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 Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
What if your deepest sense of identity doesn’t fit within the traditional framework of the church—but your love for Jesus still burns bright?
In this honest and moving episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden sits down with author and speaker Greg Coles for a vulnerable conversation about faith, identity, and what it means to live as a single, gay Christian committed to the authority of Scripture.
Together, they explore:
Greg’s personal story of discovering his same-sex attraction and reconciling it with his Christian faith
The tension between authenticity and orthodoxy in today’s church
How the church can better welcome LGBTQ believers without compromising biblical convictions
The beauty of chosen singleness and the calling to faithful community
As Greg says in the episode, “My identity in Christ doesn’t erase my sexuality, but it gives me a lens to live it out in love, truth, and hope.”
Whether you’re wrestling with your own identity or seeking to love those who are, this episode is a masterclass in nuance, empathy, and theological faithfulness.
Dive deeper with Greg’s resources:
• Single, Gay, Christian – Amazon | GregoryColes.com
• No Longer Strangers – Learn More
• The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender – CenterforFaith.com
Follow Greg on Instagram, Twitter/X, or visit GregoryColes.com
Tune in now and join a conversation that’s changing the way the church loves and leads.
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
Same-sex attraction is one of the most emotionally charged and spiritually complex conversations in the modern church. What does it mean to hold fast to biblical convictions while extending the radical love of Jesus?
In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden invites listeners into a grace-and-truth-filled conversation about LGBTQ+ identity, specifically same-sex attraction. Rather than choosing between condemnation or full affirmation, Paul explores a third way—rooted in Scripture, compassion, and the image of God in every person.
Join us as we explore:
Why same-sex attraction is not inherently sinful
What it means to be a single, gay Christian pursuing Jesus
How the church can walk with LGBTQ+ believers in love and honesty
Why “love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:39) must guide this dialogue
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
• Preston Trail’s belief statement on same-sex attraction: prestontrail.org/finalthought
• Single, Gay, Christian by Gregory Coles: Amazon | Author’s Website
Can you be gay and still faithfully follow Jesus? Let’s talk about it—with courage, clarity, and compassion.
Listen now and join the conversation.
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Is divorce the unforgivable sin—or can God bring beauty out of brokenness?
In this vulnerable and redemptive episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, host Paul Basden tackles the topic of divorce with wisdom, truth, and compassion. Drawing from Scripture and real-life reflections, Paul explores the pain of divorce, the purpose of marriage, and the surprising grace of a God who never gives up on us—even when our relationships do.
Join us as we unpack:
God’s original design for marriage: “You first. You only. You always.” (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4–6)
The true cause of divorce: hardness of heart (Matthew 19:8)
The staggering emotional and spiritual cost of broken vows
Why divorce is never the end of the story—God still redeems and restores
Whether you’re married, divorced, or walking with someone through heartbreak, this conversation will equip you with biblical truth and grace to navigate one of life’s most difficult realities.
Listen now and be reminded: God is still Emmanuel—God with us—even when marriages fall apart.
Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
How should Christians respond when someone's gender identity doesn’t match their biological sex? Is it loving to affirm? Is it faithful to confront? Is there a better, more Jesus-like way?
In this important episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Christians, Pastor Paul Basden dives into one of today’s most sensitive and controversial topics: the “T” in LGBTQ. From the cultural spotlight on Caitlyn Jenner to the theological implications of gender dysphoria, Paul challenges listeners to approach this issue not with fear or anger—but with both grace and truth.
Join us as we explore:
What Scripture says about sex, gender, and our bodies (Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Why gender dysphoria is real and deeply painful for many
How Christians can love transgender individuals without compromising biblical convictions
Why listening, compassion, and time are critical to long-term healing and understanding
What if the church could be a place where transgender individuals are met not with shame, but with friendship, prayer, and patient hope?
Listen now and join the conversation. Let’s move beyond fear—and toward faithfulness.