Surface Tension: Recent Episodes
by Craig Morris and Alex Graeber
Meaning exists below the surface, and by utilizing well-crafted questions, Craig and Alex dive as deeply as possible, exploring the spiritual import that underpins our daily lives. In a world that seems chaotic and frantic, would exploring the calmness below the surface be a terrible idea?
Craig and Alex discuss Peter's denial and restoration.
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Craig and Alex discuss the question: "What if the next play Jesus called for us was a timeout?"
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Craig and Alex discuss what it looks like when we aim our "cannons" at ourselves, at others, or even straight up in the air.
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After a brief summer break, Craig and Alex reunite to discuss asking better questions and zooming out to find the "God Story" being authored that supersedes our personal realities.
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Alex and guest-host Quin Weissenberger sit down to discuss what it looks like to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus, through the lens of scuba diving.
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Craig starts the episode with the profound question: "What are the questions that love asks?"
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Craig and Alex discuss how our thoughts and behavior can help reveal our innermost beliefs, and what to do if those beliefs don't feel entirely aligned with our stated purpose.
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Craig and Alex discuss spiritual/mental/emotional patterns about how to identify and break them.
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Craig and Alex discuss what happens when we turn our attention to eternity.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it means to be "scarily close" to God.
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Craig and Alex take a deep dive into Mark 9 to discuss healing a variety of ailments, be they physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, or relational.
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Craig and Alex sit down with Quin Weisenberger, an up-and-coming spiritual leader, to hear his God story.
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Craig and Alex conclude their "Kingdom Monopoly" series by discussing the spiritual metaphors within the Free Parking square.
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Craig and Alex continue their discussion about the spiritual metaphors embedded in the classic board game Monopoly.
This week, the duo examine the significance of Jail.
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Craig and Alex continue their series about the parallels between Monopoly and a faith journey. This week, the duo discuss the GO square and piece selection.
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Craig and Alex discuss parallels between the board game Monopoly and a life of faith.
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Craig and Alex discuss the spiritual and relational implications of AI
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Craig and Alex discuss the importance of knowing that oftentimes, our first thought/reaction isn't our best one.
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Craig and Alex discuss what true fulfillment looks like, and whether the pursuit of "fulfillment" gets us where we need to be in the first place.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it looks like to hit "compassion burn-out," and what it looks like to move through it.
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Craig and Alex explore ways to lean into Easter.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it means to get out of a place of misery.
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Craig and Alex sit down with Jonathan Duncan to discuss how to "ask better God questions."
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Craig and Alex sit down with Jonathan Duncan and ask him about his God story.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it looks like to extend out of one's comfort zone in order to experience soul growth.
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Craig poses the question: "How do we maintain hope and optimism when not only the world, but we ourselves feel broken?"
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Craig and Alex Examine John 13: 1-17, where Jesus washes the disciples feet.
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Although it's well past the Christmas season, Craig and Alex discuss a heart that's 3 sizes too small.
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Craig and Alex discuss the desire for worldly recognition, and what it looks like to pivot away from "ego biscuits" to step closer towards the bread of life.
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Craig and Alex discuss the difference between dreams "that start with us and work towards God" versus dreams "that start with God and work towards us."
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Craig and Alex discuss what it means to take risks not only in faith, but in ministry and relationships, as well.
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Craig and Alex discuss the faith walk through the lens of a classic board game.
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Craig poses the question: Would it be better for us to become the best versions of ourselves, or a more accurate reflection of Jesus?--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetension/support
Craig and Alex sit down with Matt Duncan for one of the most riveting God stories and interviews yet.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it might look like to have a transformational Christmas.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it means for us when we comprehend that we matter to God.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it means to better notice the living God alive and working.
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Craig and Alex discuss the metaphors that can underpin (or overshadow) our beliefs.
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Craig asks "What is the difference between becoming more loving vs. becoming love?"
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Craig and Alex reflect on the difference between one's purpose vs. one's calling.
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Craig and Alex discuss what it means to have God speak to you, and how to know when you're having a "God Moment."
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Craig and Alex discuss a variety of questions that can lead to deeper "God Moments," both in individual and group settings.
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Craig and Alex sit down with Outreach Pastor Abraham Diaz for the second part of their conversation.
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Craig and Alex sit down with Outreach Pastor, Abraham Diaz, to hear his faith story.
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Craig and Alex discuss the End Times.
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Craig and Alex discuss "thought maps," as well as "truthing."
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Craig and Alex discuss Revelation 3:14-22, highlighting Craig's approach to scripture, in general.
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Craig prompts the examination of the challenging question: "Does God really want what's best for us?"
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Craig and Alex examine how small interactions can make our God "highlight reels."
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Craig and Alex, after taking a summer break, are back for the next chapter of Surface Tension.
Craig's question comes as an offshoot from the book of Luke and the story of the Prodigal Son:
What is the Fathers heart towards the prodigal when he is in a far away land?
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Craig and Alex sit down with retired Navy commander Rand "Bull" Tanner.
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Craig opens with the question: "How do we prevent soul Chernobyls?"
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Craig kicks off the episode with the thought-provoking question: "How is God loving you right now in a way that you don't want to be loved?"
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Craig and Alex sit down with philanthropist Mark Van Mourik
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Craig opens with a story that leads to the question, "What does it mean to be 'wrecked' by God?"
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Craig and Alex discuss what it might look like to be "out of control" or "unleashed" for God.
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Craig and Alex have a thoughtful discussion about "bucket list" items.
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Craig and Alex discuss the way we approach suffering in what feels like an increasingly chaotic and tumultuous world.
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Craig and Alex discuss the parable of the sower.
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Craig and Alex discuss the dichotomy of "freedom to" and "freedom from"
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Craig Opens with the question: "Why is it that we want to hold onto our wounds more than we want to hold onto Jesus?"
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Craig and Alex host the chairman of Go Ministries International, Phil Deol, to discuss his story of faith, struggle, and leadership.
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Craig starts with the question: “What one movie scene has captured your heart/soul/attention and has made more impact than any other?”
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Craig and Alex examine the question: "What if I'm a bad person?"
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Craig opens with a famous quote from Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky: "Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth."
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To start the conversation, Craig borrows a question from pastor Tim Keller:
"Do you ever lift your eyes enough to see the far horizon...the future life that Jesus has secured for you at infinite cost to himself?"
Surface Tension is brought you in-part by Go Ministries International.
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Craig recounts the story of St. Patrick before he and Alex discuss the true meaning behind Saint Patrick's Day.
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Craig and Alex discuss how to discern what someone needs from us in any given moment: a great question or hard truth.
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Craig and Alex discuss a Henry Nouwen devotional:
"You have an idea of what the new country looks like. Still, you are very much at home, although not truly at peace, in the old country. You know the ways of the old country, its joys and pains, its happy and sad moments. You have spent most of your days there.
Even though you know that you have not found there what your heart most desires, you remain quite attached to it. tI has become part of your very bones.
Now you have come to realize that vou must leave it and enter the new country, where your Be- loved dwells. You know that what helped and guided you in the old country no longer works, but what else do you have to go by? You are being asked to trust that you will find what you need ni the new country. That requires the death of what has become so precious to you: influence, success, yes, even affection and praise.
Trust is so hard, since you have nothing to fall back on. Still, trust is what is essential. The new country is where you are called to go, and the only
way to go there is naked and vulnerable.
It seems that you keep crossing and recrossing the border. For a while you experience a real joy in the new country, but then you feel afraid and start longing for all you left behind, so you go back to the old country.
To your dismay, you discover that the old country has lost its charm. Risk a few more steps into the new country, trusting that each time you enter it, you will feel more comfortable and be able to stay longer."
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Craig starts with a story about a messy situation that vaults the conversation towards the question: "Why do bad things happen to us when our intentions are good?"
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Craig opens with the question: "Where do you think most people's minds go when they hear the word 'chaos'?"
Craig opens the episode with a personal rule: If any journey requires two U-turns, it's a sign to go home. From there, Alex and Craig discuss the ins-and-outs of "repentance," a subject that isn't many people's favorite.
Craig kicks off the episode with the question: What percentage of Christians are just "dabbling" with God?
If you'd like to submit a question for us to explore, shoot an email to info@surfacetensionpodcast.com
Alex and Craig discuss how to reengage in our spiritual journeys if/when we ever find ourselves slightly "checked out."
Criag explores the idea of picking "a word for the year."
To share your word with Alex and Craig, send an email to info@surfacetensionpodcast.com
Craig launches the episode with the question: "What percentage of Christians woke up flat this morning?"
Craig begins with the thought-provoking prompt: "What if the way we explain the world determines the way we experience the world?"
Craig and Alex review the popular story "A Christmas Carol," but quickly pivot into a much fuller conversation about the past, present, and future.
Craig opens with a question borrowed from a friend: "What's the next good thing I can do?"
Craig begins with the question of the day: "What if God showed up in a big way in your life?"
Craig and Alex examine a wide variety of questions to better examine the difficult moments that might arise during Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.
The initial question of the day begins as: "How am I being unfair to myself in situation X, Y, and Z?" which Craig expands to "How can one determine how much responsibility he/she should be taking in any given situation?"
For the 50th episode of Surface Tension, Alex asks Craig: "If this podcast exceeded all of our wildest expectations and became 'humongous,' what would you want for the listenership?"
Craig modifies the question: "What would you do if you only had 1 month to live?" and changes it to "What two values would change for you if you knew your time was short?"
Craig brings the question to the table: "What if our biggest challenges in life are just story disorders?"
Craig opens with the Wilbur Rees poem entitled "$3 Worth of God"
“I would like to buy $3 worth of God please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 dollars worth of God please.”
Alex and Craig examine the question: "What's the best question you've ever been asked?"
Craig leads with a story about one of his favorite parables: The Prodigal Son, which prompts the question: "Is 'unexpected,' for God, an event...or who he is?"
Craig and Alex work towards answering the question: "How do we arrive at the place where we can effectively help others?"
Craig opens with a quick story, describing a praise song that highlights God's faithfulness. Alex responds with a quizzical: "I didn't ever consider faith as a two way street..."
Craig offers the question: "Do you think we are all shackled by something, or captive to one fear or another?"
Craig opens with the question: "What do you think most people think about death bed conversions?" The conversation leads into a thoughtful discussion of "The Prodigal Son."
Craig finds himself out of sorts, which prompts Alex to ask: "What things have you been perceiving out in the world and within yourself that have got you in a space that you would qualify as 'not your main lane'?"
Alex opens with a quote, and then Craig follows up with the question: "What if we were aware of what we were filling the gap of love with?"
Craig kicks off the episode with the question: "What if we assume that we're asking the wrong question?"
Craig and Alex discuss the broad and important topic of "hope" and eventually arrive at the question: "What if I allowed hope to paint my reality today?"
Craig and Alex reflect upon each of their responses to being oversaturated in thought, occupying a "headspace" rather than a "heartspace."
Alex opens with a story, and Craig follows up with the question: "What do we do when, all of a sudden, the way we process things isn't working anymore?"
Craig and Alex pick up where they left off last week in discussing "the beautiful artifact(s)" of our souls that we keep hidden from both ourselves and others.
Craig and Alex discuss a score of spiritually-charged concepts through the lens of the 1999 film, The Matrix.
Alex opens with a story about a wedding he attended recently, and Craig finds the question: "What if we knew what we were creating in the world around us?"
Alex kicks off the episode by recounting his interesting weekend activity: defending against knife attacks. From there, Craig and Alex discuss the important topic of adventure.
Craig opens with the question: "What if we shared with people, not just information, but inspiration?"
Craig and Alex begin their discussion with the question: "What if we stopped killing ourselves?" (in as many possible ways as we can interpret)
Craig and Alex discuss the question: "What would it look like to have a healthier spiritual immune system as an individual, as a community, and as a country?"
Craig opens with the question: "What if we allowed ourselves and others to be themselves?"
Craig and Alex discuss the question: "What if the biggest things we could possibly do are smaller than we think?"
This episode of Surface Tension is all about anger, both healthy and unhealthy, and how we express it.
If you'd like to submit a question for Craig and Alex to explore, go ahead and email us at info@surfacetensionpodcast.com
Thank you for listening, and remember, if you're enjoying the podcast, the highest form of compliment you can give is passing your favorite episodes along to those who would also benefit from exploring the topics and questions, as well!
Craig poses the "what if" quesiton: What if we did the things that thrilled us when we were children?
Alex asks Craig, "What percentage of your thoughts are Christian/Focused on Jesus?" Craig increases the stakes, and steers the discussion towards how we can all increase our Jesus-centric thoughts.
On this episode of Surface Tension, Alex starts with a story about connecting with an acquaintance of his at the gym, and how sometimes asking small questions can lead to huge, spiritually-centered conversations.
Craig and Alex begin by examining the question: "What if we could learn how to navigate the tension of people who want to pull us closer AND push us away [at the same time]?"
On this episode of Surface Tension, Craig asks the question: "What if we could reframe stupid?"
In this episode of Surface Tension, Craig asks the question: "What if we recognized the role that God was playing in our story?"
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On this episode of Surface Tension, Craig and Alex begin by examining the question: "What if we were ready for the moments that matter most?" Have a question for us? Email us! info@surfacetensionpodcast.com
On this episode of Surface Tension, Craig leads with the question: What if we could find an "island of peace"? From there, the duo discuss the difficulties of finding the island, staying on the island, and knowing how to revisit the island at a moment's notice.
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On this episode of Surface Tension, Craig asks the question: "What would it look like if we walked around with hope today?"
If you would like to submit a question for us to discuss, we would be more than happy to! Email us: info@surfacetensionpodcast.com
On today's episode of Surface Tension, Craig asks the question: "What if we walked through today feeling at home everywhere we went?" If you have any questions that you’d like us to explore, feel free to email us at info@surfacetensionpodcast.com!
Craig and Alex discuss barriers to spiritual pursuits, and then moves into worldly promises rooted in people, places, and things that inevitably let us down.
If you have questions you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at info@surfacetensionpodcast.com
On the very first episode of Surface Tension, Craig and Alex begin by examining the question: "What if God was more excited to see you than you were to see him?" From there, the duo delves into the false duality between a disappointed god and a loving god, and allows the spirit do the rest.