Counteract Podcast

"It’s my first film that will be considered science fiction that I do not consider to be science fiction..." - Steven Spielberg On this episode, Abigail is joined by her seminary friends (brother, Caleb DeJarnatt & her best friend and Counteract USA Cell Program Director, Lydia Paris) to break down Steven Spielberg's new film "Disclosure Day," and why a movie like this...

Happy America 250! On this episode, Abigail is joined by her brother Caleb DeJarnatt (who drinks multiple Dr. Peppers throughout the course of this episode) for a Fourth of July conversation about America's 250th birthday, their hometown rodeo, and why traditions like this one shape our love for our community and our country. This one is a little more lighthearted, but carries a real point. Ca...

On this episode, Counteract USA COO Allie Paris joins Abigail to tell the story of this year's RTS theme, how we came up with "Resolve to Stand" in the first place, and what we're anticipating as we look ahead to this Oct. 2-3 in Rogers, AR. Every word, every theme, the conference name at Counteract USA (and even the name Counteract USA itself) all have a story. We pray through e...

We could never have fully imagined all God had in store. Abigail sits down with Co-Founder and COO Allie Paris to walk through the origin story of Counteract USA — from basement meetings and selling hot dogs at Razorback games in college to building a national Gen Z ministry. They answer questions submitted by the Counteract community, reflect on what has surprised them most, what has grown them t...

Are Christians actually prepared for the conversation the rest of the world is already having? Should we be? In this episode, Abigail sits down with her brother Caleb DeJarnatt—seminary graduate and resident theology nerd—to talk about why the alien conversation is something Christians should be able to engage in, and why it’s really not as weird as it sounds. From Ephesians 6 to the plagues of Eg...

Is it ever “just a movie”? What if digging deeper into our favorite stories actually reveals deeper themes that can shape our own worldview? Abigail is joined by her brother Caleb DeJarnatt, a recent seminary grad whose capstone research focused on worldview in storytelling, for one of the most fun episodes we’ve ever recorded. From Twilight to Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Abigail and Caleb lay the...

Is the conservative movement we loved even recognizable anymore? Is a lust for conspiracy crippling Gen Z's pursuit of truth? After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we've watched the movement so many of us gave years of our lives to completely lose its footing — and we've watched Gen Z go down with it. In this episode, Abigail breaks down why that's happening, what an ancient deception has to do...

Recently graduated, graduating soon, or just trying to figure out what's next? The world says it's time to find yourself, follow your heart, and live your truth... but what if that's exactly the wrong advice? In this episode, Abigail shares her annual letter to the high school senior and honestly, to every young adult still trying to figure it out with practical wisdom on faith, community, debt, f...

How do we counteract a culture of death with a culture of life? From the abortion pill situation and telehealth loopholes to skyrocketing teen suicide rates and a high-profile capital murder case out of Texas, today's episode tackles three stories that are heavy, real, and impossible to ignore. We look at the abortion pill regimen and what it actually does, why the Fifth Circuit's ruling m...

Is the search for "who we really are" actually making us more lost? In this episode, Abigail is joined by Counteract USA COO Allie Paris to tackle what might be the defining obsession of our generation: self-discovery. From the movies we grew up watching to therapy culture to the gender politics reshaping our world, Gen Z has been handed the same message over and over -- look inward, find yourself...

Is Gen Z's faith surge the real thing -- or zeal without knowledge that will eventually fade? Abigail DeJarnatt sits down with Dr. David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council, recorded live at Resolve to Stand 2025 in Rogers, Arkansas. The data on Gen Z and faith is genuinely encouraging -- Bible sales, church attendance, and Christian streaming are...

Are you self-censoring because you're afraid of being called a Christian nationalist? The phrase "Christian nationalist" gets thrown around constantly as an indictment — but most Christians have never stopped to ask whether it's even a real, definable accusation. In this episode, Abigail breaks down what Christian nationalism actually is, why the separation of church and state argument doesn't hol...

What was America actually built on, and why does it matter for our generation right now? As the United States turns 250, we're taking a step back to look honestly at the historical and biblical foundation of this nation. From the Declaration of Independence to the Ten Commandments controversy in Arkansas, we walk through what the Founding Fathers actually believed, why God-given rights are the onl...

What does a space movie about a rock alien have to do with abortion, AI, and the image of God? In this episode, Abigail breaks down the worldview of Project Hail Mary — and the broader cultural pattern it represents. From aliens to robots to AI companions, our movies are quietly redefining what it means to be human — and it's not neutral storytelling. It's a theological claim with the theology rem...

What if everything you’re building your life on disappeared tomorrow—would Jesus still be enough? In this Holy Week episode, Abigail reflects on burnout, cultural chaos, and the overwhelming reminder that the cross is not just part of our faith—it is everything. From the story of Jaden Ivey choosing Christ over an NBA career, to the undeniable historical reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrect...

In this March edition of “Not Afraid of the News,” Abigail breaks down the most significant developments of the past few weeks—from conflict in Iran to acts of terrorism on U.S. soil—and what they reveal about the cultural and spiritual moment we’re in. These are not isolated events—they reflect deeper ideological and spiritual realities shaping this moment. At the same time, there are early signs...

What can American Christians learn from what’s happening in South Korea? At the 2025 Resolve to Stand Conference, Abigail sits down with Mina Kim—founder of Build Up Korea—to discuss the growing spiritual and cultural shift happening in South Korea and why it should serve as a warning to the global Church. As political pressure rises and truth becomes more costly to speak, Mina shares firsthand wh...

Is the goal of the Christian life to get married—or to obey God in every circumstance? In this episode, Abigail reflects on being single at 25 and what she has learned about surrendering personal desires to the will of God. In a Christian culture that often treats marriage as the ultimate milestone (though it is good, honorable, and beautiful), this conversation reframes singleness as an opportuni...

Was America founded as a Christian nation—and does that matter? In this episode of the Counteract Podcast, Abigail sits down with Ryan Helfenbein, founding director of the Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University, live at the 2025 Resolve to Stand Conference in Northwest Arkansas. They discuss America’s Christian heritage, why truth requires a biblical reference point, and why Christians...

What happens when we keep asking questions — but stop anchoring ourselves in what is true? In this episode, Abigail addresses the cultural firestorm surrounding Erika Kirk and Candace Owens. But this conversation goes deeper than one controversy. It’s about what happens when curiosity becomes speculation, when discernment drifts into darkness, and when believers forget the foundation that makes cr...

What if your friendships are shaping far more than your social life — what if they’re shaping your destiny? In this episode, Counteract Podcast host Allison Lind sits down with Counteract USA’s Church Relations & Men’s Cell Coordinator, Zeke Wallace, to unpack the theology behind Christian community. From Aristotle’s three types of friendship to Augustine’s concept of “spiritual gravity,” they...

What if the community you’ve been praying for is closer than you think? In this episode, Abigail DeJarnatt is joined by Counteract USA’s Cell Network Coordinator, Arianna Dotson, to talk about the heartbeat of Counteract USA: our cells. Arianna shares how she found Counteract right after high school, the prayer that preceded it, and the moment she realized God had answered it in a way she never ex...

What if our constant exhaustion isn’t just busyness—but an unbiblical overstimulation? In this episode, Counteract Podcast host Allison Lind unpacks the viral trend of “dopamine detoxing” and asks a deeper question: Is Gen Z inadvertently rediscovering the Christian discipline of fasting? From Ash Wednesday to neuroplasticity, from doomscrolling to spiritual discipline, we explore how social media...

How do you discern truth in a world of viral clips, breaking headlines, and constant social media noise? In this episode, Abigail shares a practical, biblical framework for navigating news on social media without being misled, manipulated, or overwhelmed. In a culture driven by speed, outrage, and algorithms, Christians are called to slow down, test everything, and think critically through the len...

Are we thinking biblically about the news… or just defending “our side”? In this episode of the Counteract Podcast, Abigail returns to the Not Afraid of the News segment, breaking down another chaotic news cycle—from ICE and immigration narratives, to the Super Bowl halftime controversy, to the Epstein files and viral political media moments. This episode is about navigating the chaos with clarity...