You may have seen parts of Pastor Greg Laurie’s moving testimony in the movie Jesus Revolution, but never like this. On today’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg takes us on an unfiltered, inspiring journey through his tumultuous upbringing—a story marked by instability, loneliness, and the relentless pursuit of hope.

Born into a world of broken relationships, absent fathers, and a longing for family, Pastor Greg shares how his early years were shaped by a mother struggling with addiction and a parade of stepfathers. From military school mischief and lonely nights speaking to “Mr. Nobody” under a blanket to the comfort of his grandparents’ Southern kitchen, Pastor Greg discovered the hand of God—revealing to him how moments of pain ultimately became pathways to purpose. Throughout the episode, Pastor Greg invites each of us to reflect not just on his journey, but also on our own—reminding us that no matter how difficult our beginnings, God can use every chapter for something greater.

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Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit:

https://harvest.org/.

Find Pastor Greg on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/

https://x.com/greglaurie

https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 God’s Call: Preach the Gospel
01:37 “My Mother Had Me Out of Wedlock”
03:23 Military School Mayhem & Burning It Down Joke
04:45 Grandmother’s Southern Cooking and Family Memories
06:15 Lonely Nights and Mr. Nobody
07:22 Becoming the Parent for My Mother
08:52 Christmas Morning: “It’s Got to Get Better Than This”
10:52 Envy, Family Dinners, and Craving Belonging
12:28 Stepfather Oscar Laurie: “He Treated Me Like a Son”
13:59 Hawaii Move and Celebrities at Davy Jones Locker
16:12 Fights, Tragedy, and Losing My Only Friend
17:28 Alcoholism’s Impact: “These Were Choices”
18:31 Witnessing Violence and Survival Instincts
19:41 Becoming a Juvenile Delinquent & Expulsion Threat
21:21 Teacher’s Outburst: “Bury Him in the Sand”
22:28 “I Realized I Was Living My Mother’s Life”
23:58 Entering Drug Culture: Searching for Escape
26:05 LSD Trip Leads to Crisis and Existential Fear
28:28 Encounter with Campus Christians & The “What If It’s True?” Moment
29:16 Lonnie Frisbee’s Message: “You’re For Me or Against Me”
31:13 Saying the Prayer—But “I Felt Nothing”
32:41 The Moment I Quit Drugs for Good
33:33 Outed as a Christian by a Popsicle-Stick Bible
36:20 Answered Prayer: Receiving My First “Real” Bible
38:09 Watching Billy Graham—Grandmother’s Spiritual Legacy
43:06 Creating Living Water: A Comic That Changed Lives
46:03 First Preaching Moment and Surprising Courage at Baptism
50:25 Called to Preach: “A Glimpse of My Future”
52:15 Cleaning Toilets for Jesus: Humility and Preparation
55:25 My Accidental Journey to Becoming a Pastor
58:15 Full Circle: God’s Hand from Childhood to Calling

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pastor Greg and Jonathan Laurie are back this week for part 2 of their “life hacks” conversation—this time talking about what it looks like to finish our lives well and the hope to be found in second chances.

Pastor Greg opens up about his own 50-plus year journey of following Jesus—the rewards, the losses, and the unexpected moments of grace—inviting us to consider the true meaning of spiritual fruit and always hold out hope for last-minute salvation. Father and son also talk about the importance of choosing your spouse well, how to keep your marriage vibrant and life-giving, and finding true delight in following Jesus. Jonathan finishes up their conversation by sharing a prayer for any one of us looking for a new beginning.

Check out Pastor Greg’s newest book, Life Hacks, here: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Hacks-Things-Would-Younger/dp/1617540307.

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Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit:

https://harvest.org/.

Find Pastor Greg on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/

https://x.com/greglaurie

https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Pastor Greg’s Lifelong Commitment to Jesus
01:11 Beatles Song Challenge Showdown Begins
03:36 John Lennon’s Surprising Christian Faith
06:29 Judging, Deathbeds, and Spiritual Fruit
08:30 The Thief on the Cross: Instant Conversion
10:17 Everyone Has a Pulpit: Evangelism for All
13:31 Obedience, Success, and Planting Spiritual Seeds
16:17 Missionary “Failure” Leads to 15,000 Converts
17:27 Marrying the Right Person—And Wedding Drama
21:15 The Power of a Handwritten Letter in Conflict
23:14 Three Simple Phrases That Heal Marriages
25:24 Broken Up Three Times—Still Got Married
28:09 Saying “I Love You” When You Never Heard It
29:46 Tell People You Love Them Before It’s Too Late
33:13 Wild Stories: Snakes, Spiders, and Spiritual Lessons
38:07 Choosing Positivity—Even When Life Gets Tough
44:19 Finding Delight, Not Duty, in God’s Word
49:14 Running Life’s Race: Wings Versus Weights
51:46 Jesus Never Fails—Staying Faithful Amid Disappointment
54:03 Messed Up? How God Gives Second Chances
55:45 Prayer for a Fresh Start and New Believer Resources

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

By all accounts, Pastor Greg has led a remarkable life. Looking back though, there are a few “life hacks” he would tell his younger self, which is exactly what today’s special conversation with his son, Jonathan, is all about. On this Thanksgiving week episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg and Jonathan peel back the layers of family legacy, faith, personal growth, gratitude, and redemption—taking a cue from Pastor Greg’s newest book, Life Hacks: Things I Would Tell My Younger Self. Drawing from childhood memories and raw stories of pain and grace, father and son reflect on lessons learned—from the value of wearing sunscreen and flossing your teeth to navigating generational patterns of brokenness and pursuing God’s best through every season.

During their candid conversation Pastor Greg recounts his turbulent upbringing—marked by trauma, frequent moves, and an unpredictable home life—and talks about how God’s grace radically changed the trajectory for him, his family, and generations to come. Jonathan also shares his own journey as a pastor’s kid, how family tragedy shaped his faith, and the encouragement that anyone can break free from patterns of dysfunction.

The episode concludes with 7 actionable “life hacks”: all about putting God first, building a life on the Bible, cultivating gratitude, and practicing forgiveness that sets you free.

Check out Pastor Greg’s newest book, Life Hacks, here: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Hacks-Things-Would-Younger/dp/1617540307.

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Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit:

https://harvest.org/.

Find Pastor Greg on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/

https://x.com/greglaurie

https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:46 What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?
02:03 Investing Advice & Metabolism Realities
05:12 Childhood Trauma and Finding Hope
08:45 Sudden Move to Hawaii & Family Upheaval
11:02 Seeking Jesus Amid Chaos
13:26 God’s Promises Despite Difficult Pasts
17:10 Breaking Generational Patterns—Hope After Addiction
21:27 The Secret: Put God First in Everything
25:31 Bible as the Foundation Amid Moral Relativism
31:18 Power of Prayer Over Worry
35:42 Eat Bacon Every Day—Lesson in Humor
36:42 Having an Attitude of Gratitude in All Circumstances
42:27 Better or Bitter—Turning Pain Into Purpose
44:18 Losing Christopher: Life’s Deepest Pain and Healing
47:08 Leading With Integrity—Lessons from Billy Graham
49:59 Paul and Silas: Singing in Prison Inspires Salvation
51:06 The Power of Forgiveness: Setting Yourself Free

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.