Marcus Warner, president of Deeper Walk International, returns for a special episode recorded at our 2025 Hope Together Conference.

When anxiety and ministry burnout hit, Marcus couldn’t understand why … until God revealed unhealed wounds from his past. In this honest and insightful conversation, Marcus shares how unresolved trauma had shaped his life and how Jesus led him into healing and restoration.

Marcus also unpacks the impact of unhealed wounds, the role of prayer in recovery, and his simple four-step R.E.A.L. prayer model that helps people invite God into their pain and find lasting freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered why old hurts still affect your life, this episode will help you take a step toward healing and a deeper walk with God.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more :

Marcus Warner / Deeper Walk Resources

Learn more about Deeper Walk International, Marcus Warner’s ministry, podcast, and books – www.deeperwalk.com

Get the book, Understanding the Wounded Heart – https://deeperwalk.com/product/understanding-the-wounded-heart-book/

Hope for the Heart resources :

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance on 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

Nona Jones knows what it’s like to live with the pain of rejection and abuse … from people who should have offered love. But she’s also learned that rejection doesn’t have to define you. It can refine you.

In this conversation, Nona shares her hope story of how the love of Christ began healing the wounds of rejection and showing her that God’s acceptance is greater than any person’s approval. Drawing from her new book The Gift of Rejection, she helps us reframe our pain as preparation for our purpose.

If you’ve ever felt unwanted, overlooked, or unworthy, this episode will help you discover that rejection isn’t the end of your story — it may just be the beginning of your purpose.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more : (04:48) Finding God Through Childhood Absence

(09:06) Healing Through Compassionate Community Relationships

(20:42) Recognizing Rejection-Fueled Ambition

(26:22) Finding Purpose in Rejection

(30:14) Jesus' Rejection and Acceptance in Life

(34:17) Overcoming Rejection and Embracing Opportunity

(37:27) Permission to Feel Pain of Rejection

(42:59) Understanding and Embracing Emotions

(45:32) Encouragement for Healing From Rejection

Resources

Learn more about Nona Jones – https://www.nonajones.com/

Get Nona’s book, The Gift of Rejection – https://www.nonajones.com/gift-of-rejection

Listen to Nona’s podcast, The Nona Jones Show – https://www.nonajones.com/podcast

Hope for the Heart resources :

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance on 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a complicated life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

What makes a great leader … and what causes even good ones to stumble?

Dr. Eric Scalise, president of Hope for the Heart, joins us again on Hope Talks. Drawing on decades of leadership experience across ministry, academia, and organizational life, Dr. Scalise shares key insights into the heart of healthy and unhealthy leadership. Together, we explore three common challenges every leader faces: insecurity, isolation, and lack of accountability.

Dr. Scalise shares that the key to overcoming these challenges is finding your identity in Christ and surrounding yourself with truth-tellers—people who will both encourage and confront you in love.

Drawing from Matthew 23 and the “seven woes” of Jesus, we also uncover some biblical principles for leading with humility and authenticity. Whether you lead a team, a family, or just want to help others grow, this episode will help you lead from a place of security and grace.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means

everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more :

(01:51) Leadership Insights From Experienced Practitioner

(17:23) The Role of Priests and Prophets

(20:37) Accountability Partners and Insecurity

(27:36) Constant Communication With the Lord

(34:22) Leadership Qualities of George Washington

(51:50) Importance of Accountability in Leadership

(55:45) Appreciation for Leadership Conversation

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

1 Kings 4:5 - “Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and the king’s friend.”

Matthew 23:23–28 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

John 13:3-5 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments and, taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”