Life Hacks: What I Would Tell My Younger Self Pt. 1, with Greg & Jonathan Laurie
By all accounts, Pastor Greg has led a remarkable life. Looking back though, there are a few “life hacks” he would tell his younger self, which is exactly what today’s special conversation with his son, Jonathan, is all about. On this Thanksgiving week episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg and Jonathan peel back the layers of family legacy, faith, personal growth, gratitude, and redemption—taking a cue from Pastor Greg’s newest book, Life Hacks: Things I Would Tell My Younger Self. Drawing from childhood memories and raw stories of pain and grace, father and son reflect on lessons learned—from the value of wearing sunscreen and flossing your teeth to navigating generational patterns of brokenness and pursuing God’s best through every season.
During their candid conversation Pastor Greg recounts his turbulent upbringing—marked by trauma, frequent moves, and an unpredictable home life—and talks about how God’s grace radically changed the trajectory for him, his family, and generations to come. Jonathan also shares his own journey as a pastor’s kid, how family tragedy shaped his faith, and the encouragement that anyone can break free from patterns of dysfunction.
The episode concludes with 7 actionable “life hacks”: all about putting God first, building a life on the Bible, cultivating gratitude, and practicing forgiveness that sets you free.
Check out Pastor Greg’s newest book, Life Hacks, here: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Hacks-Things-Would-Younger/dp/1617540307.
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Find Pastor Greg on social media:
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:46 What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?
02:03 Investing Advice & Metabolism Realities
05:12 Childhood Trauma and Finding Hope
08:45 Sudden Move to Hawaii & Family Upheaval
11:02 Seeking Jesus Amid Chaos
13:26 God’s Promises Despite Difficult Pasts
17:10 Breaking Generational Patterns—Hope After Addiction
21:27 The Secret: Put God First in Everything
25:31 Bible as the Foundation Amid Moral Relativism
31:18 Power of Prayer Over Worry
35:42 Eat Bacon Every Day—Lesson in Humor
36:42 Having an Attitude of Gratitude in All Circumstances
42:27 Better or Bitter—Turning Pain Into Purpose
44:18 Losing Christopher: Life’s Deepest Pain and Healing
47:08 Leading With Integrity—Lessons from Billy Graham
49:59 Paul and Silas: Singing in Prison Inspires Salvation
51:06 The Power of Forgiveness: Setting Yourself Free
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades, a series of large-scale evangelistic events designed to present the gospel to broad audiences. These events have since drawn more than 11.5 million participants in person and online. In 2012, he launched Harvest America, a nationwide outreach event that utilized HD livestreaming to broadcast to thousands of venues across the United States. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 700,000 documented professions of faith.
A prolific author, Laurie has written over 70 books, including House of David, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Revelation: A Book of Promises, and Jesus Revolution.
His filmography includes Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, Hope for Hurting Hearts, Steve McQueen: American Icon, and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. In 2023, Greg and Cathe Laurie’s life and conversion during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s were depicted in the Lionsgate film Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie.
Greg Laurie has been married to Cathe Laurie for over 51 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit harvest.org
Find Pastory Greg on Instagram
