I recently found a this podcast and I SO appreciate your honest dialogues about how our identity can be attacked by Satan, and the remedy is us speaking truth of God’s Word over ourselves - instead of trying and o speak affirmations, or feel our way into identity confidence. Thank you also for your conversations Laurie about counseling those struggling with gender issues.

I’ve been listening to this podcast for a long time and I’m so glad Laurie, Matt and Steve are back!

A good friend pointed me in the direction of this podcast after I opened up to him about a portion of my testimony. I started listening to some of the more recent episodes initially then decided to start from the very beginning as I fell in like with the heart & mindset behind this ministry & people group. Both the church and lgbtq+ community (and those of us who fit within both categories) can learn & grow because of the scripture, ideas, & testimonies discussed throughout this podcast.

I’ve been slowly working my way through the Hole in my Heart podcast and am on Episode 84, and I just keep being so Thankful. Tear-stricken. Called out. Joyful. Y’all, this is so good. I can’t binge this one because each episode gives so much for thought and study and I gotta process, sometimes for days and weeks between episode. These folks are on my bucket list of people I want to meet this side of heaven. You guys feel like friends - keep going!

This show has helped me deepen my faith in a way that doesn’t shy away from hard questions. Thank you for putting together these episodes.

Love the content but wish they would just get to the good content rather than wasting the first 15 minutes chatting pointlessly. Could definitely do without goofball island et al.

I've been listening to HIMH for several years now and have loved the authenticity to opening up their lives and hearts in a way that brings vulnerability and transformation by talking about important, relevant and sometimes challenging things. Laurie, Matt and Steve are great and I feel like they are close friends from the many episodes I've listened :) Through primarily talking about things related to sexuality and gender (though many more topics as well) they process what it means to follow Jesus and walk alongside others in loving and discipling them. I have been encouraged and challenged and educated through the podcast to love God and love others more - highly recommend!!!

This might be the kind of show that you really don’t know what to do with. It’s not based off of a popular or comfortable belief or biblical philosophy that many people want to hear or live by. You might actually 100% disagree with their perspective and teaching. But even if that is the case, hear them out! Challenge your worldview and beliefs. These guys are not here to hurt, hate, or induce shame. Their desire is to point people toward hope during hard times and the difficult places we all find ourselves in life. Laurie and Mat share their unique walk in life and their desire to be faithful to God no matter what. Even when culture at large, fellow believers, and their own hearts buck against what Jesus says in His word, they seek out truth, and share what they are learning on their journey. When it comes to sexuality, gender, and the intersection of believing in Jesus, the atmosphere is very harsh. And conversations feel as though they aren’t allowed to be had. Views and perspectives that don’t mimic what our immediate disposition, beliefs, or opinions are quickly dismissed and deemed as hateful. Whether you are side A or B or just really not into faith/religions, at the very least you can hear this insightful look at the often ignored voices on this topic. Consider it a blessing and or a challenge. A reinforcement and conviction of things you hold to be true as a Jesus follower, or a perspective to be understood and people to be seen that makes you uncomfortable in that growing kind of way. I’m very thankful to have come across this podcast! Thank you for talking about all these hard things- with a perspective that challenges assumptions and makes people think harder about what it means to love and follow Jesus.

I know this comes out earlier in the week, but I’ve been leaving it for Thursday morning. Why? Because I enjoy having positive but also self-reflective learning/teaching/discussion to help persevere through the week. This is the perfect timing for a show like this.

Laurie, Matt and Steve discuss many topics the church has avoided for so long. They cling to truth and do it with so much grace. So so thankful for them and their vulnerability and wisdom.

Matt, Laurie, and Steve. Ahh. Take your ears on a magical, relaxing, hilarious vacation full of opinions, wisdom, snark, and wonderful growth. Their honesty, openness, and courage to keep sharing their story even when it’s hard will change so many hearts and minds and lead so many to the heart of the Father. Goodness. Just listen. Their honest and openness has seriously changed my life and my perspective. As a single female desiring to follow the way of Jesus and not feeling a desire to get married (took a lot of healing and reframing after I grew up in Christian/Disney culture OBSESSED with the idea ) this podcast has been such a breath of fresh air and life. All of us, surrendering our versions of broken sexuality to the Lord. Living out the Gospel in each of our own contexts. Following the counter-cultural Kingdom and the way of Jesus. Kicking butt. Taking names. Spreading the good news through our laid down lives. Laurie and Matt and Steve are the best. Agh. They represent the Gospel so well. So uncompromising but so radically compassionate. Trust me, add Hole In My Heart podcast to your daily commute or morning or food prep or bed time routine or WHEREVER you can fit it in your day. So great.

Thank God. Thank God for you Laurie. You “get it” when it comes to talking about homosexuality in a hopeful and real yet non-creepy-scary-weird-churchy way. Thank God you can talk about this like a normal everyday topic. Thank God for your sense of humor. Living as a Christian with same sex attraction is not a death sentence and listening to your podcast reminds me of this! What a breath of fresh air and deep sigh of relief.

They ask the tough questions and have the candid conversations to help you listen and take stock of where your heart and faith are at. So very meaningful and needed in these times.

Having just completed binge-listening to all 109 HIMH podcasts, I OWE them a five-star review. This podcast has equipped me 1) With a vocabulary with which to interact with broken people (myself included). 2) With a better understanding of the gracious POSTURE that is appropriate toward those who might choose to confide their brokenness in me. 3) With books and resources (via their guests) to help me to understand and negotiate my OWN brokenness and walk with the Lord. 4) To better understand the strengths of both singleness and marriage, sex and celibacy. 5) To learn the language of lament and the theology of suffering. These are a few of the ways the podcast has blessed me. Thank you, Laure, Matt and Steve. I'm sure I'll be going through HIMH withdrawal now as I settle back into a once-per-week HIMH diet as opposed to two or three per day. Maybe now I will have a chance to catch up on the reading list that emerged from my listening and the Theology in the Raw podcasts that I've neglected. By the way, Laurie's guest appearance on Theology in the Raw is how I found HIMH. The peace of Christ be with you. Steve

I so needed this today. Thank you for the reminder that God is the one who changes hearts. It easy to get discouraged when you are waiting. I do see God’s hand all the time, but when your prayer involves someone you love, the impatience creeps in. Thank you!

I have been so appreciating Laurie, Matt, and Steve and their discussions for a couple months now. I especially appreciate their lightheartedness and yet their conviction. The balance in this podcast is right on point. Thank you Kriegs for stepping into this conversation with the exact giftings that Jesus has given you. It is so refreshing.

Months ago, I was at an all time low in my sexual immorality. When I was lovingly confronted about my sin by a close friend of mine, he recommended this podcast to me. Several times, as I listened to each episode, I was brought to tears. I’d cry, realizing not only just how badly broken I was, but where exactly I was broken as well. It led me to finally pursue the things that God always wanted for me. And so far, God has blessed me in amazing ways. I’ve still got a long way to go, and the sexual temptations are still present, but this podcast has been incredible at helping me take these first few steps toward ongoing sanctification. And I can’t thank these people enough.

This podcast never ceases to encourage me in this hard thing called life and push me back to Jesus. One of their sayings is an emphasis on how the Gospel is Good News every day and the love, vulnerability, and wisdom that Matt, Laurie, and Steve share never leave me doubting that statement.

I have been so blessed by this podcast. The focus is truly the Gospel and they aren’t afraid to tackle some of the more challenging topics that we all might encounter in life. Keep up the good work.

Beautiful. Thought-provoking. Gospel-centered.

Love this podcast! A great encouragement lead by some great people.

This podcast is a necessary anchor in the waves of our shifting culture. Laurie and Matt’s unconventional union yields many insights that the body of Christ needs to hear. Their vulnerability and candidness is appreciated and encourages the listener to evaluate their own heart. The guest speakers that have joined the show are compelling and display the gospel through their words, but (more importantly) their lives. Their stories encourage the listener to hold fast to Christ no matter the pains or joys they’ll encounter in this life. His Spirit is surely present in these conversations.

This Gospel-saturated podcast is one of the best I've ever listened to. It's winsome, honest, compelling, vulnerable, and full of passion. Keep up the amazing work!

This podcast was exactly what I needed and it came to me months before I knew I needed it. I thank God for this podcast and for the Kriegs- y’all have blessed my life and my upcoming marriage more than you’ll ever know

I work in adolescent medicine and volunteer in youth ministry at my church. Nearly every week now I am having conversations with or about LGBTQ youth. It used to be intimidating to me because I did not have the confidence or training to know how to affirm my Biblical view of sexual ethics while still loving and walking with the hurting. I feel this give me a place to learn to do both well. I am devouring these podcasts and the resources from each session. I feel so much more prepared to have good conversations with my teens and guide my parents. Thank you!

What are yall thoughts on “why there are homosexual attractions”? It looks like the Bible says it originates as sinful lusts just as those heterosexual lusts are ( Romans 1). Even though there are individual stories with various influences that could have moved a person towards there, theres still quite an individualized manner that the enemy (flesh) is seeking to destroy the person whose same-sex attractions do not have as direct or obvious influences but may just be foundationally. I hope this is understandable🙏🏼

Honest people talking about REAL things. Thank you for tackling topics that are messy in redeeming ways!

This podcast has been so life-giving for me. The stories presented here are not just for people who find themselves in similar situations; they are for the whole church. We are ALL called to die to self and live for Christ. We are ALL called to sacrifice our earthly desires for the Good of the gospel. Thank you, Laurie, Matt, and Producer Steve, for speaking so faithfully into this particular conversation and for calling us all to pursue holiness.

People really want to hear the guest you have on the show, I would really recommend included them more into the conversation... I know you all are much deeper than the few episodes I’ve listened to. Would rather hear the topics being discussed than would you rather games. 👍🏼

I love how real and genuine you guys are :) super encouraged how gospel-centred you guys are and how much each of you are trying to live a life which demonstrates who Jesus is.

This is exactly the podcast I needed and was searching for. Thank you for sharing so vulnerable.

This podcast has been life changing for me. As someone who understands what it feels like to struggle with broken sexuality on a daily basis, it has been so refreshing to hear the topic of sexuality being discussed in a Biblical context. I love how this podcast is so gospel-centered. Matt, Laurie, Steve, and their guests emanate love and acceptance which began to facilitate healing for me even though we’d never met. Every one needs to listen to this podcast at some point:)

I just discovered this podcast and have been binge listening. Thank you for sharing your stories and expertise in such a vulnerable way!

Thank you, Laurie, Matt, Steve, and guests for opening your hearts to us! (And yes, I am listening). I love hearing your perspectives on the LGBT community from ministry workers and from the own road you’ve walked. Like you I have a huge heart for the people the Lord has placed in my life who are LGBT, but I often DON’T know what to say or do since it is very different from what I grew up with and how I view sexuality. I’m thankful for how the Lord is using you guys! I especially liked the episodes on the kids and what to say to the kids. Very helpful for parents! Thank you for your boldness and how you’re not afraid to talk about the hard stuff.

This podcast tackles difficult issues without resorting to the usual platitudes that are heard regarding sexual and spiritual struggles. It feels like a "rubber meets the road" type of thing in which Matt and Laurie are very open in sharing their personal lives and how they are striving to live in a God-honoring fashion, despite their struggles with topics that can sometimes make people feel like they don't belong at church. Topics are discussed very genuinely and I never get the sense they are looking down on anyone due to their shortcomings or differing viewpoints. The conversations they are having are very necessary today, and help people like me feel hopeful that there are others out there thinking the same things.

This is real life, people. From "Goofball island" to the "Heart of the Matter," Matt and Laurie & producer Steve get real each & every episode. Want to know what it's like to "work out your salvation," get a ringside seat for this podcast, cuz that's exactly what's going on.

Thank you Matt and Laurie for staying true and authentic to who you are…these podcasts the rocking my world!!!

Dear Laurie and Matt, Keep expressive interjections to a minimum. Like: Aye, yay, wow, uh-huh, uh, oh, like, yes, yep...There does not need to be an expression of agreement after every single phrase; it's distracting. Explain or refrain inside jokes or even jokes that carry over from other episodes. Some people are tuning in for the first time and might feel lost if they are not caught up to speed. It's difficult for the listener to connect when they can't see facial expressions etc. so my advice is to explain what people can't see. Matt needs to speak up and be more confident. It's almost like he is unsure if he should speak. Laure is great but sometimes dominates the program and interjects a ton. It would be great to have people that are dealing with sexual identity issues and porn. Maybe, husbands and wives dealing with porn or addiction. I suggest checking out the following podcasts: Covenant Eyes Dear Sugars Story Worthy Stuff you should know Happier You don't need to be like them, but it might be helpful to listen to the craft. Usually, I just write a short review, but I want to see this podcast succeed. I know that this podcast is new, but it's so important. I was listening to your "Holy hate" podcast with my wife, and we looked at each other and had to stoplistening to it. It was too chaotic to listen to. Sometimes as Christians we like to encourage because it's the Christian thing to do but sometimes honest feedback is needed. This is especially true when dealing with such important issues. With hope, Active listener