Social media spaces are full of mean-spirited and contentious personalities who thrive on antagonizing others. Listen in as Heather and her guest, theologian Ian Clary, discuss how to deal with social media bullies. They offer practical tips for focusing on your craft more than your critics. Ian also shares his formula for becoming an effective podcaster. 

Ian Clary is an assistant professor of historical theology at Colorado Christian University. He is a fellow of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies; the Center for Baptist Renewal; the Center for Ancient Christian Studies; and was recently a board member with the Davenant Institute. Ian also cohosts Into Theology, a podcast from The Gospel Coalition Canada.

Also, in our #GrowingViral segment, meet Jessica Kisunzu, an assistant professor of organic chemistry at Colorado College. As an African American chemist, Jessica is passionate about mentoring Black students in the sciences. And she also finds time to share her musical gifts. She’s active on Twitter @JKisunzu, on Instagram @jkisunzumusic, and on her YouTube channel.

Reach out to Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day                                         

Producer: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

Author, literary scholar, and social media dynamo Karen Swallow Prior joins Heather for an engrossing discussion on what it means to build a “platform.” They dive right into the debate that is taking over much of Christian influencer culture—is a huge social media platform a byproduct of pursuing one’s call, or is it the call itself? Karen explains what she believes it means to be truly “called” and questions the unhealthy desperation to be published that she sees among some writers. Warning: This episode may ruffle a few feathers, but it will also stir conviction!

Karen Swallow Prior is a research professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her books include Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books. She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues and has written articles for Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Relevant, The Gospel Coalition, and many others.

Also, in our #GrowingViral segment, meet Madison Hart. Madi is a lover of Jesus, books, and the great outdoors, and has created a blog that she hopes will make you feel less alone. You can find Madi and her blog on Instagram @M’s Inklings.

Reach out to Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Producer: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

In this episode, Heather and her “online friend” Pastor Aaron Duvall discuss how to build genuine online friendships. They also explore the value of online Christian community—especially during the pandemic. Plus, Aaron reveals the story behind Weird Christian Twitter.

Aaron is the teaching pastor and director of communication at Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post, New York, where he resides with his wife, Chera, and daughter, Harper. You can find Aaron active on Twitter @RevDuv.

Also, in the #GrowingViral segment, you’ll meet photographer Autry Jones. He’s active on Instagram @autryjonescreative, where he publishes photos that share God’s beauty in everyday life.

Reach out to Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Producer: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

This week, Heather introduces you to her good friend Justin Khoe. Justin is a church consultant and a self-taught video whiz who now has over 116,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. With series like “I’m Listening,” where he sits down with people who hold various opposing views and simply listens, Justin is turning YouTube into a spiritual laboratory for curiosity and understanding.

In this episode, Heather and Justin discuss what it really means to be passionate about your calling, how to engage your critics, and things every content creator should know before they start creating. In addition to YouTube, Justin is active on Twitter @jkhoe and has launched a rapidly growing TikTok presence.

Also, in the #GrowingViral segment, you’ll meet Benjamin Young. Heather and Benjamin discuss his podcast, Guard the Gift, and how his passions for ministry and education intersect. You can find Benjamin active on Twitter @BJYoung1990.

Reach out to Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Producer: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

This week Heather welcomes pastor, radio host, and social media expert Douglas Bursch. Doug copastors Evergreen Foursquare Church in Auburn, Washington. He earned his DMin from George Fox Evangelical Seminary with a dissertation focused on social media, and he opens up the topic for a lay audience in his latest book, Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It. 

In an episode filled with candid insight and inspiration, Heather and Doug discuss online discouragement, platforming, the mystery of Twitter verification, and how to stay “fairly spiritual” even on contentious social networks. In addition to his Fairly Spiritual website, you can find Doug active on Twitter @fairlyspiritual.

Also, in our #GrowingViral segment, you’ll meet Joshua Wu. Joshua serves as a vice president for a global communications and data analytics firm. He is also the editorial director for Reclaim, the magazine of the Asian American Christian Collaborative. Follow Joshua on Twitter @joshswu.

Reach out to Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday. 

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Hosted and created by: Heather Thompson Day

Produced by: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

In this episode of Viral Jesus, Heather meets one of her online heroes, Kristina Kuzmic—mom blogger, YouTube storyteller, and author of Hold On, But Don’t Hold Still. Kristina was discovered by Oprah Winfrey in 2011 and crowned the winner of Mark Burnett’s reality-television competition Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star. Now, with over 1 billion video views, Kristina is providing her audience with encouragement, hope and humor in a role she never expected to fill. 

Listen in as Heather and Kristina discuss resilience, hope, and knowing your purpose. And follow Kristina’s adventures on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Also, in our #GrowingViral segment, Pastor Aaron Duvall shares about his social media practices. Aaron is the teaching pastor and director of communication at Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post, New York, where he resides with his wife, Chera, and daughter, Harper. You can find Aaron active on Twitter.

You can find Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday. 

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Hosted and created by:

Heather Thompson Day

Produced by: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

This first episode of Viral Jesus, season 1, features Esau McCaulley, author of Reading While Black. Esau is a biblical scholar and assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois. In this episode, Heather and Esau discuss Black interpretation of Scripture, social media, and critics. You can find Esau active on Twitter.

Also, in our #GrowingViral segment, meet Dorena Williamson. Dorena is the author of a set of children’s books that help parents introduce conversations of race and faith. Her books Colorfull, Thoughtfull, and Gracefull are books that every parent should have to teach kids how to be thoughtful and colorful rather than colorblind. You can find Dorena active on Twitter.

You can find Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

The show was created by Heather Thompson Day

Produced by: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

Viral Jesus is a podcast from Christianity Today about digital communication and the power of social connections. Join author and communication scholar Heather Thompson Day as she dives deep with ministry founders, content creators, and social media thought leaders to find out how they’re starting important conversations online and making their faith go viral.