Finding Something Real Podcast

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 withou...

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 th...

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...

Though Totti could not be present for the recording of Today’s episode, Lu is back. She and Janell have the pleasure of speaking with the host of the Unbelievable? Podcast, Justin Brierley! They talk about The Big Conversations Season 4 (over on Justin’s YouTube), the concession Richard Dawkins made about Christianity, the fine tuning of the Universe, making the leap between deism and Christianity...

Happy New Year, friends! This January, we are replaying a few of our favorite episodes from 2022! We hope you enjoy the replay! —- Hey Friends! Today, Gernot joins Janell for another podcast! Janell talks a little about why Leonie chose not to record this episode and a little about the puddle ocean analogy when it comes to faith. Gernot shares his faith journey, how he started living his Christian...

Happy New Year, friends! This January, we are replaying a few of our favorite episodes from 2022! We hope you enjoy the replay! ___ Happy Wednesday, friends! Today on the podcast, we are excited to share a conversation with Andy Bannister! Andy shares about his faith journey and his experience going from an “undercover Christian” to working in public Christian ministry. They talk about the types o...

Happy New Year, friends! This January, we are replaying a few of our favorite episodes from 2022! We hope you enjoy the replay! ___ 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 wit...

Happy New Year, friends! This January, we are replaying a few of our favorite episodes from 2022! We hope you enjoy the replay! ___ Frank Turek joins the podcast today! Janell, Frank, and Leonie have a fascinating conversation about Frank’s New book, how Harry Potter parallels the Bible, what C. S. Lewis and Tolkein discussed about fantasies and myths, and more! They also talk about how we can ded...

Hello Friends! Happy last week of 2022! Today on the podcast, Janell and Dagmar welcome returning guest Pastor Josh White. Josh talks about his recent sabbatical, things he’s learned from being a Pastor during COVID, the premise of his new book, and why he believes the topic is important. Janell, Dagmar, and Josh have a great conversation about suffering, the value of a good memoir, and why sinnin...

Mentioned in this Episode FSR S3E19 with Alycia Wood FSR S3E7 with Julia Garschagen FSR S3E2 with Josh White FSR S2E16 with Richard Dahlstrom FSR S2E15 with Allen Crostic Part 1 & Part 2

Today, Jane Pantig joins Janell on the podcast! Jane shares about her experience growing up in the Catholic church, her experience searching for faith in her early twenties, and how her dad’s faith journey impacted her own journey. Jane also shares about her love for apologetics and why she was willing to come to faith in Jesus without having all the answers. Jane shares about her experience on a...

Happy December, friends! This month on the podcast, Janell is sharing a few episodes about things she would like to know more about. Today YouTuber MissTytus shares her faith journey, why she believes the Bible is true, and how she started her YouTube channel. She also shares about her viral video about Beyoncé’s Church Girl and why she continues creating content even when she gets nasty comments....

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today on the podcast, we are excited to share a conversation with Andy Bannister! Andy shares about his faith journey and his experience going from an “undercover Christian” to working in public Christian ministry. They talk about the types of questions young people are asking about faith, and the complications surrounding the decline of Christianity in western culture. T...

Today on the podcast Janell and Zoé chat with Xandra Carroll! Xandra shares about her own faith journey, her experience questioning faith, and how God changed her life. She shares about her passion for the combination of faith and science and what has caused her to place her faith in Jesus Christ. Xandra also shares about how she got started as a speaker. Zoé asks a few questions regarding placing...

Happy Hump Day! We’ve got a great episode lined up for you! Though Zoe could not be there for the recording, Mary Jo Sharp joins Janell on the podcast today! Mary Jo shares about her journey from atheism to Christianity, how she dealt with the hypocrisy she found after becoming a Christian and why she decided to hold onto her Christian faith. Mary Jo also shares some of hte reasons why she still b...

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today on the podcast, Janell and Zoé have a conversation with friend of the podcast Allen Crostic! Allen shares about his own faith journey and the miraculous way he came to know Jesus. Zoé shares about her own faith journey and the things that are interesting to her about Christianity. This episode has a lot of great information about logic and premises, the relationship...

Happy November from the Finding Something REAL Team! This month, we are excited to introduce to you Zoé, a wonderful young woman from France! Zoé shares her experience as an exchange student in the US and some of the biggest cultural differences that she has noticed. She shares a bit about her upbringing and the cultural opinions about religion that she’s experienced. Zoé shares her first experien...

Happy Wednesday! Today on the podcast, Janell is joined by Dagmar and Dubois du Toit. They have a great conversation about the cultures of the Netherlands and Namibia. Dubois shares his faith journey, his experience with repentance, and why he chose to study apologetics. He discusses how he shares Christ with those who are doubting and why the story of Jesus restoring peter after His resurrection...

Today on the Finding Something REAL podcast, Janell and Dagmar sit down with Phoenix Hayes, They talk about the Bible, apologetics, and more. Phoenix shares her personal faith journey, her experience with deep questions, and why she chose to study at seminary. The ladies have a thought provoking discussion about cultural Christianity vs real Christianity, why the search for identity is exclusive t...

Content Warning: Discussions of violence, trauma, and mental health Today, Shea and Michelle Watson join Dagmar and Janell on the podcast. Shea and Michelle share about their faith journeys, what helped them chose to follow Jesus, and the ministry they have created. Dagmar explains why she feels like she is holding back from surrendering to Jesus. They also have a discussion about being good with...

Happy October, friends! We hope you’ve had a great start to your fall! This month, Dagmar shares her story with us! She and Janell have a great conversation for you today! They chat about Dagmar’s previous experiences on the podcast, mental health and setting priorities, and more. Dagmar shares about why the idea of faith has always drawn her, why she decided to come back on the podcast, and her c...

Katie Dommel joins up for today’s FSR episode! She and Janell talk about the struggle of trusting God, how growing up in a legalistic environment impacted her, and more! They have a bit of a discussion about Liz’s faith story as well. They also talk about crystals, tarot cards, and other new age practices. They discuss the idea that “should Christians use them?” is not the best question to ask. In...

Dr. A. J Swoboda joins us today on the Finding Something REAL podcast! He shares a bit about his faith journey, his ministry, and what it means to be an academic. He shares about his book Over Doubt, why young people desire to break rules, and the tenancy humans have to be over-curious. They talk about how pharisaical rules may sometimes get in the way of someone’s spiritual journey, deconstructio...

Hey Friends! We hope you’re having a good Wednesday! Content warning: Lots of sex talk Today we’re welcoming Sheila Wray Gregoire on the podcast! Sheila shares her faith journey and shares about her ministry that helps Christians view sex in a Biblical way and helps them heal from harmful teachings about sex. Janell, Sheila, and Liz have a conversation about faith struggles, shame, the importance...

Hey Friends, happy September! We are excited to introduce you to Liz! Liz shares with us a bit about her experience growing up with a single mom and seeing her dad only so often. She shares how she felt like she needed to make her dad proud of her and how those insecurities have impacted her life today. Liz shares about her love for music and her experience loving church when she was younger and w...