Talk On The Way

Today's episode is a special one for the month of June. June is Pride month, and both Sergei and Ward wanted to honor it by giving someone from the LGBTQ community an invite to join the ongoing conversation, and more importantly, share their story. The guest for this episode is Dresden Hasala, a good friend of Ward's and someone he admires. To know Dresden is to know someone very intelligent, hard-working, and compassionate. In this conversation they take us through a journey of faith, deconstruction, love lost and found, gender, and more. Through it all, Sergei and Ward do their best to ask questions and likely stumble with humility as they discuss LGBTQ in today's culture. It is a trip and we are so thankful for Dresden's vulnerability and honesty! Some of the points shared here may cause pushback to some listeners, but we hope all will listen with an open mind and hand. We all deserve love and equal rights. If you are someone, or know someone who disagrees maybe this episode will help in moving along that journey. Sergei on ⁠Twitter⁠ Ward on ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Mirror Coffee Roasters⁠ - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on ⁠Instagram

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is important to Sergei and Ward and is becoming a more common topic in everyday life. That is a good thing, right? Breaking the stigma that keeps mental health taboo is good? The answer is yes, but it is much more involved than most people realize. That is why our hosts have invited Liz Breier to the pod for this much-needed conversation. Liz is a friend of Ward's from the Bad Christian Club and has worked in the mental health field for quite some time. She also has a personal journey with mental health, trauma, and the church that she shares with honesty and humility. In this episode, we touch on many aspects of mental health: breaking stigmas, the impact of trauma, how the church has historically handled it, resources available, the courage in seeking help, and much more. The hope is you enjoy and learn from the powerful conversation that impacts us all. You are not alone! Resources mentioned in the episode National Alliance on Mental Health ⁠BetterHelp⁠ ⁠Psychology Today⁠ The Body Keeps the Score The Deepest Well Sergei on ⁠Twitter⁠ Ward on ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Mirror Coffee Roasters⁠ - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on ⁠Instagram

John Mark McMillan has a song from his album Mercury & Lightning called "No Country" which speaks to feeling like one does not belong anywhere. It is in reference to this idea of not having a place to belong that Sergei and Ward invite us into a conversation that for them is ongoing. Being "too progressive for conservatives and too conservative for progressives" is a common, and often looked down upon cliche for many in faith communities today. While both Sergei and Ward acknowledge there is some good reason for the negativity towards it, this does not stop it from being a very common place on the journey of faith for many individuals. It is also where they both find themselves in life currently so they have decided to talk about it. This is a discussion of trying to talk through the feelings and frustrations of being alone and not accepted. Both Sergei and Ward admit they do not have answers for this, but want to acknowledge how common it is for many to feel this way. They also hope that by having a very honest and humble conversation it helps others know they are not alone, as well as remind everyone that we may all be on similar journeys, but we have different timetables. Ultimately, whether you are currently looking for your place, or have found it, we hope all of us remember to approach each other with grace making room for where each of us are currently instead of looking down on those that are "not there yet". Sergei on ⁠Twitter⁠ Ward on ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Mirror Coffee Roasters⁠ - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on ⁠Instagram

The topic of revival has been a hot one in recent weeks, especially for the christian media and talking heads of faith culture. The reason for this is because of a recent revival taking place at Asbury University. Even the likes of Tucker Carlson jumped in the media hype machine to talk about it. Everyone and their granny seem to have an opinion on if this revival is real, and what it means. For Sergei and Ward, they are not wanting to judge if the Asbury Revival is a true revival, but they want to discuss the idea of revival in general. What is "revival"? Why is everyone talking about this? Can we know if a revival is of God or man? This and more gets discussed as both Sergei and Ward share their thoughts and personal experiences of revival. Get ready because passion gets hot on this one! Here is the Nadia Bolz-Weber blog post mentioned in the episode. https://thecorners.substack.com/p/on-longing-and-the-asbury-revival Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter 2Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on Instagram

Hello 2023 and welcome to the second season of TALK ON THE WAY! In this first episode of the new year both Sergei and Ward get pretty introspective as they give honest reflection of what they both went through in 2022. They also get vulnerable about how they hope to improve on things, ahem communication ahem, in the new year. There is also some discussion on lessons learned, and a bit of hope found in them. Along with this look back, the guys also take all this information and reflection with them as they turn the focus to the future. Personal plans and hopes, as well as the hopes for the podcast in season 2 are put out there into the universe with fingers crossed for an outcome of making better versions of us all. We hope you enjoy the honest conversation, and maybe you can relate and or learn something from what is shared.  Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on Instagram

In today's world a lot of life is lived online, and sometimes we say or share things that can be "controversial". Often we do not know it at the time, but if being honest there are occasions when we know exactly what we are doing. This is called "stirring the pot". Recently, Sergei shared a post on his personal facebook from new mystic thinker John Crowder. He admits to doing this while knowing it would stir things up. Was he right to do so? Should we actively stir the pot on social media? Both Ward and Sergei really get into all this, as well as how faith adds to this still relatively new online world we are all learning to navigate. Join in and see if you agree with what they have to say about living out an honest life both on and offline. Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on Instagram

What does it mean when the church talks about "God's Call" or His "will" for you? Recently, some changes in life have led Ward to think about how "God's Call" has changed over the years. While he still has faith God has certain plans for him, he also admits that there are things he was told and or thought were "God's Will" that never happened. In this episode, Ward brings these thoughts to Sergei for a discussion on how the American Church often presents "God's Call", and how it can lead to hurt and confusion when it does not happen as planned. Does it mean their is disobedience? Could it be that God changes His mind? Maybe He does not have plans for us? Is it that those who do not believe in a will of God are actually right? All of this and more gets touched on as the guys discuss what has changed for them when they think about what "God's Call" means. Sergei even touches on other theological ways of thinking about the subject. Ultimately, no matter where you are currently with "God's Call" we hope this episode shows that to question or be confused is common, and hopefully it can help some of you move past any hurt or confusion from "God's Call" not coming to fruition. Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers Talk On The Way on Instagram

The recent SCOTUS ruling to make abortion a state decision has caused quite a stir in our country. Sergei and Ward have thoughts as well, but more so they want to know how to best talk about this as two men who want to support women. In this episode the guys talk and rant a bit on what they think and feel about the recent ruling. Both share what has changed about their personal stances on abortion and why. Abortion, faith, history and rights all are up for grabs in this one. Throughout the conversation the hope is that what is said is based in what Sergei and Ward have learned from the women in their lives. More than ever women need to be heard and learned from. Bonus: Link to Sergei's first time preaching in 5 years 6/19/22. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/luke-15-the-welcoming-god/id1468207749?i=1000569213582 Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers

WE HAVE A GUEST! This episode is one about the journey of faith, and how that journey can take us to new and unexpected places. Our first guest, Caleb Jones joins us to discuss how a born and bred Southern Baptist ends up finding himself in a more liturgical practice, an Episcopal Parish to be exact. Caleb's story is one many American church goers, and also former church goers can relate too. It is one of faith, dissonance, and learning how to deal with change when the voices and the communities we follow start being less like Christ. Enjoy this conversation as the three of us learn from each other, and just maybe find some hope in the Christian church. Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers

Sergei recently watched the new documentary "Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed" and wants to talk about it. Ward has not seen it, but can always talk.  All jokes aside, this episode is pretty serious conversation about abuse in the church, and the fall out that it brings. Admitting to not have all the answers, both Sergei and Ward share their knowledge, and also some personal experience with the pain of church leaders not being the example they are meant to be. Sadly, both expect this is just the 1st of many conversations on this topic, but by discussing such things honestly they are hopeful that some healing and understanding can be found.  Talk On the Way Instagram Sergei on Twitter Ward on Twitter Mirror Coffee Roasters - Coffee company of the Kutrovski brothers