

Return to Heart
Tin Man Ministries
What if the path to real transformation isn't found in more information, but in deeper conversation? From Tin Man Ministries, Return to Heart brings together seasoned theologians and mental health professionals with over 100 years of pastoral and clinical experience who've walked the journey in their own lives from brokenness to recovery of heart and wholeness. Through authentic conversations at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and theology, Return to Heart is a dialogue about topics that matter most like shame, attachment, identity, belonging, and finding those parts of you that got lost along the way to surviving. Return to Heart is an invitation to come home to honest connection with God, home to intimate relationships that matter to you, and home to the life your heart was made for. Return to Heart releases a new episode every other Wednesday morning.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 7, 2026 • 41min
011: Emotions Unveiled: Feeling & Experiencing More
Most of us have spent a lifetime becoming right-leg dominant — relying on intellect, morality, and sheer willpower to survive life. But, the parts of us designed for intimacy, connection, and vulnerability? Those got left behind.In this episode of Return to Heart, we unpack one of the most transformative metaphors we’ve ever used:👉 The right leg and the left leg.Drawing from tens of thousands of hours working with men and women, we walk through why so many of us feel spiritually “stuck” even though we know the right things and work hard to do them. We also introduce Emotions Unveiled, a discipleship tool designed to reawaken the parts of your heart God built for connection.✨ In this episode:• Why intellect, morality, and hard work aren’t enough• The meaning of being “right-leg dominant”• Rediscovering the “left leg” — the emotional, relational side of life• How Scripture gives emotional language for healing• Why emotional maturity fuels spiritual maturity• The structure and purpose of Emotions Unveiled• Stories of transformation through emotional discipleship

Dec 24, 2025 • 53min
010: Alignment: The Journey from Hiding to Healing
Alignment isn’t about perfection — it’s about returning home to who God made us to be.In this episode of Return to Heart, we explore the final stage of the transformational process: alignment—stepping out of hiding, confronting shame, receiving acceptance, and rediscovering our God-given identity.Through honest storytelling, real-time vulnerability, and examples from Scripture—including the Prodigal Son—we unpack how alignment flows naturally from admission, acceptance, attunement, and healthy attachment. We also share personal stories of stepping out of the “closet,” facing old narratives, and allowing trusted relationships to realign us with truth.If you’ve ever felt out of sync, unseen, or unsure where you belong… this episode is for you.✨ Topics we explore:• What alignment really means in spiritual and emotional life• How relationships help us heal shame and rediscover identity• Why correction and confrontation only work when love comes first• The power of acceptance, attunement, and attachment• Real stories of stepping out of hiding and into who God made us to be• What Jesus models for us through compassion, attunement, and restoration

Dec 10, 2025 • 42min
009: Acceptance: Why This Step Changes Everything
Welcome back to the Transformational Process series. In this episode, we explore one of the most healing and redemptive steps in the journey of spiritual and emotional recovery: Acceptance.Following last week’s conversation on Admission, this episode dives into why acceptance is essential for wholeness, how it restores connection, and why we cannot grow without relationships that meet us with “Me too.”You’ll hear vulnerable stories, theological insight, 12-step wisdom, and practical pathways toward embracing acceptance in your own healing story.🌟 What You’ll LearnWhy acceptance is the turning point of healingHow grief, powerlessness, and honesty open the door to transformationThe connection between acceptance, the prodigal son, and the body of ChristWhy shame keeps us disconnected — and how acceptance unravels itReal stories of acceptance in recovery, marriage, friendships, and communityHow this step prepares the heart for next week’s topic: Atonement

Nov 26, 2025 • 42min
008: Admission: Confession, Community, and the Courage to Come Home
In this raw and honest episode, the Tin Man team — Jeff, Todd, and Phil — explore the power of admission: the moment when life’s pain and exhaustion become too heavy to carry, and we finally come to ourselves.Drawing from the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, they discuss why our lowest moments often open the door to healing, how shame and fear keep us from being honest, and why confession is a communal act — not a solo one.✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:- The transformational process: from brokenness to wholeness- Why “admission” is more than confession — it’s awakening- How rock bottom moments become grace- What it means to find safety, honesty, and healing in community

Nov 12, 2025 • 38min
007: Addiction: The Hidden Addictions We Don’t Talk About
Addiction goes beyond substances, intertwining with our need for connection. The discussion dives into how codependency fuels compulsive behaviors and highlights relatable examples like food and phone use as coping mechanisms for loneliness. They explore the neuroscience behind addiction, focusing on dopamine's role and how early experiences shape our addictive patterns. Ultimately, the hosts emphasize that real healing comes from genuine connection rather than mere sobriety, offering hope for those caught in performance-driven cycles.

6 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 40min
006: The Work of Attachment: Seen. Soothed. Safe. Secure
Discover the essential role of attachment in our relationships. Learn why many confuse intensity with intimacy and how to reestablish deeper connections. The Velcro metaphor illustrates the struggle to stick in relationships. Delve into the four pillars of secure attachment: being seen, soothed, safe, and secure. Hear heartfelt stories of grief, the emotional risks of reattaching, and the impact of divine love on human connections. Plus, practical journaling exercises to map your primary attachment figures and explore where you long to reconnect.

Oct 15, 2025 • 40min
005: The Power of Attunement: Finding Connection, Healing Shame, and Coming Home
Discover the profound impact of attunement in human relationships. Jeff and Phil delve into how it fosters deep connection, combats loneliness, and heals toxic shame. They share touching stories of family moments, including a heartfelt interaction between Jeff and his grandson as they navigate sadness together. Explore the role of vulnerability in marriage and learn about the power of curiosity and compassion in fostering genuine relationships. This conversation offers hope and practical insights for anyone seeking deeper connections in their lives.

4 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 35min
004: Shame: Understanding the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Discover the stark contrast between healthy and toxic shame. Unpack how childhood abandonment shapes self-perception and can lead to a distorted identity. Explore the idea that our needs don't make us unlovable, and see the biblical perspective on embracing our vulnerabilities. Hear personal stories revealing how toxic shame affects relationships and work. Learn how confronting shame can unlock hidden gifts and lead to a life of authenticity and connection.

4 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 41min
003: Abandonment: I Needed You and You Weren't There
What defines abandonment? It's the deep feeling of needing someone who isn't there. Discover how emotional pain is processed like physical pain in our brains. Delve into subtle forms of abandonment and how everyday life events can trigger these feelings. The discussion explores allowing parents to be imperfect, the disciples' fear of abandonment, and the drastic choices people make to avoid loneliness. Concluding with a practical journaling takeaway, this conversation inspires healing from the painful echoes of our past.

8 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 36min
002: Finding Your True Identity in God | Imago Dei & Transformation
Explore the profound meaning of Imago Dei and its impact on finding true identity in Christ. Hear personal transformation stories that reveal how God sees us and the importance of love and relationships. Discover how early experiences shape self-image and the brain's role in connection versus protection. Learn about Jesus' powerful interactions that affirm our worth and how understanding God's love can lead to healing. This enlightening discussion empowers listeners to embrace their divine identity through reflection and scripture.


