PODCAST · religion
Still Figuring It Out
by North County Christ the King Church
Real talk. Real Faith.Each week, pastors Joel and Sara ask honest questions, tackle relevant topics, and explore what following Jesus looks like in real life, when things don't go according to plan. If you're looking for authentic conversations, real talk about the Bible, faith, or spiritual growth, you've found your people!We're still figuring it out, alongside you.
Episodes
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(re)Constructing Faith: The Diego Interview
Diego grew up going to Mass once a year in El Salvador, found Jesus in someone's living room in Lynden at age ten, served at a Hispanic church every day of the week for years, became a nurse, quit to follow a call he didn't entirely understand, and ended up running Young Life and now young adult...
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Anxiety? Run Anyway!
Sara's back. Joel showed a cow. And 4,500 people showed up to a church service at the county fair. This episode is about what it actually looks like to say yes when everything inside you is screaming stop — from the diving board you won't jump off to the worship set you almost didn't lead. Joel…
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What We Picked Up Along the Way pt2
Part 2 of What We Picked Up Along the Way picks up where Joel and Sara left off — moving from worship and fellowship into discipleship, service, and evangelism. They name the actual humans who shaped them (a youth leader, a Christian rock guitarist, a couple who packed bags for foster kids) and…
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What We Picked Up Along the Way pt1
Joel and Sara have attended a lot of different churches. Between them: gospel choirs in Louisiana, wooden-pew hymn-singing, Pentecostal worship nights, trombone orchestras, washing rocks, and more than a few moments where the Holy Spirit showed up and nobody wanted to leave. In Part 1 of What We...
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(re)Constructing Faith: Dogma Isn't A Dirty Word
"Dogmatic" sounds like something a cranky politician says before refusing to learn how to use a cell phone. But Joel, Sara, and their guest Philip make the case that being dogmatic about the right things is actually the whole point — and that knowing which walls are load-bearing is what lets you...
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Defusing Deconstruction
"Deconstruction" has become a scary word — but it might just be the most honest thing you can do with your faith. Joel and Sara bring in guest Emily to talk about what deconstruction actually means (spoiler: it's closer to remodeling than demolition), why COVID made it a cultural flash point, and...
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The REAL New Year 4: How Did It Go?
Four weeks ago Joel and Sara made some promises. This week they have to keep them — on air, with no script. In the finale of The Real New Year series, they report back on what actually happened when they tried to put their big rocks first: a 14-year-old's morning Bible study in Colossians, a…
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The REAL New Year 3: Can I Say "No" and Still Grow?
Saying yes to everyone doesn't make them like you more. It makes you anxious, resentful, and slowly invisible — even to yourself. Joel and Sara tackle the people pleasing problem head-on in episode three of The Real New Year series, using pruning, smoke bushes, gum maples, the Good Samaritan, and...
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The REAL New Year 2: One big rock. A thousand little ones.
You know what you want your life to look like. You just haven't put it on the calendar yet. In part two of The Real New Year series, Joel and Sara get practical — talking through how a calendar becomes the tool that turns "I want to be more present" from a wish into an actual week. Also: color...
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The REAL New Year!
January resolutions don't work because you make them from a place of chaos. Fall is different — the schedule kicks back in, the routines take shape, and whoever you're becoming right now is who you'll be by June. Joel and Sara kick off a new series making the case that fall is the real new year,...
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Ivelice English - Are you a monochronic or polychronic person?
Ivelice English grew up in Venezuela, moved to the US not speaking English, walked into a Kohl's on her second day and had to physically escort customers to the restroom because she didn't know how to give directions. Now she's the worship pastor at Christ the King Ferndale. This episode is about...
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Adam & Andy Fox - It's all good news. Even the hard stuff!
Brothers. Former youth pastors. Current pastors of two different churches two miles apart in the same town. Adam and Andy Fox join Joel for a conversation about circuitous ministry journeys, church plants that didn't survive, the liberating truth that God made you you and not someone else, and…
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Bill Nienhuis - From Software to Goats
Bill Nienhuis spent 25 years at Logos Bible Software and thought that was the whole story. Then his boss told him he should probably leave — and God didn't close the door. Now Bill leads Childcare Worldwide, bringing the gospel to kids in four countries through a Saturday program called Life...
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Aaron Dickson - From basketball to worship ministry
Welcome to Still Figuring It Out — same show, new name, and zero extra pretending. For the inaugural episode, Joel sits down with Aaron Dickson: worship leader, insurance guy, viral video maker, Ed Cash collaborator, and someone who has had more than a few things directional changes in his life....
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One Church - Chris de Monye
Chris de Monye is a lead pastor in Canada with a gift for making strangers feel like family in about four minutes flat. He joins Joel and Sara to talk about what real growth actually looks like — spoiler: it's usually uncomfortable, unexpected, and involves someone sitting you down and telling…
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Get Real has a new name!
We've got a new name. Same hosts, same honesty, same complete lack of a script. "Get Real" is now Still Figuring It Out — because that's the truth, and pretending otherwise was getting exhausting. Same feed, same Joel and Sara, same questions about what following Jesus actually looks like in real...
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Unexpected Conversations - Willow Weston
What if the people who bother you the most are exactly who God wants you to spend time with? Joel and Sara kick off their new Unexpected Conversations series with Willow Weston — founder of Collide ministry — who built something that brings together women from wildly different backgrounds,...
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Your North Star - Writing Your Purpose Statement
Twelve weeks in, and it all comes down to this: what are you actually here for? Joel and Sara close out the Purpose Driven Life series by writing a personal purpose statement — live, on air, no script. Using Rick Warren's five-question framework, they work through what it means to build a North...
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Small Groups Bonus Episode | Next Steps
Joel and Sara draft their dream small groups—right from the NCCTK staff! 🎉 Get to know some of our amazing team in this fun bonus clip.
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The Best Story You're Not Sharing!
Most of us have a story about God that we almost never tell. Not because we don't believe it — but because we're pretty sure it's not interesting enough, dramatic enough, or polished enough for anyone to care. Joel and Sara spend this penultimate episode of the Purpose Driven Life series making…
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How Did You Learn To Serve? The KURT episode!
What's actually driving you when you serve — love, or the need to be noticed? Joel and Sara sit down with their lead pastor Kurt Langstrat for an honest conversation about servant leadership: the slow work of getting your identity right, what it costs to leave room for interruptions, and how you...
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You have a spiritual gift!
You have a spiritual gift. That's not a suggestion — it's a design feature. But most of us either don't know what it is, don't think it counts, or have no idea what to do with it. Joel and Sara dig into four specific gifts — administration, prophecy, mercy, and teaching — and why the church...
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No Shortcuts
You want to grow spiritually. Great. Here's the bad news: there are no shortcuts, it never really ends, and the most annoying people in your life are actually the curriculum. Joel and Sara get honest about what spiritual growth actually looks like — how you measure it, why it takes longer than…
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How Do You Grow? With special guest Brannon Short
What do you do when obedience leads you somewhere you didn't want to go — and then COVID hits? Brannon Shortt (lead pastor of Bayside Folsom and chaplain for the A's) joins Joel and Sara to talk about growing through the seasons you'd never choose: how desert moments strip idols you didn't know…
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Church Attendance For Dummies
Most of us have sat through a church service thinking, "What is this actually for?" — and then driven home without an answer. Joel and Sara get honest about the difference between showing up to church and actually belonging to one, what it looks like to be a contributing member instead of a...
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What Matters Most
Loneliness is at epidemic levels, and most of us know it — we just don't know what to do about it. This episode makes the case that belonging isn't something you earn; it's something you already have. Sara and Joel dig into what it actually means to act like family — not just attend one — and why...
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Becoming Real Friends
God loves you — sure, you've heard that. But does he actually like you? This episode tackles one of the most quietly loaded questions in faith: what does it actually mean to be friends with God? Joel and Sara get honest about Bible streaks as idols, dirty sock wounds, yelling at God in the car…
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Loving God when you don't feel it
What does it actually mean to love God — especially when life is hard, your feelings lie to you, and faith feels more like a chore than a calling? Joel, Sara, and special guest Summer dig into the honest tension of loving God through grief, loss, and identity shifts. From spiritual disciplines to...
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What Will Last?
You've wondered why you're here. So has everyone — the philosophers, the poets, the Old Testament emo kids (looking at you, Jeremiah). This episode kicks off a new series on The Purpose Driven Life, and Joel and Sara get honest about the five things most of us are actually letting drive our lives…
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What Does Purpose Driven Mean?
You've wondered why you're here. So has everyone — the philosophers, the poets, the Old Testament emo kids (looking at you, Jeremiah). This episode kicks off a new series on The Purpose Driven Life, and Joel and Sara get honest about the five things most of us are actually letting drive our lives…
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Easter today
Easter is one of the most important days in the Christian faith—but a lot of the traditions surrounding it can feel a little confusing. In this episode of Get Real, Joel and Sara talk about the cultural side of Easter—where things like eggs and the Easter Bunny came from—and how those traditions...
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Rest? Where?
Jesus says, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” But what does that actually mean when life still feels heavy? In this episode of Get Real, Joel and Sara unpack Matthew 11:28–30 and talk honestly about spiritual exhaustion, misplaced burdens, and the kind of rest Jesus is really offering. If...
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Hard Convos: What NOT to say
In this final episode of our Hard Conversations series, we dive into the power of our words — and how even well-meaning comments can hurt more than help. From grief and mental health to faith struggles, politics, and celebrating good news, we talk through common things people say that often land...
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Hard Convos: Awkward Asks
Hard conversations are exactly that — hard. Most of us avoid them, delay them, or rehearse them in the shower… and none of that actually helps our relationships. In this episode of GET REAL, Joel and Sara continue the Hard Convos series by tackling one of the most common challenges we face: how…
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Hard Convos: Respectful Disagreements
We live in a reactionary world. Politics. Parenting. Baptism. Alcohol. Women in ministry. Technology. It doesn’t take much for conversations to escalate. In this episode of Hard Convos, Joel and Sara tackle one of the most difficult challenges Christians face today: how to disagree without...
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Hard Convos: Faith vs Doubth
Doubt. For a lot of Christians, it feels like a dirty word — something we’re supposed to hide, fix, or pray away as fast as possible. But what if doubt isn’t the enemy? In this first episode of our new Hard Convos series, Sara is joined by her friend Amber to talk honestly about the questions…
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Word Nerds 4: Creepy Words
Some church words sound… unsettling. If you didn’t grow up in church—or if you did but never stopped to ask questions—these words can feel more like horror movie titles than good news. In this final Word Nerds episode, Joel and Sara tackle the “creepy” biblical language we’ve inherited and…
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Word Nerds 3: Worship words
We sing these words almost every week. Hallelujah. Holy. Hosanna. Emmanuel. They’re printed on screens. Written into choruses. And carried through centuries of worship. But what do they actually mean? In this episode of Word Nerds, we dive into some of the most common worship words in...
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Weird Words: Words we are voting off of the island!
There are some church words we all use…but if we’re honest, they don’t really mean much anymore. They’ve become filler. Christian small talk. Spiritual-sounding noise. So in this episode of GET REAL, we’re doing something a little different. We’re putting some of our most overused church words on...
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Word Nerds: Church Words
In this kickoff episode of our new series Word Nerds, we unpack some of the most common church words people say all the time… without really knowing what they mean. What is the gospel? What does it actually mean to be saved? Is faith just believing something — or is it something more? And why do...
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Quit Quitting
Every January we feel pressure to change fast and aim big—but most resolutions don’t last. In this episode, Joel and Sara explore a better way forward: building sustainable habits, embracing wise limits, and letting go of what no longer serves us. If you’re tired of starting over, this…
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Christmas Songs, Carols, & Hymns: Finding Jesus Beneath the Familiar Tunes
Christmas music is everywhere—but what’s actually beneath the familiar melodies? In this festive episode, Joel and Sara unpack the difference between carols, hymns, and Christmas songs, explore why Old Testament scripture shows up so often at Christmas, and share practical ways to refocus our...
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Christmas In Mom-Mode
Sarah welcomes guest Bethany Adams for a funny, honest, and deeply practical look at “mom mode” during Christmas—why the pressure feels so heavy, how unrealistic expectations sneak in, and how to build a more peaceful, meaningful season with your family. A gentle reminder that Christmas doesn’t...
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Making Friends With Anxiety
In this episode, Joel and Sarah take anxiety out for coffee, ask it some hard questions, shine flashlights at it, hand it a magnifying glass, and even give it a megaphone (responsibly). With humor, honesty, and just enough self-roasting, they unpack four tools for making friends with your anxiety...
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How To Thanksgiving
“It’s the day before the big feast, and we’re diving into what it really means to Thanksgiving well. In this episode, Joel VanMersbergen and Sara Nelson unpack how to navigate the holiday physically, emotionally, and spiritually — without losing your sanity (or your stretchy pants). So grab a cup...
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Evangelism | 5 Purposes
Churches grow LARGER through EVANGELISM
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Worship | 5 Purposes
Churches grow STRONGER through WORSHIP
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Serve On A Team | Next Steps
Find out your unique strengths, abilities, and passion into action by serving on a team. Check out NCCTK.com/serve to find all the teams we have waiting for you.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Real talk. Real Faith.Each week, pastors Joel and Sara ask honest questions, tackle relevant topics, and explore what following Jesus looks like in real life, when things don't go according to plan. If you're looking for authentic conversations, real talk about the Bible, faith, or spiritual growth, you've found your people!We're still figuring it out, alongside you.
HOSTED BY
North County Christ the King Church
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Still Figuring It Out have?
Still Figuring It Out currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Still Figuring It Out about?
Real talk. Real Faith.Each week, pastors Joel and Sara ask honest questions, tackle relevant topics, and explore what following Jesus looks like in real life, when things don't go according to plan. If you're looking for authentic conversations, real talk about the Bible, faith, or spiritual...
How often does Still Figuring It Out release new episodes?
Still Figuring It Out has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Still Figuring It Out?
You can listen to Still Figuring It Out on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Still Figuring It Out?
Still Figuring It Out is created and hosted by North County Christ the King Church.
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