I used to think I had to prove myself to God before He'd actually accept me.

Episode 4 is about grace, the free gift you were never meant to earn. We're looking at the story of a criminal on the cross next to Jesus, someone who did nothing to deserve forgiveness and received it anyway.

If you've ever felt like you've messed up too much to come back to God, this one's for you.

We're also talking honestly about comparison, and why your faith journey was never meant to be measured against anyone else's.

New to Faith continues every other Thursday!

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Episode 3 is about coming back to God, even when it's been a while.

If you grew up around faith and drifted from it, this episode is for you. We're talking through the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd who leaves ninety-nine to go find the one that wandered off, and what that actually means for anyone who feels too far gone to come back.

You don't have to clean yourself up first. Come exactly as you are, however long it's been, however you're actually feeling.

New to Faith continues every other Thursday. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

IG: @olivia.merryweather

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Season 3 is all about helping you explore faith gently, honestly, and at your own pace.

And if you’re new to faith or returning after years away, one of the biggest questions is often the simplest one: Who is God actually?

In this episode, we look at God not as the distant judge many of us grew up imagining, but as a loving Father who delights in His children, who wants to be close, who invites us to lean on Him, and who meets us in the places we feel unsure.

We also talk honestly about how the word father can feel complicated for some of us. If that’s you, this episode holds space for that. You don’t have to force anything or pretend it’s easy. You’re welcome to explore gently, slowly, and in a way that feels safe.

If you’ve ever wondered

• what God is really like

• whether He cares

• whether He provides

• or whether you can trust Him with your questions

This episode is for you.

No pressure to have it all figured out.

New episodes every other Thursday.

Tell me in the comments — what part of God’s character has been hardest for you to understand?

What do you actually believe about God, and where did that belief come from?

Episode 1 of Grounded Conversations Season 3 kicks off New to Faith, a season built for anyone new to Christianity, anyone coming back to faith after drifting, or anyone still working it out.

We're starting with the misconceptions most of us grew up with, the distant judge, the disappointed parent, and where they actually come from, along with what actually changed how I see God myself.

Faith conversations, honest questions, no pressure to have it all figured out. New episodes every other Thursday.

Tell me in the comments, what did you picture God to be like before this?

Most people believe faith is about answers and explanations, but what if true strength lies in trusting what we can't see?

Matthew Efird shares how his devastating journey through the loss of his son transformed his faith, leadership, and ability to find hope amid unimaginable grief. His story, rooted in raw honesty and unshakeable trust in God’s character, reveals powerful lessons about resilience, community, and the grace that sustains us through life's storms.

When Matthew’s son Noah was diagnosed with a genetic disorder threatening his life, he faced questions that shook his faith to the core. Instead of turning away from God, Matthew leaned into Scripture and the story of Noah’s ark—building an ark of trust before the storm arrived. He shares how building faith “in the storm” carried him through the grief of losing Noah, and how his personal journey offers a blueprint for anyone grappling with loss, doubt, or hardship.

You'll discover:

• The significance of "arcs"- faith tools that anchor you during life's fiercest storms, inspired by Noah’s Ark.

• How biblical stories like Job and Noah's Ark offer hope when circumstances feel overwhelming.

• Practical ways to find hope even when all you see is pain- a hope that doesn't require pretending or denying your feelings.

• The importance of community and shared grief in healing and strengthening your faith.

• Why understanding God's unchanging character can bring peace, even in moments of deep suffering.

Matthew Efird, a faith-based entrepreneur and author, brings a rare honesty born from personal tragedy. His story challenges us to reframe suffering not as a sign of abandonment but as a moment where God's presence is often the most tangible. https://eventhoughwewill.com/

This episode is perfect for anyone questioning their faith, navigating grief, or seeking new ways to trust beyond understanding—because sometimes the most profound hope is born in the midst of our most profound loss.

In a world that offers quick fixes and easy answers, Matthew’s journey reminds us that real hope is built on trust—building our own "arks" of faith that carry us through life's inevitable storms.

If you're looking for encouragement that embraces pain and points to eternal promises, this episode is your guide.

What do you do when you have no idea what God is doing?

Lately, I've found myself overthinking a lot- university, the future, money, whether I'm in the right place, and wondering what God is doing behind the scenes. Through all of it, God's been teaching me something simple but powerful: just because I can't see Him working doesn't mean He isn't.

In this episode, I'm sharing some of the things God has been teaching me about trust, uncertainty, and believing He is still working even when life doesn't make sense. We talk about navigating seasons of waiting, feeling forgotten, and learning to trust God's plan when you can't see the full picture.

If you've ever felt lost, uncertain about the future, or wondered whether God has forgotten you, I hope this conversation reminds you that He hasn't.

I'd love to hear your thoughts after listening- what's one area of your life where you're finding it hard to trust God right now? Comment or connect with me on socials:

Instagram: @olivia.merryweather

Instagram: @grounded.conversations

This week on Grounded Conversations, I’m joined by Dr. Randolph Schiffer — neurologist, psychiatrist, author, and former founding director of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Brain Health.

Together, we explore the psychology of fear: what it does to the mind and body, why it’s such a universal human experience, and how people can grow through uncertainty rather than avoid it.

We also discuss how the stories we hear in childhood — and the stories we continue telling ourselves as adults — shape courage, identity, and resilience over time.

This conversation touches on fear, healing, transition, memory, self-discovery, and the complexity of being human in uncertain seasons.

Whether you’re navigating change, struggling with anxiety, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, I think there’s something in this episode for you.

IG: @olivia.merryweather

https://randolphbschiffer.com/

Join me in a conversation with my friend Jacob about how we're finding uni, the potential consequences of AI, theatre etiquette and of course, friendship.

What does it actually mean to trust God when nothing feels certain?

In this episode, I talk about the struggle of letting go of control- especially when it comes to things like money, exams, and the future. Trusting God isn't always easy or clear, but it's in these moments that our faith grows the most

.With stories from the Bible, we see that even when we don't understand or start to doubt, God is still at work.

For my best friend Kena-- Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"

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This episode is about what it really means to change and experience a new beginning… and how that often starts with letting go of something you didn’t fully want to end.

I talk about that in-between stage — when something is over, but you’re not fully in the new chapter of your life yet. When you know you have to walk away, but part of you still wishes things were different.

We get into change, why it feels so uncomfortable, and what real transformation actually looks like — not the highlight version, but the messy, quiet kind.

I also touch on faith and the idea that becoming new isn’t something you have to force — sometimes it’s something you grow into, slowly, and how important that transformation is in shaping who you become.

If you’re in a season of letting go, healing, or trying to move forward… this one’s for you.

IG: @olivia.merryweather

IG: @grounded.conversations