#38 The gun control debate is more than political—it's personal, moral, and spiritual. In this episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, Paul Basden takes us to the epicenter of the controversy: the right to bear arms.

Before diving into interviews and expert opinions next week, this Part 1 episode explores the spiritual tension many Christians feel when trying to balance personal freedom with public safety.

Join us as we explore:

• Four foundational beliefs that shape American attitudes on guns—sacredness of life, human sinfulness, the instinct to defend, and the constitutional right to bear arms
• What Scripture says about valuing life and community
• How churches can step into the gap with radical acceptance and relational rescue

This episode challenges both extremes of the debate and asks deeper questions:

What kind of person are you becoming? What kind of society are we building?

Whether you’re a gun owner, an advocate for reform, or somewhere in between, this conversation invites reflection, not reaction. Listen now and prepare to be both convicted and comforted. Subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. Tune in next week for Part 2 featuring expert interviews.

#37 In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, Paul Basden sits down with longtime Preston Trail Creative Pastor Allison Harrell and couples group coordinator D’Anthony Forte to talk about a subject too many know firsthand: church hurt.

Allison opens up about growing up in a high-control religious group she now recognizes as a cult—where authority went unchecked, manipulation was normalized, and eventually, her family was excommunicated. D’Anthony shares how fear-based faith, legalism, and judgment shaped his earliest experiences with church, leading to decades of anxiety and a 14-year absence from Christian community.

Together, they discuss:

• What spiritual abuse and toxic church cultures can look like
• Why walking away is sometimes a survival response—and why coming back is possible
• The role of therapy, vulnerability, and real community in healing
• How God’s love can meet us in our rawest, most wounded places
• The surprising truth: church can still be the place where healing happens

Whether you’ve been burned by spiritual authority, are afraid to trust again, or are simply walking alongside someone who’s been hurt, this episode offers honesty, grace, and hope.

🔔 Subscribe to hear more honest, unfiltered conversations about faith, pain, and the messy beauty of following Jesus.

#36 Is justice just a political buzzword hijacked by the culture wars—or is it central to the heart of God? In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden dives deep into the biblical roots of justice and challenges us to move beyond partisan stereotypes to embrace God’s call to care for the vulnerable.

Join us as we explore: What the Hebrew prophets (like Isaiah) really said about justice (Isaiah 1:17, 10:1-2, 58:6-7) How Jesus wove justice into His mission (Luke 4:16-19, Matthew 25:31-46) Why justice is more than politics—it’s a reflection of God’s character How Christians can model “truth in action” (Benjamin Disraeli) to a watching world

Is justice just another liberal agenda, or is it God’s mandate for His people?

Tune in as we uncover what Scripture teaches and how the pursuit of justice might be what draws people back to the church.

Re-Release :

Is love for your country a virtue—or can it become a form of idolatry? In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden explores the fine line between patriotism and nationalism, and what Scripture teaches about our highest allegiance.

Join us as we explore: The biblical call to seek God’s Kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33) Why nationalism can subtly replace God with nation as our object of worship (Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19) C.S. Lewis’ warning: “The love of one’s country becomes a demon when it becomes a god” A vision of God’s people from every nation united in worship (Revelation 7:9-10)

How can we honor our nation without displacing God from the throne of our hearts? Tune in as we wrestle with this important question and discover what it means to be a citizen of heaven while living on earth.

#35

Social media connects us more than ever before—so why do so many of us still feel so alone?

In this episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden sits down with Ashlynn McKay Lurkens, social media influencer, and podcast producer, for a candid look at the beautiful and broken realities of life online. From influencer culture and identity formation to adolescent anxiety and digital discipleship, this conversation unpacks the pressures and possibilities of social media in the modern age.

Join us as we explore: Why comparison and curated content can be toxic for young minds How the rise of screens is shaping the next generation’s mental health Practical boundaries for healthier social media engagement The role of Christian wisdom in a hyper-connected world

Whether you're a parent navigating tech with your kids or a content creator seeking meaning beyond metrics, this episode offers grace, insight, and tangible takeaways. As Ashlynn reminds us, “Social media isn’t the enemy—but it’s not always real, either.”

🔗 Resources mentioned:

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Explore How to Know a Person by David Brooks

#34 Social media touches nearly every part of our daily lives—but is it helping us love better, or hurting our ability to connect meaningfully?

In this thought-provoking solo episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden explores the power, pitfalls, and potential of social platforms through a biblical lens. From endless scrolling to the search for validation, Paul challenges listeners to evaluate their digital habits in light of Jesus’ command to love our neighbors—online and off.

Join us as we explore: The addictive nature of social media—and why we touch our phones 2,600 times a day How social media can be both a relational gift and a cultural curse What Jesus’ Golden Rule looks like in a digital world (Matthew 7:12) Practical reflections on how to scroll with purpose, not passivity

Reflections on How to Know a Person by David Brooks Key insights from Jonathan Haidt’s research on teen mental health and tech use

Whether you’re an influencer or a casual scroller, this episode will challenge you to think more deeply about the role of social media in your life— and consider what it might mean to live your faith out loud, even in the comment section.

#33 What if your deepest sense of identity doesn’t fit within the traditional framework of the church—but your love for Jesus still burns bright?

In this honest and moving episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden sits down with author and speaker Greg Coles for a vulnerable conversation about faith, identity, and what it means to live as a single, gay Christian committed to the authority of Scripture.

Together, they explore: Greg’s personal story of discovering his same-sex attraction and reconciling it with his Christian faith The tension between authenticity and orthodoxy in today’s church How the church can better welcome LGBTQ believers without compromising biblical convictions The beauty of chosen singleness and the calling to faithful community

As Greg says in the episode, “My identity in Christ doesn’t erase my sexuality, but it gives me a lens to live it out in love, truth, and hope.”

Whether you’re wrestling with your own identity or seeking to love those who are, this episode is a masterclass in nuance, empathy, and theological faithfulness.

Dive deeper with Greg’s resources: • Single, Gay, Christian – Amazon | GregoryColes.com • No Longer Strangers – Learn More • The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender – CenterforFaith.com

Follow Greg on Instagram, Twitter/X, or visit GregoryColes.com

Tune in now and join a conversation that’s changing the way the church loves and leads.

#32 Same-sex attraction is one of the most emotionally charged and spiritually complex conversations in the modern church. What does it mean to hold fast to biblical convictions while extending the radical love of Jesus?

In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden invites listeners into a grace-and-truth-filled conversation about LGBTQ+ identity, specifically same-sex attraction. Rather than choosing between condemnation or full affirmation, Paul explores a third way—rooted in Scripture, compassion, and the image of God in every person.

Join us as we explore: Why same-sex attraction is not inherently sinful What it means to be a single, gay Christian pursuing Jesus How the church can walk with LGBTQ+ believers in love and honesty Why “love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:39) must guide this dialogue

Resources Mentioned in This Episode: • Preston Trail’s belief statement on same-sex attraction: prestontrail.org/finalthought • Single, Gay, Christian by Gregory Coles: Amazon | Author’s Website

Can you be gay and still faithfully follow Jesus? Let’s talk about it—with courage, clarity, and compassion.

Listen now and join the conversation.