About this episode
Isolation isn’t just about being alone — it’s a battle in the mind and spirit. Minister Johnny Chang shares how prison, pain, and silence nearly broke him, and what it took to find healing. If you’ve ever felt distant from God or trapped in your thoughts, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Watch/Listen to Unlearned Wisdom on every platform: https://linktr.ee/unlearnedwisdom Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 0:31 – Christian “rizz” 2:30 – Johnny Chang shares the spiritual side of isolation 4:56 – Silent tears in prison after grandfather’s death 6:02 – Johnny Chang on how prison yards are structured 7:25 – Emotional vulnerability in prison — can you open up to homies? 8:30 – Locked up mentally before prison 9:08 – Johnny Chang’s loneliest moments: nights alone in thought 10:20 – When numbness and depression take over 11:18 – Two types of inmates: handling emotional pain 13:15 – Johnny Chang isolates and works out obsessively 16:27 – Is self-isolation for growth healthy or harmful? 21:50 – Did Johnny Chang turn to motivational content? 22:55 – Johnny Chang on suicide attempts 26:00 – Pastor Kim helps Johnny Chang find community 27:30 – “You’re not thinking — you’re listening to Satan” 30:00 – Feeling empty while trying to live right 33:00 – How should believers avoid isolation? 34:35 – Johnny Chang meets a pastor from a rival gang 36:21 – Advice for someone deeply isolated 39:57 – Why sermons matter in spiritual warfare 42:20 – Do what you don’t want to — it grows you 46:00 – Calm a racing mind — drip feed strategy 49:05 – Johnny Chang on Satan’s constant influence 50:10 – Signs of healthy vs toxic community 53:00 – Constructive vs destructive criticism 56:53 – Tempted to go back to the old life? 58:48 – Breaking mental & spiritual isolation 1:06:20 – Q&A starts 1:06:55 – Alone for long periods — how to handle it 1:08:00 – Helping a friend who isolates 1:10:00 – Stopping Satan’s isolating thoughts 1:10:20 – Following vs questioning your thoughts 1:15:00 – Is it okay to go to God first before people? 1:18:30 – Isolation and anger at a toxic workplace 1:24:00 – When someone uses your past to shame you 👾 Join my free Discord to submit your question for a future episode: https://discord.gg/nTuvmutSsU 🐉 Follow Johnny Chang everywhere: https://linktr.ee/johnnychang 🫶 Donate to support our Core of the Heart ministries: https://coreoftheheart.com/pages/donate 💙 For those that want to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible & get closer with God, to unlock true peace and happiness: https://coreoftheheart.com/ 🕊️ Use code WISDOM for 50% off your first month. Core of the Heart is our digital community to support you in getting closer to the true Gospel. Membership includes: Weekly Bible Class with Minister Johnny, hundreds of hours of livestream content, sermons, Q&A's and resources to help you understand the Bible faster. Detailed instructions on how to sign up here: https://shorturl.at/ZuAFD Ps. Don't forget to subscribe to this new channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices