Most people assume great conversationalists are born that way.

What if they're not?

In this episode, Jamie and Raz explore a simple framework from Harvard researcher Alison Wood Brooks that can help anyone grow in meaningful conversations. The framework is called TALK:

• Topics – What matters to the other person?
• Asking – What questions can help you learn their story?
• Levity – How can you bring joy and delight into the interaction?
• Kindness – How can you help them feel seen, known, and loved?

As they unpack each element, Jamie and Raz discover something surprising: this isn't just good communication advice, it's remarkably similar to the way Jesus interacted with people throughout the Gospels.

From the woman at the well to tax collectors, disciples, and strangers, Jesus consistently engaged people with curiosity, joy, compassion, and genuine interest. He didn't just deliver information; He made people feel seen.

The conversation also explores how simple acts of kindness, thoughtful questions, and even offering prayer can become practical ways to bring the kingdom of God into everyday workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Great conversations are a skill that can be learned, not just a personality trait.
• Jesus modeled the TALK framework long before anyone gave it a name.
• People are often more open to prayer, kindness, and spiritual conversations than we assume.
• The goal isn't to impress people, it's to help them feel seen, known, and loved.
• Before your next conversation, ask the Father for His heart for the person in front of you.

Memorable Quote

"What if everyday conversations are one of the primary ways Jesus wants to bring His kingdom into the world?"

Reflection Question

Who is the next person you'll talk to today, and what might change if you approached that conversation with the heart of Jesus?

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Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Their Church: 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

Have you ever prayed, sought God sincerely, and heard… nothing?

Many followers of Jesus assume silence means something is wrong, that God is distant, disappointed, or unwilling to answer. But what if His silence isn't absence? What if it's an invitation?

Big Idea

God's silence doesn't always mean God isn't speaking. Sometimes His silence invites us to lean in, trust Him more deeply, and discover what He's doing beneath the surface.

Key Takeaways

• God's silence doesn't mean God's absence.
• Silence often invites us deeper into relationship.
• God sets the agenda in prayer.
• Don't confuse conviction with condemnation.
• More may be happening than you can see.
• Persistence matters.
• Trust God's answers, even when they're not what you hoped for.
• Keep your eyes on Jesus, not someone else's story.

A Few Thoughts from the Conversation

Prayer Is Relationship, Not a Transaction

We often approach prayer expecting immediate answers. But God is not a vending machine or a Magic 8-Ball. He's a Father.

Sometimes His silence causes us to lean in, pay attention, and discover that He wants to talk about something different than what we brought to the conversation.

Shame Is a Terrible Interpreter

When prayers go unanswered, many people immediately assume:

"God must be disappointed in me."

While conviction is real, condemnation is not.

If you belong to Jesus, your standing with God is secure. Don't let guilt, shame, or the accusations of the enemy define how you interpret God's silence.

There May Be More Happening Than You Can See

In Daniel 10, Daniel prayed for twenty-one days before receiving an answer.

When the angel finally arrived, he explained that Daniel's prayer had been heard from day one, but a spiritual battle had delayed the response.

We often have no idea what God is doing behind the scenes while we wait.

Keep Showing Up

Sometimes breakthrough comes quickly.

Sometimes it comes after months, or years, of persistent prayer.

Don't let delay convince you that God isn't working.

Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep showing up.

Trust the Shepherd

Some prayers receive a "yes."

Others receive a "wait."

And some receive a "no."

Trusting God means believing He is good even when His answer isn't what we wanted.

The goal of prayer is not simply getting answers. The goal is walking with Jesus.

Final Encouragement

God hears every prayer.

Even when heaven seems silent.

Even when the answer is delayed.

Even when the answer is different than what you hoped.

Stay close to Jesus.

Keep praying.

Trust His heart.

The end of the story is good.

Song Recommendation

"Somebody Prayed" — Crowder
https://youtu.be/GVITQPGlI30?si=2hKxnkhnmam62Y51

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 and Resources

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

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Their Church: 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

What do you do when Jesus changes the plan?

In this episode, Jamie and Raz talk about the moments in leadership and life where you stop and realize: “I didn’t see that coming.”

Throughout Scripture, people who walked with God were constantly surprised by where He led them. Abram didn’t see coming the call to leave home, the birth of Isaac at 100 years old, or the command to place the child of promise on Mount Moriah. Moses didn’t see coming a burning bush encounter with Yahweh. The disciples regularly failed to understand what Jesus was doing right in front of them.

And Paul didn’t see coming that the Holy Spirit would forbid him from going into Asia Minor. Instead, through a dream of a Macedonian man calling for help, Jesus redirected him into Macedonia — leading to ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth.

Jamie and Raz also share a recent story from Mariemont Church and the new Kingdom Lab summer internship.

As they planned a group project for the interns, they assumed the focus would be youth ministry, young adults, or assimilation. But during the interview process, they realized that three of the four interns shared a deep passion for serving individuals and families impacted by special needs.

It wasn’t on their radar at all.

But instead of forcing their original plan, they sensed Jesus inviting them into something unexpected: exploring what it would look like for Mariemont Church to become more Christlike and more welcoming to special needs individuals and their families.

In this episode, Jamie and Raz discuss:
• Why following Jesus often disrupts our plans
• The danger of closed-handed leadership
• How discernment sometimes looks like paying attention
• Why some of the best ministry moments are the ones you never planned
• What it means to live and lead open-handed with Jesus

The episode ends with a challenge for leaders:

Can you identify moments over the last six months where you found yourself saying, “I didn’t see that coming”?

Because throughout Scripture, people who truly followed Jesus were surprised by where He led them. Maybe part of following Jesus is staying open when He changes the plan?

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

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: 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