You Matter Podcast

In this insightful episode of the You Matter podcast, host Shane Stanford sits down with Jeff Jones and Mike Hogan, co-authors of "Rebranding Christianity." They explore the evolving brand of Christianity, discussing why it's losing relevance and how it can regain its influence. With their unique perspectives, Jones and Hogan share strategies to reconnect with modern society and make faith meaningful in today's world. Whether you're a devout believer or simply curious about the intersection of faith and culture, this episode offers thought-provoking ideas on the future of Christianity.

Join Shane Stanford as he hosts Grace Valentine in an inspiring episode of You Matter. Grace shares her journey from struggling with insecurity to finding her faith and purpose. Her candid conversation about church, identity, and the challenges of young adulthood is both relatable and uplifting. Perfect for those seeking encouragement and insight into living a fulfilling Christian life.

Continue to explore the intersection of chronic physical and spiritual conditions with Shane Stanford on the You Matter podcast. The 2nd part of The Cure for the Chronic Life episode features key lessons from Shane's book, "The Cure for the Chronic Life," emphasizing the power of compassion and walking in others' shoes. Shane discusses how these principles can lead to personal growth and a greater connection with the divine.

Join Shane Stanford on the You Matter podcast as he explores the profound connection between spiritual and physical health in our chronic struggles. In this episode, Shane shares personal stories and insights from his book, "The Cure for the Chronic Life," co-authored with Deanna Favre. Discover how faith and understanding can transform the way we handle life's persistent challenges.

This week on You Matter, Shane Stanford, our host, is sitting down with Dr. Tim Tennent, for a rich conversation on everything from the transformative nature of global evangelism to leadership as his time as President of Asbury Seminary is coming to a close. Shane and Dr. Tennent discuss his approach to interfaith dialogue, his strategies for spreading the Gospel in predominantly Hindu areas, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of global Christianity. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis of the complexities of faith, culture, and theological education with a seasoned expert.

In this week’s episode of the You Matter podcast, Shane is back with the second part of "Words to Live By," getting to the heart of finding purpose and significance in the everyday and making life matter. Drawing from his book and personal stories, including a profound conversation with his grandfather during a life-changing diagnosis, Shane illuminates the path to living a life full of meaning, one day at a time. Discover how simple acts of kindness and daily decisions can lead to a life that truly matters in God's kingdom.

The You Matter podcast returns with an episode that gets to the heart of finding purpose and significance in the everyday. Drawing from his book and personal stories, including a profound conversation with his grandfather during a life-changing diagnosis, Shane illuminates the path to living a life full of meaning, one day at a time. Discover how simple acts of kindness and daily decisions can lead to a life that truly matters in God's kingdom.

This week on You Matter, Shane is sitting down with Nicolet Bell, host of the Choosing Cheer podcast. Her story truly embodies the podcast's core message : your life matters no matter your circumstances. Shane and Nicolet discuss the importance of choosing cheer despite life’s most difficult moments including infertility and loss, and the power of prayer. Learn how Nicolet's approach to life's challenges and her motto of “Choosing Cheer” offers hope and inspiration to anyone struggling to find joy.

Shane Stanford sits down with Jerry Pattengale, a man whose life exemplifies transformation through faith, in this episode of You Matter. From a childhood marked by poverty to impactful roles at the Museum of the Bible and Indiana Wesleyan University, Jerry shares his incredible journey of overcoming adversity. Dive into this conversation that weaves together personal struggle, divine intervention, and the power of education.

In this week's episode of You Matter, our host, Shane Stanford, sits down with his wife Dr. Pokey Stanford, to share their remarkable journey of healing and redemption as they walked from the brink of divorce into to a stronger, healthier relationship. They discuss the challenges of dealing with brokenness from an affair, and their road to forgiveness and moving forward. Their story demonstrates how faith and love can heal even the deepest wounds, offering listeners wisdom and hope for overcoming even the toughest of marital difficulties and distractions.

In this week's episode, our host Shane Stanford has a beautiful conversation with chef, author, and restaurateur, Robert St. John! With four decades of experience in the restaurant industry and vital non-profit work through his organization Extra Table, Robert certainly has many stories and lessons to share from his kitchen and beyond. However, one of the most important and notable conversation in this episode is the discussion of Robert's journey through recovery and how that has impacted his faith and walk with Jesus. Shane and Robert explore the importance of sharing your journey and being open about the struggles along the way to further point others to Jesus and help them see how they matter to him.

This week, we are re-running our inaugural episode where host Shane Stanford shares why “you matter” has been a key part of his ministry’s motto over the last 30 years. He shares his testimony relating to his medical struggles as a hemophiliac who contracted HIV & Hep C from a blood transfusion and how the challenges he has faced taught him the importance of making each day matter. Shane also shares a preview of the guests from our first season from all walks of life and we encourage you to give those a listen too if you have not already. We are so excited you are here, and we hope over this serves as an encouraging remind that YOU matter!

In this week’s episode, Shane is continuing his conversation of apologetics in part two of why he believes the Bible is true as a pastor, theologian, and follower of Christ. In part one, Shane gave the first three reason why he believes the bible is true shares his journey on why this topic is so important to him, why it’s important to us as believers, and why this is truly the heart of how and why You Matter. In this week’s conversation, he gives the last two reasons and talks about the unchanging nature of scriptures and the divine imprint of the Lord on His own life.

In this week’s episode, Shane is continuing the conversation of apologetics in part one of a two-part series by offering his perspective of why he believes the Bible is true as a pastor, theologian, and follower of Christ. Shane shares his journey on why this topic is so important to him, why it’s important to us as believers, and why this is truly the heart of how and why You Matter. This week’s conversations talks about the trustworthiness of the authors, prophecy fulfillment, and reliability of documents. Join us next week for part two!

This week, our host Shane Stanford is joined by Edward Grinnan, the editor in chief for Guideposts, to talk about what it means to be a caregiver and how you matter in the caring of others. Edward and Shane discuss everything from battling addiction to what it means to love and be connected with someone in need of full-time care and the anxieties that can come from that. They talk about the importance of living in the present moment, and the ways God meets us there. Edward reminds us that we matter as we care for others because the Lord uses even those moments to heal and restore our own life.

In this week’s episode of You Matter, our host Shane has astrophysicist and theologian David Wilkinson on to talk about the relationship between Christianity and the world of physics. They converse about the beauty of God’s evidence in the physical world in Jesus and what belief looks like in an accelerating world. David and Shane look at the similarities of beliefs in faith and science.

Everyone struggles with moments of doubt in their faith. How do we continue to make our life matter for the Lord in these moments? This week, our host Shane Stanford sits down with atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel to talk about apologetics, doubting faith, and how to begin a journey with Jesus. They talk about what it means to walk into the faith and the foundations that ultimately gave Lee the push to run towards the Lord. Their conversation reminds us that we matter even in the seasons of doubt because there is no such thing as too far gone and you always have a hope and a home in Jesus.

Welcome to the second season of the You Matter podcast! This week, host Shane Stanford shares about his personal life motto for making life matter, "Be salt and light". He shares about what it means to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world as well as the practical applications for everyday life. He reminds us that we all have a place where we matter and can be salt and light in this world, no matter how far gone we may feel!

This week, Shane closes out our first season of You Matter by ushering us into the new year with a lesson on new beginnings and their importance. Shane ends this season with encouragement for the new year and the significance of growing in every step along the way. He shares the importance of doing just something, even when you can’t do everything, and why new beginnings matter in our lives.

In this week’s conversation, Shane sits down with former CEO, congressman, university president, father, husband, and follower of Jesus, Brad Martin! These two have been long-time friends, and even co-authored a faith-based book over their mutual love of the story of David and Goliath titled Five Stones. Their talk today is refreshing as Brad shares stories from the many facets of his life, including his passion for incarceration transition ministries and what it was like overseeing a large retailer in Manhattan after September 11, 2001. One of the most valuable lessons that Brad reminds us is that we can matter no matter what our journeys look like by simply showing up and being present wherever the Lord plants us.

This week on You Matter, Shane is sharing about preparing our hearts for the season of Advent. The anticipated arrival of Christmas is an exciting time, but it can also bring about a lot of emotion. Shane walks us though the 4 principals of advent: faith, hope, love, and joy; and reminds us how we can apply these emotions as actions to our own seasons of advent or waiting.

This week’s episode of You Matter is truly a treat as Shane is joined by artist Susie McEntire and her husband Mark Eaton who share their story of redemption and deliverance. Susie opens up about being a survivor of domestic abuse and offers encouragement for others walking in similar seasons. Mark reminds us that God uses us not in spite of our past but BECAUSE of our past. They talk about what it means to be in community and for the Lord to work through our struggles to truly make a difference in the world. They remind us that the most beautiful way we can matter is by helping those around us recognize where they matter as well!

On this week’s episode of You Matter, host Shane Stanford sits down with the Bishop of the Global Methodist conference, Scott Jones. They discuss his transition from United to Global Methodism, the foundations of the new traditionalist conference, and how the Lord is moving in transformative ways throughout both conferences within the traditions of the Methodist movement. Shane and Bishop Jones address the age-old question of “What Would Jesus Do?” and discuss how Christ is present even in the brokenness and conflict that arise in difficult seasons of transition.

In this week’s episode, Shane sits down with United Methodist Bishop Tom Bickerton to have a beautiful conversation about faith, loving like Jesus, and making others feel like THEY matter. Bishop Bickerton shares stories from his time as a Bishop interwoven with truths about truly loving like Jesus in this world. Their conversation is full of gentle reminders that this life is not about us but is about pointing others to Christ, wherever they might be in the journey. Bishop Bickerton reminds us that we can matter most where we’ve been planted by showing others where they matter, treating them with kindness and the love of Jesus.

Shane sits down with CEO and president of First Horizon Corporation, Bryan Jordan! They have a special conversation about leadership, transitions, and the importance of financial literacy. Shane and Bryan discuss coping with change in seasons of transition, and remind us that it’s ultimately the Lord who is in control. Bryan also shares a beautiful perspective on the importance of caring for the people in an organization and reminds us that we can make our life and positions matter by leading through example no matter the situation or setting.

Welcome back to You Matter! This week, Shane is taking a look at a different way we matter in this world: the way we respond to world-shifting events as Believers. Shane breaks down the current situation in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, giving historical context and walking through why it is essential for us to understand it both as Americans and as Christians. He discusses the dangers of extremist ideologies in all religious and political organizations, drawing from the words of Jesus and His assessment of extremism during the time of His ministry. What we say and how we respond matters, and Shane reminds us that a relationship with Jesus can ground us in our faith and bring comfort during tumultuous times.

Welcome back to You Matter! In this week's conversation, Shane talks to Hollywood producer and former investment banker Ben Nearn! They talk about everything from movies to actors, but most importantly, Ben shares about his experience in Hollywood and the entertainment industry while being a man of faith and still upholding his values and even incorporating them into some films. Their conversation reminds us that no matter what our role is, a parent or producer, being a person of integrity and being a person of your word even when it costs you is how we can make our life matter most in this world.

Welcome back to You Matter! This week, Shane talks with best-selling author Laurie Beth Jones. She shares about her experience as a woman in leadership and ministry, and how her study of the life and words of Jesus led her to write her bestseller, Jesus CEO. They discuss leadership, the heart of Jesus, and Laurie Beth’s spiritual gift assessment based on the elements of scripture. Their conversation reminds us that we can be encouraged as believers in faith and spiritual gifts in the workplace and beyond as we truly LOVE and LEAD like Jesus.

In this week’s episode, our host Shane Stanford has a beautiful conversation with chef and restaurateur, Robert St. John! From four decades of experience in the restaurant industry to vital non-profit work through his organization Extra Table, Robert certainly has many stories and lessons to share! Most importantly in this episode, however, is the discussion of Robert's journey through recovery and how that has impacted his faith and walk with Jesus. Shane and Robert explore the importance of sharing your journey and being open about the struggles along the way.

Welcome back to another episode of You Matter! This week’s conversation is a special one as our host as Shane sits down with his childhood hero, the Big Red Machine, Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench! They talk about everything from Johnny’s baseball career and lessons learned on the ball fields to leadership and his faith. Johnny reminds us that God is with us every step of the way, but we have to take responsibility in making our lives matter.

Welcome to You Matter! In our inaugural episode, host Shane Stanford shares why “you matter” has been a key part of his ministry’s motto over the last 30 years. He shares his testimony relating to his medical struggles as a hemophiliac who contracted HIV & Hep C from a blood transfusion and how the challenges he has faced taught him the importance of making each day matter. Shane also shares a preview of the season ahead filled with guests from all walks of life sharing how THEY matter in the seasons, professions, and journeys they are in or on. We are so excited you are here, and we hope over the course of the season you will see how YOU matter too! Scripture References: Matthew 5:13-16 (New Living Translation) “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." 1st Corinthians 15:58 (New Living Translation) "So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."