Podcast Summary: "Encountering God with Todd Galberth"

Podcast: Keep It Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Todd Galberth
Date: January 23, 2024
Episode Theme: A deep, uplifting conversation about faith, healing, encountering God, worship leading, personal transformation, and the real-life journey of gospel artist Todd Galberth.

Overview

This episode explores the power of encountering God in everyday life, both through music and personal faith journeys. Host Crystal Renee Hayslett and guest Todd Galberth engage in an authentic, humorous, and heartfelt conversation weaving through Todd’s musical calling, ministry leadership, personal trials—including family health challenges—marriage, and the importance of honest relationships and spiritual growth. The episode also delves into practical steps for sustaining faith and finding deeper connection to God, especially through life’s hardest challenges.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Todd’s Musical Calling and the Album "Encounter"

• [00:28] Todd shares about the heart behind his celebrated live worship album, Encounter.
  • Purpose: He wanted listeners to feel as though they were present at the live recording, aiming to create a genuine experience of God’s presence.
    • Quote: “I wanted people to feel like they were in the room... a part of the encounter.” – Todd (02:05)
  • The album’s impact and ongoing chart performance are viewed as evidence of God’s favor: “Yo, that's God.” (02:25)
• [03:01] Crystal reveals she even works out to Todd’s music, especially the song "He Won't Fail".
  • Backstory: Todd recounts the collaborative writing process with Chandler Moore and "James from Detroit" for this now-iconic track.

2. The Unfailing Nature of God

• [04:45] Todd discusses how singing “He Won’t Fail” never gets old due to witnessing faith rise in the audience as the song is sung.
  • “When you begin to declare these words, it's like, you know what? I've seen God do it before, and if He did it before, then he’s God enough to do it again.” – Todd (04:46)

3. Faith Beyond Human Limitations

• [05:59] Todd reflects on how people often project human failings onto God, boxing Him in due to past relational hurt.
  • Quote: “We put this thing on God... We box God into this thing where we put human characteristics on Him. And He’s like, no, let’s establish this. I am not like man.” (06:01)
• [07:45] On perseverance: “Don’t get tired of doing good... keep doing the right thing. Not perfect things, but right things.” (07:38)

4. Calling, Service, and Breakthrough Moments

• [08:22] Crystal summarizes Todd’s multifaceted role as a songwriter, gospel artist, praise and worship leader, and (formerly) an actor.
• [11:12] Todd credits his growth and “every major opportunity” to serving others’ visions, not self-promotion:
  • Quote: “I properly cared for someone else’s vision as if it was my own... God has been over the top faithful to create opportunities.” (12:00)

5. First Encounter with God and Transformative Faith

• [12:56] Todd recalls a teenage revival that changed his relationship with God:
  • “He stopped being the God of my mother, the God of my father, and became my God that night.” (13:42)
• [14:00] Passion for facilitating encounters for others:
  • “This may be somebody’s only chance for that encounter... I’m a middleman. I’m pulling people up, I’m pulling God down.” (14:25, paraphrased)

6. Worship Leadership and Ministry at Change Church

• [15:51, 18:00] Crystal describes the shift Todd brings to worship, noting it’s about spiritual atmosphere, not performance.
  • Todd: “God is not looking for singers... He’s looking for worshipers.” (16:43)
• [19:00] Todd explains the intentional song choices, vertical focus, and demographic considerations for worship at Change Church.

7. Journey to Atlanta and Relationship with Pastoral Leadership

• [20:55] Todd shares how he was led (reluctantly!) to Atlanta and Change Church through Isaac Curry and a providential dinner with Pastor Darius Daniels.
  • “I sat at that table with that man and I said, that’s my pastor.” (22:29)

8. Healing, Marriage, and Family Life

• [35:16] Celebration of 20th anniversary with wife Vanessa and their journey as a family.
• [40:01] Both Todd and Vanessa’s shared diagnosis of—and healing from—papillary thyroid cancer.
  • Quote: “God is a healer... even when it doesn’t make sense, even when the timing is off.” (42:40)
  • Miraculous restoration of Todd’s singing voice; both now cancer-free.

9. Growth, Future Goals, and Spiritual Investments

• [45:13] Todd announces plans to start Bible college (Liberty University), prioritizing investment in theology and longevity (“A year of investments: spiritually, emotionally, family, financially.”).
  • Importance of worship leaders having sound theology; “The two most consistent voices people hear week in and week out are the pastor and the worship leader.” (46:44)

10. Advice, Listener Letters, and Faith Practice

• [49:13] Listener letter from Kayla about struggling to read and understand the Bible.
  • Todd’s advice:
    • Find an approachable translation (e.g., NIV)
    • Use devotionals, Bible commentary, and tools like the Bible App
    • Read slowly; pray for understanding
    • Reference The Tony Evans Study Bible for clarity (52:53)

11. Personal Growth Reflections

• Both hosts share ongoing challenges:
  • Crystal: Learning to listen for God’s voice, battling “what-ifs,” and surrendering control (54:35)
  • Todd: Addressing procrastination and “weight” that holds him back, wanting true victory for a real testimony (55:34, 56:57)

12. Final Encouragement: Keep It Honest, Sweetie

• Crystal’s fill-in-the-blank: "Keep it open minded, sweetie." (57:23)
• Todd’s: "Keep it honest, sweetie."
  • "The relationships that I’m falling more in love with are the relationships where people tell me the truth." (58:07)
  • Advocates for truth spoken in love, and the importance of honest, growth-oriented relationships.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On service and opportunity:

  • "Every door that God has opened for me has come through serving. ...I’m the living scripture of ‘your gift will make room for you.’" – Todd (11:12)

• On faith in difficulty:

  • “Even when it’s inconvenient, God is still good. Even when it doesn’t make sense.” – Todd (43:25)

• On God’s restoration:

  • “He is not just a restorer… He is the God that makes it better than what you thought it could be from the beginning.” – Todd (32:17)

• On worship:

  • “A worshiper doesn’t need a song, but the song needs a worshiper.” – Todd (16:43)

• On genuine relationships:

  • “People will watch you fall apart... but tell me the truth. I appreciate the truth. I can grow from the truth.” – Todd (59:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Todd’s Encounter Album & Impact – [01:28–02:23]
• Writing "He Won’t Fail" – [03:28–04:12]
• On God Not Being Like Man – [06:01–07:38]
• First Spiritual Encounter at Revival – [12:56–13:42]
• Worship Leadership Philosophy – [15:51–16:43, 19:00–20:16]
• Call to Atlanta & Pastoral Connection – [20:55–22:29]
• Healing from Cancer (Todd & Vanessa) – [40:01–44:57]
• Plans for Bible College & Spiritual Growth – [45:13–47:40]
• Advice on Reading the Bible – [49:13–53:22]
• Personal Growth Reflections – [54:35–56:57]
• Keep it Honest, Sweetie – [57:17–59:41]

Tone and Language

This conversation is warm, down-to-earth, humorous, and faith-filled, with both speakers using open, colloquial language and honest storytelling. Todd is frequently self-deprecating, always redirecting praise to God, and both host and guest balance light-hearted teasing with deep spiritual insights. The episode is accessible to both church-goers and those exploring faith, offering both inspiration and practical guidance.

Final Thoughts

In "Encountering God with Todd Galberth," listeners are invited into a vulnerable, joy-filled discussion about meeting God in real life, embracing honest relationships, and living authentically—whether onstage, in church, or at home. Through honest testimonies, practical advice, and mutual encouragement, Crystal and Todd model what it means to “Keep It Positive” and, more importantly, keep it real.