What if this isn't the most wonderful time of the year for you?

In this episode, our second guest, Krista McDunn, returns to discuss the challenges and complexities of the holiday season, particularly Christmas and New Year's. You heard it here first, folks: we are putting the Krista back in Krista-mas this year.

Together, we explore the feelings of stress, unmet expectations, loneliness, financial strain, and family conflict that can pop up between meals, parties, and holiday specials.

We cover everything from navigating family conflict to maintaining sobriety during the holiday season. At the heart of our conversation, you will find the importance of radical acceptance and finding hope in the gospel message.

Oooh, and one more thing: I pit the advent of Jesus against the advent of the commercialized Santa Claus. Is it controversial? Tune in to find out. What are the holidays without a little bit of drama? Am I right?

What if your outlook is doing more to harm you than help you?

The lens through which we see the world and ourselves matters. In this episode, David Zahl stops by to discuss a different way of viewing humanity and ourselves. Though this outlook may seem new, it’s not entirely unfamiliar to those in the Christian faith. David, the director of Mockingbird and the author of Seculosity and Low Anthropology unpacks the importance of adopting a low anthropological view of ourselves.

You made it to the Cathedral. Now, what’s next?

It's time to head home, Pilgrims, but Spoiler alert: your Camino is not over. You've only reached the halfway point. In this episode, Alexander John Shaia, the author of Return From Camino, joins me, and we reflect on the moments that followed after arriving at my "destination" in Santiago de Compostela. We discuss the importance of pilgrimage, Joseph Campbell's influence, and the concept of the four-part journey. We also discuss the significance of choosing one's own Camino and bringing the Camino experience back home.

Your journey will come to an end.

Hey Peregrinos! As you know, we’ve been vicariously walking the Camino de Santiago together. Last week, Kiko and I took you stage by stage and broke down the trials that we experienced. After I parted ways with Kiko towards the end, I finished walking with Pia and Simon. So, I’m happy to have them join this conversation on finishing the Camino. They share their experiences, challenges, and reflections on the final moments of the journey to Santiago de Compostela.

The trick is learning to accept both the good and the bad on the Camino.

Buen Camino, fellow pilgrims! Welcome back to MercyCast. Last week, we talked about the Call to the Camino. Today's episode discusses the trials you will face as you walk the Camino.

Amidst the high altitudes and rugged terrain, I met Kiko, a fellow pilgrim. Together, we navigated everything from challenging mountain trails to interpersonal relationships. We learned that the path to self-discovery often involves the support and friendship of others.

Sometimes, the Camino calls you.

Greetings, fellow pilgrims, and welcome back to the MercyCast! Whether you have gone on the Camino De Santiago, are interested in going, or have no idea what it is, this series is for you! Today's episode is a beacon of guidance for those preparing to walk the sacred path of the Camino de Santiago. Join us as we discuss what it means to be called to the Camino.

Sometimes, an email can change your life.

In this episode, Marisol Maldonado Rodriguez, founder and Executive Director of Renew Life Center and author of the new book, Beyond Her Yes: Reimagining Pro-Life Ministry to Empower Women and Support Families in Overcoming Poverty, shares her experience as the client services director of a pregnancy resource center and how a transformative email from a client highlighted the overlooked vulnerabilities and complexities surrounding the pro-life movement.

Just because something is free does not mean there isn’t a cost.

In this episode, Helen Taylor drops by the MercyCast. She is the Vice President of Impact at Exodus Cry, a nonprofit organization committed to abolishing sex trafficking and breaking the cycle of commercial sexual exploitation. Helen shares her journey of passion, perseverance, and faith in the face of adversity.

Due to visa restrictions, she had to serve on a volunteer visa for the first three years and raise her support from England since she couldn't be paid in the US. Despite the hurdles and the constant uncertainty, Helen felt a deep calling to serve those vulnerable and exploited in the sex industry.

Life can be complex.

Enter Matt Popovits. Matt is a pastor, speaker, and podcaster whose approach to life is characterized by a desire for simplicity and relatability. He drops by to discuss navigating complex topics with grace and hope. Matt shares his origin story in a sense, where he discovered his calling through comforting a friend in a time of tragedy, highlighting the importance of being present and empathetic during challenging moments. In our talk, we emphasize the need to connect the finished work of Jesus with people's unique situations and pain.

How do you hope again after experiencing a miscarriage?

In this episode, Rachel Lohman joins the MercyCast to discuss her pregnancy and infant loss journey and her mission to bring healing and hope to others. Rachel is the author of Miscarried Hope and the founder of Hope Again Collective. This handmade jewelry line beautifully shares the stories of mothers who have experienced the pain of pregnancy loss. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and the Power of sharing our stories.

You can't do self-care by yourself.

In this episode, my friend Neal Salzman and I explore resiliency and discover the beautiful essence of vulnerability in the face of adversity. Neal is a licensed therapist and the founder and executive director of the Rest Initiative. We discuss an essential aspect of life people often overlook: the ability to care for ourselves while tirelessly caring for others. It's a lesson I've learned the hard way, and Neal's story is nothing short of inspiring.

Not everyone will have the same experience at your church as you will this Sunday.

Today, Jamaal Williams drops by discussing how our churches can reflect both our communities and the Kingdom of God. He is the lead pastor of Sojourn Church Midtown in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, and the president of the Harbor Network. He also co-authored the new book, In Church as It Is in Heaven: Cultivating a Multiethnic Kingdom Culture.

Together, we're exploring the world of creating a multiethnic church and all the trials and triumphs that come with it.

Sometimes, forgiveness is a journey.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend, Dan Darling, who opens up about a life-altering experience – being fired from his job in a very public way. Dan is the author of several books, including his newest book, Agents of Grace, How to Bridge Divides, and Love as Jesus Loved. He is also the director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement. He regularly contributes to World magazine and USA Today.

How do we heal?

Jamie Cowhick joins me on the MercyCast to help me answer this question. Jamie is the president of Nana Recovery Center of Fort Lauderdale and, as you will learn in this episode, a survivor of Sex Trafficking.

Do you ever surround yourself with people but still feel lonely? Do you ever wonder who your true friends are and why it's so hard to find them? We've all been there.

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into a topic that affects each of us: Friendship.

Is your faith community a safe place for everyone?

In this week's episode, Boz Tchividjian and I dive deep into an issue from the headlines that often lurks in the shadows of our faith communities – abuse, particularly within the church. Have you ever wondered what grooming means in the context of spiritual abuse? Or how power dynamics within religious organizations can lead to victimization? We dive deep into these topics, shedding light on the hidden aspects of church abuse that need our attention.

Human Trafficking happens in every country and every state. What can you do about it?

Ben faced a dilemma as a journalist in Haiti. He was presented with the opportunity to buy a child. What would he do?

In this episode, my friend, E. Benjamin Skinner, joins me to help answer this question. Skinner is the author of A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery.

Are you experiencing true freedom?

In this episode, Karrie Garcia, a pastor, author, and CEO, joins me to discuss her new book, Free and Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be. Don’t miss it!

Healing is often a holistic process.

Picture this: Sue's life takes an unexpected turn when she travels to Brazil and starts experiencing mysterious health problems. Doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause, and she faced the uncertainty of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). She knew nothing else but to ask God for healing.

Have you ever felt stuck?

In the latest MercyCast episode, I sit down with my friend Guy Wasko, who's not just a pastor and chaplain, but also an entrepreneur. Guy shares his personal story of reaching the pinnacle of his career only to feel like something vital was missing. He wondered if there was more to life than what he was experiencing. He was experiencing vocational dissonance.