MercyCast

What if obedience to Jesus actually costs us something? What if faith wasn’t safe, tidy, or convenient—but relational, risky, and deeply transformative?

In this episode of the Mercy Cast, I sit down with author Mark Buchanan to talk about his powerful novel, What Is Left of the Night, inspired by the true story of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. During World War II, this small French village quietly resisted Nazism. Around 900 residents sheltered more than 2,500 refugees—mostly Jews—with no refugee deaths. Their courage wasn’t loud. It was steady. Scripture-shaped. Costly.

We talk about the leadership of pastors André Trocmé and Magda Trocmé, whose lives were anchored in Matthew 25 and Jubilee theology. Their allegiance to Christ led them not only to protect the vulnerable, but—after the war—to show compassion even to German POWs. That’s the kind of gospel witness that unsettles our categories.

Mark shares how writing this novel coincided with the launch of New Story Community, a live-in healing ministry for Indigenous women. We wrestle with what it means to choose vulnerability today. To risk proximity. To move beyond ideology and into embodied love. To trade tribal loyalty for singular allegiance to Jesus.

Here’s what I want you to hear: quiet obedience can change the world. Vulnerability is not weakness—it’s the pathway to transformation. And when we step toward the marginalized, we don’t just offer mercy—we’re remade by it.

If you’ve been wondering what faithfulness looks like in a polarized, performative age, this conversation is for you.

Listen in. Then ask yourself:

Where is obedience becoming inconvenient for me?

Who is God inviting me to move toward?

What would it look like to choose costly love?

Let’s be people whose lives make mercy visible.

Takeaways

• Obedience becomes real when it costs us something.
• The story of Le Chambon reveals quiet, steadfast heroism.
• Vulnerability is an act of radical faith.
• Scripture must shape not just what we believe, but how we live.
• Proximity to the marginalized transforms us.
• Community creates space for mutual healing.
• Friendship deepens in discomfort and risk.
• Pilgrimage and place can awaken conviction.
• Allegiance to Christ must rise above political or cultural loyalties.
• Ideology shrinks love; the gospel expands it.

Learn more about Mark and how to follow his work at Markbuchanan.net. Also, don’t forget to buy his new book, What is Left of the Night.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

Secrecy is quiet at first. Then it gets heavy. Then it owns the room.

In this powerful episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Alicia Barr, author of More Than a Secret, for a raw and redemptive conversation about confession, compromise, accountability, and the transforming power of grace.

Alicia shares her story of a four-year extramarital affair, hitting rock bottom two years in, and quietly searching for a Christian resource written from the mistress’s perspective.

“I went searching in confidence… and I couldn’t find it.”

So she wrote the book she needed.

This episode addresses:

• The emotional and spiritual impact of secrecy
• Church hurt, isolation, and loss of belonging.
• Infidelity recovery and personal responsibility
• Christian counseling and confession
• Grace greater than shame

This is not a story of blame-shifting. Alicia takes full responsibility for her choices. But she also courageously names the vulnerabilities beneath them—loneliness, disconnection, and the deep human need to be seen and known.

As Scripture warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” None of us is beyond temptation.

Rock Bottom: When Secrets Collapse

Alicia describes rock bottom as lying on her bedroom floor, crying out to God, wanting nothing more than to die.

Years later, at a conference, author and speaker Annie F. Downs paused mid-session and said a sentence that would change Alicia’s life.

That moment pierced through the silence.

Alicia told her sister.

She found a counselor.

She stepped into the light.

According to research by Michael Slepian, author of The Secret Life of Secrets, the average person carries 13 secrets—five of which are never told to anyone.

We are not built to carry that weight alone.

Grace Greater Than Shame

During counseling, as Alicia condemned herself repeatedly, her therapist gently said:

“That’s what Jesus Christ went to the cross for.”

The cross did not excuse her sin—it transformed her.

“The story doesn’t end with secrecy. It ends with the cross.”

Today, community is non-negotiable. Alicia has trusted women in her life who can ask her anything, anytime, anywhere. Accountability is no longer optional—it’s life-giving.

This episode of MercyCast is for:

• Anyone carrying a secret
• Anyone battling shame after infidelity.
• Anyone who feels unforgivable
• Anyone afraid that being fully known means being abandoned.

Healing begins with truth.

Community breaks isolation.

Grace is stronger than your worst decision.

Learn more about Alicia at Aliciabarr.com. Buy her new book, More than a Secret.. Follow her on Instagram.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

What if the thing you can’t say no to is shaping your spiritual life?

On this episode of the Mercycast, I talk with JT Tapias—former pro soccer player, once-homeless teen, and founder of a Christ-centered nutrition and wellness movement. His story moves from cartel violence and addiction to faith, redemption, and holistic health.

It began with a question I didn’t want to answer:

“What is your relationship to food?”

I wanted tactics. But behavior reveals belief—and belief shapes identity.

After hidden addiction led to an AFib diagnosis and a suicide letter, JT encountered Jesus in a way he couldn’t explain. The next day, he said it felt like “a 2,000-pound gorilla” had lifted off his shoulders.

Dopamine, Discipline & Surrender

We’re constantly chasing relief—food, alcohol, screens, approval. In JT’s word’s: “We are constantly scanning the room for dopaminergic moments.”

So here’s the question: What can’t you say no to?

This isn’t white-knuckled discipline. As I shared: “The law can reveal where you are, but it can’t deliver you. Only the gospel can do that.” In the Christian life, it is motivated by the Gospel. But the Holy Gospel has implications for the whole person. Holistic health—mind, body, and spirit—matters to God. Our stewardship can strengthen our spiritual resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• The “why” behind behavior matters.
• Addiction often hides in plain sight.
• Self-control flows from the Holy Spirit.
• Faith must be lived, not just professed.

If this episode stirred something in you, sit with this:

What can’t I say no to?

Bring it to the Lord.

Let surrender shape your growth.

Subscribe to the Mercycast for more conversations on compassion, adversity, faith, wellness, and personal growth—and share this with someone who needs hope today.

Learn about JT’s Empty Your Bucket Plan. Follow him on instagram.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

This week on the MercyCast podcast, I sat down with my friend Tanner Olson, author of the new book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through, to talk about something we don’t slow down enough to admit:

It’s just hard to be a human being.

Not the polished, Instagram version.

Not the “better than I deserve” church answer.

The real version.

The version where you’re grieving.

The version where life didn’t turn out the way you thought it would.

The version where the only prayer you have left is, “Help.”

Recently, I officiated the funeral of someone who was like a second father to me. In that moment, I realized something important about grief and healing: so many of us try to get past our pain instead of going through it. We want closure. We want resolution. We want to look in the rearview mirror and say, “I’m glad that’s over.”

But true healing doesn’t work that way.

When it comes to processing grief, emotional pain, and spiritual struggle, the only way out… is through.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How to process grief in a healthy way
• The difference between “processing” and actually healing
• What Christian hope really means in the middle of suffering
• Why vulnerability strengthens relationships and mental health
• How to navigate disappointment when life doesn’t go as planned
• How each of us is a “first-time human being.”
• The power of asking, “How are you doing… really?”
• Simple, honest prayer during hard seasons

We talk about the temptation to rush through pain — to fix ourselves, silence the negative voice, or solve the entire problem at once. But real spiritual growth and emotional healing often begin with something much smaller:

The next faithful step.

Not the marathon.

Not the five-year plan.

Just the next step toward hope.

We also explore the messiness of life — the “messy middle” where growth, resilience, and faith are formed. If you’re walking through uncertainty, grief, anxiety, or burnout, this conversation offers encouragement rooted in Christian faith, prayer, and honest vulnerability.

Prayer, we discovered, doesn’t have to be polished or poetic, but as one word whispered in a cathedral or your car: “Help.”

And if you’re struggling with feeling like a burden, hear this:

You are not a burden.

But you do have burdens.

And you don’t have to carry them alone.

If You’re Navigating a Hard Season…

If you’re searching for:

• How to heal emotionally
• How to deal with grief
• How to find hope in hard times
• How to pray when you don’t have words
• How to slow down and be present
• How to build an authentic Christian community

This episode is for you.

Don’t wait until you’re “through it” to talk about what you’re going through.

Don’t minimize your pain with “it could be worse.”

Don’t rush past the season you’re in.

Sit with it.

Invite someone into it.

Pray through it.

Walk — don’t sprint — through it.

If this week feels heavy… if you’re tired… if you’re quietly trying to hold it all together — you are not alone.

Listen in.

Slow down.

Take one step toward healing.

And if this conversation encourages you, share it with someone who might need hope today — and ask them the question that matters most:

“How are you doing… really?”

Find Tanner’s new book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through. Follow Tanner on threads.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

What happens if the shoe doesn’t drop? What happens if you find the thing that you were looking for?

In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Nathan Clarkson—actor, filmmaker, and author of the new book I Am the Worst: How Freedom Is Found in Admitting Our Faults—for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had about identity, acceptance, and healing.

We talk about why Jesus tells us to pay attention to the log in our own eye before we reach for the speck in someone else’s—and why doing that isn’t about shame, but about freedom. Nathan shares how learning to face his own failures, cracks, and darkness didn’t destroy him. Instead, it became “not a wall that broke me, but a bridge to healing that recreated me.”

We explore how busyness often disguises itself as virtue, especially in fast-paced places like New York, and how noise can become a way of avoiding stillness—because stillness forces us to look inward. As Nathan puts it, “Stillness is hard because it forces us to listen to the parts of ourselves we’d rather drown out.”

This episode goes deep into how many of us build our identity on what we do—our productivity, success, relationships, or reputation—and how fragile that foundation really is. Nathan shares vulnerably about seasons where his ability to “do” was taken away, forcing him to confront a terrifying but liberating truth that you are not loved because of what you accomplish, but because you are made in the image of God.

We also talk about the power of community, why healing never happens alone, and how asking for help is not weakness—it’s faith. Sometimes, the holiest prayer we can pray is just one word: help.

At the core of this conversation is a truth we all need to hear again and again:

You are more broken than you want to admit—and more loved than you ever dared to believe.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Why acceptance is the first step toward real change
• How facing our own faults leads to freedom, not shame
• The danger of confusing busyness with worth
• Why identity rooted in accomplishment always leads to exhaustion
• The role of stillness in spiritual and emotional healing
• How vulnerability becomes a bridge to grace
• Why community is essential for redemption
• How asking for help opens the door to transformation
• What it truly means to be loved unconditionally

Key Takeaways

• Healing begins when we stop hiding
• Stillness reveals what busyness conceals
• Our identity cannot survive on performance alone
• Weakness, when admitted, becomes a doorway to grace
• Community carries us when we can’t carry ourselves
• Freedom is found on the other side of honesty
• Our worth is rooted in being God’s image-bearers—not our achievements

If you’re tired of trying to prove yourself…

If you’re exhausted from holding it all together…

If you’re afraid of what you might find if you slow down…

This episode is for you.

Listen now and discover why admitting our faults may be the first step toward real freedom.

Find Nathan’s new book, I’m the Worst.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

Sometimes life doesn’t fall apart all at once.

Sometimes it cracks.

In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Rachel Krentzman, author of As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past through Yoga, to talk about what happens when the world you thought you understood suddenly looks different—and you can’t unsee it. Rachel shares the story behind her memoir, including the cost of vulnerability, the courage it took to tell the truth, and the long, uneven road of healing that followed.

We talk about what it means to go first, to name discomfort instead of escaping it, and to learn compassion not from a distance but from the inside of our own pain. Rachel reflects on how practices like yoga, writing, and time in nature helped her separate her identity from her experiences—and how being truly seen and accepted changed everything.

This conversation is honest, tender, and grounded in the reality that healing is rarely quick or tidy. It’s about learning to sit with what hurts, trusting that growth isn’t linear, and discovering that we are always more than our stories.

If you’ve ever felt broken—but not destroyed—this episode is for you.

Listen now, and if this conversation resonates, I’d love for you to share it with someone who needs permission to slow down, be seen, and begin again.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• How compassion is often learned through adversity, not comfort
• Why vulnerability always costs us something—and why it’s still worth it
• The power of writing as a way to process pain and tell the truth
• Why healing is not linear and what it means to honor the ups and downs
• How mindfulness helps us notice thoughts without letting them define us
• The importance of sitting with discomfort instead of numbing or escaping it
• Why nature has a grounding, restorative effect on our minds and bodies
• The role of safe community in healing—and why being seen matters
• How professional guides can help us see what we can’t see alone
• What it looks like to transform pain into compassion for others

If something in this episode stirred something in you, I’d love to hear from you.

Reach out, share your story, or let us know how you’re learning the art of compassion through adversity.

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to rush the healing.

Find Rachel’s new book on Amazon.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

What works better: connection or correction?

We answer this question and others in this week’s episode.  Today I had the privilege of speaking with James McLamb, a National Youth Empowerment Strategist and founder and CEO of Generation Youth. Our conversation centered on the powerful role mentorship plays in young people's lives.

As someone who believes deeply in the transformative power of mercy and guidance, I was struck by how James highlighted the importance of connection over correction. Too often, we focus on fixing rather than understanding. But when we choose to show up, to be present, and to invest our time, we build the trust that youth need to flourish.

We dug into how adversity, though difficult, can actually shape our leadership skills and teach resilience. James reminded me—and I hope you—that hope deferred is not hope lost. With the right support, that hope can be realized. This is where mentorship becomes so crucial: a mentor’s influence can alter the entire trajectory of a young person’s life, helping them discover their identity and purpose.

Parenting is never easy, and James and I talked honestly about the challenges of raising children with resilience and independence. It’s not about control but about empowerment—giving our kids the tools and confidence to lead themselves and others. Mercy in our guidance fosters not just growth but real understanding, both for the youth we serve and ourselves.

Ultimately, this episode is a call to action for all of us. Whether we’re parents, mentors, or simply caring adults, we have a unique opportunity to empower the next generation. Let’s choose compassion, lead with hope, and remember that we’re all learning and healing together. That’s where true connection—and lasting impact—begins.

Episode Highlights:

• Compassion is developed through shared experiences and mentorship. Mentorship can profoundly impact youth, shaping their future.
• Hope deferred is not lost; it can be realized with support.
• Building trust with youth requires time and presence.
• Connection is more important than correction in guiding youth.
• Adversity teaches resilience and leadership skills.
• Parents should aim to empower rather than control their children.
• Identity plays a crucial role in how we guide others.
• Mercy in guidance fosters growth and understanding. We are all on a journey of learning and healing together.

Learn more about James and his ministry with Generation Youth.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Is our dependence on artificial intelligence a good thing?

In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Abdu Murray, the author of “Fake ID,” for an honest conversation about faith, technology, and what really makes us who we are. We dig deep into the intersection of artificial intelligence, identity, and Christianity—topics that are shaping how we see ourselves and each other in a rapidly changing world.

Abdu shares his journey from Islam to Christianity, revealing how deeply personal and relational the path to faith can be. Together, we examine how the Imago Dei—the image of God—grounds our identity and purpose, even as artificial intelligence and technology push the boundaries of creativity and relationships. Abdu’s insights challenge us to consider the dangers of over-reliance on AI, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of genuine human connection and compassion.

Episode Highlights:

• AI can streamline our lives, but it also complicates our sense of identity.
• Abdu’s personal story illustrates how faith journeys are rooted in real relationships.
• Understanding the Imago Dei is essential for discovering who we truly are.
• The rise of AI prompts big questions about human creativity and purpose.
• Overusing AI can lead to cognitive debt and a false sense of companionship.
• We discuss why AI should be a tool—not a crutch—and how the Bible anticipated many of today’s technological challenges.
• Human relationships remain central to spiritual growth, compassion, and creativity, even in a tech-dominated world.
• Grounding ourselves in faith gives us wisdom and resilience to navigate technology’s pitfalls.

Tune in for a conversation that is both timely and timeless, exploring the role of AI, identity, and the Imago Dei in our lives. Whether you’re curious about technology, faith, or the creative process, you’ll find encouragement and insight here. Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review.

Read Abdu’s book, Fake ID: How AI and Identity Ideology are Collapsing Reality.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

How do you come to terms with the fact that what you thought your life was gonna look like is not what it looks like?

Elizabeth Cole, VP of Solo Parent, a leading nonprofit supporting single parents, stops by to discuss the real-life challenges and journeys of solo parenting. We discuss how single parents navigate life after divorce, the importance of building a strong support network for solo parents, and why vulnerability and authentic community are essential for healing. Elizabeth shares powerful insights on practicing self-compassion, overcoming shame and guilt, and understanding your past to foster personal growth. Throughout our conversation, we highlight how encouragement and practical support can make a world of difference for single moms and dads facing life’s toughest moments.

Whether you’re a single parent, know someone raising kids alone, or want to learn more about solo parenting, this episode is packed with practical advice and hope-filled encouragement. We cover why creating healthy routines can improve solo-parent family life and how spiritual support—often found through caring people—can help single parents heal and thrive. If you’re searching for resources, inspiration, or community for solo parents, you’re in the right place. Remember: you’re not alone, and every step forward is a victory.

Takeaways

• Solo parenting and single-parent families face unique challenges.
• Community support and resources are vital for solo parents.
• Vulnerability builds connection and emotional healing.
• Self-compassion helps single parents overcome shame and guilt.
• Understanding your story fosters personal growth for solo moms and dads.
• Embrace the ongoing journey of healing as a single parent.
• Encouragement and support matter for solo parent mental health.
• Healing is a process, not a destination.
• Healthy routines benefit solo-parent families.
• Spiritual support and faith communities often help single parents.
• Let’s keep returning—to ourselves, to each other, and to the love that makes us whole. Do us a favor. Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review.



Learn more about Elizabeth’s work and the team at soloparent.org.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected].

Sanctification is returning to your true self as God’s Beloved.

Hey friends, Raleigh here. We all know that we want to change things about ourselves. Maybe we want to shed a few pounds, or learn a new language. You are probably making your resolutions right now. For this New Year’s Eve, I had the honor of sitting down with Will Acuff, author of the new book, No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-led Self Awareness, for an important conversation about becoming self-aware. Will opened up about his profound journey of self-discovery—one marked by deep connection, honest reflection, and a powerful return to his roots.

We talked about what it means to truly meet yourself, even in the hardest places; when life cracks you open. Will described what it was like to touch the unconditional love of God—a moment so utterly transformative that it reshaped how he viewed himself and the world around him. It wasn’t just a mountaintop experience; he knew he was coming home to a hard context. Yet, in that vulnerability, he found the strength to return to himself.

This episode is about the power of connection, the necessity of returning to our roots, and the way unconditional love can pivot our entire lives. Will’s journey is deeply personal, but I think you’ll find something of yourself in his story.

Here’s what we explore in this episode:

• Why is connection key to self-discovery?
• How can unconditional love become a turning point?
• The importance of returning to your roots, especially when life gets tough

Takeaways

• Joy is Available Now, Even in Pain
• The Christian journey isn’t just about enduring suffering until we reach heaven; Jesus offers us life “to the full” right now. Even in the midst of sorrow and hardship, transcendent joy is possible and can carry us through.
• You Can’t Fix Everything—Including Yourself and Others
• Many of us are “fixers,” trying to solve every problem, especially for those we love. But real healing comes not from control or constant problem-solving, but from presence, love, and acceptance—especially when facing challenges that can’t be fixed.
• True Growth Comes from Self-Compassion and Curiosity, Not Critique
• Self-awareness and healing begin when we sit with our pain and emotions in compassion and curiosity, rather than self-criticism. Asking “why am I feeling this?” and allowing ourselves to be present breaks cycles of fear, anger, and shame.
• Alignment with God Means Being Present and Attuned
• Spiritual formation is not just about knowing God, but also knowing ourselves. Being “in tune” with God and our true selves requires daily practices of listening, noticing, and being present—in nature, in silence, and in our emotions.
• We Are Loved as We Are—Not as We ‘Should Be’
• We are not “dung heaps” barely tolerated by God; we are beloved image bearers. The story of the prodigal son shows that God’s love is unconditional, scandalous, and welcoming, no matter our shame or striving. Living in this love frees us to experience joy, self-acceptance, and deeper community.
• Sanctification isn’t about becoming someone else or earning God’s approval. it’s the process of shedding shame, brokenness, and false identities to return to your original, God-given self. Through Christ, we’re restored to who we were created to be—fully human, fully loved, and free to live out of that identity.

Thanks for joining me on MercyCast this New Year’s Eve. Let’s keep returning—to ourselves, to each other, and to the love that makes us whole.

Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review.

Pick up a copy of Will’s new book, No Elevator to Everest.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected]. For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.