In this episode, I interview Dr. Eric Sandras founder of The Sanctuary Church, " beautifully messy community where the marginalized, the recovrting, misfits know they belong."

We explore the profound themes of belonging, sacred work, and the transformative power of love and grace in ministry and life. Eric shares personal stories, insights on suffering, and practical ways to embody proximity and compassion in a broken world. Dr. E shares profound stories and insights on grace, the human condition, and how to live an undivided life. I along with Dr. E explore themes of suffering, grace, authenticity, and the power of relationships, inspired by Brennan Manning's work and real-life experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
53:46 The Wave of Grief and Gratitude
54:14 Expanding Capacity for Joy
54:40 The Relationship Between Gratitude and Joy
55:07 Joy as a Fruit of Gratitude
55:37 Finding Joy in the Darkest Places
55:56 The Power of Gratitude in Difficult Times
56:26 God's Compassion and Our Response
56:51 The Role of Gratitude in Perspective
57:02 The Impact of Small Acts of Kindness
57:15 The Significance of Transparency and Vulnerability
57:24 The Disruptive Nature of Grace
57:44 Living an Undivided Life: Wholehearted Faith
01:00:26 Proximity and Authentic Relationships
01:01:08 Jesus' Relationship with the Marginalized
01:01:37 Knowing People by Name and Building Trust
01:02:06 The Power of Small Gestures
01:02:41 The Importance of Being Present
01:03:01 Transparency and Vulnerability in Relationships
01:03:29 The Impact of Small Acts of Kindness
01:03:36 The Disruption of Divine Appointments
01:04:06 Allowing God to Interfere in Our Schedules
01:04:26 Living an Integrated Life: Surrender and Obedience
01:04:47 The Role of Faith in Daily Life
01:05:16 Prioritizing Jesus in Every Area
01:05:24 Allowing Christ to Be Preeminent
01:06:12 Living a Life of Wholehearted Surrender
01:06:43 The Role of Recovery and Surrender
01:07:28 Reflections and Closing Remarks

key topics

In my conversation with Zahara Seruyombya-McCoy, CEO of Children of Grace, we hear her extraordinary story of loss, survival, faith, and purpose. Zahara Seruyombya-McCoy is the CEO of Children of Grace, a wife and mom of three, and a compassionate leader whose own story of loss, faith, and hope fuels her work serving vulnerable children in Uganda.

Born in Uganda, Zahara shares what it was like to lose both of her parents as a child and enter a world shaped by poverty, hunger, instability, and survival. She reflects on the resilience that children can develop in the middle of hardship, the sustaining power of faith, and the inner tension of living between the life she came from and the life she was given through adoption in the United States.

Our conversation also explores parenting, generosity, empathy, and the life-changing impact of one person choosing to step in. Zahara's story is not just about being rescued — it's about becoming someone who now helps rescue others.

Takeaways:

1. Zahara's childhood in Uganda and the loss of both parents
2. How faith helped her endure survival mode as a child
3. What resilience looks like when childhood is interrupted by hardship
4. The contrast between Ugandan and American family life
5. How trauma shaped her parenting and deepened her empathy
6. Why true generosity is an investment in people, not just a donation
7. The story that led her back to Uganda and into leadership with Children of Grace
8. What it means to live a more integrated, less divided life

Jon Gustin is the founder of The Tired Dad LLC and the voice behind a community of more than two million followers who resonate with his honest, grounded portrayal of everyday fatherhood. Through his content, Jon has connected with parents by speaking to the exhaustion, pressure, and quiet responsibility that come with trying to faithfully show up for your family in the middle of real life.

He also co-hosts The Tired Dad & Tired Mom Podcast with his wife, Jessica, where they have candid conversations about marriage, parenting, and the challenges of building a meaningful family life when everyone is running on empty. Jon is also the author of The Tired Dad, a book offering 100 practical, encouraging reflections for fathers who don't have it all figured out but deeply want to be present for what matters most.

He shares how wholeness isn't found in perfection, but in the steady, often difficult choice to keep showing up with humility, intention, and love.