Black Tooth Talk

07/08/2024

I've been reflecting on my relationship with Christ and wanted to share something from the heart. I love Jesus with every fiber of my being, but my journey hasn't always been smooth. Sometimes, it feels like I'm in a 4D chess game with angels and demons, constantly trying to make the right moves. Trusting God hasn't always come easy for me. At times, it felt like a simple ultimatum: trust or death.

Through my journey, I've realized two important things:

1.) It's okay to wrestle with hard things. It's okay to question, to doubt. These feelings are natural and part of our humanity.

2.) Patience in the face of questions and doubts can lead to deeper trust.

Yes, I trust God, but it's okay to walk through the hard things with honesty. Questions and doubts can become our best qualities, and one day, we may find answers to those questions. Questions are an avenue to proclaim that one day we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will make it right...i.e. its not supposed to be this way AND one day it won't be this way because of Christ.

My relationship with Christ is harder than ever because of my humanity, but it's also stronger than ever because I've chosen to walk through this with Him. Checkmate, satan.

I share this in the hope that someone who is struggling or will struggle can find hope in my experience. Trust God, wrestle with the hard things, and see what happens.

06/02/2023

Yikes…we talk about Mental health and depression!!!!

What does it look like or feel like to be going "through the storm"? What do you do for yourself or someone you know in the midst of the storm? Here Nancy and Dustin have an honest conversation about the struggles and steps dealing with mental health.

‎Show Black Tooth Talk, Ep Yikes...we talk on Mental Health and Depression...BTT Episode 4 - Jun 2, 2023

05/20/2023

In the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water we love to teach and concentrate on Peters story at the beginning and subsequently, the end. When we do this, we miss the journey. The journey is where we learn the most, cry the most, laugh the most, pray the most, grow the most and so much more. The journey can be a storm … violent on occasion…and at times will feel as if you’re drowning.

Well, let’s talk about the journey. Depression. PTSD. Anxiety. Insomnia. Self hatred. Drowning. The next podcast dives into what it is like to be on these journeys, as I am now. What does it feel like? What can you do? How can you help others? Not a fun subject but if it can help one person then it will be worth it. Stay tuned…

05/02/2023

Episode 3 is live on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on. It’s been a while. A lot going on in life so thank you for the patience and grace.

Special guest Nancy Stephens and host Dustin Stephens talk about a hard issue:

Books in the school library and the school board. Yikes!

Specifically, the SDSC2 school board here in Sheridan, Wyoming who passed the policy on May 1, 2023 to effectively keep all books in the library and continue to offer the Opt-out policy (7-2 for this policy). There was also a proposed addition to the policy that would have prohibited "sexually explicit material, obscene material and pornographic material" that was voted AGAINST (7 to 2 against adding that to the policy) by the SDSC2 board. What do we do with these books, these issues, these policies and how do we be like Jesus and follow scripture in the midst of it all? Join Nancy and Dustin for the start to this conversation. Please share far and wide to get the discussion further into our community and beyond.

‎Show Black Tooth Talk, Ep BTT Episode 3 - May 2, 2023

04/03/2023

On days that I get in my own head like today, this verse is one that brings me back to a place of worship...

03/19/2023

Episode 2 is live on whatever platform you listen to podcasts!

Episode 2 includes a special guest, Johnathan Stallions. Join us in this episode for just a simple conversation among friends of a few stories, thoughts, misconceptions and opinions all surrounding PTSD, military and faith. There will be more conversations to come surrounding this subject in future episodes...we could not fit it all in!

Episode 3 (coming soon) is another special guest talking with me about Gods call to pick up and move out of the country and a few stories that came with it...Stay tuned!

Su***de Hotline - Dial 988
Veteran Crisis Line - Dial 988 and then press 1 or text 838255

‎Show Black Tooth Talk, Ep BTT Episode 2 - Mar 18, 2023

03/09/2023

Mental Health...depression...PTSD...moral injury...

How do these relate? What questions do you have about these? What societal assumptions are there? What misconceptions can I address? A new episode will be coming soon. Ask your questions here or private message me with your questions ASAP!

03/04/2023

Hey everyone! Dustin here...I have received a ton of support after the announcement of the podcast and I am overwhelmed and grateful. You all are too awesome! The first "intro" episode is being loaded into all the podcast platforms as we speak. Make sure to subscribe, share, like, comment, etc...! More info and questions to come!! Love yall!