How do you stay balanced when life feels like a rollercoaster?

In this episode of Pastors Unplugged, Pastor Josh Krieger and Pastor Alex Groth talk candidly about the struggle for work-life balance, the emotional load of ministry, and how Christian hope keeps us grounded.

From science fair projects and corn mazes to the “five-second rule,” this episode blends humor, honesty, and gospel truth. The pastors explore what it means to care for the three legs of the stool — physical, emotional, and spiritual health — all anchored in Christ.

🎧 Highlights include:

• When your work for God starts crowding out your family

• How guilt can quietly steal your joy — and how grace restores it

• Physical fitness, late-night Doritos, and staying healthy for ministry

• Emotional self-checks and the weight pastors carry for their people

• Why the theology of the cross gives realism and peace

• Lessons from Titus 2 and Hebrews 12 on self-control and focus

✝️ Bible Passages Mentioned:

• Titus 2:11–12 — “Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.”

• Hebrews 12:1 — “Let us throw off everything that hinders… and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

• Philippians 4:8 — “Whatever is true, whatever is noble… think about such things.”

💬 Favorite quotes:

“Jesus didn’t die to make us busy — he died to make us free.”
“You can’t pour from an empty cup, but you can refill it at the cross.”

🎙️ Pastors Unplugged is a candid, Christ-centered podcast featuring Pastors Josh Krieger and Alex Groth as they discuss life, faith, and everything in between — unplugged. Expect real talk, real laughs, and real gospel hope.

📲 Listen & Subscribe:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music

🔗 Connect with us:

• YouTube: Pastors Unplugged Channel

#PastorsUnplugged #FaithUnfiltered #WorkLifeBalance #TheologyOfTheCross #GraceAlone #ChristianPodcast #JesusChangesEverything

Two pastors. Two friends. One Savior.

In this episode of Pastors Unplugged, Pastors Josh Krieger (St. Paul’s – Livonia, MI) and Alex Groth (Beautiful Savior – Cincinnati, OH) dig into the tension between a shallow, surface-level culture and the deep, lasting meaning found in Christian worship.

From funny stories about childhood church memories and social media fails, to heartfelt reflections on reverence, repentance, and grace — this episode explores how the cross centers everything.

🎧 What you’ll hear:

• Why social media feels shallow — and why worship feels different

• The beauty of reverence in a distracted world

• What to listen for in the readings and sermons each Sunday

• The grace that meets us when we’re not “feeling it” in worship

• Why faith takes work — but the reward is eternal

✝️ Bible References:

• Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved…”

• Exodus 3:5 – “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

• Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble… think about such things.”

• Isaiah 6 – Isaiah before the throne of God.

💬 Favorite quotes:

“You can’t scroll your way to peace — but you can hear it in worship.”
“Not all noise is bad, but not all silence is empty.”

🙌 Listen, laugh, and reflect as these two lifelong friends talk faith, family, and the grace that never runs out.

🎙️ Pastors Unplugged is a candid, Christ-centered podcast featuring Pastors Josh Krieger and Alex Groth, discussing life, faith, and everything in between — unplugged.

📲 Follow & Subscribe:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music

🔗 Connect with us:

• Instagram: @pastorsunpluggedpodcast

• YouTube: Pastors Unplugged Channel

#PastorsUnplugged #FaithUnfiltered #DeepWorship #GraceAlone #LawAndGospel #ChristianPodcast #JesusChangesEverything

In this debut episode of Pastors Unplugged, Pastors Josh Krieger (St. Paul’s Lutheran, Livonia MI) and Alex Groth (Beautiful Savior, Cincinnati OH) rewind to where their friendship began—Greek class, wristbands, and one unforgettable night chasing a fire truck through the streets of New Ulm.

Through laughter, sarcasm, and honest reflection, they unpack what it’s like to grow up in faith, navigate college life before cell phones, and discover how God weaves lasting friendships through the most unexpected moments.

Along the way, they trade stories about JNCO jeans, Discman players, and how a simple Bible passage—“For it is by grace you have been saved…” (Ephesians 2:8-9)—continues to anchor their ministry today.

“If anything is good, excellent, noble, or praiseworthy, think about such things.” — Philippians 4:8

Highlights:
• How a shared moment of spontaneous fire-truck chasing sparked decades of friendship
• College memories, sarcasm, and humility (with inhalers included)
• Why first impressions sometimes are right
• Favorite Bible passages that shape their faith and preaching today
• Ideas for what this new podcast might become

Join Josh and Alex as they laugh at themselves, encourage one another, and invite listeners to see that God’s grace shows up even in the small, silly stories that make life memorable.

Theme Verse:

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” — Revelation 2:10

🎙 Hosts:
Pastor Josh Krieger | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Livonia, MI
Pastor Alex Groth | Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church – Cincinnati, OH

00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unplugged

00:33 – Meet Pastors Josh & Alex

01:06 – Foster parenting during COVID

02:08 – Sarcasm, friendship, and a factory story

03:15 – First impressions: Greek class & wristbands

06:32 – Chasing the fire truck (literally)

10:25 – The walk back & a new friendship

13:09 – Remembering 90s tech & culture

15:08 – Talking faith: favorite Bible passages

17:36 – Grace, faith, and purpose

18:23 – Shared confirmation verses

19:22 – Planning the podcast’s future

20:53 – Finding a closing catchphrase

21:24 – “Don’t forget to chase that fire truck” (sign-off)