Ep 284: The Proper Posture When Nothing's Working

Matt and Michael explore what it means to have the right posture when life isn't going your way. They start with the universal temptation to blame others or wallow in self-pity, then spiral into deeper territory: the scapegoat impulse, the maturing conscience, and what it actually means to "seek first the kingdom of heaven." Matt shares raw reflections on a year and a half of job searching, moments where he shied away from hard conversations, and what he learned by writing out 25 years of career history. Michael brings in Brother Lawrence, the toddler's astonishment at everything, and the difference between turning an icon into an idol. The conversation lands on a powerful truth: the kingdom of heaven isn't a deferred reward. It's here and now, found in recognizing the person in front of you, doing the dishes with gratitude, and loving without expecting anything back. Matt closes with a vulnerable story about raising his kids through a contentious divorce and the unexpected gift he never knew to ask for. Cheers y'all 🍻 Chapters: [00:00] Matt's Back From the Dead [02:22] What's the Proper Posture When Nothing's Working? [05:37] Wallowing vs. Scapegoating [11:28] 25 Years of Career Regrets [17:32] If You Build It, They Will Come (They Won't) [22:23] Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven [27:54] The More You Think About Yourself, the More Miserable You Become [32:47] Discernment and the Maturing Conscience [44:12] Learning to See What People Are Pointing At [50:27] Brother Lawrence and the Astonishment of a Clean Dish [54:14] Hey Matt, Here's Your Smoothie [60:07] Turning Icons Into Idols [64:27] Raising Kids Without Keeping Score [74:13] The Kingdom Is Here and Now Resources: • Brother Lawrence — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Lawrence • The Practice of the Presence of God — https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/0883681053 • The Scapegoat (René Girard) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Girard • Rdio — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rdio • Field of Dreams — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/ Find us here: x.com/mattmccloskey x.com/michaelvaclav All Matt's Links — https://solo.to/mattmccloskey All Michael's Links — https://solo.to/michaelvaclav Sovereign Goods — https://sovereigngoods.shop Cafe Medici — https://mediciroasting.com