Let’s face it: a beautiful, shiny, happy life sometimes feels more lackluster, dull or unfulfilling. When the world is frightening and the mental load is too much, when working to fulfill the needs of others leaves you without time to take care of yourself or when the hope you had for that particular prayer goes unanswered… it can be hard to love your life.

Rachel Awtrey, host of the “Real Talk with Rachel” podcast is bringing her bestie energy to the show today. This episode will help you redefine joy so you can find it in the messy, mundane and magnificent moments in life. God really is present in the details and by the end of this conversation, I hope you’ll be able to see him there more clearly.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Grab “Love Your Life (Even when you Don’t Like it All the Time)” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter to get reflection questions for each episode.

Follow: @rachel.awtrey | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

When a 90s church kid from an immigrant family finds herself accidentally speaking out against mainstream church ideologies, the natural path to advocacy is comedy…right?! It was for Kristina Hart, who has learned to use humor as an open door to conversations that really matter.

This episode breaks down dating as a single adult, deconstructing traditional gender expectations, what happens when you stumble into political activism and the importance of choosing to see someone else’s humanity.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Get your own “I’m a love your neighbor” shirt

Kristina’s favorite Iranian + Persian creators to follow:
Nazanin Nour + Nazanin Boniadi

Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter to get reflection questions for podcast episodes.

Follow: @itskristinahart | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

While others call him a prophet, he calls himself a poet. He’s also now a published author, here to talk all about the poems and essays in “A Rebellion of Care,” his moving manifesto that will invite you to embrace your humanity and live fully alive.

David and I talk about sustainability, social change, hyper-capitalism, pervasive loneliness, the epidemic of social isolation and mental health in men, as well as the exhaustion many Christians feel trying to cling their faith in this politically divisive timeline.

If you’re ready to use your cynicism for good and join in the rebellion against struggle and suffering, the wisdom of David Gate if waiting for you.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Grab “A Rebellion of Care” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter to get reflection questions for each episode.

Read more from David on his Substack, A Rebellion of Care.

Follow: @davidgatepoet | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

Immigration news is changing as quickly as we change the channel. It’s hard to keep up with accurate information, especially when misinformation spreads just as quickly. And does it really even matter? Should we care about what’s happening at the United States/Mexico border if we don’t live anywhere near there? Do we need to be informed about refugee policy if it doesn’t affect us?

Liliana Reza, the director of Border Engagement for World Relief, believes that it’s the responsibility, and the call, of all Christians to care about immigrants. This episode will provide information, correct terminology, resources, additional education and advocacy options. I pray you walk away with insight into who the people are that are coming into the USA, what the experience of crossing the border is like and what the Bible has to say about immigrants.

RELEVANT LINKS:

World Relief Information on Immigration Policies

How to be an Advocate for Immigrants

Resources + Advocacy with Women of Welcome (including Border Immersion Experiences)

An introductory conversation on immigration with Bri Strensrud

Perspective Poem: Home by Warsan Shire

Follow: @lilireza | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

Christianity is shaped by a mix of things: culture, time, leadership, politics, media and personal experience. But somewhere along the way, one specific expression of Christianity went off course and became a new thing, Christian Nationalism.

If you’re unsure about what Christian Nationalism even is, this episode will help you understand how it’s an off-shoot of Christianity. If you’re looking for language on how to talk with family members about this combination of faith and politics, this episode will provide you with language and resources that will help you stand confidently in your beliefs while also navigating those relationships. This is an important conversation for all Americans right now, even if you’re not a Christian, because it’s a political movement that is changing and creating the country we live in.

Thank you for doing the first step of listening to learn. My prayer is that God will reveal your next step - whether it’s in continued education, advocacy or joining the fight with your voice. I also encourage you to keep learning from the accounts and additional interviews below:

ADVOCACY GROUPS:

LKN Troublemakers (local to Charlotte)
Red, Wine & Blue (Find your city to make good trouble)

ADDITIONAL EPISODES ON CHURCH & POLITICS:
Now What? (How to Move Forward Together When We’re Divided on Everything)
with Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland

I Think You’re Wrong but I’m Listening
with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers

How to be a Christian Post-Election with Ben Cremer

OTHER PODCASTS TO LEARN FROM:
Pantsuit Politics (Sarah Stewart Holland + Beth Silvers)
Faith Adjacent (Erin Moon, Jamie Golden + Evan Dodson)
Be the Bridge (Latasha Morrison)

PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Sharon MacMahon (Sharon Says So)
Jessica Yellin
Mosheh Oinounou (Mo News)
Women of Welcome
Little Justice Leaders

The world is tiring but instead of taking the time to find true rest, we often find ourselves detaching, avoiding or numbing out just to find some release. Whether you’re chasing something or running away from something, Terry Crist has the solution to feeling restless.

This conversation covers a multitude: from church hurt to running with MLK, from family systems theory to getting hyped up by Eminem. And be on the lookout for the social media post where you can tell us who you most identify with in the Bible!

RELEVANT LINKS:

City of Grace Church in Phoenix, AZ

Grab “Now You Can Stop Running: Finding the Rest Your Should Desperately Needs” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter to get reflection questions for each episode.

Follow: @terrycrist | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

“I turned down Usher” is not a sentence most of us have said. But Kierre has! Kierre Bjorn shares his story of being invited to The Voice and how God used that experience to lead him straight into music ministry. He’ll share his hope for the future of the church as well as what changes he thinks are necessary to help us become the church the world needs.

In this episode, Kierre will also introduce you to Common Hymnal, a spiritual underground group that makes music to address everything from racism, social justice, poverty, abuse, depression and pretty much any other issue that Christians are facing. We highly encourage you to listen to their collection of music, believing it will not only educate but also bring healing.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Listen to Kierre’s original music as well as the praise and protest music of Common Hymnal.

Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter to get reflection questions for each episode.

Follow: @kierrebjorn | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt

How do you find direction in times of uncertainty? If you’re feeling disconnected, lost, hurt, confused or wondering where God is, you may be in a wilderness season. Kristel Acevedo will give you hope and a way forward in her 6 week study of biblical figures who faced their own wilderness.

This episode will re-introduce you to John the Baptist, Hagar, Adam and Eve, the Israelites, Elijah and Jesus so you can see how God was present with all of them - just as He is present today with you.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Grab “A Way in the Wilderness: Meeting God in the Desolate Places of Scripture” or the Spanish version, “Un Camino en eld Desierto” from our Becoming Church resource list on Amazon!

Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter to get reflection questions for each episode.

A Way in the Wilderness with Kristel Acevedo and Dr. Joel Muddamalle

Follow: @kristelace | @kristinmockleryoung | @mosaicclt