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Does church structure really matter? And who holds church leadership accountable?

In Episode 18, Part 1 of The Conviction Exchange, Chandler Guion and Shawn Blades welcome special guest Pastor Dan Cole, who brings nearly five decades of ministry experience to a candid conversation about denominations, church leadership, and spiritual authority.

Drawing from his years as a pastor and district superintendent, Pastor Dan shares firsthand experiences that reveal both the importance of accountability and the challenges of leading within the church. Together, they explore the differences between denominational and non-denominational churches, the dangers of unchecked authority, and what happens when leadership loses sight of the people it's called to serve.

From difficult conversations behind closed doors to the biblical principles of conflict resolution, this episode challenges both pastors and congregations to consider what healthy, Christ-centered leadership should actually look like.

Because spiritual authority should never come without accountability.

Join us for Part 1 of this thought-provoking conversation on The Conviction Exchange.

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Pre-Order Phyllis's new book "I Never Knew" at www.ineverknewbook.com

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Episode 17 - What if Noah’s Ark isn’t just a story about something that happened thousands of years ago—but a picture of how we’re supposed to live today?

In this episode of The Conviction Exchange, we go deep on Noah, obedience, the possibility of physical evidence for the Ark, and what it means when the world seems to be drowning in pride, confusion, sin, and self-interest.

But the conversation goes much further.

We talk about what it really means to love God and love your neighbor, whether we’re actually willing to step into someone else’s world and help them, and how easy it is to give ourselves an excuse instead of following our convictions.

We also take a hard look at modern Christianity—church hurt, spiritual immaturity, relying on pastors to do our studying for us, competition between churches, and the danger of living a surface-level faith instead of actually knowing God for ourselves.

And maybe the biggest question of the episode is this:

If the world around us is flooding with confusion, is your life built in a way that can actually help someone else survive it?

Noah was given very specific instructions to build the Ark. What if God is asking us to be just as intentional about building our lives?

Love God. Love people. Get in the Word. Stop living on the surface. And when the world is looking for somewhere safe to go, make sure your life points them back to Jesus.

Because everybody has an opinion—but not everybody has a conviction.

Thanks for listening to The Conviction Exchange.

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Pre-Order Phyllis's new book "I Never Knew" at www.ineverknewbook.com

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Episode 16 - AI is changing the way we work, communicate, learn—and even how we deal with our mental health. But what happens when we start turning to AI for things that require wisdom, discernment, accountability, and genuine relationship?

In this episode of The Conviction Exchange, we dive into the growing world of AI therapy and ask some uncomfortable questions. Can a chatbot really understand what we're going through? What happens when we're constantly affirmed instead of challenged? And could something designed to help us eventually become a substitute for real relationships, wise counsel, or even God Himself?

We talk about the importance of being willing to hear correction, the danger of allowing a diagnosis or struggle to become our identity, and why God designed us to grow through relationships with imperfect people. We also explore the healthy ways AI can be used while making it clear that AI should be a tool—not our foundation or final authority.

Most importantly, we come back to the truth that our ultimate source of wisdom, identity, healing, and hope isn't a chatbot. It's Jesus.

If you're struggling and wondering where to turn, don't assume AI is your only option. We talk about several real resources at the end of the episode, including:

• Psychology Today — Find counselors and filter by specialties, Christian counselors, online/in-person options, and more.
• Your insurance provider — Check your mental-health benefits and telehealth options.
• Your workplace/EAP — Many employers offer free counseling sessions.
• Local churches — Ask about pastoral counseling or referrals.
• Local therapists — Ask about sliding-scale or pro bono options.
• Phyllis Robertson Thomas' book, I Never Knew — A resource discussed in the episode for understanding trauma, mental health, healing, and moving forward.

You don't have to walk through what you're facing alone. And you don't have to let what you've been through become who you are.

Love God. Love people. Seek truth. Stay connected. And whatever you do—don't trade real relationship for artificial affirmation.

This is The Conviction Exchange—where everybody has an opinion, but not everybody has a conviction.

What are you willing to stand on when everybody else sits down?

Thanks for listening to The Conviction Exchange.

Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook

Pre-Order Phyllis's new book "I Never Knew" at www.ineverknewbook.com