SeedTime with Bob and Linda Lotich

Pastor and bestselling author Mark Batterson joins Bob to unpack one of the most misunderstood principles of growth: the way breakthroughs actually happen—gradually, then suddenly.

From Warren Buffett's compounding to Jim Carrey's famed $10M check, to the long arc of ministry, writing, generosity, and family life, this conversation is a hopeful reset for anyone who feels "behind."

• Why most "overnight success" stories take decades
• What 95-year-olds say they would do differently (and how it should change our lives today)
• The "25-year time machine" mindset that makes ordinary moments priceless
• Why young adults often underestimate what God can do in 10–20 years
• How Mark pastors a church with seven properties and zero debt — and the long-term mindset behind it
• Turning your church "inside out": how NCC generates $2M/year through marketplace engagement
• The hidden power of giving goals (and the difference between getting vs. giving goals)
• The surprising truth about Buffett's wealth: it's not returns… it's time
• Mark's take on grand gestures, faith steps, and why God honors long obedience
• Bob's story of writing a 5-year giving goal that seemed impossible—and what God did
• What to do when your dream is taking way longer than you thought

• "You'll overestimate what you can do in two years and underestimate what God can do in ten." —Mark Batterson
• "Faith is taking the first step before God reveals the second." —Mark Batterson
• "The greatest risk is taking no risks." —Mark Batterson
• "We decided to do a ten-year book launch. Let's give it a decade and see if it's any good." —Bob Lotich

00:00 — Why get-rich-quick thinking never works

01:00 — Introducing Mark Batterson & the story behind Gradually, Then Suddenly

02:00 — What 95-year-olds regret most

04:00 — The "25-year time machine" for parenting and life

05:00 — Why we plan vacations better than our futures

07:00 — The power of long-range thinking (and why it's so rare)

08:00 — Why most people quit right before the breakthrough

10:00 — Bob's 10-year book launch strategy

12:00 — Early results vs. long obedience

14:00 — The myth of the fast start: Circle Maker sales + slow beginnings

16:00 — Teaching a generation to love "gradually"

19:00 — Mark's 29-year pastoral journey and miraculous property story

21:00 — Why NCC's venue generates $2M/year

24:00 — What church leaders can learn from marketplace strategy

28:00 — Jim Carrey's $10M check and the power of a grand gesture

29:00 — Bob's five-year giving goal that changed everything

32:00 — How giving goals open doors for God to move

34:00 — What to do with dreams that are taking too long

35:00 — Closing encouragement + where to get the book

In this tender, emotional episode, Bob and Linda open up about a simple idea that completely reframed how they parent: the "$50,000 Moment."

It started with a story Bob read — one so moving he couldn't finish it without crying — about a dad who imagined paying $50,000 to relive a single bedtime with his 10-year-old. That thought experiment changed him, and now it's changing the Lotich household too.

If you're a parent (or even if you aren't), this episode will recalibrate how you see the people in your life and remind you of the beauty tucked into ordinary days.

• The story that made Bob stop checking the clock at bedtime
• Why we forget the voices of our kids at different ages
• The biblical wisdom behind remembering the brevity of life
• How to recognize "$50,000 moments" in real time
• Why presence is a discipleship practice—not a personality trait
• What Jesus and Mr. Rogers both modeled about "holy slowness"
• How this principle applies to more than kids
• A tender story about Bob's uncle and what it taught him about presence

• Psalm 90:12 — "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom."

1. You won't realize the value of a moment until it's gone. Bob shares how he can no longer remember what his now-11-year-old sounded like as a six-year-old—and how that realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
2. Future you would pay anything to get today back. The "time-machine thought experiment" reframes bedtime, routines, and interruptions as priceless opportunities.
3. Presence is a form of love—and discipleship. Looking at the way Jesus interacted with people, we see an invitation to slow down and be with those around us.
4. This isn't just about kids. Parents, friends, coworkers, church community members—none of us are guaranteed another moment together.
5. You don't have to create regrets. You can create reminders. Bob calls them $50,000 moments—a cue to pause, breathe, and fully engage.

• Ask yourself during ordinary moments: "If I had to pay to relive this, how much would I spend?"
• During bedtime or stressful transitions, picture your 80-year-old self watching.
• Treat others—kids, friends, the barista, the bus driver—as people God placed in your path today.
• Practice the "Fred Rogers pause": give full attention to whoever is in front of you.

• Gradually, Then Suddenly by Mark Batterson
• Let's Retire Retirement by Derek Coburn

If you know a parent in the thick of it, or someone who needs a reminder to slow down and savor what matters—send this to them.

Just a 4-minute little reminder today! What if one short, 29-word sentence from the Bible could shift the atmosphere in your home, change how you see your finances, and remind you that God Himself has placed His name on you?

In this episode, Bob & Linda dive into the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6 — a prayer that God commanded to be spoken over His people. You've probably heard it before, maybe even sung it in church, but chances are you've never fully realized its power in your daily life

📖 Scripture highlight: "May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace." (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)

💡 This week's action step: Speak the Aaronic blessing out loud once a day—over yourself, your family, or your finances. Notice how it shifts your mindset and brings peace.

In this episode, I sat down with PJ Vescovi — financial advisor, pastor, and author of The Great Money Reform — and this one's going to challenge you in the best way possible.

We dove deep into the 5 keys to being a truly good steward, not just in theory, but in daily decisions. PJ's insights are fire — especially his stories around radical generosity, godly work ethic, and the real reason you're not walking in financial freedom.

This isn't your average money conversation. This is faith, finance, and focus colliding in a way that'll leave you rethinking how you spend, give, invest, and even parent.

If you've ever asked:

• "How do I know if I'm being obedient with my money?"

• "Am I managing my finances with intentionality, or just winging it?"

• "Why is God calling me to give something that doesn't make sense financially?"

Then this episode is your blueprint.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

71% of Americans admit they're losing sleep over money—but Jesus already gave us the cure in the most famous sermon ever preached.

In this episode, Bob and Linda unpack the surprising connection between mammon, anxiety, and misplaced treasure—and share the one simple prayer that can break financial fear and open the door to God's peace and provision.

They walk through Matthew 6:19–34, revealing how birds and lilies understand something most believers forget: your value isn't in what you own—it's in who owns you.

What You'll Learn:

• The hidden link between serving mammon and constant money stress
• Why Jesus' words in Matthew 6 are a direct cure for financial anxiety
• The "treasure principle" that keeps peace and provision flowing
• How comparison steals your provision (and how to stop)
• A practical, Biblical step you can take today to renounce financial fear

Scripture References (NLT):

• Matthew 6:19–34 — "You cannot serve both God and money."
• Philippians 4:6–7 — "Don't worry about anything; pray about everything."
• Genesis 8:22 — "Seedtime and harvest will never cease."