What happens when the people leading us toward Jesus become the very people we're following instead?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Jamie tackle a difficult but important subject: celebrity pastors, unhealthy leadership, spiritual pride, and the danger of putting gifted leaders on a pedestal.

Prompted by another troubling situation involving a church leader, they reflect on how easily influence, recognition, and spiritual gifting can become distractions from Jesus.

Raz shares candid stories from his years in worship ministry, including moments when praise and recognition began feeding his ego. Jamie discusses the subtle ways leaders can create unhealthy dependence, especially when people begin looking to them rather than learning to hear from Jesus themselves.

Together, they explore what genuine servant leadership looks like, why even gifted leaders need humility and accountability, and how to recognize when a spiritual environment is becoming unhealthy.

The central question is one every leader and follower should ask: Are we drawing people closer to ourselves, or closer to Jesus?

Because the best Christian leaders aren't the ones with the biggest platforms. They're the ones who faithfully point people to Christ.

Scripture References:
John 13 | 1 Corinthians 1–3 | Ephesians 4:11–13

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Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie's Website & Writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie's book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

#WithHim #ChristianLeadership #ServantLeadership #CelebrityPastors #SpiritualGrowth #ChurchLeadership #FollowingJesus #ChristianPodcast #MariemontChurch

What if Jesus expects more from our faith than simply believing He can do miracles?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Jamie explore Jesus' authority over sickness, the spiritual realm, and creation itself, and what it means for His followers to participate in bringing God's Kingdom to earth.

After a recent Sunday at Mariemont Church, where the congregation stepped out in faith to pray for healing, Raz and Jamie share encouraging testimonies, including a young man experiencing relief from shoulder pain and a woman who reported healing while watching the service online!

The conversation turns to Matthew 17, where Jesus challenges His disciples after they fail to heal a young boy. His words about faith the size of a mustard seed lead Raz to a powerful personal realization about what Jesus expects from those who follow Him.

But what about the times we pray and nothing seems to happen? How do we continue trusting God when healing doesn't come?

Together, Raz and Jamie discuss the tension between faith and disappointment, the importance of guarding our hearts, and why following Jesus means learning to live as He lived.

The encouragement is simple: We don't have to manufacture miracles or find the perfect words. We're invited to trust Jesus, step out in faith, and leave the results in His hands.

Scripture References:
Isaiah 61 | Luke 4 | Matthew 17:14–20 | Mark 9:14–29

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https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie's Website & Writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie's book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

#WithHim #FaithThatMovesMountains #FaithAndHealing #PowerOfPrayer #HolySpirit #FollowingJesus #KingdomOfGod #ChristianPodcast #MariemontChurch

What happens when life falls apart and you can no longer see what God is doing?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Jamie sit down with Bill Koontz, founder of Divorce and Beyond, for an honest and moving conversation about faith, brokenness, divorce, and discovering God's healing in life's most painful seasons.

Bill shares his journey from an unexpected encounter with Jesus in college to years of ministry and leadership. But when his own marriage ended in divorce, Bill found himself overwhelmed by heartbreak, shame, loneliness, and questions about God's faithfulness.

Through the love of friends, a faithful small group, and a long journey toward healing, Bill began to discover a powerful truth: When you can't trace the hand of God, trust His heart for you.

What began as Bill's personal struggle eventually grew into Divorce and Beyond, a ministry helping people find hope, healing, and growth after divorce through seminars, support groups, and Christian community.

Together, Bill, Raz, and Jamie discuss the lasting effects of shame, the importance of walking alongside hurting people, and how churches can better support those experiencing divorce while continuing to honor marriage.

Bill's story reminds us that God heals the brokenhearted, binds up their wounds, and can bring purpose out of even our deepest pain.

Divorce and Beyond Resources

Ministry Website:
https://divorceandbeyond.org

Online Course, The Divorce & Beyond Journey:
https://learn.relationalpeace.org/courses/the-divorce-beyond-journey

Bill's Book, Divorce and Beyond: Finding Hope, Healing, and Growth:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637463286

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https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore Past Episodes & Resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie's Website & Writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie's book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

#WithHim #DivorceRecovery #DivorceAndBeyond #FindingHope #InnerHealing #ChristianCommunity #FollowingJesus #ChristianPodcast #MariemontChurch

What happens when one of the most painful moments in your life becomes the place where God meets you and begins something new?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Jamie sit down with Michelle Smith, founder of Faith Freedom Life, to talk about faith, incarceration, inner healing, family, and what it means to stop simply “playing church” and go all-in with Jesus.

When Michelle’s son was incarcerated in 2017, she found herself facing fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, and uncertainty. But that experience also became a turning point in her relationship with God. Through community, mentorship, and a small group for families impacted by incarceration, Michelle began a journey of healing and discovering what it meant to show up authentically before God and others.

Eventually, what God was doing in Michelle became something she wanted to share with others. That desire grew into Faith Freedom Life, a ministry helping individuals and families impacted by incarceration through support, inner healing, counseling, retreats, and Michelle’s 12 Steps to Inner Healing.

Michelle, Raz, and Jamie also talk about breaking unhealthy family patterns, bringing our real emotions to God, and the important role families can play when someone returns home after incarceration.

Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder that God meets us right where we are and can use even our most difficult seasons to bring healing, freedom, and purpose.

Faith Freedom Life
Learn more, support the ministry, or connect for help:
https://faithfreedomlife.org

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast Email List
Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore Past Episodes & Resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s Website & Writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

#WithHim #FaithFreedomLife #InnerHealing #FollowingJesus #ChristianTestimony #FamilyHealing #ChristianPodcast

What if God is speaking more often than we realize, but we’re simply not recognizing His voice?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Jamie talk about the unexpected ways God can get our attention in everyday life. Sometimes we intentionally sit down to pray and listen. Other times, God seems to interrupt what we’re doing by bringing a person to mind, giving us a picture, reminding us of a Scripture, or creating a strong sense that we need to act.

Raz shares several powerful stories, including waking up with a couple unexpectedly on his mind and discovering later that he was praying for them at the exact time they were in labor. He also tells the story of how both he and his wife independently sensed an urgent need to contact a friend, a phone call that came at a critical moment for that friend and his family.

Jamie and Raz also get practical about learning to recognize God’s voice. How do you know when a thought is from God and when it’s simply your own? What role can Scripture, imagination, dreams, and pictures play? And how can stepping out and encouraging someone actually help you grow more confident in recognizing when God is speaking?

The invitation is simple: pay attention, ask questions, and be willing to respond.

God may already be speaking. Maybe He’s bringing someone to mind because He wants to encourage them, bless them, or remind them that they are seen and loved.

And sometimes, we get the incredible privilege of joining Him.

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast Email List
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Explore Past Episodes & Resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s Website & Writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

#WithHim #HearingGod #GodsVoice #HolySpirit #FollowingJesus #ChristianPodcast #Faith #MariemontChurch

What happens when you love Jesus, but your story is still messy?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Mike sit down with longtime friend John Palazzolo for an honest conversation about faith, addiction, ministry, failure, community, and a God who simply refuses to give up on us.

John shares his journey from growing up Catholic and struggling with drugs and alcohol at a young age to a remarkable encounter with Jesus at 14. Years later, God began pursuing him again through a series of experiences that eventually brought him and his family to the Vineyard, where his life and ministry would take some unexpected turns.

Along the way, John found himself leading servant evangelism, becoming a senior pastor, stepping away from ministry, struggling again with addiction, and eventually rediscovering God's call on his life.

Through it all, one theme keeps surfacing: God is incredibly patient with broken people.

John talks openly about why trying harder wasn't enough, how authentic community and accountability helped him find freedom, and why being honest about our struggles matters. He also shares how God has led him and his wife into a new season of ministry through a simple microchurch community focused on Scripture, discipleship, serving others, and multiplication.

Raz, Mike, and John also look back at their years together doing servant evangelism and how something as simple as cleaning a gas station bathroom, handing someone a cold drink, or paying for a load of laundry can become an opportunity to show someone the love of Jesus.

John leaves us with a simple challenge: Slow down. Listen. Abide in Jesus. And when He speaks, obey.

Because following Jesus isn't about finally getting everything right. It's about learning to live life with Him.

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast Email List
Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore Past Episodes & Resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s Website & Writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

#WithHim #FollowingJesus #ChristianTestimony #AddictionRecovery #Discipleship #ChristianCommunity #Faith #ChristianPodcast #MariemontChurch

What if evangelism wasn’t something intimidating or awkward, but an adventure you get to experience with Jesus?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Raz and Jamie talk about making evangelism a natural part of everyday life. Drawing from their recent Kingdom Lab experience with Jason Scott, they explore a simple idea: you don’t have to be responsible for someone’s entire journey toward Jesus. Sometimes God is simply inviting you to help someone take one step closer.

Using the Engel Scale as a framework, Raz and Jamie discuss how God may be at work in someone’s life long before they make a decision to follow Jesus. A conversation, an encouraging word, an offer to pray, or simply experiencing the love of Jesus through one of His followers can all be part of that journey.

They also share some great stories from taking the Kingdom Lab interns into the community to actually put this into practice, including conversations with complete strangers, moments of rejection, unexpected opportunities to pray, and seeing how God can sovereignly arrange an encounter.

The challenge is simple: What might happen if we started each day asking Jesus to show us where He is already at work and how we can join Him?

Evangelism doesn’t have to be forced. It doesn’t require having all the answers. It can simply be listening to the person in front of you, listening to Jesus, and being willing to take the next step with Him.

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Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast Email List

Explore Past Episodes & Resources
Explore the "With Him" Podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
Mariemont Church

Jamie’s Website & Writing:
JamieMoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God:
Friendship with God on Amazon

#WithHim #EverydayEvangelism #Evangelism #FollowingJesus #HolySpirit #ChristianPodcast #KingdomOfGod #MariemontChurch

What does it actually look like to live a naturally supernatural life with Jesus?

In this episode of the With Him Podcast, Jamie and Raz talk about healing, faith, and what it means to live as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom in everyday life. They explore why Jesus still invites ordinary people to participate in His work, why praying for someone doesn’t have to be complicated or weird, and how our fear of looking foolish can sometimes keep us from stepping into what God may be doing.

Raz also shares some powerful stories of ordinary moments where a simple act of obedience opened the door for God to move.

You don’t have to have all the answers, perfect faith, or the right technique. Sometimes it simply starts with making a little space for the King to break in.

Book Resources mentioned:

1. https://a.co/d/0fUtSQaf
2. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060695412?lv=shuf&channelId=510&plpRedirect=mhFallback
3. https://www.amazon.com/John-Wimber-Way-Was-Carol/dp/1674424752/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A8NKSV2LK59Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jHPB_vZeF35bQeK27EEc6rylJmqlNIQ66rf-7GzM_OjGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.oBS3UttQSmGhPx2Mv0pInCoNEN15ZJJo2rBciBuYILw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+way+it+was+carol+wimber&qid=1785866542&s=books&sprefix=the+way+it+was+carol+wimbe%2Cstripbooks%2C143&sr=1-1

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👉 https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/su...

Explore Past Episodes & Resources
👉 https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-...

Resources & Contact Info

📧 Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

⛪ Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH):
👉 https://www.mariemontchurch.org

📖 Jamie's Website & Writing:
👉 https://www.jamiemoore.org

📚 Friendship with God by Jamie Moore:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609