Ep 235: Abbie + Gabriel Gamboa: when God says "go"

Abbie and Gabriel Gamboa join Levi and Jennie for a hilariously honest, deeply encouraging conversation about marriage, calling, and the messy middle between “God said” and “okay… now what?” From conspiracy-theory dabbling to the sacred art of naming what’s real (in dating, in ministry, in life), this episode is full of both belly laughs and quiet conviction. You’ll hear how their friendship turned into a seven-year marriage, the wild backstory of getting pulled into music as kids, and the gritty season where they were juggling jobs, babies, and payday loans—until they finally took the leap into full-time ministry and music. Plus: a movie-level travel nightmare involving visas, a Colombian passport, and the terrifying possibility of being homeless and stinky in Paris. Connect with us on social! Abbie: @songbirdabbie Gabriel: @gabrielgamboa Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Check out Abbie's Music: https://bit.ly/3OM0ko5 Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps: 00:05:05 – “So drama”: defining the relationship and finally dating 00:06:28 – The car accident text… and the cold shoulder 00:17:34 – The late-night prayer encounter (3–4 a.m.) and music calling 00:23:59 – Songs that mattered 00:29:46 – Payday loans, diapers, and the leap toward calling 00:37:18 – Paris coffee “Substance,” UK visa chaos, and the 20-minute scramble

Jimmy Darts joins Levi + Jennie for a wild, hope-filled conversation about the behind-the-scenes heart of the viral kindness videos that have moved millions. From asking strangers for tiny favors to watching generosity “snowball” into life-changing provision, Jimmy shares how God gave him the strategy—and why he’s obsessed with keeping the spotlight on everyday people who say yes. Along the way, this episode goes deeper than you might expect: healing miracles, a Billy Graham YouTube moment that changed everything, a simple way to sort suffering and God’s goodness, and why compassion (not polish) is often the catalyst for God’s power. If you’ve ever wanted to live a more “activated” faith—this one will put gasoline on the fire. Connect with us on social! Jimmy: @Jimmydarts Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Undercover Kindness book: https://bit.ly/4rZM615 Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:01:19 – When kindness content went contagious (and why it matters) 0:03:32 – From party videos to “ask for help, then change lives” 0:08:08 – The GoFundMe plaque moment and crowdsourced generosity 0:14:19 – Super Bowl surprises + sorting suffering into two buckets 0:26:35 – Healing in Kona + why compassion is the real catalyst 0:41:15 – Billy Graham on YouTube, the sock miracle, and loving conviction

This week, we’re so excited to share something really special: a message Levi gave at one of our Fresh Life pop-up worship nights in Kalispell. It’s a word that’s meant a lot to us, and we wanted to bring it here because it speaks so honestly to the tension so many of us feel—how to walk with God through both triumph and sadness. In this episode, Levi talks about what it looks like to worship God in every season, whether you’re holding joy, grief, gratitude, disappointment, or some mix of all of it. It’s a meaningful, Scripture-filled reminder that we don’t have to be crushed by hard seasons or defined by great ones—we can bring it all to God and find Him faithful in every part of the journey. Connect with us on social! Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Check Out More Sermons: https://bit.ly/4b1PDqh Fresh Life Internship: https://bit.ly/3P1eJwS Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe

Preston Sprinkle joins Levi and Jennie for a candid, hilarious, and deeply thoughtful conversation around his newest book, From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. Preston shares what sent him on a years-long, thousand-hour deep dive through Scripture, scholarship, and church history without rushing to “pick a side.” Along the way, the crew gets real about how these conversations actually land in local churches: the tension, the backlash, the nuance, and the very human emotions involved. From Jesus’ surprising elevation of women, to the “problem passages” like 1 Timothy 2 and Romans 16, this episode is an invitation to slow down, stay humble, and let the Bible speak louder than the algorithms. Connect with us on social! Preston: @preston.sprinkle Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] From Genesis to Junia book – https://bit.ly/4tG5dz2 Theology in the Raw Podcast – https://bit.ly/4s1GILd Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:00:19 – Hats, Boise memories, and the “pollen snow” bike ride 0:05:44 – Immigration, algorithms, and thinking Christianly first 0:29:49 – Why Preston spent 1,000+ hours on women in leadership 0:45:13 – Fresh Life’s journey, backlash, and Jennie’s honest emotions 0:52:26 – Jesus, the early church, and why women are essential to mission 1:00:54 – The “hard verses”: 1 Timothy 2 vs. Romans 16 (Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia)

Tim Tebow is back—and this time he’s bringing full-on dad energy. Tim shares the surreal (and hilarious) realities of becoming a father to Daphne Raine, from driving home like a hyper-cautious grandpa to realizing how instantly responsibility rewires your whole brain. Along the way, Levi and Jennie soak up Tim’s reflections on what fatherhood has already taught him about God’s voice in chaos, and how love turns into action. Then the conversation turns tender and powerful as Tim opens up about his new book If the Tree Could Speak—a poetic, perspective-shifting retelling of the gospel through the life of the tree that became the cross. From Easter tenderness to the brutal honesty of Calvary, this episode is a reminder that the cross changes everything—and that our calling is to live like we actually believe it. Connect with us on social! Tim: @timtebow Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] If the Tree Could Speak Book: https://bit.ly/4rqk0fE Look Again Book: https://bit.ly/4aYrDEh Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:00:18 – Ketones, cold plunges, and dad-life banter 0:01:23 – Bringing Daphne home: joy, fear, and responsibility 0:06:05 – “Splash radius” and worship in the delivery room 0:20:45 – If the Tree Could Speak: the cross through the tree’s eyes 0:40:13 – Grief with hope: “he’s not lost—he’s found” 0:43:12 – “Look Again”: seeing people as infinitely valuable MVPs

Pastor Ed Newton joins Levi and Jennie for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, holy, and deeply healing. From mutual half-Filipino spouses (and the great “Tagalog” debate) to the way Ed grew up as the primary interpreter for his deaf parents, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh—and then suddenly swallow a lump in your throat. Ed opens up about the hidden “not enough” loop that can follow even the most fruitful ministry, the moment (December 26, 2023) he didn’t want to live anymore, and how God met him in the rebuild through counseling and recovery. Along the way, you’ll hear the powerful origin story behind his book Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You—and why your worst “kryptonite” might just become the very place God writes your greatest strength. Connect with us on social! Ed: @pastorednewton Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Read Why Not You?: https://bit.ly/49UZBI8 Connect with Pastor Ed: https://bit.ly/4t49zQf Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe 0:03:10 – College hoops, ministry dreams, and meeting Stephanie 0:05:32 – The interpreter who changed everything: Ed’s salvation story 0:08:04 – Growing up in a deaf home: the miracle backstory 0:17:44 – “God gave you to us”: the moment that reframed his life 0:33:42 – “We found you on YouTube”: the CBC call and the pivot 0:39:18 – December 26, 2023

Levi and Jennie are back with a LIVE hot-takes edition—reacting to spicy “unpopular opinions” from the Lusketeers and letting the conversation do what it does best: swerve into laughter, rabbit trails, and the occasional “wait… is this actually deep?” moment. From fish (unless it’s sushi) to airplane toe etiquette, from bowling germs to Disney adults, the banter stays playful—but it also turns thoughtful when the topic shifts to parenting, phones, and the tension between conviction and Christian liberty. Expect strong opinions, zero chill, and at least one memorable chemistry lesson: iron oxide. Connect with us on social! Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Episode 207 with Gracie Binion: https://bit.ly/45rdlZU Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:01:26 – “Fish is disgusting”… unless it’s sushi 0:09:50 – McDonald’s coffee vs Starbucks 0:16:04 – Plane etiquette: socks, sandals, and keeping your toes to yourself 0:22:12 – Bowling is gross… and so is thinking about those finger holes 0:30:53 – Kids, phones, and why “Christian should/shouldn’t” gets complicated 0:40:34 – “Christian music doesn’t exist” + Disney adults + left/right hacks

Jacob Coyne—founder of Stay Here—joins Levi and Jennie for an honest, hope-filled conversation about suicide prevention, mental health, and what it looks like to love people like Jesus when they’re hurting. This episode goes deep, but it’s also packed with practical help and real stories of lives being saved. You’ll hear how Stay Here equips churches, schools, and students to recognize warning signs, start the conversation, and take action—plus why purpose, community, and courage matter more than we think. And if you’re listening and you’ve been battling dark thoughts, please know this: you’re seen, you’re loved, and help is available. Don’t carry it alone—stay here. Connect with us on social! Jacob: @jacobcoyne Stay Here: @stayhereorg Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Stay Here (resources + live chat): https://bit.ly/4r0zmH7 ACT Suicide Prevention Training: https://bit.ly/3LmD5zS Stay Here Student Ambassador Program: https://bit.ly/3LTmB2g Stay Here Lifeline Bands: https://bit.ly/3YQGPwx Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:00:03 – A heads-up: this conversation goes heavy (and hopeful) 0:01:46 – Why Jacob started Stay Here after devastating losses 0:07:25 – Lifeline bands, 988 access, and taking hope into schools 0:31:15 – Rocket ship vs. home: choosing to build what lasts 0:50:37 – The ACT training in real life: a bridge, a friend, and a saved life 1:01:35 – If you’re hurting: speak up, get help, and stay here

Alex and Henry Seeley (The Belonging Co) are back for a wide-open catch-up that somehow hits everything—from family life and church growth in Tennessee to new music, new campuses, and what it’s like building a multi-location church with video preaching. Then the conversation turns holy (and hilarious) as Alex shares about her upcoming book The Divine Counselor—a fresh, needed look at Holy Spirit as a Person, not just a symbol. And Henry tells the unforgettable story of a midnight drive that became a defining encounter… complete with “walking” Holy Spirit into their home. Connect with us on social! Alex: @alexseeley Henry: @henryseeley Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Pre-Order The Divine Counselor: https://bit.ly/49aFab5 The Belonging Co (Music): https://bit.ly/45u9BXq Belonging Co Conference: https://bit.ly/4svdo0p Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe 00:42 – What’s new with the Seeleys (kids, college, life) 02:06 – Foreclosure hit + new land for Franklin 05:34 – Monster trucks, green rooms, and “is it haunted?” 13:35 – The Divine Counselor: Why We Need Holy Spirit as Counselor 20:11 – A revival season and a long day of testimonies 41:18 – New music: The Chorus + the single “Myths”

Kait and JJ Tomlin (the couple behind Heart of Dating) join Levi and Jennie for a hilarious, super-helpful conversation about what dating looks like right now—and why so many women feel frustrated while so many men feel shut down. From “80% isn’t enough” expectations to the weird ways dating apps have turned people into filters and checkboxes, they get real about what’s happening in the church and what actually helps. Along the way, they unpack what to look for beneath the surface (hello, teachability + humility), why “trajectory” matters more than perfection, and how to think about attraction with more wisdom than a swipe. Plus, you’ll hear their own unexpected meet-cute—from a Zoom “blind date bachelor” moment to long-distance FaceTimes and a relationship built on character (wolf sweater and all). Connect with us on social! Kait: @kaitness  JJ: @jjtomlin Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Heart of Dating:  Heart of Dating Podcast:  School of Dating (16-week mentorship):  Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 01:50 – The dating convo everyone needs (not just singles) 03:10 – Why women feel stuck and men feel discouraged 11:17 – The real “bar” for maturity: responsibility + discipleship 19:55 – Drop the filters: height, attraction, and dating apps 27:14 – Their Zoom meet-cute (and “Emily” makes an appearance) 40:02 – Heart of Dating: podcast, mentorship, coaching, and community