Podcast
myPlace Podcast
Hosted by Mary McSwain · EN
Finding your PLACE in life and ministry! We want to help you get to know yourself and how God has created you. We'll help you look at yourself holistically through the lens of personality, spiritual gifts, abilities, passion, and life experiences and see how they work together in helping you be the person God designed you to be. We want you to know how you can be successful in your relationships, in your ministry, and in your career.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP109: Abraham and Barnabas | The Quiet Strength Behind the Big Stories
2w ago00:32:35Tap to summarizeNot everyone in Scripture had the biggest personality in the room. But that does not mean God did not use them in some of the biggest ways. In this episode of the MyPLACE summer series, Mary and Jay explore the lives of Abraham and Barnabas, two men from very different eras who shared a steady, peacemaking personality style, and some surprising shared struggles as well. They were mediators, second-chance givers, and loyal supporters who often stepped aside so others could shine. But that same go-with-the-flow nature that made them so steady could also make them passive when they needed to speak up, and cause them to compromise their convictions to keep the peace. Jay and Mary walk through some of the most overlooked moments in both of their stories, from Abraham trying to please both Sarah and Hagar at once, to Barnabas quietly slipping to the wrong side of the table in Galatians 2 just to avoid causing conflict. They also talk about what made Barnabas's role in Paul's story so critical, and why none of Paul's ministry might have happened without him. If you have ever felt like your personality is too quiet or too behind the scenes to be used by God in a significant way, this episode is for you. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-…
Transcribe →EP108: King Saul vs. King David | Same Personality, Same Spotlight, Different Hearts
3w ago00:31:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the MyPLACE Podcast summer series, Mary and Jay dig into the lives of King Saul and King David, two imperfect, impulsive, charismatic leaders who both had what it took but made very different choices with what they were given. They walk through their shared strengths, like the ability to draw people in, inspire loyalty, and lead with confidence, and their shared dark sides, like impulsiveness, jealousy, the need for people's approval, and using charm to manipulate. From Saul hurling a spear at his own son to David trying to cover up his sin with Bathsheba, these are not polished heroes. They are broken people, and that is exactly what makes their stories so relatable. But the question that matters is not whether they stumbled. It is what they did after. One evaded responsibility and hardened his heart. The other fell at God's feet and stayed there. And that made all the difference. If you have ever felt like your highs are high and your lows are low, or you have ever had to sit with consequences you brought on yourself, this episode was made for you. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #PharaohandPaul #BibleCharacterStudy #PersonalityAndFaith #DPersonality #TransformationStory #FaithAndLeadership #SurrenderToGod #MaryAndJay #SummerSeries #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #RoadToDamascus
Transcribe →EP107: Pharaoh vs. Paul | Same Personality, Different Endings
4w ago00:30:55Tap to summarizeWhat do an ancient Egyptian king and the Apostle Paul have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Mary and Jay kick off a new summer series, a character study of people in Scripture, starting with two men who lived 1,500 years apart but shared the same driven, take-charge personality style. Pharaoh and Paul were both bold, task-focused, never-give-up leaders who were not afraid to oppose anyone who got in their way. But one's life ended in tragedy, and the other's ended in transformation. So what made the difference? Jay and Mary walk through their shared strengths, their shared struggles, and the moment when confidence tips over into control, when drive becomes destruction, and when "I did it my way" starts working against you. They also talk about how God uniquely got Paul's attention on the road to Damascus, and the surprising marker of Paul's transformation at the end of his life. Whether you are a driven, take-charge personality or you know someone who is, this episode will help you see both the power and the danger of that wiring, and what it looks like when it gets fully surrendered to God. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #PharaohandPaul #BibleCharacterStudy #PersonalityAndFaith #DPersonality #TransformationStory #FaithAndLeadership #SurrenderToGod #MaryAndJay #SummerSeries #ChristianGrowth #ScriptureAndPersonality #RoadToDamascus
Transcribe →EP106: You Are God's Masterpiece
Jun 1200:30:07Tap to summarizeWhat if the word Scripture uses to describe you is the same word we get "poem" from in English? In this episode, Mary and Jay unpack one of the foundational verses of the PLACE tool, Ephesians 2:10, and what it truly means to be God's handiwork, His masterpiece. They explore why so many people struggle to believe that about themselves, how comparison and insecurity are some of the oldest tactics the enemy uses to steal your contentment, and why struggling to believe who God says you are can actually keep you from doing what God made you to do. Jay also shares a real story of how a man who showed up late to lead a group, because he had just gotten engaged, became one of the most passionate and gifted leaders in a ministry years later. Because when you know your handiwork, you know where to show up. Whether you are still figuring out your purpose or just need a reminder of who God says you are, this conversation will encourage you to believe it and pursue it. #Ephesians210 #GodsHandiwork #YouAreHisMasterpiece #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #IdentityInChrist #PurposeAndFaith #FaithAndIdentity #KnowYourPurpose #GodMadeYouOnPurpose #ChristianGrowth #MaryAndJay #DiscoverYourPurpose #BibleStudy The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-…
Transcribe →EP105: What's Draining Your Passion?
Jun 500:34:16Tap to summarizeYou can love something deeply and still feel completely disconnected from it. In this episode, Mary and Jay dig into what passion actually is, where it comes from, and the people, events, and circumstances that can quietly drain it right out of you. Jay shares real coaching stories including a woman who got recruited for the wrong role because of one powerful event in her life, a man guilted into serving at Vacation Bible School, and an investigative, artistic guy who almost got put on the parking team. These stories show just how easy it is to end up saying yes to all the wrong things and losing your passion in the process. They also talk about the five types of people in your life, the ones who ignite your passion, share it, and the ones who silently drain it, and why knowing the difference matters more than most people realize. If you have been feeling burnt out, disconnected, or like the flame has gone out, this episode will help you understand why and what to do about it. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #GuardYourHeart #PassionAndPurpose #MyPlacePodcast #ChristianPodcast #PLACEProfile #AvoidBurnout #FaithAndPurpose #CheerfulGiver #KnowYourself #SayNoToSayYes #IdentityInChrist #MaryAndJay #ChristianGrowth #DiscoverYourPassion #SpiritualHealth
Transcribe →EP104: How God Wired You
May 2900:31:20Tap to summarizeHave you ever taken a personality assessment and thought, "That's not quite me"? In this episode, Mary and Jay dive into why looking at just one lens, personality, spiritual gifts, or any single element, gives you an incomplete picture of who God made you to be. Jay shares how nearly 30 years of coaching thousands of people taught him that the real insights come not just from the profile in front of you, but from the words people use to tell their own story. From a quiet chair-setter who turned out to be a leader, to a Bible museum that started in a coaching session, these real-life examples show what it looks like when all five PLACE elements work together. Whether you're exploring your own profile, mentoring someone, or leading a church, this episode will help you see how the puzzle pieces of who you are fit together and how to help others see theirs. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-… #PLACEProfile #KnowYourself #ChristianPodcast #MyPlacePodcast #SpiritualGifts #PersonalityTest #FaithAndPurpose #ChurchLeadership #DiscoverYourPurpose #GodMadeYou #ChristianGrowth #MinistryTools #IdentityInChrist #MaryAndJay #PodcastEp104
Transcribe →EP103: The Conversation Every Parent & Student Needs to Have
May 2200:37:04Tap to summarizeHow do parents truly understand their kids? How can students discover the purpose God created them for? In this episode of the My Place Podcast, Mary and Jay dive into one of the most impactful experiences they've ever hosted: a Parent + Student PLACE Weekend. Through powerful conversations, personality insights, spiritual gifts, and real life stories, they unpack how families can better communicate, encourage, and understand one another. From discovering purpose and calling to learning how to influence rather than control, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for parents, students, church leaders, and anyone wanting to grow in self awareness and relationships. Topics Covered: • Helping students discover purpose and direction • Parenting through influence instead of control • Why validation matters for teenagers • Spiritual gifts and personality insights • Building stronger family communication • Using PLACE as a discipleship tool • How knowing yourself changes relationships #Parenting #ChristianPodcast #Purpose #YouthMinistry #SpiritualGifts #ChristianParenting #SelfDiscovery #FaithBased #ChurchLeadership #ChristianLeadership #PersonalityTypes #Discipleship #TeensAndFaith #PurposeDrivenLife The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-…
Transcribe →Spiritual Gifts at Your Job?
May 1500:31:16Tap to summarizeEP102: Jay and Mary sit down to discuss the role spiritual gifts play at work and in your career. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-… -------------------- #ChristianPodcast #FaithBasedPodcast #BiblePodcast #GospelPodcast #JesusPodcast #ChristianTalk #ChristianContent #FaithTalk #PodcastForChristians #explore
Transcribe →Episode 101 - Do You Have the Gift of Faith?
May 800:31:45Tap to summarizeJay and Mary sit down to discuss the spiritual gift of faith and the way that God has wired us inidivually for His purpose and plan. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-... -------------------- #ChristianPodcast #FaithBasedPodcast #BiblePodcast #GospelPodcast #JesusPodcast #ChristianTalk #ChristianContent #FaithTalk #PodcastForChristians #explore
Transcribe →Episode 100 - The Ministry of Presence
May 100:32:00Tap to summarizeWhat do you say when there's nothing left to say? Sometimes simply being present and being there for someone is the right call for ministry. Jay and Mary dive into this topic and more. The Dark Sides of Personality Book: https://placeministries.org/online-st... Discover your spiritual gifts with our brand new Bible study! https://placeministries.org/discover-... Take the PLACE assessment! https://placeministries.org/what-you-... -------------------- #ChristianPodcast #FaithBasedPodcast #BiblePodcast #GospelPodcast #JesusPodcast #ChristianTalk #ChristianContent #FaithTalk #PodcastForChristians #explore
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