Michael Easley inContext

What if one of the most important skills for following Jesus is something we rarely study: asking good questions?

Michael Easley sits down with J.R. Briggs, author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, to explore how our questions shape our relationships, spiritual maturity, and conversations with others.

J.R. explains why thoughtful questions are an expression of hospitality, how “shift responses” can turn conversations back toward ourselves, and why curiosity, wisdom, humility, and courage are essential for asking better questions.

The conversation also moves into a deeper question: What do we ask God when life hurts? J.R. shares a framework for moving from “Why did this happen?” toward asking what God may be forming in us through difficulty.

Most importantly, Michael and J.R. examine the questions of Jesus. Jesus asked more than 300 questions, often using questions to invite people into deeper reflection rather than simply giving them answers.

If you want to become a better listener, deepen your relationships, grow in spiritual maturity, or learn to engage people with greater curiosity and humility, this conversation will give you practical ways to start.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Why We Should Study Jesus’ Questions

01:44 — Meet J.R. Briggs

03:56 — Living With Your Arrows Pointing Out

05:18 — Stop Asking Lazy Questions

06:48 — Shift Responses vs. Support Responses

08:46 — The Quality of Your Questions

09:59 — Asking Better Questions at Church

13:52 — Questions as Hospitality

15:04 — “Tell Me Your Story”

16:08 — The Connection Between Questions and Listening

17:16 — How Questions Engage the Brain

19:16 — The Questions God Asks

21:43 — Asking Better Questions in Pain

22:51 — From “Why?” to “What Is God Forming?”

25:44 — Does Spiritual Maturity Come With Age?

27:03 — What Do You Need to Unlearn?

30:21 — Wisdom Revealed Through Questions

31:20 — Studying the Questions of Jesus

34:01 — Questions That Keep Working After the Conversation

34:41 — The Art of Asking Better Questions

KEY TOPICS

• Asking better questions

• Jesus’ questions

• Listening well

• Curiosity, wisdom, humility, and courage

• Questions and spiritual maturity

• Faith in seasons of suffering

• Discipleship and community

• Hospitality through conversation

• Learning, unlearning, and relearning

• Loving others by keeping our “arrows pointing out”

Links Mentioned:

The Art of Asking Better Questions by Dr. J.R. Briggs

Dr. Briggs’ website

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

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What does sleep have to do with trusting God?

Michael Easley sits down with Brett McCracken, author of The Wisdom of Sleep, to explore why God designed us to sleep, what rest reveals about our dependence on Him, and how our technology-driven culture has changed the way we work and rest.

Sleep reminds us that we are creatures, not the Creator. We cannot always be working, producing, watching, or striving. At some point, we have to stop—and trust that God continues to provide while we rest.

Brett and Michael discuss the biblical wisdom of Psalm 127, the connection between sleep and Sabbath, the impact of phones and screens on rest, the dangers of blurred work-life boundaries, and why receiving sleep can point us toward the gospel of grace.

In a culture marked by anxiety and exhaustion, learning to rest may become a powerful way to live differently.

Key Topics Covered:

- Why God designed us to sleep

- Sleep as a reminder of our limitations

- Psalm 127 and anxious toil

- Rest and trusting God's provision

- Technology and disrupted sleep

- Work, productivity, and boundaries

- Sleep, Sabbath, and God's abundance

- Sleep as a picture of grace

- Becoming a countercultural witness through rest

Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome & The Wisdom of Sleep

02:23 — Why Talk About Sleep?

04:13 — Why Did God Design Us to Sleep?

06:35 — Sleep as a Reminder That We Are Creatures

08:34 — Is Sleep a Spiritual Discipline?

10:18 — Psalm 127 and Trusting God's Provision

11:21 — Why We Resist Rest

13:02 — How Sleep Affects Our Relationships

16:22 — Technology, Work, and Modern Rest

17:19 — How Screens Disrupt Sleep

20:07 — When Work Follows You Home

21:21 — Sleep as the “Chief Nourisher”

23:46 — Sleep, Resurrection, and the Gospel

24:43 — The Grace We Receive in Sleep

27:11 — Learning to Live Within God's Limits

30:04 — Sleep, Sabbath, and God's Abundance

32:21 — Becoming a Rested, Countercultural Witness

34:45 — Closing Thoughts

Links Mentioned:

Brett’s Website

The Wisdom of Sleep by Brett McCracken

What happens when the role that once defined you suddenly changes?

Michael Easley sits down with Ed Hatch, author of The Caleb Challenge, to discuss 9/11, military service, retirement, suffering, leadership, legacy, and what it means to finish strong.

Ed's experience in the military—including being at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001—forced him to reconsider what mattered most. That experience eventually shaped his understanding of transition and his work helping others navigate major changes in life.

Drawing from the life of Caleb, Ed describes transition as a process of release, refine, and re-enter. The wilderness wasn't wasted time. It was preparation.

Michael and Ed also discuss why retirement should not mean retiring from God's purposes, how suffering shapes us, and why our legacy should focus on equipping others to continue the mission.

Key Topics

-The impact of 9/11

-Military service and transition

-Retirement and purpose

-Caleb's example of perseverance

-Release, refine, and re-enter

-Suffering and spiritual growth

-Leadership and legacy

-Finishing strong

-Living for the line rather than the dot

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and the 9/11 connection

02:35 – Ed's experience at the Pentagon on 9/11

06:19 – How 9/11 recalibrated what mattered

08:59 – Why Ed wrote The Caleb Challenge

12:43 – Change versus transition

13:45 – Caleb and finding God's purpose

16:08 – Release, refine, and re-enter

18:03 – Purpose beyond retirement

23:09 – Why transitions are difficult

23:59 – Suffering and spiritual transformation

29:58 – Navigating transition with biblical principles

32:55 – Love, live, lead, and leave a legacy

37:45 – Leading worthy and finishing strong

42:16 – Retirement isn't simply another job transfer

45:18 – The wilderness wasn't wasted time

49:08 – Living for the line, not the dot

50:42 – Final thoughts on The Caleb Challenge

Links Mentioned:

The Caleb Challenge by Ed Hatch

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

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What if the life you’re working so hard to build isn’t actually the life you want?

Jim Murphy, author of The Best Possible Life, joins Michael Easley for a wide-ranging conversation about achievement, suffering, joy, purpose, unconditional love, and what it means to live fully.

Jim draws from his experience as a professional baseball player, coach, and mentor to high-performing athletes and leaders. He explains why achievement can become a substitute for identity, why we cannot always trust our feelings, and why suffering and difficulty can play an important role in developing wisdom, courage, and strength.

Michael and Jim also discuss parenting, retirement, the pressure to perform, being present, gratitude, and the challenge of mastering the ego.

Chapters

00:00 — Why difficulty is necessary for growth

00:37 — Jim Murphy’s story and the road to The Best Possible Life

01:24 — From professional baseball to a crisis of identity

02:54 — The three worlds model

05:32 — Achievement, identity, and the need for love

07:17 — Why success can leave us empty

09:47 — Purpose, sacrificial love, and joy

11:18 — Happiness vs. joy

13:37 — Trusting God when we are uncertain

14:49 — What unconditional love really means

16:33 — Why you can’t always follow your heart

18:03 — Feelings versus truth

19:01 — Parenting, grit, and doing hard things

21:19 — When achievement doesn’t bring happiness

22:28 — The role of suffering in growth

24:12 — The hidden struggles of high achievers

26:16 — Growth through suffering

26:41 — Four daily goals

29:02 — Learning to live in the present

30:10 — Letting go of achievement

32:07 — What people really want

34:54 — Mastering the ego

36:23 — Learning through pain and experience

Key topics covered

• Achievement and identity

• The pursuit of success

• Unconditional love

• Happiness vs. joy

• Sacrificial love

• Suffering and spiritual growth

• Parenting and grit

• Purpose and retirement

• Presence and gratitude

• High performance

• Mastering the ego

• Love, wisdom, and courage

Links Mentioned:

Inner Excellence website

The Best Possible Life by Jim Murphy

The Inner Excellence 90 Day Challenge

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

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How has God used people to shape your faith, calling, and life?

In this special conversation, Hanna Seymour sits down with her father, Michael Easley, to trace the people and moments God used throughout Michael's journey—from his conversion as a teenager to his years in ministry.

Michael shares how C. Ridley Fatnau used John 3:16 to help him understand the gospel, how Danny File challenged him to pursue Scripture, and how Bob Tolson, Ed Bloom, Floyd Sharp, and others became significant voices in his spiritual formation.

Years later, Bob Tolson told Michael that he had prayed for him every day and followed his ministry through the years. That conversation prompted Michael and Hanna to reflect on the “tapestry” God weaves through our lives.

The challenge is simple: take stock. Remember the people God used. Thank them. Encourage someone. And ask where God may be using you.

Chapters

00:00 – A Different Kind of In Context Conversation03:21 – 16-Year-Old Michael Easley03:45 – Coming to Christ05:48 – The Man Who Taught Him John 3:1608:27 – Danny File and the Power of Friendship10:32 – Hearing the Bible Taught Clearly12:35 – From Tradition to Scripture17:48 – Wrestling With Questions of Authority18:34 – Leaving the Catholic Church20:23 – Considering Seminary23:19 – Ed Bloom and Bible Teaching25:24 – Meeting Floyd Sharp27:37 – Floyd Sharp Comes to Christ29:53 – How God Weaves the Tapestry31:47 – Bob Tolson's Unexpected Phone Call32:38 – “I Pray for You Every Day”34:20 – Taking Stock of Your Life35:10 – The Power of Praying for Children and Grandchildren36:56 – Write the Note39:42 – The Ministry of Encouragement42:24 – Where Is God Using You?46:09 – “Christ Loves You”47:31 – Who Do You Need to Thank?

Key Topics

• God's providence• Spiritual formation• The authority of Scripture• Mentorship and discipleship• Encouragement• Prayer• Legacy• Christian influence• Faithfulness in ministry• Gratitude

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

For more inContext interviews, click here.