After IV

Alex Warren's "Ordinary" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 back in February of this year and has spent all of Summer '25 (so far) in the #1 position. It's catchy, it's deep, and it's fun to sing. But what does it mean? And how is it shaping us as we sing along in the car for the 50th time?

With lyrics that mention heaven's gates, the sanctuary, the altar, and even the Lord, it can leave us with familiar feelings of faith and spirituality. But should warning lights start to flash once we recognize poetic references to God and worship are being focused on another human? Or is it a complement? An artist using powerful biblical images of worship (along with a healthy dollop of poetic license) to describe the deep and mysterious experience of romantic love?

We're enjoying a short break in our typical format to dig into some of Summer 2025's big hits in music and movies. This week, we're joined by Juilliard Christian Fellowship Alumna, Lydia Goldie, as we discuss the implications of Alex Warren's hit song "Ordinary" and what it means to be thoughtful about music and the impact it has on our discipleship journey with Jesus.

Watch the "Ordinary" music video

RELATED EPISODE(S)

• E116: Navigating a Career in the Arts (Apple, Spotify)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
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What can a medical student expect as they make the transition to residency?

After IV is sitting down with another focus ministry alum this week! On this episode, we're chatting with Dr. Victor Hsiao, MD, an alum from the Keck Student Christian Fellowship at USC. In addition to providing insights about his transition to residency after Med School, Victor shares how his time with his grad fellowship helped prepare him for partnering with Jesus in his calling after graduation.

RELATED EPISODES

• E164: From Overtime to Occupational Therapy: One Athlete's Calling On and Off the Court (YouTube, Apple, Spotify)
• E66: I Nearly Failed Out of Med School: A Story of Extraordinary Commitment to Jesus (Apple, Spotify)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

We've heard the experts. But what are my fellow alumni saying?

We recently devoted 10 episodes to conversations with experts and your fellow alumni about navigating the unique challenges of faith transitions after college. We covered a range of topics including new rhythms for spiritual discipline, doubt, hope, and perseverance. 

Today, we look back on those conversations with Selah, a 2024 InterVarsity alumna who's walking through so many of these exact faith transition experiences. She provides thoughtful feedback from her first year of life after graduation and highlights some of her most meaningful moments from the recent series.

RELATED EPISODE(S)

• E166: Where Does God Want Me to Go?: Developing Tools for Discernment (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E169: Overcoming Doubt: When Feelings and Faith Don't Match (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E172: Deconstructing & Reconstructing After Graduation (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E173: Post-Graduation Disorientation and the Power of Perseverance (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

Too much? Not enough? Exactly the right amount?

How much joy would you say you experience in your life right now?

“Biblical joy and a life of joy comes about when we sense in our nearness to God that he is good and that that will never change. That his goodness and his loving grace toward us is unceasing and it is constant and it is consistent in the midst of life’s ups and downs.”

On this episode of After IV, we revisit our conversation with Jay Kim, pastor and author of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. Jon and Andy discuss the fleeting nature of social media-triggered happiness, and the route to joy centered and deeply rooted in God's unchanging goodness.

RELATED EPISODES

• E173: Post-Graduation Disorientation and the Power of Perseverance (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
• E174: When Right Paths Meet Dark Valleys: Hope for the Road Ahead (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

OTHER RESOURCES

• Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

Has God left me here alone?

When we find ourselves in dark, dangerous places, it's easy to wonder if God has left us. We might wonder... 

• Did I miss his instructions? 
• Is it because of sin? 
• Does he just not care?

What if those are the wrong questions? What if we're supposed to ask...

• Where do I remember seeing God in the past?
• Is it possible he's still there?

Difficulty and hardship do not equal God's absence. In fact, Psalm 23 makes it clear that oftentimes the right paths lead through dark valleys. Which means, even if it's harder to see at times, God's provision and protection is still with us in difficult, dangerous places.

This week, Jason Gaboury helps us better understand the confidence and hope that we can have, even when the path we're walking leads through some pretty dark valleys.

RESOURCES

• DM "Examen" to @afterivpod to receive your copy of the daily examens discussed in this episode

RELATED EPISODE

• E173: Post-Graduation Disorientation and the Power of Perseverance (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with Jesus lately...

That's normal! Sometimes, sticking with your faith isn't about feeling inspired. It's about continuing to show up when it's boring, confusing, and hard. This week, we're talking about spiritual perseverance and our ability to hold tight to Jesus; especially when it feels like our relationship with him just isn't going anywhere.

Because sometimes faithfully following Jesus after graduation isn’t dramatic or exciting like it was on campus. Sometimes, it’s just about that small, faithful decision to keep showing up.

RELATED EPISODE

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

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• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

"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)

STAY IN TOUCH

• Socials: @afterivpod
• Visit our Website

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)

STAY IN TOUCH

• 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