Between Sundays with The Chandlers

In this episode of Between Sundays, Lauren and I talk about something that’s foundational to life in Christ but often overlooked: friendship. God made us for connection. You and I were not designed to walk this life alone, and yet so many of us are doing just that. We unpack the epidemic of loneliness, how real transformation happens in community, how to pursue meaningful friendships, and how to discern who is safe to be vulnerable with. It’s not easy. It takes time. It takes risk. But it is also worth it. Our hope is that this conversation gives you vision and practical tools to form the kind of deep, gospel-centered friendships we all need.In This Episode[00:00] Lauren’s Dad Joke[02:00] The "At the Table" Series and the Loneliness Epidemic[04:49] Transformation Happens in Community[06:00] What Real Friendship Looks Like (and Why It’s Hard to Find)[09:02] Risk, Vulnerability, and the Role of Wisdom[10:00] How to Spot a Fool (and Why You Shouldn’t Be Friends with One)[13:10] Wise vs. Simple vs. Foolish: Who Can You Trust?[15:00] Belonging Deficits and Misreading Social Cues[18:00] Hurt, Healing, and How We Grow in Relationships[21:00] You Are Becoming Like Your Closest Friends[23:00] Inside Lauren’s Closest Friendships: A 20-Year Story[31:00] Evaluating Your Current Friendships[34:00] Inviting Friends Into the Journey (Without Breaking Up With Them)Resources and MentionsProverbs 13:20, Proverbs 22:24–25 – On choosing friends wiselyU.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 report on loneliness as an epidemicThe Overcomers: The King's Table episode - On Male FriendshipsBecoming Like Jesus - Matt’s Forthcoming BookFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsGlobal Christian ReliefGCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit Globalchristianrelief.org to learn more.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Join Matt and Lauren as they dive into the ups and downs of their first seven years of marriage. They share candid stories about unmet expectations and the journey of healing through grace. The episode explores important themes like patience, covenant love, and the balance of depth and humor in marriage. Practical tips are offered for both wives and husbands, including exercises to rebuild respect. It’s a heartfelt conversation aimed at encouraging lasting relationships through faith and understanding.

Between Sundays with the Chandlers is a candid podcast hosted by Matt and Lauren Chandler that invites listeners into the everyday conversations that happen between church services and busy weeks. With warmth, honesty, and humor, the Chandlers talk about real life, marriage, parenting, faith, leadership, suffering, joy, and the ordinary moments that shape who we’re becoming.Rather than polished answers or Sunday morning soundbites, Between Sundays offers thoughtful reflections rooted in Scripture and lived experience. Matt and Lauren share openly about the challenges and blessings of walking with Jesus in the middle of work, family life, and personal growth, creating space for listeners to feel seen, encouraged, and grounded.This podcast is for anyone who wants faith to connect to real life, not just on Sundays, but in the in-between moments where discipleship is actually lived.FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Matt | Lauren | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our Sponsors!Global Christian Relief: We’re grateful for partners like Global Christian Relief. They are on the front lines supporting our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world — delivering food, shelter, Bibles, and hope where it’s needed most, and calling the Church to pray boldly and stand faithfully with them.Visit GlobalChristianRelief.org to learn how you can pray, give, and stand with believers who are a light for Jesus in the darkest places. Global Christian Relief is helping faithful believers stand firm for the Gospel.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

I got to sit down with Olga Reed, a longtime member of The Village Church and someone I deeply admire. Olga walks us through her story—from battling depression and loneliness as a first-generation college student, to coming to faith in Christ, and then surviving one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history at Virginia Tech.Her testimony is a resounding declaration that the darkness did not win and Christ was at work even in the darkest places. Through pain, trauma, and even survivor's guilt, Olga clung to the Word of God, discovered healing in community, and found that Jesus is better than life. In This EpisodeMeet Olga Reed: First-Gen Faith and Virginia TechDepression, Isolation, and Searching for BelongingSurrender to Jesus: "Fine"Finding Cru and Her First Bible StudyApril 15: The Suicide AttemptApril 16, 2007: Waking to SirensAfter the Shooting: Fear, Grief, and LonelinessHope in Romans 8 and the Power of ScriptureTriggers, Therapy, and Talking About ItEvil Exists, But So Does ResurrectionFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsQava.tvQAVA is a Christian streaming platform that helps you understand the Bible and live out your faith with confidence. Think of it as digital discipleship in your pocket. Visit qava.tv/theovercomers and use code OVERCOME50 for 50% off your first 6 months. That’s only $4.99 a month!Overcoming the Darkness by Nate PickowiczThis book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.On Our Way Home by Colleen ChaoThrough Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold. –Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Lauren Chandler, a pastor's wife and ministry leader, shares her journey from striving for perfection to embracing God's grace. She reflects on how her upbringing as a 'good girl' shaped her identity and fueled a relentless pursuit of approval. Their conversation reveals the power of surrender during Celebrate Recovery and how acknowledging her weaknesses led to true freedom. Lauren also discusses the importance of setting boundaries in relationships and the challenges of parenting while overcoming people-pleasing tendencies, inspiring listeners to find peace in their imperfections.

In this heartfelt discussion, Josh Turner—a pastor and author—shares his journey through profound suffering, particularly surrounding his daughter Riley's rare condition. He reflects on how these experiences reshaped his understanding of faith and God's sovereignty. Josh addresses the often-overlooked emotional struggles pastors face and introduces the 10Ten Project, designed to help leaders avoid burnout. His powerful insights on suffering and sonship offer hope and encouragement for anyone navigating pain, reminding listeners of God’s greater purpose.

In this engaging discussion, artist and writer Josh Nadeau shares his journey from a deeply catechized Christian upbringing to spiritual numbness and eventual rebirth through beauty. He delves into themes of apathy, addiction, and the struggle against Gnosticism in modern faith. Josh recounts finding hope in embodied discipleship through boxing and emphasizes the importance of the Theology of the Body. His book, Room For Good Things to Run Wild, reflects on using beauty and story to reconnect with the disenfranchised middle of Christianity.

JP and Ashley Graves, longtime members of The Village Church, share their powerful journey of overcoming alcohol dependence. JP recounts how casual drinking spiraled into addiction, affecting both his marriage and family life. Ashley reflects on the challenges of living with addiction, the pain of deception, and the path to forgiveness. The turning point comes with a heartfelt confession before a pivotal baptism. Their story highlights the significance of community support, faith, and the transformative power of recovery.

Will Chung, a pastor focused on discipleship in North Orange County, and Luke Lezon, a young adults pastor in Orlando, dive into the identity challenges faced by Gen Z and Millennials. They discuss the dangers of comfort culture and emphasize the importance of self-denial in the journey of faith. Personal stories reveal struggles with burnout, depression, and the need for authentic ministry. The conversation highlights how transient cities provide unique opportunities for gospel engagement and the role of mentorship in fostering spiritual growth.

Join entrepreneur Marty Bryan, founder of the Christian-themed Marty B’s restaurant chain, and former tech executive Eric Loper, now a consultant launching faith-based ventures. They explore the intersection of faith and business, sharing how to maintain values in the workplace. Marty reveals insights on building a nine-restaurant empire centered on hospitality, while Eric discusses transitioning from tech to purpose-driven companies. The duo emphasizes bold faith, ambition, and integrity in professional environments, advocating for work as a spiritual act.