Stretched Thin

Joel & Shannon

An honest conversation about modern life, pressure, expectations, and trying to hold it all together — without pretending we've figured it out.

  1. -2 j

    STP #16: The One Where We Thought We Knew the Plan

    This week on Stretched Thin, Joel is fresh off a songwriting retreat spent writing nearly twenty worship songs from the book of 1 Peter, while Shannon reflects on one of the most challenging seasons he's faced as a small business owner. What begins as a conversation about exhaustion, songwriting, and coffee shops quickly turns into something much deeper.  Joel shares stories from the retreat, what it looks like to intentionally write songs that last, and how spending an entire weekend immersed in Scripture changed the way he walked back into everyday life. Shannon opens up about the stress of uncertainty, questioning whether he's somehow gotten off track, and learning to trust God even when life isn't unfolding the way he expected.  Together they wrestle with disappointment, suffering, God's faithfulness, marriage, parenting, and the strange realization that sometimes God's greatest work happens when our own plans fall apart. Along the way they celebrate songwriting breakthroughs, a sixteenth birthday, making it home for bedtime, and the reminder that God's ways really are higher than ours.  If you've ever found yourself saying, "I thought this was the plan," this episode is for you. Sometimes the better story is the one God is writing instead.

  2. 21 juil.

    STP #15 – The One Where Nobody Slept

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  3. 14 juil.

    STP #14: Fearing Failure in Funding, Feeling the Heat, & Finding Stride in Marriage

    In this episode of Stretched Thin, Joel and Shannon talk about what it means to move forward even when you don't know how things will turn out. From broken air conditioners and business headaches to anniversary getaways and nonprofit dreams, this conversation is all about taking the next faithful step.  Joel shares a major milestone for the STAY Project as months of development finally lead to the app entering beta testing. He also opens up about the fear of launching a Kickstarter campaign and, in a spontaneous moment during the recording, clicks the "Launch" button live on the podcast. It's an honest look at the tension between fear and faith, and why waiting for certainty often keeps us from making progress.  Meanwhile, Shannon reflects on celebrating 27 years of marriage with a quiet mountain getaway, finding rest in the middle of a busy season, and navigating the everyday frustrations of running a small business when equipment seems determined to break all at once.  The conversation wraps with encouraging wins from the community and a reminder that momentum rarely comes before action. Whether you're building a business, strengthening your marriage, pursuing a dream, or simply trying to make it through another week, sometimes the biggest step is simply deciding to jump.  If you've been waiting for the perfect moment to start, this episode is your reminder that faith often begins with putting skin in the game—and trusting God with what happens next.

  4. 7 juil.

    STP Episode #13 – The Lesson I Didn't Expect to Learn in Nicaragua & Ring Muscle-Ups

    After a few weeks apart, Shannon returns from a mission trip to Nicaragua with a fresh perspective on gratitude, listening, and what really matters. Joel shares an update on life at home, finally making progress on long-awaited projects while wrestling with the tension between productivity and simply being present with his family.  Together they talk about the surprising lessons that come from slowing down, why we often feel the need to fill every silence, and how learning to truly listen can change our relationships. They also reflect on parenting, legacy, marriage, and finding joy in simple moments—whether that's throwing kids in the air, hanging gymnastic rings in the garage, or laughing over old podcast memories.  As always, they wrap up by celebrating wins from the community, from conquering first-time fitness challenges and buying a family car to choosing patience over anger in difficult moments. Because sometimes the biggest victories are the ones no one else sees.  If you've ever felt like life has been too loud or too busy to notice what's right in front of you, this episode is a reminder that slowing down might be exactly what you need.

  5. 30 juin

    STP #12: Celebratory Steak, Cash Stacks, and When God Makes Changes

    In this episode of Stretched Thin, Joel and Shannon talk about the frustrations of waiting, the challenge of trusting God when nothing seems to be moving, and the importance of recognizing the small wins that keep us going.  Shannon shares a powerful story about making difficult financial decisions and then experiencing an unexpected act of generosity that reminded him that God often provides in ways we never see coming. He also opens up about feeling stuck with the future of a nonprofit project and wrestling with what to do when every path forward seems uncertain.  Joel celebrates a major milestone with the STAY app finally coming to life after months of setbacks and roadblocks. The guys discuss perseverance, surrendering control, and the tension between chasing big dreams and remaining present with the people right in front of us.  Along the way, they laugh about getting older, being irritated by traffic and sirens, the legacy we leave our children, and why sometimes the biggest win is simply choosing not to send that text or fight that battle.  As always, the episode closes with community wins, celebrating perseverance, family moments, answered prayers, and the reminder that even the smallest victories are worth noticing.  If you've ever felt stuck, impatient, or unsure of what's next, this episode is a reminder that sometimes growth happens while we're waiting—and sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come when we finally let go of control.

  6. 23 juin

    STP #11 – AI, Anger, and Accountability

    In this episode of Stretched Thin, Joel and Shannon dive into the frustration of feeling stuck, the danger of trying to do everything yourself, and why asking for help is often the breakthrough you've been looking for.  Joel opens up about his struggle to launch the STAY app and the anger that came from being fixated on one solution. Through counseling and honest conversations with friends, he discovers that sometimes our biggest obstacle is our unwillingness to ask for help or consider another path forward.  Shannon shares the realities of small business ownership, leadership, and the importance of surrounding yourself with capable people who can help carry the load. The guys discuss delegation, self-awareness, and why healthy leadership isn't about doing everything yourself—it's about empowering others to thrive.  Along the way, they talk parenting, daughters, pottery dates, AI debates, and the importance of recognizing your God-given strengths instead of constantly focusing on your weaknesses.  As always, the episode closes with community wins, celebrating answered prayers, family time, personal growth, and the reminder that none of us are meant to do life alone.  If you've ever felt stretched thin because you're carrying too much by yourself, this episode is your reminder that strength isn't found in doing everything alone—it's found in knowing when to lean on others.

  7. 16 juin

    STP #10- Discipline, Going into Debt, and Daughters

    In this episode of Stretched Thin, Joel and Shannon tackle parenting, pressure, and the importance of having people in your life who are willing to tell you the truth. The conversation starts with stories from the front lines of fatherhood. Wrestling sons, stubborn daughters, discipline, consequences, and the realities of raising kids in a world that often sends mixed messages about parenting. From funny family moments to deeper conversations about accountability and character, the guys explore what it means to guide your children while still learning yourself.  Shannon shares a stressful week at the coffee shops that nearly led him into a predatory business loan before trusted advisors stepped in and helped him pump the brakes. Joel opens up about returning from a work trip, accidentally ruining a week's worth of meal prep, and the frustration of feeling like you're doing all the right things while still running into setbacks.  Along the way, they reflect on one of the core reasons Stretched Thin exists: creating space for authentic male friendship. Not surface-level conversations, but the kind of relationships where someone can challenge you, encourage you, and keep you from making decisions you'll regret later.  As always, the episode closes with wins from the community. Fathers building stronger relationships with their kids, college seniors finishing major projects, entrepreneurs growing their businesses, fitness goals being reclaimed, and everyday people choosing perseverance over convenience.  If you've ever felt stretched thin by parenting, finances, work, or life in general, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to carry it alone.

  8. 9 juin

    STP #9- Withdrawal Symptoms, Wins, and Why You're Worth It

    In this episode of Stretched Thin, Joel and Shannon talk about what happens when you finally stop comparing yourself to everyone else and start appreciating what you've built. Fresh off a trip to California for one of the world's largest coffee expos, Shannon shares an unexpected realization. After years of building Cadence Coffee, he found himself surrounded by industry experts and award-winning roasters, only to discover that maybe what they've built is better than he gives it credit for. The conversation turns into a deeper discussion about confidence, comparison, and why so many men struggle to acknowledge their own accomplishments. Joel opens up about continuing to navigate SSRI withdrawal, the physical toll it has taken on his body, and the challenge of staying positive when progress feels slower than expected. The guys also celebrate the launch of the podcast, reflect on fatherhood, music, faith, and the moments that remind us what really matters. As always, the episode closes with wins from the community. Career opportunities, growing businesses, new relationships, parenting victories, fitness milestones, and men choosing to keep showing up even when life feels heavy. If you've ever struggled to recognize your own progress because you're too busy comparing yourself to everyone else, this episode is for you.

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À propos

An honest conversation about modern life, pressure, expectations, and trying to hold it all together — without pretending we've figured it out.

Informations

  • Création
    Joel & Shannon
  • Années d’activité
    2026
  • Épisodes
    16
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stretched Thin
  • Site web de l’émission
    Stretched Thin