myPlace Podcast

Mary McSwain
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Finding your PLACE in life and ministry! We want to help you get to know yourself and how God has created you. We'll help you look at yourself holistically through the lens of personality, spiritual gifts, abilities, passion, and life experiences and see how they work together in helping you be the person God designed you to be. We want you to know how you can be successful in your relationships, in your ministry, and in your career.

  1. 4d ago

    EP113: Summer Series Recap | The One Thing Every Bible Character Had in Common

    What do Pharaoh, Peter, Barnabas, Moses, and Doubting Thomas all have in common? More than you might think. In this wrap-up episode, Mary and Jay close out the summer series with a recap of every character they explored, and one surprising thread that ran through all of them. Spoiler: it is control. Every personality type, in its own way, has a version of the same underlying drive. For some it is controlling a situation to reach a goal. For others it is controlling people's perception of them, or maintaining harmony in a group, or needing all the details before they can take a step of faith. Different personality, same root struggle. Mary and Jay also talk about what stood out in how God interacted with each of them, including how practical and tangible he was, giving Elijah a nap and a meal, letting Thomas touch the scars, turning Moses's staff into a serpent, and why that matters for the way he might be meeting us in our everyday lives too. If you have been following along this summer, this episode is a great way to bring it all together. If you are just tuning in, consider this your invitation to go back through the archives and find the people you relate to most. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-… Hashtags: #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #SummerSeriesRecap #PLACEProfile #BibleCharacterStudy #PersonalityAndFaith #LetGoAndTrustGod #GodUsesYou #MaryAndJay #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #DiscModel #KnowYourself #BiblePersonalities #FaithOverControl

  2. Jul 24

    EP112: Moses and Thomas | What Happens When You Ask God the Hard Questions

    Did you know that one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," came from a question that Thomas asked? In this final episode of the MyPlace summer series, Mary and Jay close out the character study with two men who had a lot of questions, a lot of doubt, and a lot of fear, and yet God still chose them anyway. Moses and Thomas lived thousands of years apart but shared the same detail-oriented, inquisitive personality style. They both wrestled with insecurity, leaned into doubt when the details were unclear, and at times let their "what ifs" almost talk them out of saying yes to God. But they also asked questions that gave the rest of us some of the greatest clarity Scripture has to offer. Mary and Jay walk through what made their questions a strength, when curiosity crosses into criticism, why humility taken too far becomes insecurity, and how God responded to both men with a combination of gentleness, detail, and a firm nudge in the right direction. And if you have ever felt like you are not qualified enough, not articulate enough, or too full of doubt to be used by God, Moses and Thomas are your people. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #MosesAndThomas #PLACEProfile #SummerSeries #BibleCharacterStudy #CPersonality #DarkSidesOfPersonality #FaithAndDoubt #DoubtingThomas #GodUsesYou #MaryAndJay #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #AskGodYourQuestions

  3. Jul 17

    EP111: Aaron and Peter | When the Need to Be Liked Becomes the Thing That Gets You

    One helped build a golden calf. The other denied Jesus around a campfire. Two men, hundreds of years apart, stumbling in surprisingly similar ways. In this episode of the MyPLACE Podcast summer series, Mary and Jay look at the lives of Aaron and Peter, two extroverted, articulate, people-oriented leaders who had every reason to stand firm, and still caved to the crowd. They dig into the difference between wanting recognition and wanting acceptance, why the same strength that got Peter out of the boat also let the waves take his focus off of Jesus, and how Aaron's ability to draw people in became a need to keep people happy at all costs. They also make a really interesting distinction between how Aaron and Peter's compromises looked the same on the outside but were driven by very different things on the inside, and why God cares more about the motive than the mistake. And then there is the part that might be the most encouraging of all. God did not shelve either of them. Aaron still became the priest. Peter still birthed the church. God uses broken, fallible, people-pleasing people, and that is good news for all of us. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #AaronAndPeter #PLACEProfile #SummerSeries #BibleCharacterStudy #IPersonality #DarkSidesOfPersonality #FaithAndPersonality #GodUsesYou #ProgressNotPerfection #MaryAndJay #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #BrokenAndRedeemed

  4. Jul 3

    EP109: Abraham and Barnabas | The Quiet Strength Behind the Big Stories

    Not everyone in Scripture had the biggest personality in the room. But that does not mean God did not use them in some of the biggest ways. In this episode of the MyPLACE summer series, Mary and Jay explore the lives of Abraham and Barnabas, two men from very different eras who shared a steady, peacemaking personality style, and some surprising shared struggles as well. They were mediators, second-chance givers, and loyal supporters who often stepped aside so others could shine. But that same go-with-the-flow nature that made them so steady could also make them passive when they needed to speak up, and cause them to compromise their convictions to keep the peace. Jay and Mary walk through some of the most overlooked moments in both of their stories, from Abraham trying to please both Sarah and Hagar at once, to Barnabas quietly slipping to the wrong side of the table in Galatians 2 just to avoid causing conflict. They also talk about what made Barnabas's role in Paul's story so critical, and why none of Paul's ministry might have happened without him. If you have ever felt like your personality is too quiet or too behind the scenes to be used by God in a significant way, this episode is for you. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-…

  5. Jun 26

    EP108: King Saul vs. King David | Same Personality, Same Spotlight, Different Hearts

    In this episode of the MyPLACE Podcast summer series, Mary and Jay dig into the lives of King Saul and King David, two imperfect, impulsive, charismatic leaders who both had what it took but made very different choices with what they were given. They walk through their shared strengths, like the ability to draw people in, inspire loyalty, and lead with confidence, and their shared dark sides, like impulsiveness, jealousy, the need for people's approval, and using charm to manipulate. From Saul hurling a spear at his own son to David trying to cover up his sin with Bathsheba, these are not polished heroes. They are broken people, and that is exactly what makes their stories so relatable. But the question that matters is not whether they stumbled. It is what they did after. One evaded responsibility and hardened his heart. The other fell at God's feet and stayed there. And that made all the difference. If you have ever felt like your highs are high and your lows are low, or you have ever had to sit with consequences you brought on yourself, this episode was made for you. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #PharaohandPaul #BibleCharacterStudy #PersonalityAndFaith #DPersonality #TransformationStory #FaithAndLeadership #SurrenderToGod #MaryAndJay #SummerSeries #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #RoadToDamascus

  6. Jun 19

    EP107: Pharaoh vs. Paul | Same Personality, Different Endings

    What do an ancient Egyptian king and the Apostle Paul have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Mary and Jay kick off a new summer series, a character study of people in Scripture, starting with two men who lived 1,500 years apart but shared the same driven, take-charge personality style. Pharaoh and Paul were both bold, task-focused, never-give-up leaders who were not afraid to oppose anyone who got in their way. But one's life ended in tragedy, and the other's ended in transformation. So what made the difference? Jay and Mary walk through their shared strengths, their shared struggles, and the moment when confidence tips over into control, when drive becomes destruction, and when "I did it my way" starts working against you. They also talk about how God uniquely got Paul's attention on the road to Damascus, and the surprising marker of Paul's transformation at the end of his life. Whether you are a driven, take-charge personality or you know someone who is, this episode will help you see both the power and the danger of that wiring, and what it looks like when it gets fully surrendered to God. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #PharaohandPaul #BibleCharacterStudy #PersonalityAndFaith #DPersonality #TransformationStory #FaithAndLeadership #SurrenderToGod #MaryAndJay #SummerSeries #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #RoadToDamascus

  7. Jun 12

    EP106: You Are God's Masterpiece

    What if the word Scripture uses to describe you is the same word we get "poem" from in English? In this episode, Mary and Jay unpack one of the foundational verses of the PLACE tool, Ephesians 2:10, and what it truly means to be God's handiwork, His masterpiece. They explore why so many people struggle to believe that about themselves, how comparison and insecurity are some of the oldest tactics the enemy uses to steal your contentment, and why struggling to believe who God says you are can actually keep you from doing what God made you to do. Jay also shares a real story of how a man who showed up late to lead a group, because he had just gotten engaged, became one of the most passionate and gifted leaders in a ministry years later. Because when you know your handiwork, you know where to show up. Whether you are still figuring out your purpose or just need a reminder of who God says you are, this conversation will encourage you to believe it and pursue it. #Ephesians210 #GodsHandiwork #YouAreHisMasterpiece #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #IdentityInChrist #PurposeAndFaith #FaithAndIdentity #KnowYourPurpose #GodMadeYouOnPurpose #ChristianGrowth #MaryAndJay #DiscoverYourPurpose #BibleStudy The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-…

  8. Jun 5

    EP105: What's Draining Your Passion?

    You can love something deeply and still feel completely disconnected from it. In this episode, Mary and Jay dig into what passion actually is, where it comes from, and the people, events, and circumstances that can quietly drain it right out of you. Jay shares real coaching stories including a woman who got recruited for the wrong role because of one powerful event in her life, a man guilted into serving at Vacation Bible School, and an investigative, artistic guy who almost got put on the parking team. These stories show just how easy it is to end up saying yes to all the wrong things and losing your passion in the process. They also talk about the five types of people in your life, the ones who ignite your passion, share it, and the ones who silently drain it, and why knowing the difference matters more than most people realize. If you have been feeling burnt out, disconnected, or like the flame has gone out, this episode will help you understand why and what to do about it. The Dark Sides of Personality Book:  https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study!  https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment!  https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #GuardYourHeart #PassionAndPurpose #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #AvoidBurnout #FaithAndPurpose #CheerfulGiver #KnowYourself #SayNoToSayYes #IdentityInChrist #MaryAndJay #ChristianGrowth #DiscoverYourPassion #SpiritualHealth

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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Finding your PLACE in life and ministry! We want to help you get to know yourself and how God has created you. We'll help you look at yourself holistically through the lens of personality, spiritual gifts, abilities, passion, and life experiences and see how they work together in helping you be the person God designed you to be. We want you to know how you can be successful in your relationships, in your ministry, and in your career.

Information

  • Creator
    Mary McSwain
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    myPlace Podcast