Make It Simple

MPM
  • 4.9 (56)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Matt Popovits and Rachel Ryder take complicated issues and break them down into ideas we can understand, truths we can apply, and questions worth pondering--and they do it all through the lens of faith. With thought-provoking insights and engaging conversations, they explore everything from parenting and anxiety to racism, gender identity, the Enneagram, politics, and more.

  1. 11/27/2025

    Advent

    This week, Matt and Rachel discuss Advent, the season of preparation and waiting leading up to Christmas Day, noting its increasing cultural popularity through various Advent calendars (like Lego or even whiskey) which are often separated from its original. They explain that Advent, derived from the Latin Adventus meaning "appearing" (not waiting as often thought), is a liturgical season intended to align believers with those who waited for Christ's first coming, prepare hearts for his birth, and remind them that Christians are still waiting for his promised Second Coming. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    41 min

  2. 11/19/2025

    Validation with Dr. Caroline Fleck

    This week, Rachel and Matt welcome Dr. Caroline Fleck and talk about validation, drawing from her book on the subject. They discuss how validation, which is about communicating mindfulness, understanding, and empathy to make someone feel seen and accepted, is often misunderstood as agreement or praise, but is actually a crucial therapeutic tool used to facilitate change in behavior. Dr. Fleck outlines the foundational skills of validation, like attending and copying, as a means to decrease physiological distress and open the door for psychological safety and deeper connection in relationships. Check out Dr. Caroline Fleck at https://drcarolinefleck.com/. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    43 min

  3. 11/12/2025

    Understanding the Holy Spirit

    This week, Matt and Rachel discuss the Holy Spirit, discussing that this crucial member of the Trinity is often either dangerously ignored out of caution or wrongly obsessed over through a focus on specific physical manifestations. They emphasize the Spirit's biblical role as the Helper / Encourager, whose indwelling is assured to all believers through baptism, empowering their faith, providing comfort, and constantly drawing them back to the finished work of Jesus Christ. **Podcast correction: in the episode, they reference a Jennifer Knapp song, which is about the Holy Spirit, which is called "Trinity."** Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    48 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    How to Argue

    This week, Matt and Rachel discuss how to argue in a world where conflict is everywhere and often seems to ruin relationships. They talk about how the political and cultural issues being discussed are often "overvalued," leading people to choose victory over connection, and they offer practical ways to engage in heated conversations by leading with love, seeking to understand, and choosing curiosity. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    43 min

  5. 10/29/2025

    Unmet Expectations & Disappointment

    This week, Matt and Rachel talk about disappointment and unmet expectations in life. Using a framework for grieving loss, they wonder if learning to deal with disappointments, both trivial and profound, is key to emotional health. They talk about the power of naming the disappointment and the need if left unmet, and how to reach an adjusted, hopeful expectation for the future—to avoid getting stuck in cynicism or despair. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    38 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    Money & Faith

    This week, Matt and Rachel discuss the tension between money and faith, examining why this topic is often avoided or causes guilt. They note that money is a powerful indicator of the heart and deepest values—a tool people often use to pursue peace and purpose. They dive into Jesus's parable of the rich fool, and dissect the the worldly wisdom of protecting assets by building bigger "barns," arguing that a faithful approach means living generously and investing resources in things of lasting, spiritual value. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    41 min

  7. 10/15/2025

    Online Betting, Gambling, & Gaming

    In this week's episode, Rachel and Matt discuss the quiet epidemic of online sports gambling and gaming, and its addictive nature. They explore how the rise of online and in-app betting, which is now everywhere and easily accessible, is particularly affecting young men, and how online spending through betting, gambling, and even games is pervasive in our culture. They also touch on how this stems from a deeper need for human connection, and where do we go from here. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    36 min

  8. 10/08/2025

    How to Have Difficult A Conversation

    This week Matt and Rachel try to work out how to have difficult conversations without letting them "go off the rails." They use the frame work of Susan Scott's "Fierce Conversations" to help them navigate, and agree that while conflict is a natural and necessary part of life, many people try to avoid these crucial discussions, which is ultimately detrimental to relationships and personal growth. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

    41 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Matt Popovits and Rachel Ryder take complicated issues and break them down into ideas we can understand, truths we can apply, and questions worth pondering--and they do it all through the lens of faith. With thought-provoking insights and engaging conversations, they explore everything from parenting and anxiety to racism, gender identity, the Enneagram, politics, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    MPM
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Make It Simple
  • Show Website
    Make It Simple

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