Open Spaces with Jeff & Jourdan Johnson

Jeff & Jourdan Johnson
  • 4.8 (148)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Life is messy, faith can be complicated, and some struggles feel too big to say out loud—but true freedom is found in the light. Open Spaces Podcast is a place for honest conversations about the battles we often keep hidden, reminding us that we don’t have to fight alone. Hosted by Jeff and Jourdan Johnson, Open Spaces began with their own story—navigating the challenges of marriage, faith, and identity while learning what it means to follow Jesus with vulnerability. But this podcast isn’t just about them. It’s about creating a space where no topic is off-limits—grief, identity, marriage, faith, and the struggles that feel impossible to say out loud. Our hope? That by going first, others will find the courage to share their own stories, step into the light, and believe that nothing is impossible with God.

  1. 6D AGO

    Finding True Intimacy - Ep 16

    In this powerful conversation, Jeff and Jourdan sit down with Rita Springer for an honest and deeply moving discussion about identity, intimacy with God, disappointment, dependency, fear, singleness, and learning how to keep trusting the Lord when life does not turn out the way you thought it would. Rita shares from her own story with remarkable vulnerability, opening up about unanswered prayers, seasons of pain, the wrestle of carrying promises, and the way God continues to meet her in both heartbreak and hope. Together, they talk about what it means to lean on God instead of becoming dependent on other people or things, how identity is constantly under attack, and why peace in God can matter even more than getting the answer you were hoping for. This episode is for anyone walking through confusion, disappointment, grief, same-sex attraction, unanswered prayers, or the tension of trying to stay faithful when the road feels long. Rita’s wisdom, honesty, and love for Jesus make this conversation one that will strengthen your faith and remind you that you are deeply loved by God. In this episode, we talk about: Identity and the battle for freedom Dependency on God vs. codependency Singleness, longing, and carrying promises Disappointment, fear, and trusting God’s timing Intimacy with the Lord in seasons of pain Why peace can matter more than immediate answers The love of God that meets us in the wilderness   Follow along with Rita on Instagram and the Worship is My Weapon podcast!

    1h 3m

  2. APR 14

    Community: What We Learned - Ep 15

    Jeff and Jourdan reunite after Jourdan’s hiatus to recap their "Community Series." They share personal stories about vulnerability, discuss the nuances of terminology within the LGBTQ+ Christian space, and offer encouragement to those seeking deeper, more authentic friendships.   Key Discussion Points •    Opening & Catching Up: ◦    Jourdan returns to the podcast after a break following the passing of her mother.   ◦    Jeff shares a lighthearted story about his "spring" orange Zara shirt and a hard-to-find hat from the brand Envy La Vie.   •    The Power of Vulnerability: ◦    The couple reflects on how their deepest friendships were born from being vulnerable about Jeff's struggle with same-sex attraction (SSA).   ◦    Vulnerability is described as the "key that unlocks" deep relationships and removes the power that isolation and shame hold over individuals.   •    Navigating Terminology: ◦    Jeff and Jourdan discuss their ongoing learning regarding terms like "gay" versus "same-sex attraction".   ◦    They recount conversations with other believers who use "gay" as an adjective rather than an identity, emphasizing that "heart posture" is more important than semantics.   •    The "Community Series" Recap: ◦    A look back at earlier guests, including Wes Martin (the first person Jeff ever told about his SSA) and friends like the Vogeltanz and Stanfills.   ◦    They address feedback that their community can seem "intimidating" and clarify that these deep bonds were built over decades of "growing therapy" and intentional effort.   •    Encouragement for Marriage & Disclosure: ◦    Jeff and Jourdan advocate for honesty within marriage, particularly regarding SSA.   ◦    They believe true intimacy and freedom are found through being fully known by a spouse, though they advise using "wisdom" in how and when to share.   •    Personal Growth & Fears: ◦    Jourdan shares her own experience with vulnerability during a 10-day counseling intensive, where she feared that uncovering "deep places" might change her husband's view of her.   Mentioned in This Episode •    Guests from the Series: Wes Martin, the Vogeltanz, the Stanfills, and Brook Mosser.     •    Brands: Zara, Envy La Vie.   •    Conferences/Media: The ECO Conference in Atlanta, The Becket Cook Podcast, and Rita Springer’s Worship Is My Weapon podcast.   How to Connect •    Website: Visit openspacespodcast.com to sign up for the newsletter or submit an "Open Story" anonymously.     •    Social Media: Follow @openspacespodcast on Instagram for "Open Stories Fridays".

    36 min

  3. MAR 31

    Family Secrets and Forgiveness - Ep 14

    Every family has secrets. Some are small, tucked away in quiet corners. But others—the ones that shape us, break us, and ultimately define us—demand to be told.   In this episode, Jeff sits down with Brook Mosser from Intentional Parents to discuss a chapter of his life he's never publicly shared before. We explore complex family dynamics, the silent struggle of hidden same-sex attraction, and how God's work of forgiveness transformed his family from the inside out.   This conversation is intense and deeply honest. Please note: this episode includes discussions around various forms of abuse, including child abuse.   Be sure to check out all things Intentional! Intentionalparents.org Instagram: intentional_parents   Also keep in touch with us at openspacespodcast.com

    1h 13m

  4. MAR 17

    Community: The Messy Beginnings - Ep 13

    In this deeply personal episode of Open Spaces, Jeff sits down with his longtime friend Wes Martin — the first friend Jeff ever shared his struggle with.   Wes had a front row seat to the earliest and most fragile days of Jeff learning how to bring his story into the light. What started as an awkward and uncertain conversation between two friends eventually grew into something much deeper. During some of Jeff’s darkest moments, when the weight of shame and confusion left him feeling hopeless and even questioning if life was worth living, Wes and his wife Amanda stepped in with extraordinary care.   They didn’t have all the answers. But they offered what mattered most: presence, love, and a safe place to land. At one point they even opened their home to Jeff, making sure he wasn’t alone as he wrestled through those difficult days.   Together they reflect on the messy beginnings of vulnerability — what it’s like to tell someone your struggle for the first time, how imperfect those early conversations can be, and how real friendship often means figuring it out as you go.   This episode is a reminder that when honesty is met with deep relationship and love, even the most complicated and painful moments can become the starting point for something beautiful.   If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to take that first step of letting someone into your struggle, this conversation is for you.

    50 min

  5. MAR 10

    Community: You make sense - Ep 12

    In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Open Spaces, Jeff and Jourdan sit down with one of their closest friends of over 23 years, Drew Worsham — illusionist, author of The Magic of Curiosity, pastor, and trusted confidant.   This conversation is far more than a reunion. Drew has walked with Jeff and Jourdan since the very beginning of their story — through dating, breakups, Jeff’s early confession of struggling with same-sex attraction, their engagement, and now decades of marriage and ministry. Few people have had such a front-row seat to their journey.   Together, they unpack: • What it looked like for Jeff to first share his struggle with Drew • How a friendship can remain steady, safe, and non-transactional in the face of vulnerability • Why curiosity — not condemnation — creates space for transformation • How the Church can better engage conversations around same-sex attraction • What to say to someone who hates themselves for their struggle • The difference between leading with conviction and leading with love • Why obedience is a response to love — not a prerequisite for it   Drew shares how curiosity became a guiding compass in his life — from studying psychology, to performing as a magician, to planting a church, to rediscovering humility after becoming the “expert.” He explains how losing curiosity nearly cost him relational depth — and how reclaiming it reshaped his marriage, ministry, and friendships.   One of the most moving moments comes as Drew reflects on Jesus and the woman caught in adultery — reminding listeners that God is not thrown off by our brokenness. He does not lead with condemnation. He leads with love, and invites us into transformation from there.   For parents navigating a child’s confession. For those wrestling with shame. For pastors unsure how to step into this conversation. For anyone who feels like their struggle defines them.   This episode is an invitation into the “messy middle” — where truth and grace are not enemies, where curiosity builds bridges, and where the love of Jesus becomes the starting place for real change.   It’s about friendship. It’s about freedom. It’s about learning that none of us are as alone — or as different — as we think.   And above all, it’s about the kind of love that stays. For more information on Drew’s ministry or to order his book, visit www.drewworsham.com

    1h 9m

  6. MAR 3

    Community: Don’t Fight Alone - Ep 11

    This week on Open Spaces, Jeff sits down with the two guys he walks with most closely in Atlanta, Bryson and Kristian, for a “guys-only” conversation (ladies, you’re absolutely invited to listen too). After last week’s episode with both couples, the three of them go deeper into the real question so many people ask: What do your weekly accountability time(s) actually look like?   They unpack their 10-year friendship journey, how it started, how trust was built over time, and why you can’t manufacture deep community overnight. You’ll hear the practical rhythms that keep them anchored: putting it on the calendar, moving from casual catch-up into honest heart-level sharing, asking specific questions, naming blind spots, and learning how to confess quickly without spiraling into shame.   They also talk about what happens when life gets busy and they can’t meet, how voice texts become a lifeline, and why this kind of friendship isn’t just about “trying harder,” but about living in the light, pursuing sanctification, and becoming better husbands, dads, and men who are ready to participate in what God is doing.   The episode closes with a prayer for anyone who feels alone, stuck, or unsure how to find community like this, asking God to break shame, provide friendships, and teach us how to walk with others well.

    45 min

  7. FEB 24

    Community: The Power of Being Known - Ep 10

    We’re kicking off a brand new series on community because we believe you were never meant to walk alone.   In this episode, we’re joined by our closest friends, Kristian & Kerri Stanfill and  Bryson & Emily Vogeltanz, the couples we’ve done daily life with for over a decade. We laugh (a lot), tell some stories you’ve never heard, and open up about what it actually looks like to live known.   From the first vulnerable conversations…
to weekly rhythms of accountability…
to navigating tension, grief, big life transitions, and raising 11 kids among us…   We’re talking about: • What happened when we shared our story for the first time • How vulnerability changed everything • The power of consistency in friendship • Why real community is reciprocal (not a support group for one person) • How to respond when someone trusts you with something hard • And what it looks like to build friendships that last decades   This isn’t surface-level friendship. 
This is showing up. Staying. Asking hard questions. Laughing until you cry.
And choosing depth over isolation. If you’ve ever wondered what real accountability looks like…
If you’re craving deeper friendships…
Or if you’re trying to figure out how to take one step toward being more known…   This episode is for you. Let’s talk about how we actually do life with our people.

    1h 7m

  8. FEB 17

    Catching up! - Ep 9

    It’s been a full season and today we’re catching you up.   In this episode, we share what life has actually looked like lately. From the conversations we’ve been having with listeners, to the pastoral moments we never expected, to the sheer number of messages from people who feel seen for the first time this season has been full.   We talk about what Open Spaces has quietly become: not just a podcast, but a place people are stepping into with their real stories.   We also share personal life updates from how we’re doing, what God has been teaching us, what has been heavy, what has been hopeful… and yes, somehow Jeff accidentally became a Scentfluencer on ShopMy along the way. Stay connected! Sign up for the newsletter at openspacespodcast.com Follow us on Instagram!

    30 min
See All (17)

4.8
out of 5
148 Ratings

About

Life is messy, faith can be complicated, and some struggles feel too big to say out loud—but true freedom is found in the light. Open Spaces Podcast is a place for honest conversations about the battles we often keep hidden, reminding us that we don’t have to fight alone. Hosted by Jeff and Jourdan Johnson, Open Spaces began with their own story—navigating the challenges of marriage, faith, and identity while learning what it means to follow Jesus with vulnerability. But this podcast isn’t just about them. It’s about creating a space where no topic is off-limits—grief, identity, marriage, faith, and the struggles that feel impossible to say out loud. Our hope? That by going first, others will find the courage to share their own stories, step into the light, and believe that nothing is impossible with God.

Information

You Might Also Like