
Hosted by Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd · EN
Why is experiencing a crisis before adulthood actually beneficial for children?In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar explore the importance of grace-based parenting by challenging the idealization of the "perfect" Christian family and, instead, encouraging parents to be real with their children. They discuss how children need parents who respond to mistakes with wisdom and compassion, rather than shock or shame. The conversation emphasizes building trust and openness so children can process crises and strengthen a child's character, preparing them for the realities of adulthood.Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:(01:37) Raising five young children and feeling pressure to do everything “the right way.”(05:38) How children quickly learn to hide when parents react with shock or condemnation toward their mistakes.(07:39) Why it can be helpful for children to experience major crises while still living at home so they can learn how to process them.(10:56) How sharing openly about his own life helped his children begin to trust him more.(14:26) The transition from rules to guidelines as children grow, including research suggesting age nine is a key turning point in development.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
Are your children experiencing your love, or simply responding to your authority?In this episode of Living Influence, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar unpack the powerful role trust plays in parenting. They challenge parents to move beyond authority-driven compliance and instead cultivate authentic relationships rooted in vulnerability and love. By risking being authentically known - struggles and all - parents can create an environment where children experience love and genuine transformation, rather than outward conformity.Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:(02:40) Questions Parents Often Wrestle With, Including Struggles With Authenticity And Fear Of Being Exposed.(06:15) The Greatest Gift A Parent Can Give A Child Is To Become Someone They Can Trust.(07:50) Warning to Parents Against Using Authority Alone To Control Behavior Rather Than Building Relational Trust.(11:22) Your Children Need To Know Your Struggles and Why.(13:46) A Personal Story About Waldemar’s Children Struggling With The Idealized Image They Had Of Him.(16:34) How Idealizing The Christian Life Creates Compliance Without Heart Transformation.(18:07) Compliance vs True Submission, And A Warning That Compliant Children Often Walk Away Later In Life.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Who is Jesus, and can you really trust Him with who you are?In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar explore why believers often find themselves in crisis, and why the church and striving to lead “the Christian life” frequently fail to provide the necessary relief. They challenge us to shift our focus from religious performance to the person of Jesus. They also invite us to consider that healing often begins with trust and vulnerability, as well as being loved by Jesus and others. Bill, Scott, and Waldemar highlight the freeing power of vulnerability, trusted relationships, and allowing love to reach the places shame has kept hidden.Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:(02:19) The Real Question Many Christians Are Asking Is Why Christianity Isn’t Working For Them.(04:50) The Difference Between Striving To Live The Christian Life And Resting In The Reality That Believers Are Already Made Righteous.(07:31) The First Critical Step In Crisis: Admitting That You Are Actually Hurting And Need Help.(09:24) Shame Keeps People From Being Known - Bringing Darkness Into The Light Breaks Its Power.(10:50) The Connection Between Trust And Love Is Explored, Emphasizing That The Degree Of Trust Determines The Degree To Which Love Can Be Experienced.(17:34) Honestly Asking Whether Jesus Has Been Blamed For The Crisis and The Freedom That Comes From Realizing Faith Is About Who Is Being TrustedThis episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How would your life change if you truly believed that God is delighted in you right now?In this episode of Living Influence, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar address the quiet frustration of the exhausted believer who wonders why faith doesn’t seem to “work.” They discuss why many feel their faith is failing when they rely on personal effort over the finished work of Jesus. The hosts explain that true rest and joy come from shifting focus from "becoming" to simply living out of one’s established identity in Christ. By embracing humility and being authentic with God and others, believers can finally step into a life defined by grace and mutual love.Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:(02:14) Challenging the phrase “my faith is not working” and questions whether faith has subtly become effort rather than trust.(04:21) Exploring how turning spiritual growth into self-effort leads directly to exhaustion.(06:28) The difference between striving to become godly and expressing who you already are.(09:39) Can you trust that God is already delighted in you?(10:54) God actually enjoys His people and offers them His joy.(15:17) Grace is given to the humble and defines humility as trusting God “with me.”(18:39) Scott describes the powerful experience of being fully known in a safe community and discovering love instead of rejection.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
How often do you measure your worth by what you are doing rather than who you are?In this episode, Bill, Scott, and Waldemar unpack why so many believers feel spiritually exhausted despite doing all the “right” things. It’s a deep-seated fatigue many feel when they attempt to maintain their standing with God through constant effort and "doing." They reveal how a performance-based theology and the internal voice of shame quietly drain joy and hope. Through a renewed understanding of grace and identity, they offer a path toward hope, freedom, and living without condemnation.Topics Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl discuss in this episode:(01:44) The concept of the “exhausted Christian” is introduced, including the struggle to feel joy despite spiritual effort.(03:19) Empathy for those who feel worn out and questioning whether exhaustion stems from misunderstanding identity in Christ.(06:28) How constant spiritual activity, achieving a sense of worth, and “trying to be right with God” create deep fatigue.(07:51) Trying to be right with God through effort inevitably produces discouragement and exhaustion.(10:48) The internal critical voice is identified as shame, shaping identity apart from God’s truth.(13:19) Trust that Christ’s finished work fully secured your right standing with God.(15:19) Unresolved shame fuels frustration, anger, and inner turmoil.(19:20) Romans 8:1 is presented as God’s counter-voice to shame: no condemnation for those in Christ.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, Waldemar Kohl, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How can suffering actually accelerate your maturity?In this episode, Bill and Scott explore the profound relationship between spiritual maturity, suffering, and the willingness to take risks for the benefit of others. They challenge the assumption that obedience guarantees safety and comfort, emphasizing instead that it often leads to risk-filled purposes. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to move toward a Christ-centered life where they trust God with their unknown futures and embrace the influence they have on those around them.Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:(01:10) Suffering as an intentional part of God’s process of maturing people.(02:14) The difference between knowing information and obeying truth.(03:54) The difference between suffering common to humanity and suffering unique to believers.(05:10) Challenging the belief that obedience always leads to comfort or blessing.(06:16) Are you willing to take risks for the benefit of others?(08:26) Taking risks to care for your family.(10:46) Trusting God with the future.(13:01) Mature leadership and owning the influence one has on others.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Are you living out what the Bible says for you or are you living out what others expect of you? In this episode, Bill and Scott challenge the assumption that spiritual or personal growth comes from knowledge alone. They explore how trust, not compliance, leads to lasting transformation and authentic maturity. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (03:11) How knowing the right answers does not equate to making right choices in life.(04:19) The difference between teaching knowledge and teaching trust in truth.(06:33) How acting on trusted truth leads to transformation and changed choices.(10:06) How compliance often produces judgment and a lack of love.(12:33) The idea that people adapt themselves to the expectations placed upon them.(14:48) How children raised to meet expectations often grow up compliant but unprepared.(22:44) Warnings against turning trust into rigid patterns instead of teaching principles of truth.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How do you know which stage of maturity you’re experiencing right now? Also, is it possible to have different levels of maturity in different aspects of your life?This episode reframes maturity as a trust-based process rather than a time-based achievement. Bill and Scott unpack why truth transforms only when it is trusted and why growth often happens repeatedly in different areas of life. They also highlight how safe, relational environments are essential for people to stop hiding and experience real transformation.Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode:(01:39) Why maturity follows a “trust line,” not a timeline.(02:14) Contrasting truth-based transformation with performance-driven practices.(04:33) Why growth can’t happen without another person involved.(06:20) The need for safe places, especially for young believers.(07:38) The difference between defining safety and learning how to create it.(09:23) How modeling vulnerability creates safety in performance-driven cultures.(12:10) Why hiding prevents maturity and reinforces false identity.(20:35) How isolation leads to failure and why safe community interrupts that spiral.The Living Influence team is proud to announce the creation of Living Influence Leadership: https://www.livinginfluenceleadership.com/Attend the Living Influence Leadership conferences and cohorts (also known as peer groups), and you’ll:* Lead from identity.* Cultivate trust that strengthens culture.* Gain clarity that fuels lasting influence.* Integrate who you are, and your God-given purpose, with how you lead.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team.Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast:* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYILearn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/booksFollow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Are you willing to trust God with your future, even when it feels like the scariest step of all?In this episode, Bill and Scott explore what it truly means to trust Christ with your future and why this step of maturity can feel so unsettling. They reveal how freedom grows out of believing who God says you are and learning to trust both God and the new heart He has given you. This conversation will challenge you to move from control, fear, and obligation into trust, freedom, and shared growth.Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (00:06) The three phases of spiritual maturity. (01:52) Bill shares a personal story from his marriage that illustrates love meeting needs. (03:17) How trust allows influence in relationships without manipulation or control.(04:45) Why trust is required before truth can be heard without feeling like criticism.(06:25) Connecting workplace leadership to relational trust. (07:30) Understanding Christ-centered living as loving others the way Christ loved. (09:01) Why growth in relationships must be processed together rather than fixing one person independently.(12:31) Living in freedom is being rooted in who God says you are, not what you ought to do.(14:52) The importance of trusting the new heart given through Christ instead of viewing oneself as deceitful.(18:11) Why trusting God is foundational before pursuing His purposes for your life.The Living Influence team is proud to announce the creation of Living Influence Leadership: https://www.livinginfluenceleadership.com/ Attend the Living Influence Leadership conferences and cohorts (also known as peer groups), and you’ll: * Lead from identity.* Cultivate trust that strengthens culture.* Gain clarity that fuels lasting influence.* Integrate who you are, and your God-given purpose, with how you lead.This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How might a renewed understanding of trust and authenticity elevate your leadership and transform those you lead? The Living Influence team is proud to announce the creation of Living Influence Leadership: https://www.livinginfluenceleadership.com/ Attend the Living Influence Leadership conferences and cohorts (also known as peer groups), and you’ll: * Lead from identity.* Cultivate trust that strengthens culture.* Gain clarity that fuels lasting influence.* Integrate who you are, and your God-given purpose, with how you lead.Join Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and Waldemar Kohl for a transformative experience helping Christian executives lead from trust, authenticity, and the freedom of their God-given significance.Bill Thrall: For more than 40 years, Bill has helped senior executives around the world lead from identity, authenticity, and grace.Scott Boyd: Over the past 29 years, Scott has built a thriving business by shaping a culture of trust, grace, and empowered leadership.Waldemar Kohl: For nearly 20 years, Waldemar has worked with executives to create healthy, and high-performing organizations.Learn about Living Influence Leadership: https://www.livinginfluenceleadership.com/