Words matter.

They can wound.
They can heal.
They can remind someone they’re not alone.

In this deeply honest conversation, poet, author, and speaker Tanner Olson joins Zach Zehnder to talk about:

• The power of words to shape identity

   

• What it was like hosting the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in front of 20,000 students

   

• Behind-the-scenes anxiety and a powerful backstage moment with his former youth leader

   

• The impact of being told, “No one will listen to a poet”

   

• Wrestling with infertility, loss, and the heaviness of the last five years

   

• Why “Everything will be okay” needs deeper nuance

   

• The heart behind his new book Getting Through What You’re Going Through

   

Tanner also reads two poems from the book, including the powerful reminder:

“God don’t make mistakes… You are not a mistake.”

This episode is honest, hopeful, and full of encouragement for anyone who feels behind, overwhelmed, or unsure of what comes next.

Toward the end of the episode, Zach and Tanner also share early vision for something new — a potential Lutheran Young Adult Gathering aimed at reaching 18–29 year olds in this critical cultural moment. More details coming soon.

   

Today’s episode is brought to you by Art of Leadership Academy. This community, formed by Carey Nieuwhof, is designed to help church leaders break the barriers that they are facing.

Every year, Carey unveils his annual Church Trends. This year, I’m working with Carey to unpack each of these trends and what they mean for discipleship. 

Join me for FREE inside of his academy Wednesday’s at Noon CT as we look at each one of the 7 trends. I hope I see you inside the Academy.

Resources Mentioned

Getting Through What You’re Going Through by Tanner Olson
Available on Amazon here.

Tanner’s Website: writtentospeak.com
Instagram: @writtentospeak

Lutheran Young Adult Gathering: www.hodosway.com

Key insights from the episode

• Words can shape identity — for good or for harm.

   

• What you create is not for everyone — and that’s okay.

   

• Hope doesn’t deny pain; it sits with it.

   

• “Everything will be okay” is true — but not always today.

   

• Life is not a race, and you are not behind.

   

• Social media amplifies the lie that everyone else is doing better than you.

   

• Gathering together (whether 200 or 20,000) reminds us we’re not alone.

   

• Sometimes ministry looks polished on stage — but backstage requires grace.

Tanner Olson’s Challenge of the Week

Go for a walk.

Talk out loud to God.

No script.
No perfect words.
Just honesty.

See what comes up.

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.