Hey, are you still there?: Life at the intersection of Marriage, Family, Careers, and Ministry.

We made it to Episode 100! 🎉

To celebrate this milestone, we’re turning the microphones over to YOU as we answer some of our favorite listener-submitted questions. From the secrets to a lasting marriage to parenting adult children, mission trip memories, empty nesting, and even one of the most important questions ever asked… What type of bear is best? 🐻

In this special episode of Hey, Are You Still There?, Mike and Beth share honest stories, practical marriage advice, plenty of laughter, and a few playful jabs at each other along the way.<...

In this episode of Hey, Are You Still There?, Mike and Beth take you along on their trip to Decatur, Georgia, where Beth gets her first look at her new role at Emory University and the beautiful Emory campus.

Along the way, they explore some of Atlanta’s most popular attractions, including the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Georgia Aquarium, the fascinating Ancient Egypt exhibit, and the Atlanta Zoo. They also share their reactions to th...

What do booth seating preferences reveal about a marriage? More than you might think.

In this episode of Hey, Are You Still There?, Mike and Beth explore a surprisingly heated relationship debate: should couples sit across from each other or on the same side of the booth? What begins as a funny conversation about marriage quickly becomes a deeper discussion about communication, connection, and what it means to truly be present with the people you love in the middle of busy careers, family life, ministry, and endless distractions.

Mike also takes listeners behind the scenes...

In this episode of the Hey, Are You Still There? podcast, Mike and Beth Gianopulos discuss Beth’s first week at her new job after spending more than 20 years with the same organization. They explore the emotional challenges of a major career transition, the realities of remote work onboarding, and how professional change impacts marriage, family life, and personal identity.

The conversation dives into the unexpected emotions that come with leaving a long-term workplace, the lack of closure that can accompany a remote job transition, and the challenges of learning new systems, technology, and workplace culture. Beth sh...

On this special travel episode of the Hey, Are You Still There? podcast, Mike and Beth share a detailed recap of their unforgettable trip to Budapest, Hungary, one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic destinations. Join them as they explore the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture through a guided walking tour of Budapest’s iconic neighborhoods.

From visits to breathtaking cathedrals and the historic Dohány Street Synagogue to powerful experiences at the Hospital in the Rock Museum and the House of Terror Museum, Mike and Beth di...

Beth returns to the podcast this week to join Mike for a fun and unpredictable conversation covering everything from stand-up comedy and travel adventures to movies, fitness, and marriage. The two revisit Mike’s recent podcast rants, recap the results of a weekend 5K race, and share their thoughts on Toy Story 5.

Mike also provides an update on his journey through the Ultimate Comic Challenge at The Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, while Beth recounts the highlights and lowlights of her recent European vacation. From unforgettable experiences abroad to a near-confrontation with a fellow ai...

Mike is back from an unforgettable family trip across Europe—although Beth is still overseas! In this week’s episode, Mike shares highlights from traveling through Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, breaking down the best food, friendliest people, favorite destinations, and the reality of walking far more miles than expected. He also compares different modes of European travel and offers honest insights from the family’s international vacation experience.

Back home, Mike recounts a heated confrontation with an American Airlines employee and gives his side of the story. He also weighs in on...

Mike flies solo this week on the podcast, sharing an update on his ambitious “Big 12” goals for 2026 and the progress he’s making toward achieving them. He also takes listeners behind the scenes of his songwriting journey, discussing how he wrote his first two original songs and used artificial intelligence music tools to bring them to life.

From goal setting and creativity to AI-generated music and personal growth, this episode offers an inside look at Mike’s latest projects and challenges. Stick around until the end to hear both songs in their entirety and decide for yourself: has Mike...

On this week’s episode of Hey, Are You Still There?, Beth returns to the podcast as she and Mike take a fascinating deep dive into the history, traditions, and campus legends of Emory University, Beth’s new employer. From mysterious college secret societies and longstanding university lore to the debate over Emory’s true mascot, they uncover some of the most interesting stories surrounding one of America’s top private universities.

Along the way, Beth explains why her new role has her avoiding the sun, while Mike and Beth recap their recent night se...

On this week’s episode of Hey, Are You Still There?, Mike shares exciting family and career updates as Beth prepares to begin her new position at Emory University. He also recaps a fun trip with Maria to see WWE Raw live, dives into the unique interests and hobbies kids develop — and how parents can encourage and support them — and gives a behind-the-scenes look at his latest board game convention experience at ReCon. Plus, Mike wraps up the episode by sharing stories from his recent stand-up comedy performance in the Ultimate Comic Challenge at The Idiot Box in Greensboro.

I...

This week on Hey, Are You Still There?, Mike and Beth share two life-changing announcements that mark the beginning of a brand-new season. Beth opens up about leaving the career she’s dedicated more than 20 years to as she steps into an exciting new role at a medical school. From the recruitment process and job interviews to the emotional challenge of resigning from a long-time workplace, Beth gives listeners an honest look at career transition, professional growth, and trusting God through major life decisions.

Meanwhile, Mike celebrates 30 years in ministry by announcing a three-month sabbatical from pastoral le...

Beth is back on the podcast as she and Mike dive into a hilarious and thought-provoking Mother’s Day discussion, debating what role moms actually play in the holiday. They also share the story of their unexpected adventure rescuing a wounded woodpecker, compare two of the greatest TV dramas of all time — Breaking Bad vs. Better Call Saul — and talk about a brand-new comedy concept called “The Promised Land,” a mashup of The Chosen and The Office.

To wrap things up, Beth reflects on her 25-year career as a lawyer, while she and Mike discuss career changes, entreprene...

In this solo episode, Mike recaps a high-energy weekend packed with comedy, faith, and unexpected opportunities. From performing at the Kernersville Spring Folly festival to launching the new Praise & Punchlines tour with Taylor, Mike shares behind-the-scenes stories, crowd reactions, and standout moments. Plus, hear how a surprise booking at a local baseball stadium and his unexpected PGA debut made this weekend one to remember.

If you love clean comedy, faith-based entertainment, live event stories, and behind-the-scenes insights from a touring comedian, this episode delivers humor, heart, and plenty of laughs.

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the podcast, Mike and Beth recap their unforgettable mission trip to Roatan, Honduras, sharing a mix of heartfelt, hilarious, and eye-opening stories from the field. From Beth leading a powerful bilingual women’s conference to Mike’s chaotic (and humbling) experience in the church nursery, this episode is packed with real-life ministry moments.

They also dive into meaningful home visits with local residents, late-night octopus hunting adventures, an all-day island parade, and even an unexpected hospital visit for Mike. If you’re interested in mission trips, church planting, faith-based travel, or behind-the-scenes ministry stories, this e...

This week on the podcast, Mike and Beth are joined by their good friend James Mitchell for a special on-location episode recorded during a mission trip to Roatan, Honduras. In this engaging and thought-provoking conversation, they dive into topics like church planting in Oklahoma, international adoption from Haiti, and the real-life highs and lows of ministry. They also share behind-the-scenes insights on serving with Legacy Missions International, offering a firsthand look at global missions, faith-based outreach, and life on the mission field. Perfect for listeners interested in Christian missions, nonprofit work, and authentic ministry experiences.

Send us...

On this week’s episode, Mike and Beth dive into relationships, marriage dynamics, and the human need for connection, exploring whether they thrive in solitude or depend on social interaction. They unpack the differences between introverts and extroverts, as well as internal vs. external processing styles, and how those differences impact communication in marriage.

The couple recaps a busy weekend, including a book club that turned into a deep dive on conspiracy theories, plus a relaxing visit to a local North Carolina winery. They also reflect on childhood church experiences, discussing how many Bible stories were sanitized fo...

This week, Mike and Beth dive into the latest Artemis moon mission and discuss how broken trust, misinformation, and proven lies can make it harder to believe future truth. From a Christian perspective, they explore why integrity, honesty, and discernment matter in today’s culture.

They also recap a busy Easter weekend filled with family traditions, church activities, and one important parenting debate: when is the right time to stop giving your kids Easter baskets? Married couples and parents will definitely relate to the conversation about growing kids, changing family dynamics, and holding onto meaningful traditions.

...

This week on the podcast, Mike and Beth share insights from Beth’s recent women’s retreat, including how she chooses a retreat theme, creates meaningful content, and delegates responsibilities to build a strong team. They also discuss how their leadership styles have changed over the years and why micromanaging and control often reveal a lack of trust in leadership.

Mike talks about his visit to the new Dutch Bros Coffee and gives his perspective on the growing trend of faith deconstruction in today’s culture. The conversation also dives into the four sides of social media Mike—w...

Beth is back on the podcast this week as she and Mike break down the highs and lows of stand-up comedy—from bombing at an open mic to going viral with a Threads comment and landing a surprise comedy booking. If you’re interested in stand-up comedy, open mic tips, and viral social media moments, this episode delivers real behind-the-scenes insight.

Beth also shares her review of the new hit film Project Hail Mary, sparking a conversation about the decline of movie theater attendance, the future of Hollywood, and how the film industry can adapt in a chan...

This week Mike’s flying solo while Beth recovers from a relaxing family vacation at Kiawah Island. Mike takes a deep dive into the Gianopulos family’s recent spring break trip to Kiawah Island, sharing why this South Carolina beach has become one of their favorite travel destinations and what makes it such a special place for families.

You’ll also hear the story behind a big (and historic) Gianopulos family trivia night victory—something that had never happened before.

Mike then shares some exciting updates from his stand-up comedy journey, including big news on the come...

In this episode of “Hey, Are You Still There?”, Mike and Beth recap a packed weekend full of wins, laughs, and a brand-new adventure. Mike shares the story behind the compliments on his physique, a successful garage door repair, and an exciting award win for their nonprofit organization.

The highlight of the episode is Mike’s first-ever stand-up comedy showcase, where he steps onto the stage and tries his hand at live comedy. He breaks down the entire experience—from preparing material and facing the nerves of performing stand-up for the first time to how the crowd actually...

Note: The audio quality isn’t our best this week (it happens!), but the content and conversation are absolutely worth it.

On this episode of Hey, Are You Still There?, Mike and Beth dive into real-life marriage moments, faith conversations, and pop culture commentary with their signature humor and honesty.

The show kicks off with an agitated Beth navigating morning stress (and naturally blaming Mike), leading into a lively discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) and how emerging technology is shaping everyday life and faith conversations.

From there, Mike and Beth tackle a thought-provoking to...

Mike and Beth are back with a fun, relatable episode packed with stories about marriage, family life, faith, and humor. This week, they recap their Valentine’s Day gifts and date night adventures, share what it’s really like buying a new (used) car, and dive into the meaning of the Lenten season—including what Beth is giving up and taking on for Lent. Mike also talks about his stand-up comedy class experience, plus a recent comedy club outing with Joshua. They wrap things up with a hilarious debate about dinosaurs, time travel, and whether their friend might actually be fro...

Mike and Beth return for a special Valentine’s Day podcast episode packed with humor, trivia, and unexpected twists. Beth shares why she can’t stand Valentine’s Day, sparking a funny and relatable discussion about the holiday’s highs and lows. The conversation takes a surprising turn into Friday the 13th superstitions and folklore, before Mike dives into fascinating Valentine’s Day history, fun facts, and traditions you’ve probably never heard.

The duo also plays a hilarious version of The Newlywed Game, testing how well they really know each other, and wrap up with a lighthearted...

Fourteen inches of snow on a sheet of ice set the tone for a month of chaos—school closures, missed plans, and a toaster scare. We needed a reset, and found it in the most focused place imaginable: a four-day, 1,200-person board game convention where creativity, patience, and play run the show. We dive into TantrumCon from a first-timer’s view and a veteran’s lens, exploring what happens when you trade notifications for rulebooks and sit with strangers who become teammates.

We share the magic of learning straight from the source: playing Castles of Mad King Ludwig...