The Slow Down

Russ and Tony kick-off season 2 with some laughs and a look at a fascinating study around how language enables us to see things that have always been right in front of us, hiding in plain sight. The guys then share some “blue square” (read: aha!) moments they’ve experienced personally and in their communities.

Episode 026 - Interview w/ Locavore Farm This podcast features an interview with Chris & Rachael Jones, Table Network members and the Founders/Operators of Locavore Farm in Grant Park, IL (40 miles outside of Chicago). In this episode, Tony is on the farm eating fresh, hand-delivered uncured bacon and breakfast sausage with Chris & Rach while he explores why Chris gives the Slow Down Podcast a low rating of 3.5 stars and wonders why Chris has so many friends despite being so unfriendly. Chris & Rach discuss the godly way they make decisions as a couple (by playing rock, paper, scissors) and why Rach fell in love with Chris in the first place.   Locavore Farm was the vision when God called the Joneses on a risky journey away from the city and onto the farm to see a movement of the gospel by starting a farm, networking with other farmers, and setting a 100-foot table and gather people around the good things. They talk about risk, fear, faith, the difficulty of slowing down, forming communities, and how trustworthy God has been and is in their story. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it and also leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 025 - An interview with John and Linda Viselli In this episode, Gino interviews John & Linda Viselli. The Visellis retired early from corporate life, to move back home and intentionally make disciples and equip the church. Their honest, passion, humility, and wisdom makes this episode worth your time. Want a bigger vision for life following Jesus, take a listen to John & Linda and be encouraged! Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 024 - Fighting with Ghosts & The Fear of Freedom We’ve been holding onto this special episode. Listen into the conversation as the guys discuss fighting ghosts -- the memories of deep pains or hurts from things that aren’t in our present. What does the gospel say to that. This episode was recorded in Malike’s living room with Tony, Russ, Eddie, Matt, Gino, and Malike sharing very candidly. We started the recording a little ways into the conversation, but feel like it’s too good not to share! Malike asks the question we all struggle with, “How do you stop that rushing urge to add some performance to the good news of the gospel?” Just a heads up, there are a couple expletives used in this raw discussion. You’ve been warned. :) www.thetablenetwork.com Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 023 - Grace in Parenting This Summer Gino shares with Tony & Matt how he found grace in the musical Bandstand. The guys share honestly about their challenges and struggles with parenting during the summer as the kids (and their friends) are home more often. What does grace look like in this for us parents? How about for the kids? Join in the discussion. Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 022 - An interview with Alec Villarreal In this episode, Tony interviews Alec Villarreal. Alec is a husband, new dad, new graduate, Table Network member, literature fanboy, church planter, and founder of Mythos Publications in the greater Chicagoland area. Besides discussing Dungeons & Dragons, pairing hard boiled eggs (w/ hot sauce) with a hazy IPA, and harvesting his 3 month old daughter’s hair for money - Alec shares his story of grace and how he was, at first, skeptical of the idea of church planting being as simple as starting tables and being present with neighbors and friends. Alec eventually shares about Mythos, a zine publication and creative community Alec “accidentally” began 1 year ago. He discusses how Mythos has connected numerous creatives in his region and also provided a tribe to love and be present among as a missionary. Alec makes the important distinction between ultimate and ulterior motives when seeking to disciple people and also reminds us of the freedom we have in Jesus when we feel overwhelmed and alone in this mission. This podcast, by far, has the most shoutouts to random people you’ve never heard of, an unexpected Jesus Juke from Alec, and a little something for all the Austin Powers fans out there. Yeah baby! Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 021 - 9 Rules From Chris Pratt Not what we expected from an MTV Awards show. Chris Pratt (aka Starlord) uses his platform to proclaim God’s love, how to properly poop at a party, and that we are all imperfect and in need of grace. Gino provides some thoughts and commentary on each of Pratt’s 9 rules. Listen in! See the video of Pratt’s speech: https://youtu.be/EihqXHqxri0 Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 020 - Now… Fail Forward! Matt and Gino discuss the last chapter in Slow Down: A Timeless Approach. Listen in as they share some failures and how they, by grace, are learning to respond. What’s the good news in our missional failure? Listen in! Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people! We few spots left for our new learning cohort in June 2018. Find more about our Learning Cohorts. If you’re interested, shoot us an email: hello@thetablenetwork.com

Episode 019 - The Risks of Meeting New People Astronomical car repair bills. What is Crack Pie? The generosity of the cigar culture. And how to enter into mission in the places you enjoy. When Russ and Matt don’t show up for recording, what boundaries will Tony and Gino stretch? Listen in to their conversation on some of the above topics that leads into a discussion on why and how we can take risks to grow in relationships. Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people! We are starting a couple learning cohorts in June 2018. Find more about our Learning Cohorts. If you’re interested, shoot us an email: hello@thetablenetwork.com

Episode 018 - Who Knows What the Great Commission is? We got the band back together for this episode. Russ, Matt, Tony, and Gino begin with some quality banter ranging from topics like the Complete 48 (Hour) Diet, Whopper Curls, and other exercise/diet failures. And that’s the first 15 minutes! After that, the guys discuss this Barna study showing that 51% of Churchgoers Don’t Know of the Great Commission. When you look deeper into the findings, a good majority of the people surveyed could not articulate what the Great Commission states. Is there any hope in all this? Listen in and let us know what you think. The Lifeway study on the 70% stat is found here. Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people! We are starting a couple learning cohorts next month (June 2018). Find more about our Learning Cohorts. If you’re interested, shoot us an email: hello@thetablenetwork.com

Episode 017 - The Art of Slowing Down, Part 3 Russ and Gino wonder if they can be funny without Tony. Why or why not? Two dudes discuss beauty standard denialism as a new law (Thanks Mockingcast!). And the pressures of social media to perform. At about the 15 minute mark, they wrap up their discussion on discipleship as spiritual conversations along the way. In parts 1 & 2 they’ve talked about presence, listening, sharing, inviting. So, today they discuss teaching as showing others to wait, watch, and walk in what the Spirit is doing. Listen in! We are starting a couple learning cohorts next month (June 2018). Find more about our Learning Cohorts. If you’re interested, shoot us an email: hello@thetablenetwork.com Get a copy of Slow Down: A Timeless Approach  Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 016 - The Art of Slowing Down, Part 2 “Free Beer for Quitters.” Russ and Rocky. Best single series on TV ever? The first 9:30 will entertain you or convince you that we are idiots. After working through some of those topics, Tony, Russ, and Gino return to continue the discussion on their book Slow Down. This week they cover two more functions of disciples: 3) Sharing and 4) Inviting. Find more about our Learning Cohorts. Get a copy of Slow Down: A Timeless Approach You can reach out to us by contacting gino@thetablenetwork.com. We want to hear from you!  Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!

Episode 015 - The Art of Slowing Down, Part 1 Tony, Russ, and Gino return to discuss another chapter in Slow Down. But first, there will be 9:30 minutes of storytelling and banter! Baby duty while recording. OG punk rockers. It’s race week so will this be Gino’s last episode? LaVar Ball. Potholes and coffee cups. We’ve described discipleship as spiritual conversations along the way. While we can’t predict the content of those conversations, we do see five common functions of these conversations. On this episode, we discuss the first two: 1) Presence and 2) Listening Check out Kenan Thompson as LaVar Ball SNL skit Get a copy of Slow Down: A Timeless Approach You can reach out to us by contacting gino@thetablenetwork.com. We want to hear from you! Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people!  

Episode 014 - Interview with Ramon Martinez Listen in as Ramon shares his story of being a Bboy, pursuing pastoral ministry, to finding freedom to disciple people where he is as a dancer, non-profit director, and businessman. His story is so encouraging for all who encounter grace and seek to extend it to others wherever you go. We love how Ramon was able to follow his passion and find that it is there where he found rest and freedom to disciple those he loves. Listen in!   Connect with Ramon at www.baybreaksentertainment.com or www.thepuremovement.com   Sign up for a free copy of our new eBook, Reclaiming Discipleship. www.thetablenetwork.com/podcast Get a copy of Slow Down: A Timeless Approach You can reach out to us by contacting gino@thetablenetwork.com. We want to hear from you!  Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people! Want to learn more about extending freedom and family to those you love? Signup for a 90-min online Lab

Episode 013 - The Word of the Day is Grace: An Interview with David Zahl   This episode is brought to you by the letter “G” as in grace.   Gino and Russ enjoy a conversation with David Zahl director of Mockingbird Ministries. The conversation begins and ends with grace, but in between they discuss answer critics with hugs, Robert Farrah Capon, humor, the Mockingbird NYC Conference, and more. If you aren’t yet familiar with David and Mockingbird, then you’re welcome for introducing you. You’re going to love this!   Check out Mockingbird online Listen to the Mockingcast Go to the Mockingbird NYC Conference A Mess of Help: From the Crucified Soul of Rock N’ Roll by David Zahl Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints) by Will McDavid, Ethan Richardson, and David Zahl   Sign up for a free copy of our new eBook, Reclaiming Discipleship. www.thetablenetwork.com/podcast You can reach out to us by contacting gino@thetablenetwork.com. We want to hear from you! Please leave us a review and rating on iTunes, it helps us extend this message to more people! Want to learn more about extending freedom and family to those you love? Signup for a 90-min online Lab