Deep Change

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Alex Tarasiuk and Dr. Steve Smith talk about learning how to experience transformational change through intimacy with God.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    11 - Deep Change: Appropriation

    Appropriating What God Has Already Given We continue the conversation on intimacy with God and transformational change, focusing on the second of the “done disciplines”: appropriation. Alex Tarasiuk and Steve Smith explain how believers often ask God for what He has already provided in Christ, and why learning to take hold of those gifts changes how we think, respond, and live. We discuss how hope, riches, and power from Ephesians 1:18 to 19 become practical in daily life, especially in moments of frustration, despair, and relational conflict. Steve also shares personal stories from marriage and parenting to show what it looks like to stop trying to change in human strength and instead rely on what God has already done. Key topics Steve defines appropriation as taking hold of what God has already given for spiritual benefitThe difference between asking God to give something and receiving what is already ours in ChristPaul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18 to 19 as the foundation for hope, riches, and powerWhy hope is not wishful thinking but confidence in God’s promiseHow the “In Christ” passages in Ephesians and Colossians help believers identify what they already haveA personal story about God confronting Steve’s criticism toward his wife and changing his response over timeWhy “I can’t” is an honest prayer and often the beginning of real transformationHow appropriation applies in ordinary moments like parenting stress, irritability, and family chaosThe connection between spiritual warfare, discouragement, and forgetting what God has already suppliedWhy the home becomes the proving ground for whether transformation is real Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing appropriation as a done discipline03:22 - Why we keep asking for what God already gave04:53 - The refrigerator illustration for taking what is available07:14 - Hope as sure confidence in God’s promise08:12 - Hope, glory, and assurance in Romans 510:19 - Watchman Nee’s influence and the sitting, walking, standing framework12:38 - Christ as everything we need, not just extra help15:50 - Co-heirs with Christ and the “In Christ” practice17:49 - God’s power to change the person, not just the behavior18:18 - The story of God confronting Steve’s criticism of his wife21:02 - “I can’t” as the start of honest transformation23:29 - Why trying harder in your own strength will fail25:52 - Hope, riches, and power as answers to different struggles28:10 - What appropriation looks like in a chaotic morning30:33 - Why the disciplines work together, not as silos31:33 - Staying with God until He shows what is really happening33:47 - Forgiveness is not the same as change36:33 - Real change is already happening before you notice it38:51 - How hope reframes small problems in a larger story41:56 - Spiritual warfare and vulnerability when we forget what we have43:24 - Why the home reveals whether transformation is real46:40 - Christ living through us instead of self-powered obedience48:25 - Summary of appropriation as resisting despair, lies, and defeat49:26 - Preview of next episode on meditating on God’s love

  2. Aug 20

    10 - Deep Change: Done Discipline of Rest

    Transformational change starts with intimacy with God rather than with a longer to-do list. Alex Tarasiuk and Steve Smith unpack the first of the “done disciplines,” showing how rest, appropriation, and later meditating on God’s love flow from what God has already finished in Christ.The discussion matters because it reframes spiritual growth from effort and self-improvement to receiving, trusting, and living from what has already been given. Steve also grounds the discussion in Ephesians, Romans, Matthew, and examples from everyday family life. Key topics Steve Smith explains that “done disciplines” are practices rooted in what God has already accomplished through Christ, not things believers perform to earn transformation.The first discipline, rest, is defined as being with God without an agenda, not as emptying the mind but as turning attention toward God in trust.Alex and Steve contrast reformational thinking, which emphasizes doing more spiritual tasks, with transformational thinking, which emphasizes relationship, trust, and receiving God’s work.Steve explains appropriation as taking hold of what God has already given, rather than asking God to give again what is already available in Christ.Ephesians 1:18 to 19 is central to the discussion: hope, riches, and power are presented as realities believers already possess and must learn to receive.Steve uses the refrigerator illustration to show appropriation: if something is already in the fridge, you do not need to beg for it, you simply take it and use it.The conversation stresses that spiritual change is not self-generated. God’s power, not human grit, is what changes habits, responses, and character.Steve shares a personal testimony about God ending his pattern of criticizing his wife, showing that transformation can become visible in ordinary marriage and family life.Alex and Steve discuss how spiritual warfare, despair, and self-condemnation intensify when believers forget what they already have in Christ.The conversation closes by distinguishing done disciplines from do disciplines, and by linking all of it back to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing intimacy with God and the discipline of appropriation02:34 - Why believers ask God for what He has already given04:29 - The refrigerator illustration and what appropriation means07:14 - Hope as surety, not wishful thinking08:12 - Romans 5 and hope in the glory of God10:19 - Watchman Nee, Ephesians, and the pattern of sit, walk, stand12:07 - Christ as everything we need, not just one resource among many14:16 - Paul and Silas as an example of hope under pressure16:19 - “In Christ” as the key to riches and inheritance17:19 - Power, spiritual change, and the story of stopping criticism21:16 - God’s answer to “I can’t” and the beginning of real change23:29 - Why trying harder without power always fails25:52 - Hope, riches, and power as answers to fear, confusion, and weakness27:41 - What appropriation looks like in a hectic family morning30:03 - Why the disciplines are not silos31:33 - Wrestling with God until He shows what is driving our reactions32:04 - The ice water spill and the contrast between old and transformed responses33:47 - Why forgiveness alone does not equal change35:48 - How appropriation changes the inner life, not just the moment38:51 - Hope, inheritance, and seeing life in a larger context41:25 - Spiritual warfare, brokenness, and the armor of God43:24 - Why the home is the real proving ground of transformation46:09 - Living from what has already been given in Christ47:38 - Allowing Christ’s forgiveness and power to work through us48:25 - The practical summary of hope, riches, and power49:26 - Previewing meditating on God’s love52:12 - “It is finished” and why done means done53:34 - Coming to God with confidence and lightness

  3. Aug 13

    09 - Deep Change: Do you want to get well?

    Steve explains that many people do not immediately want change, even when they know it would be better for them. Pain can become familiar, and familiarity can feel safer than the unknown life on the other side of healing. Sometimes pain also becomes identity—through victimhood, anger, addiction, or the need for justice—and letting go of it can feel like losing a part of yourself.Steve and Alex connect the man at Bethesda to people today who minimize the help they receive, externalize responsibility, or resist healing because they are afraid of what comes next. They talk through how stress can trigger old coping patterns, how addiction forms a feedback loop, and why self-awareness alone is not enough to produce change.Transformation is not about becoming a different person, but about becoming who God made people to be. Rather than flattening personality or producing religious sameness, God’s work frees people from the weight of sin so the true self can be seen more clearly. Key takeaways: Healing begins with the question: Do you want to get well?Familiar pain can feel safer than unknown freedom.Identity built around victimhood, anger, or addiction can block transformation.Stress often triggers old coping patterns and addictive behaviors.Real change requires surrender, humility, and intimacy with God.God’s transformation does not erase personality; it reveals who was meant to be. Healing is possible, but it starts with honest surrender and a willingness to let God heal the places people have learned to live with.

  4. Aug 6

    08 - Deep Change: Addiction and Stress

    Do You Want to Get Well? In this episode of Deep Change, Alex and Steve continue the journey through transformational change and ask the pivotal question from John 5: “Do you want to get well?” They explore why healing is not just about information or self-awareness, but about surrender, trust, and a willingness to let God transform the parts of us we’ve used to survive.The conversation goes deep into how pain, identity, stress, and addiction can keep people stuck. Steve shares how people often cling to familiar patterns because those patterns help them make sense of life, even when they are destructive. Alex and Steve also discuss the risk and cost of healing, the difference between symptoms and addiction, and how intimacy with God becomes the path toward lasting change. Key Topics The meaning of Jesus’ question: “Do you want to get well?”Why people may resist healingHow identity can become tied to painThe difference between self-knowledge and transformationStress as a trigger for familiar coping behaviorsHow symptoms can become addictionWhy healing requires trust, surrender, and intimacy with GodThe danger of returning to old patterns after changeThe role of compassion when helping others who are stuck Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to the question “Do you want to get well?”01:06 — Why change requires choice02:51 — The root issue: rejecting God’s reign04:32 — A church story that illustrates resistance to healing09:29 — Identity, familiarity, and the man at Bethesda11:22 — “I have no one to help me”13:49 — Healing is risky16:44 — Pain, identity, and the cost of change18:42 — Victim and hero identities19:54 — Forgiveness and holding onto hurt22:43 — The question must be asked repeatedly25:05 — Why self-checking can become unhealthy27:44 — Intimacy with God vs. endless striving31:36 — Transformation does not erase personality34:45 — What freedom feels like on the other side37:16 — “Stop sinning” and the danger of going backward40:55 — Compassion for people in addiction44:09 — Why wanting to get well is not enough on its own Takeaway Healing is not merely about breaking bad habits; it’s about becoming willing to let God lead you into a freer, truer identity. The question is not just whether you can change, but whether you want to surrender to the process of being made well.

  5. Jul 30

    07 - Deep Change: Motivational Sin Inventory

    In this episode, Alex Tarasiuk discusses the intricate relationship between heart issues, sin, and transformational change with Steve Smith. They explore how understanding our motivational sins can lead to genuine intimacy with God, affecting both personal and church-wide transformation. Key Topics: The development of the Sin in Me inventory and its purpose in revealing internal motivationsThe seven motivational sins influenced by epithumius, or corrupted desiresHow motivational sins manifest through specific behaviors and their connection to hurt and internal strugglesThe importance of self-awareness in recognizing sin patterns and the role of the inventory in this processThe difference between external symptoms and internal heart motivationsThe significance of surrendering sins to God and pursuing intimacy with Him for true changeThe impact of pride, false humility, and the recognition of different sins over timeThe role of repentance, honesty, and spiritual rescue in healing patterns of destructive behaviorHow the inventory can expose the roots of sinful behavior but must be used carefully and with guidanceThe ongoing process of transformation through the Spirit, not a one-time eventThe universal nature of sin across cultures and its effect on our capacity to love and receive love Resources: Books by Steve SmithChurch Equippers - Downloadables Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to transformational change and the heart chart00:31 - Overview of inventories and Steve Smith's sin inventory development01:09 - The reason for writing books and spirituality origins02:14 - How personal stories influence transformational frameworks03:04 - Understanding why we need transformation through biblical foundations03:51 - The role of choices and intimacy with God in healing04:33 - Revising and expanding on related books: marriage and counseling05:44 - Deepening the theology of covenant and biblical counseling07:10 - Transforming church culture through biblical principles09:38 - The significance of the Motivational Sin Inventory10:26 - Exploring the seven motivational sins and their roots11:27 - The importance of personal grasp of heart issues12:41 - Critique of external sin tests and internal desires13:07 - The prayerful process behind developing reflections of internal motives14:36 - Universal behaviors associated with each motivational sin15:23 - Recognizing the accumulative nature of behaviors and sins16:13 - How self-protection impacts honesty during inventory reflection17:17 - The role of pride and false humility in concealing sin18:48 - The contrast between true repentance and false humility19:48 - The purpose of the inventory in leading to genuine change20:52 - The emotional impact of seeing sins reflected back22:15 - The spiritual responsibility in addressing sins like sloth23:26 - Sloth as a decision to avoid responsibility and its link to depression24:14 - The impact of sloth on mental health and spiritual health25:57 - Connections between hurt, sin, and specific sins like sloth27:43 - How early role models influence motivational sins30:00 - Risks of giving the inventory without proper guidance32:23 - The importance of community and spiritual guidance after reflection36:18 - The deceit of pride and how it often is hidden or disguised39:04 - The potential for change when sins are addressed honestly41:20 - How pursuing intimacy with God leads to natural healing43:17 - The reality of ongoing struggles and the Spirit’s power for true freedom45:33 - The gospel’s role in transforming motivation and ability to love46:34 - Humanity’s resistance to true altruism and the effects of the fall49:11 - Next steps: deepening understanding of sin, hurt, and spiritual growth

  6. Jul 23

    06 - Deep Change: Sin in me

    Explore the complex relationship between internal desires, sins, and hurt, and how understanding these elements can lead to genuine transformation in the Christian life. This episode dives into biblical perspectives on human nature, the roots of sin, and pathways toward healing.In this episode: The biblical framework of sin in Romans chapter 7 and its relevance todayHow desires, even good ones, become corrupted through the fallThe seven deadly sins as motivations behind external behaviorsThe internal versus external aspects of sin and sufferingThe role of guilt, shame, and generational patterns in shaping behaviorThe distinction between hurt caused by life’s circumstances and the sin we chooseHow aging and ongoing wounds affect our battle with sinThe importance of grace and the Spirit’s power in our ongoing sanctificationLarry Crabbe, Inside OutRomans 7 Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the deep topics of human change and sin in the heart02:13 - Paul’s insights in Romans 7 on sin living within us04:43 - The effects of the fall on human desires and the internal nature of sin06:02 - The biblical view of anger and justice—sinful vs. justified anger08:23 - The concept of the seven deadly sins as motivators, not just external acts10:14 - How desires like greed and lust are corrupted but naturally part of us12:06 - The emotional relief sought through sinful behaviors13:39 - The graphic analogy of sins as primary colors combining into complex patterns15:05 - The influence of personal experiences and trauma on sin choices16:07 - The identity formed through sin and its relation to shame and unmet needs17:13 - How older youth and adults carry unresolved wounds into sinful behaviors18:24 - The challenge of just "stopping" sin without addressing underlying desires20:28 - Connecting past trauma, unresolved pain, and present sinful choices22:31 - The danger of hypocrisy in condemning others while hiding our own sin25:27 - The idea of generational patterns of sin and how they are modeled27:50 - Wholeness in Christ as our ultimate goal, and the ongoing process of sanctification32:00 - Why sin isn't always rooted in pain or hurt—some acts stem from desire alone34:20 - The ongoing reality of wounds in a fallen world and our need for continual surrender36:44 - The unity of hurt and sin as deeply intertwined aspects of the human condition38:19 - The limitations of confession and the importance of grace in overcoming sin41:55 - Preview of next topics: addiction, stress, and their effects on our spiritual walk

  7. Jul 16

    05 - Deep Change: Hurt of the Heart

    The Deep Impact of Hurt in the Heart — Exploring Transformation, Forgiveness, and Inner HealingIn this episode, Alex Tarasiuk and Steve Smith delve into the profound ways hurt shapes our emotional and spiritual lives. They explore how early wounds influence our self-perception, relationships, and response to pain, emphasizing that healing begins with understanding and trusting God's process of inner transformation.Key Topics: The heart chart's focus on hurt as a driver of deeper issues like addiction and sinThe distinction between pain caused by sin and wounds from being hurtHow early wounds manifest through self-talk, affecting self-worth and behaviorThe relativity of human suffering, illustrated through Viktor Frankl's quoteThe process of recognizing and uncovering wounds via deep inventory and self-talkThe significance of aging as a wound and its impact on self-perceptionFamily lineage and generational wounds, including trauma in the wombThe biblical view of justice, forgiveness, and God's healing powerPractical steps: surrendering pain, forgiving others, and trusting God's justiceKey to Deep Change: Experiencing Spiritual Transformation by Facing Unfinished BusinessVictor Frankl’s "Man’s Search for Meaning"Romans 12:21 – Return Good for EvilPsalm 139:13-16Timestamps:00:00 - Importance of understanding hurt's role in transformational change 02:30 - The hurt of the heart as a key driver behind many struggles 04:10 - The misconception that time heals all wounds 07:24 - Two streams of Christian counseling: sin versus wound-focused approaches 10:30 - The relativity of human suffering and its effect on self-talk 12:43 - How different types of wounds influence perceptions of worth 17:37 - Dealing with generational wounds: family history and family dynamics 20:30 - The layering of multiple wounds and their cumulative effect 24:09 - Expanding the inventory of pain categories for deeper healing 29:52 - The impact of aging as a wound and how self-talk deepens wounds 35:36 - The role of inner dialogue in healing aging wounds 40:52 - The importance of trusting God's justice and forgiveness to find wholeness 45:22 - Processing relational wounds and forgiving others through God's power 51:25 - The importance of understanding root causes for sin and hurt 54:44 - The biblical view of justice, punishment, and forgiving others 57:44 - Bridging psychology and biblical teaching on the human conditionResources & Links:

  8. Jul 9

    04 - Deep Change: The Heart Chart

    In this episode of the Deep Change podcast, hosts Alex Tarasiuk and Steve Smith delve into the concept of deep change through the lens of the Heart Chart. They explore the origins of emotional symptoms, the impact of damaged emotions, and the interplay between hurt and sin in our lives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics to facilitate personal transformation and healing, ultimately leading to a deeper intimacy with God. In this conversation, Steve Smith discusses the struggles of addiction, the cycle of sin, and the importance of healing through faith in Jesus. He emphasizes the need to understand the root causes of addiction and the transformative power of God's healing. The discussion also touches on the significance of brokenness in personal growth and the necessity of surrendering to God for true transformation. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Deep Change and the Heart Chart 01:53 Exploring the Heart Chart Concept 05:10 Understanding Symptoms and Their Origins 08:20 The Impact of Damaged Emotions14:44 The Relationship Between Hurt and Sin 20:26 Coping Mechanisms and the Role of Stress 26:33 Struggles with Addiction and Control 30:57 The Cycle of Addiction and Sin 34:37 Understanding the Heart's Hurt and Healing 40:59 Transformation Through Brokenness and Trust 49:17 God's Perspective on Our Brokenness

  9. Jul 2

    03 - Deep Change: Symptoms

    This episode is a deep discussion about identifying “symptoms” in our lives—habits, attitudes, and behaviors that don’t reflect the character of Jesus—and why simply trying harder or managing behavior isn’t enough. The conversation contrasts reformational thinking, which focuses on rules and outward performance, with transformational thinking, which is rooted in intimacy with God and allows the Holy Spirit to reveal what’s really underneath the symptoms. A major theme is that symptoms are not the root problem; they point to deeper heart issues that need to be surrendered to God. Steve explains how self-examination, prayerful awareness, and honest inventory can help reveal what God wants to address in us right now, rather than trying to fix everything at once. He uses examples like anger, addiction, broken relationships, and self-protective habits to show how symptoms grow over time and can become painful or controlling. The episode closes by emphasizing that real change comes through relationship with God, not sin management, and tees up the next discussion on the “heart chart” as a framework for deeper transformation. Chapters: 0:01 — Intro to Deep Change and transformational change0:54 — Symptoms versus Christlike character2:59 — Why rule-based religion feels simpler5:14 — Introducing the symptom inventory6:10 — How symptoms are discovered7:45 — Are hidden habits still symptoms?9:21 — Asking the Spirit to reveal root causes12:06 — Symptoms as indicators, not the real problem14:40 — God reveals one thing at a time16:18 — Steve’s anger as a symptom17:44 — Transformation leads to obedience19:20 — Why symptom management falls short21:04 — Human fallenness and God’s power to change23:31 — Community, identity, and healing25:25 — Real-life transformation stories28:16 — Why the symptom inventory matters32:01 — Pleasure symptoms becoming pain symptoms34:30 — Symptoms turning into addictions45:24 — Common ways people cope with symptoms51:15 — Putting off the old self and receiving the new53:13 — Closing and next episode preview

  10. Jun 25

    02 - Deep Change: Reformational VS Transformational

    Reformational vs. Transformational Change in the ChurchThis episode explores the differences between reformational and transformational thinking within Christian faith and community life. It provides a clear contrast that challenges common assumptions about spiritual progress, emphasizing dependence on the Spirit over rule-based obedience.In this episode: The definitions and core differences between reformational and transformational ChristianityWhy reformational thinking often leads to exhaustion and disillusionmentThe danger of relying on rules, performance, and hierarchy in spiritual growthHow true transformation is rooted in the Spirit, not personal effortThe misuse of spiritual experiences and the trap of seeking revivalsThe biblical foundation for a Spirit-led approach to changeWhy dependence on the Spirit replaces a rules-based, performance-driven mindsetPractical insights on fostering authentic spiritual growth without the pressure of comparison or achievementHow the church can move toward a more transformational culture based on surrender and relationshipTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to reformational versus transformational change in the church02:21 - The core difference: self-effort versus Spirit empowerment04:22 - Common church struggles: exhaustion and fake it till you make it05:52 - The roller coaster of spiritual highs and lows07:02 - The trap of spiritual experiences and revivals08:34 - What people hope for in revival and why it often fails10:01 - The reformational church’s focus on rules and punishment11:03 - Reformational obedience: fear, duty, pride—and their pitfalls12:15 - The roots of legalistic performance: fear, pride, and duty14:15 - Hierarchies in reformational churches and faking spiritual maturity16:19 - The danger of scandals and hidden struggles at the top levels17:36 - The importance of discipleship rooted in cultivating intimacy with God19:15 - Why reformational churches often lack genuine spiritual transformation21:29 - The biblical promise of a new covenant rooted in the Spirit22:20 - Outcomes of sticking to reformational, rule-based faith24:53 - The example of Paul and the Corinthian church’s transformation27:01 - The misconception that obeying rules leads to transformation30:47 - The significance of dependence on the Spirit for true change34:23 - The humility of surrender versus self-reliance36:10 - The danger of comparison and the "spiritual Olympics"38:01 - Practices like prayer and Bible reading without dependence become futile39:50 - The pressure of performance and measurement in faith41:40 - Moving toward a dependence-led, Spirit-empowered church culture

  11. Jun 22

    01 - Deep Change: My Story

    Today we introduce the Deep Change podcast and centers on a conversation about transformational change through intimacy with God. Alex Tarasiuk and Steve Smith begin by explaining the history of their relationship and why they wanted to create a conversational podcast around this topic.Steve shares his personal story of growing up in the church, entering ministry, and realizing that he knew a lot about God but did not actually know God in an intimate, lived way. He talks honestly about hidden struggles in his life, especially anger, and how he tried to manage it rather than let God change him.A major part of the conversation focuses on how that anger became destructive in his marriage, family, and ministry, and how a counseling session became a turning point. Steve describes spending extended time alone with God, where he realized his anger was tied to a deep need to feel valued and invested in. He says that moment changed his understanding of God and of transformation itself.The conversation also contrasts two ideas: reforming yourself through effort versus being transformed by God from the inside out. Alex and Steve discuss how spiritual growth is not just about knowing Bible facts, but about experiencing God personally and allowing Him to deal with the deeper issues of the heart.The first episode sets up the larger theme for the series: deep change happens through relationship with God, not just self-improvement.

  • 11 Episodes

About

Alex Tarasiuk and Dr. Steve Smith talk about learning how to experience transformational change through intimacy with God.

Information

  • Creator
    Church Equippers
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Church Equippers
  • Show Website
    Deep Change