Breaking Bread Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
About
Around the meal table, needs are met. As participants we celebrate the common solution to our physical need - bread. While we do so, bread of another type is broken as well. Help, hope and encouragement are shared to meet the needs of our struggles, heartaches and questions. Breaking Bread is reminiscent of these life giving conversations. This podcast strives to meet some of our common needs through our common solution – The Bread of Life.
Episodes
- Brain Development: Why It Matters
This episode of Breaking Bread Podcast discusses the four stages of brain development: survival, emotional, attachment, and cognitive. It explores how trauma can impact these stages and offers insights into developing healthier thought pro…
- Autism Spectrum in Marriage
This episode of Breaking Bread features Kaleb Beyer discussing the unique challenges faced in marriages where one spouse is on the autistic spectrum. The discussion covers how neuro-diversity impacts communication, understanding, and emoti…
- Doubt in Decision Making
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses decisional stress, doubt, and obsessional doubt, which can plague decision makers. Hosts Kathy Knochel and Ted Witzig Jr. suggest shifting certainty from decision outcomes to God, personal values, a…
- The Gift of Repentance
This episode of Breaking Bread with Chad Leman and Brian Sutter discusses repentance as a vital aspect of personal growth. They explain repentance as a three-part process involving God's goodness, reflecting on the cross, and experiencing…
- Discipleship in the Middle Years
The episode discusses spiritual growth as a non-linear process involving Purification (moral excellence), Illumination (understanding truth), and Communion (fellowship with God). These movements are explored in the context of middle age, w…
- Praying Like the Disciples
In this episode of Breaking Bread Podcast, Joe Leman explores the Lord's Prayer, highlighting its aesthetic qualities and inherent power. He discusses how the prayer offers hope for human transformation.
- How to Have Stress-Reducing Conversations
Kaleb Beyer, Craig Stickling, and Brian Sutter discuss stress-reducing conversations on Breaking Bread Podcast, emphasizing active listening, empathy, and non-judgment to soothe heightened emotions and build relational safety.
- Accepting Relational Influence
This episode of Breaking Bread with Kaleb Beyer discusses the importance of accepting relational influence, where partners are open to impacting each other's thoughts, feelings, and actions. Research indicates that accepting influence lead…
- 3 Habits for Our Kids
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses three habits parents can teach children: saying "thank you," apologizing, and practicing good listening. Examples are provided for growing and maturing these habits to develop thankful, humble, and…
- One Tip for Human Growth
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses human growth, highlighting how measuring progress from the wrong perspective can lead to discouragement. Host Ted Witzig Jr. explains the benefits of a bottom-up measurement approach, focusing on pa…
- Aging with Intention
In this episode of Breaking Bread, Ron Messner and Lori Wiegand explore the concept of aging with intention. They suggest that by embracing intentionality, acceptance, and adaptation, individuals can find abundance and navigate life's tran…
- Thy Kingdom Come
In this episode of Breaking Bread, hosts Joe Leman and Matt Kaufmann discuss the season of Advent and explore how the Lord's Prayer encourages believers to long for Christ's kingdom and transform their hearts.
- The Power of Thanksgiving
This episode of Breaking Bread with Arlan Miller and Matt Kaufmann explores the act of giving thanks, highlighting research that links thankfulness to improved mental, emotional, and relational health. It contrasts gratitude, seen as a cha…
- Tech & Kids: Understanding AI
This episode of Breaking Bread features David Virkler discussing artificial intelligence, its various applications like machine learning and large language models, and how it learns from data. Virkler also provides guidance on parenting ch…
- Hidden Rules of a Great Conversation
This episode of Breaking Bread features Kaleb Beyer and Brian Sutter discussing the speaker/listener model as a structured approach to improve communication and understanding in relationships when existing patterns are not working.
- Celebrating 10 Years of Breaking Bread
The Breaking Bread Podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary with hosts Arlan Miller, Katie Miller, and Brian Sutter interviewing podcast creator Matt Kaufmann. They discuss the show's history and thank the listeners.
- Celebrating 10 Years of Breaking Bread
The Breaking Bread Podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary with host Matt Kaufmann being interviewed by Arlan Miller, Katie Miller, and Brian Sutter. They share behind-the-scenes stories and express gratitude to their listeners.
- Beyond Symptom Reduction
This episode of Breaking Bread features Ted Witzig Jr discussing the importance of continuing personal growth after pain symptoms subside. It outlines four key questions to assess and foster spiritual, relational, psychological, and physic…
- The Life Curve
Matt and Denny Kaufmann discuss the concept of a "life curve" related to our ability to control our lives. They explain how control diminishes as we age, similar to infancy, and explore how releasing control is influenced by faith and find…
- Navigating Marriage Through Busy Seasons
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses how busy seasons can lead to marital disconnection and offers practical strategies for couples to stay connected. It emphasizes regular check-ins, understanding each other's demands, appreciating sh…
- Mental Health and the Church: The AC Story
This episode of Breaking Bread features Ron Messner and Ted Witzig Jr. discussing the history and mission of ACCFS, a mental health service deeply connected with the Apostolic Christian Church. They explore the integration of mental, spiri…
- The Crisis of Connection
This episode of Breaking Bread addresses the modern crisis of connection, where despite unprecedented technological connectivity, individuals face epidemic levels of isolation and depression. Hosts Katie Miller and Isaac Funk identify the…
- Escaping the Drama Trap
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses how drama, while attention-grabbing, often stems from relational conflict and can provoke poor behavior. It offers guidance on recognizing personal involvement in drama and provides strategies to es…
- Elroi: The God Who Sees Me
This episode of Breaking Bread explores the story of Hagar, an abandoned outsider who encountered God in her desperation. God acknowledged her, listened to her, and promised a great future for her son, leading her to name Him Elroi, the Go…
- Creative Spiritual Disciplines
This episode of Breaking Bread features Isaac Funk discussing spiritual disciplines as methods for connecting with God. Funk suggests creative approaches to these practices when they may feel uninspired, emphasizing their role in personal…
- Before "I do"
This episode of Breaking Bread with Kaleb Beyer and Arlan Miller discusses the importance of pre-marriage preparation, covering the pre-contemplative, contemplative, and engagement phases. It offers advice for singles on self-awareness, fa…
- The Story of Mental Health
Ron Messner and Ted Witzig Jr. join Breaking Bread to discuss the story of mental health during Mental Health Awareness month. Their conversation centers on the societal understanding of mental health and the care derived from it.
- Receiving God's Blessing
This episode of Breaking Bread explores God's thoughtful and intentional blessings for his people, as detailed in Numbers 6. It discusses how to receive God's abundant blessing and how to bless others using His words.
- Emotional Dependency & Enmeshment
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses emotional dependency and enmeshment, where individuals lose their independence and take on unhealthy responsibility for others' feelings. Hosts Brian Sutter and Kathy Knochel explain the dangers and…
- Are We Too Fragile in Life?
This episode of Breaking Bread explores the prevalence of offense and discusses whether people have become overly fragile. Hosts Brian Sutter and Ted Witzig Jr. provide guidance on acknowledging hurt, seeking healing and forgiveness, and m…
- Emotional Affair
This episode of Breaking Bread Podcast features marriage therapist Kaleb Beyer discussing emotional affairs. It covers the definition, three stages (intimacy, secrecy, tension), and a five-step recovery process, emphasizing the importance…
- Habit Formation
Brian Sutter and Kathy Knochel discuss habit formation on Breaking Bread Podcast. They explain that habits shape us profoundly and offer tips for intentional healthy habit formation, including identity, accessibility, habit stacking, and a…
- Anxiety and Our Youth: Instruction (Part 2 of 2)
In the second part of a discussion on youth anxiety, survivor Nichole Suvar shares her personal experience with anxiety and depression to provide guidance for those struggling. She explores the intersection of mental health and faith, offe…
- Anxiety and Our Youth: A Story (Part 1 of 2)
This episode features Nichole Suvar, an anxiety and depression survivor and Intentional Living Strategist, discussing the anxiety prevalent in Gen Z. Drawing from her personal experiences, she illuminates a path forward for individuals dea…
- Six Keys to Better Brain Health
This episode of Breaking Bread Podcast discusses six keys to better brain health: physical exercise, nutrition (like the Mediterranean diet), regular medical check-ups, adequate sleep, mental fitness activities, and social interaction.
- Relational Wounds: A Block to Marital Intimacy
This episode of Breaking Bread discusses how relational pain, stemming from damaged attachment, safety, trust, and vulnerability, can act as a barrier to marital intimacy. Therapist Kaleb Beyer explains that healing requires revisiting and…
- Welcoming Correction as a Disciple of Christ
This episode of Breaking Bread features teachers Katie Miller and Isaac Funk, who use Peter's experience with correction to illustrate how disciples of Christ can embrace it for personal transformation. The discussion highlights four quali…
- Walking through Disappointment with Our Kids
This episode of Breaking Bread addresses how parents can help children navigate disappointment, offering guidance on managing emotions, fostering resilience, and maintaining healthy separation while providing support and hope.
- Understanding ADHD in Adults
This episode of Breaking Bread Podcast discusses Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults. It covers the neuroscience behind ADHD, explaining that it's a brain disorder often linked to neurotransmitter imbalances like…
- Know Your Body
Lynne Streitmatter and Kathy Knochel discuss the impact of thyroid hormones on emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. They explore the connection between bodily functions and mental health in this episode of the Breaking Bread Po…
- Solid Foundations: Building a Love that Lasts
This episode of Breaking Bread features Kaleb Beyer exploring the elements of a lasting and flourishing marriage, drawing upon Dr. John Gottman's research and the Sound Relationship House Model.
- What Do We Crave? - Understanding Supernormal Stimuli
This episode of Breaking Bread features addiction specialist Jacob Feucht explaining supernormal stimuli, which are exaggerated characteristics of normal stimuli. He discusses how these can lead to cravings for unnatural things over natura…
- Bullying
This episode of Breaking Bread features middle school counselor Craig Stickling discussing the topic of bullying and its relational aspects.
- Four Negative Behaviors that Spell Trouble for Marriages
In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kaleb Beyer identifies four detrimental behaviors in marital conflict: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. Beyer offers practical advice on how to avoid each behavior, drawing on researc…
- Mindfulness & Meditation
Kaleb Beyer and Isaac Funk discuss mindfulness and meditation on the Breaking Bread Podcast, comparing their secular and religious applications. They explain how these practices promote cognitive flexibility therapeutically and facilitate…
- Sadness
This episode discusses sadness as a universal emotion that signals loss, prompting grief. It explores the stages of grief (protest, despair, acceptance) and encourages healthy living by integrating loss and sadness. The episode offers guid…
- Spiritual Growth Mindset
In this episode, hosts Isaac Funk and Arlan Miller explore the concept of a spiritual growth mindset. They discuss how adults can lose the natural inclination for growth that children possess and emphasize the importance of understanding o…
- Bridling the Tongue: The Sin of Gossip
Craig and Jacki Stickling discuss the sin of gossip on Breaking Bread, emphasizing that words have lasting consequences. They offer instruction on how to bridle the tongue by thinking before speaking, focusing on Truth, Helpfulness, Inspir…
- Honoring Grace
Mark and Marti Teubel share their post-abortion journey on Breaking Bread, detailing how confronting past trauma has led to healing and beauty. The episode touches upon the impact of abortion on parents and the availability of post-abortiv…
- Looking up to Children
In this episode of Breaking Bread, hosts Amy Mammadov and Brian Sutter explore the biblical narrative of Jesus embracing children, highlighting the surprising lesson that adults should look up to children. They discuss how children teach v…