MercyCast

What if you didn’t have to save the world? What if you could focus on what was in front of you? In this episode of Mercycast, I’m joined by Becky Murray, founder and CEO of One by One, as we dive into her incredible journey in the world of compassion and justice. Becky shares a pivotal moment from her time in Sierra Leone, where an encounter with a young girl ignited her passion for helping vulner...

What were you made for? Is selfishness anti-human? How can we understand our pain? In this milestone 100th episode of MercyCast, I’m joined by Chad Bird, my first guest, to answer these questions and for a deep dive into the central theme of the MercyCast: how adversity is not just something to endure, but a classroom in which we learn the invaluable lesson of compassion. Chad and I discuss how sh...

Sometimes, hip isn’t always healthy. In this episode of  Mercycast , I sit down with Pastor Danny Torres of Swerve Church in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Together, we dive into the complex reality of gentrification in this vibrant neighborhood, exploring its impacts on longtime residents and the ongoing shifts in the community's dynamics. Danny, a lifelong resident of Bushwick, shares his journey of gr...

Perfect is pretend. Take a moment and re-read that slowly. Welcome to another episode of MercyCast. This week, I’m sitting down with Dr. Mikayla Albertson to discuss the often-overlooked complexities of midlife. This conversation explores the challenges of aging, the journey of healing, and the importance of embracing vulnerability. Mikayla, who’s walked this road herself, shares invaluable insigh...

Happy New Year! Listen to this week's episode before you nail down your resolutions or buy that gym Membership . In this episode of Mercycast, my friend Matt Popovits, author of the new book Junk Drawer Jesus, and I discuss the challenges of New Year's resolutions, the clutter in our spiritual lives, and the dangers of viewing work and personal happiness as central to our identity. We expl...

It’s Christmas time! In this very short episode of MercyCast, I want to discuss holiday traditions. I explore a few Christmas traditions from around the world (some you have heard of and some you haven't). Every tradition exists in some way to bring people together and refocus them on what truly matters. With this in mind, what would happen if we decided to create new traditions that foster he...

Can't find community? Create it. This week's guest reminds us that the Apostle Paul belonged to the communities he created. We are taking a break from Christmas episodes this week. In this critical episode of Mercycast , my good friend Lewie Clark joins me as we dive into an often-overlooked topic: singles' unique and vital role in ministry and church leadership. In the church, there&#...

It’s a Chris White Christmas, everyone! In this episode of Mercycast , I am joined by my friend, Chris White , director of Electric Jesus , to dive deep into the themes and storytelling of Christmas movies . We explore how these films reflect vulnerability, redemption , and the human experience during the holiday season . From classic films like A Christmas Carol to the overwhelming popularity of...

Do you have an Advent Calendar this year? If not, maybe you should consider getting one. In this episode of  Mercycast , join  Jared C. Wilson , author of  Gifts of Grace: 25 Advent Devotions , as he explores the themes of  Advent ,  Christmas , and the deeper meaning of the  holiday season . Jared, a  pastor  and  professor , explores the powerful connection between  vulnerability ,  hope , and ...

Sometimes, we find faith in the most challenging places. In this episode of MercyCast , I sit down with Cody Wilde , Senior Vice President of Correctional Programs at Prison Fellowship , to discuss his influential work in prison ministry and the profound impact of compassion and vulnerability in the lives of those incarcerated. Cody shares how the gospel is a beacon of hope amid adversity , foster...

Parenting teenagers is not always easy. That’s probably the understatement of the year. In this insightful episode, Amy Betters-Midtvedt , author of You’ll Make It (And They Will Too) , offers expert advice on parenting teenagers and understanding the complexities of family dynamics. With over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and families and as a contributing writer for Today Paren...

There are over 400,000 children in the Foster care system. Roughly 125,000 are available for adoption, and 25,000 age out a year. What does compassion say do? In this episode of Mercycast, Dr. Kimberly Offutt discusses the transformative power of compassion, community support, and advocacy in the foster care system. As an expert in child welfare, Dr. Offutt highlights the importance of vulnerabili...

How do you find your way back after the unthinkable? After experiencing deep pain, we can lose a step. We may feel like we have lost our sense of purpose. In this conversation, Raleigh Sadler and Esther Garrett explore finding passion and purpose after experiencing trauma and burnout. Esther, the founder and CEO of Safety Compass, shares her personal story of advocacy, the challenges she faced, an...

Many people who leave the church cite "church hurt" as one reason. What is it? In this episode of the Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler discusses the topic of church hurt with the author Joe Dobbins. Together, they explore the experiences of individuals who have been emotionally wounded in places of worship and the impact it has on their faith. Joe shares his motivation for writing the book H...

Have you ever lacked Confidence? In this episode of the Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler and guest Ashley Henriott, author of the recently released book Confidence is an Inside Job , discuss the topic of Confidence and self-worth. Ashley shares her journey from being a single mom kicked out of her house to becoming a Christ-centered confidence coach. They explore the importance of finding Confidence...

When you are at the end of your rope, that's when you can grow the most. Risa August, author of 'The Road Unpaved, Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike,' shares her journey of resilience and self-discovery after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite the challenges she faced, Risa refused to let her diagnosis paralyze her and instead made a conscious decision to live. St...

Over 50% of Christians struggle with mental health. For this reason, in this episode of the Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler engages with Chris Morris, a certified mental health coach and author of the new book Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about suicidality and depression from the psych-ward to discuss the often overlooked topic of mental health within the church. They share personal stories and...

“There’s miracles in the monotony.” In this episode of Mercycast, host Adsum Try Ravenhill and guest Raleigh explore the profound significance of walking as a metaphor for life and faith. They discuss personal experiences of walking, the concept of pilgrimage, and the importance of community and solitude in life's journey. The conversation emphasizes that walking is not just a physical act but...

What doesn’t kill you may make you weaker. And that’s okay. In this conversation, Raleigh and Adsum Ravenhill discuss the concept of suffering and how it can be used for the good of others. They explore the idea that vulnerability and suffering can bless those around us and that our pain can help others find hope and healing. They also discuss the importance of situating our suffering within a gre...

I am joined by Shannon Popkin, author, speaker, and podcast host, in this episode. We dive deep and discuss the harmful effects of comparison and how it can hinder our ability to live a fulfilling life. In light of Shannon’s books, Comparison Girl, Lessons from Jesus on Me Free Living in a Measure Up World and the new book Comparison Girl for Teens, Thriving Beyond Measure in a World that Compares...

In this episode, we have a podcast inception—yes, a podcast within a podcast. The hosts of the Freely Given podcast join me on the Mercycast. Katie Koplin, author of Encouragement for Motherhood, and Gretchen Ronnevik, author of Ragged, share their perspectives on being comfortable with being uncomfortable. We explore how the gospel meets us in our discomfort and talk about seasons in life and how...

Rather than hearing a story this week, I want to pause and talk about the importance of sharing our stories and being vulnerable. Whether you believe it or not, everyone has a story that matters, and our stories have the power to impact others. There is a cost of vulnerability and the need to share with safe people. One of my friends, Adsum Ravenhill, joins me and shares his perspective on vulnera...

Julie Sunne, author of Sometimes I Forget, 60 Reminders of Hope for Your Hard Days , joins me to share her personal experiences of suffering, including miscarriages and caring for her daughter, and how these challenges have deepened her faith. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and processing grief and how it can lead to a more intimate relationship with God. Julie also challenges the...

How do we heal? In this episode, I am joined by Jay Stringer, a licensed mental health counselor and author of the award-winning book Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing . Together, we discuss sexual brokenness and the journey towards healing. We explore the concept of shifting to viewing sexual brokenness as clues to unaddressed and unresolved parts of our lives. Jay shares...

In this episode, I talk with Ginny Owens about her journey of starting over and finding light amid suffering. Ginny has spent the past two decades sharing her heart with listeners and readers as a singer/songwriter, author, teacher, and advocate. Her new book, Singing in the Dark, shows how we can experience light in the middle of our suffering. You don’t want to miss this episode because we discu...