The Pivot – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on The Pivot, we’re joined by our long-time friend, the incredibly talented musician and songwriter, Andy Gullahorn. While Andy is still a full-time musician—a career he’s passionately pursued for years—he’s approaching it in wonderfully different ways. We dive into the stories behind his fantastic new record, Winning Streak, and how his unique approach to songwriting often includes those signature left hooks that can make you laugh and cry in the same breath. Andy shares insights into the unexpected circuit of his career, from playing music at intensive therapy retreats where he now co-leads small groups, to the hilarious and heartfelt origins of “grinching” (yes, it involves Christmas trees and a U-Haul), and the enduring tradition of the hi-five with his friend Gabe. We also learn about the joy of Silent Bob Euchre, a card game played in public places without speaking—a testament to Andy’s belief in the power of silly, shared experiences. Join us for a truly fun conversation that explores how Andy finds depth, connection, and even a bit of performance art in both his music and his wonderfully unconventional life.

Thought-Provoking Quotes: 

“I played the same stage after it was abandoned for thirty years, but that’s the kind of stuff people leave off of their bio—the second half of the sentence. But I have shared the stage with the Spice Girls.”  - Andy Gullahorn

“I’ve always loved playing songs for people in the context of their life. I don’t really like getting in and leaving without knowing where I am.” - Andy Gullahorn

“We called it grinching because it felt like you were shoving a Christmas tree up a chimney when you were trying to shove it into a Sienna. And then we would literally play ‘You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ on repeat in the car.”  - Andy Gullahhorn

“If there’s something ridiculous you can do that is not harming anybody and some people are going to look at it and be like, ‘I don't understand it. That's weird.’ To me, it’s like a little art piece in the world. I try to collect that as much as I can.” - Andy Gullahorn

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Andy Gullahorn’s new record, Winning Streak

       Winning Streak (Vinyl + CD) - SIGNED OVERPAY - Andy Gullahorn

“I Saw a Stranger With Your Hair” by John Gorka 

David Wilcox (musician)

Pierce Pettis (musician)

“The Chair” by George Strait

Surfing for God by Mike Cusick 

Guest’s Links

Andy Gullahorn’s website

Andy Gullahorn’s Facebook

Andy Gullahorn’s Instagram

Andy Gullahorn’s X

Andy Gullahorn’s YouTube

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!  

*All episode music is by Andrew Osenga. 

Connect with Andrew: 

Website

YouTube

Substack

Spotify

Facebook

Instagram

How to Remember by Andrew Osenga

Hold the Light by Andrew Osenga

*The Pivot is produced in conjunction with Four Eyes Media.

Welcome to The Pivot—relaunched! Joining us this week is Pete Enns, author, Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, and cohost of The Bible For Normal People podcast. Pete emphasizes that his response to the question "What have you changed your mind about and why?" is constantly evolving, mirroring his own personal growth. He explores how embracing change respects both our human experience and individual journeys. The discussion also reveals how God, and faith broadly, accommodates questions rather than offering definitive answers.

Thought-Provoking Quotes: 

“I’ve changed my mind on a lot of things, and sometimes it’s still like, I used to know, but I don’t think I know that anymore. I used to think this, but now I think something differently. And that’s why I’m open to change about pretty much anything, even some of the most fundamental questions.” - Pete Enns

“We live in a universe that is filled with mystery. The more we see things, the more we see what we don’t, and things that were certain become less certain, not because science is stupid, but because science is skeptical and it moves forward and it sees things and has to make measurements and tests.” - Pete Enns

“I think primarily my goal is to let [people] know that the Christian world allows discussions and even encourages them, which is not what they hear on TV, like it’s one thing or nothing. God can handle it. Maybe God even likes the questions.” - Pete Enns

“Evolving faith is redundant. Faith always evolves or changes. It never stays the same, because human beings, we’re growing, we’re developing.” - Pete Enns 

“I do not think about God the same way now that I did when I was 24, 25. How could you? You live, you breathe, you experience things.” - Pete Enns 

“God is always affected by our experiences and our intuitions. You’ve probably heard, ‘Don’t trust your intuitions, don’t trust your feelings. Those things are irrelevant.’ But that’s what makes us human. Our emotions, our experiences, our intuitions, are always involved in how we think about God. To accept that, I think, is just simply to honor our humanity.” - Pete Enns

“The Bible is more of an invitation to communion than it is the divine answer book that answers all the questions we might have.” - Pete Enns

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Tony Stark

Eastern University

ChatGPT

The book of Job 

Ilya Delio

Villanova University

Aristotle 

Westminster Theological Seminary

Reformation

John Calvin

The Sin Of Certainty by Pete Enns

Rachel Held Evans

Evolving Faith

Iain McGilchrist

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!  

*All episode music is by Andrew Osenga. 

Guest’s Links: 

Pete Enns’ Facebook

Pete Enns’ Instagram

Pete Enns’ Substack

The Bible for Normal People Website

The Bible for Normal People TikTok

The Bible for Normal People Facebook

The Bible for Normal People Instagram

The Bible for Normal People YouTube

Connect with Andrew: 

Website

YouTube

Substack

Spotify

Facebook

Instagram

How to Remember by Andrew Osenga

Hold the Light by Andrew Osenga

*The Pivot is produced in conjunction with Four Eyes Media.

This conversation I had with Justin McRoberts was one of my favorites in a long while. I took a few great practical things away from this, as well as just deeply enjoying the time.

Justin’s work has taken on many shapes over the years: pastor, author, singer/songwriter, YoungLife guy, career coach, podcaster… but at the heart of it, he’s really done one thing this whole time. You’ll have to listen to find out what it is.

Also, his books on prayer: “Prayer” and “May It Be So”, are very much two of my favorites.

I feel like I know Justin way more than the amount of time we’ve spent together should allow. He just goes deep fast and so when we do get to spend time together, it always feels like it counts.

I think a lot of people feel that way about Justin, and after you spend this next hour with us, I hope you feel it, too.

You can find his books, his coaching and courses, and his music at justinmcroberts.com

And check out his podcast “At Sea”

Most importantly, join us at the CHICKEN OF THE MONTH CLUB!!! Go to fh.org/pivot to sign up today!

And here’s my music, if you’re interested…

Thank you all!

Now go do something awesome.

Andrew sits down with music/film legend Steve Taylor where pretty much Steve tells stories and Andrew laughs at them. Hear about starting a record label for Sixpence None the Richer, having a worldwide #1 hit, being a janitor, hiring your own professors, and how great Andrew is at Speed Scrabble. (He's really good.)
This one was super fun.
As always, check out andrewosenga.com/podcast for info about other episodes and Andrew's music.

Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay and Blood:Water Mission joins Andrew today as they discuss commencement speeches, fashion consultants, the overlapping circles of calling and vocation, and the amazing work Dan and his team do at Blood:Water.
To see Sadie's cartwheels please visit instagram.com/CleanWaterCartwheels - All donations in September will be matched!!
Check out andrewosenga.com/podcast for more episodes or to learn more about Andrew.

Annie Downs comes over and chats with Andrew about how long they've been friends (longer than he thought), life as a teacher, being in a group of broke friends, rejection letters, and who's in the picture frame for Annie's new book.
Check out andrewosenga.com/podcast for more about The Pivot and our host Andrew.

Andrew talks with his friend Don Chaffer, who he used to stalk, and talk about the beginning of Waterdeep, losing your parents, the choices that choose you as an adult, and musical theater. A LOT about musical theater. It's fascinating.
Check out andrewosenga.com/podcast for more about The Pivot and our host Andrew.

Bebo Norman sits down with Andrew as they recount starting music careers before the internet, crashing on couches and playing YoungLife camps, starting families and investing in community, and ultimately putting down the guitar and starting over in a completely new career.
Check out andrewosenga.com/podcast for more about The Pivot and our host Andrew.

Today's guest is Ellie Holcomb. We talk about growing up never wanting to be a musician, YoungLife camp, her time as a middle school teacher, and what led to her leaving her husband's successful band to start her own solo career.
 Visit andrewosenga.com/podcast for more about The Pivot and our host Andrew.

It's our first episode! We begin with our guest Dave Barnes. Dave is a successful singer/songwriter, hit country songwriter, occasional comedian, and a deep thinker. This felt like the right interview to lead the series as we talk about careers, Billy Joel, idolatry, and why we need a bar mitzvah for guys quitting music.
Check out andrewosenga.com/podcast for more about The Pivot and our host Andrew.