Why does God sometimes feel far away?
What happens when you grow up in church but start wondering if you really believe it for yourself?
And is it actually okay to ask questions and still have faith?

In this episode of A Conversation with Matthew, we sit down for an honest, real discussion about the doubts, fears, and thoughts many middle school and high school students carry but don’t always say out loud. This isn’t about pretending to have perfect answers. It’s about creating space to talk, learn, and grow together.

If you’ve ever felt unsure, confused, or nervous to admit you’re struggling with faith, you’re not alone. This conversation is for you.

Subscribe for real talks, real stories, and voices that help you take your next step forward.

📌 Episode Description

In this episode, we sit down for an honest, thoughtful conversation built around real questions people wrestle with when it comes to healing, boundaries, relationships, and emotional health.

This isn’t a lecture or a list of answers. It’s a back-and-forth dialogue—I bring questions that have shaped my own growth, and she brings questions that challenge how I think. We respond to each other in real time, sharing what we’ve learned so far, what’s helped us, and where we’re still growing.

We talk through things like:
• Recognizing emotional triggers versus present pain
• Learning healthier communication during conflict
• Setting boundaries without guilt
• Understanding burnout while still functioning
• Rebuilding trust in yourself after hard choices

We’re not experts—and we’re not pretending to be.
This conversation is simply about learning out loud, reflecting honestly, and offering a perspective that might help someone else feel less alone or see things a little more clearly.

If you’re in a season of growth, healing, or self-reflection, this episode is an invitation to think, learn, and grow with us.

This is the most honest and emotional conversation I’ve ever had with my mother.

In this exclusive sit-down, my mom opens up about the addiction that shaped the beginning of my life—an addiction that nearly took both of our lives the day I was born.
While she was giving birth to me, she was battling cocaine addiction and undiagnosed walking pneumonia… and we were both dying in the hospital. But God stepped in.

In this interview, she shares:
• What really happened in the hospital the day I was born
• How addiction took control of her life
• The moment she realized she might lose me forever
• Why I was placed in foster care
• How my aunt and uncle stepped in and raised me as their own
• The depression, the suicidal thoughts, and the fallout of a broken 14-year marriage
• The turning point—when she knew she had to get clean
• How I became the reason she fought for her life
• The healing that came years later, and what our relationship looks like now

This is a story of addiction, redemption, second chances, and a mother’s love that refused to quit.
Thank you for watching something this deeply personal.

In this powerful episode, Matthew Sanchez sits down with Paul S. Amos II—an executive, husband, father, and man of deep faith whose story might just surprise you.

Paul comes from one of the most recognizable families in corporate America. As the grandson of Aflac’s co-founder and the son of longtime CEO Dan Amos, Paul S. Amos II stepped into leadership early. He served as President of Aflac U.S., overseeing thousands of employees and helping lead one of the most trusted insurance companies in the world.

But that’s not the story he came here to tell.

In this conversation, Paul opens up about the why behind his decision to step down. He talks candidly about what it was like to grow up in a legacy-driven family, the pressure to perform, and the personal transformation that came from walking away from titles—and walking closer to God.

You’ll hear Paul reflect on:
• His journey from business success to spiritual clarity
• The quiet weight of living in the shadow of a well-known last name
• How God became more than a value—but a compass
• What fatherhood is teaching him about manhood
• And how he’s now focused on building something eternal, not just generational

This isn’t a corporate success story. It’s a manhood story. It’s a faith story. It’s the kind of story that reminds all of us that who we are becoming matters more than what we’ve accomplished.

If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, faith, or the pressure to live up to a name or expectation—this conversation is for you.

Listen now to “Paul Amos: Redefining Success, Reclaiming Faith, and Becoming a Better Man”—available wherever you stream podcasts.

Blake Russell’s story is one of pain, purpose, and redemption. Growing up, he never set out to be part of a gang, but the search for belonging, identity, and purpose led him down a destructive path that eventually landed him in prison. What once seemed like brotherhood and protection quickly turned into a lifestyle of violence, addiction, and brokenness.But God had a different plan. Today, Blake is the Ministry Director at Take the City in Columbus, GA, where he pours into the very streets he once called home. In this heartfelt conversation, Blake opens up about the realities of gang life—why so many young people are drawn to it, how easy it is to get trapped, and what it takes to break free. He shares the powerful moment when his life changed forever, and how his past is now a tool to reach others who feel hopeless or stuck in the same cycle.This interview is more than just a story—it’s a call to action for mentors, parents, and community leaders to engage with the next generation. Blake’s testimony proves that no life is too far gone, and that true purpose isn’t found in gangs, drugs, or street life—it’s found in God’s calling.

Every year for my niece’s birthday, I sit down and ask her the same questions — a little tradition we started years ago to keep memories alive in the family.But this year was different. She just turned 10… and decided to flip the script. Instead of me asking the questions, she put me in the hot seat — and her questions were better than mine!This is a short, lighthearted snippet from our conversation. Normally, my podcast dives into leadership, business, faith, and navigating life’s challenges — but this one? This one is just pure fun. You’ll hear about childhood memories, life advice I’d give my younger self, and a whole lot of laughter between an uncle and his niece.💬 What’s the best question a kid has ever asked you? Drop it in the comments — I might use it next year.— Matthew Sanchez A Conversation with Matthew

Last year, Stephan Lester dropped a message that shook the internet: “Don’t play with God’s daughters.” Over 100,000 views later, we had to bring him back for another raw, unfiltered conversation.

In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to date as a believer in today’s culture, the weight of emotional accountability, how men and women can honor each other in relationships, and the spiritual consequences of playing with hearts God designed with purpose.

Whether you’re single, dating, or waiting on God—this is for you.

Ever dreamed of owning a coffee shop or salon? In this episode, I sit down with Sydney Helms, a powerhouse entrepreneur who built not one, but two successful coffee shops and multiple salons—all while balancing family and leadership. We dive into the challenges of business ownership, the lessons she’s learned, and how faith, family, and passion have fueled her success. If you’re a woman with big dreams of running your own business, this episode is for you!”