What does faith look like when following Jesus could cost you everything?

In this episode of Fulfilled, Rebecca Sheehan talks with Todd Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs about the reality of Christian persecution around the world — from China’s underground church to Nigeria’s danger zones to believers standing strong in Benin’s voodoo culture.

Todd shares powerful stories of courage, prayer, and hope from the frontlines — and reminds us that the persecuted church isn’t just “over there.” It’s part of our family.

If you’ve ever wondered how to pray, help, or simply understand what faith under fire really looks like, this conversation will inspire you to reflect on your own walk with Christ, and strengthen those suffering for their faith.

Watch/Listen to Chapters:

0:00 – Why Governments Fear Christianity

12:30 - Inside the Church Crackdown in China

17:55 - What Americans Learn From Persecuted Christians

21:56 - The Impact of Charlie Kirk’s Martyrdom

25:41 - Lack of News Coverage on Christian Martyrdom / Persecution in Nigeria

29:02 - Reasons for Persecution

32:43 - Spiritual Warfare & Voodoo in Benin

34:57 - How to Help Persecuted Christians Today

38:08 Writing Letters to Persecuted Christians in Prison

41:35 The International Day of Prayer (Nov 2)

43:02 The Power of Communion and Rejoicing Through Suffering

45:45 Final Reflections: Faith That Endures

You can learn more about Voice of the Martyrs here.

Visit prisoneralert.com for information on writing encouraging letters to Christians imprisoned for their faith.

Todd Nettleton’s book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

Is Halloween harmless fun—or a spiritual trap?

Halloween can be one of the most confusing holidays for Christian families. In this episode, Amy Davison of Mama Bear Apologetics joins host Rebecca Sheehan to unpack the history, cultural meaning and spiritual concerns around Halloween. From pumpkins and trick-or-treating to the realities of the demonic realm, we explore how believers can navigate October 31st with both wisdom and grace.

Whether you choose to avoid Halloween or partake in the festivities, this conversation will equip you to approach the day with confidence, clarity, and a gospel-centered perspective.

What did the earliest Christian hymns actually sound like? For the first time, it's no longer a mystery.

In this intriguing episode of Fulfilled, The First Hymn documentary filmmaker Dr. John Dickson shares how he stumbled upon the world’s oldest surviving Christian hymn, decoded its original tune, and ultimately, with the help of singer/songwriters Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding, transformed it into a modern-day hymn that’s already being sung in churches worldwide.

Hear how a song written nearly 1,800 years ago proclaims the same theology we still confess today—and even dismantles the long held skeptic’s claim that the Trinity was a later invention. At a moment when the church longs for unity, discover how music can bind believers across centuries, as a new generation lifts up the very hymn sung by the earliest Christians.

The First Hymn documentary will begin streaming on major platforms in October. If you’d like to watch it now, the full documentary is available on the film’s website.

Listen to Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding's modern version of 'The First Hymn' on Spotify.

The Wheaton College Choir rendition of The First Hymn provided courtesy of The First Hymn documentary.

Burned on 100% of his body at age nine—and now the subject of a Sony Affirm Films feature movie—John O’Leary’s story is nothing short of miraculous.

This week on Fulfilled, I sat down with John—bestselling author, speaker, and executive producer of Soul on Fire (in theaters October 10). Through faith, family, and the love of “ordinary angels,” he not only survived but has gone on to inspire millions.

We dive into several faith takeaways, including lessons from apostle Andrew’s only Bible quote, taking prayerful action when few others would, and experiencing God’s perfect timing in life’s toughest moments.

We also talk about his movie—down to the smallest details, like Masey McLain (playing John’s wife) wearing his wife’s actual wedding dress. And yes, no St. Louis story is complete without Cardinals baseball: famed broadcaster Jack Buck played a key role in John’s recovery, brilliantly portrayed by William H. Macy.

Bonus fun fact: my son had a tiny role in the film as John’s middle son. The casting was so spot-on that I remember thinking he looked more like his movie family than his real one!

Tune in for this heartfelt conversation; it's a moving reminder of God’s presence in our deepest trials and how God works through ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

If someone asked you why you’re a Christian, would you be able to fully explain the reason for the hope within you? Would your kids?

School isn’t just about math and reading—it’s where kids encounter new ideas, worldviews, and challenges to their faith. In this timely back-to-school episode, Rebecca continues her conversation with Amy Davison of Mama Bear Apologetics, digging into how parents can equip kids with the tools of apologetics.

From teaching them to think critically, to helping them see that Christianity is both reasonable and beautiful, this conversation will encourage you to prepare your kids not just for the classroom, but for life. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or mentor, you’ll walk away with practical ways to raise kids who stand strong in truth.

You’ll learn:

• Why apologetics isn’t just for adults—but crucial for kids heading back to school

• Practical ways to help children and teens recognize truth from lies in today’s culture

• How to equip the next generation with both confidence and compassion when sharing their faith

Useful links

Learn more about Mama Bear Apologetics:

📚 Explore Mama Bear Apologetics’ books and other resources

📲 Follow the Mama Bears on Instagram @mamabearapologetics

Other books recommended in the episode:

📚 Why Does God Allow Evil? Compelling Answers for Life’s Toughest Questions by Clay Jones

📝 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin

🙏 Keeping Your Kids on God's Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith by Natasha Crain

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share with any other 'mama bears' (papa bears, grandparents and caregivers, too) who might appreciate it!

As artificial intelligence grows more advanced—and more humanlike—how should Christians respond? In this eye-opening conversation, Rebecca Sheehan welcomes Jay Kim, lead pastor of Westgate Church in the heart of Silicon Valley and author of Analog Christian, for a timely conversation about AI, discipleship, and the sacred gift of embodied presence. Jay shares how his church uses AI thoughtfully, and how the Church can—and can’t—use AI to spread the gospel.

They also explore whether there's really a spiritual shift happening in tech culture, what it means to be “formed into Christlikeness” in an age of distraction, and how Christians can reclaim attention, presence, and purpose in a world of algorithms.

Jay also reflects on the subtle religious revival happening in Silicon Valley, and why intentionality is the key to staying rooted in faith amidst a world of distraction.

Key Topics:

How AI mimics—but can’t replicate—human experience

The best and worst ways churches are utilizing AI

Why the future of spiritual formation is still analog

A Silicon Valley pastor’s take on the so-called tech revival

Guardrails for Christians navigating the digital world

📚 Explore Jay’s books at jaykimthinks.com📲 Follow Jay on Instagram @jaykimthinks

About Fulfilled:

Are you ready to deepen your faith and grow closer to God?

The goal of each episode is to inspire and equip you to deepen your relationship with God and live out your faith in everyday life. We'll dive into Scripture, hear powerful stories of gospel-driven action, and tackle cultural challenges through the lens of God's word.

Please hit subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts—or subscribe on Substack —to never miss an episode.

And if this episode resonated with you, please pass it along!

What sparked the shift from churches singing hymns to performing hits - and can both distinct styles have a place in modern worship?

In this episode of Fulfilled, Rebecca Sheehan sits down with Worship Historian Lester Ruth and Sacred Music Professor Swee Hong Lim to explore the rich history and evolving landscape of worship music.

From the theological depth of traditional hymns to the emotional power of contemporary praise songs, they unpack how worship music shapes our relationship with God, binds us in community, and invites our faith to go deeper.

The conversation dives into the commercialization of worship music, songwriting trends, and how churches can thoughtfully blend both genres in their services to engage hearts and minds.

Whether you love modern worship or prefer classic hymns, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the music that shapes how we experience God today.

EPISODE LINKS:

Check out Fulfilled's worship playlist on Spotify!

Access bios and links to our guests' published books, music, and essays below:

* Worship Music Historian Lester Ruth, Duke Divinity School

* Sacred Music Professor Swee Hong Lim, Emmanuel College

Music featured in this episode: “The First Hymn” by Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding. Used with permission. You can watch the documentary about the discovery and revival of the First Hymn here.

If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and pass it along!

Noah’s Ark is one of the most iconic stories in the Bible—but the floating zoo, cute animals, and rainbow ending barely scratch the surface of its deeper meaning.

In this episode of Fulfilled, we visit the Ark Encounter, a massive life-sized replica in Williamstown, Kentucky. There we explore how a story often dismissed as a children’s tale has become ground zero in a larger clash over biblical authority, evolution, and the age of the earth.

Is the Ark a powerful symbol of judgment and redemption—or a flashpoint for pseudoscience and religious literalism? We unpack the theology behind the attraction, the controversy it stirs, and what it reveals about how modern Christians navigate truth in a skeptical age.

What do we do with pain that won’t go away?

Therapist and author Tabitha Panariso joins host Rebecca Sheehan to talk about healing from deep wounds—rejection, betrayal, and abandonment—through Christ-centered therapy. They explore why Jesus’ resurrection—not just his death—changes how we heal, forgive, and engage with those who’ve wounded us.

Drawing from her own story and her new book Loyal in His Love, Tabitha shares how the gospel speaks into our suffering, why self-reflection isn’t self-indulgent, and how God’s love meets us in our trauma, but doesn’t leave us there.

Because the cross wasn't the end—and neither is your pain.

🕊 Loyal in His Love is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

📲 Follow Tabitha @tabithapanariso on Instagram + Substack.

In Episode 4 of Fulfilled, Rebecca Sheehan sits down with Brooke Beardall, founder of Holy Yoga, to wrestle with a question that divides many Christians: can believers practice yoga without compromising their faith?

From Brooke’s raw and redemptive testimony—complete with a stolen Bible, unexpected rainstorms, and a reluctant yes to God—to deep theological insights on embodiment, yoking, and sanctified movement, this episode is both provocative and pastoral.

Whether you think Christian yoga is a sacred practice or spiritual treason, this conversation invites curiosity, compassion, and maybe even a new way to worship with your whole self—mind, body, heart and soul.