Doing Life Together

Doing Life Together

by Jason Shirley

Season 2

Olympics, Health and Studying the Bible

Doing Life Together Podcast Season 2 Episode 17

Bear Update, Kangaroos and Faith

In this delightfully meandering (and longer-than-planned) episode, the hosts kick off with their unofficial 2026 theme: wild animal invasion stories. First up — the dramatic conclusion to the 550-pound bear saga that lived rent-free under Ken’s house in Altadena, California for nearly 40 days. After failed attempts with dog barks, cherry-caramel scents (which only attracted the wrong bear), traps, and air horns, the elite Bear League steps in with a bizarre but brilliant 10-minute eviction: vegetable-oil paintballs and an electrified mat. Victory for Team Ken… until the bear (or a very similar large bear) immediately moves into nearby crawl spaces. Bear epidemic confirmed. Then things get even weirder: a mother kangaroo escapes in Virginia (yes, Virginia), gets spooked by hunting dogs, ditches her joey on the highway, stops traffic, and requires a tranquilizer dart rescue. Cue the public service announcement: kangaroos are not easy pets — and definitely not HOA-approved. Between bear strike teams, poverty pizzas, cheat-day cookies, furniture store misunderstandings, and a very chaotic hotel stay in Santa Fe, the conversation finally lands on the heart of the episode: what faith actually is — and what it isn’t. Drawing from Mark 11, Hebrews 11, Acts 2, and the finished work of Jesus, they unpack why “faith in your faith” creates pressure and condemnation, and how resting in the faith of God — anchored in Christ’s completed work — brings freedom, healing, provision, and peace. No performance required. Just faith that Jesus was enough. Expect laughs, real-life transparency about the Total Health Challenge struggles, a cookie taste-test interruption, and a heartfelt invitation to the upcoming Thrive Health Conference (September 11–13, 2025). If you love real conversations that bounce from bear eviction tactics to deep spiritual truth (sometimes in the same breath), this is the episode for you. Grab a Topo Chico, settle in… and welcome to another classic Doing Life Together adventure. See you in the comments — and let us know: Team Ken or Team Bear? 🐻

Elephant Seals, Speeding Birds and Identity

Doing Life Together Podcast | Wild Seals, Speeding Ducks & Your True Identity in Christ Join us for laughs and real talk in this episode of Doing Life Together! We start with wild animal stories that had us dying: - A New Zealand fur seal sneaks into a home, lounges on the couch, and traumatizes the family cat 😹 - We geek out over massive elephant seals (males up to 5,000 lbs—imagine that fitting through a door! 🦭🐘) - A duck gets busted TWICE on a speed camera—32 mph in a 20 mph zone, same duck from 2018! 🦆🚔 (Darkwing Duck energy, anyone?) Other highlights: - Our first monetization payout: a whopping 35 cents 😂 (New Zealand trip incoming… maybe in 50 years) - The cringy TikTok trend of calling each other “mommy/daddy” in front of the kids—and their hilarious reactions - Sports rants: Broncos hype, MLB stadium bucket list (16/30 done!), college football vibes - What we’re reading: The Creative Way (for creatives & mental struggles), Keep Your Love On by Danny Silk (intentional marriage), upcoming Tim Keller marriage book The heart: Identity in Christ. In a world full of labels, self-made myths, and identity confusion, we unpack why true identity comes from finding Jesus—not ourselves. Key scriptures: - 2 Corinthians 5:17 – New creation; old things passed away - Romans 6 – Baptized into His death, alive to God; we reckon ourselves dead to sin - Matthew 16:24 – Deny self, take up your cross (surrender the immovable), follow Him We discuss how the enemy attacks identity to steal authority, why we no longer regard anyone (including ourselves) according to the flesh, and how knowing who you are “in Him” means walking in confidence—no begging required. Plus: We’re God-made, not self-made. Our new “For the God Made” apparel drops that truth! Updates on the Total Health Challenge and huge excitement for the Thrive Health Conference (Sept 11–13, 2026 at Word of Life)—practical, biblical solutions for total health: body, mind, marriage, spirit. Promo clip included! Timestamps: 0:00 – Animal stories kickoff 3:00 – Seal home invasion & cat therapy needed 8:00 – Elephant seal facts & size shock 12:00 – Speeding duck repeat offender 18:00 – 35-cent payout & retirement dreams 😂 25:00 – Cringy family trend fails 32:00 – Books & creative/marriage insights 45:00 – Core message: Identity in Christ deep dive 1:05:00 – Romans 6 breakdown & new creation living 1:20:00 – Thrive Health Conference promo & wrap-up If this encouraged you, LIKE, subscribe, and comment: What label are you leaving behind to embrace who you are in Christ? 🔗 Thrive Health Conference → thrivehealthconference.com (registration soon!) 🔗 “For the God Made” apparel → wolcarlsbad.com Thanks for doing life with us—we love you! Have a blessed week. ✝️ #DoingLifeTogether #IdentityInChrist #FunnyAnimals #TotalHealthChallenge #ThriveHealthConference #NewCreation #Podcast

550 lb Bear, Picnic Baskets and Prayer

🎥 Doing Life Together Podcast: A 550-Pound Bear Under the House, Thrive Health Conference, & Why Prayer Is NOT on the Total Health Challenge In this wild (literally) episode, we kick things off with the most insane news story of 2026 so far: Ken Johnson in Altadena, California has been living with a 550-pound black bear hibernating UNDER HIS HOUSE since November! 🐻🏠 We lose it over Ken trying to bark like a tiny chihuahua to scare the bear out, wildlife officials accidentally trapping the WRONG bear with caramel & cherry spray (yes really), and the only reasonable solutions: picnic baskets, honey pots, thirst traps, or just charging the bear rent and calling it a very large tenant. Things get hilariously out of control with Winnie the Pooh references, Baloo’s bare necessities, grass skirts, falling through floors naked in a bathtub (long story), and why we’d rather face a bear than a bird in the house. 😂 Then we get real: - Big announcement & full promo for our VERY FIRST Thrive Health Conference happening September 11-13, 2026 – life-changing speakers, worship workout, 5-star healthy food, swag, and total transformation in every area of your life! - Total Health Challenge update (we’re 2+ weeks in – no sugar is brutal after the holidays) - The one churchy phrase we’re getting called out for in 2026… and why we’re keeping it anyway - And a DEEP dive into why “prayer” is NOT one of the 10 items on the Total Health Challenge list… but it’s actually the foundation of the entire thing. We unpack “pray without ceasing,” why God is your partner (not a punisher), how secular studies prove prayer dramatically improves mental & physical health, why “if it be Your will” is sometimes the wrong thing to pray, and how to stop treating prayer like a daily chore and start living in constant, life-giving conversation with Jesus. This episode is equal parts ridiculous laughter and Holy Spirit conviction – basically peak Doing Life Together vibes. Drop a comment: How would YOU get a 550-pound bear out from under your house? 🧸🍯 (And be honest… would you charge him rent?) Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode – we’re just gettin’ started in 2026!

Banana Peels, Y2K and Total Health

Here's a well-optimized YouTube description for your podcast episode (Doing Life Together – first episode of 2026). It's engaging, keyword-rich for search (nostalgia, Y2K, total health, mental health, banana debates), includes timestamps, calls to action, and promotes the upcoming conference. --- Welcome to 2026! 🎉 We're kicking off the new year with laughs, nostalgia, and real talk about getting healthier in every way. From wild Y2K memories (we really thought the world was ending!) to the great banana peel debate (peel a little, eat a little... or strip it naked? 🍌😂), this episode is full of random, hilarious, and heartfelt moments. We reminisce about AOL messenger drama, ICQ's famous flower, Napster downloads, and that anticlimactic New Year's ball drop (infomercials, anyone?). Plus, we dive deep into our Total Health Challenge – mind, body, spirit, and relationships – and why we're more committed than ever in 2026. Timestamps: - 0:00 – Welcome to 2026 & Y2K Throwback Nostalgia - 4:30 – The Great Banana Peel Debate 🍌 (You won't believe this!) - 12:00 – New Year's Eve Fails: Infomercials & Quirky Drops (Idaho Potato? Green Chile?) - 18:45 – Instant Messenger Memories: AOL, ICQ, & "You've Got Mail!" - 25:00 – AI Chat Tools in 2026 (ChatGPT vs. Grok) - 32:00 – Our Total Health Journey: From Crisis to Thriving - 45:00 – Why Total Health Matters (Spirit, Soul, Body – 3 John 2 & 1 Thess 5:23) - 55:00 – The Challenge Breakdown: Bible Reading, Silence, Focused Conversations & More - 1:10:00 – 7 Minutes of Silence: Finding God's Still Small Voice - 1:20:00 – Exercise, No Sugar, Reading Books & Family Time - 1:35:00 – Thrive Health Conference Announcement – Sept 11-13, 2026! We're sharing our real struggles (weight loss, mental health, marriage quirks) and practical steps we've taken – like 7 min silence for peace, 10 min daily exercise, no sugar January, one book/month, focused time with spouse/kids, and daily Bible reading. Big News: Join us for the first-ever Thrive Health Conference September 11-13, 2026! Powerful speakers (Blaine Bartel, Linda Scott, Jerry Negrotto + us), worship workouts with Jasmine, catered meals, breakouts on mental health, relationships, and more. Registration opening soon – make plans to be here! It's going to be life-changing. ✝️💪 If this episode made you laugh, think, or grab a banana the "right" way... drop a comment! 🍌 How do YOU eat a banana? 🥔 Would you watch an Idaho Potato Drop? What's one Total Health step you're starting this week? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 for more real-life talks, laughs, and growth. Let's do life together in 2026! #DoingLifeTogether #TotalHealth #Y2K #MentalHealth #FaithAndFitness #ThriveHealthConference #NewYear2026 #Podcast #ChristianPodcast #Nostalgia Thanks for watching – we love you guys! See you next time. ❤️ --- This description is around 2,500 characters (YouTube's sweet spot), encourages engagement, and should help with discoverability for people searching nostalgia topics, health challenges, or Christian podcasts. Feel free to tweak names/details if needed! 🚀

Thanksgiving Special

In this episode of DLT Jason, Tiffany and Jasmine talk about thanksgiving traditions and the importance of a thankful heart.

International Bathroom, Reaching Culture and Guatemala

🎙️ NEW EPISODE | Doing Life Together Podcast “30 Years in Guatemala: The Real (Messy, Beautiful) Life of Long-Term Missionaries” with John & Tracy Bachelor We sat down in a Guatemala City hotel room with John & Tracy Bachelor — missionaries here since July 10, 1996 (almost 30 years!). This isn’t a polished highlight reel. It’s raw, funny, tear-jerking truth about: - Raising kids (and now a granddaughter!) on the mission field - Why God keeps us uncomfortable on purpose - The day God told John, “All of this wasn’t about YOU — it was about your kids” - How Guatemala changed them way more than they changed Guatemala - Going deep instead of wide in ministry - Why ministry is messy, smells like sheep, and still smells like hope - Seeing people the way Jesus does… while they still “smell like pigs” - Building trust that opens doors with mayors, engineers, prisoners, and market ladies If you’ve ever wondered what authentic, long-term, fruit-bearing mission life actually looks like after three decades — this is it. John & Tracy are the real deal: fully immersed, fully Guatemalan at heart, and still saying yes to Jesus every single day. ✈️ Filmed on location in Guatemala City ⏰ Officially our longest episode ever — and worth every minute Drop a ✋ or ❤️ if you believe ministry is supposed to be messy! Hit SUBSCRIBE + bell so you never miss an episode SHARE with someone who needs real encouragement today Want to partner with John & Tracy’s work in Guatemala? Links in the first comment + on our site! 📱 CONNECT WITH US FB: https://www.facebook.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast Jason: https://www.facebook.com/jgshirley Tiffany: https://www.facebook.com/tshirley3 IG: https://www.instagram.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jgshirley Tiffany: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyshirley TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast Jason: https://tiktok.com/@jasongshirley Tiffany: https://tiktok.com/@tiffanyshirley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast Our church: https://www.wolcarlsbad.com We’re doing life together — so glad you’re part of the family! ❤️ #MissionaryLife #Guatemala #LongTermMissions #DoingLifeTogether #MessyMinistry #GraceUponGrace

Wardrobe Fails, Living with Purpose and Marcus Criner

🎙️ Doing Life Together Podcast: Wardrobe Fails, Vasectomies & Faithfulness w/ Marcus Criner 😂 Wardrobe disasters! Bathing suit ripped off on a youth water slide, dryer sheet mid-worship, khakis soaked in 100° Florida heat (front & back 😳), and ripped pants at work—butt out all day! We’re spilling the funniest, cringiest church & life fashion fails. 🎤 Guest: Marcus Criner — worship leader, author, RV-traveling minister with his family. From Tulsa to 20 yrs in Florida, now full-time on the road with worship nights, revivals & workshops. 📖 Books: - Ordinary - Lift the Room 🔥 Key Truths: - “Your now is never more needed. Your next won’t come unless you steward today.” - David didn’t chase Goliath—he showed up with bread… and faithfulness. - Don’t despise small assignments, church size, or followers. 🎁 GIVEAWAY! WIN: - Walking Pad - Grace Perspectives (Pastor Daniel Shirley) - Ordinary (Marcus Criner) - Stickers! 👉 ENTER: 1. LIKE 2. COMMENT “👊” 3. SHARE 🌐 Connect with Marcus: 🖥️ marcuscriner.com 📱 @marcuscriner 🎧 New episodes Tuesdays! Next: John & Tracy Batchelor from Guatemala 🇬🇹 🦃 Thanksgiving Smackdown? 50 gal gravy. Pilgrim hats. Chips… or giblet nightmares. Hard pass. 😂 Thanks for doing life with us! Drop a 👊 if you’ve had a wardrobe fail in church! 📱 FOLLOW US: FB: - Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast/ - Jason: https://www.facebook.com/jgshirley - Tiffany: https://www.facebook.com/tshirley3 IG: - Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast/ - Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jgshirley - Tiffany: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyshirley TikTok: - Podcast: https://tiktok.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast - Jason: https://tiktok.com/@jasongshirley - Tiffany: https://tiktok.com/@tiffanyshirley 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast 🏡 Church: https://www.wolcarlsbad.com

Sleep Walking, Racquetball and Marriage

8.4 MILLION Americans sleepwalk or talk every year… and Jason is one of them 😱 He jumps on Tiffany screaming “THE BOARDS ARE FALLING!!” while she’s half-asleep. (She still loves him… most nights 😂) In this laugh-out-loud episode we spill: 💤 Wild sleep stories 💤 Why “Lullabytes” gummies turn Jason into a chivalrous ninja 💤 How 10 minutes of focused talk can SAVE your marriage 💤 Ephesians 5 unpacked: submission, sacrifice, and becoming ONE FLESH 💤 Why your spouse is now your IMMEDIATE family PLUS: 🎁 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Comment 👊 FIST BUMP + SHARE anywhere PRIZE: “Lift the Room” + “Faith Perspectives of a Grace Preacher” A brand-new WALKING PAD (perfect for the Total Health Challenge!) Winner drawn first week of December! 🥤 We’re sipping Topo Chico & Seek+Celsius 🦃 12 Days of Thanksgiving Pie starts Nov 16th (pie every day—join us!) 📖 November Total Health Challenge: 10 min focused convo Very Moderate Sugar Read 1 Book 1hr focussed time with your kids(s) 7 min silence 1 chapter of JOHN daily and journal it Drop your sleep horror stories, marriage questions, or pie flavor picks below! 👇 Let’s DO LIFE TOGETHER 👇 #SleepTalking #MarriageTips #DoingLifeTogether #TotalHealthChallenge #Giveaway Hit that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a moment! 🔔 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast/ Jason: https://www.facebook.com/jgshirley Tiffany: https://www.facebook.com/tshirley3 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast/ Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jgshirley Tiffany: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyshirley Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast Jason: https://tiktok.com/@jasongshirley Tiffany: https://tiktok.com/@tiffanyshirley Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast Check out our church: https://www.wolcarlsbad.com

Cultural Foods, Discerning What You Hear & Grace

🎙️ Doing Life Together – Ep: Grace, Bad Books & Topo Chico Dreams (ft. Pastor Daniel Shirley) Jason, Tiffany, Jasmine + Pastor Daniel Shirley (founder of Word of Life Carlsbad & author of Faith Perspectives of a Grace Preacher) bring the laughs and Holy Spirit 🔥. Highlights: 😂 Chaos: “Inset” vs. “on set,” sound-effect fails, Topo Chico sponsorship dreams. 💪 Total Health Challenge: No sugar, daily exercise, real family time. Nov = 10-min spouse talks + 1 focused hour with kids. 📖 Books: - The Wounded Healer = 🔥 - Why read what you disagree with—then take it to Scripture. ✝️ Grace Deep Dive: 12 yrs ago God told Pastor Daniel in the desert: “Preach more grace.” - Grace = unmerited favor that empowers everything. - “Have the faith of God” = Christ in you (Col 1:27). - Greek gem: ep-ahero = bring Jesus to your sin → cast into the sea. 📚 Get the Books: 🔗 wolcarlsbad.com – $30 bundle (3 books + devotional + notes) this week only! 📱 Kindle Unlimited: *Faith Perspectives* FREE now. 🎁 FREE: I Choose Jesus (35-pg new-believer guide). 🎉 Breaking: Audio podcast now monetization-eligible (Topo Chico ads incoming? 🥤) Laughs, truth, grace upgrade—**hit play.** 👉 Rate 5⭐, guess the “jump on it” song in reviews, tag a friend! #GracePreacher #FaithAndGrace #ChristianPodcast #TotalHealth #TopoChicoVibes Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast/ Jason: https://www.facebook.com/jgshirley Tiffany: https://www.facebook.com/tshirley3 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doinglifetogetherpodcast/ Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jgshirley Tiffany: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyshirley Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast Jason: https://tiktok.com/@jasongshirley Tiffany: https://tiktok.com/@tiffanyshirley Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doinglifetogetherpodcast Check out our church: https://www.wolcarlsbad.com

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