In this episode of More to the Story, I’m joined by Benjamin Espinoza to discuss his timely new book, Good News About Self-Care. We talk honestly about exhaustion, hustle culture, and the quiet pressure many pastors and leaders feel to always be “on.” Espinoza reframes self-care not as indulgence, but as faithful resistance—rooted in Sabbath, Scripture, and grace-filled rhythms.

Our conversation explores how rest, boundaries, and relational health are not optional extras, but essential to spiritual formation and holiness. Drawing from Wesleyan theology and lived pastoral experience, Espinoza calls us to honor the image of God in ourselves and others by rejecting burnout as a badge of faithfulness.

This episode is for pastors, leaders, and anyone longing for a deeper, more theologically grounded vision of rest. Self-care, as Espinoza shows, is not about escape—it’s about becoming the person God created us to be.

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

On today’s episode of More to the Story, we do something a little different: a role reversal. Instead of hosting the conversation, I’m the one being interviewed!

I recently had the opportunity to join Thom and Sam Rainer on the Church Answers Podcast to talk about the innovative approach Wesley Biblical Seminary offers for accessible, live-online theological education. We also dove into the remarkable history of WBS, from near-closure to incredible growth, and what it means for faithful, orthodox theological training today.

If you’ve followed the podcast, you know I often discuss theological education from the host’s chair, responding to guests and exploring key issues in ministry formation. This time, I got to share the story directly, offer some reflections, and highlight how WBS is equipping church leaders.

Whether you’re considering seminary, already in ministry, or simply interested in the future of theological education, I think you’ll find this conversation insightful. It’s a chance to hear the “more to the story” behind WBS and why accessible, formation-focused education matters now more than ever.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/KOmwkNYK-No

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

What do Easter, ancient Gnosticism, and modern Fury Fandom have in common?

More than we might expect.

In this episode of the More to the Story Podcast, I’m joined by Christian author and apologist Melissa Dougherty to talk about how truth gets obscured, not always by outright rejection, but by replacement. Easter, Melissa argues, hasn’t been abandoned by the Church; it’s been crowded out by well‑intentioned traditions, consumerism, and a spirituality that feels meaningful without being clear.

Together, we explore how this shift shapes what children and families actually learn about Easter—and what they often miss entirely.

These concerns led Melissa to write a gospel‑centered children’s allegory, The Day That Made the Way, designed to help children understand not just that Jesus rose from the dead, but why He had to.

We also talk about Melissa’s research into Fury Fandom, using it as a lens to examine modern devotion, identity formation, and how people—especially the young—are catechized by the stories and communities they inhabit.

At heart, this episode is about discernment: how truth is preserved, how it’s diluted, and how Christians can hold fast to what is true in a noisy and crowded age.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/1MfgTxSJZ5Q

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this special episode of More to the Story, I’m joined by my favorite guest of all time—my wife—to introduce a practical and engaging approach to delivering sermons together: Tag‑Team Preaching.

We break down how this method works, why it has strengthened our ministry, and how couples or co‑communicators can use it to bring clarity, energy, and relational depth to the preaching moment. Together we explain how this method can create a richer experience for a congregation without losing focus or theological coherence.

We share stories from our own experience, outline a simple framework for getting started, and offer guidance for making the transition smooth for both the preachers and the church. If you’re a pastor, teacher, or ministry leader interested in collaborative communication, this episode provides a practical, encouraging roadmap.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/Jq5wHY0dF4I

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this episode of More to the Story, I’m joined by historian and theologian Dr. John Wilsey to discuss his important new book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer. John offers a clear, historically grounded, and theologically informed case for why religious liberty is essential to the American experiment—and why Christians should champion it not merely for themselves, but for everyone.

We explore the intellectual roots of religious freedom, how conservative thinkers have approached the topic, and why protecting conscience is a distinctly Christian act of neighbor love. John also sheds light on current cultural debates, misconceptions about the First Amendment, and what a principled commitment to pluralism should look like for believers today.

This thoughtful conversation helps us understand the past, navigate the present, and prepare for a future in which religious freedom must be intentionally preserved.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/_2Ib1tvmZp4

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

Find Dr. Wilsey’s book here - https://a.co/d/05Ouchm4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this episode of More to the Story, I sit down with Katy Faust, founder of Them Before Us, to talk about her powerful new “Greater Than” campaign—an initiative calling all of us to place the needs, rights, and well‑being of children above the desires of adults. Katy unpacks why children are greater than politics, trends, or adult preferences, and why a flourishing society begins with honoring the innate child’s right to their mother and father whenever possible.

We explore the theological, cultural, and practical implications of child‑first ethics, discuss how Christians can respond with both clarity and compassion, and consider how churches, parents, and leaders can champion the next generation. This conversation is both challenging and deeply hopeful.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion that reframes how we think about family, love, and responsibility.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/RcxWChdlyoU

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

Learn more about the Greater Than Campaign - https://greaterthancampaign.com/

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. John Wigger joins me to explore the life and legacy of Francis Asbury—one of the most understudied yet profoundly influential figures in American religious history. Asbury may not have been a charismatic performer or a deep intellectual in the traditional sense, but he had an extraordinary grasp of Methodism’s core calling: holiness, sanctification, relational connection, and cultural awareness.

He organized and adapted Methodism to serve the needs of the emerging United States, helping it thrive in a new nation. This episode challenged and corrected several misconceptions I held about Asbury, highlighting his practical genius in making Methodism relevant and vibrant in early America.

If you’re interested in Wesleyan theology, Methodist history, or how faith adapts to cultural contexts, this is a must-listen!

Key Topics Discussed:

• Asbury’s non-traditional leadership style

• The heart of Methodism: holiness, sanctification, and relational discipleship

• Cultural adaptation and organizational strategy in the young United States

• Correcting common misconceptions about Asbury

Youtube - https://youtu.be/2xzLVzyG70Q

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

John Wigger’s book: American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists - https://a.co/d/058Udnmn

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Brian Shelton to discuss his new book Theology of a Diary, a theological exploration of the real events behind The Exorcist. Brian unpacks the spiritual, historical, and doctrinal context surrounding the case that inspired the film. We talk about how the church has understood demonic activity, spiritual authority, and pastoral discernment in moments of spiritual conflict. This conversation brings clarity, depth, and Christian insight to one of the most misunderstood stories of the last century.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/wTqeC1g5424

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

Get the book on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/08lYkCIP

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net