Is your work-life balance out of sync? Do you struggle with burnout, workaholism, or feeling like your job defines you? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Ariana Malloy, communication professor at Biola University and author of Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work, to unpack the dangers of job idolatry, the power of Sabbath, and how humility helps us maintain a sustainable calling.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ How to recognize when your calling is becoming an idol
✅ The difference between a job, a career, and a calling—and why calling leads to the most burnout
✅ How Christian organizations unintentionally pressure employees into overwork
✅ Practical Sabbath rhythms to break the cycle of exhaustion
✅ The three aspects of humility that protect against burnout
✅ Why accountability should go beyond moral failure to include work-life balance

🎙 Ariana also shares her personal journey with workaholism and burnout—plus practical strategies for staying on the right side of healthy calling.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:
📖 Get Ariana Malloy’s Book – Healthy Calling (20% off with code for IVP- use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 👉 IVP Press

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As AI and digital technology become more embedded in our daily lives, what does it really mean to be human? Are we losing our sense of identity, community, and embodied faith?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Shane Wood, New Testament professor at Ozark Christian College, to explore how technology is shaping our understanding of humanity, relationships, and discipleship—and what Scripture has to say about it.

📌 Key Discussion Points:
✅ How has AI changed the way we relate to each other and to God?
✅ Are we outsourcing our spiritual formation and decision-making to technology?
✅ Why efficiency isn't always a virtue—and how technology can distort human flourishing
✅ Does technology weaken our sense of community, or can it strengthen it?
✅ What role does effort, embodiment, and limitation play in being truly human?
✅ The hidden dangers of transactional relationships & the “algorithmic” mindset
✅ The theological significance of boundaries, dependence on God, and true discipleship

🎧 Join us as we reflect on how Christians can engage with technology wisely—without losing our humanity.

🔗 Resources & Links:
🌍 Explore Shane Wood’s Work – ShaneJWood.com

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Technology and faith often seem like opposing forces, but what happens when a Christian innovator steps into the artificial intelligence space with a mission to transform education? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Mark Naufel, CEO and founder of Axio, an AI company dedicated to reshaping how people learn, grow, and engage with knowledge.

Mark shares his personal faith journey, growing up in a Lebanese Christian family and later transitioning into a Protestant, non-denominational context. His passion for faith and technology led him to found Axio, a platform designed to personalize education through AI while preserving the values and beliefs of individual users.

Together, they explore how AI can be leveraged for good—enhancing education, mentorship, and personal growth—without replacing the irreplaceable: human connection and community. They discuss AI’s role in addressing gaps in education, from personalized tutoring to career mentoring, and how Axio ensures that faith-based learning remains accessible and engaging.

Mark also shares insights on the broader implications of AI, the future of work, and why the Church must engage with technological advancements rather than retreat from them. He highlights the importance of Christian communities being active participants in shaping AI’s future, ensuring that it serves as a tool for discipleship rather than detachment.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Mark’s journey from a Catholic upbringing in Lebanon to a Protestant faith in the U.S.

• The role of AI in education, mentorship, and faith-based learning

• How Axio personalizes learning while maintaining biblical values

• The importance of maintaining real-world community in an increasingly digital age

• The future of work and the ethical considerations of AI

• How churches can embrace technology for discipleship and community building

🔗 Learn more about Axio: axio.ai
📩 Interested in beta testing Axio for homeschooling? Reach out to Mark directly at mark@axio.ai

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

🔗 Explore More at UsefulToGod.com

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.