Rebecca sits down with Karen Swallow Prior to explore vocation that comes from outside us, the goodness of “ordinary” faithfulness, and why pursuing the true, the good, and the beautiful gives shape to our work in every season. They reflect on biblical portraits of calling (Paul, Moses, Jonah), the role of community in discernment, and how serving others—not chasing status—aligns our lives with Jesus.

Resources mentioned:

• Karen's Website: karenswallowprior.com
• You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful (Karen Swallow Prior)
• On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books (Karen Swallow Prior)
• The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis (Karen Swallow Prior)
• Bible passages:
  • Acts 9 (Paul’s calling)
  • Exodus 3–4 (Moses)
  • Jonah (running from calling)
  • Colossians 3:23–24 (work as unto the Lord)

0:00 Exploring Vocation and Identity in Confronting Christianity Podcast
2:34 Understanding Life's Callings and Their External Origins
7:23 Discerning Personal Calling Amidst Biblical and Modern Examples
13:57 Discovering Your Calling Through Truth and Community
14:52 Jesus's Teachings on Power and Christian Vocation
17:47 Redefining Life's Calling Beyond Glamorous Achievements
24:09 Christian Perspectives on Vocation and Service
28:42 Finding Purpose in Serving Others Over Personal Ambitions
33:28 Finding Purpose in Caring for Creation
36:07 A Humbling Experience in a School Swimming Contest
36:56 Discovering Personal Callings Through Community and Encouragement
40:39 Exploring Beauty and Vocation Through a Christian Lens

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Season 7 of Confronting Christianity is here! Rebecca gives a sneak peek at upcoming conversations—from finding hope in suffering and living faithfully as a single Christian, to confronting anxiety, pornography, and the meaning of Jesus’ death. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a single episode.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Rebecca’s forthcoming book: How Church Could Literally Save Your Life (Releases October, preorder available)
• Rebecca's Website
• Weekly newsletter signup

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What happens when you’ve tried everything—and nothing works? In this episode, Justine shares how she searched for meaning through alcohol, relationships, yoga, crystals, and tarot—only to find herself more lost than ever. But a YouTube video, a prayer in Madrid, and a series of quiet nudges led her to confront the truth she could no longer ignore: she needed Jesus. Whether you're skeptical, curious, or clinging to faith, this story of rescue will challenge your assumptions and stir your soul.
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Based on his beloved song, Penelope Judd, Shai Linne shares a beautiful allegory to help kids grasp the gospel—that Jesus, like the Prince in the story, enters our broken world and invites us into something new. Using the song’s lyrics, this book offers a creative way to start gospel conversations with the children you love.

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What if rock bottom isn’t the end of the story, but the place where grace runs deepest? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Ray Ortlund about the kind of suffering that strips us bare—and the kind of Savior who meets us there. We dig into betrayal, isolation, and the painful honesty of self-examination. Ray shares wisdom from his new book, Good News at Rock Bottom, reminding us that Christianity doesn’t offer a shallow fix—but a Redeemer who walks with us through the wreckage. If you’ve ever felt like your faith is hanging by a thread, this conversation is for you.
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Good News at Rock Bottom
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Based on his beloved song, Penelope Judd, Shai Linne shares a beautiful allegory to help kids grasp the gospel—that Jesus, like the Prince in the story, enters our broken world and invites us into something new. Using the song’s lyrics, this book offers a creative way to start gospel conversations with the children you love.

Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What does it look like to follow Jesus at Harvard? In this episode, I talk with senior Andrei Comlosan-Pop about coming to faith in high school, navigating life as a Christian at a secular university, and how literature, economics, and community all play a part in shaping a thoughtful, lived-out faith.
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Based on his beloved song, Penelope Judd, Shai Linne shares a beautiful allegory to help kids grasp the gospel—that Jesus, like the Prince in the story, enters our broken world and invites us into something new. Using the song’s lyrics, this book offers a creative way to start gospel conversations with the children you love.

Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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I’m joined by my friend Elizabeth Woodson—Bible teacher, author, and all-around theological powerhouse—to talk about Paul’s letter to the Galatians. We dig into what it really means to be free in Christ, why Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle matters so deeply, and how he surprisingly elevated the role of women in his ministry. Elizabeth shares wisdom from her new Bible study, Live Free, and together we unpack how belief in Jesus reshapes both our individual lives and our communities.
Buy Elizabeth's Study:
Live Free - Bible Study: A Study of Galatians
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Historian Molly Worthen joins Rebecca to unpack her journey from agnosticism to faith, the pull of charismatic leaders, and why Jesus—not political saviors—is the only one truly worth following. From Trump-era evangelicalism to the Spirit-led church, this episode asks: What kind of power really saves?
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Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump
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Rebecca is joined by Glen Scrivener and Dr. Rob Barward-Symmons to explore a surprising rise in church attendance in the UK—especially among Gen Z and young men. Drawing on new YouGov data, they discuss the impact of immigration, cultural shifts, and the quiet but steady relevance of Christian community in a secular age.
Check out the Report:
The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance
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Is belief in God just a quirk of the human brain—or is it something deeper? In this episode, I’m joined by theologian Gray Sutanto to explore the insights of cognitive science and what they tell us about our built-in sense of the divine. Drawing from his new book Ascends of the Divine, we discuss the limits of human knowledge, the power of revelation, and how Gray’s own journey to faith shapes his perspective.
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In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dan Strange to talk about the deep longings that pull at every human heart—connection, deliverance, destiny—and how they point us to Christ. Drawing from his book "Making Faith Magnetic", Dan helps us think through how to engage our culture with both truth and tenderness. We also explore the vital role of the church in supporting vulnerable children through fostering and adoption, and why even a seemingly secular world is still full of spiritual hunger.
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