#131: The Thanksgiving Episode

Welcome back to Pastors Unfiltered! This week, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Tony sit down for a special Thanksgiving weekend episode filled with laughter, honesty, gratitude, and some of their most unfiltered conversations yet. They share the five serious things they’re most thankful for in 2025—faith, family, health, ministry, unity among pastors, and the incredible generosity of Venture Church. And of course… they also share five not-so-serious things they’re thankful for, including construction nightmares, Bigfoot merch, maple syrup handles, and a gas station clerk who really wants Tony to buy a car wash. Along the way they talk about:• Pastoral unity across the Northwest• Raising families that love Jesus• The wild world of tipping culture• Youth ministry tattoos they regret• Why everyone thinks Tony is a “boomer”• Joshua Single: Week 2 of the Bachelor Bio• Black Friday deals, Legos, Seattle weather, and more It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and packed with the real conversations pastors have when the cameras are rolling and when they’re not. Thanks to the faithful 253 who listen every week — this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered00:26 – Opening prayer + Thanksgiving greeting01:08 – Gratitude for listeners during the holidays01:48 – Brandon’s Lego Death Star project03:01 – The largest Lego sets they’ve ever built04:03 – Lego therapy & aging trends05:04 – “Per Harvard” becomes the new disclaimer05:53 – Joshua Single: Week 2 bio update08:11 – Eligible bachelors at Venture09:01 – Campus staff shoutouts10:25 – Black Friday purchases10:54 – Hanging TVs at the Dome11:12 – Gen-X childhood & car repair11:36 – Gratitude segment begins12:38 – #1 Thankful for what God is doing in the Northwest13:00 – Young adults bouncing between churches14:01 – Why unity among churches matters15:10 – Pastors across denominations working together16:26 – Addiction, calling, and pastoral influence17:46 – Shoutouts to Northwest pastors18:20 – Elijah’s calling & future decisions19:25 – #2 Thankful for health20:20 – #3 Thankful for families that love Jesus21:31 – Youth ministry memories and transitions22:36 – #4 Tony’s surprising “gratitude”: Donald Trump23:34 – Politics, war, and peace negotiations24:23 – The evolution of Tony’s viewpoints25:55 – Taylor Swift and accidental fandom26:19 – #5 Thankful for generous, patient churches27:04 – Massive giving year for Venture27:27 – Seattle weather appreciation28:07 – New staff adjusting to Washington weather29:16 – Christian education & thankful for Kings Schools30:10 – Bonus: Thankful for the “Faithful 253” listeners31:19 – Funny Gratitudes Begin31:19 – #1 Tony: Roosevelt gas station car-wash guy32:20 – #1 Brandon: Cal Raleigh and Mariners grief33:01 – #2 Tony: The tiny maple syrup handle34:04 – #2 Brandon: All the Bigfoot gifts35:12 – #3 Tony: Restaurant QR code rage & phone flashlights36:08 – Tipping culture meltdown37:06 – Youth ministry tips & tattoos37:29 – #3 Brandon: 30-year Raiders seat contract38:49 – Seahawks becoming the new Raiders39:11 – #4 Tony: Donut people who say “I really shouldn’t…”40:19 – #4 Brandon: Thankful for construction projects (but not really)42:00 – Mukilteo bridge saga + mailbox incidents42:38 – Parking enforcement & Miller the ticket man43:45 – Speed cameras & expensive fines44:16 – How Judah hacks parking permits45:01 – Disabled parking confessions45:58 – TikTok obsessions & the “Fate of Ophelia” dance47:18 – Youth pastors and tattoos48:02 – Ending banter48:20 – Airplane jeans debate49:18 – Holiday encouragement50:09 – Looking ahead to 2026 predictions50:51 – Closing