Ever asked, "What Difference Does That Make"? I have. And I do in every episode of these informative, entertaining collections of digital parables that help us live happier, healthier, and maybe holier. Join me, host Dr. Mike Courtney, and great guests, therapists, and friends! What Difference Does That Make? drops bi-weekly on all of your favorite podcast platforms. But also watch for the weekly, mini-podcast, Monday Matters, where Mike shares a 5-minute thought (or there-abouts) that focuses on helping you go deeper in your faith.
S3 E4 · Mon, April 10, 2023
Hope can be a desperate wish for some impossible results. Hope can be the wondering about some improbable outcome. But real hope is the confident anticipation of the positive consequences of my faith. Even that hope fades. So what do we do? How do we hold on to the Hope? 1. Read the promises. 2. Rehearse the blessings. 3. Recite your faith. 4. Remember the source. Isaiah 40:31. “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles…” Make your hopes, not your hurts, be the predictors of your future. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Thu, May 12, 2022
"What is man that Thou art mindful of him? The son of man that You care for Him?" Even the Psalmist struggled with the basic questions of the nature of man. This is the second half of the Systematic Theology lesson on The Nature of Man. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S4 E1 · Wed, May 04, 2022
What do we believe about the nature of man? How is our personality, our temperament, our character, shaped by the person God made us to be? And, how does all of that shape our relationship with God? This is a two-week segment from a longer Systematic Theology teaching that I did at my local church this spring. I do not profess to be a scholar. I do claim to be a man that loves God and loves to talk about God, especially in ways that are easy to understand. I hope I've done that here. Welcome to "What Difference Does That Make?" with Dr. Mike Courtney. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E41 · Mon, May 02, 2022
It’s not easy staying in touch with our adult children, but with a little work and a little sensitivity, it can be done. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E42 · Mon, April 11, 2022
Day 36 of 40 days finds us in the begging of the Passion Week. Each day as we conclude our adventure, we will meditate on what Jesus was doing that day, 2000 years ago. Today, the day after His triumphal entry, He engaging the crowd with one more invitation to know Him. And Andrew responds by bringing people to Him. I want to be an Andrew. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E40 · Thu, April 07, 2022
When there is nothing else to look to, we look to the hands and feet of Jesus. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E32 · Tue, April 05, 2022
Take a minute to day and look out on that moment when God came to you for the first time as your Lord and Savior. Wesley said, “My heart was strangely warmed.” At that moment you became a priest. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E34 · Mon, April 04, 2022
We enter in to week leading up to Palm Sunday. Today is my son, Jacob’s, birthday. It is also day 29 of our 40 days. The theme for this week is Look Out, trouble is going to come. But, we can be made better and stronger for it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E30 · Fri, April 01, 2022
What you do matters. Our walk with God is as much about our hands as it is our heart. Wake-up and live as God would have you live. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E29 · Thu, March 31, 2022
Wake up to the cities, the mountains, and the stories that God has given you. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E26 · Wed, March 30, 2022
When we finally wake up to what God has done for us, we will love others like never before. That might be painful but we won’t care because we will be real. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E25 · Tue, March 29, 2022
More than halfway through our 40 Day Adventure. This week we look at the what, why, and how of waking up. To go deep you have to wake up. The scripture is Psalm 32 and Matthew 11. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E26 · Tue, March 29, 2022
Wake up today to the marvelous grace of God in your life and then determine to make the best of that grace for Him. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E23 · Fri, March 25, 2022
The power of our testimony is not in the words we say but in the life that we live. Testify everyday by Godly living. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E23 · Thu, March 24, 2022
Your testimony is never more important than when you are speaking up for the disenfranchised. Today we talk about how to speak up and speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E22 · Wed, March 23, 2022
There is such power in our testimony, especially when it’s done in the right way, about the right things, and for the right reasons. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E18 · Tue, March 22, 2022
Testify. Tell your story. Witness. Whatever you call it, going deep requires us to speak up about what we believe. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E16 · Thu, March 17, 2022
In John 6, the reading for today, we see the story of a little boy who has his lunch used by Jesus to perform one of the most iconic miracles in Christianity. The wisdom of this little boy to hold on to his lunch until it was time to let it go is an example for all of us. Thanks for listening. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, March 16, 2022
In this episode of What Difference Does That Make? we combine the bi-weekly podcast with the daily, Lenten Bible study, Going Deep. Regan Harlow is a bright graduate intern at Branches. She teaches Attachment Theory and uses the wonderful illustration of a caterpillar. I follow that with a quick look at the attachment style of Jesus, modeled by His clear identity with the Father. If you would like to know more about What Difference Does That Make?, the Going Deep Lenten series, or Branches, go to BranchesBlog.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E13 · Tue, March 15, 2022
Off all the things we hold on to, perhaps the most important is the promises of God. Isaiah 55 is one hefty list of promises and this bride podcast is a reminder of what the promises are about. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E13 · Mon, March 14, 2022
There is both blessings and technique to hold to the hand of the Almighty. Today is Day 8 of a 40 Day Spiritual Adventure, Going Deep. This episode not only encourages us to hold on, us but instructs us on how to hold on to God’s RIGHT hand. If you'd like to follow the daily blog, subscribe at BranchesBlog.com. To follow Mike Courtney on other social media platforms: facebook.com/mikecourtney716 Instagram cmichaelcourtney Twitter @michaelcourtney Anchor.FM anchor.fm/whatdifferencepodcast Or wherever you download your podcast at What Difference Does That Make? With Dr. Mike Courtney --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E12 · Thu, March 10, 2022
I John 1 has a letting go theme as well. It is letting go of the notion that somehow I have worked out my own salvation, that I can figure out a way to be righteous enough. We saw and heard Him. He appeared to us. He was light. It has never been about us, our ability, our piety. Let go of that. It is only about His great grace. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E11 · Wed, March 09, 2022
Day 3 we read John 15. The theme that plays over and over is that we let go of our agenda, our plans, our desires, in order to be connected to the agenda of the Father. But when we do, oh my, the reward is unimaginable. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Tue, March 08, 2022
Day 2 of a 40 Day Spiritual Adventure. Matthew 10 is a challenge to give up those things that we normally depend on to make us feel safe, money, home, family. Going deep may require us to sacrifice what helps us to feel self-dependent in order to know what it means to rely on God and Him alone. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E8 · Mon, March 07, 2022
As we begin 40 Days of Going Deep, John 13 starts us off with a gasp. We watch the Savior of the World kneel and wash the feet of His betrayer. How could I ever hope to match such depth? I begin by giving up. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E7 · Tue, March 01, 2022
Monday Matters invitation to a 40 Day spiritual adventure. We will intentionally grow deeper in our faith walk. Follow along here each day beginning March 7. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E6 · Mon, February 21, 2022
We are created as thinking creatures and we are only as good as our thinking. Here are 5 tips to help you think better thoughts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E5 · Wed, February 16, 2022
This is the second installment of The Bible, a brief conversation about what we believe about the most important book ever written. This is part of a series on WDDM on Systematic Theology. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E5 · Mon, February 14, 2022
A quick look at how to read and study the Bible better. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E4 · Fri, February 11, 2022
I began teaching systematic theology to my home church a few weeks ago. It has been fun. We thought it might be helpful to break these live lectures into smaller segments and post them here. This week, this first episode deals with what we believe about the Bible. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
S3 E3 · Mon, February 07, 2022
A brief discussion of and encouragement to read the Bible. 4 key statements that will help you in your understanding of the Bible and teach you to study it more effectively. Monday Matters is a shorter format of What Difference Does That Make? with Dr. Mike Courtney. To learn more about Mike or Branches go to www.branchesblog.com or check us out on the following social media platforms: Facebook MikeCourtney716 Twitter @michaelcourtney Instagram CMichaelCourtney You Tube Mike Courtney --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, December 08, 2021
Mike comes back after months away to discuss suffering that requires a different solution, support system, surety, and savior. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! New episodes drop in January 2022! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, August 25, 2021
Mike talks with Dr. Paul Myers about the vaccine (part 2 of 2). This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Fri, August 13, 2021
Mike talks with Dr. Paul Myers about the vaccine (part 1 of 2). This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, July 28, 2021
Mike shares a recent keynote he gave to a gathering of men called "A Different Kind Of War". New Segment!!! Ask Mike: “Why do you do what you do?” This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, July 14, 2021
Mike talks with blogger Rhonda Rush about addiction, recovery, and From The Pit To The Palace. New Segment!!! Ask Mike: “Brag on someone in your life...” This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, June 30, 2021
Mike brings back David Robertson to discuss My Virtual Mentor. New Segment!!! Ask Mike: “How do you prefer to unwind, slow down, or simplify?” This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, June 16, 2021
Mike with former NFL player Mike Stowell discuss his career and the important role of a father. New Segment!!! Ask Mike: "Do you have a Father’s Day story?" This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, June 02, 2021
Mike with his trainer, Cole Martinez, discuss Cole's work with CrossFit and discuss being "cross fit". New Segment!!! Ask Mike: "What is your favorite parable?" This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, May 19, 2021
Mike with his millennial son, Jacob Courtney, discuss their generational differences and what can be learned. New Segment!!! Ask Mike: What Does "How do you define mental health success?" This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! therapy, trauma, coping, mental health, relationships, adversity, struggle, podcast, millennials --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, May 05, 2021
Mike with author Ashley Woods, discuss her book, Tell Me Quickly. New Segment!!! Ask Mike: What Does "Some Things Just Are" Mean? This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! mental health medication, self-care, therapy, coping, trauma, mental health, relationships, adversity, struggle, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, April 21, 2021
Mike with Josh Courtney, Physician Assistant and Branches Mid-Level Provider, discuss Mental Health Medication. Fred Johnson, Branches counselor, teaches on self-care. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! mental health medication, self-care, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, adversity, struggle, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, April 07, 2021
Mike with David Robertson, founder of My Virtual Mentor, discuss the 21 Day Challenge. Mike also teaches on discipline. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, adversity, struggle, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, March 24, 2021
Mike with David Robertson, founder of My Virtual Mentor, discuss adversity. Daniel Crosby, Branches counselor, teaches on purpose. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, adversity, struggle, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, March 10, 2021
Mike talks with friend and singer songwriter Ken Hart on sad songs. Debi Russell, pastoral counselor, teaches on sadness. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! surrender, struggle, grief, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, apology, help, counsel, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, February 24, 2021
Mike continues his conversation with author, counselor, friend, Tammy Dickenson about men's ministry: Stripped Away. They also discuss surrender vs. struggle. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! surrender, struggle, grief, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, apology, help, counsel, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, February 10, 2021
Mike teaches about "crying": speaking out that thing within you that has to be said, and has a conversation with auctioneer, friend, Jeff Harvey: This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! grief, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, apology, help, counsel, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, January 27, 2021
Mike teaches about getting out of the boat to face new challenges and has a conversation with fellow counselor, friend, Tammy Dickenson. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! grief, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, apology, help, counsel, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, January 13, 2021
Season Two is here! Mike teaches about the rhythm of life and talks with his grandson and drummer extraordinaire, Jakson. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! grief, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, apology, help, counsel, podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, October 14, 2020
Season 1 finale: Mike shares his life goal to help others. Marlena Butler (Branches staff) teaches how to forgive. Mike also talks with pastoral counselor Debi Russell: grief, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, apology, help, counsel. Season 2 will return within a few months! Check your feeds regularly while we are on hiatus! If you enjoy the podcast, we'd appreciate you telling your friends about it, and writing us a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, September 30, 2020
Mike teaches about the "Father Wound" and talks with guest publicist Jason Jones of Local PR Toolkit about pursuing his dream to help authors become their own publicists: therapy, coping, mental health, relationships, dreams, dads, fathers, kids, children --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, September 16, 2020
Mike and Jan Lamb (Branches) discuss depression and how to fight it. Mike talks with magician, Tim Hancock, about parlor tricks, illusion, and magic, and where to find God in it: depression, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, September 02, 2020
Mike and Cindy Hornbaker (Branches) discuss when to consider a life coach. Mike talks with college hall of fame baseball coach, Sam Riggleman, about shaping others lives: life coach, coaching, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, August 19, 2020
Mike and Christina Benefield (fellow therapist) discuss moments of anxiety. Mike talks with award-winning, country artist, songwriter Brian White about his creative process and what happens when things don't go your way. Other discussion: anxiety, trauma, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, August 05, 2020
Mike and Jenna Hazlewood (fellow therapist) discuss self-care without stress or anxiety, and Mike talks about Enneagram, motivation, and personality with guest Jared Dauenhauer. Other discussion: happy, trauma, therapy, coping, mental health, relationships. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, July 22, 2020
Mike addresses how to confront change and the 12 steps of recovery. Guests: Molli Craddock (Branches Counseling Center), and Ken Hart. Discussion: change, 12 steps, recovery, mental health, healthy relationships, interpersonal relationships --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, July 15, 2020
Mike listens to guest DeJuan Knight in this full conversation. Discussions include: systemic racism, mental health, healthy relationships, interpersonal relationships, Branches Counseling Center blog --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, July 08, 2020
Mike talks with Emmy nominated, comedian, author Chonda Pierce. The two siblings have a more in-depth conversation on her new film and book, Unashamed, and how she has learned to live in the comedy spotlight. Also featured: Branches intern Lisa Yingst shares a quick segment on navigating potential shame. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- July 22, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Fri, July 03, 2020
Mike listens to guest Sumatra Drayton in this full conversation. Discussions include: Branches Counseling Center blog, racism, mental health, healthy relationships, interpersonal relationships, white privilege, black lives matter --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, June 24, 2020
Mike addresses racism and listens to guests Sumatra Drayton, DeJuan Knight, and Leanna Clark. Discussions include: Black Lives Matter, Racism, mental health, healthy relationships, interpersonal relationships Next episode- July 8, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, June 10, 2020
Father's Day is coming! Host Dr. Mike Courtney talks with award-winning, country artist, songwriter Brian White and award-winning storyteller David Wilkinson, podcast host of Dad Matters With David Wilkinson. Happy Father's Day! This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- June 24, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, May 27, 2020
Mike has a great conversation with Jared Dauenhauer, an entrepreneur who runs multiple Escape Rooms in the states. God is in the details for sure! Also, Branches staff member, Kevin Bolton, talks about music and relaxation. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- June 10, 2020. Escape Room, music therapy, relaxation, mental health, healthy relationships, interpersonal relationships --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, May 13, 2020
Mike discusses marriage and how it can be a party instead of just playing house. Debi Russell, Branches staff member, talks about rescuing vs. helping. Mike also sits down with Mike Bivins to discuss how to make your marriage into a party. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- May 27, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, April 29, 2020
Mike discusses healthy relationships, how to reconcile, and staying connected. Tammy Johnston, Branches staff member, talks about how to conflict resolution. Mike also sits down with Daniel Crosby to discuss connecting with people on a heart-to-heart level. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- May 13, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, April 15, 2020
Mike sits down with his sister, Emmy-nominated and best-selling comedian, Chonda Pierce, to discuss the depression she has battled in her life and what she still believes. Mike also talks about the implications of running a marathon and how it relates to the current pandemic. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- April 29, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, April 01, 2020
In this first official episode, Mike discusses the people in your life that allow you to see Jesus. Branches Counseling Center clinical director Tracey Robison talks with you about your support system and Mike sits down with Dr. Dan Scott to discuss spiritual direction. This podcast is here to offer you help and hope in your difficult circumstances! Next episode- April 15, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Wed, March 18, 2020
In this special episode, Dr. Mike Courtney and his team at Branches Counseling Center want to help you with responses and behaviors regarding Coronavirus. What Difference Does That Make? With Dr. Mike Courtney is a new podcast that officially drops April 1, 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
Fri, March 13, 2020
Dr. Mike Courtney's podcast drops April 1! That's not a joke! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatdifferencepodcast/support
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