Finding Something Real Podcast

Timothy A. Stratton was in youth ministry for fifteen years. He started as an intern in Santa Cruz, California, then went on to work for Youth For Christ, Navigators, and eventually worked as a youth pastor for nearly ten years in the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney, Nebraska. He saw first-hand how the lies of “new atheists” were impacting the young impressionable minds of his students. This led Tim to devote his life to answering “tough” questions about God and Christianity. As a result, Tim founded FreeThinking Ministries in 2015.

Tim pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska-Kearney (B.A. 1997) and after working in full-time ministry for several years went on to attain his graduate degree from Biola University (M.A. 2014). More recently, Tim earned his Doctorate in Systematic Theology from North-West University (Ph.D. 2020).  His doctoral work primarily focuses on demonstrating God’s middle knowledge and mankind’s libertarian freedom (“Mere Molinism”), and how this view has apologetic significance.

Along with FTM, Tim is a professor of Theology at Trinity Theological Seminary and College of the Bible. He has spoken to numerous audiences around the country and loves to engage in one-on-one conversations with anyone doubting or wrestling with the truth of Christianity. He spends much of his time recording podcasts and writing articles on his website. He also enjoys interacting with our culture via several social media outlets. Tim is passionate about answering questions regarding God, the Bible, and Christianity. 

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This is the second in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. In this episode, special guest, A.J. Swoboda, shares his newest book, and we cover topics including questions about identity, love, desire, doubt, and criticism from within the Church. Lizzy is a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is unsure about having experienced His love. 

We hope you enjoy today's episode!

This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. This first episode was recorded last winter. Lizzy is currently a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is not sure about having experienced His love. Lizzy and Janell have known each other for seven years. 

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@findingsomethingreal

https://www.patreon.com/findingsomethingreal

Happy Wednesday!

This is the twelfth and final episode in a series dedicated to special co-host and Janell's niece, Noelle. Instead of the usual interview format, Janell shares some of the highlights from recording 10 episodes with Noelle, talks about the Patreon episode Noelle and Janell recorded at the end of April together, and shares an open letter to Noelle, talking about regrets, love, Jesus, and sharing Him with others. Stay tuned for next week's episode when the next co-host for FSR will be officially introduced. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

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Links:

Noelle's First episode

Noelle & Jeannine Hanger

Noelle & Abdu Murray

Noelle & Lindsey Medenwaldt

Finding Something Real Speaking Page

Happy Wednesday! Today Lindsey Medenwaldt is joining the podcast!

This is the eleventh episode in a series dedicated to special co-host, Noelle. In this episode, host Janell Wood and guest Lindsey Medenwaldt discuss how to bridge the divide between Christians and non-Christians and have meaningful conversations. They explore the importance of building relationships, being good listeners, and sharing the gospel with love and respect. Lindsey shares insights from her book, 'Bridge Building Apologetics,' and emphasizes the need for Christians to be prepared to give a defense for their faith. They also address the question of why Christians make it their job to tell others about Jesus and the importance of knowing God through Scripture and prayer. Lindsey explains why prayer is a foundational aspect of bridge building apologetics. Prayer helps calm the mind, recall information, and seek guidance in conversations. She emphasizes the importance of active prayer life and being in constant conversation with God. Towards the end of the episode, Janell introduces the next co-host (hi Lizzy!) who will be joining the podcast for conversations soon. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

About Lindsey Medenwaldt

Lindsey Medenwaldt is the Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, and she’s our resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master’s degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master’s in public administration and a law degree. She wrote Bridge-Building Apologetics, which will be released in May 2024 (Harvest House). She’s an editor and author for the Christian Research Journal, an editor for Women in Apologetics, and a member of the Pelican Project. She has also contributed to various writing projects, including a chapter about the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Popular Handbook of World Religions (Harvest House 2021). Lindsey and her husband, Jay (who is also an apologist), have been married for 16 years. They live with their daughters in Iowa. In her spare time, Lindsey loves watching British reality television, especially The Great British Baking Show, and she’s an avid reader (Jay and Lindsey have an at-home library of more than 2,500 books!).

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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

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Links:

Noelle's First episode

Noelle & Jeannine Hanger

Noelle & Abdu Murray

Why Christianity? with Lindsey Medenwaldt

REPLAY: Why Christianity? with Lindsey Medenwaldt

Do Christians and LDS Believe The Same Thing?

REPLAY: Do Christians and LDS Believe The Same Thing?

Is the Enneagram Scientific Progress or Regress? Jay Medenwaldt

Mama Bear Apologetics

Happy Wednesday! Today Abdu joins Noelle and Janell!

This is the tenth episode in a series dedicated to special co-host, Noelle. Abdu Murray joins Noelle, Janell, and special guest, Signe, for a conversation about his journey from being a proud Muslim to becoming a Christian. Abdu talks about the importance of love and treating people with dignity and kindness. He shares the challenges he's faced within his family and community due to his decision to embrace Christianity. Abdu emphasizes the need to separate a person from their ideas and see each person as intrinsically valuable even when disagreements occur. He shares about the fulfillment he found in Jesus and how becoming a Christian was not something he initially desired but a decision he made out of intellectual honesty. He talks about the purpose of the Christian faith not being about achieving happiness, but instead finding fulfillment, joy, and knowledge of God.

We hope you enjoy today's episode! 

About Abdu Murray

Abdu Murray offers the credibility of the gospel message as a speaker and writer with Embrace the Truth. He has authored several books including Saving Truth, Grand Central Question, Apocalypse Later, and the forthcoming More than a White Man’s Religion. For most of his life, Abdu was a proud Muslim until a nine-year historical, philosophical, theological, and scientific investigation pointed him to the Christian faith. Abdu has spoken to diverse international audiences and has participated in debates and dialogues across the globe. Abdu holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Abdu lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with his wife and their three children.

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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

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Links:

Noelle's First episode

Noelle & Jeannine Hanger

Embrace The Truth

Questions Christianity Answers with Abdu Murray

REPLAY: Questions Christianity Answers with Abdu Murray

What Happens When You Embrace the Truth about Jesus Christ? with Abdu Murray

Christianity: Is it helpful? Is it good? with Abdu Murray

Today, Jeannine joins Noelle and Janell!

 It's a conversation with Dr. Jeannine Hanger, Noelle, and Janell, discussing the trustworthiness and relevance of the Bible. Noelle shares her questions about the Bible and its translation throughout history. Jeannine shares her personal faith journey and her passion for the New Testament. Jeannine discusses students' doubt and skepticism over the Bible and the things she sometimes shares with them. She explains why she lives by the Bible's authority and how it can be relevant to people today. Towards the end of the conversation, there is a discussion about authenticity in the Bible- in passages of scripture that weren't part of the oldest manuscripts, and in the historical facts of Jesus' life and death. Jeannine shares about the compelling story of Mary of Bethany and why the tangible things mentioned in scripture are so meaningful to her.

We hope you enjoy today's episode! 

About Jeannine

Jeannine Hanger has been involved with Biola University since 2000. She earned a Master of Arts (2004) and Master of Theology (2009) at Talbot in New Testament Studies and has taught undergraduates in an adjunct role since 2009. She recently completed her doctoral studies (2021) at the University of Aberdeen, also in the New Testament. Her research interests revolve around the Gospels. More specifically she has enjoyed exploring literary approaches to texts seen alongside their ancient world contexts. She has a heart for students to know God through the Word with every aspect of their beings: heart, soul, mind, and strength. As the wife of a pastor, Jeannine has also been deeply invested in the local church. Most recently, she and her husband have enjoyed launching Coastline Covenant Church alongside dear friends in ministry. They live with their three teenage children in the South Bay.

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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

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Links:

Noelle's First episode

biola.edu

John is a faculty affiliate of The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University's Institute for Quantitative Social Science. He is the former Research and Program Coordinator for the Biola University Center for Christian Thought and teaches part-time in the Department of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology.  A former pastor, he holds a Ph.D. degree from The Cook School of Intercultural Studies. His dissertation focused on deconversion from Christianity to atheism.

He is the author of five books on deconversion, A Recipe For Disaster: How the Church Contributes to the Deconversion Crisis (Wipf & Stock, 2018), The Anatomy of Deconversion: Keys to a Lifelong Faith in a Culture Abandoning Christianity (ACUP, 2021), Going... Going... Gone..! Why Believers Lose Their Faith and What Can be Done to Guard Against it (Renaissance Publishers, 2020), Before You Go: Uncovering Hidden Factors in Faith Loss (Leafwood Publishers, 2022), and Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith (Zondervan, 2023). John is also a contributor to an updated edition of the forthcoming book Apologetics for a New Generation (Harvest House 2025). His sixth book, The Good Book? Restoring Your Faith in the Bible by Questioning Everything You Assume About it, (Tyndale) is due for release soon.

John is the Director of Cultural Engagement with the Renaissance Forum which focuses on connecting calling to culture for societal wellbeing. He enjoys speaking at churches and conferences on topics related to biblical studies, philosophy of religion, deconversion, and the relationship between the Church and culture.

Dr. Marriott is also the International Student Services Coordinator at Whittier Christian High School, in Whittier California. 

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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

Noelle's First episode

Noelle & Drew

Dr. John Marriott 

Happy Wednesday! We hope you are doing well!

Today w are airing part two of our conversation with Detective J. Warner Wallace. Jim responds to Noelle’s objection that she doesn’t have to believe in Jesus. In this conversation they discuss reasons why people believe or reject truth claims. and how someone can come to the conclusion that Christianity is the right choice? They talk about how life experiences can impact belief. Jim explains how we cannot deny our fallen human nature. 

Noelle and Jim discuss the exclusive truth claims of Christianity. Jim shares about why it’s important to get identity right with God. He shares about different Bible translations and what they were written for- encouraging Noelle to read the primary source material. Jim also shares some reasons people don’t come to Christ and the way pride vs humility interacts with the offensive nature of the gospel message. 

We hope you enjoy today’s episode!

About J. Warner Wallace

J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University), Gateway Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner became a Christ-follower at the age of thirty-five after investigating the claims of the New Testament gospels using his skill set as a detective. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary.

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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

Links:

FSR May 2023 with J. Warner Wallace

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Cold Case Christianity (website)