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

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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 #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
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 #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