Things Above
Things Above

Things Above

Apprentice Institute

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A Community of Learning Centered on Discipleship

Recent Episodes

Conversation with Dr. Kelly Flanagan
APR 1, 2026
Conversation with Dr. Kelly Flanagan
<p>James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with author Dr. Kelly Flanagan. In this episode, James discusses Kelly&#8217;s book &#8220;The Road Less Triggered.&#8221; Learn more about Kelly&#8217;s book and order it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+road+less+triggered&amp;adgrpid=185081185583&amp;hvadid=779713622396&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9024248&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=11218736943114477766--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=11218736943114477766&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2458502845666&amp;hydadcr=15523_13558508_9248&amp;mcid=069f220878dc3470b53a15d157e5d772&amp;tag=googhydr-20&amp;ref=pd_sl_5lnjl2li6p_e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>!</p> <p><a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!</a></p> <p>Related Episodes:<br /> 1. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/03/11/the-gospel-is-bigger/" target="_blank">The Gospel Is Bigger</a><br /> 2. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/01/22/god-is-joyous/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">God Is Joyous</a><br /> 3. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/22/god-is-looking-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">God is Looking for You</a><br /> 4. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta</a><br /> 5. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Love Has You</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/04/01/conversation-with-dr-kelly-flanagan/">Conversation with Dr. Kelly Flanagan</a> appeared first on <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org">Apprentice Institute</a>.</p>
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55 MIN
The Gospel Is Bigger
MAR 11, 2026
The Gospel Is Bigger
<p>James Bryan Smith&#8217;s thought from above this episode is, &#8220;The Gospel Is Bigger.&#8221; In this episode, Smith discusses an article from Christianity Today that led him to the thought above. Smith cites Dallas Willard, John Mark Comer, and Scot McKnight to explain his thoughts above.</p> <p>James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “God is the most joyous being in the universe.” In this epiode Smith explains how and why God is joyous. He gives examples from the book of Job and The Divine Conspiracy.</p> <p><a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!</a></p> <p>Related Episodes:<br /> 1. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/01/22/god-is-joyous/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">God Is Joyous</a><br /> 2. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/22/god-is-looking-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">God is Looking for You</a><br /> 3. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta</a><br /> 4. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Love Has You</a><br /> 5. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deny</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2026/03/11/the-gospel-is-bigger/">The Gospel Is Bigger</a> appeared first on <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org">Apprentice Institute</a>.</p>
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19 MIN
God is Looking for You
DEC 22, 2025
God is Looking for You
<p>James Bryan Smith&#8217;s thought from above this week is, &#8220;God is looking for you.&#8221; In this Christmas-themed episode, James talks about how God invites us into a relationship with him through the Holy Spirit. Smith quotes a sermon from St. Augustine to help explain his thought from above.</p> <p><a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!</a></p> <p>Related Episodes:<br /> 1. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/" target="_blank">Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta</a><br /> 2. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Love Has You</a><br /> 3. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deny</a><br /> 4. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Conversation with Aundi Kolber</a><br /> 5. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Integrate Like Jesus</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/22/god-is-looking-for-you/">God is Looking for You</a> appeared first on <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org">Apprentice Institute</a>.</p>
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22 MIN
Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta
DEC 3, 2025
Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta
<p>James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta about their book, <a href="https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436437_slow-theology" target="_blank">&#8220;Slow Theology.&#8221;</a></p> <p>In our fast-paced world of outrageous headlines and knee-jerk reactions, we struggle to hear God&#8217;s voice amid the noise. Despite constant connectivity, our lives lack true spiritual connection and depth.</p> <p>A. J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta offer a practical theology guide for building resilient faith through Christian discipleship. Addressing spiritual deconstruction and doubt with honesty, they show how to fortify your faith against cultural challenges through eight transformative spiritual practices, including</p> <p>● taking your time in prayer and Bible study,<br /> ● building patience for your spiritual journey and faith formation,<br /> ● slowing down your thinking and decision-making process,<br /> ● finding peace with unanswered questions rather than demanding easy solutions, and<br /> ● facing spiritual difficulties head-on instead of avoiding them.</p> <p>This Christian living book helps weary believers reconnect with God and neighbor through intentional spiritual growth. With a foreword by Glenn Packiam, it&#8217;s perfect for devotional reading, small group study, or anyone seeking authentic faith formation.</p> <p><a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!</a></p> <p>Related Episodes:<br /> 1. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/" target="_blank">Love Has You</a><br /> 2. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/" target="_blank">Deny</a><br /> 3. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Conversation with Aundi Kolber</a><br /> 4. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Integrate Like Jesus</a><br /> 5. <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Your Project</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/">Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta</a> appeared first on <a href="https://apprenticeinstitute.org">Apprentice Institute</a>.</p>
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51 MIN