Digital Thorns | Menlo Midweek Podcast | Joey Odom & Matt Summers

Welcome to a very special Mother's Day edition of the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we have a takeover in the studio: Rachelle Summers steps in to host, and she is joined by special guests Allison Li and Joan Parker. In an episode aptly titled "No one ever told me," these three women sit down for an honest, refreshing, and deeply relatable conversation about the realities of motherhood. They also unpack the highlights and raw moments from this past weekend's Sunday panel, which featured Phil and Alyssa EuBank alongside Vince and Jo Vitale. 📍 In This Episode: "No One Ever Told Me": Rachelle, Allison, and Joan swap candid stories about the surprises, the challenges, and the beautiful chaos of motherhood that doesn't always make it into the parenting books. Sunday Panel Recap: The group dives into the biggest takeaways from the weekend panel with the EuBanks and the Vitales, discussing the unique tensions and joys of raising a family in today's world. The Messy Middle: A conversation that strips away the pressure of "perfect parenting" and offers grace for the moments when you feel like you’re just figuring things out as you go. Wisdom and Solidarity: Whether you are in the trenches of the toddler years, navigating the complexities of teenagers, or supporting a mom in your life, this episode is packed with laughter, wisdom, and a reminder that you aren't alone. 💬 Discussion Question: Fill in the blank: "When it comes to parenting (or simply navigating adulthood), no one ever told me ________." Share your honest answers below! Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

We want moms to be seen, valued, and know that their work is invaluable. And they are not alone. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we are incredibly excited to kick off a brand-new series titled "GLITCH." Host Matt Summers sits down with special guest Joey Odom (co-founder of Aro) to talk about the system errors in our modern lives—specifically, our relationship with our phones and technology. In this opening episode, "Digital Thorns," Matt and Joey explore how the constant hum of digital distraction is causing a glitch in the most important parts of our lives, our relationships, and our faith. 📍 In This Episode: The Modern Thorns: We look at Jesus' Parable of the Sower and discuss how the "thorns" that choke out the good seed today often look a lot like our smartphones, social media feeds, and constant notifications. Presence vs. Proximity: Joey shares his personal wake-up calls, highlighting the hard truth that just being in the same room as your family or friends isn't the same thing as being truly present with them. The Psychology of the Scroll: Why is it so hard to put the phone down? We dive into the intentional design behind our devices and why we must be just as intentional about creating boundaries to fix the glitch. Reclaiming Connection: Practical, guilt-free steps to start unplugging, creating healthier rhythms, and opening up the space needed to hear from God and connect deeply with the people right in front of us. 💬 Discussion Question: Think about your screen time this past week. What is one "digital thorn" you can remove today to fix the glitch and be more fully present with God and the people around you? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank continue our series, "God, If You’re Real," by stepping into the heart-wrenching and hope-filled story of Jairus and his daughter (Luke 8). When we are in the middle of our most desperate prayers, one of our biggest questions is often: “God, are you even paying attention? And if you are, why are you taking so long?” 📍 In This Episode: The Interruption: We explore the tension of the story—Jesus is on his way to save a life, but He stops to address someone else. How do we handle it when God seems to "delay" our miracle to attend to someone else’s need? The Father’s Fear: We put ourselves in Jairus' shoes. What does it look like to approach God with a desperate request when the situation feels like it’s slipping through your fingers? "Do Not Fear, Only Believe": We break down Jesus’ command in the face of impossible news. Is this just a platitude, or is it a radical invitation to trust a different kind of outcome? The Courage to Keep Walking: When the worst-case scenario happens, what keeps us moving forward with Jesus? Reframing "Late": A conversation on the difference between God being late and God being on time—even when that timing defies our human logic. 💬 Reflection Point Jairus had to watch Jesus stop and talk to another person while his own world was falling apart. What does it feel like to wait on God when it feels like He is "distracted" by other things? How can we cultivate trust in His character even when His timing doesn't match our emergency? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Jairus risks his reputation to plead with Jesus. And when all hope seems lost, Jesus still shows up. This message is for those on the edge—wondering if it’s too late.

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! In this episode, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank unpack the raw, honest, and often desperate place where faith meets our most challenging life circumstances. Following up on this past weekend’s message, "If You’re Real, Help Me," we take a deep dive into the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8. This conversation is for anyone who has reached the end of their own resources and is ready to move from the armor of cynicism to the vulnerability of faith. 📍 In This Episode: The Weight of Humanity: We address the reality of being "mentally overloaded and emotionally tired" and why acknowledging our limits is the necessary starting point for a relationship with God. The Isolation of Suffering: We break down why the woman’s condition was so much more than a medical problem—how it affected her social, spiritual, and relational life—and how Jesus stepped into that isolation to offer restoration. The Significance of "Who Touched Me?": Phil explains why Jesus’ question wasn't about annoyance or performance, but about assigning significance to someone the world had forgotten. The Power of Being Called "Daughter": A reflection on how one word from Jesus can restore identity to someone who has been defined by their struggle for years. Cynicism vs. Honest Doubt: Matt and Phil tackle a tough tension: why cynicism is often "pride in disguise" (hopelessness), and how it differs from the honest, questioning doubt that leads us toward God. The Hardest Question: We navigate the tension of unanswered prayers—what do we do when we or those we love don't receive the healing we hope for? 💬 Reflection Point Phil noted that cynicism is often just pride in disguise. If you’re feeling cynical, try to identify if you are protecting yourself from potential disappointment rather than honestly seeking God’s presence. Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

The bleeding woman reaches for Jesus with no words, no plan—just pain. And Jesus stops everything for her. This message speaks to those who are suffering silently, unsure if God notices. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to the start of a brand-new series at Menlo Church! This week, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank kick things off by leaning into the tension, the doubt, and the honest curiosity that many of us carry. In a world that often demands certainty, we’re starting a conversation titled "God, If You’re Real." This episode focuses on a core value at Menlo: Giving people permission to ask questions. Whether you’ve been a follower of Jesus for decades or you aren’t even sure if God exists, this series is a safe space to bring your "what-ifs" and "how-comes." Join ALPHA: https://www.menlo.church/alpha 📍 In This Episode: Permission to Doubt: Matt and Phil discuss why "I don't know" is a valid spiritual answer and why the church should be the first place people go with their hard questions. The Strength of a Challenged Faith: We dive into the idea that a faith that isn't allowed to be questioned is a faith that cannot grow. Why challenging our own beliefs actually leads to a deeper, more resilient trust in God. Wrestling with the Divine: A look at how some of the most influential figures in the Bible (like Thomas and David) built their relationship with God through honest, raw questioning. Safe Space vs. Echo Chamber: How Menlo strives to be a community where intellectual honesty and spiritual growth go hand-in-hand. 💬 Discussion Question: What is a "God, if You're real..." question you've been afraid to ask? How would it change your faith to know that God isn't intimidated by your curiosity? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Thomas is remembered for his doubt, but maybe he should be remembered for his honesty. Jesus doesn’t scold him—He shows up. This message affirms that doubt is not the enemy of faith. It’s often the doorway to deeper trust. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect with us