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What Difference Does That Make? With Dr. Mike Courtney

What Difference Does That Make? With Dr. Mike Courtney

By Mana 3 Media

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.
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Going Deep Day 18: Speak Up for the Needy

What Difference Does That Make? With Dr. Mike CourtneyMar 24, 2022

00:00
09:52
4/10/23 MondayMatters: Holding on to Hope

4/10/23 MondayMatters: Holding on to Hope

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.

Apr 10, 202311:33
The Nature of Man: Part 2

The Nature of Man: Part 2

"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.

May 12, 202230:03
The Nature of Man

The Nature of Man

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.

May 04, 202226:21
5/1/22 Monday Matters: Communication with Adult Children

5/1/22 Monday Matters: Communication with Adult Children

It’s not easy staying in touch with our adult children, but with a little work and a little sensitivity, it can be done.
May 02, 202209:04
Going Deep Day 36: Be An Andrew

Going Deep Day 36: Be An Andrew

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.
Apr 11, 202209:39
Going Deep Day 31: By His Wounds

Going Deep Day 31: By His Wounds

When there is nothing else to look to, we look to the hands and feet of Jesus.
Apr 07, 202207:52
Going Deep Day 30: Strangely Warmed

Going Deep Day 30: Strangely Warmed

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.
Apr 05, 202206:25
Going Deep Day 29: Look Out

Going Deep Day 29: Look Out

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.
Apr 04, 202209:43
Going Deep Day 26: Do Good Stuff

Going Deep Day 26: Do Good Stuff

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.
Apr 01, 202207:56
Going Deep Day 25: Remember The Mountains

Going Deep Day 25: Remember The Mountains

Wake up to the cities, the mountains, and the stories that God has given you.
Mar 31, 202208:18
Going Deep Day 24: The Skin Horse

Going Deep Day 24: The Skin Horse

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.
Mar 30, 202209:43
Going Deep Day 22: Waking Up

Going Deep Day 22: Waking Up

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.
Mar 29, 202211:49
Going Deep Day 23: The Popeye Verse

Going Deep Day 23: The Popeye Verse

Wake up today to the marvelous grace of God in your life and then determine to make the best of that grace for Him.
Mar 29, 202207:59
Going Deep Day 19: You Walk Talks

Going Deep Day 19: You Walk Talks

The power of our testimony is not in the words we say but in the life that we live. Testify everyday by Godly living.
Mar 25, 202208:17
Going Deep Day 18: Speak Up for the Needy

Going Deep Day 18: Speak Up for the Needy

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.
Mar 24, 202209:52
Going Deep Day 17: Testify

Going Deep Day 17: Testify

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.
Mar 23, 202207:43
Going Deep Day 16: Speak Up

Going Deep Day 16: Speak Up

Testify. Tell your story. Witness. Whatever you call it, going deep requires us to speak up about what we believe.
Mar 22, 202209:05
Going Deep Day 11: It's My Lunch

Going Deep Day 11: It's My Lunch

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. 

Mar 17, 202207:41
Attachment Styles and Holding On To Who You Are

Attachment Styles and Holding On To Who You Are

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.

Mar 16, 202217:30
Going Deep Day 9: Promises

Going Deep Day 9: Promises

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.
Mar 15, 202208:49
Going Deep Day 8: Holding On to the Hand of God

Going Deep Day 8: Holding On to the Hand of God

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

Mar 14, 202209:13
Going Deep Day 4: Letting Go of Righteousness

Going Deep Day 4: Letting Go of Righteousness

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.
Mar 10, 202207:23
Going Deep Day 3: Letting Go of Our Own Agenda

Going Deep Day 3: Letting Go of Our Own Agenda

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.
Mar 09, 202207:18
Going Deep Day 2: Letting Go of Self-Dependence

Going Deep Day 2: Letting Go of Self-Dependence

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.
Mar 08, 202206:48
Going Deep Day 1: Giving Up the Right to Hold a Grudge

Going Deep Day 1: Giving Up the Right to Hold a Grudge

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.
Mar 07, 202207:12
Growing Deep

Growing Deep

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.
Mar 01, 202210:20
Monday Matters: Healthy Thinking

Monday Matters: Healthy Thinking

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.
Feb 21, 202209:42
Systematic Theology The Bible Part 2

Systematic Theology The Bible Part 2

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.

Feb 16, 202216:21
Monday Matters. The Bible pt 2

Monday Matters. The Bible pt 2

A quick look at how to read and study the Bible better.
Feb 14, 202208:46
Systematic Theology- The Bible pt1

Systematic Theology- The Bible pt1

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.

Feb 11, 202228:13
Monday Matters: The Bible
Feb 07, 202211:02
S2 E18 A Different Kind Of Suffering

S2 E18 A Different Kind Of Suffering

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!
Dec 08, 202123:28
S2E17 To Be Shot Or Not - The Vaccine Pt 2

S2E17 To Be Shot Or Not - The Vaccine Pt 2

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!
Aug 25, 202123:55
S2E16 To Be Shot Or Not - The Vaccine Pt 1

S2E16 To Be Shot Or Not - The Vaccine Pt 1

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!
Aug 13, 202129:28
S2E15 A Different Kind Of War

S2E15 A Different Kind Of War

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!
Jul 28, 202148:00
S2E14 Anatomy Of Addiction

S2E14 Anatomy Of Addiction

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!
Jul 14, 202133:16
S2E13 My Virtual Mentor

S2E13 My Virtual Mentor

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!
Jun 30, 202131:58
S2E12 Father's Day (With Former NFL/Mike Stowell)

S2E12 Father's Day (With Former NFL/Mike Stowell)

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!
Jun 16, 202145:47
S2E11 Cross Fit

S2E11 Cross Fit

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!
Jun 02, 202146:15
S2E10 Thinking Like A Millennial

S2E10 Thinking Like A Millennial

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
May 19, 202144:10
S2E9 Tell Me Quickly

S2E9 Tell Me Quickly

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
May 05, 202143:23
S2E8 Mental Health Medication

S2E8 Mental Health Medication

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
Apr 21, 202144:12
S2E7 21 Day Challenge

S2E7 21 Day Challenge

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
Apr 07, 202140:18
S2E6 Surprised On Purpose

S2E6 Surprised On Purpose

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
Mar 24, 202136:31
S2E5 Sad Songs (Songwriter Ken Hart)

S2E5 Sad Songs (Songwriter Ken Hart)

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
Mar 10, 202127:58
S2E4 Surrender Vs. Struggle

S2E4 Surrender Vs. Struggle

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
Feb 24, 202124:03
S2E3 The Art Of Crying

S2E3 The Art Of Crying

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
Feb 10, 202120:32
S2E2 If You Want To Walk On Water

S2E2 If You Want To Walk On Water

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
Jan 27, 202119:53
S2E1 The Rhythm Of Life

S2E1 The Rhythm Of Life

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
Jan 13, 202118:25
S1E17 Helping Others

S1E17 Helping Others

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.
Oct 14, 202037:43