FROM NASA ENGINEER TO FAITH: The Physics of Trusting God in the dark— with Sean Hayden ❖ 276

Faith isn't powerful because it's big, but because it's alive." —Sean Hayden

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

• The Physics of the Mustard Seed: Why faith isn't powerful because it’s big, but because it is alive.
• The Responsibility Shift: How to move the burden of your breakthrough from your shoulders back to God’s.
• Engineering vs. Kingdom Logic: Tuning into the "frequency" of Heaven and turning down the volume of the world.​

• Love Over Duty: Redefining obedience as a relational response to an audaciously good Father rather than a harsh requirement.
• The Ephesians Activation: A practical prayer for enlightenment and wisdom when you can't see the path ahead.

The Physics of Faith The Mechanics of the Mustard Seed

We often think of faith as a heavy-lifting exercise—a muscle we have to strain to make things happen. But Sean Hayden, a former Boeing engineer who once worked on NASA’s Space Launch System, sees it differently. After years of designing rockets and satellites, Sean discovered that the most powerful "engine" in the universe isn't made of steel and fuel; it’s the mustard seed of faith described in Scripture.
In our recent conversation on the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, Sean brought a unique perspective to the spiritual walk. He reminds us that faith isn't valuable because it’s massive or impressive to others. Its power lies in the fact that it is alive.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, Kristen Wambach sits down with former Boeing engineer Sean Hayden to discuss the practical mechanics of faith through his book, GROW IN THE DARK. Sean shares his journey from designing NASA power systems to surviving near-death experiences, illustrating that faith isn’t powerful because it is big, but because it is alive. They explore the Monday-morning logic of the mustard seed principle, teaching listeners how to shift the responsibility of a breakthrough from their own shoulders back to God. By redefining obedience as a loving response to an audaciously good Father rather than a heavy duty, this conversation helps bridge the gap between current darkness and promised breakthrough. From tuning into the frequency of the Holy Spirit to activating the power of the Ephesians prayer, Sean provides a structural roadmap for anyone who feels buried by life’s circumstances to realize they are actually planted for a great harvest.

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Episode Transcript: FROM NASA ENGINEER TO FAITHKristen Wambach (00:01):
Welcome, welcome family. How are you doing today? This is Kristen from the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, and I’ve got a surprise for you. Every once in a while, you meet someone whose life story feels like a masterclass in the "Monday-morning," get-it-done logic of heaven, where high-level science meets raw and unshakeable faith. Today, I’m sitting down with a man who has designed power systems for NASA, rockets, and satellites, but found his greatest engineering feat was learning how to build a life on the mustard seed principle. Sean Hayden is a former Boeing engineer, a digital marketing expert, and now the author of Grow in the Dark. You’re going to love it; it’s a great book. He’s survived near-death experiences in the air and on the road, walked through the miraculous healing of his son, and is currently running an excavator on a 150-acre dream called Hayden Haven. Sean, you said that our darkest season is actually our growing season and that faith isn’t powerful because it’s big, but because it’s alive. I am so honored to have you here today to help us bridge the gap between our current darkness and the breakthrough God has already promised. Sean, welcome to the show.
Sean Hayden (01:45):
Thanks for having me. I’m real excited to be here.
Kristen Wambach (01:48):
It is, it is. And for my YouTube listeners, there you are—there’s the book. It’s a humdinger. You’re going to love the structure in it; you know me, I’m a structure kind of gal. Sean, you write that faith isn't powerful because it’s big, but because it’s alive. When you were in those near-death moments—that tangled parachute or motorcycle crashes—what did you discover about the aliveness of the faith Jesus placed in you?
Sean Hayden (02:35):
Well, that’s a great question. It all stems back to what happened before. Faith comes by hearing and hearing of the Word of God. Being in the Word gives you the strength to know where your covenant lies and what’s going to help you out at any given point. Knowing that God is always there for you, even if His best interest is taking you out of the world. Growing in the dark is about using your previous faith-building experiences—the times God showed up—and building on those. It doesn't matter how small or big it is; there’s always another step because we never reach full completeness until the end.
Kristen Wambach (04:07):
I say often that God is very interested in our transformation. You use the mustard seed principle as your metaphor. How did Jesus develop your spiritual eyes in those places that seemed dark?
Sean Hayden (04:59):
It’s really about being in the Word. No one sees the seed sprouting in the ground; they just see the fruit. It’s the same for us. No one sees you spending time in your relationship with God in the darkness. You have to be filled with the Word for it to come out. Turning down the volume of the world—bad music, bad TV—and turning up the volume of the Word. Speaking it out loud is way more impactful because it changes the atmosphere. It’s more than academic; it’s a love letter. If I talk to everyone else about my wife but never spend time with her personally, we won’t have a deep relationship. It’s the same with God.
Kristen Wambach (08:16):
The communion becomes a meal that is sustenance to our body. If you haven't partaken of that sustenance, you're missing that communication.
Sean Hayden (09:09):
Exactly. And there’s never an end point. God is full of abundance and over-supply. It’s exciting.
Kristen Wambach (09:34):
I love your quote: "The moment you release your seed into obedience, you shift responsibility from yourself to God." I needed to hear that because, like you, I just released a book. You have to be obedient. What did it feel like when you released your book—your signature that puts you as an author?
Sean Hayden (11:21):
Relief. I knew at that point it was truly not mine anymore. You plant the seeds, you water them, but God makes it grow. Once it’s out there, it is 100% out of your hands. God rewards obedience. I had this epiphany with my daughter writing her name—she only got a few letters right, but I was so proud because I knew her intent. I think God knows our intent, too. Even if we step out and it’s not perfectly what He wanted, He blesses the effort. That led to my huge leap of moving my family with no job security. We were blessed abundantly because I was obedient to that whisper.
Kristen Wambach (15:44):
How did you develop that hunger for wanting to walk out the DNA God planted inside of you?
Sean Hayden (16:22):
I prayed for the desire. I asked God to soften my heart and give me the desire to know Him more. Relationship with God is literally everything. If I had to start over, I would just start praying.
Kristen Wambach (18:15):
I’ve made life choices without asking His opinion, and yet His grace was so sufficient. How has God built in you the sense that there isn't regret—that this is all part of your path?
Sean Hayden (19:24):
I’ve been a weird person my entire life; I never really fit in a box. Since I was a child, I could feel things in the spirit. I’ve always had comfort when I followed that leading, and things went wrong when I didn't. I took weird jumps in my career, but God was guiding me. I didn't give Him enough credit until we moved to Kentucky. I gave up a huge management position to do rocket engineering—which was boring compared to what I did before—but God blessed me because I did what He led me to do. It wasn't God yelling; it was a leading.
Kristen Wambach (25:58):
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, it talks about taking every thought captive. We spend so much time blocking noise, but we need to train ourselves to take His thoughts captive—to hold that whisper in our hearts and let it sprout.
Sean Hayden (26:55):
That is good! I’ve not thought of it that way.
Kristen Wambach (27:16):
You were an engineer at Boeing working on satellites—communication structures. I hear that you are a communication structure as a feeler.
Sean Hayden (28:08):
For sure. As an engineer, I was best at helping the group organize and communicating between rough engineers and softer business people. God helped inside engineering, too. He would tell me where to put effort. He blesses the people around you so that you are blessed.
Kristen Wambach (29:46):
When you feel God moving your faith feet, you feel His goodness. How do you feel that movement, which makes the word "obedience" softer?
Sean Hayden (30:31):
I don’t even view obedience like that anymore. It’s love. If someone you love asks for a cup of water, you don’t think, "How dare you." You just do it. God is the true love. He suggests things out of love, and I respond in kind. If you continue to deny the leadings of God, they get quieter. My mind is louder when I’m out of the Word.
Kristen Wambach (34:14):
Like a satellite, God is always releasing a sound. I had to learn how to listen.
Sean Hayden (35:20):
That’s right. He’s constantly calling you home because He loves you, not because He wants a slave. We are family.
Kristen Wambach (36:46):
I relate to the woman at the well. I had to learn His love first to melt my preconceived notions and harder structures.
Sean Hayden (39:18):
My wife wasn’t saved for most of our relationship. Once she was baptized, the veil was removed. Before, it wouldn't click. I’ve seen the consequences of people stepping away from faith, and it’s scary. I can feel if someone is spirit-filled now; you almost want to hug them because you can feel Jesus in them.
Kristen Wambach (43:37):
God is so audaciously good that He thought about His kids before He ever spoke. We cannot separate His fatherhood from His kids. Sean, how can people connect with you?
Sean Hayden (47:27):
Grow in the Dark is on Amazon. My website is growinthedark.life.
Kristen Wambach (47:54):
If someone feels buried rather than planted, what is one simple activation they can do?
Sean Hayden (48:45):
Pray the Ephesians prayer (Ephesians 1:16-20). Ask for enlightenment, wisdom, and revelation. I will pray that for everyone today. (Sean Prays).
Kristen Wambach (51:22):
Amen. I had a vision while you were praying—you were pushing a grocery cart and pulling resources off the shelves for everyone who hears that prayer. Sean, thank you for joining us today.
Sean Hayden (53:14):
Thank you, I appreciate it.

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Growing in the Dark

The title of Sean’s book, Grow in the Dark, serves as a profound metaphor for the seasons we all face—those times when we feel buried by circumstances, silenced by transition, or blinded by uncertainty. As Sean points out, no one sees a seed sprout. The most vital work happens in the hidden, quiet places where the world isn't watching.
This is what Sean calls "Kingdom logic." In the natural world, we want to see the harvest before we believe the seed is working. In the Kingdom, the growth happens while we are still in the dirt. If you feel buried right now, you might actually be planted.

The Responsibility Shift

One of the most striking moments of the interview was Sean’s "Monday-morning" take on obedience. He says, "The moment you release your seed into obedience, you shift responsibility from yourself to God. Now it’s His job to make it grow."
For many of us, the "wait" is the hardest part. We try to micromanage the outcome, hovering over our "seeds" with anxiety. But when we treat obedience as an act of love rather than a harsh requirement, the burden lifts. We aren't servants trying to earn a paycheck; we are family members acting out of a relationship. When Sean moved his family across the country with no job security, he wasn't just being "obedient"—he was responding to the loving whisper of a Father who had already made provision for him.

The moment you release your seed into obedience, you shift responsibility from yourself to God." —Sean Hayden

CONNECT WITH SEAN HAYDEN

In Grow in the Dark, Sean Hayden shares what it looks like to believe God for miracles when nothing seems to be changing. This book is about what happens after you plant the seed and explores the reasons that keep most people from planting one in the first place.

Website Sean Hayden

Facebook Sean Hayden

Have you ever felt like God gave you a promise—but then it took forever to see it come to pass?

You believe He can do the impossible, but struggle to believe you’re capable of carrying the vision through to the end. It’s not that you don’t want the breakthrough—it’s that you can’t wrap your mind around how it’s going to work out in the end. That fear of the unknown has kept you from believing that seed of faith you’ve planted will ever actually grow.

The tiny seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be covered with dirt, buried in darkness, and struggle to reach the light." — Sandra Kring

Turning Up the Volume of the Word

Sean’s background in engineering communication structures (satellites) gives him a unique view of how we "receive" from God. God is always speaking—like a satellite constantly broadcasting a signal—but our "reception" depends on what we choose to tune into.
To hear the whisper of the Spirit, we have to intentionally turn down the volume of the world—the secular noise, the "rough language" of our environments, and the loud thoughts of our own minds—and turn up the volume of the Word. Sean advocates for speaking the Word out loud. Why? Because it changes the atmosphere. It reminds our bodies and our spirits who is in charge.

The "Toddler" Perspective

In one of the most touching stories of the episode, Sean recalled his daughter learning to write her name. She only got two letters right before scribbling the rest, but as a father, he celebrated it as a masterpiece. He knew her intent.
God looks at our faith the same way. We might feel like we’re scribbling, but He sees the heart. We are seated in heavenly places, not because we’ve mastered the "mechanics" of religion, but because we are His kids.

COACHING CHURCH
​ACTIVATION: THE RESPONSIBILITY SHIFT

If you are standing in a dark season today, don't focus on the darkness. Focus on the enlightenment. Sean’s final call to action was to pray the "Ephesians Prayer" (Ephesians 1:16-20). Ask for the eyes of your heart to be enlightened. Trust that the Father who thought of you before the world began is currently tending to the seed you’ve planted.
Your harvest is coming. It’s just growing in the dark for now.

In his book GROW IN THE DARK, Sean Hayden reminds us of a powerful "Monday-morning" truth: The moment you release your seed into obedience, you shift the responsibility from yourself to God. Most of us are exhausted because we are trying to do God's job. We plant the seed, but then we try to "micromanage" the soil, "hustle" the sprout, and "worry" the harvest into existence. This activation is designed to help you physically and spiritually transfer the burden of the "how" and "when" back to the Father.
THE ACTION STEP:

1. Identify the "Seed": Write down one area of your life where you have been obedient (a project, a prayer, a transition, or a relationship), but you are currently carrying the stress of the outcome.
2. The Hand-Off: Find a physical seed, a small stone, or even a piece of paper. Hold it tightly in your hand. Feel the tension in your grip—this represents your "hustle" and anxiety.
3. The Prayer of Release: Open your hand and place that object on a table or in the dirt. Speak this out loud:

"Father, I have been obedient to plant this. According to your Word, it is now your responsibility to make it grow. I release the 'how' and the 'when' to You. I am the planter; You are the Life-Giver. I choose to rest in the dark, knowing You are working where I cannot see."
THE MONDAY-MORNING OUTCOME: For the next seven days, every time an anxious thought about this situation arises, say: "That is no longer my responsibility; it’s in the Father’s garden." Watch how your energy shifts from "striving" to "tending" your own peace.
THE ANCHOR:

• "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." — 1 Corinthians 3:6

FINAL SUMMARY

In this episode of the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, Kristen Wambach and author Sean Hayden bridge the gap between NASA-level engineering and raw, unshakeable faith. Exploring the core message of his book, GROW IN THE DARK, Sean reveals that our darkest seasons aren’t graves meant to bury us, but gardens meant to plant us. By applying "Monday-morning" logic to the mustard seed principle, the conversation explores how to shift the burden of your breakthrough back to God, turning down the volume of the world to hear the constant signal of the Holy Spirit.
Sean’s journey—from surviving motorcycle crashes to running an excavator on his 150-acre dream—serves as a powerful reminder that obedience is simply a loving response to an audaciously good Father. If you are ready to move from striving to resting in the "physics of trust," this episode is your roadmap.
Connect & Grow. We’d love to hear how this episode helped you shift your perspective today. Connect with Sean at growinthedark.life to grab his book and activations. For more soul-stirring conversations and lifestyle tools to help you live Spiritually BRAVE, visit KristenWambach.com or join our community in the Coaching Church. Let’s bridge the gap between heaven and earth together.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." — Martin Luther King Jr.

MEET THE AUTHOR & PODCASTER

"Hi, I’m Kristen Wambach, the host of the Interviewing Jesus Podcast and the author of The Spiritually BRAVE Journey.
My own path to supernatural wisdom and sonship began much like this picture—on the deck of this 40 ft sailboat, looking out at the vast Pacific Northwest horizon and asking big questions about faith, risk, and what it truly means to follow Jesus into the deep. As a transformation coach, podcaster, and author, my passion is helping people navigate the gap between their current season and the breakthrough God has promised.

"God is so much "Gooder" than our current bandwidth about Him." 

 This interview with Sean Hayden, the author of GROW IN THE DARK, is a powerful reminder that our darkest seasons are actually our greatest growing seasons.
So grab a cup of coffee and your journal, and let’s dive into what it means to be Spiritually BRAVE."