What does it look like to stop fighting life and start walking with it — and realize that "it" was Jesus all along?

In this episode of Rooted, host Todd sits down with his friend Matthew Krontz — a tattooed, pierced, gym-going, deep-thinking guy who spent years leaning on alcohol, the idea of "the Universe," and sheer self-reliance before something shifted. Matthew shares how exploring Taoism, stumbling into a small Mormon congregation, and a series of what can only be called divine appointments led him to a faith that actually made sense to him.

This is a raw, honest, and genuinely funny conversation about judgment, identity, community, and what it means to be rooted in something bigger than yourself — even when your lenses are still foggy.

In This Episode:

• How Matthew went from "fighting life" to "walking with life" — and why he now calls that Jesus
• What he used to be rooted in: alcohol, self-reliance, and the vague idea of "the Universe"
• Exploring multiple religions and finally finding one where questions were welcomed
• Being the unlikely face at a dwindling church — and why that matters
• Seeing yourself the way others see you (without the ego)
• The "colored lenses" framework Matthew uses to meet people where they are
• Waking up at 6:30 AM, gratitude, and what daily faith actually looks like
• Working toward his priesthood — tattoos, piercings, and all
• Why your body is a temple.
• Disruptive thinkers, divine timing, and moving your seat at the table

Key Quote:
"I always felt like I was fighting life. Now I feel like I'm holding hands with life — walking through it instead of against it." — Matthew Krontz

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to listen.

Rooted is a podcast about faith, growth, and changed lives. Real people. Real stories. No perfect answers.