"I walked away for a pretty long time..."

No one expects to walk away from their faith after graduation. It was definitely a huge surprise for Rocco. He'd been highly involved in his InterVarsity chapter. He attended Urbana. And he was excited and hopeful about life after graduation. But loneliness, overworking, and extremely intelligent co-workers who didn't believe in Jesus left him experiencing an unexpected crisis of faith. This week, we hear Rocco's story of walking away from Jesus after graduation.

But walking away wasn't the end. Through a series of events that sound like the setup to a bad dad joke, one lonely evening in the middle of a work trip the Holy Spirit, Rocco's campus staff, and his grandma intervened. And everything (slowly) started to change for Rocco.

RELATED EPISODES

• E171: Disappointing Faith. Unfailing God. (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E169: Overcoming Doubt: When Feelings and Faith Don't Match (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
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What do I do when my faith experience feels... disappointing?

In this candid episode of After IV, we welcome InterVarsity alumna Erica Spanjers to talk about the highs and lows of post-college faith. Jon and Erica explore what it means to follow Jesus when church communities let us down, when spiritual growth feels slow, and when God's presence seems quiet. With themes of church hurt, spiritual disappointment, and resilient hope, this episode offers real encouragement for alumni navigating transitions, faith deconstruction, and building (or rebuilding) trust in God after graduation.

RELATED EPISODES

• E169: Overcoming Doubt: When Feelings and Faith Don't Match (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E166: Where Does God Want Me to Go?: Developing Tools for Discernment (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

When you look back, do you see Him? 

In part two of our conversation with Heather Thompson Day, we talk about the power of reflection, the slow work of spiritual growth, and the ways God shows up—often in hindsight. Heather shares how journaling, gratitude, and persistent hope have helped her recognize God's fingerprints even in seasons of silence and waiting. We also explore what it means to prosper in God’s kingdom (hint: it's not about success), how to live generously even in lack, and why your faithfulness matters more than your clarity. If you’ve been wondering where God is in your story, this episode will help you find Him in the details.

Resources

• Visit heatherthompsonday.com
• Purchase What if I’m Wrong: Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure
• Follow @heatherthompsonday

RELATED EPISODE

• E169: Overcoming Doubt: When Feelings and Faith Don't Match (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

STAY IN TOUCH

• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

What if doubt wasn’t something to run from, but a sign you’re right where God wants you? 

In part one of this honest and powerful conversation, Dr. Heather Thompson Day joins us to talk about the unexpected presence of doubt during life’s biggest transitions—like stepping away from a career, losing structure, or graduating from a close-knit community. Together, we unpack how faith and doubt often coexist, why resistance can be a sign of God’s presence, and how to stay rooted when your future feels uncertain. Whether you're wrestling with calling, finances, or identity, this episode reminds you: God sees you, even when you can’t see Him.

Resources

• Visit heatherthompsonday.com
• Purchase What if I’m Wrong: Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure
• Follow @heatherthompsonday

RELATED EPISODE

• E166: Where Does God Want Me to Go?: Developing Tools for Discernment (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

STAY IN TOUCH

• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

What's the hardest part about making friends after graduation?

Believe it or not, it usually isn't meeting new people. New people are everywhere. The hardest part is taking consistent, proactive steps toward GETTING TO KNOW someone once you've met them. So, how do we take that step? If friendship and community are so important for our faith development, mental health, and general well being, how do we overcome that most difficult step?

This week, Jon and Nader chat about vulnerability, healthy boundaries, prayer, and a little persistence as a workable formula for developing deeper, meaningful connections after graduation.

RELATED EPISODES

• E167: Too Distracted to Pray: Developing Prayer Rhythms That Work for You (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E103: Making (and Keeping) Friends After Graduation (Spotify, Apple)

RESOURCES

• Nader's Website

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website
• Leave us a message on SpeakPipe

Life's too distracting to have a meaningful prayer time...

Do you ever feel this way? You're not alone!

Spiritual Director and clinical counselor, Nader Sahyouni, says that distraction is one of the most common barriers people experience in prayer. Whether it's the result of big life choices, frustrations at work, or relentless TikTok notifications, life is just distracting. And the remedy isn't simply getting more focused... It's leaning into God's gracious invitation to experience his love and care for us.

Join us this week for an invitation to transition from prayer motivated by task and obligation to a sense of relationship and connection with a loving God (plus a few practical tips to help the distracted pray-er...)

RELATED EPISODE

• E166: Where Does God Want Me to Go?: Developing Tools for Discernment (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

RESOURCES

• Nader's Website
• Distraction Problems

STAY IN TOUCH

• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website
• Leave us a message on SpeakPipe

How do I know where God is leading me?

This episode kicks off a new series on After IV. We're exploring a few of the changes we can expect in our faith experience after graduation.

On this episode, clinical counselor and spiritual director Nader Sahyouni joins us to unpack the shift from being driven to being called. Nader introduces listeners to the practice of discernment—not just for big decisions, but as a daily rhythm. He explains the role of consolation and desolation, how to build a personal rule of life, and why our desires—when rightly ordered—can lead us closer to God. Whether you're feeling burned out or just unsure about next steps, this episode offers practical tools for tuning into God's daily invitations.

RESOURCES

• Nader's Website
• Developing a Rule of Life

RELATED EPISODE(S)

• E78: Finding Your Footing on Purpose (Apple, Spotify)

STAY IN TOUCH

• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website
• Leave us a message on SpeakPipe

What does it really look like to navigate life after college with hope and faith?

Erica Young Reitz returns to After IV with wisdom from the newly revised edition of her book After College, now updated for Gen Z. In this encouraging conversation, Erica and Jon explore the challenges of transition, the unique superpowers Gen Z brings to the table, and the role of spiritual formation in all of it. Whether you’re anxious about what’s next or simply looking for clarity, this episode will help you breathe deep, name what’s normal, and take your next step with Jesus.

RESOURCES

• Grab your copy of After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and Faith by Erica Young Reitz
• Visit the After College Transition website for more resources!

RELATED EPISODE

• E102: Ending Well With My Friends On Campus (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website
• Leave us a message on SpeakPipe

When the final final whistle blows and a college athlete hangs up her jersey for the last time, what happens next?

For Julia, an Athletes InterVarsity Alumna from UW-River Falls, it was a challenging transition. Saying goodbye to her team, managing an unfamiliar routine, and embracing her new grad school environment meant following Jesus into uncertainty. But God had been preparing her to take courageous steps of faith like these since joining the UW-River Falls Women's Basketball team during her junior year. It was here, as a brand new member of the team, that Julia planted a team Bible study; a ministry that has continued to grow and flourish since she graduated in 2024. It may not look quite the same, but Julia is still courageously saying "yes" to Jesus in her new context and learning what it means to lean into her identity as a child of God and follower of Jesus.

RELATED EPISODE

• E102: Ending Well With My Friends On Campus (Apple, Spotify)
• E163: Cookies with Andy (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website
• Leave us a message on SpeakPipe

In this special bonus episode, Philip Sheegog shares his final words of wisdom for alumni navigating life after graduation. Reflecting on his own journey, he encourages us to trust in God’s provision, release fear, and hold onto His faithfulness—even when the future feels uncertain.

RELATED EPISODE

• E162: Holding Your Calling with Open Hands (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)

STAY IN TOUCH

• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website
• Leave us a message on SpeakPipe