ExEm Podcast

Conversations around life, faith, and the journey of mental health.

The ExEm (Experience Emerge) Podcast, with musician-turned-mental health therapist, Matt Knabe, uncovers the various ways people find rest and live free amidst the crazy challenges life brings. With a zoned-in focus, Matt carefully probes into the broken places of people’s lives, bringing the listener into the experience, all the while adding life tools and insights.

Explore Seasons
Season 6

Season 5

Season 4

Season 3

Season 2

Season 1

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 15

A Caring Life: Missions, Adversity, & God’s Faithfulness

Dr. Aaron Santymire—missionary, author, and Member Care Director for AG World Missions—shares his powerful story of life on the mission field, the incredible ways he’s seen God move across nations, as well as the deep challenges and personal adversities that come with serving in cross-cultural ministry. As the author of The Caring Life & The Caring Family, and host of The Clarity Podcast, Aaron brings a unique perspective on what it means to live a life of compassion and faithfulness in both global missions and personal discipleship.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 14

Scrupulosity & Feeling Uncertain About Salvation

Pastor Austin McCann shares about the diverse ways people encounter Christ and begin their faith journey, abd helps us unpack the reality that there is no single blueprint for coming to faith—God works uniquely in every heart. The discussion centers on scrupulosity, a form of religious anxiety often tied to OCD-type thinking, where individuals become overly preoccupied with sin, confession, or the fear of not being “saved enough.” This intersection of mental health and spirituality can create heavy burdens for believers who long to follow Jesus but feel trapped in cycles of doubt and guilt. Pastor Austin shares wisdom and pastoral insight on how the church can come alongside those wrestling with these struggles, offering compassion, patience, and the hope of God’s grace.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 13

It’s All About Rest & Laughs

In this episode, our host sits down with Pastor Jason Burns to catch up on their friendship, hear about his annual Christmas tradition of tormenting his mother-in-law with outrageous gifts, and dive into something we all desperately need—rest. With a mix of humor, honesty, and heart, Jason reminds us that joy and Sabbath go hand in hand and that friendship makes the journey a whole lot better.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 12

Identity

Who are we, really? In a world full of labels, expectations, and shifting definitions of self, it’s easy to lose sight of our true identity. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Darla Rakes, a leader, educator, and woman of deep faith, to talk about what it means to anchor our identity in Christ. Together, we explore why our sense of self apart from Him will always feel incomplete, how faith gives us clarity and purpose, and why knowing who we are in Christ brings freedom from comparison and striving. Dr. Rakes shares both personal stories and biblical truths that point us back to the One who created us, reminding us that identity isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we receive.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 11

Emotional Regulation

Tera Wages, CEO of The Connection Codes, explores the art of emotional regulation—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform your relationships and daily life. Tera shares practical tools from The Connection Codes framework to help you identify, name, and process emotions in realtime so they don’t spiral into conflict, burnout, or shutdown. Whether you tend to bottle up your feelings or wear them on your sleeve, this conversation will give you a clear, compassionate path toward feeling your emotions without letting them control you.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 10

The Mosaic Marriage: How Two Imperfect People Become One Masterpiece

We welcome husband and wife duo Dr. Troy and Jana Jones, authors of The Mosaic Marriage: How Two Imperfect People Become One Masterpiece. Together, they share candid insights from their own journey—filled with broken pieces, grace, and redemption—and how God shaped their imperfections into something beautiful. With wisdom, vulnerability, and practical guidance, the Joneses reveal how couples can move from surviving to thriving by embracing their differences, communicating with compassion, and keeping Christ at the center. Whether you’re newlyweds or navigating decades together, this conversation will inspire you to see your marriage not as a mess, but as a masterpiece in progress.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 9

Marriage & The Gospel

Drawing from biblical wisdom and decades of pastoral and relational experience, Tony Galieti shares powerful insights on what makes a marriage thrive, not just survive. We explore the purpose of marriage through a gospel lens, examining how grace and humility shape our relationships and the practical considerations couples need to be mindful of to build a strong, lasting union. Whether you’re single, engaged, newly married, or decades in, this conversation is for you—filled with encouragement, truth, and real talk about love, faith, and commitment.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 8

Burnout vs. Compassion Fatigue

Based Ontario, Canada, Laura Howe is a mental health therapist and founder of Hope Made Strong. She is a passionate advocate for equipping churches and ministry leaders with practical tools to care for their communities, without burning out in the process. In this conversation, we delve into the crucial—but often misunderstood—differences between burnout and compassion fatigue, particularly for those working in high-stress, high-empathy roles such as counseling, ministry, and caregiving. Laura explains how these two forms of exhaustion manifest differently and why recognizing the distinction is essential for both personal well-being and professional longevity.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 7

Authentic Leadership

Dan Owolabi—author, speaker, and passionate advocate for authentic leadership—dives into the heart of what it means to lead with integrity, purpose, and faith in today’s world. Drawing from his impactful book, Authentic Leadership (available now on Amazon), Dan shares practical insights on how leaders can move beyond titles and techniques to embody the kind of leadership that transforms lives and organizations from the inside out. Whether you’re in the boardroom, classroom, or community, this episode will inspire you to lead with courage, conviction, and authenticity.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 6

Mental Health Minute: Calm Parenting Tips

In this brief but impactful Mental Health Minute, Matthew Knabe, MA, LPCC, host of the Experience Emerge (ExEm) Podcast, shares practical insight on calm parenting. Learn how to respond—not react—in challenging moments, build emotional safety with your children, and model regulation that helps the whole family thrive. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. A healthier kid starts at home.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 5

Leadership Intimacy: Cultivating Depth In Your Life

Dr. Robert Crosby shares how true leadership begins in the secret place—with intimacy with God—and how that connection overflows into our relationships, teams, and daily decisions. The call to lead is not just with vision, but also with vulnerability, depth, and spiritual rootedness. Together, we explore the intersection of faith and emotional depth, challenging the common narrative of leadership built on image and performance.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 4

Helping Men Find Healthy Community

In this episode, we’re joined by Pastor Austin McCann from Redemption Chapel for a powerful conversation on the importance of men finding authentic communities with other men. Pastor Austin shares personal insights and biblical wisdom on why brotherhood matters, how isolation can be dangerous, and what it looks like to pursue real, life-giving relationships as men of faith. Whether you’re already plugged into a group or still searching for your people, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 3

The Two-Sided Coin of Pride

In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Galligan, MEd, LPC, as he shares his journey into the world of counseling and the personal struggles that have shaped his faith. Jacob opens up about the challenges he has faced within the church, navigating seasons of doubt, and how his experiences have tested and strengthened his relationship with God.

We also dive deep into the two-sided coin of pride and self-deprecation—how both extremes can trap us, distort our identity, and pull us away from true humility and reliance on Christ. Jacob brings his wisdom as a counselor to unpack how these struggles manifest in our lives and how we can find balance through faith, accountability, and a right understanding of ourselves before God.

It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation about faith, identity, and the ongoing work of surrendering to God’s grace. Tune in for encouragement, insight, and a fresh perspective on wrestling with these tensions in life and counseling.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 2

The Teaming Life

In this episode, we engage in an in-depth conversation with Emerge President and esteemed author, Dr. Robert Crosby. Through his book, “The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration,” Dr. Crosby illuminates the profound concept of living a teaming life characterized by collaboration, honor, and unity. He shares practical strategies for cultivating honor circles around individuals, fostering deeper connections and enhancing team dynamics. Moreover, we explore the profound example of perfect teamwork exhibited within the Trinity, shedding light on its relevance to churches, ministries, and our lives. Whether you are a professional, ministry leader, or simply seeking to strengthen interpersonal relationships, this conversation will inspire you to reevaluate your approach to collaboration and teamwork.

SEASON 6 • EPISODE 1

Doing Life Together

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with one of Matt’s best friends of over 30 years, Jason Rice, to discuss the incredible journey of friendship, mentoring, and doing life together. From navigating life’s toughest challenges to celebrating its greatest victories, we share how staying grounded in God’s Word daily and holding each other accountable has been the foundation of our relationship. Join us as we reflect on the joys, struggles, and lessons learned through decades of friendship and discover the power of faith and genuine connection in enduring life’s stressors.