On the latest How I See It episode, Mark and Justin have an insightful discussion about the process of forgiveness. They share why pride is the enemy of forgiveness, how being humble and recognizing our own need for grace helps us forgive others. They also talk about how practicing forgiveness is key for a strong marriage, and reflect on Jesus' example of forgiving even though he was perfect.

Family, change, and holiday traditions. Join Mark and Justin in a discussion recorded following the 2022 holiday season, appropriate as we enter the 2023 holidays, as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of spending time with family over the holidays. Navigating old roles versus who you are today, resetting boundaries, and embracing new traditions with compassion.

What's the appeal of conspiracy theories? Are they harmless entertainment or dangerous rabbit holes? Join Justin and Mark as they dive into the topic of conspiracies, discussing famous ones like JFK and 9/11, talk about finding truth between polarized viewpoints, and warn how easy it is to get sucked down rabbit holes.

Today, we discuss the confusing and potentially polarizing world of hypnosis, including the differences between stage and clinical hypnosis used for therapy. Clinical hypnosis can help people process trauma safely by altering mental states. We talk about hypnotism as a "gateway" similar to meditation and controlled breathing for shifting brain patterns. As with most "gateways", the key is using these tools responsibly to help people gain positive shifts in their mental state and self-control.

Join the conversation as we unpack the meaning behind the iconic Serenity Prayer. Reflecting on themes like wisdom, acceptance, hardship, and trust, we discuss living one day at a time, and how to find inner peace and perspective in the ups and downs of life. If you've never heard of the Serenity Prayer, we encourage you to listen to this episode and embrace this prayer as a powerful tool for spiritual growth.

This podcast episode takes a how-I-see-it look at the prosperity gospel movement and high-profile pastor scandals. Tune in for a lively discussion on church leadership, accountability, and the makings of a healthy church.

This thought-provoking episode explores capitalism versus socialism. We discuss the pros/cons associated with both, some related hot-button topics like healthcare and education, and we highlight the difficulty of change, especially for those who benefit from the status quo. Join us as we discuss this often-polarized topic.

Join us today as Mark shares a little about a shared vision for Sparrow's Rest - a homestead retreat center focused on strengthening marriages. Hear how he and his wife Chris are turning this dream into a reality by renovating a farmhouse, adding acreage, and prayerfully evolving the vision over time. Discover how their partnership and God's provision are making this unique ministry progress toward reality.

Do you tend to take yourself too seriously? Join us as we discuss the benefits of being able to laugh at ourselves. We explore how personality, pride, and life experience shape our perspectives. You'll hear stories about the intensity that comes out while driving and trying new things. We share thoughts on self-awareness, patience, and adjusting expectations. Tune in as we challenge each other and you to consider taking ourselves a little less seriously.

In this week's episode, Justin and Mark explore cognitive biases - the shortcuts our brains take that shape our thinking. While covering a handful of types and categories of biases listed on Wikipedia, they note that they are not necessarily good or bad — but it's important to recognize the role they play so we can improve our decisions and have more balanced perspectives. We encourage you to explore cognitive biases further as it can provide insight into how you think.

Thanks for hanging in there with us last week and listening to our "Encore" presentation of the "White Blank Page" episode. This week, we're back in the studio, and we got a brand-new episode for you. On this latest episode of How I See It, we wrestle with the ideal of "excellence" and how to pursue it in a healthy, sustainable way. We discuss how the relentless chase after excellence can become draining and debilitating. Mark argues true excellence is less about perfection and more about living wisely and maturely day by day. Tune in to hear our full conversation on reframing excellence.

Mark and Justin are taking a break from recording new episodes this week, so we're bringing you an encore presentation of one of our most meaningful conversations from the archives - "White Blank Page." In this episode, Mark and Justin dive into overcoming perfectionism and approval addiction. They talk honestly about surrendering unhelpful thoughts, learning from failures, and realigning priorities based on identity in Christ rather than external validation. Tune in to re-listen to the insightful discussion between Mark and Justin in this classic episode as we highlight the archives while the hosts take a brief recording hiatus. We look forward to bringing you new episodes again soon!

Mark and Justin discuss how beards and tattoos have become meaningful parts of their identities. They share stories behind Justin's 11 tattoos and Mark's 5-year beard journey. Though cautioning against over-identifying with external appearances, they reflect on how tattoos and beards can represent faith, relationships, interests, and uniqueness. Share your beard, tattoo, or other appearance story with us at us@howiseeit.click, or on our contact page: https://howiseeit.click/contact/

"Sticks and Stones might break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Don't you wish this was true?! In today's dialogue, we unpack stories of words that impacted our lives, exploring the power to build up or tear down. We share some thoughts on critiquing carefully (or not at all), embracing the gift of encouragement, and walking with humility. From inner insecurities to regrettable outbursts, we're learning the importance of mindful expression. Enjoy this thoughtful conversation on language's profound role in human relationships. We hope it helps you further grasp how words shape, uplift, or undermine, and how to wield them wisely.

Big decisions got you tossing and turning all night? In this episode, we (Justin and Mark) have an earnest discussion about how to approach important life decisions, specifically as people of faith. Responding to Mark’s probing, Justin explains some of his big-decision-making process. And we talk about the value of coming to agreement with a spouse before making big decisions to prevent future resentment. The conversation covers many practical practices you’ll have to listen in to discover!

In today’s episode, we decided to pull an episode out of a hat… An AI ChatGPT hat. We used ChatGPT to generate some random topics using our previous episode titles as the source/inspiration, then put those topics in a randomizer. The topic for today… "Should athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem?" Proceeding with this topic, we discuss how this is a polarizing issue, with Mark's first reaction being about "freedom" while Justin's is about "racism.” We unpack the complexities around concepts like patriotism, the right to protest, the meaning of team unity, and more. We touch on how people tend to want simple "heroes" and when those public figures use their platform to be more complex, it can create dissonance. Finally, we find common ground in agreeing athletes should have the right, while still encouraging thoughtful motivations. We hope you enjoy this episode, and stay tuned for future AI-generated episode topics!

Join Mark and Justin today as the duo explores the value of quietness. Mark begins by describing a serene encounter with a fox on an early morning run, which prompts reflections on introversion, extroversion, and the evolving relationship with solitude. They delve into the peaceful and contemplative aspects of being quiet while acknowledging its challenges, especially for those facing mental health issues. Justin candidly shares his journey from needing approval to finding solace in solitude. Listeners are invited to embrace moments of quietness and introspection, making this episode a thoughtful exploration of the beauty and impact of "quiet" in our lives.

In this episode, we discuss the topic of quitting. We explore the stigma associated with quitting, and how and why it is sometimes necessary. We share personal experiences with quitting, and how we have learned to recognize when it is time to move on. We discuss the importance of knowing when a season is over, and how to gracefully transition into a new season.

Today, we discuss the concept of spiritual balance and the duality of good and evil. Mark reflects on a recent sermon about the authority of Jesus and the limitations of seeking balance from a cosmic perspective. They emphasize the importance of faith and trust in our higher power, even when answers are not fully comprehensible. We explore some theological concepts and challenges of understanding good and evil and highlight the significance of seeking the kingdom of heaven vs trying to create heaven on earth.

In this podcast episode, Mark and Justin discuss the five apology languages, which are similar to the five love languages. They talk about how important it is to understand your own apology language and the apology language of the people you care about. They also discuss how pride and guilt can sometimes get in the way of apologizing effectively, and offer some tips for overcoming these obstacles. We hope this episode provides helpful information about our natural apology styles and how to use new tools to improve your communication with others. You can check out the Gary Chapman Apology Language quiz here: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/apology-language