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There’s more to life than winning the game, raising successful kids, and making the most of the opportunities in front of us—what we do for eternity is what matters most. Marshal Hardy, Executive Pastor at Lifepoint Church in Norfolk, Nebraska, joins the Morning Conversation ahead of FCA’s Weekend of Champions (Nov. 14-15, 2026) to talk about what it looks like to follow Jesus in the middle of everyday life. From the influence his parents had on his faith to the joy of baptizing all three of his children, Marshal shares why the things that matter most often go far beyond the things that get the most attention. We also talk about how athletes, coaches, and parents can reflect Christ in both wins and losses, why faith has to be more than a pregame prayer, and how a community of believers can remind students they’re not alone. Plus, Marshal shares a challenging picture from John 15 that gets right to the heart of spiritual growth: “I would rather be cut back than cut off.” It’s a conversation about surrender, lasting priorities, and trusting God to produce the kind of fruit that matters for eternity.

What if God wants to do more in your life than you can imagine—but it starts with trusting Him with the story you’re living right now? Susie Larson, one of our favorite voices on Morning Conversation: The Podcast talks about her book More Than You Can Imagine and what it means to live with resilient trust in God. Whether you’re facing a storm, waiting for an answer, or simply feeling stuck in the routine of faith, Susie reminds us that God is still at work—even when we can’t see what He’s doing. And sometimes, the biggest obstacle isn’t our circumstances, but how much access we’re willing to give God to our hearts and our stories. Susie shares practical ways to strengthen your faith, from replacing fear-filled thoughts with the truth of God’s Word to remembering His past faithfulness when you’re waiting for your next miracle. She offers a powerful reminder for those seasons when hope feels hard to find: if you’re in between miracles, borrow one from Scripture, your own story, or the testimony of a friend. We also talk about finding our identity in Christ, letting go of the things we’ve been trying to manage ourselves, and discovering the peace that comes when we surrender our lives more fully to God. It’s an encouraging conversation about trusting the God who is still writing your story. Find Susie’s book here: https://www.susielarson.com/susiesbookstore/p/more-than-you-can-imagine

Nebraska football tight end Luke Lindenmeyer grew up knowing about Jesus, but it wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he says he truly made the decision to give his life to Christ. Since then, God has used coaches, teammates, his wife, and a growing desire to study Scripture to help Luke grow in his faith—and at Nebraska, that has led him to start and lead a player-led Bible study. Luke talks about what it means to follow Jesus in the middle of college football, why he believes he can actually worship God by pursuing excellence on the field, and how one teammate’s observation that he was becoming “more like Jesus” challenged and encouraged him. Luke also opens up about the pressure that comes with being a college athlete and how his growing identity in Christ has changed the way he approaches football, social media, success, and failure. He shares why he’s learning to “play free” rather than live for the approval of others, why he believes his eternity is secure whether football continues or not, and the prayer he takes into every game: “Use me.” It’s a conversation about faith in the middle of competition—and learning that who we are in Christ matters far more than what we accomplish on the field.

What does it really mean to follow Jesus when the road isn’t easy? Christian recording artist Cade Thompson opens up about some of the lessons God has been teaching him through marriage, music, waiting, and the everyday choice to pursue Jesus. He shares why the “waiting season is never a wasted season,” why following Jesus requires more than simply avoiding the big compromises, and why what happens in the secret place matters far more than what happens on a platform. Cade also talks about his new music and the message behind his upcoming album, Narrow—an invitation to stay on the road with Jesus, even when following Him comes at a cost. Cade also gets very personal about his own struggle with perfectionism and the shame that can come when we know we’ve fallen short. He explains why he had to remind himself that following Jesus isn’t about perfection—it’s about pursuing Him—and why the cross changes everything when we realize our sin has already been paid for. And in one of the most challenging moments of the conversation, Cade asks what would happen if everything he’s known for—including his music—were suddenly taken away. His answer is a powerful reminder that our identity isn’t found in what we do for Christ, but in who we are as sons and daughters of God.

What happens when you grow up knowing all the songs, the Bible stories, and the language of faith—but realize you don’t really know Jesus? Singer and songwriter Bay Turner shares the very personal journey that took him from growing up in church to truly walking with Christ, from Texas to New York City and eventually to Brooklyn Tabernacle. Along the way, he discovered that God can use even the things we don’t understand or appreciate at the time—and that the gifts He gives us are ultimately meant to point us back to Him. Bay also shares the powerful lesson he learned about the difference between performing and worshiping, and why true worship is much bigger than what happens when we sing. Bay’s story takes an unexpected turn when a vocal injury threatened to take away the very gift he had built his life around. He talks honestly about learning that his value doesn’t come from his voice, his career, or his success, but simply from being a child of God. We’ll also hear the stories behind some of his music—including “Praise the Lord,” “Somebody’s Praying,” and his recording of “It Is Well”—and how God has used those songs in ways Bay never expected. It’s a conversation about surrender, identity, obedience, worship, and what can happen when we simply put one foot in front of the other and trust Jesus along the way.

What does it really mean to finish well? Amber Albee Swenson has spent years walking alongside elderly people and their families, and she’s learned that finishing well involves much more than simply making it to the end. It’s about where we place our hope, how we respond to aging and loss, the legacy we leave for our children and grandchildren, and continuing to live with purpose and faithfulness in every season of life. In this conversation, Amber shares some powerful lessons she’s learned from those who have walked this road before us—including why one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is showing them how to finish well. We also get very practical about caring for aging parents and loved ones. Amber talks honestly about the challenges of caregiving, the guilt that can come with it, why we shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, and how small steps can make difficult seasons more manageable. Whether you're caring for an aging parent, preparing for that season yourself, or simply want to live in a way that leaves a lasting spiritual legacy, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to think differently about aging, purpose, community, and what it looks like to finish your race well. For more on Amber's book

What if the prayer Jesus taught His disciples isn't just something we're supposed to recite—but a pattern that can actually reshape the way we live? Pastor and author Matt Smallbone admits that for much of his life, prayer felt haphazard. After walking through the pain of unanswered prayer and realizing he hadn't really taken Jesus' instructions about prayer seriously, Matt decided to try something simple: pray the way Jesus said to pray. The result? He says it “changed everything.” In this conversation, Matt takes us through what happened when he began praying through the Lord's Prayer—learning to surrender his own little kingdom, trust God as a loving Father, forgive others, recognize spiritual battles, and bring his daily needs to God. It's an honest and practical conversation for anyone who has ever struggled to pray consistently, wondered what to do with unanswered prayer, or simply wants a deeper relationship with Jesus. You may come away with a completely different perspective on prayer—and a simple way to start putting it into practice today. For more information on Matt’s book: https://faithgateway.com/products/the-prayer-experiment-how-praying-like-jesus-realigns-everything-our-thoughts-our-hearts-and-our-posture-toward-god-and-the-world?variant=44676818305160

What happens when a simple question—“Could technology help people connect with God’s Word?”—turns into a ministry reaching people around the world? Greg Hall, Chief Operating and Growth Officer for YouVersion, takes us behind the Bible App and shares how God is using technology to connect people with Scripture in more than 2,400 languages and thousands of Bible versions. But this conversation isn't really about apps, downloads or impressive numbers. Greg explains why YouVersion isn't satisfied with simply getting the Bible into people's hands—they want to see God's Word get into people's hearts and lead to lasting life change. Along the way, Greg shares remarkable stories of people whose lives have been transformed by Scripture, including a man in Zambia who once carried physical Bibles through dangerous wilderness and a man in South Africa who encountered a verse of the day during one of the darkest moments of his life. He also talks about helping families engage with Scripture together, the surprising ways God can use our everyday skills for His purposes, and why technology should open the door to God's Word rather than replace our relationship with Him. Ultimately, Greg keeps coming back to one powerful idea: YouVersion may reach billions, but the mission is still about the one person who needs the hope found in God's Word.

What if what you’re taking in is shaping what people see coming out of your life? Social researcher and author Shaunti Feldhahn shares the surprising story of how flamingos became the inspiration for a powerful spiritual lesson: these colorful birds get their vibrant color from what they consume, and in much the same way, what we continually take in from God’s Word and His Spirit shapes the way we live and the witness we have in the world. Shaunti talks about what it means to have “faith in full color” and why thriving as a follower of Jesus isn’t ultimately just about making our own lives better—it’s about pointing others toward Him. Along the way, Shaunti challenges us to recognize the kingdom purposes God has placed beneath the surface of our everyday jobs and responsibilities, to look for the opportunities He puts right in front of us, and to discover the gifts He has given each of us. She also offers a fresh perspective on Jesus’ promise of rest, shares fascinating research about how our words affect the way we feel, challenges the idea that venting is always healthy, and offers simple ways to actively feed our faith. It’s a conversation full of practical encouragement and spiritual insight—and it may just have you asking a very important question: What are you taking in, and what is it producing in you?

What happens when God gives you a platform you never expected—and then asks you to hold it with open hands? Christian artist Bodie joins us for a conversation that goes far beyond his journey from leading worship as a kid to becoming a finalist on The Voice. Bodie talks candidly about the disappointments that shaped him, the surprising way God opened a door years later, and the heart posture that allowed him to say, "Lord, I care, but I don't really care. Whatever You want to do with this, I'm good." It's a conversation about calling, success, surrender, and learning to trust God with the outcome. Along the way, Bodie shares why he doesn't want success if God doesn't want it for him, what fatherhood has taught him about the character of God, why surrounding yourself with people who can challenge you is so important, and why every believer should be investing in the next generation. He also opens up about the meaning behind his music and offers a beautiful perspective on worship—not simply as something we sing, but as a life of humility, surrender, and dependence on God. Whether you're familiar with Bodie's music or hearing his story for the first time, you'll find plenty to challenge you, encourage you, and point you back toward Jesus.

Money is one of the most common sources of stress in marriage—but it can also become one of the greatest opportunities to grow closer to one another and to God. In this conversation, author and financial teacher Matt Bell shares practical, biblical wisdom from his book Starting Strong: Discovering the Good That Money Can Do in Your Marriage. While the book is written with engaged and newly married couples in mind, the principles we discuss are just as valuable for couples who have been walking through life together for decades. We talk about financial transparency, paying off debt, budgeting, generosity, and how shared values can strengthen a marriage far beyond the balance sheet. More than a conversation about dollars and cents, this episode is about building a marriage on a foundation of faith. Matt shares personal stories, practical tools, and biblical encouragement that can help couples move from financial stress to financial purpose. Whether you're just beginning your journey together or simply want to honor God more faithfully with the resources He's entrusted to you, you'll find thoughtful guidance and hope-filled encouragement in this conversation. More about Matt’s book

Have you ever wondered if you're missing what God is doing right in front of you? In this conversation, author and pastor Dr. Richard Blackaby shares insights from his new study, Experiencing God in Everyday Life: A Journey Toward Spiritual Maturity. Building on the timeless message of Experiencing God, Richard explains why spiritual maturity isn't reserved for mountaintop moments, mission trips, or church retreats. Instead, it's cultivated as we learn to recognize God's presence and activity in the ordinary moments that fill our days. Along the way, Richard shares personal stories about his father, Dr. Henry Blackaby, practical habits that help us hear God's voice, and encouraging reminders that God is often speaking more than we realize. Whether you're longing to grow deeper in your faith, hoping to become more spiritually attentive, or simply wondering what the next step looks like in your walk with Christ, this conversation offers biblical wisdom and practical encouragement to help you experience God—not just occasionally, but every day.

Christian music fans know Danny Gokey for songs like Tell Your Heart to Beat Again, Love God Love People, and Haven't Seen It Yet, but there's much more to his story than chart-topping music. In this conversation, Danny shares how God shaped his life long before American Idol, what he learned while driving a semi-truck and leading worship, and how seasons of disappointment, loss, and unexpected turns deepened his faith and prepared him for the ministry he has today. Along the way, Danny offers thoughtful insights on listening for God's voice, raising a family that reflects the character of Christ, living a life of authentic worship, and writing songs that faithfully communicate what God is saying. Whether you're familiar with Danny's music or simply looking for encouragement in your own walk with Jesus, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom, personal stories, and reminders that God is always at work—even when you can't yet see the bigger picture.

Whether you've been married for six months or sixty years, every relationship faces moments where expectations collide, communication gets complicated, and love requires more grace than we expected. In this conversation, pastor and author Mike Novotny shares practical, biblical wisdom from his book Newlywed: A Christian Guide for Loving Year One. While the book is written with newly married couples in mind, the principles we discuss apply to every season of marriage—from learning how our families have shaped us to navigating conflict, communication, finances, intimacy, and the everyday decisions that strengthen a relationship over time. Along the way, Mike offers honest stories from his own marriage, memorable illustrations, and practical tools that couples can begin using right away—including simple ways to improve communication, pray together, and grow closer to one another by growing closer to Christ. Whether you're preparing for marriage, newly married, or you've been walking through life together for decades, this conversation is filled with biblical encouragement and practical insights that can help any marriage become stronger, healthier, and more centered on Jesus.

Christian artist Seph Schlueter has written songs that have encouraged countless people to trust God, worship through every season, and remember His faithfulness. But behind those songs is a deeply personal story. In this conversation, Seph shares how his faith became his own, what inspired songs like Counting My Blessings and Valley of Worship, and why he believes worship is far more than music—it's a way of living that gives every part of our lives back to God. Along the way, we talk about becoming a father, navigating the heartbreaking loss of his first daughter, learning to trust God's heart when life doesn't make sense, and discovering that God's presence is enough even when answers don't come. Whether you've been encouraged by Seph's music or are simply looking for hope in your own journey, you'll find a conversation filled with honesty, biblical wisdom, and a beautiful reminder that God is worthy of our worship in every season of life.