MegaChurch Pastor Rejects The Label of "Christian"? | DSH #2008
6/9/202646 min
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances... but the fact that you haven't forgiven yourself? Pastor Judah Smith has spent decades helping people navigate faith, purpose, pain, relationships, and the struggles that come with being human. But this conversation isn't about religion. It's about anxiety, lawsuits, forgiveness, love, self-worth, and finding peace in a world that constantly pulls you in every direction. In this powerful episode of Digital Social Hour, Judah Smith joins Sean Kelly to discuss mental health, panic attacks, agoraphobia, lawsuits, public criticism, marriage, parenting, forgiveness, faith, free will, and the lessons he's learned after more than 25 years of marriage. Sean opens up about battling anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and a lawsuit that nearly destroyed everything he had built. Judah shares his own experiences with criticism, public life, and the challenge of staying positive when not everyone likes you. CHAPTERS 0:00 Why Anxiety Took Over 2:48 Marriage & Finding The One 6:16 The Lawsuit That Changed Everything 10:05 Ad Break 10:46 Living Under Constant Pressure 16:54 Why Judah Loves Public Schools 17:55 Reading The Bible Again 22:00 Boundaries & Toxic People 25:20 The Power Of Forgiveness 43:58 What Goes On Your Tombstone? WHAT YOU'LL LEARN 🧠 How anxiety and fear can quietly take over your life ⚖️ The mental toll of lawsuits and public criticism ❤️ Why healthy relationships require constant growth 🔥 The surprising connection between forgiveness and freedom 💡 How to stop carrying resentment from your past 🎯 Why boundaries are essential for healthy relationships 📖 Judah Smith's perspective on faith, purpose, and Jesus 🚀 How self-forgiveness can change your future 🌎 Why love is more practical than most people realize ✨ The mindset shift that helped Judah stay positive through criticism 🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT 👉 Interested in being a guest? Apply here: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/apply What if the biggest threat to America isn’t one politician, one party, or one recession? 💼 SPONSORS Legendz Casino: http://legendz.com/ and http://legendz.io/ Code: DSH Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/digitalsocialhour 📩 Business Inquiries & Sponsorships sean@digitalsocialhour.com 👤 GUEST Judah Smith : https://www.instagram.com/judahsmith 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 📸 Follow the Host Sean Kelly on Instagram: @seanmikekelly ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. The host and producers are not responsible for statements, claims, or opinions shared by guests during the show. This content is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to do their own research and consult qualified professionals when appropriate. While we aim to share accurate and reliable information, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or accuracy. 🔥 Stay tuned for more conversations with creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world. SEO KEYWORDS Judah Smith, Judah Smith podcast, Sean Kelly, Digital Social Hour, Christianity, Jesus, faith podcast, forgiveness, self forgiveness, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, mental health Visit Our Website at https://digital-social-hour.simplecast.com/ Presented by https://podgo.io/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSean Kelly· Host0:00
And I'm really hesitant with the term Christian.
Judah Smith· Guest0:02
Oh, really?
Sean Kelly· Host0:02
Like, I really am. I just think a lot of really painful things have happened in human history with the name Christian.
Judah Smith· Guest0:07
So, like, I had terrible anxiety and depression. I was having panic attacks, literally collapsing to the ground, but I could still leave the house when I needed to.
Sean Kelly· Host0:13
Yeah.
Judah Smith· Guest0:14
But then once that lawsuit hit, they don't teach you how to deal with those.
Sean Kelly· Host0:17
No.
Judah Smith· Guest0:18
Especially at a young age like that.
Sean Kelly· Host0:19
I can just get in my head- Yeah ... very quickly about, like- No doubt ... "Wait, is, who's gonna sue me next?" Okay, guys, last but not least today, Pastor Judah Smith. What's up, man? What's new with you?
Judah Smith· Guest0:33
Oh, man, I'm so happy to be here, and, uh, finding out we got a lot of mutual friends, so that's fun.
Sean Kelly· Host0:39
A lot, man.
Judah Smith· Guest0:39
A lot.
Sean Kelly· Host0:40
Yeah.
Judah Smith· Guest0:40
Yeah.
Sean Kelly· Host0:40
You're in a great mood, too. Are you always in this good of a mood?
Judah Smith· Guest0:42
I mean, I hope so. My son's here, so he could probably tell the truth. [laughs] But I try to stay happy and... But, I mean, I'm a, I, I can be emo, let's be honest. I'm a big feeler, so I feel rooms and feel emotions, and I gotta say, your room feels good, bro.
Sean Kelly· Host0:55
Thank you, man.
Judah Smith· Guest0:56
You got a good team.
Sean Kelly· Host0:57
I try to surround myself with great people.
Judah Smith· Guest0:59
Clearly.
Sean Kelly· Host0:59
Yeah.
Judah Smith· Guest0:59
I really do mean that.
Sean Kelly· Host1:00
So you are pretty, like, sensitive though? Like, you pick up on- Yeah, I wish I didn't.
Judah Smith· Guest1:04
Like, yesterday I got into a funk, and so I just went and walked around my, my garden and just tried to, like, I made a few calls- Mm ... prayed with a few friends. Yeah, I just feel stuff. There's a lot to feel these days, too.
Sean Kelly· Host1:15
I've been in a funk lately, dude.
Judah Smith· Guest1:16
Have you?
Sean Kelly· Host1:16
Yeah.
Judah Smith· Guest1:17
What, do you know why?
Sean Kelly· Host1:18
No, I'm trying to figure it out, but, like, I track my health on this Oura Ring.
Judah Smith· Guest1:21
Yeah.
Sean Kelly· Host1:21
So it tells you how long you're stressed every day, and this week I averaged eight hours a day of stress.
Judah Smith· Guest1:26
Bro.
Sean Kelly· Host1:27
So I've been in some mental funk, and I'm trying to-