Father Matters: Fighting for Their Hearts | S5E21
Exploring More
To help fuel this podcast: 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...
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Restoring Relationship with Your Kids | S5E20
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To help fuel this podcast: 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...
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Presence Over Perfection: Fathering From the Heart | S5E19
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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...
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Our Deepest Dive into FATHERHOOD | S5E18
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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...
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The Gospel Hidden in a Love Story | S5E17
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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...
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The Gospel in The Lord of The Rings | S5E16
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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...
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The Gospel in Tombstone | S5E15
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The Gospel in Tombstone Sign up for the Father Matters Zoom Group: 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...
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Tending to your Heart Before the New Year | S5E14
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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...
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HIS Presence is the Present | S5E13
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Give and End-of-Year Gift Here: zoweh.org/eoy25 In this special Christmas Eve edition of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings invite you into a reflective and joy-filled conversation about the heart of the holiday season. Far beyond the tinsel, carols, and gifts, they explore the true significance of Christmas—the presence of Jesus as the ultimate present. Through personal stories, favorite traditions, and honest reflections, they unpack how presence—God’s and ours—transforms the meaning of Christmas. From a flashlight found on a trail to the haunting beauty of...
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What If the Holidays Are Hard? | S5E12
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What if the Holidays are Hard? In this heartfelt episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings dive into the complex emotional terrain of the holiday season. While Christmas and Thanksgiving are often painted as joyful and magical, they acknowledge that for many, the holidays bring up grief, loneliness, and the ache of change. Whether it’s a first Christmas without a loved one, a tradition lost to transition, or a general feeling of disconnection, this episode reminds listeners that they're not alone—and that presence often speaks louder than words. Michael...
info_outlineSign up for the December 10 Allies Roundtable: Zoweh.org/allies
Start With Story: Vision, Brotherhood & Guardrails in Men’s Ministry
In this episode of the Exploring More podcast, Michael Thompson, SJ Jennings, and Josh Overton close out the Men’s Ministry series with a conversation rooted in one of the most important elements of group life: story. They unpack how storytelling builds trust, catalyzes connection, and anchors the culture of a men’s group far more than curriculum ever could.
The team shares about the necessity of starting with a clear vision—three simple words like adventure, growth, or journey—and how this clarity helps shape expectations, engagement, and outcomes. They talk through the importance of creating group “guardrails,” those unspoken (or even better, written) agreements that establish safety, rhythm, and mutual care within the group.
The episode also includes guidance on how to communicate expectations clearly, how to introduce new members to your group's heartbeat, and how facilitators can foster an atmosphere where men feel free to share honestly without pressure to perform. Whether you're navigating group dynamics, coaching a co-leader, or looking to reinvigorate a tired format, this conversation offers actionable insight and encouragement.
If you’ve ever wrestled with how to go deeper than surface-level discussion or how to steward momentum in a men’s group, this one’s for you. The hosts also extend an invitation to join the upcoming Zoweh Allies Roundtable on December 10th, where you can connect with like-hearted leaders, share ideas, and get equipped to launch or lead with confidence.
We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us!
📆 Roundtable Info + Sign-up: zoweh.org/allies
📧 Email us: exploringmore@zoweh.org
🌐 Learn more: https://www.zoweh.org/podcast