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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 May 11, 2022
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Bryan Drake, a Christian illusionist, joins Janell on the podcast today!
Bryan and Karla Drake have performed for hundreds of thousands of people over the past 10 years. They have witnessed the amazing grace of God first hand as thousands of people at their shows have surrendered their lives to follow Jesus. Their unique mix of comedy, mentalism, and illusions have mesmerized audiences all across the United States and around the world. The Bryan Drake Show gives Bryan and Karla a bizarre and unique platform to live out their calling.
On today’s podcast, Bryan and Janell discuss whether or not Jesus was an illusionist instead of a miracle worker. They touch on the difference between magician and illusionist, whether Jesus’ suffering was a ruse, and the theory of illusion itself. He also shares his advice for those who have questions or find themselves far from faith.
We hope you enjoy!
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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!
FSR s2e16 with Lieke
FSR s3e22 with Lieke
FSR s5e13 with Lieke
FSR April 2021- Justin Brierley
Unbelievable? Is Christianity a trick of the mind? TikTok hypnotist Zach Pincince and Christian illusionist Bryan Drake
This Present Darkness - Frank Peretti
Provoke & Inspire Podcast
Romans 1:19-20
”…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Wednesday May 04, 2022
This May, we are going to seek to answer a few questions by Lieke!
Lieke shares with Janell about her faith story including details about bring baptized as a baby, growing up in the Netherlands, attending a Christian school, and how her perception of the Christian faith changed when she went to the United States for a while.
This month, we will seek to answer three of Lieke’s questions:
How could we ever know who the real God is?
How is Christianity different than Greek mythology or other man-made lies?
Was Jesus just a really good magician?
We hope you enjoy!
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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!
FSR s2e16 with Lieke
FSR s3e22 with Lieke
The Hiding Place - Corrie ten Boom
Kisses from Katie -Katie Davis Majors
Surprised by Joy - C. S. Lewis
Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkein
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Today on the podcast, Janell and Castin chat with returning guest Drew Berryessa and his colleague Cynthia Beaudry. As a warning, this conversation discusses some topics that may be too mature for some.
Cynthia shares her story of growing up with two moms, dealing with the murder of her dad, and how she came to be set in her belief in Jesus. Drew shares his story of struggling with his sexuality, starting a ministry, and what happened when he attended his brother’s wedding.
A lot of topics are addressed in this episode such as:
Can a Christian identity as Gay?
What does God teach about sexuality?
Are Christians judgier than Jesus?
What about pride month?
Does Jesus have the authority to define us?
And more! We hope this episode ie helpful for you all!
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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!
Castin’s Intro Episode
Castin & Pastor Michael
Castin & Melanie
FSR s4e8 with Drew- Same-Sex Attraction and the Church
FSR s4e24 with Drew- Holy Tension and Tough Topics
A Living Letter Ministries
Are We There Yet? by Drew Berryessa
The Dialogue Sessions
The Chosen
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Untamed by Deborah & Alen Hirsch
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Proverbs 27:7
One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
Today on the podcast, Janell chats with returning guest Melanie Casteneda about Castin’s question — “Why is there a mental health stigma in the Church? How can we help those who are struggling with mental health issues? Why isn't the Church addressing this topic more?” As a warning, there is mention of suicidal ideation in this episode.
Melanie talks a lot about the ups and downs of her mental health journey including her struggled with an anxiety disorder along with other forms of mental illness. She talks about her emotions surrounding being admitted into the psych ward of a hospital, the aftermath, and ultimately what caused her to want to be an advocate for those who struggle with mental health. She talks about the tension of wanting to trust God as healer while also seeing the benefits of therapy and medications. S
We hope this episode ie helpful for you all!
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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!
Castin’s Intro Episode
Castin & Pastor Michael
FSR s1 e11 with Melanie
FSR s2 e5 with Melanie
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
Pastor Michael Landsman joins Janell on the podcast today to address some of Castin’s questions!
The Rev. Michael Landsman is a pastor with an Evangelical background, serving in a mainline Protestant church, who loves the Church Fathers. He serves as Pastor of Zion’s Stone UCC in Northampton, PA. He received a Master of Divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary. He and his wife Chontey live in the Lehigh Valley with their two children.
On today’s podcast, Pastor Michael shares about his faith journey, the differences in how he expresses his Christian faith now versus how we grew up, and the definition of “Evangelical.” They also talk about the fundamentals of Christian belief and whether there is room for doubt in the Christian faith.
This episode is a good one, you won’t want to miss it!
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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!
We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
Castin’s Intro Episode
Pastor Mike Landsman
Areopagus
Misio Seminary
Beth Moore
Beth Moore on going to an Anglican church
'Sexperiment:' Pastor, Wife Weather 24 Hours in Bed on Church Roof (The Christian Post)
Mars Hill “Real Marriage” Series
The Areopagus Goes to Mars Hill
The Rise and Fall of the Areopagus Podcast
Wednesday Apr 06, 2022
Wednesday Apr 06, 2022
Janell is joined by Castin in today’s episode! Castin shares her faith journey and mention some of the questions she hopes can be answered by this month’s guests.
Castin is a college student who is studying journalism and advocacy. She comes from a very close and loving family. She shares about her struggles grieving over the loss of her brother, getting to know God after a suicide attempt, and more.
As always, we hope this episode helps bring our listeners closer to God. This episode does have mentions of suicide and mental health challenges.
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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!
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Part 2 of Janell and Mariah’s conversation wit h Micah airs today! In this episode, you’ll hear about what came of Micah’s decision to fully trust in Jesus, the repercussions of waking away from the Mormon church, why it’s common for young people to become Mormon, Mariah’s response to a simple Gospel, and more! We hope you enjoy! ___________
We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
Maria’s Season 4 Intro
Mariah & Zach
Mariah & Alycia
Mariah & Drew
Mariah & Rebecca
Mariah & Lindsey
Gospel from a Former Mormon (Micah Wilder)
Adams Road Ministry
Passport to Heaven (Micah Wilder)
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Today on the podcast, we have Micah Wilder. Like his brothers before him, Micah was raised in a devout Mormon family and served his mission.. While on his mission, a Baptist pastor challenged him to read the Bible, which he did--and gradually his Mormon world came crashing down around him as he encountered the life-changing love of Jesus Christ. His new life in Jesus sent shockwaves not only through his mission, but his family as well.
In today’s episode, Micah shares about his upbringing, his story of reading the New Testament twelve times, the Gospel from a the perspective of someone who used to be mormon, and more! We hope you enjoy this episode! Part 2 will be released soon!
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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!
Maria’s Season 4 Intro
Mariah & Zach
Mariah & Alycia
Mariah & Drew
Mariah & Rebecca
Mariah & Lindsey
Gospel from a Former Mormon (Micah Wilder)
Adams Road Ministry
Passport to Heaven (Micah Wilder)