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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?
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 Nov 12, 2025
Dealing with Grief and Church Hurt with Jason Schmidt
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
On this episode of Finding Something Real, we are joined with a returning guest, Jason Schmidt. Jason's parents were Janell's Youth Pastor's. They had a tremendous impact on her life and now has the privilege of sharing that with their son, Jason. We are also joined with one of our co-host, Ana.
Jason is a High School and Young Adult Pastor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is currently in seminary, coaches boys soccer, and loves investing in this next generation.
In this conversation we unravel grief. Both and Ana and Jason lost their dad at an early age. Ana asks questions about how Jason handle his grief, if he felt any pressure to step into ministry because of his dad, and some disappointments they experience in the church.
We hope you enjoy this week's conversation!
How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa
Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856
Follow us on:
Instagram: finding_something_real
Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood
Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
On this episode of Finding Something Real we introduce our first guest, Drew Berryessa! Drew is no stranger to the Podcast. He's been a guest before and we are thrilled to have him back! Drew has a tender heart and shares his story with such vulnerability in hopes it will impact others. We are also joined with two of our co-host, Ana and Sarah.
In this episode, Drew talks about his story of living a homosexual life style and how Jesus met him right where he was at. He gets real about the questions, pain and heartbreak choosing to follow Jesus brought. He left that lifestyle and is now a fully devoted Jesus follower. Helping people all over the world, equipping them to love others in truth and love. He has a beautiful family with an amazing wife and three beautiful girls.
Ana and Sarah ask questions on - how to practically love others in their pain and sin. And how to share truth with grace, while standing firm to what the word of God says.
We hope you enjoy this week's conversation!
Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856
Follow us on:
Instagram: finding_something_real
Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood
Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
The Difference Jesus Makes - Frankie's Story
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
In this episode, we introduce our first co-host, Frankie!
Frankie shows a level of maturity way beyond her years. She is steady, level headed and has a genuine heart. Frankie is Janell's niece. In this episode she shares her story of being adopted, the tension of getting pushback for her faith, believing in Jesus but still having questions, and trying to find where her gifting fit in the Kingdom of God. She shares her vulnerability about her experiences and some of the hesitations she has being a Christian.
This is such a rich conversation, we hope you enjoy this week's episode!
Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856
Follow us on:
Instagram: finding_something_real
Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood
Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Season 8 - Intro Episode
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
And we're back! After taking a few months on break, we are back with Season 8!
For this first episode, I'm joined with my good friend, Katie Dommel, who has been a major help and a huge cheerleader throughout this whole journey. We talk about all the things God has been doing in and through this ministry, and we introduce the young ladies that will be part of this season. We have 8 special young women from all different faith backgrounds that are going be sharing their stories this season!
We hope you enjoy this episode!
Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856
Follow us on:
Instagram: finding_something_real
Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood
Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

Friday Dec 27, 2024
I Found The Real Thing with Craig Hazen
Friday Dec 27, 2024
Friday Dec 27, 2024

Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Talking About Jesus with Josh White
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Thursday Dec 19, 2024

Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
One of the World's Top Philosophers Answers Big Faith Questions with William Lane Craig
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
He has authored or edited over thirty books, including The Kalam Cosmological Argument; Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus; Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom; Theism, Atheism and Big Bang Cosmology; and God, Time and Eternity, as well as over a hundred articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology, including The Journal of Philosophy, New Testament Studies, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, American Philosophical Quarterly, Philosophical Studies, Philosophy, and British Journal for Philosophy of Science. In 2016 Dr. Craig was named by The Best Schools as one of the fifty most influential living philosophers.

Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
From Skeptic Atheist to Bible-Believing Christian with Jon Noyes
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
This is the third in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. This episode is with special returning guest and Stand to Reason speaker, Jon Noyes. Dagmar wasn't available for this recording, but Signe from Denmark joined in for this conversation about moving from atheism to Christianity, what makes the Bible a historically reliable document, and how to go from head knowledge to trusting Jesus.
Dagmar has cohosted many Finding Something REAL episodes in the past four years. Although Dagmar is interested in, learned a lot about, and is drawn to Jesus, and chose to get baptized when she was a child, she has not yet decided to take a leap of faith as an adult. She has a comfortable life and enjoys partying with friends and admits that were she to give her life to Christ her life would change and people would view her differently. She's grown up in a secular culture and for this series, reached out to some friends for new faith questions including some about the credibility of Jesus, why there are so many variations of religion and Christianity, and the history of Christianity.
We hope you enjoy this week’s episode!
ABOUT JON:
Jon has worked as a speaker with Stand to Reason since 2019. A former atheist, Jon 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. Ever since Jon has been passionate about engaging the culture with honest, well-thought-out reasons why people should trust the Christian worldview.
Jon brings a unique perspective to his audiences and the Stand to Reason team, having more than ten years of experience in the legal field. In 2013 Jon earned a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, graduating with honors. Jon is a founding pastor at Soli Deo Gloria Church. He also serves on the board of directors for Life Without Limbs and Bible Thinker. More than any of this Jon is the father of four daughters and the husband of Rheanna. They live in Ventura County, CA.
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