The Midtown Podcast
The Midtown Podcast
Jay Smith and Austin Bradford
Why Self-Focus Is Destroying Our Faith (Fear, Freedom & Denying Yourself)
4 minutes Posted Dec 26, 2025 at 5:00 am.
– Introduction & setting the conversation02:15 – Why we’re obsessed with fixing ourselves05:40 – Individuality vs personality (Oswald Chambers)09:50 – “Deny yourself” — what Jesus actually meant14:30 – How self-focus leads to fear, not freedom18:45 – Religious performance vs love empowered by the Spirit22:10 – Fear, pride, and the need to be “enough”25:20 – Reconciliation, surrender, and true life in Christ28:10 – Letting Jesus be King again30:00 – Final reflections & encouragement#MidtownPodcast #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndFear #DenyYourself #JesusIsKing#ChristianConversation #SpiritualGrowth #FreedomInChrist #FearVsFaith#ChristianMen #Discipleship #BibleTalk #ChristianLiving
0:00
4:32
Download MP3
Show notes
In this episode of the Midtown Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most challenging and freeing teachings of Jesus: denying yourself.We unpack the difference between individuality and true life in Christ, how modern culture fuels self-focus and fear, and why religious performance can actually be rooted in fear rather than love. Drawing from Scripture, Oswald Chambers, and real conversation, this episode explores what it really means to place Jesus back on the throne — not ourselves.If you’ve ever felt stuck striving, anxious about being “enough,” or exhausted trying to fix yourself, this conversation is for you.