Open Spaces with Jeff & Jourdan Johnson

We begin our Parenting series with a tribute to Jeff and Jourdan’s mothers. They take the opportunity with Mother’s Day approaching, to honor the women who instilled love and belief into them. They talk about what each meant to themselves and to each other.  Both women held a quiet but confident faith and generously poured love into their children and so many others. This episode is not only a tribute but a call to love simply and fully. Be sure to reach out to the moms and women who have shaped you this Mother’s Day!

Content Warning: This episode includes sensitive discussion around childhood abuse and suicide. Please listen with care and discretion. In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Jason Mellard, founder of Own Your Identity — a ministry helping men around the world navigate same-sex attraction without allowing attractions to define who they are. Jason’s message is clear: attractions are experiences, not declarations. Identity is not found in feelings, but in Christ and the purpose God has called us to walk in. Jason opens up about his own story, including growing up in a home marked by abuse, the deep internal struggles that followed, and the pain of watching his father wrestle with similar struggles while making drastically different life choices. Through it all, Jason shares how God met him, healed him, and gave him a new vision for life rooted in truth, courage, and purpose. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt trapped by labels, shame, secrecy, confusion, or unwanted desires—and for those who want hope that transformation is possible. In This Episode: Why attractions don’t have to define identity How trauma can shape desire, fear, and confusion Breaking generational cycles and choosing a different path Finding healing from shame and secrecy Living with purpose instead of self-condemnation Helping men walk in truth, clarity, and courage About Jason Mellard Jason is a certified coach and founder of Own Your Identity, where he helps men experiencing same-sex attraction move toward healing, clarity, brotherhood, and identity in Christ. His mission is to empower men to live lives of purpose and possibility.   Connect with Jason Website: Own Your Identity SSAquiz.com Coaching inquiries: [email protected]   Podcast + Resources available through his website Stay Connected with Open Spaces If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you feel less alone, would you subscribe and stay connected with us? Visit Open Spaces Podcast at openspacespodcast.com for episodes, updates, and ways to support the mission.

In this powerful conversation, Jeff and Jourdan sit down with Rita Springer for an honest and deeply moving discussion about identity, intimacy with God, disappointment, dependency, fear, singleness, and learning how to keep trusting the Lord when life does not turn out the way you thought it would. Rita shares from her own story with remarkable vulnerability, opening up about unanswered prayers, seasons of pain, the wrestle of carrying promises, and the way God continues to meet her in both heartbreak and hope. Together, they talk about what it means to lean on God instead of becoming dependent on other people or things, how identity is constantly under attack, and why peace in God can matter even more than getting the answer you were hoping for. This episode is for anyone walking through confusion, disappointment, grief, same-sex attraction, unanswered prayers, or the tension of trying to stay faithful when the road feels long. Rita’s wisdom, honesty, and love for Jesus make this conversation one that will strengthen your faith and remind you that you are deeply loved by God. In this episode, we talk about: Identity and the battle for freedom Dependency on God vs. codependency Singleness, longing, and carrying promises Disappointment, fear, and trusting God’s timing Intimacy with the Lord in seasons of pain Why peace can matter more than immediate answers The love of God that meets us in the wilderness   Follow along with Rita on Instagram and the Worship is My Weapon podcast!  

Jeff and Jourdan reunite after Jourdan’s hiatus to recap their "Community Series." They share personal stories about vulnerability, discuss the nuances of terminology within the LGBTQ+ Christian space, and offer encouragement to those seeking deeper, more authentic friendships.   Key Discussion Points •    Opening & Catching Up: ◦    Jourdan returns to the podcast after a break following the passing of her mother.   ◦    Jeff shares a lighthearted story about his "spring" orange Zara shirt and a hard-to-find hat from the brand Envy La Vie.   •    The Power of Vulnerability: ◦    The couple reflects on how their deepest friendships were born from being vulnerable about Jeff's struggle with same-sex attraction (SSA).   ◦    Vulnerability is described as the "key that unlocks" deep relationships and removes the power that isolation and shame hold over individuals.   •    Navigating Terminology: ◦    Jeff and Jourdan discuss their ongoing learning regarding terms like "gay" versus "same-sex attraction".   ◦    They recount conversations with other believers who use "gay" as an adjective rather than an identity, emphasizing that "heart posture" is more important than semantics.   •    The "Community Series" Recap: ◦    A look back at earlier guests, including Wes Martin (the first person Jeff ever told about his SSA) and friends like the Vogeltanz and Stanfills.   ◦    They address feedback that their community can seem "intimidating" and clarify that these deep bonds were built over decades of "growing therapy" and intentional effort.   •    Encouragement for Marriage & Disclosure: ◦    Jeff and Jourdan advocate for honesty within marriage, particularly regarding SSA.   ◦    They believe true intimacy and freedom are found through being fully known by a spouse, though they advise using "wisdom" in how and when to share.   •    Personal Growth & Fears: ◦    Jourdan shares her own experience with vulnerability during a 10-day counseling intensive, where she feared that uncovering "deep places" might change her husband's view of her.   Mentioned in This Episode •    Guests from the Series: Wes Martin, the Vogeltanz, the Stanfills, and Brook Mosser.     •    Brands: Zara, Envy La Vie.   •    Conferences/Media: The ECO Conference in Atlanta, The Becket Cook Podcast, and Rita Springer’s Worship Is My Weapon podcast.   How to Connect •    Website: Visit openspacespodcast.com to sign up for the newsletter or submit an "Open Story" anonymously.     •    Social Media: Follow @openspacespodcast on Instagram for "Open Stories Fridays".

Every family has secrets. Some are small, tucked away in quiet corners. But others—the ones that shape us, break us, and ultimately define us—demand to be told.   In this episode, Jeff sits down with Brook Mosser from Intentional Parents to discuss a chapter of his life he's never publicly shared before. We explore complex family dynamics, the silent struggle of hidden same-sex attraction, and how God's work of forgiveness transformed his family from the inside out.   This conversation is intense and deeply honest. Please note: this episode includes discussions around various forms of abuse, including child abuse.   Be sure to check out all things Intentional! Intentionalparents.org Instagram: intentional_parents   Also keep in touch with us at openspacespodcast.com

In this deeply personal episode of Open Spaces, Jeff sits down with his longtime friend Wes Martin — the first friend Jeff ever shared his struggle with.   Wes had a front row seat to the earliest and most fragile days of Jeff learning how to bring his story into the light. What started as an awkward and uncertain conversation between two friends eventually grew into something much deeper. During some of Jeff’s darkest moments, when the weight of shame and confusion left him feeling hopeless and even questioning if life was worth living, Wes and his wife Amanda stepped in with extraordinary care.   They didn’t have all the answers. But they offered what mattered most: presence, love, and a safe place to land. At one point they even opened their home to Jeff, making sure he wasn’t alone as he wrestled through those difficult days.   Together they reflect on the messy beginnings of vulnerability — what it’s like to tell someone your struggle for the first time, how imperfect those early conversations can be, and how real friendship often means figuring it out as you go.   This episode is a reminder that when honesty is met with deep relationship and love, even the most complicated and painful moments can become the starting point for something beautiful.   If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to take that first step of letting someone into your struggle, this conversation is for you.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Open Spaces, Jeff and Jourdan sit down with one of their closest friends of over 23 years, Drew Worsham — illusionist, author of The Magic of Curiosity, pastor, and trusted confidant.   This conversation is far more than a reunion. Drew has walked with Jeff and Jourdan since the very beginning of their story — through dating, breakups, Jeff’s early confession of struggling with same-sex attraction, their engagement, and now decades of marriage and ministry. Few people have had such a front-row seat to their journey.   Together, they unpack: • What it looked like for Jeff to first share his struggle with Drew • How a friendship can remain steady, safe, and non-transactional in the face of vulnerability • Why curiosity — not condemnation — creates space for transformation • How the Church can better engage conversations around same-sex attraction • What to say to someone who hates themselves for their struggle • The difference between leading with conviction and leading with love • Why obedience is a response to love — not a prerequisite for it   Drew shares how curiosity became a guiding compass in his life — from studying psychology, to performing as a magician, to planting a church, to rediscovering humility after becoming the “expert.” He explains how losing curiosity nearly cost him relational depth — and how reclaiming it reshaped his marriage, ministry, and friendships.   One of the most moving moments comes as Drew reflects on Jesus and the woman caught in adultery — reminding listeners that God is not thrown off by our brokenness. He does not lead with condemnation. He leads with love, and invites us into transformation from there.   For parents navigating a child’s confession. For those wrestling with shame. For pastors unsure how to step into this conversation. For anyone who feels like their struggle defines them.   This episode is an invitation into the “messy middle” — where truth and grace are not enemies, where curiosity builds bridges, and where the love of Jesus becomes the starting place for real change.   It’s about friendship. It’s about freedom. It’s about learning that none of us are as alone — or as different — as we think.   And above all, it’s about the kind of love that stays. For more information on Drew’s ministry or to order his book, visit www.drewworsham.com

This week on Open Spaces, Jeff sits down with the two guys he walks with most closely in Atlanta, Bryson and Kristian, for a “guys-only” conversation (ladies, you’re absolutely invited to listen too). After last week’s episode with both couples, the three of them go deeper into the real question so many people ask: What do your weekly accountability time(s) actually look like?   They unpack their 10-year friendship journey, how it started, how trust was built over time, and why you can’t manufacture deep community overnight. You’ll hear the practical rhythms that keep them anchored: putting it on the calendar, moving from casual catch-up into honest heart-level sharing, asking specific questions, naming blind spots, and learning how to confess quickly without spiraling into shame.   They also talk about what happens when life gets busy and they can’t meet, how voice texts become a lifeline, and why this kind of friendship isn’t just about “trying harder,” but about living in the light, pursuing sanctification, and becoming better husbands, dads, and men who are ready to participate in what God is doing.   The episode closes with a prayer for anyone who feels alone, stuck, or unsure how to find community like this, asking God to break shame, provide friendships, and teach us how to walk with others well.

We’re kicking off a brand new series on community because we believe you were never meant to walk alone.   In this episode, we’re joined by our closest friends, Kristian & Kerri Stanfill and  Bryson & Emily Vogeltanz, the couples we’ve done daily life with for over a decade. We laugh (a lot), tell some stories you’ve never heard, and open up about what it actually looks like to live known.   From the first vulnerable conversations…
to weekly rhythms of accountability…
to navigating tension, grief, big life transitions, and raising 11 kids among us…   We’re talking about: • What happened when we shared our story for the first time • How vulnerability changed everything • The power of consistency in friendship • Why real community is reciprocal (not a support group for one person) • How to respond when someone trusts you with something hard • And what it looks like to build friendships that last decades   This isn’t surface-level friendship. 
This is showing up. Staying. Asking hard questions. Laughing until you cry.
And choosing depth over isolation. If you’ve ever wondered what real accountability looks like…
If you’re craving deeper friendships…
Or if you’re trying to figure out how to take one step toward being more known…   This episode is for you. Let’s talk about how we actually do life with our people.

It’s been a full season and today we’re catching you up. In this episode, we share what life has actually looked like lately. From the conversations we’ve been having with listeners, to the pastoral moments we never expected, to the sheer number of messages from people who feel seen for the first time this season has been full. We talk about what Open Spaces has quietly become: not just a podcast, but a place people are stepping into with their real stories. We also share personal life updates from how we’re doing, what God has been teaching us, what has been heavy, what has been hopeful… and yes, somehow Jeff accidentally became a Scentfluencer on ShopMy along the way.Stay connected! Sign up for the newsletter at openspacespodcast.comFollow us on Instagram!

In this episode of Open Spaces, Jeff shares what he would say to someone navigating same-sex attraction while pursuing Jesus. He unpacks the two key questions he always asks—“Where is this path leading?” and “Is that what you really want?”—as a starting point for anyone who wants to fight this struggle.Drawing from his own journey, Jeff offers honest encouragement and practical guidance on how to walk the narrow road, including the role of discipline, accountability, and community. It’s a vulnerable and hope-filled conversation for anyone ready to take a next step.Stay connected! Sign up for the newsletter at openspacespodcast.comFollow us on Instagram!

In this episode of Open Spaces, Jeff shares what it was like growing up with same-sex attraction (SSA) in a loving Christian home. Jourdan interviews him about early experiences, missed moments, and what he wishes might have been different. While neither claims to be a parenting expert, their honest conversation offers a rare window into the inner world of a child processing shame, secrecy, and identity. Together, they reflect on how parents can show up with grace, even when they don’t have all the answers.If you’re a parent of a child navigating SSA, or someone looking to understand it better through a personal, faith-filled lens, this episode is for you. Jeff’s story reminds us that prayer, presence, and genuine love matter more than perfect words.▫️ Interested in more resources for parents? Sign up for our newsletter at openspacespodcast.com to be the first to know!▫️ Follow us on Instagram

In this powerful follow-up episode of Open Spaces, Jeff and Jourdan respond to five of the most raw and frequently asked listener questions since releasing their story - including navigating marriage with same-sex attraction, building trust, staying vulnerable in ministry, and loving others with grace and conviction. They share honest reflections from their own journey and practical wisdom for anyone walking a similar path - whether you’re in ministry, in a relationship, or simply trying to understand how faith intersects with sexuality and identity.The episode also dives deep into themes of obedience, shame, transparency, and what it truly means to be “yourself” when you’re following Jesus. With real talk about communication in marriage, parenting, church culture, and showing Christlike love to LGBTQ+ friends, this conversation offers a refreshing dose of clarity and compassion for a divided world. Subscribe to the newsletter at openspacespodcast.com for updates and future resources.Follow us on Instagram

In this final episode of their introductory series, Jeff and Jourdan step into marriage after years of breakups, questions, and hard-won revelations. Their engagement wasn’t marked by grand gestures but by a quiet, resolute decision to move forward together.They talk about their wedding day - beautiful monument - and that even after the vows, new challenges arise: intimacy, identity, and the call to lay down one’s life for another.They don’t have all the answers, but they trust God is writing a story beyond their understanding. With their backstory complete, they now turn outward, inviting others to wrestle, question, and find freedom in the light.Stay tuned for more from Open Spaces Podcast!Follow us on InstagramSend your questions to [email protected]

After years of back and forth, Jeff and Jourdan take us into the most painful and transformative season of their journey. This episode revisits their three breakups, the heartbreak and healing that followed, and the unexpected road that led them back together.Jeff opens up about his internal battles—how confession was freeing, but the struggle for wholeness was far from over. Jourdan shares her perspective on learning to release control, finding healing in the Lord, and what it meant to finally let go of a future she had fought so hard for. Both of them, separately, came to a place where they had to believe that God alone was enough. And just when they thought their paths had fully diverged, God rewrote the story in a way neither of them could have predicted. If you’ve ever struggled with knowing when to let go, when to fight for something, or how to trust God’s timing in relationships, this episode is for you.In this raw conversation, Jeff and Jourdan unpack:The role of counseling in their healingWhat it felt like to truly surrender their futures to GodHow grace (even in betrayal) shaped the trajectory of their livesThe moment they knew they were meant to be together—for good🎧 Stay tuned for the next episode, where they step into marriage and navigate intimacy, expectations, and the next chapter of their story.💬 Have questions? Submit them HERE!📲 Follow us on Instagram 

In this powerful episode of Open Spaces Podcast, Jourdan shares her side of the story—what it was like to hear Jeff’s secret, navigate her own beliefs, and wrestle with what it meant for their future. Growing up in a traditional Christian environment, she never imagined she’d be faced with this reality. Yet, through love, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of grace, she found herself stepping into a story that was more complex, yet richer, than she ever expected. Jourdan and Jeff dive into the tension between truth and love, the importance of curiosity over judgment, and what it really means to walk alongside someone struggling with something you don’t fully understand. Whether you’re wrestling with your own beliefs, supporting someone in their journey, or simply trying to navigate hard conversations with grace, this episode offers a raw and honest look at what it means to love well in the messy middle. ▫️ Send your questions to [email protected] ▫️ Follow us on Instagram▫️ Check out openspacespodcast.com  

In this deeply personal episode of Open Spaces Podcast, Jeff takes a courageous step forward, sharing the raw reality of his lifelong battle with same-sex attraction. With honesty and vulnerability, he unpacks his journey—from secret struggles and shame to surrendering his desires to Jesus.Jeff and Jourdan discuss the power of radical obedience, the role of faith, and the impact of community in his journey. He challenges the cultural narrative, offering a perspective rooted in surrender rather than self-fulfillment. For anyone wrestling with identity, faith, or hidden struggles, this episode offers a beacon of hope—proving that even the impossible can become possible through the power and grace of Jesus.▫️ Submit your questions to [email protected]▫️ Follow the journey at openspacespodcast.com▫️ Follow us on Instagram

Welcome to the Open Spaces Podcast! In this very first episode, Jeff and Jourdan Johnson take a courageous step into vulnerability, sharing their journey of faith, love, and struggle. They open up about their relationship, the challenges they faced, and the pivotal moment when Jeff revealed a deep secret he had never spoken out loud—one that changed everything.Through raw honesty and grace, they explore how bringing hidden struggles into the light leads to true freedom. This episode is an invitation to step into open spaces, to have the hard conversations, and to experience the transformative power of Jesus’ love.Join us as we go first—breaking the silence so that others can, too.Submit your questions to [email protected] connected at openspacespodcast.comFollow us on Instagram

A preview of what's to come on Open Spaces with Jeff & Jourdan Johnson.Follow us on Instagram