness www.fullbloomedlotus.com, and author of, The Yoga of Self-Love: The Sacred Path to Wholeness and Healing Through Inner-Child Work. Ramaa helps people understand how we have inte…