On this episode of This vs. That, we celebrate our 80th episode by pulling back the curtain on eight seasons of the podcast. We reflect on what we've learned through this journey, discuss the original intention behind the show, and share how the podcast has evolved over time.
We talk about finding our voice as co-hosts, the spiritual and emotional tone we hoped to create, and how our conversations have deepened from being more formal and topic-focused to becoming more pastoral, honest, and comfortable sitting in complexity. We discuss how the podcast aims for wisdom rather than hot takes, creating space for curiosity over combativeness.
Our guest host Evan Magelssen asks about memorable conversations, Brian's process for writing questions tailored to each guest, and what has surprised us most about the podcast's reach—particularly how pastors have found the episodes timely and applicable to their ministry challenges. We also share how different guests bring unique energy to each episode.
Throughout the conversation, we express gratitude for our listeners who join us week after week, and our hope that this podcast continues to be a blessing as we navigate life's tensions together without rushing to tidy answers.