Sacred & Strange

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In this episode, Jay sits down with Rachel Stalker — a teacher, traveler, and leader at The Porch — to explore what it means to wrestle with God and still walk in friendship with Him. From growing up in Catholic roots to encountering the Holy Spirit in Spain and Mexico, Rachel shares how her faith has been shaped by questions, tears, and quiet moments of surrender.

This conversation dives into the holy tension between wrestling and resting, how curiosity can lead us closer to holiness, and what it looks like to create space for God to move — even when the answers don’t come easy.

Come for the stories of fire, fear, and faith — stay for the invitation into holy friendship.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:34 Rachel's Background and Teaching Journey

02:02 Living Abroad: Spain and Mexico Adventures

03:57 Facing Fears and Personal Growth

08:12 Spiritual Journey and Personal Walk with Jesus

17:55 Foundational Moments with God

33:15 Eclectic Religious Background and Influence

35:03 Wrestling with Baptism and Faith

36:01 A Turning Point in Spain

36:58 Embracing the Holy Spirit

38:58 Growing in the Spirit

40:30 Experiencing Prophetic Words

48:30 Physical Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

01:02:39 Balancing Honor for God and People

01:04:24 Encouragement for Questioning Faith

01:10:06 Closing Prayer and Reflections

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Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Jay sits down with Rachel Stalker — a teacher, traveler, and dear friend of The Porch — to explore what it means to wrestle with God and still walk in friendship with Him. From growing up in Catholic roots to encountering the Holy Spirit in Spain and Mexico, Rachel shares how her faith has been shaped by questions, tears, and quiet moments of surrender.

This conversation dives into the holy tension between wrestling and resting, how curiosity can lead us closer to holiness, and what it looks like to create space for God to move — even when the answers don’t come easy.

Come for the stories of fire, fear, and faith — stay for the invitation into holy friendship.

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Send us Fan Mail

At seventeen, Levi found himself locked in a bathroom, his mind spiraling and his faith unraveling. What began as a breaking point became the moment God broke through.

In this raw and deeply human conversation, Jason and Levi explore the tension between belief and doubt, the strange beauty of divine encounters, and the slow work of healing from shame. From small-town revival stories and family legacy to spiritual disciplines, therapy, and the wisdom found in failure — this episode captures the heart of what it means to meet God in the chaos.

Sometimes the most sacred moments happen in the strangest places.

00:00 Welcome to Sacred and Strange

01:26 Levi's Small Town Origins

03:06 A Life-Changing Encounter with God

04:20 Struggles with Faith and Identity

14:21 The Turning Point: A Profound God Encounter

27:20 Aftermath and Mentorship

33:55 Secularization of the Church

34:48 The Road to Emmaus

35:22 Encountering Shame and Rejoicing

37:03 The Journey of Healing

39:59 Struggles and Community

41:55 Wisdom and Knowledge

48:28 The Role of the Bible

51:43 Embracing Failure

01:01:04 Final Reflections and Prayer

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At seventeen, Levi found himself locked in a bathroom, his mind spiraling and his faith unraveling. What began as a breaking point became the moment God broke through.

In this raw and deeply human conversation, Jason and Levi explore the tension between belief and doubt, the strange beauty of divine encounters, and the slow work of healing from shame. From small-town revival stories and family legacy to spiritual disciplines, therapy, and the wisdom found in failure — this episode captures the heart of what it means to meet God in the chaos.

Sometimes the most sacred moments happen in the strangest places.

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In this episode of Sacred & Strange, Jay sits down with his longtime friend Josh to explore a story marked by trauma, transformation, and the search for belonging. From a chaotic childhood to ministry, mental health work, and the sacred solitude of the wilderness, Josh shares how he’s learned to face his wounds, protect sacred space, and step fully into the role of father. Their conversation moves through raw honesty, dark humor, and moments of grace—ending with a challenge to be kind to yourself and embrace what remains when the noise fades.

00:00 Welcome to Sacred and Strange

00:52 A 14-Year Friendship

02:15 Josh's Family Life

05:53 Working in Youth Mental Health

14:57 The Journey to Self-Care

30:09 The Impact of Technology on Family

33:54 Exploring Mental Health and Antidepressants

34:51 Finding Belonging and Purpose

35:47 Adjusting to a New Environment

38:12 Challenges of Building Community

40:16 Loneliness and Personal Growth

48:15 A Father Figure's Impact

53:43 Embracing Fatherhood

57:28 Wilderness Experiences and Reflections

01:04:44 Advice for Overcoming Trauma

01:07:21 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

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In this episode of Sacred & Strange, Jay sits down with his longtime friend Josh to explore a story marked by trauma, transformation, and the search for belonging. From a chaotic childhood to ministry, mental health work, and the sacred solitude of the wilderness, Josh shares how he’s learned to face his wounds, protect sacred space, and step fully into the role of father. Their conversation moves through raw honesty, dark humor, and moments of grace—ending with a challenge to be kind to yourself and embrace what remains when the noise fades.

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In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of Sacred & Strange, Jay sits down with his longtime friend and brother-in-arms, Tristan, a pitmaster from Northern California with a gift for creating safe spaces through food, faith, and fierce loyalty.

Together, they unpack nearly a decade of friendship forged through church, campfires, conflict—and even a shared Bigfoot encounter in the Shasta-Lassen wilderness. With humor and humility, Tristan recounts the moment he went from skeptic to believer… in more ways than one.

But this episode goes deeper than cryptids and campfire stories.

Tristan opens up about his complicated family dynamics, growing up in a divided home, navigating estrangement from his father, and eventually discovering healing through spiritual family and intentional mentorship. From youth ministry to weddings, from barista to “Master of Meat,” he reflects on how food and hospitality became his way of pastoring people—one plate at a time.

Jay and Tristan also dive into:

• The spiritual weirdness of Mount Shasta and why some believe it's a supernatural portal
• The difference between transparency and intimacy in mentoring relationships
• How to love without an agenda, especially when family doesn’t share your faith
• Why softball leagues and DJ booths matter more than you think
• The simple, sacred power of being present—whether through pulled pork or prayer

Whether you’re here for the laughs, the real talk, or the Bigfoot theories, this episode is a reminder that belonging often shows up in the strangest places.

00:00 Welcome to Sacred and Strange

01:37 Meet Tristan: The Master of Meat

03:12 Bigfoot Encounter: A Tale of Two Friends

10:32 The Mystery of Mount Shasta

13:10 Church League Softball and Friendships

14:27 Tristan's Family Dynamics

22:00 Finding Family in the Church

24:36 Battling the Heat: Personal Stories

25:17 Faith and Family: A Personal Journey

26:47 Connecting Through Love and Understanding

36:46 Mentorship and Its Impact

43:20 The Power of Food and Hospitality

49:22 Final Reflections and Encouragement

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Join host Jay and his longtime friend Tristan as they delve into nearly a decade of brotherhood filled with wisdom, adventures, and challenges. In this episode of Sacred and Strange, Tristan shares his life story, from growing up in a tumultuous household in Redding, California to becoming a pit master at Odell Craft Barbecue. The friends recount eerie Bigfoot sightings and discuss the importance of mentorship, community, and faith. Tune in for a compelling conversation that covers everything from mystical encounters to finding emotional healing and building meaningful relationships. Don't miss the full episode on Wednesday, October 1st!

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In this episode of Sacred & Strange, host Jay Urena sits down with longtime friend, mentor, and fellow Bible nerd Rip Wahlberg for a raw, thoughtful conversation about calling, loss, theology, and the evolving shape of church and leadership.

Rip shares his journey from bi-vocational pastor to biblical theology enthusiast, opening up about his decades of ministry, the painful loss of his son Aiden just weeks after accepting a pastoral role, and how that tragedy reshaped his understanding of faith, community, and purpose. The two unpack the differences between preaching and teaching, the burnout of institutional leadership, and why many modern churches have traded discipleship for performance.

Together, they explore the beauty of biblical theology, the four major narrative themes Rip teaches (Temple, Kingdom, Bride, and Exile), and the need to reclaim God's story as the center of our faith—not just systems, doctrines, or conferences. Along the way, they laugh about heresies, reference Stranger Things, and reflect on what it means to show up broken, still called, and fully dependent on grace.

Whether you're a church leader, a theology nerd, or someone wondering how to keep going when ministry hurts, this episode will meet you where you are—with honesty, depth, and hope.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:28 Rip's Background and Ministry Journey

02:54 Balancing Ministry and Personal Life

05:11 Challenges in Church Leadership

11:26 Defining Preaching vs. Teaching

20:45 Rip's Calling and Early Ministry

34:14 Tragedy and Resilience

37:15 The Drive to Continue Ministry

47:56 Embracing the Calling

48:21 The Vision for Teaching

49:36 Understanding the Story of God

50:15 The Role of the Church and Individual

50:51 The Beauty of Biblical Theology

53:47 The Mission of God and Exile

56:25 The Revival of Biblical Theology

01:08:19 Challenges and Reflections on Ministry

01:11:29 The Importance of Community and Relationships

01:32:44 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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Next Wednesday, Jay sits down with Rip Wahlberg. Dive into the heartfelt journey of a pastor who wrestles with being a relational introvert and the intense challenges of ministry. From confronting personal insecurities to craving genuine faith over facade, the story is filled with raw reflections and moments of vulnerability. Experience a renewed passion for biblical theology, where the Bible comes alive like ancient Jedi texts, and witness the profound impact of Jesus beyond childhood stories. This is a tale of perseverance, discovery, and a deeper connection with faith.

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