6.9K
Downloads
58
Episodes
The Pastor’s Studio is a space for honest conversations, meaningful questions, and stories that reveal how faith meets real life. Hosted by pastor and author Paul Basden, this podcast brings together authentic dialogue, spiritual reflection, and real-life experiences to help listeners navigate what it means to follow Jesus in a complex world.
Across every season, the aim is the same: to help listeners see God more clearly, understand themselves more deeply, and live out their faith with wisdom, humility, and grace.
Thoughtful, grounded, and full of heart, Pastor Paul invites you to slow down, listen well, and pay attention to the story God is writing in and around you.
Season 1: Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians
Season 2: Why Do I Do What I Do - Exploring the Enneagram
Season 3: This is My Story
Paul Basden is an author and serves as co-senior pastor of Preston Trail Community Church in Texas. A native of Dallas, Texas, Paul earned his BA from Baylor University and his Master of Divinity and PhD from Southwestern Theological Seminary. Paul also served as university minister and a professor of theology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Denise, have two grown daughters and four grandsons.
Episodes
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Is justice just a political buzzword hijacked by the culture wars—or is it central to the heart of God? In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden dives deep into the biblical roots of justice and challenges us to move beyond partisan stereotypes to embrace God’s call to care for the vulnerable.
Join us as we explore:
What the Hebrew prophets (like Isaiah) really said about justice (Isaiah 1:17, 10:1-2, 58:6-7)
How Jesus wove justice into His mission (Luke 4:16-19, Matthew 25:31-46)
Why justice is more than politics—it’s a reflection of God’s character
How Christians can model “truth in action” (Benjamin Disraeli) to a watching world
Is justice just another liberal agenda, or is it God’s mandate for His people?
Tune in as we uncover what Scripture teaches and how the pursuit of justice might be what draws people back to the church.
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Re-Release :
Is love for your country a virtue—or can it become a form of idolatry? In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden explores the fine line between patriotism and nationalism, and what Scripture teaches about our highest allegiance.
Join us as we explore:
The biblical call to seek God’s Kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33)
Why nationalism can subtly replace God with nation as our object of worship (Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19)
C.S. Lewis’ warning: “The love of one’s country becomes a demon when it becomes a god”
A vision of God’s people from every nation united in worship (Revelation 7:9-10)
How can we honor our nation without displacing God from the throne of our hearts? Tune in as we wrestle with this important question and discover what it means to be a citizen of heaven while living on earth.
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Social media connects us more than ever before—so why do so many of us still feel so alone?
In this episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden sits down with Ashlynn McKay Lurkens, social media influencer, and podcast producer, for a candid look at the beautiful and broken realities of life online. From influencer culture and identity formation to adolescent anxiety and digital discipleship, this conversation unpacks the pressures and possibilities of social media in the modern age.
Join us as we explore:
Why comparison and curated content can be toxic for young minds
How the rise of screens is shaping the next generation’s mental health
Practical boundaries for healthier social media engagement
The role of Christian wisdom in a hyper-connected world
Whether you're a parent navigating tech with your kids or a content creator seeking meaning beyond metrics, this episode offers grace, insight, and tangible takeaways. As Ashlynn reminds us, “Social media isn’t the enemy—but it’s not always real, either.”
🔗 Resources mentioned:
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Social media touches nearly every part of our daily lives—but is it helping us love better, or hurting our ability to connect meaningfully?
In this thought-provoking solo episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden explores the power, pitfalls, and potential of social platforms through a biblical lens. From endless scrolling to the search for validation, Paul challenges listeners to evaluate their digital habits in light of Jesus’ command to love our neighbors—online and off.
Join us as we explore:
The addictive nature of social media—and why we touch our phones 2,600 times a day
How social media can be both a relational gift and a cultural curse
What Jesus’ Golden Rule looks like in a digital world (Matthew 7:12)
Practical reflections on how to scroll with purpose, not passivity
Reflections on How to Know a Person by David Brooks
Key insights from Jonathan Haidt’s research on teen mental health and tech use
Whether you’re an influencer or a casual scroller, this episode will challenge you to think more deeply about the role of social media in your life— and consider what it might mean to live your faith out loud, even in the comment section.