MercyCast

Knowing who to trust on a good day and even harder in our most challenging moments is difficult. In today's episode, Anita Anello, a business owner, coach, successful software executive & mom, shares her experience of going through a marriage crisis and a medical emergency that changed her life. She talks about her shock and sadness while emphasizing the importance of having a support syst...

Do we need to rethink our approach to charity? Many assume that giving helps when it can have the opposite effect. In this episode of the Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler discusses the importance of approaching vulnerable populations with compassion and care. He is joined by Anne Basham, founder of the Interparliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking and CEO of Ascend Consulting, to explore when t...

We always focus on the “why” of our pain. But what if there is another question that we should be asking? In this episode of the Mercycast, I talk with Valerie Althouse, Director of Training for International Students Incorporated, about living with chronic pain. Valerie shares her personal experience of living with chronic pain and how she has learned to manage it. She emphasizes the importance o...

What do we do when we can’t do what we want to do? In this episode, Marilette Sanchez, a New Yorker as well as a field director with FamilyLife, shares her journey of navigating identity crises and finding purpose in her vocation amid life's challenges. Marilette shares her journey of giving up her dream of becoming a writer to become a missionary and then facing the struggle of balancing moth...

Can you return the "gift" of singleness? Can you get store credit? In this episode, Raleigh Sadler and Ryan Wekenman, author of the new book Single Today, drawing from their personal experiences, explore the challenges of singleness and the significance of finding community and embracing the present moment. They candidly discuss the well-meaning but often hurtful comments single people rec...

God doesn't give you more than you can handle, right? In this conversation, Jennifer Greenberg, author of the new book Defiant Joy, joins MercyCast to discuss the problem of Christian cliches and platitudes. We delve into how these cliches can be lazy and theologically inaccurate, potentially causing harm instead of providing help. Jennifer's journey, escaping an abusive childhood home and...

The pain that we experience can illuminate where we have placed our identity. Chuck and Ashley Elliott, authors of a new book, I Used to Be ___: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward, discuss the intersection of identity and loss, particularly in the context of recurrent miscarriage. They share their personal experiences and how they reacted incongruently to the...

What does it mean to depend on God? In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Jessica Hurlbut, a pastor, podcast host, and author of Unlimited Motherhood. Jessica's story is one of unwavering strength and resilience as she shares her journey of raising two children with severe autism. Her experience has not only challenged her Faith and perfectionism but also inspired her to trust...

How important is our understanding of Theology? Flame, a Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award-winning hip-hop artist and author, shares his journey of theological transformation and the freedom he found in understanding the gospel. He discusses the importance of theology and the dangers of living by works instead of Grace. Flame emphasizes the need to revisit Scripture and church history to understa...

Authenticity is a buzzword. But why should it be important to us? In this episode, Justin Davis, USA Today Bestselling author of Being Real is Greater Than Being Perfect, and I explore the profound significance of authenticity and transparency in our relationships. We investigate the idea of projecting a false version of ourselves and the negative impact it can have. Justin shares his journey of b...

Wait. Is weakness a good thing? Eric Shoemaker and I delve into weakness and vulnerability in this deeply personal conversation. We share our experiences and reflections, recounting moments when we felt weak and vulnerable and how we found strength in Christ. We explore the origins of weakness in the Garden of Eden and the consequences of sin, drawing parallels to our own lives. We also discuss th...

Are you familiar with the Enneagram? There are lots of opinions on it: some positive and some negative. In this episode, we are privileged to have Christa Harden, a relationship coach, podcast host, and author of the new book The Enneagram in Marriage: your Guide to Thriving Together in Your Unique Pairing, join us. Christa's journey with the Enneagram and how it revolutionized her marriage is...

Could there be an antidote to self-doubt and the need to prove ourselves? In this episode, Kevin Palau shares his journey of self-discovery and purpose, which resonates with many of us. He opens up about the profound impact of his father's passing on his life and how it led him to confront his self-doubt and performancism. Kevin's exploration of the concept of belovedness is a game-changer...

Sometimes, when you care for the needs of others, you forget to care for yourself. Enter Dr. Maureen Michele Petersen. She is a physician, life coach, mom, and author of the new book Reclaiming Life: A Guide for Parents of Chronically Ill Children . She shares her journey in this episode as a mother of a chronically ill child and offers insights on caring for others while practicing self-care. She...

How do you trust when everything you experience tells you to do the opposite? In this episode, Michelle Cushatt, author of A Faith that Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World is Falling Apart , shares her transformative journey of maintaining faith amid suffering. She discusses the challenges she faced when diagnosed with cancer three times and how it affected her ident...

How do we grow as leaders? In this conversation, seasoned CEO and New York Times and Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author Gary Harpst shares his experiences and insights on leadership, faith, and the power of relationships. He discusses the challenges of facing reality and making tough decisions, emphasizing the importance of perspective and learning from failures. Harpst highlights the role of...

What happens when dawn tarries? Last week's episode discussed finding hope in trials and how God can heal. In this episode, I want to return to the idea of suffering and explore the question of what happens when you aren't healed and live with chronic pain or suffering with Karis Meier, author of 'Suffering Redeemed.' She shares her journey of living with chronic illness and findin...

Where can you find hope in chronic illness? In this episode, Gentry Colson and I discuss suffering and finding hope in the midst of it. Gentry shares her journey with chronic Lyme disease and how she found purpose and faith amid her suffering. We explore the theology of glory versus the theology of the cross and the importance of shifting to an eternal perspective. Gentry encourages listeners to b...

How can we respond when we don’t have the words? In this episode, Jessika Sanders and Eric Schumacher discuss their book, In His Hands: Prayers for Your Child and Baby in a Medical Crisis . They share their personal experiences of going through a medical crisis with their child and how they found comfort and strength through prayer. The book contains prayers for various situations and offers suppo...

Should I avoid change or embrace it? In this episode, my guest, Michelle McKinney Hammond, author of When Shift Happens: Say Yes To Your Next , and I discuss embracing change, growth, Denzel Washington, and the Gospel. Michelle shares her experience of adversity and how it led her to write her first book. She explains the importance of shifting perspective and trusting God in times of transition....

Can you be real about your false self? She made international headlines as she advocated for the release of her husband from prison. However, she was in a prison of her own. In this conversation, Naghmeh Panahi shares her journey of self-discovery and recognizing and shedding the false self. She discusses the pressure to hold her marriage together and the fear of divorce. Naghmeh, author of  I Did...

Have you ever felt stressed at the thought of being around others? In this episode, I discuss social anxiety with Tamara Pflug, a fun and confidence coach. That's her role to help others embrace fun and confidence in their daily lives. So, I had to have her on the show to help us understand social anxiety and find a way forward. We explore the rise of social anxiety during the pandemic and the...

Do you like change? When I first met Andi in a church office in lower Manhattan, neither of us had any idea of the transition we would face in the coming year. In this conversation, Andi Andrew, author of the new book Braving Change: Release the Past, Welcome Growth, and Trust Where God is Leading You, and I discuss the challenges and opportunities of personal transitions. We explore the role of g...

Is it possible to suffer well? Before you turn away from this episode, I promise that if you listen, the answer will leave you more hopeful than when you started. In this installment, I pick the brain of Bradley Gray, pastor and author of the book 'Finding God in the Darkness.' We discuss the importance of suffering honestly and embracing vulnerability. As you know, we do not shy away from...

Sure, you can multitask, but can you be happy and sad simultaneously? In this episode, I explore the interplay between grief and happiness with Emily Theroux-Threatt, author of the Grief and Happiness Handbook and host of the Grief and Happiness podcast. Our conversation delves into the possibility of experiencing both grief and happiness simultaneously and the process of finding purpose after exp...