Viral Jesus

Are there certain questions you don't feel like you can ask in church about the Bible? For today’s episode Heather sits down with Dr. Andrew Farley, a pastor and radio show host, asks him questions he often gets during his live radio show every night about the Bible. Andrew believes in grace, freedom, and the new covenant. If you have felt that religion offered you very little grace, less freedom, and didn’t talk very much about the beauty of the New Covenant, today’s episode is for you. During today’s episode Heather also sits down with Brady Shearer for your social toolkit. Brady Shearer is the director of Pro Church Tools and church software platform Nucleus. He helps churches navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years. Guest Bio Dr. Andrew Farley is a bestselling author of nine books including The Grace Message, The Naked Gospel, and Twisted Scripture. He most recently launched the “Heartbeat of Faith” podcast on pray.com and released his newest book, 101 Bible Questions. He serves as president of The Grace Message, hosts a live, call-in radio program every weeknight, is the lead pastor of The Grace Church, and has been recognized with several awards for his excellence in teaching. Andrew lives in Texas with his wife Katharine and their son Gavin. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at@HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather’s weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is there such a thing as Good Baggage? For today’s episode Heather sits down with Ike Miller and discusses the baggage that we experience in our past that sometimes impacts our present and future. But, is it possible that seeing our parents' parent, or do marriage, or live out their faith, can reveal to us how we can do things differently? Ike believes that his upbringing is what gave him a passion to pursue a different path for himself. What if some baggage can be good? On today’s social toolkit, Heather discusses Elyse Meyers and her apparent social media break after being targeted by Operation Watermelon. Operation Watermelon is where a group of internet users target a single creator and try to take over their platform by commenting en masse on the tragedy impacting the middle east between Israel and Palestine. Elyse Meyers shutdown her Tik Tok with over 7 million followers and many users suspect it is because she was targeted by this peer pressure tactic. Should influencers make statements on cultural issues? Heather discusses her thoughts on this and adds a tool to your social toolkit. Guest Bio Ike Miller is the founding and lead pastor of Bright City Church in Durham NC. Ike writes regularly about the intersection of theology and mental health. His newest book is titled Good Baggage. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at@HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather’s weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to part two of our two part series on technology, church and culture. For today’s episode Heather sits down with Brad Hill who is the Chief Solutions Officer at GLOO, where they’ve just developed a new initiative that helps churches navigate AI. What is AI? How is it impacting church culture? And should we be concerned as Christians about its potential? Heather gets answers to these questions and more during today’s conversation. Heather also discusses deepfake videos and AI manipulation as it relates to the Princess Catherine cancer video during today’s social toolkit. Here is an article Heather found by the Washington Post about conspiracy theories and AI. Guest Bio Brad Hill is the Chief Solutions Officer at Gloo, a technology platform for ministry leaders that recently launched its new AI & the Church Initiative to empower the Big C Church to navigate and engage AI responsibly. With partners like Barna, Carey Nieuwhof, YouVersion, and more, they’re initiating a connected conversation around AI and faith for Christians. Brad has been deeply involved in solving technology challenges for the Church for over 20 years. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at@HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather’s weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to part one of our two part series on Technology, Church and Culture. On today’s episode Heather finally has a conversation she has been wanting to have since season 1, and that is on the topic of pornography. According to the Youth Pornography Addiction Center,93 % of boys and 62% of girls are exposed to internet pornography before the age of 18. To discuss porns impact and what resources may be available to help a user who wants to quit, Heather sits down with John Michael Bout and Jacob Valk who created the documentary Into the Light, which helps people navigate and break free porn addiction. Heather also sits down with investigative reporter on technology and culture, Taylor Lorenz to discuss the 12-page bill, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, aimed to "protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications" like TikTok. Taylor walks us through what we need to know about the Tik Tok ban and adds another tool to our social toolkit, You can order her latest book, Extremely Online here. Guest Bio Jacob Valk holds a degree in Advertising from Mohawk College and a B.A. in Humanities from Brock University. He worked various roles in advertising/film in Toronto, co-produced the documentaries Ordinary Commission and Into The Light, and runs the podcast Chats Under The Sun. He is finishing an M.Div. at SBTS in Louisville, Kentucky, where he lives and works at the ReCenter homeless shelter. John-Michael Bout holds a B.A. in Classics from Brock University and is working on an M.Div. at SBTS in Louisville, Kentucky. He co-produced Ordinary Commission and Into The Light. He is married to his lovely wife Jessica with their two sons Roman and Andrew. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at@HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather’s weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to part four of our four part series, Advice From a Woman. In this episode, Heather sits down with Rachel Marie Kang and talks about the relatively invisible matter of little losses. Life is full of love, but it is also full of loss. Like paper cuts to the heart, every big and seemingly insignificant loss--the loss of friendships, faith, dreams, health, community, and everything in between--grieves us more than we think it will, and often more than we let on. Rachel Marie Kang invites you to see and be seen in the midst of your sorrow, your suffering--your story. Heather also sits down with our social media expert, Brady Shearer, to talk through what tips and best practices he would recommend before someone starts a Youtube channel. Brady Shearer is the director of Pro Church Tools, a company that trains churches and leaders on how to navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years. Guest Bio Rachel Marie Kang is a New York native, born and raised just outside New York City. A mixed woman of African American, Native American (Ramapough Lenape Nation), Irish, and Dutch descent, she holds a degree in English with Creative Writing, and a minor in Bible. She is founder of The Fallow House and her writing has been featured in Christianity Today, Ekstasis, Proverbs 31 Ministries, She Reads Truth, and (in)courage. Rachel is the author of Let There Be Art and The Matter of Little Losses. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at@HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather’s weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is time for part three of our four-part series, Advice From a Woman. Today, Christian women face multiple tensions between home and work, navigating complex gender dynamics in the workplace, and social pressure to hold together picture-perfect lives. Joanna Meyer addresses a critical gap in Christian women's discipleship by speaking to the roles we play in public and professional life. Heather also adds another tool to your social toolkit as she discusses social media and how your employer or potential employer may be using it to learn more about who you are. The lines between our private and public lives can blur when we log online. Heather gives you a tip she thinks you should remember every time you post. Guest Bio Joanna Meyer is director of public engagement at the Denver Institute for Faith & Work, where she leads public events, hosts the Faith & Work Podcast, and founded Women, Work, & Calling. Her latest book is called Women, Work, and Calling, step into your place in God’s world. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at@HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather’s weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Some links we discuss in this episode: Viral reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsWHNOJgi_G/ Christianity Today Article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/october/wilkin-women-ministry-leaders-church-staff-wages-lifeway.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is time for part two of our four part series, Advice from a Woman. Today Heather sits down with Kristen LaValley. Kristen explains the problem with formulaic Christianity. Eventually God allows something to enter our lives that we never saw coming, and can’t put into a box. We have a choice in those experiences to either let our understanding of God crumble, or let go of all our preconceived formulas. Also, if you are an aspiring author, and wanting to know how important social media is to your book proposal, Heather has some advice for you on today’s social toolkit. Guest Bio Kristen LaValley is a writer and storyteller whose words offer a refreshing perspective on faith and spirituality. She offers insights that intersect doubt and belief, hope and suffering, beauty and heartache. With a deep love for the Christian faith and willingness to explore its complexities, Kristen’s writing offers nuanced conversations that challenge readers to think deeply and wrestle with important questions. Kristen lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Zach, and their five children. Her latest book is called Even If He Doesn’t. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of Women’s History Month, today we begina new four-part series called “Advice from a Woman.” In each episode, Heather will speakto a different thought leader to get her best advice on how to keep growing, praying, and choosing God in our everyday faith journeys. On today’s show Heather sits down with Jenn Schultz, the author of She’s Not Your Enemy. Jenn says we lose something when, by default, we view other women as our competition. She walks us through strategies that will empower us to move beyond feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and self-protection. Her insights will help us reject unhealthy habits of comparison, as we pursue cultures of community and cooperation. Social Toolkit: Just Like That But first… Did you know that while 84 percent of all social media influencers are women, they are still making up to 30 percent less per post than men do, even when they have similar audience size and engagement rates? On today’s Social Toolkit, Heather puts on her communication professor hat and shares with you a tool to help you with negotiation. It’s called the power of likability. Guest Bio Jenn Schultz writes and speaks about messy faith, shaking off shame, and pursuing God’s purpose confidently. She is a wife and mom who reads too many books at once and loves decaf coffee. Jenn’s new book is She’s Not Your Enemy: Conquering Our Insecurities So We Can Build God’s Kingdom Together. Find her @jennschultzauthor on social media and at jennschultzauthor.com. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to Charles Spurgeon, “Religion which costs a man nothing is usually worth nothing.” In her missionary and humanitarian ministry to Iran—including its persecuted Christians and scattered diaspora—Lana Silk has been learning the meaning of costly religion.This episode features Heather’s inspiring conversation with Lana. Lana Silk, the daughter of Lazarus and Maggie, serves as the USA chief executive officer of Transform Iran. In this role, she actively seeks to bring freedom to the people of Iran, transforming the nation into one which bears the image of Christ. Through ministry and humanitarian aid, she hopes that Transform Iran will create divine change in the lives of the Iranian people. Lana was born and raised in Iran before emigrating to the UK where she completed her education at Imperial College, London, gaining an honors degree in computer engineering. She later did postgraduate studies in marketing communication strategy. With over 20 years marketing experience across all media, Lana has a passion to see small businesses and startups gain their voice in a competitive environment. She has also worked as a church minister, worship leader, and most recently a college chaplain, where she took further post-graduate studies in working with youth, with a focus on mental health and safeguarding. She is trilingual and considers it her life calling to represent and advocate for the people of Iran in the West. Lana currently makes the USA the base of operations for Transform Iran. She and her husband live in Ohio with their three children. About Transform Iran For more than 30 years, Transform Iran—formerly 222 Ministries—served on the front lines of the Iranian Diaspora, sharing the love of Christ, training leaders, and providing aid to the persecuted. God has given Transform Iran a unique position in the Middle East to meet the spiritual needs of many Iranians. In addition to spiritual support, Transform Iran provides humanitarian relief, including emergency food and shelter, medical care, and legal help for asylum, among other forms of practical aid to Iranians who have been forced to leave their country. For information, visit transformiran.com. Social Toolkit: Video Rules But before Heather sits down with Lana, it’s time for Social Toolkit. This week Heather gives us a brief commentary on YouTube, Reels, and TikTok and the rise of video as a dominant medium for content. How’s your video competence? With social media algorithms increasingly favoring video, Heather encourages creators in the Viral Jesus community to stay alert to trends and how they might ultimately affect their content creation and discovery. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Heather is joined by journalist Paul Kix, whose bestselling book You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live takes readers on a sweeping tour of the chaotic streets of Birmingham, Alabama, in the spring of 1963. It’s the story of the pivotal ten-week campaign of marches, nonviolent resistance, and overnight jail stays that helped turn the tide on Jim Crow segregation. Who can forget the gut-wrenching photos and video clips from Birmingham during these days? The images of young Black students being assaulted by police dogs and water cannons went viral decades before the Internet was available to go viral on. Paul walks Heather through his research on Birmingham, on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and on King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference organization. He also calls attention to the important contributions of Civil Rights Movement leaders such as Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth (whose chracteristic maxim became the book’s title) and Dr. King’s chief of staff, Wyatt Tee Walker, who were often overshadowed by MLK’s immense fame. Paul’s book reveals how those ten weeks in Birmingham changed the trajectory of American politics, religion, and race relations.Sixty years later, the Birmingham story would also have a profound impact on Paul Kix’s view of his marriage and family. As a white man, married to a Black woman, with a daughter and twin sons who identify as Black, he was deeply affected by the 2020 murder of George Floyd as well as other incidents that appeared to devalue the lives of Black people. Out of his personal wrestling with those events, and hard questions from his kids, Paul found himself called to remember Birmingham 1963. When Paul originally started digging into the work of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he was not a practicing Christian. But the faith of the men who led during the Civil Rights Movement, didn’t just inspire him intellectually, it also inspired him spiritually. This poignant interview sits at the intersection of faith and social justice. Heather also welcomes back our resident social media expert, Brady Shearer, to discuss another tool for your Social Toolkit. This week, Brady shares ideas for repurposing weekly sermons into condensed content for podcasts and YouTube. Guest Bio Paul Kix is a journalist and author whose last book was The Saboteur, a bestselling and critically acclaimed true story of the most daring man in World War II. His writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, GQ, and ESPN The Magazine, among other publications. His latest book , You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live, is the subject of this episode of the podcast. He lives in Connecticut with his family. 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 and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices