Rebuilding Sanctuary in the Wake of Trauma: Tim Hawkins & Michael Charles Olson

About this episode

Tim Hawkins and Michael Charles Olson discuss the impact of trauma on faith and the journey of rebuilding sanctuary.

This week, we hear from comedian Tim Hawkins, who shares what it took to build a career on clean, relatable comedy—and the surprising lesson he learned when nearly two decades of constant road life led to complete burnout. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from singer-songwriter and pastor Michael Charles Olson, who shares a life influenced by both worship and wounds. Raised in a church where music and faith were woven into everyday life, Michael reflects on how that early sense of sanctuary was later shaken to its core by a church fire that damaged more than just its walls.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned : Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Becky Thompson Upcoming interview: Jeff Hamilton   Tim Hawkins Fist Bump - Comedy Special by Tim Hawkins   Michael Charles Olson   Rocketown Records Daddy Set the Church on Fire: A Journey Toward Restoration - Book by Michael Charles Olson   Interview Quotes: “I grew up in a very fun family. We laughed a lot. We enjoyed comedy. I didn’t know what it was. I just know it made me feel good, and it was fun to create it and make people…

People in this episode

Guests: Tim Hawkins, Michael Charles Olson

Topics covered

• comedy
• faith
• burnout
• church fire
• restoration
• sanctuary

Keywords

• clean comedy
• Christian comedian
• worship
• trauma
• connection
• church

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Jesus Calling, Rocketown Records

Products: Fist Bump - Comedy Special by Tim Hawkins, Daddy Set the Church on Fire: A Journey Toward Restoration - Book by Michael Charles Olson

More episodes of Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

• [BONUS] Jesus Calling Scripture Study: Mornings in the Bible with Jennifer Dukes Lee · June 9, 2026 · 17 min
• The Gift of a Second Chance: Annie Bosko & Danielle Kartes · June 4, 2026 · 21 min
• Life’s Frailty and God’s Peace: Amy Grant and Andrew Osenga · May 28, 2026 · 34 min
• [JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] God, Help Us Hold Both Sorrow and Hope: Tanner Olson · May 26, 2026 · 9 min
• The Loneliness of Addiction: How We Can Show Up With Love ft. Caroline Beidler & Jonathan Tepper · May 21, 2026 · 26 min
• One Prayer Away From Disaster: Butch Wilmore & Brooke Envick · May 14, 2026 · 26 min