The Fire Within: A Pursuit of Truth
The Fire Within: Pursuit of Truth invites you on a profound journey to uncover what truly makes life meaningful. Hosted by Luke Vennard, this enlightening podcast explores the enduring questions of happiness, fulfillment, and purpose through a compelling blend of philosophy, science, and heartfelt reflection. Drawing wisdom from great thinkers, cutting-edge research, and his own experiences, Luke challenges you to rethink what truly satisfies the human spirit. With each episode, he peels back the layers of societal expectations and material success to reveal the deeper truths that lie within us all. This isn’t just a podcast, it’s a guide for self-discovery. From the science of well-being to the virtues that shape personal growth, Luke’s engaging storytelling and knack for making big ideas accessible empowers listeners to align their lives with their most authentic values. Whether you're seeking clarity, inspiration, or simply a new perspective, The Fire Within is your invitation to ignite the spark that leads to lasting happiness and purpose.
The Fire Within: A Pursuit of Truth
Is The LDS Church Changing? Honest Thoughts About Mental Health, Judgement and God
In this episode of The Fire Within, I sat down for one of the most honest conversations I’ve ever had. We explored what happens when your faith evolves, when doubt creeps in, when the box you grew up believing in suddenly feels too small, and when asking questions feels more like reverence than rebellion.
We talked about the beauty of curiosity in faith, the weight of judgment in church culture, and what happens when someone shows up and simply chooses to love instead of trying to fix you. I opened up about my obsession with gospel study, how it’s changed my marriage, my faith, and my sense of self. And we dug into the hard stuff, mental health, the pressures around missions and marriage, and why facial hair and jeans at church shouldn’t define someone's spirituality.
But above all, this episode is about love, how God knows us intimately, how we’re all learning to know Him better, and how the purest form of discipleship might just be saying “I love you” more often. If you’ve ever felt outside the box, I hope this conversation makes you feel seen.
Key Moments:
0:00 Challenging the Box of Belief
4:59 What If God Said It’s All False?
9:07 “God Knows You Personally”
15:25 Is the Church Addressing Mental Health?
18:14 The New Addictions We’re Facing
22:40 Why Missions Matter
27:35 The Harm of Judging Non-Missionaries
31:56 Pharisee Culture in the Church
39:15 Leadership ≠ Spiritual Superiority
41:31 A Spiritual Giant With a Beard