Real Talk
Real Talk is a podcast presented by Reformed Perspective focused on having meaningful and honest conversations with subject experts about the various challenges and issues facing the Reformed church community. Hosted by Lucas Holtvluwer and Tyler Vanderwoude, Real Talk aims to inform your discussions and inspire you to have challenging but important conversations with fellow Christians in the spirit of brotherly love.
Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
On August 1st, Veya Hope VanderBrugghen was taken home to her Heavenly Father. Joining us to tell Veya’s story is her mom, Krystal VanderBrugghen. Although recorded in July, Krystal and her husband, Jeremy, supported us in still releasing this episode as they seek to honour their daughter’s life by bringing to light the injustices they faced in her care. Their hope is to help other families in similar situations and to work towards making a change to a system that doesn’t view every life as precious and valuable. You can learn more by following Krystal on Instagram @krystallynne.vdb
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday Aug 11, 2025
Ep. 129 - Ditching The Psalms Dismantles Doctrine - Peter Holtvlüwer
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Do we prioritize the Psalms in worship, or do we prefer hymns? Does this mean anything when it comes to theological drift? Joining Lucas for this father-son conversation is Pastor Peter Holtvlüwer, the editor of the Christ Psalms, Our Psalms resources. We address some common objections to the primacy of Psalm singing and even delve into some of the decisions made at the last CanRef synod regarding music in worship. Let us know what you think!
Be sure to check out the Christ’s Psalms, Our Psalms resources!
As mentioned, we are seeking a new studio space in the Ancaster/Brantford area. If you have any leads, please email realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. We’d love to hear from you!
BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Ep. 128 - Is Your Marriage Missing Christ? - Matt King
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Why is marriage so hard? If you're single, does marriage scare you? We are grateful to have our friend, Pastor Matt King, join us to discuss the real struggles in marriage, but also the real hope we find in God’s beautiful design, which points us to the glory and grace found in Christ. We hope this episode encourages you to see the goodness and beauty of marriage in whatever season you’re in.
Check out Insight Biblical Counselling and Broomtree Care. They are willing and able to help. Be sure to send your thoughts, questions and concerns to realtalk@reformedperspective.ca.
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/ We'd love to hear from you.
Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday Jul 14, 2025
Ep. 127 - CCBR: Prophets For The Preborn - Nick and Maaike Rosendal
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Is it possible to make abortion unthinkable? Joining Tyler to answer this question are Nick and Maaike Rosendal from the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Relief. We discuss what CCBR is, their strategies and why they believe graphic abortion images and apologetical arguments are the most effective tools in changing people’s minds. We also explore reasons to be hopeful in the pro-life fight. We hope this episode inspires and encourages you to think about how you can be a voice for the voiceless.
To learn more and to get involved, be sure to check out CCBR at www.endthekilling.ca
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/ We'd love to hear from you.
Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Ep. 126 - Mere Economics & The Issue of Tariffs - Dr. Caleb Fuller
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Does the Bible have anything to say about economics? How should Christians think about the current trade wars? Join Lucas and Economics Professor, Dr. Caleb Fuller, for a discussion on his book, Mere Economics. We address many of these hot-button issues, as well as how to think critically about the economic decisions we make every day, whether we realize it or not.
Want to learn more? Let us know if you want a part 2 of this conversation, and be sure to pick up a copy of Mere Economics.
BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/ We'd love to hear from you.
Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday Jun 16, 2025
Ep. 125 - What Are Deacons For? - Dr. Cornelis Van Dam
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Joining us for a two-part series on the office bearers of the Church is returning guest, Dr. Van Dam. We discuss his book, The Deacon, examining the biblical foundations for the ministry of mercy, the arguments for and against deaconesses, and how we can effectively support the work of deacons in our own churches. We hope this episode gives you a revived appreciation for the deaconry as they carry out the work of Christ amongst the needy.
Be sure to check out the list of related resources below.
The Deacon.
Ep. 122 - Money Doesn't Heal Poverty
0:00 - Intro
4:00 - Old Testament
13:30 - New Testament
23:00 - Voting vs. Casting Lots
25:00 - Qualifications
27:00 - Deaconess
36:00 - How Women Serve
40:00 - Deacons are not second-class
46:30 - Consistory vs. Council
50:00 - Separation of Budget and Deaconry
54:00 - Deacon’s & the Lord’s Supper
57:00 - Giving in the Worship Service
1:01:00 - Deacons as Stewards
1:11:00 - Family First
1:19:00 - The State
BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday Jun 02, 2025
Ep. 124 - Making Real Talk Real: Just Do Something - Lucas & Tyler
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
It’s one thing to have "real talk", but it’s another to actually apply it to life. It has been a while since we last got together so we thought it was time to do a special round-up recapping how these last six months of episodes have impacted our lives. Using the theme from the well-known book Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung we chat about how we are all called to do something and how Real Talk has been helping us do this. We hope the same is true for you! If you haven’t yet, be sure to read Just Do Something. It is well worth your time!
0:00 - Intro
3:46 - Just Do Something
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday May 19, 2025
Ep. 123 - Christians Don't Retire - Bruce Bruinsma
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
An episode for all ages! Joining us all the way from Colorado is Bruce Bruinsma from Retirement Reformation. We chat about how retirement is different when you’re a Christian, why young people should prepare now and how there is purpose in every stage of life. Let us know what you think!
Be sure to check out Retirement Reformation for more resources!
And be sure to check out these RP articles on Retirement here:
"Christians Don't Retire"
"Seniors - Florida Does Not Exist"
0:00 - Introduction
9:29 - Understanding God’s Plan
17:00 - Defining Retirement
20:00 - How Should Young People Prepare?
25:50 - Life Stages
36:00 - Common Issues
43:00 - Purpose in Retirement
55:00 - Snowbird Culture
A BIG THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR, NEERALTA, BUILDERS OF GRAIN STORAGE AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW. NEERLATA.COM!
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday May 05, 2025
Ep. 122 - Money Doesn't Heal Poverty - Rick Postma
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Joining us for this important conversation is Word & Deed’s, Rick Postma. We chat about what poverty is, Word & Deed’s approach, and how the West's approach is not the fix it seems to be. We also discuss global persecution and the power of prayer. Be sure to listen all the way through to hear some amazing stories of how God is working around the world.
Check out Word & Deed here!
0:00 - Rick’s Story
8:00 - What is Poverty?
18:00 - View of Self
30:00 - How Word & Deed Helps
36:30 - Western Approach
55:17 - Corrupt Government
1:07:50 - Persecution
1:24:00 - Bad Ideas
1:23 - Supporting Word and Deed
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!

Monday Apr 21, 2025
Ep. 121 - Be Strong & Act Like Men! - Al Bezuyen & Tyler Witthoeft
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
This one has been a long time coming! Honoured to be joined by returning guest Pastor Al Bezuyen and our new friend, Tyler Witthoeft. In the context of their stories, we chat about young men’s struggles and the importance of discipleship in developing godly men who lead well. Gospel-centred and saturated, we hope this episode inspires you to think more deeply on what it means to be a godly man.
If you want to hear more about Pastor Al’s story, check out Episode 9 of Real Talk.
0:00 - Intro
3:14 - Tyler’s Story
10:00 - Discipleship
32:00 - A Godly man
56:00 - Devotions
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at realtalk@reformedperspective.ca. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!