Ep 222: Max Lucado: Taming Your Thoughts & Finding True Hope
Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado joins Levi and Jennie to talk taming your thoughts, grandparent joy, and the kind of hope that actually holds. Max shares the wild family headline—three daughters pregnant at once—and how becoming “Papa Max” has reshaped his rhythms and perspective.
They dive into Max’s new book, Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life, walking through “picky thinking,” spotting the “UFOs” (untruth → false narrative → overreaction), and the practice of uprooting lies and replanting truth. The conversation gets practical on media intake, the real brain/relationship fallout of porn, and Max’s storyteller toolkit—from dog tales to Amelia Earhart—and why the message must always lead the illustration. They wrap with a glimpse of Max’s “The Only One” series on the uniqueness of Christ and a quick nod to tattoos (yes, really).
Connect with us on social!Max: @maxlucadoLevi: @leviluskoJennie: @jennieluskoFresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]Tame Your Thoughts: https://bit.ly/49QUxpNGet the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHYGet the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Timestamps04:44 – Grandparenting joy, rhythms, and “Papa Max” & “Dee Dee”05:49 – Why Max wrote Tame Your Thoughts and reader feedback07:45 – The three tools: picky thinking, UFOs, and replanting truth16:55 – Guard your intake: screens, sleep, and porn’s real fallout23:31 – How Max collects stories and lets the message lead
--------
33:09
--------
33:09
Ep 221: Live Q+A w/ Debra Fileta
Licensed counselor and author Debra Fileta joins Levi and Jennie for a live Q&A on building emotionally healthy homes—whether you’re single, married, or knee-deep in carpools. We kick off with Debra’s new picture book for littles, “Any Day Emotions,” and how naming feelings (even the tricky ones like guilt and jealousy) helps kids learn what to do with them. We also talk about Levi’s new tween book, “Don’t Worry, Warrior,” and why story-driven teaching sticks with 8–12-year-olds.
From there, it’s a fast-paced, heartfelt session tackling real questions: consistent toddler discipline without losing connection, encouragement for single parents finding community, wisdom for blending families with grace and boundaries, and practical ways siblings can repair ruptures with real apologies. We close by reframing “peace at home”—less candlelit calm, more everyday wholeness in Christ amid the beautiful chaos.
Connect with us on social!Debra: @debrafileta Levi: @leviluskoJennie: @jennieluskoFresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]Any Day Emotions by Debra Fileta: https://bit.ly/4paOT6xDon’t Worry, Warrior By Levi Lusko: https://bit.ly/498LNLsGet the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHYGet the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Give a year-end gift to send Native youth to Movement Conference!Your generous year-end gift below will remove every barrier so students from the reservations can experience Movement Conference, where they’ll encounter the love and freedom of Jesus.Give Your Gift: https://levilusko.com/ye-donate?&utm_campaign=LLM1225&utm_medium=website&utm_source=podcast&utm_content=pod
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Time stamps14:06 – What to discuss with your spouse when planning/trying for kids19:13 – How to discipline a toddler consistently while staying connected26:10 – Single mom navigating distance from family and absent father31:06 – “Biblical” approach to blending a newly blended family49:34 – Keeping a peaceful home with hormonal preteens and little ones54:57 – Rhythms to recharge marriage with a 6-month-old at home
--------
1:05:00
--------
1:05:00
Ep 220: Bear Grylls: Finding God Beyond the Edge
World-renowned adventurer, author, and TV host Bear Grylls joins Levi and Jennie Lusko for an unforgettable conversation about courage, faith, and what really matters most. From Man vs. Wild to his newest book The Greatest Story Ever Told, Bear opens up about the challenges of fame, the power of vulnerability, and how the wild continues to point him back to God.
Together, they talk about grief, resilience, and the sacred beauty of connection — from Bear’s adventures with world leaders to the quiet strength he’s found through family and faith. You’ll laugh, tear up, and walk away deeply encouraged to live with more purpose and heart, wherever your own wild takes you.
Connect with us on social!
Bear: @beargrylls
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
The Greatest Story Ever Told: https://bit.ly/4hgSltA
Keep up with Bear: https://bit.ly/48qR1BV
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Time Stamps:
0:16:06 – Grief, legacy, and quiet resilience
0:27:42 – Huckleberries after fire: rising from ashes
0:38:04 – Turning to the new book (and why it matters)
0:47:17 – How the book’s voices shift: Mary to Thomas and beyond
0:56:59 – Audiobook + recording details and next steps
--------
1:00:30
--------
1:00:30
Ep 219: Phil & Mallory Wickham: Home Before the Stage
Worship leader and songwriter Phil Wickham is back—this time with his wife Mallory, who pulls back the curtain on life at home while Phil is on the road. From privacy and boundaries to joyful chaos with kids, they talk honestly about the unseen sacrifices that make visible ministry possible.
You’ll hear the story of their relationship (from hesitant boyfriend to wholehearted husband), the reality of Summer Worship Nights—miracles, momentum, and whooping cough—and the everyday stuff: mice in the garage, sprinter van shenanigans, and why a five-gallon bucket is elite family gear. It’s tender, funny, and full of faith for marriages and homes that put Jesus at the center.
Connect with us on social!
Phil + Mallory: @philwickham
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Listen to Song of The Saints on Spotify: https://bit.ly/48wvAPQ
Listen to Song of The Saints on Apple Music: https://bit.ly/42ISrnI
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Time stamps
06:50 – Mallory’s first-ever podcast
23:42 – Mice infestation + whooping cough
36:24 – Billy Graham cameo & Phil raps
38:47 – Sprinter vs. the garage
43:31 – Five-gallon bucket mouse trap
53:27 – Song of the Saints tour preview
--------
1:06:17
--------
1:06:17
Ep 218: Josiah Queen: From “I Am Barabbas” to Mount Zion
Singer-songwriter Josiah Queen joins Levi and Jennie for a warm, joy-filled conversation about his faith, marriage, and music. From writing “I Am Barabbas” to exploring national parks with his wife, Trinity, Josiah opens up about how worship, creativity, and everyday life all weave together into his walk with God.
They swap stories about summer tours, cold plunges, and close encounters with buffalo in Yellowstone — plus why Josiah believes his best songs come straight from scripture stored in his heart. It’s an inspiring, down-to-earth episode that celebrates calling, consistency, and God’s surprising sense of humor.
Connect with us on social!
Josiah: @josiahqueenmusic
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Listen to MT ZION: https://bit.ly/4mWlb3y
Sign up for Movement Conference 2026: MVMNT26.com
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Timestamps
6:03 – Summer Worship Nights with Brandon & Phil
08:14 – Cruise chaos & a sketchy flight
11:02 – National parks bucket list + Glacier invite
16:51 – Buffalo standoff in Yellowstone
19:21 – Supervolcano talk: wonder without panic
33:01 – Cold plunges: Levi’s case for the cold
Sit down with pastors and authors Levi and Jennie Lusko for an unfiltered look at the madness of the Lusko’s life, marriage, ministry, faith, grief, and growth that goes on behind the scenes. (It may or may not include: product reviews, coffee recommendations, Disney hacks and all the things that make life wonderful)
Hosted by Pastors of Fresh Life Church, and authors of best selling book Through The Eyes of a Lion, I Declare War, Swipe Right and The Fight to Flourish.