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Maybe you’ve grown up as a Christian going to church or maybe you’re not interested in religion at all. But when you’re scrolling, hanging out with friends, trying to sleep, or overwhelmed with your day-to-day, do big existential questions ever pop in- you know- things like, “Why am I here? How did all this get here? What happens after I die?” “Is there a God and is there really meaning to all this?” ”What’s so special about Jesus Christ?”
We’ve all experienced deep longing for something this world can’t seem to satisfy.
Even someone as wildly successful as Taylor Swift knows that to be true. “I had won album of the year at the Grammys for a second time...” She said, “and I remember thinking afterwards, ’Oh my god, that was all you wanted!... That was all you focused on. You get to the mountaintop and look around and you’re like... what now?”
If you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed with all the different voices yelling for your affections- telling you what to go after- whether it be success, beauty, the perfect partner, social media followers, money, or power… only to leave you let down and unsatisfied, searching for more… Maybe like my friends and me, you’re after finding something REAL.
Every week, join me (Janell Wood), special co-hosts and guests as we ask questions, look for answers, and search for the source of something REAL: Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love. I believe those things can ultimately be found in relationship with Jesus Christ, but don’t take my word for it. Listen to our conversations for yourself and go on a journey with us: Is Jesus the REAL thing?
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Happy Wednesday!
Today, Janell and this month's co-host, Gaia from Italy, have a meaningful conversation with Dr. Erik Thoennes about the character of God. Erik shares about his passion for working with college students. He also shares about theology and why he believes knowing God is so important for every single person. Erik shares practical ways of cultivating a deeper relationship with God and what he knows of God's character. Gaia asks questions about God's view of love and sexuality. Erik shares about what the scriptures say regarding human sexuality and God's design, Biblical authority, and also shares how he engages with people who disagree with the Bible. There is also some extended discussion about pride, sin, and God's plan of salvation. We hope you enjoy the episode!
About Dr. Thoennes:
Erik Thoennes has been a husband for 34 years, the father of 2 daughters and 2 sons. He is a professor of theology at Biola University. He is committed to teaching biblical and systematic theology so that he and his students love God and people more fully. He strives to make the necessary connections between the study of theology, obedience to Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commission. He has taught theology and evangelism at the college and seminary levels for several years and is a frequent guest speaker at churches, conferences and retreats, in addition to co-pastoring a local church (Grace Evangelical Free Church of La Mirada). Thoennes has received the University award for faculty excellence and professor of the year.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
FSR: Gaia’s Intro
Godly Jealousy: A Theology of Intolerant Love - Dr. Erik Thoennes
Biola University
The Character of God - Dr. Erik Thoennes (video lecture)
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
We are delighted to introduce Gaia, April’s co-host, to you today! Gaia shares about her life in Italy, the affect grief has had in her life, how she got connected with Janell, and so much more!
We hope you enjoy the episode!
This month, we are going to address a few of Gaia’s questions including:
- How are people supposed to view other belief systems? How will those people be judged by God?
- How does God feel about relationships that do not glorify Him?
- What will happen if we make a big sin? How will God judge us?
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
Are you interested in having Janell speak at your event? Click here!
Interested in being on the podcast? Click here!
EF High School Exchange Year
Introducing Lucrezia: Her Story and Faith Questions (2021)
FSR March 2021 - Lu and Drew
FSR March 2021 - Lu and Terrian
FSR March 2021 - Lu and Stephanie
FSR March 2021 - Lu and Brenna
FSR March 2021 - Lu and Allen
FSR - Episode about Sexuality with Zach Verrett
FSR- Episode about Reliability of the Bible with Greg Koukl
FSR - Episode about Other Belief Systems with Mishelle Oh
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Happy Wednesday!
Today, through Grayce could not join the recording, Janell sits down with Joseph Robinson. Joseph shares about his love for getting off the grid and how he got into apologetics. Joseph also shares a bit of his faith journey—his experience growing up in a Christian home and how an identity crisis affected his walk with God and how his relationship with God changed when he became more involved in a church community.
They also talk about suffering. Joseph shares about the suffering he’s witnessed in his life. They also talk about how apologetics can be helpful in understanding who God is, the intellectual and emotional viewpoints of suffering, and so much more. We hope you enjoy the episode!
About Joseph:
Husband, pastor and father of five, Joseph is a passionate apologist on the East Coast of Central Florida. He currently serves as a Chapter Director for Space Coast Stand to Reason (STR Outpost) and the Space Coast Chapter of Reasonable Faith Ministries.
Joseph is the founder and president of Overland Apologetics, Inc. a brand-new ministry that combines vehicle camping “off the grid” with compelling sessions teaching tactical ways to understand and defend the Christian World View.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
FSR: Grayce’s Intro
FSR: Grayce & Ryan
FSR: Grayce & Jon
FSR: Grayce & Katie
FSR August 2020 with Josh White
FSR: April 2021 with Josh White
FSR: December 2022 with Josh White
Overland Apologetics
Overland Apologetics - Instagram
What is Overlanding? (Wiki)
Stand to Reason
Reasonable Faith
Cross-Examined Instructor's Academy
Ratio Christi
Dr. Frank Turek
J Warner Wallace
Brett Kunkle
Greg Koukl
Bobby Conway
Sean McDowell
Alisa Childers
Natasha Crain
The Jesus Revolution
The Story of Reality - Greg Koukl
The Betrayers - Tim Keller Sermon
The Rope Sermon - Francis Chan on Eternity
What’s Wrong With The World? - G. K. Chesterton
Frank Turek speaking at the University of Vermont
Luke 7:36-50 (NKJV)
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
So he said, “Teacher, say it.”
“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Happy Wednesday!
Today, though Grayce could not join us, Katie Bulmer chats with Janell on the podcast. She shares about her faith journey and how her pursuit of earthly things led her ultimately to pursue God instead. She shares about her passion for speaking with college women and how the story of how the woman at the well encouraged her. Katie shares how she and her husband used a swimming pool to share the Gospel with their daughters, the ups and downs of running a Christian social media account that tends to go viral, why she’s not afraid of faith questions, and more! We hope you enjoy this episode!
About Katie Bulmer
Katie, her husband and two daughters live in the mountains of Chattanooga, TN, she has been a speaker to over 70 colleges nationwide and host of the Truth for your Twenties Podcast. Her passion is to be who she needed when she was younger.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
FSR: Grayce’s Intro
FSR: Grayce & Ryan
FSR: Grayce & Jon
Katie Bulmer's website
Katie’s Tiktok and Instagram
Truth for your Twenties Podcast
Sorority Girls Can Change the World - Katie Bulmer
Disciple Now
Atomic Habits
Grounding
Editing is Everything
Live Change Continues after Asbury Revival - Addie Smith
Jesus Revolution
The Creation Museum
The Ark Museum
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Happy Wednesday!
Today, though Grayce could not join the recording, Janell sits down with Jon Noyes to chat about a few of Grayce’s questions about hell and eternal punishment. First, Jon shares about how he came to belief in Christ. He talks about his life before Christ and how his life has become different afterwards. They then get into a discussion about hell, punishment, sin, and more. They discuss the holiness of God, the human senses of Justice, and what happens when someone who didn’t get the opportunity to hear about God dies. They also chat about emotionalism, relativism, and other cultural trends. We hope you enjoy this episode!
About Jonathan Noyes
Jonathan has worked as a speaker with Stand to Reason since 2019. A former atheist, Jonathan used to think belief in God was unwarranted and irresponsible. Then, after examining the evidence for Christianity he was faced with the fact that Jesus is who He says He is and the Christian worldview tells the true story of reality. Since then Jon has been passionate about engaging the culture with honest, well thought-out reasons why people should trust the Christian worldview. Jon has developed a series of passionate talks to do just that.
In 2013 Jonathan earned a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, graduating with honors. Jon brings a unique perspective to his audiences and the Stand to Reason team, having more than ten years' experience in the legal field and serving more than five as a pastor in his local church. Jon also serves on the board of directors for Life Without Limbs and at Beacon Hill Classical Academy, where he teaches discipleship.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
Are you interested in having Janell speak at your event? Click here!FSR s5e17 Totti’s Intro Episode
FSR: Grayce’s Intro
FSR: Grayce & Ryan
FSR October 2021 with Greg Koukl
Jon Noyes - Stand To Reason
Jon's talk about suicide (YouTube)
Life Without Limbs
Biola University
NLT Beginners' Bible
Tactics - Greg Koukl
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
"'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver; 'don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.'"
1 Peter 3:15
Romans 10:14-15
John 3:16
2 Corinthians 5:20
Psalm 55:12-15 (English Standard Version)
”For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng. Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.”
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
Today, Ryan Dobson joins the conversation! He shares his story of growing up as the son of a Christian celebrity and how that influenced his life (for better and for worse). Ryan shares about his coming to faith at a young age and the various twists and turns it took to get to where he is now in his faith. They talk a lot about church hurt and faith deconstruction, suffering, dealing with the failures of people (particularly Christians), what to do when in crisis, the significance of the Psalms, the types of friendships you want to cultivate, and so much more.
We hope you enjoy this episode!
About Ryan Dobson
Parenting expert Ryan Dobson grew up as the son of another parenting expert, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson. His high-profile family life afforded Ryan a unique view on the world, because security was always a factor the Dobson family had to consider. Ryan, and with his wife Laura host the REBEL Parenting Podcast and speak around the country in churches, strengthening families and marriages. In this work, they’ve watched as parents have become more and more concerned with the safety of their kids. In response to this, they founded HomeSafe, a new church-based program empowering families with the strategies and tools they need to be willing, able, and ready to combat the dangers facing families today.
The author of six books-including multiple best-sellers-Ryan is a Radio Host, has an iTunes Top 20 podcast, has spoken before more than one million people around the world, and has appeared in numerous major media outlets including FOX News, Huckabee, The Wall Street Journal (print edition), and more. In his spare time you can find Ryan hunting, fishing and spending time with family. He and his wife Laura live in Colorado Springs with their two children.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
Are you interested in having Janell speak at your event? Click here!FSR s5e17 Totti’s Intro Episode
FSR August 2021 with Hans and Janel
FSR April 2022 with Cynthia and Drew
REBEL parenting podcasting
Summit Ministries
Passion Conference
Biola University
Ravi Zacharias' funeral
Truth Changes Everything - Dr. Jeff Myers
Brené Brown
Psalm 55:12-15 (English Standard Version)
”For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng. Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.”
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Welcome to Season 6 of the Finding Something REAL Podcast! We are delighted to introduce Grayce, March’s co-host, to you today! Grayce shares about being raised in a loving Christian home, giving her life to Christ and being baptized, and seeing her mom as a wonderful model of faith. She also shares about a few things that made her feel as if church was not where she wanted to be and what has lead her to take a different approach to her faith.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
This month, we are going to address a few of Grayce’s questions including:
- Why does God allow people to suffer? Why would He allow it when He can end suffering?
- How can a loving God send people who have never heard of Him to hell? If we have free will, but don’t follow him, does that mean we will be eternally damned?
- What is God like? What was His role before creating the universe?
- How can we respond to church hurt?___________________
We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
Are you interested in having Janell speak at your event? Click here!
Interested in being on the podcast? Click here!
Janell’s Blog
Bob's Corn
MAVEN
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Apologist Abdu Murray joins the podcast today! Though Totti could not be present for this recording, two other wonderful young women, Zoe and Leonie, join Janell and Abdu!
Abdu shares his story of growing up Muslim, how he came to pursue Christianity, and what ultimately solidified his decision to follow Jesus. They discuss questions regarding God’s existence, how we can choose one religion without exploring all of them, the how and why of our existence, and so much more! We hope you enjoy this episode!
Abdu Murray offers the credibility of the gospel message as a speaker and writer with Embrace the Truth. He has authored several books including Saving Truth, Grand Central Question, Apocalypse Later, and the forthcoming More than a White Man’s Religion. For most of his life, Abdu was a proud Muslim until a nine-year historical, philosophical, theological, and scientific investigation pointed him to the Christian faith. Abdu has spoken to diverse international audiences and has participated in debates and dialogues across the globe. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Abdu lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with his wife and their three children.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
Are you interested in having Janell speak at your event? Click here!
FSR s5e17 Totti’s Intro Episode
FSR s2e18 part 1 with Totti and Brandon
FSR s2e18 part 2 with Totti and Brandon
FSR s3e22 with the Exchange Ladies
Embrace The Truth
Abdu Murray - YouTube
”Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?” - Abdu Murray and John Loftus Debate
Grand Central Question - Abdu Murray
Saving Truth - Abdu Murray
More Than a White Man’s Religion - Abdu Murray
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus - Nabeel Quereshi
God is not One - Stephen Prothero
Steps to the Cross - John C. Scott