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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
Apr 27, 2022
Apr 27, 2022
1hr 20 min
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.
Apr 20, 2022
Apr 20, 2022
1hr 20 min
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.
Apr 13, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
1hr 9 min
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
Apr 6, 2022
Apr 6, 2022
39 min
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!
Mar 30, 2022
Mar 30, 2022
46 min
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)
Mar 23, 2022
Mar 23, 2022
41 min
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)
Mar 16, 2022
Mar 16, 2022
47 min
Today we have a very special returning guest. Lindsey Medenwaldt is Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, where she’s the resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master’s degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master’s in public administration and a law degree. She’s also a full-time children’s pastor, an editor and writer for the Christian Research Journal, and a member of the Pelican Project. She recently contributed a chapter about the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Harvest House Popular Handbook of World Religions (March 2021). Lindsey and her husband, Jay (who is also an apologist), have been married for 14 years. They have three daughters and live in Texas. In her spare time, Lindsey loves watching British reality television, especially The Great British Baking Show, and she’s an avid reader.
Today on the podcast, they talk about the differences between Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 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!
Maria’s Season 4 Intro
Mariah & Zach
Mariah & Alycia
Mariah & Drew
Mariah & Rebecca
FSR s4e14 with Lindsey Medenwaldt
FSR s1e7 with Hilary Morgan Ferrer
Mama Bear Apologetics
The Mama Bear's Guide to Biblical Sexuality
Mar 9, 2022
Mar 9, 2022
47 min
Alex Earls joins Janell on the podcast today! They talk about Alex's experience growing up in a Christian home with parents who were intentional about showing Christ in all aspects of parenting. She also shares about her experiences learning about other religions, how that has impacted her love of Christi and missions.
They also talk about the differences between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Christianity. They talk about how words can be defined differently-- and how that impacts how the faith is lived out. They also touch on the importance of having a correct view of God and the importance of finding community.
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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
FSR s2e6 with Jason Earls
FSR s3e23 with Jason Earls
FSR s2e13 with Callie Lindsey
Knowledge of the Holy - AW Tozer
Renovation of the Heart- Dallas Willard