Hey! It's The Luskos

Ep 230: Ed Newton: Why Not You?

Hey! It's The Luskos

Show Notes

Pastor Ed Newton joins Levi and Jennie for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, holy, and deeply healing. From mutual half-Filipino spouses (and the great “Tagalog” debate) to the way Ed grew up as the primary interpreter for his deaf parents, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh—and then suddenly swallow a lump in your throat.

Ed opens up about the hidden “not enough” loop that can follow even the most fruitful ministry, the moment (December 26, 2023) he didn’t want to live anymore, and how God met him in the rebuild through counseling and recovery. Along the way, you’ll hear the powerful origin story behind his book Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You—and why your worst “kryptonite” might just become the very place God writes your greatest strength.

Connect with us on social! Ed: @pastorednewton Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife

[Links] Read Why Not You?: https://bit.ly/49UZBI8 Connect with Pastor Ed: https://bit.ly/4t49zQf Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY

Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe

0:03:10 – College hoops, ministry dreams, and meeting Stephanie 0:05:32 – The interpreter who changed everything: Ed’s salvation story 0:08:04 – Growing up in a deaf home: the miracle backstory 0:17:44 – “God gave you to us”: the moment that reframed his life 0:33:42 – “We found you on YouTube”: the CBC call and the pivot 0:39:18 – December 26, 2023

More from Hey! It's The Luskos

Oct 21, 2026

Your kid sobs one minute and asks to go play the next, and nothing is wrong with them. Counselor Sissy Goff explains why children grieve in doses, like holding their breath underwater, and why even a six-month-old feels the loss. Levi and Jennie share the ice rink moment when two-year-old Daisy spotted a girl with Lenya's hair, plus Levi's one complaint about Sissy's new book: it wasn't written 15 years ago. Bonus: slalom water skiing at 32 mph.

Oct 14, 2026

At 17, Luke Lezon marched into his mom's furniture boutique and announced he didn't believe any of it. She didn't even flinch. Luke joins Levi and Jennie for the story of a 10,000-person Bible study at Texas A&M, a wife he met on Twitter, and how a church split put a 28-year-old young adults pastor in the pulpit every Sunday. Plus Levi looks up what "Gig 'em" actually means, and it is way more violent than anyone expected.

Oct 7, 2026

When John Eldredge met Stasi in drama class, his opening line was "Don't mark me absent." Forty-three years later, Stasi joins Jennie to talk about the monastery bells that pause her ministry's day twice daily, the loss of Brent Curtis just as Wild at Heart was taking shape, and trying on the sentence "I fail, but I am not a failure." Plus a look at her brand new book, The Ladder of Love, out now.

Sep 30, 2026

Some kids get stuck doing the dishes. The Espinosa brothers, Angelo, Michael, and Eric, got music lessons as their chore, so when big brother Angelo pitched starting a band, the answer was a hard no. (Spoiler: they're Strings & Heart now, and they're on a rocket ship.) The Tucson trio tells Levi and Jennie how Jesus made their faith their own, why their first "youth camp" gig was in someone's backyard, and how Angelo moonlighted as their totally legit booking agent, Jonathan. Plus: their new single, How It Feels To Live.

Sep 23, 2026

Josiah Queen and his wife Trinity join Levi and Jennie for their first joint episode — and it's a good one. They trade the story of how a ping pong ball to the back turned into a marriage, get into the making of Josiah's viral hit "Amazing", and Trinity opens up about the year she committed to sharing the gospel every single day — including the time she gave a total stranger her favorite necklace. Plus: a first look at Josiah's new album and a surprise book announcement.

See all episodes →