What If I'm Wrong?

In the last episode of season 2, Heather says goodbye (for now) to listeners, and lets you in on a little secret about what is coming up for season 3.

In this conversation, Heather and author Christina Edmondson discuss Christina’s work in anti-racism and diversity and inclusion. Christina brings up the value of affinity spaces, in allowing us to not feel “othered.”

Christina also discusses how social media is helping and hurting us in our cultural competence. Christina’s unique skill set in therapy as well as cross-cultural conversation, allows her to be uniquely skilled in how she discusses conversations around conflict resolution and confronting division.

Guest Bio

Christina Edmondson holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University, an MS degree from the University of Rochester in Family Therapy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hampton University.For over a decade, Christina has served in a variety of roles including recently as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University. Additionally, as a Certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, and mental health therapist, Christina is often contacted by churches to consult about leadership development, anti-racism, and mental health issues.

She is the coauthor of Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change and Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation. Her writing has appeared in a variety of outlets, including Christianity Today, Essence.com, and Gospel Today magazine. She also co-hosts the critically acclaimed Truth’s Table podcast.

Mentioned in This Episode

Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation

Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change

Truth’s Table podcast

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including, I'll See You Tomorrow, releasing in October, and It’s Not Your Turn.

Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Heather sits down with singer/songwriter Maryanne J. George of Maverick City Music to discuss what it’s like to work in the music industry. Maverick City has had an impressive rise to fame in the last couple years with the award-winning album Old Church Basement (their live collaboration with Elevation Worship) and performances at the 2022 Grammys and the BET Music Awards. Maryanne explains why faith has so deeply impacted her music, what her songwriting process looks like, and why she doesn’t believe in a “Christian vs. secular” dichotomy in music.

Guest Bio

Maryanne J. George is a dynamic worship leader, songwriter, and musician with Maverick City Music and is passionate about encountering the Lord through worship. 

Mentioned in This Episode

The Bible Project, Scripture and Poetry

Tamela Mann, Take Me to the King

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including, I'll See You Tomorrow, releasing in October, and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and Barna’s Joe Jensen discuss the idea that whether we like it or not, screens disciple. The latest research shows that people are hungry for community. People no longer just want content, they are craving connection. Heather and Joe look at the importance of churches starting with social media, but not ending with social media. We can’t be content to just watch pictures of other people’s worship. How do we inspire, but also then disciple, people into their own personal spiritual experiences? 

Joe shares his heart for pastors and churches and why he thinks Jesus can’t be viral, until Jesus becomes vital to our personhood. 

Guest Bio

Joe Jensen is Barna’s Vice President, Church Engagement, Joe Jensen is passionate about turning research into action. He is using his 20+ years of church ministry and executive leadership experience to engage and serve the global church and her partners with the insight and knowledge of the Barna Group

Mentioned in This Episode

The Gazette: Pastor Burnout: Who Helps the Helpers?

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including, I'll See You Tomorrow, releasing in October, and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and York discuss his own testimony as well as his incredible story of his own conversion into Christianity. York grew up an atheist and remained so into adulthood, but he had an incredible experience of being called by God, and then surrendering his life to not just faith, but also evangelism while in College. 

York shares with us what he believes the next generation is looking for, how we can be more effective in reaching them, as well as what the voice of God sounds like.

Guest Bio

York Moore is the National Evangelist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA. He has a massive TIK TOK presence with over 200k followers. He is the author of Growing Your Faith by Giving it Away and Do Something Beautiful: The Story of Everything and a Guide to Finding Your Place In It. He also recently co-authored Seen Known Love with Gary Chapman. 

Moore is a frequently sought-after speaker and modern-day abolitionist who has given the invitation for faith at the last two Urbana Missions Conferences and has led over 10,000 students to faith in Christ through his teaching and preaching ministry coast to coast. 

Mentioned in This Episode

When Americans Say They Believe in God, What Do They Mean? by Pew Research Center

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and DeVon talk about his experience being raised one of three sons with a “village” of women supporting him after his father’s untimely death. DeVon also shares what he believes are some of the fair criticisms of Christianity, while encouraging people to follow after the model set before them in the life of Jesus Christ. 

DeVon celebrates women as a crucial part of his own family, he says they were a pivotal piece in the success of his career, and he believes they hold a distinguished role in the celebration of the gospel. 

Guest Bio

DeVon Franklin serves as President and CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a dynamic production company in conjunction with Paramount Pictures and CBS TV Studios. His films have grossed over 175 million at the box office. 

He’s the driving force behind some of Hollywood’s most successful inspirational films including BREAKTHROUGH, fantastic film with Chrissy Metz from This is Us, and MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN. 

He is the author of It Takes A Woman and in this riveting and soul-stirring Audible Original, author and Hollywood insider DeVon Franklin introduces us to the women who raised him—a “village of love” that selflessly came together to shape him into the man he is today in the wake of his father’s tragic death. With this heartfelt memoir, Franklin inspires listeners to celebrate the universal power of women and embrace his village as their own.

Mentioned in This Episode

U.S. has world’s highest rate of children living in single-parent households by Pew Research

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and Karen continue their most downloaded conversation from last season. They discuss what it means to be called, as well as the difficult conversation of platforming as it relates to a person’s art. Is a following proof of your call? Are we somehow more talented when other people notice our gifts? Are the millions of lives who have not known notoriety somehow less valuable? Karen doesn’t think so. And this conversation will tell you why. 

Guest Bio

Karen Swallow Prior is a Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books  and has contributed to numerous other books. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The Atlantic and The Washington Post.

Mentioned in This Episode

 More than half of Americans think their life is worthy of a book deal by Chris Melore

Episode 6: The Work Is the Platform by Viral Jesus Season 2

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and Khristi talk about how social media has removed the gatekeepers of the publishing industry. They discuss what it is like trying to break into the Christian market as Black women, as well as the importance of being thoughtful and intentional about what you post online. Khristi explores why she thinks her award winning book, Parable of the Brown Girl was so unique, as well as her hopes for other women who are trying to find their voice, and share their experiences with others. If no one else is telling you they believe in you, this episode will invite you to believe in yourself. 

Guest Bio

Khristi Lauren Adams is a speaker, author, youth advocate and ordained Baptist minister. Khristi is the author of Parable of the Brown Girl. Parable of the Brown Girl has received awards for Best Young Adult Book from The African American Literary Awards and the New York Black Librarians Caucus. She is also the author of, Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way. She works as Dean of Spiritual Life & Equity at the Hill School. She is the Founder & Director of “The Becoming Conference”, an annual conference and leadership cohort designed to empower, educate & inspire girls between the ages of 13-18. Khristi is a graduate of Temple University with a degree in Advertising and a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary where she obtained a Master of Divinity degree.

Mentioned in This Episode

Powerful People Find Themselves More Inspirational by Kristene Quan

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and Brandon talk about how we often read our own cultural values, perspectives and assumptions, into the Biblical text, and forget that Scripture is actually a cross-cultural experience. This episode will help each of us be better readers and perceivers of the Bible. 

Guest Bio

Brandon J. O'Brien has a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the co-author of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, and is Director of Content Development and Distribution for Redeemer City to City, an organization that supports church planting in global cities. 

Brandon is author of several books, the most recent of which is Not From Around Here: What Unites Us, What Divides Us, and How We Can Move Forward 

Mentioned in This Episode

 Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes by Brandon J. O'Brien, E. Randolph Richards

Paul Behaving Badly by Brandon J. O'Brien, E. Randolph Richards

The Bible Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey 

The Forgotten Jesus by Robby Gallaty

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn and Confessions of a Christian Wife. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Description/ Show Notes:

In this episode Heather and Katie talk about the difficulty of life transitions. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the reality of adulthood, while still kind of feeling like a kid, is it possible that it is because you are in the midst of your gap decade? The gap decade is that sometimes difficult transitional season young adults face in their twenties and early thirties, and it is in this space that our brains are overloaded with self-discovery, and transition. If this feels like chaos, it’s because it kind of is. If you or someone you care about is stumbling while navigating the pressures of their professional life and relational challenges, this episode will be a breath of fresh air. 

Guest Bio

Katie Schnack is a writer and book publicist. Her articles have appeared in places like Hello Giggles, Relevant, Today.com and Scary Mommy. She is also the author of The Gap Decade, a book for young adults navigating that tough transitional season between young adulthood and adulthood. 

Mentioned in This Episode

Forbes article titled: How to Handle Lifequakes and Life Disrupters by Richard Eisenberg

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn and Confessions of a Christian Wife. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Heather and Ashley look at what it means to live a spacious life. In a time where our success often feels measured by our productivity, what benefit could there possibly be to slowing down? How can we cultivate better rhythms of rest, and how much are we missing by not being present with ourselves and each other? Ashley Hales will talk to you about what may be disrupting your healthy rhythms, and why Sabbath is so important for Christians to take seriously. 

Guest Bio

Ashley Hales holds a PhD in English from the University of Edenborough, Scotland. She’s a writer, speaker, and host of The Finding Holy Podcast. Her writing has been featured in places like Christianity Today, Books & Culture, and The Gospel Coalition. She is the author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much (IVP) and her latest book; A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits.

Mentioned in This Episode

Princeton Study on seminarians and the Good Samaritan 

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of seven books, including It’s Not Your Turn and Confessions of a Christian Wife. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on 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

Associate Producer of CT Podcasts: Azurae Phelps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices