Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, host Matt Summers and Phil EuBank sit down to reflect on a truly special standalone weekend across our campuses: Baptism Weekend. Whether faith feels deeply familiar to you, totally unfamiliar, or honestly a little complicated right now, we hope this conversation meets you right where you are. We’re diving deeper into the weekend message, looking at baptism not just as a church tradition or a religious box to check, but through the epic biblical story of Joshua 3 and 4. Israel is standing on the edge of a promise, facing a flood-stage river, and stuck in the heavy tension of "almost." 📍 In This Episode: The Weight of "Almost": What is it about the word "almost" that carries so much emotional and spiritual weight? We discuss what it feels like to be stuck on the edge of where you are and where you want to be. Getting Your Feet Wet: Phil and Matt unpack the profound reality that the Jordan River didn't part until the priests actually stepped into the floodwaters. We explore the deep connection between hope, faith, and the obedience required to just get your feet wet. Memorial Stones: A look at why Israel built a monument of twelve stones after crossing the river. Why do we as humans desperately need visible, physical markers—and how does baptism serve as that kind of anchor in our own lives? What Baptism Is (and Isn't): A clarifying conversation on the theology of baptism. If it isn't an act of salvation, why does it matter so much? Hesitating on the Banks: Encouragement for the person who believes, but has been lingering on the shoreline for a long time.

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.

Welcome to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! 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.

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?”

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.

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.