Podcast
Never Perfect Faith
Hosted by Dr. Beth · EN
I am a psychologist, wife and mother of three teenagers. Three years ago I started a mental health podcast, called Never Perfect with an ADHD psychologist . It comforts me greatly to know that life is never going to be perfect, and we all struggle navigating this complicated life. As a Christian, my faith is one of my biggest struggles but it gives me more hope and peace than anything else. Being still and tapping into the unseen may be the most important thing we ever do, yet is one of my biggest challenges in life, Christians should be the most humble, compassionate and loving people, if they are modeling their lives after Jesus, and yet many aren’t. So many people are understandably turned off by Christians who are judging, self-righteous, or cold ( some call these people “assholes” and wonder if they’re actually Christians), and I am personally sad and angry about this, because Jesus was none of these things. Other people won’t crack open the Bible or the doors of the church, and many have misconceptions about what faith is or what it looks like. In this podcast, I will be interviewing people who are real and relatable Christians who represent Jesus well (in my opinion) and also sharing things that have inspired me and strengthened my faith and spark flames in my soul, from verses, passages, or stories to interviews with pastors, friends, and just anyone who inspires me to greater faith.
Music By Nate Capecchi
Editing By Brock Rustand
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
An Imperfect Minister’s Wife’s Reflections on her Life and her Perfect Saviour with Joy Gulick
1w ago01:01:06Tap to summarizeHave you ever felt like you have to earn your place with God, work harder, do more, prove you belong? What if the most freeing truth of the Christian life is that you simply can't? In this warm and laughter-filled conversation, Dr. Beth sits down with Joy Gulick, author of “A Perfect Minister’s Wife: Another Work of Fiction”. At the age of 90, Joy simultaneously exhibits a beautiful balance of passion for God’s word and the lightheartedness and joy of a little girl . She reminds us that grace is a gift already given, fully paid for, and impossible to repay. ”, Joy was married to a minister and is a former missionary. She has had a life of faithful adventure, as she and her husband, Roger accepted God‘s call to move around the country to serve different churches, and to move around the world and preach the gospel in other countries. Beth interviews Joy today alongside her son, daughter in law, and (kind of) a son in law, for a tender, joy-soaked conversation recorded just months after the passing of her beloved husband, Roger (also a guest of Never Perfect faith in early 2025) . Together they reflect on a lifetime of ministry, from buying thrift-store clothes for an unexpected mountain church to serving as missionaries across the world (including five trips to Iraq) well into their seventies. Through stories of Sabbath rest, small-group revival, bold discipleship, and irrepressible humor, Joy models what it looks like to live freely, love people boldly, and never lose the "glow." What You'll Learn: Why the Sabbath is a gift to enjoy, not a rule to obey and how rest protects you from burnout in ministry and life How small groups and everyday discipleship can multiply faith and transform an entire community The difference between earning God's love and receiving it as a gift you could never repay Why honesty about our struggles makes Christians more relatable—and the gospel more believable How to lovingly empower others (and yourself) to step out of comfort and into bold, God-sized obedience Why laughter and lightheartedness can be signs of a deep, grace-filled maturity About the Guest: Joy Gulick is an author, pastor's wife, and mother of two who, alongside her late husband Roger, gave decades of her life to ministry and global missions. Known for her warmth, humor, and gift for seeing the best in others, Joy has spent a lifetime encouraging baby Christians to study, share, and reproduce their faith. Her husband Roger's own conversation with Dr. Beth is available on the Never Perfect Podcast. Get a copy of Joy Gulick’s Book: The Perfect Minister's Wife: Another Book of Fiction Wherever you are on your journey, weary, doubting, or just longing for a little more freedom, this episode is a gentle invitation to receive the gift you don't have to earn. Take a listen, let Joy's joy remind you that grace really is good news, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
"When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong": A Missionary Family's Journey to Japan
2w ago01:06:49Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to walk away from everything you've built: a thriving business, a beloved farm, paid-off debt, and a community you cherish — to follow God into one of the least-reached nations on earth? For John and Lydia Young, the answer wasn't found in their strengths. It was found in their weakness. And in that surrender, they discovered a peace and joy that only God can supply. In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Beth sits down with John and Lydia Young, fourth- and third-generation missionaries preparing to move their family of six to Japan. From a successful tree care business and veterinary practice in Tennessee to a calling that defies worldly logic, John and Lydia share how God closed door after door and then dramatically opened the one to Japan. Together they explore honor-shame culture, the loneliness of one of the world's most spiritually dark nations, the danger of tying our identity to performance, and the radical truth that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. What You'll Learn Why God often calls us away from our strengths and how that's where true peace is found The eleven-year journey of becoming debt-free before stepping onto the mission field How honor-shame culture shapes Japan's deep loneliness and resistance to the gospel Why perfectionism is a form of bondage and how grace sets us free from earning our worth The biblical model of sustainable missions: discipleship, the local church, and cultural humility How God still speaks today through small, ordinary moments of obedience and trust About the Guests John and Lydia Young are missionaries with Mission to the World (MTW), preparing to serve in Japan with their four children: Eden, Celia, Jesse, and Silas. John is a skilled arborist and woodworker with a heart for relational evangelism, and Lydia is a veterinarian whose journey through Uganda and rural Tennessee shaped her vision for cross-cultural ministry. Together, they are laying down successful careers to follow God's call to one of the most unreached nations in the world, where there is only one church for every 16,000 Japanese people. To learn more about their mission, partner with them in prayer, or support their work financially, visit Mission to the World at mtw.org and search for the Young family. You can also watch their full ministry introduction here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYUQMbLiwmM If you've ever wondered whether God could use your weakness, your fears, or your unfinished places — this episode is for you. Take a few moments to listen, let the Spirit speak, and consider whether God might be inviting you to step out in faith too. If this episode encourages you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join us at www.neverperfect.org for more stories of growth, resilience, and faith. Subscribe to the Never Perfect Faith Podcast wherever you listen because perfect isn't the goal. Faithful is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
What Must I Do to Be Saved? Why Faith — Not Works — Sets Us Free
May 2000:24:04Tap to summarizeHave you ever found yourself wondering, "Have I done enough? Does God really forgive me? Am I truly saved?" These aren't just questions whispered by anxious children — they echo through the hearts of believers at every age. In this spontaneous and Spirit-led episode, Dr. Beth Capecchi gently dismantles the lie that our salvation depends on our performance. Sparked by a heartfelt conversation with a client whose young daughter has been wrestling with deep spiritual anxiety, Dr. Beth opens her Bible and her heart to address one of the most profound questions of faith: what must we actually do to be saved? With warmth, honesty, and rich scriptural grounding, she walks listeners through the freeing truth that salvation is not earned through good deeds, church attendance, or perfect prayer routines — it is received through faith alone in Jesus Christ. What You'll Learn Why human nature struggles to accept a free gift — and how that resistance fuels spiritual anxiety The biblical truth that faith, not works, saves us (Acts 16, Romans 3, Ephesians 2) How even the disciples doubted, failed, and questioned — and why their humanity comforts ours Why our spiritual walk often mirrors our struggles with nutrition, discipline, and self-care How to lovingly engage friends whose choices differ from our own without judgment The deep assurance found in Psalm 23 and John 14 — that God has prepared a place for you Helpful Resources Recommended reading from this episode: "What Must I Do to Be Saved?" by John R. Rice — at wholesomewords.org Helpful Bible study tools mentioned: Bible Gateway and Bible Hub Pair This Episode With "How Deep The Father's Love For Us" by Phillips, Craig & Dean — a worship song that beautifully echoes the heart of today's message: a love so deep we could never earn it, only receive it. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0u9NNRu07VbnH15cnycBWN If you've ever wrestled with whether you're "doing enough" for God, this episode is your permission slip to rest. Take a breath, press play, and let truth wash over the weary places in your heart. When the message ministers to you, share it with a friend who needs to hear that grace — not performance — is the foundation of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Open Gates in Scotland Revisited: Pat Clark on Prison Ministry, God-incidences, and Reclaiming Glasgow for Christ
May 600:34:17Tap to summarizeWhat if the very things the world counts out — a prison cell, a giveaway book, a child written off — became the exact places where God shows up most powerfully? Pat Clark has spent a lifetime watching that happen. And the stories he's collected will leave you in awe of what God can do with a fully surrendered life. In this powerful follow-up conversation (to the episode published in April 2024) with Pat Clark — founder of Open Gates Scotland and a former prisoner whose life was transformed by Christ in 1983. (Also Beth’s husband’s “Uncle Pat”). What started as a quick catch-up turned into a soul-stirring update from one of the most quietly impactful ministry leaders in the UK. From Glasgow to Atlanta to Tanzania, Pat shares the latest miracles unfolding through his work, the book he refuses to sell, and a bold new vision to restore Glasgow's original motto: "Let Glasgow flourish with the preaching of Your Word and the praising of Your name." What You'll Learn Why Pat sends his book My Father's Genes to every prison in Britain — and the jaw-dropping moment a young inmate found his father written into its pages How a single "God-incidence" reconnected Pat with the sister of a childhood hero from his juvenile detention days Why Pat exclusively hires people with criminal records, and how that hiring philosophy built one of Scotland's most successful re-offending prevention programs How profits from Open Gates fund clean-water wells across Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa The simple daily practice — a cup of coffee and a handwritten letter to the Lord — that has deepened his faith over 43 years What it looks like to stand firm with the government, trust God's provision, and refuse to be governed by fear About the Guest Pat Clark is the founder of Open Gates, a Scotland-based charity providing employment, mentorship, gospel hope, and community to ex-offenders, the homeless, and those battling addiction. A former prisoner whose life was radically transformed in 1983, Pat is the author of My Father's Genes and has personally visited prisons across the UK, Ireland, and the United States. At 77, he continues to lead, write, mentor, and dream — including a fresh vision to return Glasgow to its spiritual heritage. Website: opengates.scot Book: My Father's Genes (distributed free to prison libraries across Britain, Ireland, and Atlanta) If this episode stirred something in you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that no story is too broken, no past too far gone, and no city too lost for the grace of God. Subscribe to the Never Perfect Faith Podcast wherever you listen, leave a review to help more listeners find these conversations, and visit www.neverperfect.org for more stories of growth, resilience, and faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
The Upside-Down Kingdom: Trading Shame, Striving, and Stereotypes for a Living, Loving God with Effie Rustand
Apr 2801:22:20Tap to summarizeWhat matters more to God? Appearances or authenticity? Public displays of faith or private devotion? What if the loudest, most "put-together" version of faith isn't actually the truest one? What if the Christian who wins you over isn't the one with all the answers, but the one who simply listens, remembers your name, and lets you be exactly who you are? In this conversation, twenty-seven-year-old artist and interior designer Effie Rostand says the quiet, in-process, unpolished version of faith might be the one that actually changes us. Dr. Beth Capecchi sits down with Effie Rustand — fifth of nine kids, SCAD-trained designer, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices you'll hear on the show — to unpack what happens when a curious, contrarian thinker grows up inside Christian culture. From homeschool Sundays around the family table, to an all-girls high school, to art school in Savannah where everyone treated their body like a canvas, Effie shares why the loudest expressions of faith often felt the least real to her — and what a "quiet faith" rooted in listening, love, and showing up actually looks like. What You'll Learn Why "performative Christianity" — the right outfit, the right small-group answers, the right Christian resume — can actually push people away from Jesus, and what authentic faith looks like instead How God works through community, not just through "casting your burdens" — and why showing up for each other is part of how He answers prayer A fresh lens on the woman at the well: how Jesus' upside-down kingdom welcomes the rejected, the unconvinced, and the still-figuring-it-out Why creative expression — piercings, platinum hair, art, fashion, humor — isn't a threat to faith when "God looks at the heart" How to move from a fear-based faith ("don't go to hell") to a love-based faith ("I was carefully placed here on purpose") What two unlikely mentors — a soccer coach and an art professor — taught Effie about presence, listening, and leading without lecturing If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit the "Christian mold" or you've watched someone you love walk away from faith because the culture around it felt heavier than the love at the center of it — this episode is for you. Press play, take a breath, and let yourself imagine a faith that's quiet, curious, and free. Then share it with the friend who needs to hear that God isn't keeping score on their outfit, their piercings, or their unanswered questions — He's just inviting them in. Scriptural references: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? But to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- it is the gift of God, not from yourselves, so that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream — and learn more at neverperfect.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
Escaping a Religious Cult: Faith, Freedom, and Reclaiming Truth in Christ with Peter Young
Mar 1701:08:14Tap to summarizeWhat happens when faith is manipulated, truth is twisted, and the people you love most are turned against you? In this powerful episode, author and former sports broadcaster Peter Young shares the deeply personal story of how he unknowingly became entangled in a destructive religious cult—and how faith ultimately helped him find freedom and healing. Dr. Beth Capecchi sits down with Peter to explore his remarkable life journey—from college basketball and broadcasting to a devastating spiritual and personal crisis. Peter opens up about how a manipulative “family guru” slowly gained control over his marriage, faith, and family. Through heartbreak, loss, and rock-bottom moments, Peter discovered profound lessons about discernment, humility, and the true nature of faith. His story is both a cautionary tale and a testimony of God’s redemptive power. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How spiritual manipulation and cult dynamics can subtly infiltrate everyday life The warning signs and red flags of destructive religious leadership Why vulnerability and isolation make people susceptible to cult influence The difference between authentic Christian faith and manipulative spiritual control How faith, community, and truth can help someone recover after deep betrayal Why sharing our failures and struggles can become powerful testimonies About the GuestPeter Young is an author, storyteller, former sports broadcaster, and real estate broker living near Bozeman, Montana. After a career that included college basketball, coaching, and broadcasting for networks like ESPN, Peter now focuses on writing and sharing stories that explore faith, resilience, and personal transformation. His memoir recounts his experience surviving a destructive cult and rebuilding his life. Connect with Peter Young Website: https://authorpeteryoung.com Memoir: Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger Novels: Blue Team and Wardrobe of the Wolf Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need encouragement or clarity in their faith journey. Remember—you don’t have to be perfect to experience transformation. Sometimes our hardest seasons become the very stories that help others find hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →When Faith Falls Apart: Dark Nights, Doubt & Finding God Again with Doug Lynam
Feb 2001:02:56Tap to summarizeIn this deeply honest episode of Never Perfect Faith, Dr. Beth sits down with Doug Lynam, a former Marine, former monk, financial advisor, and spiritual thinker—to talk about doubt, deconstruction, spiritual trauma, and rebuilding faith from the ground up. Doug shares his journey from evangelical Christianity to agnosticism, from the Marines to 20 years in a Catholic monastery—and the painful unraveling that followed. Together, Dr. Beth and Doug explore unhealthy or toxic Christianity, spiritual ego, tribalism, and why faith must mature beyond rigid rule-following if it’s going to survive real life. They also talk about the dark night of the soul, projection, judgment, grace, and how spiritual growth often follows the pattern: order → disorder → reorder. This conversation is thoughtful, vulnerable, and refreshingly nuanced. In this episode, you’ll learn How spiritual trauma and abuse can distort our image of God What “sin” originally meant—and why that’s actually hopeful How we project our parental wounds onto God The difference between tribal religion and mature spirituality Why deconstruction doesn’t have to mean abandoning faith How prayer, nature, contemplation, and gratitude can reconnect us What it means to move from believing in God “out there” to experiencing God “within” If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by Christians… hurt by the church… or confused by your own doubts, this episode is a reminder that faith isn’t about perfection, performance, or pretending certainty. It’s a journey.And sometimes falling apart is the most faithful step forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →On Final Approach: Contemplation, Calling, and a Faith That Endures with Dick Crotteau
Feb 1000:21:09Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you pray for years without an answer—and then God responds over lunch? In this episode of Never Perfect Faith, an unplanned Saturday morning hospital visit turns into a deeply meaningful conversation with Dick Crotteau—a beloved friend, Air Force veteran, husband, father, and man of deep faith. Recovering from strokes and surgery, Dick shares stories from nearly 85 years of life, reflecting on what he calls his “final approach,” a term drawn from his Air Force days that now carries profound meaning in this later chapter of life. You’ll hear about decades of service with adoption ministries like Bethany Christian Services, an unexpected calling into prison ministry, and mentoring a man released after 27 years in prison with nothing but a single box and a hopeful smile. Dick also shares his love of contemplation, the practice of slowing down, noticing God’s presence in creation, and even using the stars to navigate—a beautiful metaphor for how faith can guide us when we take the time to look up. In this episode, you’ll learn: How faith and service can unfold in unexpected ways. The quiet power of stillness, reflection, and noticing God in everyday life. That wisdom, purpose, and spiritual growth can deepen with age. Why the most meaningful conversations often happen in imperfect, unplanned moments. This episode is a reminder that God invites us into love, service, and presence in many ways—sometimes through action, sometimes through silence, and sometimes simply by being together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →
A Life of Imperfect Faith: Remembering Jack Muller (Dr. Beth’s father)
Dec 2300:50:47Tap to summarizeDr. Beth’s father Dr. Jack Muller (retired professor of sociology) passed away in August 2025, leaving behind a legacy of "imperfect faith" that touched everyone from college students to inmates at Walker State Prison to the elderly at Thrive at Brow Wood. In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode of Never Perfect Faith, we sit down with two of “Diamond Jack’s” closest friends and colleagues: Dr. Ray Clark (professor and minister) and Dr. Ed Salter (minister). Together, they reflect on the life of a man who devoted his life to teaching and encouraging his students at a Covenant College, but after his retirement, he found ways to use his gifts of faithfulness and encouragement to serve his community in various ways. He wanted to spend his entire life, even when he was physically unwell, serving his Lord and Savior and loving God’s people, whether it was mentoring prisoners, co-facilitating a support group at a nursing home, calling to check on friends who were sick or grieving, and being known as the cookie man. He even brought meals to people in his late 70s, even though his culinary skills were not his strong point. Ray and Ed share intimate (and often hilarious) stories that paint a portrait of a man who was as frugal as he was generous, and as witty as he was humble. Join us as we celebrate a life of someone who was changed by God’s love which is “ so amazing, so divine, it demands my soul, my life, my all.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Killing my Cuba with Lilli Meier
Nov 1800:59:02Tap to summarizeAbout a year ago, Dr. Beth’s father took her to hear Lilli Meier speak at the Thrive Senior Living community on Lookout Mountain, GA, where he volunteered up until the time of his death August 25, 2025. He suggested that Beth interview her to hear about her story and her book….so this is the culmination of his sweet suggestion. Lilli was born in Cuba in 1949, which she describes as an idyllic paradise before Fidel Castro took over and imposed a totalitarian system on this beautiful country. Lilli shares about her trauma and grief she had to endure when school-aged kids were forced to do a morning chant every day, “We are pioneers for Communicatism and we will all be Chegavada.” She adds, “Our family had a hard time for a long time and Catholicism felt robotic.” She and her family left her beloved country in 1961 to go to America and she wasn’t able to return for a visit until 2008. She said “America will always be the beacon of freedom.” Lilli shares how her faith sustained her through all of this, saying, “ I found my freedom in Christ.” She adds, “God takes a lot from us sometimes and we have to hold on to him. “ To order her book CLICK HERE Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: neverperfectbeth@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →