What does it take to actually hear God for the first time?

Austin sits down with one of his oldest friends, Luis Ortiz, for a testimony that doesn't sound like anyone else's. Luis grew up in Puerto Rico without faith — but with a spiritual sensitivity that pulled him into Santeria, demonology, and conversations with spirits he could literally see. By 18 he'd attempted suicide, come out as gay, and started building a life around an identity he was sure was his.

He moved to Tennessee at 20, got plugged into a campus ministry, lived a double life for years, and in 2015 ended up in a jail cell where the voices in his head wouldn't stop. He started practicing meditation just to quiet his thoughts — and that's when he heard the voice of God for the first time in his life: "Finally."

In this episode:

• The demonic figure who told him "we never have to be apart"
• The teacher's words that became the foundation of a lie he believed for years
• The suicide attempt at 18 that his mom stopped mid-act
• The pastor who first "leveled the playing field" with him
• The jail cell encounter that started everything
• The Lord telling him: "Your identity and who you're attracted to are not the same"
• Walking away from the faith in 2020 — "I'm done. You're a liar."
• The youth camp sabbatical where the Holy Spirit said "just shut up. I want your heart."
• The treadmill moment when he heard: "I have set you free and I'm redeeming your sight"
• Becoming a husband and a brand-new dad
• The birth-song he and his wife sang over their newborn daughter
• A closing prayer you should not skip

Whether you've struggled with identity, addiction, same-sex attraction, the demonic, the dark night of the soul, deconstruction, or just the slow grind of trying to be a Christian without ever really meeting Jesus — this one is for you.

Hosted by Austin. Keep Jay in prayer through his back recovery.

Listen on every platform: linktr.ee/midtownpodcast Need someone to clean your home (and pray over it)? Hallel Home Cleaning Co — DM Luis.