The Nook Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Is God still working when life feels delayed?
In the final episode of The In-Between, Steven explores one of the most powerful truths of the Christian walk: God provides according to His perfect timing; His Kairos, not our calendar. When doors stay closed, opportunities take longer than expected, and life feels stuck, it’s easy to believe that nothing is happening. But Scripture tells a very different story.

This episode dives deep into what it means to trust God’s timing, embrace your purpose while you wait, and understand that a delay is not a denial. Steven shares personal reflections from his own season of unemployment, highlighting how God provides peace, clarity, strength, and direction long before circumstances shift.

Through key passages like Galatians 6:9, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Philippians 1:6, and Isaiah 60:22, this conversation anchors listeners in the hope that God is always working behind the scenes, preparing, shaping, and positioning us for the right moment.

🔹 In this episode you’ll learn:
• The difference between Chronos (our timing) and Kairos (God’s timing)
• Why delays in life don’t mean God has denied your purpose
• How to recognize God’s provision in subtle, everyday ways
• What it means to live with purpose even in seasons of uncertainty
• A practical way to track God’s faithfulness while you wait

If you’re navigating uncertainty, waiting for a breakthrough, or wondering how God is using this season of your life, this episode will remind you that your story is not on pause, you are being prepared for the appointed time.

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

What do you do when you’ve prayed, applied, waited… and still nothing changes?

In Episode 3 of The In-Between, Steven explores one of the hardest parts of any transition: the long, silent season of waiting. When job applications go unanswered, opportunities stall, and doors stay closed, it’s easy to wonder if God sees you... or if He’s still working at all.

This episode takes an honest look at the emotional and spiritual challenges of waiting, especially during unemployment or major life uncertainty. Drawing from powerful Scriptures like Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27:13–14, Lamentations 3:22–23, and Romans 5:3–5, Steven unpacks how God uses the wilderness not to punish us, but to prepare us.

🔹 In this episode you’ll learn:
• Why waiting seasons feel so heavy and why they matter
• What the Bible teaches about patience, perseverance, and spiritual growth
• How God strengthens us in the waiting, not just after
• Practical ways to stay grounded when hope feels distant
• How to trust God when it seems like nothing is happening

If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, overlooked, or spiritually drained during a long season of waiting, this episode will remind you that you’re not forgotten—God is working even in the silence.

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

Do you ever catch yourself trying to make sense of God? Expecting Him to move the way you would, think the way you think, or fit neatly into your logic? This episode will challenge all of that.

God isn’t just bigger than you, He’s entirely “other.” Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us that His thoughts and ways are far beyond anything we could imagine. In this powerful, extended message, we confront the dangerous trend of shrinking God down to human terms, and rediscover the awe, reverence, and wonder we were made for.

This is a wake-up call to leave behind shallow faith and worship the untamable, holy, all-powerful God who invites us to know Him, not figure Him out.

This episode will help you:

• Embrace the mystery of God’s ways
• Let go of your need to understand everything
• Reclaim a reverent, awe-filled relationship with God
• Worship Him with humility, boldness, and depth

If you’re ready to stop playing it safe with your faith and start worshipping God as He truly is, this message is for you.

If this stirred something in you, if you’re ready to leave behind the shallows and pursue the deep things of God, then keep coming back. This podcast is here to walk with you, challenge you, and encourage you to go further than you’ve ever gone in your faith. You were made for the deep… and the deep is calling.

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we take a look at the increasing percentage of depression and other mental health issues in teenagers.

Depression has become increasingly common among American teenagers – especially teen girls, who are now almost three times as likely as teen boys to have had recent experiences with depression.

In 2017, 13% of U.S. teens ages 12 to 17 (or 3.2 million) said they had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year, up from 8% (or 2 million) in 2007, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Better Help - on-line counseling

Honey Lake Treatment Center;  Christian Mental Health Center
888-837-6577

The Lighthouse Network; A Christian Mental Health and Sex Addiction Helpline
844-543-3242

Sanctuary Clinics; Christian Treatment and Recovery Program
850-935-3637

Jamie Kirschner's Uncommon Teen Podcast

Check out Shannon Monet's website for more on her story

***

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of postpartum depression (PPD) and how it can profoundly affect new mothers. My friend Amanda Bjornson opens up about her personal battle with PPD, having faced it twice, and shares valuable insights that can help both mothers and fathers understand and navigate this difficult condition.

Postpartum depression is a complex condition linked to chemical, social, and psychological changes that occur after childbirth. It encompasses a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms that many new mothers experience, often leaving them feeling overwhelmed and isolated.

Amanda discusses her journey with postpartum depression, including the importance of seeking treatment through medication and counseling, and how support from loved ones plays a crucial role in the healing process.

If you or someone you know is struggling with PPD, this episode provides much-needed hope, understanding, and practical advice on navigating this challenging experience. Tune in to learn more about postpartum depression and how to support those who are facing it.

Interesting facts:
Those who develop postpartum depression are at greater risk of developing major depression later on in life.

Symptoms might include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby.

Untreated, the condition may last months or longer. Treatment can include counseling, antidepressants, or hormone therapy.


HELPFUL LINKS:

Better Help - on-line counseling

Honey Lake Treatment Center;  Christian Mental Health Center
888-837-6577

The Lighthouse Network; A Christian Mental Health and Sex Addiction Helpline
844-543-3242

Sanctuary Clinics; Christian Treatment and Recovery Program
850-935-3637

***

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

This is not at all what I had in mind for this week, but dealing with depression myself has taken an unexpected turn.

If you need someone to listen to what's going on with you, drop me a note: steven@nookpodcast.com

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I’m honored to welcome back Dr. Greg Smalley—author, counselor, and Vice President of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family. With over a dozen books on relationships and decades of experience in counseling, Dr. Smalley offers powerful insight into how depression can impact marriages and family dynamics.

As part of our month-long series, The June Gloom, we’re diving deep into the emotional and spiritual weight of depression and anxiety. Dr. Smalley unpacks how couples can recognize the signs, support one another, and move toward healing with faith, communication, and professional help.

If you or someone you love is navigating depression, anxiety, or relational strain, this episode offers both compassion and practical wisdom grounded in biblical truth.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Better Help - on-line counseling

Honey Lake Treatment Center;  Christian Mental Health Center
888-837-6577

The Lighthouse Network; A Christian Mental Health and Sex Addiction Helpline
844-543-3242

Sanctuary Clinics; Christian Treatment and Recovery Program
850-935-3637

***

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

As we continue in this series, The June Gloom, talking about various aspects of depression and how people deal with it... it is my honor to introduce you to Diana Gruver. She is the author of Companions in the Darkness;  Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt.

In Companions in the Darkness, Diana looks back into church history and finds depression in the lives of some of our most beloved saints, including Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. Without trying to diagnose these figures from a distance, Gruver tells their stories in fresh ways, taking from each a particular lesson that can encourage or guide those who suffer today. Drawing on her own experience with depression, Gruver offers a wealth of practical wisdom both for those in the darkness and those who care for them.


HELPFUL LINKS:

National Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255

Honey Lake Treatment Center;  Christian Mental Health Center
888-837-6577

The Lighthouse Network; A Christian Mental Health and Sex Addiction Helpline
844-543-3242

Sanctuary Clinics; Christian Treatment and Recovery Program
850-935-3637

***

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I invited Jim Barnard to come back and get into an entirely different aspect of his story; life-long issues with depression.

I'll be look at various aspects of depression for the entire month of June in a series I'm calling, "The June Gloom". If you know someone dealing with depression or anxiety, please share these episodes; your concern could be the thing that encourages that person to seek the right kind of help.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Honey Lake Treatment Center;  Christian Mental Health Center
888-837-6577

The Lighthouse Network; A Christian Mental Health and Sex Addiction Helpline
844-543-3242

Sanctuary Clinics; Christian Treatment and Recovery Program
850-935-3637

***

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I get to introduce you to Rodney Olsen, host of the Bleeding Daylight Podcast... but the twist is that he interviewed me for his show and allowed me to re-air it here. This conversation will give you some insights to my own story and how it affects what I am doing now. I would also encourage you to stay through the very end as there is a detailed peek into what is coming in the month of June.

***

***

Hey friends, this has been on my heart for a long time…

I’ve wanted to add a charity component to The Nook Podcast—a way for this community to rally together and actually make a difference in the lives of hurting people.

And I can’t think of a better recipient than Crisis Aid International.

Together, we can be the light in the darkest places.

Support the show

Questions or comments can be sent to steven@nookpodcast.com

Join The Nook Facebook page!

Steven's Social Media:
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Your financial support means so much!
Venmo: @Steven-Murphy-111