2 Pastors and a Mic

Deconstruction can feel like freedom… until the relief wears off.

In this episode of Two Pastors and a Mic, Cory and Channock talk honestly about what really changes after deconstruction — and what often doesn’t. Because many of us have shifted our beliefs about God, the Bible, hell, the devil, and faith… but still find ourselves stuck in the same emotional patterns we learned in the system we left.

You might think differently now… but still feel anxious, responsible, pressured, or lonely.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:
🧩 Why deconstruction is healthy — and why it’s often necessary
❤️ The real question: do you love better after deconstruction?
🔄 What does change: your opinions, language, and questions
🧠 What often doesn’t change: nervous system patterns, attachment styles, shame responses
😰 The four common “stuck” places after deconstruction:

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I still feel the same even though I believe something different now?” — this episode will help you name what’s happening and remind you: you’re not broken, you’re not behind, and you didn’t do deconstruction wrong.

👉 Like / Subscribe / Share
💬 Comment below: What changed for you after deconstruction — and what still feels hard?

00:00 - Welcome + Like/Share/Subscribe
00:34 - Why Sharing Creates Better Conversations
01:44 - Today’s Topic: Deconstruction—What Changed and What Didn’t
02:04 - IU vs Miami National Championship Predictions
03:41 - Revisiting the “2:6 Life” + Galatians 5:6
04:53 - Why Deconstruction Matters: Does It Make You More Loving?
06:35 - After the Relief: Why Deconstruction Can Still Feel “Off”
07:44 - New Beliefs, Same Patterns: Emotional Systems & Survival Habits
08:42 - The Goal: Living With What You Know Now
09:20 - What Changed (1): Opinions Shift (Curiosity, Nuance, Less Certainty)
10:50 - What Changed (2): Language Shifts (“The Bible clearly says…,” “God told me…”)
12:37 - What Changed (3): Better Questions (Truth, Identity, Love)
13:30 - What Didn’t Change: Nervous System Patterns & Attachment Responses
14:28 - Didn’t Change (1): Feeling Responsible for Others’ Feelings
16:06 - Didn’t Change (2): Pressure to Get It Right (Certainty as Safety)
18:15 - Didn’t Change (3): Worth Tied to Usefulness (Overfunctioning, Guilt in Rest)
20:37 - Didn’t Change (4): Loneliness Even With Better Beliefs
24:50 - The Hard Part: Being Isolated After Belief Shifts
25:04 - You’re Not Broken: This Is the Next Layer (Notice, Don’t Fix)
26:56 - Next Episode Tease: Why We Feel Stuck After Waking Up
27:53 - Closing: You’re Loved

Welcome back to Two Pastors and a Mic — and welcome to 2026.

In this first episode of the new year, Cory and Channock kick off what we’re calling “The 2:6 Life” (1 John 2:6): “If anyone claims to live in Him, they must live as Jesus lived.” But instead of turning that verse into pressure, performance, or behavior modification… we talk about what it looks like to live from union — and to actually integrate what you already know.

Because a lot of us don’t need more information… we need transformation that shows up in our relationships, our pace, our nervous system, and the way we carry ourselves in the world.

In this episode, we unpack Jesus’ inner posture through the “Four UNs”:
UNOFFENDED (not reactive, not self-protective)
UNHUSTLED (moving at the speed of trust)
UNAFRAID OF SCARCITY (no striving, no lack mindset)
UNMANAGED BY PEOPLE’S REACTIONS (not controlled by praise or criticism)

And we set up where we’re headed next: learning how to live with what you already know, and unlearning versions of “godliness” that were really just survival.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by spiritual pressure… or you’re hungry to follow Jesus in a way that feels grounded, free, and real — this one’s for you.

Like, share, and subscribe — and if you know someone who needs a fresh start to the year, send this episode to them.

00:08 - Welcome + Where You’re Watching From
00:25 - Like/Share/Subscribe + Help Spread the Podcast
00:56 - Why We Started: A Resource Off the Stage
01:13 - Cory’s Sick + First Episode of 2026
01:33 - The “2:6 Life” as the 2026 Theme
01:46 - Shift for 2026: Integration, Not Just More Theology
02:08 - “Apply What You Already Know” (Bible + Union)
02:51 - Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up
03:37 - 1 John 2:6: “Live as Jesus Did”
04:10 - Inspired vs. Exhausted: Two Ways People Hear It
04:48 - Why It Feels Exhausting: Behavior Modification & Performance
05:13 - WWJD Bracelets + Honesty About Shame-Based Religion
05:55 - Union Changes Everything: Obedience From Intimacy
07:10 - Love First: 1 John 4:16–17 + “We Is Risen” Callback
08:10 - Not Copying Jesus—Sharing His Life
08:22 - Why Jesus Was So Attractive: Inner Posture
09:31 - Trust in the Father + Nervous System Question
10:02 - Does Trust Feel Like Peace or Pressure?
11:06 - The Body Keeps the Score + Religious Trauma
11:47 - The Four “UNs” of Jesus’ Inner Posture
12:21 - UNOFFENDED: Not Driven by Insults or Self-Protection
14:30 - UNHUSTLED: The Speed of Trust (No Hurry)
16:33 - Hustle Isn’t Faithfulness: Demand Doesn’t Direct Jesus
17:02 - UNAFRAID OF SCARCITY: No Striving, No Lack Mentality
19:00 - UNMANAGED by People’s Reactions: Praise & Criticism
20:24 - Recap: The Four UNs + Living the 2:6 Life
20:51 - Walking Like Jesus = Trusting His Source
21:47 - What’s Next: Living With What You Know + Unlearning Survival “Godliness”
22:18 - Upcoming Topics: Trauma Responses, Mourning Loss, Unforced Rhythms of Grace
22:35 - Closing: You’re Loved + Music Outro

Happy New Year!

In this special recap episode, Cory and Channock kick off 2026 by looking back on a wild, emotional, growth-filled 2025. We celebrate wins, share honest behind-the-scenes moments, talk about what we’re carrying into the new year, and name what we’re wrestling with as leaders, husbands, dads, and pastors.

From podcast milestones (downloads, top episodes, consistency) to personal wins (books, ministry moments, RELife homes, and the launch of Zoay Intensive), this episode is a reminder that showing up matters — and that hope is still on the table.

✅ Like / Subscribe / Share (especially to start the year)
⭐ Leave a review if the podcast has helped you
💬 Comment below: What’s one win from your 2025 — and what are you hoping for in 2026?

00:08 - Welcome Back + Happy New Year (2026)
00:32 - Matching Sweatshirts + Shoutout to Lakata
00:59 - Why This Yearly Recap Is Happening Now
01:32 - Thank You to Listeners + Start of Year Six
01:54 - Share the Episode to Kick Off the Year
02:19 - Cory’s “Verse for the Year” + The 26 Life (1 John 2:6)
04:19 - Laugh/Cry/Celebrate: The Heart of the Recap Episode
05:01 - Biggest Win: Consistency (Showing Up Every Week)
06:18 - The “Sustaining” Season of Life
06:49 - Podcast Wins: Downloads, Growth, and 100K Milestone
08:07 - Most-Listened Series: “Let’s Talk About Hell” + Shane Willard
08:52 - Cory’s 2025 Personal Wins (Books, eBooks, Sacred Undoing, Zoay Intensive)
10:55 - Channock’s 2025 Wins (20 Years, Book Release, RELife Progress)
14:01 - Family & Life Wins (Kids, Relationships, Soccer Success)
15:41 - Supporting RELife: Housing Initiative for Single Moms
16:36 - Favorite Podcast Episode of 2025 (Channock)
17:13 - Cory’s Favorite Episode: “The Avocado Miracle”
18:25 - Favorite Hill City Sermon/Series of 2025
20:48 - Big Question: What Are You Wrestling With Entering 2026?
21:09 - Channock: Leadership Growth, Uncertainty, and Rest
23:24 - Cory: Taking Time Before Goals + Releasing “Quit” Language
24:00 - Cory Opens Up: The Hardest Three Months + Choosing Joy
26:50 - Closing: Share, Review, and You’re Loved (Outro Music)

What if real strength isn’t found in winning arguments—but in knowing when to lay down your rights?

In this New Year’s Eve episode of Two Pastors and a Mic, Cory and Channock close out 2025 by unpacking one of Jesus’ most misunderstood teachings: meekness. Drawing from Cory’s final eBook, How to Sheath Your Sword in a Violent Loving Culture, they explore why meekness is not weakness, but strength under control—and why it may be the posture Christians need most in a polarized world.

You’ll hear:
⚔️ Why “Blessed are the meek” was a radical, counter-cultural statement
🗡️ What Jesus was really teaching when He told His disciples to bring swords
❤️ How defending Jesus often does more harm than good
🌍 The difference between seizing power and inheriting it
🤝 Why love—not force—is the way of Christ in a culture addicted to domination

This conversation invites you to reflect on how you show up in relationships, online spaces, and cultural tension—and what it might look like to enter 2026 with humility, restraint, and courage shaped by love.

📘 Download Cory’s FREE eBooks (all 12) → saintsnotsinners.com
🎧 Explore past episodes & resources → hillcity.tv
💬 Join the conversation: Like, share, subscribe, and leave a review

00:00 - Welcome + New Year’s Eve intro
00:41 - Five years in: favorite parts of the podcast
01:15 - Why archived episodes/resources matter
02:03 - Most-listened series: “Who Is the Devil?” + “Let’s Talk About Hell”
03:18 - Final eBook episode: How to Sheathe Your Sword in a Violent Loving Culture
03:58 - Meekness: a misunderstood Beatitude (and Cory’s tattoo)
04:42 - The cost of modern war: drones, missiles, and “the tension”
06:11 - “Our Christian identity must trump our American identity”
07:29 - Why meekness challenged Cory’s American-Christian framework
08:15 - “A Christmas Sheath” series + definition: strength under control
09:52 - Meekness ≠ weakness: power submitted to love
10:35 - “Sell your cloak and buy a sword”: what Jesus meant
11:08 - Two swords, eleven disciples, Roman soldiers… and “That’s enough”
12:06 - Peter cuts the ear: Jesus heals (the last miracle before the cross)
13:29 - Defending Jesus online: social media as modern sword-swinging
14:08 - Why Jesus rebukes Peter: learning strength under control
14:27 - “Jesus taught them how not to use swords”
14:29 - Tertullian quote: “Christ disarmed all Christians for all time”
14:55 - “Swinging the sword is easy; sheathing it takes strength”
15:12 - Inherit vs seize: Caesar’s way vs Christ’s way
15:51 - Donkey vs warhorse: Palm Sunday symbolism + “Hosanna”
16:43 - Once you see meekness, you can’t unsee it
17:00 - Go download the eBook (meekness in real life)
17:49 - Reflection questions: where you’re tempted to “draw the sword”
18:24 - Closing encouragement for 2026: strength that shows love
19:16 - Resources for listeners + Zoay Intensive mention
19:52 - Sign-off: “You’re loved—and there’s nothing you can do about it”

What if prayer was never meant to be a religious performance—and prophecy was never meant to be scary?

In this Christmas Eve episode of Two Pastors and a Mic, Cory and Channock reflect on five years of podcasting and dive into Cory’s eBook How to Pray and Prophesy in the New Covenant. Together, they reframe prayer and prophecy through the lens of union, showing how both flow naturally from awareness, relationship, and love—not fear, formulas, or pressure.

This conversation is an invitation to slow down during the holidays and rediscover prayer as something you live, not something you try to get right.

You’ll hear:
🎄 Reflections on Christmas, gratitude, and memorable gifts
☕ Why a temperature-controlled mug became a parable for awareness
🔥 How “union” radically changed Cory’s prayer life
🙏 Why prayer is less about asking and more about awareness, rest, and participation
🎨 The 5 expressions of prayer: awareness, rest, pondering, play, and participation
👨‍👦 A powerful picture of prayer through a father-and-son story
🕊️ What prophecy really is (and isn’t): revealing Jesus through encouragement
📖 Paul’s simple test for prophecy: strengthen, encourage, comfort (1 Cor. 14:3)
🤝 Why prophetic words invite partnership—not passive waiting
💬 How anyone can be prophetic by offering love, hope, and presence

This episode will help you release fear-based spirituality and step into a prayer life marked by peace, trust, and joy—right in the middle of the Christmas season.

Resources from this episode:
👉 Check out Cory's website → saintsnotsinners.com
📚 Explore all free eBooks & resources → https://coryrice.gumroad.com
🌐 Connect with us → hillcity.tv

00:00 - Christmas Eve Welcome + Gratitude
00:18 - Celebrating 5 Years of the Podcast
01:08 - Like/Share/Subscribe + “Most Memorable Gift?”
01:26 - Cory’s Favorite Gift: The Ember Mug (Coffee at 138°)
03:11 - Channock’s Gift Story + “Experiences are better than Things”
05:46 - Intro to Week 11 eBook: Pray & Prophesy in the New Covenant
06:40 - Union Wrecked My Prayer Life (From Checklist to Conversation)
08:53 - Five Reframes: Prayer as Awareness, Rest, Pondering, Play, Participation
10:27 - The Power of Silence, Solitude, and Realignment
12:28 - Why the Disciples Asked Jesus How to Pray
14:00 - “Hey Dad, Can You Help?” A Simple Prayer Picture
15:24 - Prayer as Awareness, Prophecy as Expression
16:05 - Redefining Prophecy: Revealing Jesus
16:55 - The Test of Prophecy: Strengthen, Encourage, Comfort (1 Cor. 14:3)
18:03 - Prophetic Words Require Participation, Not Passive Waiting
19:52 - “Let’s Do It Together”: God Works Through Us
21:05 - Stop Chasing Prophecy—Become Encouragement to Others
22:19 - Prophecy Flows From Union + Get the eBook
22:38 - Reflection Questions + Practical Challenge for Christmas
23:42 - Merry Christmas + Next Week’s Final Episode of 2025
24:01 - Closing: “You Are Loved (Nothing You Can Do About It)”