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

Welcome back for Part Two of our Top Two. Last week we began with Gretchen discussing the state of the church and processing out what we can learn from Bethel's recent controversy. ICYMI: Listen here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-we-grow/id1825648005?i=1000748890082].

Today we jump into Joy's thoughts on choosing who we receive spiritual guidance from. Instead of assuming a victim mentality when we're fed unbiblical teachings, we discuss the responsibility that lies on each of us to discern what we're receiving and hold it up to the truth of the Word of God.

But before we get "stuck in it," we spend a lot of time discussing the recent Super Bowl halftime shows. This one is full of a lot of hot takes and, again, a reminder of what the Bible says about all the divisiveness exploding online.

SHOW NOTES

Listen to the podcast episode Joy is referring to here: "End Times: Who's Really Influencing You Online? [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eyes-on-the-right-podcast/id1692081180?i=1000746262862]" on the Eyes on the Right podcast

Join the conversation by commenting on @aswegrowpod [https://www.instagram.com/aswegrowpod] on Instagram.

Bonus Episode: Be Mindful of Honey - How to Discern Who We Let Speak Into Our Lives

Opps, we did it again.   We recorded our Top Two, but the conversation was way too long to squeeze into one episode. So for this episode, we'll just cover Gretchen's topic, and you are invited to tune in next week for Joy's topic that is surprisingly (not surprisingly--thank you, Holy Spirit) closely related.

As you listen, you'll see why this conversation went so long. This is a difficult topic that ended with lots of loose ends. Again, we want to remind you that we reserve the right to change our minds at any point after the airing of any podcast episode. We are inviting you to come alongside us as we verbally process and as we grow in our walks with God--in real time. We don't have answers, but we are committed to seeking God's Truth in all we face.

Today, Gretchen addresses Bethel's response to the Shown Bolz allegations. She asks hard questions about how Church leadership got here, and we dig into our thoughts on what the Church can learn from this. We also hypothesize some ways the Church could possibly pivot to position church leadership to help avoid getting into compromising positions like this, and so that church members can consistently be redirected to keep their eyes on Jesus, not on man.

Join the conversation by commenting on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/aswegrowpod], and let's continue to have brave conversations together.

SHOW NOTES

Here is the link [https://www.youtube.com/live/QMywWJY5azQ?si=9ifC4poPei4AmGrb] to Bethel's Sunday service where all of this was addressed.

An Honest Look at the State of Our Church

We've certainly teased this a lot, but the December book for our personal book club was Sitting At the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith [https://amzn.to/45q1Z8s] by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg, and we're finally sitting down to review it.

Spoiler alert: We loved it! It's been transformational in both of our faiths, and we highly recommend it.

Today we'll cover a few of the highlights for each of us, but we barely scratch the surface. There's so much more to glean from this book. Have a listen, and then click the title above to purchase it for yourselves. You won't regret it.

SHOW NOTES

Joy spent the month of January teaching into just one chapter of the book At Table with Rabbi Jesus on her solo podcast The Mentor's Table.  Check out her deep dives below.

On the Power of a Table: The Power and Protection From Gathering Around a Table [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mentors-table/id1777464823?i=1000744140154]

On the Power of a Table: Tables As Altars [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mentors-table/id1777464823?i=1000745149610]

On the Power of a Table: Tables As Peace Sanctuaries [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mentors-table/id1777464823?i=1000746066846]

On the Power of a Table: Tables As Invitations to Relationship [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2419785/episodes/18559559-on-the-power-of-a-table-tables-as-invitations-to-relationship.mp3?download=true]

📚 Join Our Book Club

We’re excited to invite you into our reading community using Fable, a free book-club app that lets us discuss books chapter by chapter.

📖 As We Grow Book Club [https://fable.co/club/as-we-grow-bookclub-with-gretchen-normand-812357316659#about]
Our next read is Captivating [https://a.co/d/baD2Op0].

You can join at any time—even if you’re listening months from now. The conversations stay open, and we’d love to hear what stands out to you.

BONUS EPISODE: SITTING AT THE FEET OF RABBI JESUS Book Review

In this week's Top Two, Gretchen and Joy share our Bible reading plans for 2026. We would love to hear what your plan is, too! And towards the end of the podcast, we dive into the uncomfortable truth that most Christians don't know HOW to read the Bible. Why is that? Whose responsibility is it to teach this? How can we be part of the solution? We come to a surprising conclusion at the end. Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES

Encountering God Through Dance [https://a.co/d/c2AnyLu] - Saara Taina

Text the show with the link above for a list of resources Joy is following while diving into the book of Genesis this year.

Gretchen is following @simplybible [https://instagram.com/simplybible]'s reading plan for 2026.

No More Boring Bible Study [https://amzn.to/4bHywuw] by Faith Wommack is January's book.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus [https://amzn.to/4qGWNFU]

Check out the Fable app [https://fable.co/], and look for "As We Grow" to follow along with our book club reading throughout the year.

Beyond Reading: Being Shaped by Scripture

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2517912/open_sms]

Last week, Gretchen laid a vital foundation talking about the power of our words in "The Power of Words: Life, Death, and What We Partner With [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517912/episodes/18477638-the-power-of-words-life-death-and-what-we-partner-with.mp3?download=true]" This week, Joy gets real spicy talking hard truths about how the Church is playing for the wrong team "in the name of Christ."  This one has been brewing for awhile. Jump in with your thoughts by texting the show or DM us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aswegrowpod]. We love hearing from you. 

Let's share this message and get our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to work toward unity before division. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you LOVE one another" (John 13:35). Love first every time.

SHOW NOTES

Blake Healy books:

The Veil [https://amzn.to/3YIQLrZ]

Profound Good [https://amzn.to/4r67Xnn]

Indestructible [https://amzn.to/4pQYRtF]

Blurry Creatures Podcast - Ep 385 - Magick, Mediums and Mermaids with Jess Pheonix [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bQAWyf2uwYinsk9st6uTT?si=TnaxqM0CQsuZD9J0As6Z2g&nd=1&dlsi=257525cde8474f82]

Support the show [https://coff.ee/aswegrowpod]

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

*Contains affiliate links

BONUS EPISODE: Division in the Church

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.