Link to the Pursuit of Happiness: https://youtu.be/UZb2NOHPA2A?si=uW8ZKT1F4mNo2pvF

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Healing Shame in the Family Story

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by addressing one of the most powerful and often hidden forces shaping father–child relationships: shame.

Many fathers carry unresolved shame from their own stories, and without realizing it, can pass that weight on to their children through words, expectations, or reactions. Michael and SJ unpack the crucial difference between guilt and shame—guilt says "I did something wrong," while shame whispers "something is wrong with me." When shame takes root, it can quietly shape identity and relationships for years.

Through personal stories and honest reflection, the conversation explores how fathers can become more aware of the impact of their tone, responses, and presence. They highlight the power of empathy, attentive listening, and real-time repair—those humble moments when a father says, "I'm sorry." Far from weakening authority, these moments build trust, healing, and connection.

This episode invites fathers to move beyond fear and perfection into humility and redemption—becoming men who confront shame, repair wounds, and help their children grow in freedom and belovedness.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!

Email us: [email protected] 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

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Seeing the Glory in Your Child

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by stepping into one of the most sacred assignments of fatherhood: supporting your children's dreams.

Building on previous conversations about glory and identity, this episode explores how fathers can affirm the direction their children are heading—without controlling, lecturing, or projecting their own unmet ambitions. Through the story of Rudy and personal parenting moments, Michael and SJ highlight the power of simple but life-shaping words like, "I'm proud of you," and "I want to."

They unpack the difference between interpreting your child's story accurately versus imposing your own narrative, the importance of being present in both success and failure, and the critical role of prayer in guiding a child's path. Supporting dreams isn't about guaranteeing outcomes—it's about offering belief, advocacy, and steady love along the way.

This episode is an invitation for fathers to move from correction to encouragement, from pressure to partnership, and from fear to faith as they walk with their children toward the future God is shaping.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!

Email us: [email protected] 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

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Seeing the Glory in Your Child

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by moving fatherhood beyond behavior management and into something far deeper: character, calling, and glory.

Too often, parenting can default to correction, compliance, and control. But what if fathering is about recognizing and nurturing the unique "glory" God has placed within each child? Drawing from Proverbs 22 and personal stories of missed and redeemed opportunities, Michael and SJ invite fathers to shift from shaping behavior to stewarding identity.

They explore the long-term impact of presence, the courage it takes to truly understand a child's heart, and the importance of advocating for a child's interests—even when it requires inconvenience or sacrifice. The conversation also widens the lens, reminding men that spiritual fathering isn't limited to biological children. There are sons and daughters everywhere who need affirmation, guidance, and belief.

This episode is a call to see your children as image bearers, to pursue understanding over control, and to nurture the particular design God has entrusted to you.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!

Email us: [email protected] 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

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Fighting for the Hearts of Your Kids

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by exploring a powerful dimension of fatherhood: advocacy.

What does it mean to truly fight for your children's hearts?

Michael and SJ unpack the difference between passive fathering and aggressive control—and introduce a third way: engaged, intentional advocacy. Fathers are invited to move beyond simply providing or correcting and into actively supporting their children's interests, decisions, and growing agency. Whether it's backing a big move, stepping into online gaming worlds, or standing up for a child in difficult environments, advocacy communicates something profound: "I am with you."

The conversation also revisits the deeper roots of fathering—how our own upbringing shapes our instincts, reactions, and fears. Healing matters. Being fathered by God matters. Because when we receive unconditional love from the Father, we're empowered to extend that same steady presence and strength to our sons and daughters.

This episode is a call to courageous engagement—to become the kind of father who protects without controlling, guides without shaming, and loves without condition.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!

Email us: [email protected] 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

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Restoring Relationship with Your Kids

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue the Father Matters series by diving into the heart of fatherhood—a journey that begins with healing and continues through connection, repair, and redemption.

Through Ephesians 5:1–2 and personal stories, the conversation unpacks the core truth that you can't love your kids well if you haven't received the extravagant love of the Father. Michael and SJ share their own experiences of navigating past wounds, rebuilding trust, and falling off the pedestal of perfection. They speak candidly about parenting from the false self, the challenges of offering real apologies, and the power of engaging our kids in conversations about their experience of being fathered.

This episode is an invitation for dads to move from performance into presence, from distance into intimacy—with their children and with God. Whether you're starting the journey or already in the deep waters of fatherhood, there's more healing and hope available than you think.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!

Email us: [email protected] 📅 Heart of a Warrior Encounter: April 16–19, 2026 – Register Here 📕 Podcast Archive + Show Notes: zoweh.org/podcast

In this week's episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings continue their deep dive into fatherhood with Part 2 of the Father Matters series. Centered around three foundational truths—that you can't father well unless you've been fathered, that fatherhood is relational not transactional, and that fatherhood never ends—the conversation challenges men to reflect on their own stories and press into presence over performance.

Through personal stories and practical insights, Michael and SJ explore how being present, engaged, and intentional creates space for deeper connection and healing in relationships with children. They name the common distractions—busyness, financial stress, past wounds—and point to the quiet heroism of simply showing up. The power of meaningful questions, the role of forgiveness, and the impact of being emotionally available are all part of the journey.

Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned father, or healing from your own father story, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that God is still fathering you—and He wants to empower you to father well.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Exploring More Podcast, and invite you to connect with us!

Email us: [email protected] 📕 Podcast: zoweh.org/podcast 📅 Register for The Heart of a Warrior Encounter (April 16–19, 2026): zoweh.org/events

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings launch a powerful new series called Father Matters—an eight-part journey into the heart of fatherhood, sonship, and legacy. Inspired by the final chapters of Michael's book King Me, the series invites men to examine their fathering stories: how they were fathered, how they father now, and how their relationship with God the Father can transform both.

Michael and SJ walk through the first few themes of the devotional—beginning with the foundational idea that we are sons before we are fathers. The conversation explores the tension between presence and performance, the impact of blessing and naming identity, and the need to initiate—not just manage—our children's experiences. From making repairs to setting boundaries to letting go, each session of Father Matters invites deep reflection and courageous conversations.

As Michael shares, the way we were fathered influences how we lead, protect, and love. This episode is a personal and practical start to a series that calls men to heal old wounds, live from their restored identity, and leave a meaningful legacy.

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The Gospel in The Notebook

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings turn to an unexpected favorite—The Notebook—to explore the deeper longings of the human heart. What might seem like a simple romantic drama becomes a window into themes of pursuit, sacrifice, faithfulness, and sacred romance woven into the larger story God is telling.

Through the characters of Noah and Allie, Michael and SJ unpack what it means to fight for love over time, through opposition, loss, and suffering. They reflect on the beauty of being chosen, known, and pursued—and how true romance always carries a cost. The conversation moves beyond sentimentality into the reality that real love is forged through perseverance, courage, and self-giving devotion.

Alongside their film analysis, Michael shares a personal story of encountering God's presence in an unexpected moment—drawing a parallel between divine pursuit and human romance. Together, they invite listeners to consider how stories like The Notebook awaken something holy in us: a longing to be fully loved and to give ourselves away for something greater.

We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us!

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The Gospel in Lord of the Rings

In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings journey through the epic world of The Lord of the Rings—exploring how Tolkien's masterpiece mirrors the deeper spiritual realities of our own lives. From the quiet comfort of the Shire to the battlefields of Middle Earth, the conversation follows Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the fellowship as they answer the call to adventure, face down evil, and sacrifice for something greater than themselves.

Using the trailers from The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, Michael and SJ unpack the arc of the Hero's Journey and why it continues to resonate. They reflect on the pull toward comfort, the cost of leaving "the normal world," and the significance of choosing hope in the darkest places. The ring becomes more than a plot device—it's a symbol of the burdens we carry and the battles we face daily.

With personal stories, spiritual insight, and reverence for the storytelling genius of Tolkien, this episode reminds us that every man is in a larger story—one filled with glory, grief, and a King worth following.

We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us!

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The Gospel in Tombstone

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In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings kick off their new "Faves" series by diving into one of their all-time favorite films: Tombstone. Through the lens of the friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, they unpack themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and brotherhood—exploring how one man laid down his life so another could live his. Drawing from Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey," they reflect on the arcs of transformation, the call to adventure, and the role of mentors, weaving these archetypes into real-life spiritual parallels.

As they recount powerful moments from Tombstone, the conversation touches on the universal longing for a normal life, the inevitable confrontation with evil, and the beauty of redemptive friendship. Whether it's Wyatt's search for peace or Doc's act of selfless love, the hosts invite listeners to consider the ways story helps us see our own battles, questions, and courage more clearly.

It's not just a movie episode—it's a deep reflection on the power of story to mirror truth, stir the soul, and invite us into the greater story God is telling.

We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us!

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Give and End-of-Year Gift Here: zoweh.org/eoy25

In the final Exploring More podcast episode of the year, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings slow down to reflect on presence, soul care, and the relentless love of God. From the joy of receiving a personal sign from God to the challenge of letting go of false beliefs, they unpack the paradox of a love that both has no limits and still honors our boundaries.

This honest and reflective conversation explores what it means to be known and loved by God—and how we often struggle to receive that kind of love. They discuss practical ways to engage your soul, such as reviewing your calendar, photos, and journals to see where God was present in your year. Along the way, they offer wisdom for setting intentions for the new year, cultivating self-awareness, and trading performance for presence.

Whether you're ending the year on a high note or in the depths of transition, this episode is a tender invitation to sit with your story, let God speak, and walk forward with hope. As Michael says, "There's more life, more love, and more freedom to be had… but it starts with being still."

We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us!

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📧 Email us: [email protected] 🌐 Learn more: https://www.zoweh.org/podcast