Finding Something Real Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
About
Maybe you’ve grown up as a Christian going to church or maybe you’re not interested in religion at all. But when you’re scrolling, hanging out with friends, trying to sleep, or overwhelmed with your day-to-day, do big existential questions ever pop in- you know- things like, “Why am I here? How did all this get here? What happens after I die?” “Is there a God and is there really meaning to all this?” ”What’s so special about Jesus Christ?” We’ve all experienced deep longing for something this world can’t seem to satisfy. Even someone as wildly successful as Taylor Swift knows that to be true. “I had won album of the year at the Grammys for a second time...” She said, “and I remember thinking afterwards, ’Oh my god, that was all you wanted!... That was all you focused on. You get to the mountaintop and look around and you’re like... what now?” If you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed with all the different voices yelling for your affections- telling you
Episodes
- Delighting in the Love of God with Stephanie Rousselle
Happy Wednesday! In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Rousselle to talk about her new book "Awaken Delight" and her journey toward Delighting in God. Stephanie once identified as an atheist, and she shares the story of how her persp…
- Taking Back Your Thoughts with Mary Rooney Armand
Happy Wednesday! This week we are excited to welcome special guest Mary Rooney Armand to the podcast, joined by our co-host Jeanine and host Janell. In this episode, we dive deep into the reality of toxic thoughts and the lies that can qui…
- The Gift of Desperation with Shelli Strickland
Happy Wednesday! This week we’re joined by special guest Shelli Strickland, along with four of our co-hosts—Ana, Cailee, Sarah, and Frankie. Shelli shares her powerful testimony of coming to faith and how what she calls “the gift of desper…
- How Do I Know God's Will For My Life? - Cailee's Story
Happy Wednesday! We are so excited to introduce one of our co-hosts, Cailee, on today’s episode! Cailee is truly a light—she loves deeply, cares genuinely, and reflects the heart of Christ in the way she lives. Though she’s been a Christia…
- I Was Trying to Prove Atheism with Mary Jo Sharp
Happy Wednesday! We’re back with another episode, and this week we’re joined by special guest Mary Jo Sharp, along with our co-host Sarah. Mary Jo shares her powerful testimony of once trying to disprove Christianity—setting out to prove a…
- The Kingdom of God Starts Right Now with Brant Hansen
Brant Hansen, author of Unoffendable, discusses his experiences as a skeptic and his connection with outcasts on the Finding Something Real Podcast. The episode explores the idea that the Kingdom of God is present now, not just in the futu…
- The Gospel is Offensive with Adam and Candice Coleman
Adam and Candice Coleman join the Finding Something Real Podcast to discuss apologetics and sharing one's faith. They explore the idea that the Gospel, though sometimes offensive, is necessary, and believers are called to stand firm in tru…
- Taking Back Your Power Through Forgiveness with Amy Orr-Ewing
Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing joins hosts Ana and Sarah to discuss forgiveness, drawing from her book "Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear." The episode explores forgiveness as an act of strength and spiritual power, con…
- Can I Be Questioning as a Christian? - Sarah's Story
This episode features Sarah's story, detailing her journey of wrestling with questions and doubts about Christianity. She shares how she actively worked to make her faith her own, leading to significant growth.
- Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning? with Allen Crostic
Allen Crostic joins the Finding Something Real Podcast, sharing his testimony of miraculous healing and subsequent health issues. The episode delves into the meaning of suffering and honoring God through pain, featuring co-hosts Ana, Sarah…
- How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly
Ryan Pauly discusses his passion for Christian apologetics, explaining his work to equip individuals and churches to defend their faith using evidence and love. He shares his background working with various age groups in missionary, educat…
- I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen
Travis Monen discusses his personal testimony of leaving his faith in college, running from God for years, and eventually surrendering back to Him. He emphasizes that repentance is a gift from God, meaning a change in direction towards Him.
- How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way with Tripp and Megan Almon
Tripp and Megan Almon join the Finding Something Real Podcast to discuss navigating relationships in a godly way. They share their personal faith stories, address common myths in Christian dating, and offer insights based on their experien…
- Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story
Christie, a lifelong Christian who attended Wheaton College, shares her personal story of experiencing a spiritual crisis, mental health challenges, and chronic illness. Her journey has led her to confront and wrestle with her faith.
- I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood
Guest Alycia Wood joins co-hosts Sarah and Katelyn to discuss the evidence for Christianity. Alycia shares her background in apologetics and social justice, exploring deeper questions about faith and skepticism.
- Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood
This episode features guest Alycia Wood, who shares her personal faith journey and explores the question of whether biblical miracles still occur. Wood discusses her background in apologetics and her work in social justice, drawing on her…
- Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister
Andy Bannister joins the Finding Something Real Podcast to discuss the historical legitimacy and importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The episode features a conversation with co-host Sarah.
- AI Proves God's Existence with Abdu Murray
Abdu Murray joins hosts Sarah and Cailee on the Finding Something Real Podcast to discuss artificial intelligence. They explore whether AI conflicts with God's nature or human creativity, and Abdu shares insights from his book "Fake ID".
- Are Generational Curses Real? - Ana's Story
Ana shares her personal story on the Finding Something Real Podcast, detailing experiences with generational curses, her father's stroke and passing, struggles with self-hatred and suicidal thoughts, and her deep relationship with the Lord.
- Naturalism Doesn't Make Sense with Jon Noyes
Jon Noyes discusses his faith journey and argues against naturalism on the Finding Something Real Podcast, suggesting it is an oversimplified response to profound questions about suffering, death, and morality.
- You Don't Have to Have All the Answers with Lindsey Medenwaldt
Lindsey Medenwaldt rejoins the Finding Something Real Podcast to discuss practical methods for sharing one's faith. She addresses the common feeling among believers that they must possess all the answers, explaining that the focus should b…
- Can You Trust the Bible? with Greg Koukl
Greg Koukl, founder of Stand to Reason, joined hosts Sarah and Cailee on the Finding Something Real podcast to discuss the trustworthiness of the Bible. The conversation addressed translations, interpretations, and overall legitimacy, with…
- Why People Really Don't Believe in Jesus with Xandra Grieme
Xandra Grieme joins the Finding Something Real podcast to discuss the relationship between faith and science, and addresses difficult topics such as suffering and free will. The episode explores why these issues cause some people to doubt…
- Is This Even Real? - Katelyn's Story
On this episode of Finding Something Real, co-host Katelyn shares her personal journey, discussing her lack of a faith background and her current exploration of Christianity, including her questions and reservations about religion.
- Release What God Has Already Given Us with Jesse Childress
Jesse Childress discusses the challenge of not having all the answers while still being called to share one's faith and experiences of God working in their life. Childress has an MA in Cultural Apologetics and is studying counseling with a…
- Making the Case for Christ with J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner Wallace, a homicide detective and author, discusses his approach to Christian apologetics and addressing faith-related questions with the hosts of Finding Something Real Podcast. Co-host Sarah shares personal experiences with dou…
- Dealing with Grief and Church Hurt with Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt discusses grief and church hurt with hosts of Finding Something Real, sharing personal experiences of losing his father and exploring related challenges within the church.
- How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa
Drew Berryessa discusses his journey of leaving a homosexual lifestyle after encountering Jesus, detailing the emotional toll and the process of becoming a devoted follower. With co-hosts Ana and Sarah, the episode explores how to offer lo…
- The Difference Jesus Makes - Frankie's Story
Frankie joins as co-host and shares her personal journey, including adoption, facing opposition for her faith, and exploring her spiritual questions and gifting within Christianity.
- Season 8 - Intro Episode
The Finding Something Real Podcast returns for Season 8 with an introduction episode. Host Janell Wood is joined by friend Katie Dommel to discuss the ministry's progress and introduce the eight young women from diverse faith backgrounds w…
- I Found The Real Thing with Craig Hazen
This is the sixth and final episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. This episode is with special guest, Craig Hazen. Dagmar has co-hosted many Finding Something REAL epi…
- Talking About Jesus with Josh White
This is the fifth in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. This episode is with special returning guest and Portland pastor, author, and recording artist, Josh White. Dagmar has…
- One of the World's Top Philosophers Answers Big Faith Questions with William Lane Craig
This is the fourth in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. This episode is with special guest and leading philosopher, William Lane Craig. Dagmar wasn't available for this recor…
- From Skeptic Atheist to Bible-Believing Christian with Jon Noyes
This is the third in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. This episode is with special returning guest and Stand to Reason speaker, Jon Noyes. Dagmar wasn't available for this r…
- Love is What Makes Having a Relationship with Jesus Worth It with Julia Garschagen
This is the second in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. This episode is with special guest, Julia Garshagen. Due to technical difficulties, Julia Garschagen not only was our…
- Christianity is Most Likely True, but I'm Not Sure I'm Ready to Give My Life to It with Dagmar
This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman and returning cohost, Dagmar from The Netherlands. She's cohosted about 20 Finding Something REAL episodes in the past four years. Although Dagmar is interested in, learn…
- Forgiveness, Sobriety, Eating Disorder, and Why Jesus is Actually Worth It with Dr. Lisa Stanton
This is the eighth and final episode in a series dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. With my last two cohosts, I have written a final letter. But, I thought for this one, I would bring on some friends. Today I am joined by one of my d…
- Can Doubt and Faith Coexist? with Jason Schmidt
This is the seventh episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. This episode is with special guest, Jason Schmidt. Jason’s parents were Janell’s youth pastors and to this day have had a lasting impact on her li…
- I Have Seen the Goodness of God in My Life with Ana Torres
Happy Wednesday! We are taking a break from our usual format. We will be back with Olivea next week, but for this episode, we have a special treat! This is a special episode because we are celebrating Finding Something Real's 5th Anniversa…
- How Do You Know This Stuff Isn't Made Up? with Lindsey Medenwaldt
This is the sixth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. This episode is with special guest, Lindsey Medenwaldt. Although Olivea was unable to join in on this conversation, Lindsey shared about her ministr…
- How Does Following Jesus Impact Feelings of Comparison? with April Biondolillo
This is the fifth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. This episode is with special guest, April Biondolillo. April shares with Janell and Olivea about her life journey, She talks about her ministry, Che…
- Does God Really Care? with Francine Rivers
This is the fourth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. This episode is with special guest, best-selling author, Francine Rivers. In this episode Francine shares with Janell and Olivea about her life jou…
- What Does Christianity Have to Say About...? with Jesse Childress
This is the third in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. This episode is with special guest, Jesse Childress. In this episode Jesse shares with Janell and Olivea about his own faith journey, how childhood attachme…
- How Do You Know You're Going to Heaven with Erik Thoennes
This is the second episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. Today we are talking with special guest, Erik Thoennes. Erik answers Olivea's questions about eternal security, God's character, and His love. Oliv…
- What If Following Jesus Isn't Worth It?
This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Olivea. Olivea is someone who loves singing, spending time with loved ones, and cooking. She shares about her relationship with her family and talks about the diffi…
- What If The Questions Never Stop?
DESCRIPTION: This is the twelfth and final episode in a series dedicated to special co-host Lizzy. Instead of the usual interview format, Janell shares about an important milestone for the podcast, talks about some of the highlights from r…
- What's Sin? & What's the Big Deal? with Clare Williams
This is is the eleventh episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Today we're talking with special guest, Clare Williams, the founder of Real Questions. Clare shares her desire to address real questions and an…
- Finding Jesus When All Else Fails with Robin Gerblick
This is the tenth episode in a series dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Today we're talking with special guest, Robin Gerblick. Robin talks about her own story of struggling with insecurity, looking for love in all the wrong places,…
- Acknowledging Anxiety & Finding Joy in Christ with Josie Pettit
This is the ninth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Today we're talking with special guest, Josie Pettit, creator of the Confetti Cake Project. Josie shares about her personal struggles with anxiety an…
- On the Autism Spectrum, Skeptical and Secure in Jesus with Brant Hansen
This is the eighth episode in a series dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Today we're talking with special guest, Brant Hansen, a bestselling author and podcast host. Lizzy specifically requested having the chance to ask him questions…