Finding Something Real Podcast

Happy May! This month, we welcome Ljuca from Switzerland on the podcast! In this first episode, Ljuca shares about her experience as an exchange student, her experience of Swiss culture and the differences she sees in American culture. She shares about her journey growing up with a Catholic dad and a reformed mom. She shares about her genuine curiosity about God she experienced when she was younge...

Welcome to Wednesday! This week, we welcome back Zach Verrett! Zach shares his personal story of dealing with homosexuality. They talk about whether or not God cares about who we love, whether acts of homosexuality are sins, and the relationship between sacrifice and homosexuality. They also talk about the value of celibacy and how the Gospel is an invitation before life change happens. About Zach...

“Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine- oh what a foretaste of glory divine. Rich conversation about evidence for the resurrection, the problem with missing the mark or going against the way God designed human beings to be- fascinating- challenging new ideas- even the answer he gave to our signature final question- just had me thinking afterwards... ” ~Janell ———— Happy Wednesday! Today on the Finding S...

Happy Wednesday! Today, Janell and this month's co-host, Gaia from Italy, have a meaningful conversation with Dr. Erik Thoennes about the character of God. Erik shares about his passion for working with college students. He also shares about theology and why he believes knowing God is so important for every single person. Erik shares practical ways of cultivating a deeper relationship with God and...

We are delighted to introduce Gaia, April’s co-host, to you today! Gaia shares about her life in Italy, the affect grief has had in her life, how she got connected with Janell, and so much more! We hope you enjoy the episode! This month, we are going to address a few of Gaia’s questions including: - How are people supposed to view other belief systems? How will those people be judged by God? - How...

Happy Wednesday! Today, through Grayce could not join the recording, Janell sits down with Joseph Robinson. Joseph shares about his love for getting off the grid and how he got into apologetics. Joseph also shares a bit of his faith journey—his experience growing up in a Christian home and how an identity crisis affected his walk with God and how his relationship with God changed when he became mo...

Happy Wednesday! Today, though Grayce could not join us, Katie Bulmer chats with Janell on the podcast. She shares about her faith journey and how her pursuit of earthly things led her ultimately to pursue God instead. She shares about her passion for speaking with college women and how the story of how the woman at the well encouraged her. Katie shares how she and her husband used a swimming pool...

Happy Wednesday! Today, though Grayce could not join the recording, Janell sits down with Jon Noyes to chat about a few of Grayce’s questions about hell and eternal punishment. First, Jon shares about how he came to belief in Christ. He talks about his life before Christ and how his life has become different afterwards. They then get into a discussion about hell, punishment, sin, and more. They di...

Today, Ryan Dobson joins the conversation! He shares his story of growing up as the son of a Christian celebrity and how that influenced his life (for better and for worse). Ryan shares about his coming to faith at a young age and the various twists and turns it took to get to where he is now in his faith. They talk a lot about church hurt and faith deconstruction, suffering, dealing with the fail...

Welcome to Season 6 of the Finding Something REAL Podcast! We are delighted to introduce Grayce, March’s co-host, to you today! Grayce shares about being raised in a loving Christian home, giving her life to Christ and being baptized, and seeing her mom as a wonderful model of faith. She also shares about a few things that made her feel as if church was not where she wanted to be and what has lead...

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...