This is the episode that never ends . . . it just goes on and on, my friends!

I promise we tried for under an hour, but we just had too many good things to chat about.

Today's TOP TWO focuses on seeing God in literally everything, and how a surrendered life seems like the harder way in the beginning but ends up being the harder way with eternal consequences. And we might sprinkle in some book reviews (we finally get back to Project Hail Mary), mermaids, and a theological question about when the first sin was committed. Buckle up!

SHOW NOTES

Numbers That Prophesy [https://amzn.to/4eqZIz7]by Troy Brewer (at the time of this recording, it's only 99 cents on Kindle!)

"Eighteen Days in Heaven with Gabe Poirot" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blurry-creatures/id1526885135?i=1000760093262] on Blurry Creatures

Confessions [https://amzn.to/4wdeIah] by Saint Augustine (at the time of this recording, it's only 84 cents on Kindle!)

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus [https://amzn.to/4uz3ifn] by Lois Tverberg and Ann Spangler (currently free on KindleUnlimited)

Bible passages mentioned: 1 Kings 5:1-9 and Ecclesiastes 10:10

As We Grow is on Instagram! Follow @aswegrowpod [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod] for BTS pictures, episode highlights, and personal connections with Joy & Gretchen.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, search for The Mentor's Table [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast] wherever you listen to podcasts.

*Contains affiliate links

The One Where We Have 7 Topics

We're back with a bonus episode discussing our March book club read: The Way of Life: Experiencing the Culture of Heaven on Earth [https://amzn.to/49oHtqw]by Bill Johnson. This is the first time both Joy and Gretchen have read a Bill Johnson book, and they were both challenged by the content. This book offers a no-holds-barred guide to living life as a follower of Jesus.

We believe this discussion will provide an insightful overview of the book and help you determine if this should go on your TBR.

As We Grow is on Instagram! Follow @aswegrowpod [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod] for BTS pictures, episode highlights, and personal connections with Joy & Gretchen.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, search for The Mentor's Table [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast] wherever you listen to podcasts.

*Contains affiliate links

BONUS EPISODE: Book Club - The Way of Life: Experiencing the Culture of Heaven on Earth by Bill Johnson

We're back in our regular groove! This week's Top Two includes Bible journaling habit suggestions, deeper insights into Genesis, and tender takeaways from reading Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son [https://amzn.to/3OJxVzh].

Also mentioned on the pod, Lisa Harper's podcast Back Porch Theology, "Mountains, Valleys, & the Voice of God pt. 1 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountains-valleys-the-voice-of-god-part-1/id1603918454?i=1000731551346]."

As We Grow is on Instagram. Follow @aswegrowpod [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod] for BTS pictures, episode highlights, and personal connections with Joy & Gretchen.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, search for The Mentor's Table [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast] wherever you listen to podcasts.

*Contains affiliate links

Journaling Through Genesis and Revelations of the Prodigal Son

This one is special Today Gretchen gives a vulnerable account of the lessons God is inviting her to concerning His promises for babies. Gretchen shows a lot of courage by sharing raw responses and how she's processing her most recent trip to Bethel's Wonder conference for women.

We'll talk both grief and hope; and then the delicate ways of managing the tension of how those are both necessary and healing.

Grab a tissue and maybe a thick blanket as you snuggle in and listen to this one.

SHOW NOTES

Messianic Passover Haggadah [https://www.shalommaine.com/downloads/Messianic_Passover_Haggadah.pdf]

"On Spiritual Battles and God's Promises [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-we-grow/id1825648005?i=1000721540746]" on As We Grow

"Bonus Episode: Book Club: Surrendered to the Holy Spirit by Hayley Braun [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-we-grow/id1825648005?i=1000738134093]" on As We Grow

As We Grow is on Instagram. Follow @aswegrowpod [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod] for BTS pictures, episode highlights, and personal connections with Joy & Gretchen.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, search for The Mentor's Table [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast] wherever you listen to podcasts.

On Grieving Unfulfilled Promises 

We're back from spring break! This week, we kicked our Top Two off with an honest and messy conversation about naming pain in relationships, choosing when extreme boundaries are needed, determining our responsibility in the pain, and deciding how we can keep showing up to our community's "table" and doing life together in an emotionally healthy way.

Warning: nothing is tied in a neat bow at the end, but we think you might feel a little less alone as you hear us wrestle with some of the more common relationship issues.

Referenced often is Habit Lab's podcast. Here's the episode Joy refers to: "Friendship Files #7: Staying at the Table When You're Hurt [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friendship-files-7-staying-at-the-table-when-youre-hurt/id1710984795?i=1000757153424]."

Also mentioned briefly by Gretchen is naming the core emotions from the Connection Code's emotion wheel. A free link can be found here [https://connectioncodes.co/core-emotion-wheel].

Tune in next week for part two!

As We Grow is on Instagram. Follow @aswegrowpod [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod] for BTS pictures, episode highlights, and personal connections with Joy & Gretchen.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, search for The Mentor's Table [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast] wherever you listen to podcasts.

Naming Pain, Setting Boundaries, and Being Emotionally Healthy

Today’s TOP TWO gets a little more introspective as we dig into what we’re noticing God is opening our understanding in. Gretchen kicks it off contemplating how three different books she’s reading are all leading her to the same lesson: “It’s the slowing down.” Joy shares about how she’s personally in the middle of a difficult season financially and which touchstones from her walk with God she’s clinging to in this hard time. Just as David encouraged himself in the Lord, this gives practical points you can follow to encourage yourself in the Lord during a difficult trial.We hope that as you listen, you feel seen and heard and know that you’re not alone. Share your thoughts on IG @aswegrowpod [https://www.instagram.com/aswegropod].PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL BE TAKING NEXT WEEK OFF FOR SPRING BREAK. WE WILL RESUME OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PODCAST EPISODES ON APRIL 6, 2026.SHOW NOTESYou Are What You Love [https://amzn.to/4cYlSYV] by James K. A. SmithTheo of Golden [https://amzn.to/40y6Od1] by Allen LeviStolen Focus [https://amzn.to/3NEcH5v] by Johann Hari

On Slowing Down and Encouraging Yourself

We're back with a bonus episode reviewing our most recent haverim (book club) read--Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge. As a counterpart to John's Wild at Heart, this book spells out what makes women unique and valuable. Tune in to find out why this was the book that inspired Gretchen to start our haverim over two years ago.

We're very honest in this conversation, and we will spell out if this is the right read for you. (Spoiler alert: it's not for everyone.) Remember, you can join our club on Fable [https://fable.co/] (search for As We Grow club) and leave your comments on the chapters.

We'd love to hear from you. And let us know (on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/aswegrowpod]) if you want us to keep giving personal updates as part of our show's format.

BONUS EPISODE: Book Club - Captivating

This may be our favorite episode to date!

Joy kicks off our Top Two by defining confirmation bias and then explaining how it affects processing current events. From there, we broaden the discussion by incorporating the differences between PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and PTG (post-traumatic growth). Then Gretchen brings it all together as she discusses how the feeling of inauthenticity when starting something new is not a reason to quit--it's what must be pushed through to experience the growth.

Whether you're struggling in your spiritual journey or in figuring out how to process current events, this episode couldn't be more relevant! Join the conversation, and share your connections and insights with us!

SHOW NOTES

"Confirmation Bias [https://www.simplypsychology.org/confirmation-bias.html]" definition

"The Dopamine Hunt Behind 6/7 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-lab/id1559373076?i=1000747082687]" on the Marriage Lab podcast

"The Neuroscience of Connection [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-codes/id1613594520?i=1000750089525]" on the Connection Codes podcast

As We Grow is on Instagram. Follow @aswegrowpod [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod] for BTS pictures, episode highlights, and personal connections with Joy & Gretchen.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, search for The Mentor's Table [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast] wherever you listen to podcasts.

Confirmation Bias, Trauma, and Inauthenticity in Growth 

It's a BONUS EPISODE, and this time we're pulling back the curtain and sharing some personal examples of things that are bringing us joy right now. From IG posts to kitchen utensils to favorite articles of clothing, we think everyone will find something in here that could add a little bit of happy to your day.

We'd also love to hear five things that are bringing you joy right now by commenting on @aswegrowpod [https://www.instagram.com/aswegrowpod] on Instagram, and let us know if you want us to make this a regular segment on the show.

SHOW NOTES

Some Instagram accounts we mentioned:

@aussiedave [https://www.instagram.com/aussiedave]

@hertrueworth [https://www.instagram.com/hertrueworth]

@zintmarriagelab [https://www.instagram.com/zintmarriagelab]

@thepeachiespoon [https://www.instagram.com/thepeachiespoon]

Marriage Lab podcast episode: "Diving Intervention: Amy's Story--Divorced & Remarried [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-lab/id1559373076?i=1000749267032]"

Cookie butter extract [https://amzn.to/4bWmxJP]

Title 9 Crash Pants [https://bit.ly/4kocMWT] (Use code: MTNMAMA for free shipping)

Shrimp deveining [https://amzn.to/3MO8agj] tool

To listen to Joy's solo podcast The Mentor's Table, click here [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast].

BONUS EPISODE: Our Top Five 

In today's Top Two, we take a deep dive into the psyche of Satan and ask thought-provoking questions like, "Should we pray for Satan's salvation?" Listen to find out the surprising insight this gives us into spiritual warfare and how it takes the "teeth" out of the enemy's attacks.

Also, Joy shares some of her recent takeaways in her Year-of-Genesis Bible habit. Listen to hear a perspective on God's question after the Fall to Adam of "Where are you?" that will have you looking at God in a completely different way.

We'd love to hear your thoughts by commenting on @aswegrowpod [https://www.instagram.com/aswegrowpod] on Instagram. We really got "stuck in it" this time!

SHOW NOTES

Mere Christianity [https://amzn.to/4tHU2FU] by C.S. Lewis

"The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives [https://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/promo/genesis]": a free online course offered by Hillsdale College.

"Bending the Continuum: Time Travel with Troy Brewer [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blurry-creatures/id1526885135?i=1000747927716]" on Blurry Creatures podcast.

Captivating [https://amzn.to/3Ok0i6O] by John and Stasi Eldridge. (Free on KindleUnlimited!)

Join our book club discussing Captivating on Fable [https://fable.co/], and search for As We Grow club.

To listen to Joy's solo podcast, The Mentor's Table, click here [https://www.joyabad.com/podcast].

Evil as Corrupted Good & Why Adam Hid

We both love Jesus. We both love learning. And we needed a place to talk about it! Join our conversations with one another as we grow in our walks with God.

Gretchen Normand

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