Tag

faith

Jul 08
Love27

Mike Oppenheim

By Author, Faith, Grief, Podcast No Comments

Most people expect a conversation about death to feel heavy. This one feels surprisingly hopeful.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with Mike Oppenheim, host of the podcast Coffin Talk, for a conversation about fatherhood, grief, faith, forgiveness, and the question every person eventually asks: What happens when we die?

Mike shares the heartbreaking story of losing his son, how he found healing without living in anger, and why spending years with hospice patients changed everything he believed about what matters most.

Whether you share these beliefs or not, you’ll find something meaningful in this episode.

This episode is sponsored by:

Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!

(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!) License #: 679261

In this Episode:

  • Growing up in Berkeley and the culture that shaped Mike’s early years
  • How a spur-of-the-moment college application sent him to the University of Pittsburgh
  • The custody battle and international parental child abduction that took his son to Thailand
  • Working through the U.S. State Department and the reality of cross-border custody cases
  • Volunteering at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix and choosing the dementia ward
  • Why hospice families struggle more than the patients themselves
  • The origin story of the Coffin Talk podcast
  • America’s discomfort with aging and mortality compared to other cultures
  • Faith, fear, and why anger never solves anything
  • Blended family life, his current wife, and his two young daughters
  • The moment his daughter finally got to talk to her brother

Quotations:

“What faith also is getting in touch with your heart, with your feelings, with the part of you that isn’t just a brain. And to me, my heart doesn’t get angry. My body doesn’t get angry. My brain gets angry. My ego is what tells me to be mad, which is different from being sad and crying.” – Mike Oppenheim

“I wish our culture would step back and at least acknowledge that those people who have faith, and it doesn’t matter; they can have faith in nothing, but having faith in nothing and then making lemonade out of that is exactly what anyone could be doing.” – Mike Oppenheim

Bio:

Mike Oppenheim is an author, speaker, and the creator of the Coffin Talk podcast, where he asks guests one timeless question: What do you think happens when you die? After experiencing profound personal loss, Mike found purpose in hospice volunteering and helping others have honest conversations about life, death, grief, and hope. Through his writing and podcast, he encourages people to live with greater compassion, curiosity, and appreciation for the time we have.

Guest Contact Info:

Substack: https://mikeyopp.substack.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeyopp38/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeyopp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-oppenheim-8a5562186/

Feb 25
Love22

Mick Wienholt

By Faith, Grief, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for an unforgettable conversation as we sit down with Mick Wienholt, a man who survived a catastrophic avalanche that should have taken his life. With a fractured skull, a broken jaw, and massive blood loss, Mick walked three miles back to his truck before collapsing into emergency brain surgery.

But that miracle was only the beginning.

Years later, Mick and his wife experienced the devastating stillbirth of their son, Luke, a loss that brought them to their knees and ultimately led them into a life-changing relationship with Christ. What followed was a story of redemption neither of them could have scripted.

This episode explores ego, survival, grief, faith, and the way God can redeem even the darkest chapters of our lives.

This episode is sponsored by:


(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

In This Episode:

  • What really happened the day Mick triggered an avalanche in Colorado
  • Walking three miles with a fractured skull
  • The difference between surviving something… and being changed by it
  • The grief of stillbirth and losing their son, Luke
  • Hitting the emotional bottom and crying out to God
  • Faith as a daily choice, not a family inheritance
  • The redemption of January
  • How twin boys were born seven years after a loss
  • The difference between coincidence and God in action

Quotations:

”And so what ended up happening was through the grief of Luke’s death, we thought we had a Luke-shaped hole in our hearts. God showed us that we had a God-shaped hole in our hearts. He filled that hole, loved us through all the grief, and changed the trajectory of our lives ever since.”  ~ Mick Wienholt

Bio:

Mick Wienholt is the host of the podcast When You Look, where everyday people share extraordinary stories of God’s presence in their lives. After surviving a catastrophic avalanche as a teenager and later experiencing the stillbirth of his firstborn son, Mick’s life took a dramatic turn. What began as a 25-year faith-avoidant journey became a ministry rooted in redemption, raw testimony, and honest conversations about grief and grace. He is a redeemed son of Jesus Christ, grateful husband to an incredible wife, and father of four children, three of whom are living.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.whenyoulook.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whenyoulookshow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whenyoulookshow/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhenYouLookShow

Sep 17
Love18

Jeff Zweerink

By Faith, Podcast, Science No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for a fascinating episode with astrophysicist Dr. Jeff Zweerink from Reasons to Believe for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about science, faith, and the joy of curiosity.

We’ll explore cosmic mysteries, personal stories, and the deep questions that connect physics, philosophy, and spirituality. Dr. Zweerink’s perspective is both deeply knowledgeable and refreshingly humble, reminding us that the more we learn, the more wonder there is to discover. Listen now!

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

  • Why science and faith aren’t enemies and how they work in harmony
  • The role of curiosity in uncovering both cosmic and spiritual truths
  • How advances in technology make complex ideas accessible
  • Big-picture topics like the multiverse, quantum weirdness, and the origins of the universe
  • Reflections on humility, lifelong learning, and the layers of meaning in both scripture and science

Quotations:

“Two of my earliest memories are fascination with science and the importance of Christianity in life. So just as a practical measure, science and Christianity have worked very well throughout my whole life. They worked in unison, and they’ve worked to help me understand the truth.” ~ Jeff Zweerink

“I think God has designed us to be fascinated and curious.” ~ Jeff Zweerink

“I just love being able to figure out what’s going on and what I can do to learn more, not only about how this world works, but also about the God who created it all so that I can help others see that those really do work together.” ~ Jeff Zweerink

“I’ve always found that scripture and science, when interpreted with integrity, always line up, or they can always line up, and that has been a tremendous boost to my confidence in the truth of Christianity.” ~ Jeff Zweerink

“When you’re talking with people, you’re dealing with a person. Understand that person. Don’t try to put them in the box that fits your explanation. Understand what that person is, who they are, and what they’re wrestling with. And ultimately, how is God working in their life? ” ~ Jeff Zweerink

Bio:

Jeff Zweerink is an astrophysicist and senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe, where he bridges his lifelong passions for science and Christian faith. Inspired early on by Hugh Ross’s vision of integrating scientific discovery with theology, Jeff has dedicated his career to showing how the two complement rather than conflict. Through his research and teaching, he helps Christians see science as a powerful way to declare God’s glory, while also engaging scientists with the rational foundation of faith.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://reasons.org/

X: https://x.com/rtb_jzweerink

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RTB_official

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-zweerink-a194626b/

Jan 15
Love15

Craig Allen Cooper

By Author, Community, Faith, Podcast No Comments

This episode of Here’s What We Know is an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to miss. Our host Gary Scott Thomas welcomes back return guest Craig Allen Cooper for an inspiring conversation that spans life’s joys, struggles, and unexpected surprises! Tune in now, and let this episode remind you of the beauty in life’s twists and turns, the power of faith, perseverance, and community.

Yep, he’s that guy Walker Hayes wrote about. You can listen to our first conversation with Craig here: https://garyscottthomas.com/craig-allen-cooper/

This episode is sponsored by:

(Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

In this Episode:

  • Craig Cooper’s son’s incredible journey to NYU’s Clive Davis Institute
  • A raw and honest discussion about navigating a faith crisis
  • The inspiring story behind Walker Hayes’ song “Craig”
  • Insights into the art of preaching
  • Life lessons and reflections on God’s mysterious plan
  • An unforgettable mission trip to Rwanda with Hope International

Quotations:

“Scriptures are just filled with so much wisdom. That’s why I make it practice to try to just continually read through the scriptures. And because I need it, it’s like daily bread man; man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ~ Craig Allen Cooper

“Walker shares his story, shares his testimony before he sings the song, Craig, in every concert. And I mean, he’s done that. It’s packed stadium like the Houston rodeo had 70,000 people and they packed that out and he’s sharing with all these people about Jesus through the story of our friendship.” ~ Craig Allen Cooper

“It’s not an easy thing to do it, but I believe in the power of preaching. I really do believe, I believe God speaks through what he’s spoken. I believe there’s a lot of grace that’s given in that moment and a lot of pasturing takes place through the pulpit.” ~ Craig Allen Cooper

“It’s a privilege for us to have the word of God and then to be able to read it in the morning and meditate on it throughout the day and listen to it preached.” ~ Craig Allen Cooper

Bio:

Craig Allen Cooper is a USA Today bestselling author and keynote speaker. He co-wrote the book “Glad You’re Here” with Grammy-nominated country singer and songwriter Walker Hayes. “Glad You’re Here” instantly became a Publisher’s Weekly, ECPA, and USA Today national bestseller and has been featured on The Today Show, People Magazine, The 700 Club, Jesus Calling, and Family Life Radio, as well as various other news sources, radio and television programs, and podcasts, including That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs and Dream Big with Bob Goff.

Craig served as one of the founding pastors of Redeeming Grace Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and is the founder of Glad You’re Here Ministries. He is the subject of the song “Craig” by Walker Hayes, and he resides in the greater Nashville area with his lovely wife, Laura, and their four kids.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.craigallencooper.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigallencooper/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/craigallencooper/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigallencooper/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@craigallencooper