#129: Finding hope on the road away from God (with Jonathan Martin)

Pastor, writer and social leader Jonathan Martin returns to the show to explain how the journey that we’re each on is the journey we need to be on. Using the story of the disciples leaving Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus, Jonathan explains that even when we think we’re walking away from God, love finds us on the road. Tryphena and I ask him about the risky nature of doubt, of how granting freedom works as a pastor, and how to be honest about the harm done to us, while holding on to hope that perhaps healing is possible after all. It’s beautiful and raw and real, if you’ve felt at all disillusioned by God or church or the world in the last few years then I commend this to you wholeheartedly.

Jonathan PuddleJune 28, 2022deconstruction, god's love, faith, hope, holy spirit, suffering, life, community, jonathan martinComment

#118: When all you want to do is to give up (with Christine Caine)

This week I am honoured to welcome Christine Caine to The Puddcast. Christine and her husband Nick founded the A21 Campaign, a global anti human trafficking organization, and Christine is a much sought-after speaker, writer and activist. We discussed how to keep our faith anchored in Jesus in the context of doing hard, exhausting work. When we know that the mission before us is costly and painful, and we are tempted to call it a day, how do we continue in faithfulness? Especially when we know that God still loves us if we tap out. Christine’s insights are hard-won and she explores them all in her latest book, How Did I Get Here?: Finding Your Way Back to God When Everything is Pulling You Away. This is my last episode for the next few months, as I head into my summer vacation.

#105: What the humanity of Jesus means for our pain (with Kurt Willems)

This week we are joined by pastor, podcaster and author Kurt Willems, to discuss how Jesus’ humanity redeems and transforms our human suffering. Kurt is a delightful blend of the academic, the pastoral, and deep spiritual formation. We talked about how Jesus meets us in our brokenness and leads us through the traumas of our life, renewing our humanity in the process. And a whole lot more, as usual!

Jonathan PuddleMarch 11, 2021trauma, suffering, deconstruction, jesus, hope, sinComment

#99: Highlights from the first 100 episodes (Aundi Kolber, Luke Gifford & Stephanie Tait)

This week we do a bit of a retrospective and I highlight some of the most popular episodes since The Puddcast began, as well as those that were the most impactful in my own life. As promised, I also reveal the guests of my upcoming panel on Jesus + Trauma! Inside, you’ll find a replay of the very first episode of The Puddcast (“God is Everywhere”) as well as clips from my interviews with Luke Gifford, Aundi Kolber and Stephanie Tait. There’s also lots of further commentary from me looking back on the first 3 years of The Puddcast. Tune in to hear the exciting news of what I’ll be able to do once I hit 70 Patrons!

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 28, 2021brokenness, emotions, trauma, healing, suffering, aundi kolberComment

#82: When Suffering Lingers (with K.J. Ramsey)

K.J. Ramsey is a therapist, writer and the author of This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers. K.J. and I have become good friends over the course of the pandemic, and in this interview we discussed the hope embedded in suffering, the tension between Jesus’ words “All these things and more you will do” and “In this life, you will have troubles”. She shared how stories that include very hard things can also include great hope and love, and how brain science reveals that being still with God in the midst of our suffering is of transformative importance. I cannot recommend her to you highly enough.

Jonathan PuddleJune 11, 2020covid-19, suffering, jesus, hope, emotions, therapy Comment

#71: Andrew & Norine Brunson's Story

In October 2016, Andrew & Norine Brunson were arrested and jailed in Turkey. Andrew was ultimately held for 2 years. I had the privilege of sitting down in person with Andrew and Norine and hearing their story. They shared about the persecution they experienced, the trial of faith he endured and how Andrew ultimately learned to stand in the darkest place of his life and press into God for strength every day. I was inspired and challenged!

Jonathan PuddleMarch 5, 2020suffering, faith, perseverance, persecution, prison, storyComment

#70: Wholeness and Suffering (with Stephanie Tait)

My guest this week is author, speaker and disability advocate Stephanie Tait. We had a profoundly deep conversation on the theology of suffering, faith, trust, disabilities and ableism, and community. I may have cried real tears. I strongly urge every one of you to take the time to listen to this, Stephanie’s wisdom and grace are remarkable and every one of us have something to learn from her.

Jonathan PuddleFebruary 27, 2020suffering, loss, healing, disabilities, equality, deconstruction, faithComment

#68: Life and death and a God who bleeds (with John Mark McMillan)

This week I had the great pleasure of chatting with John Mark McMillan all about his brand new album, “Peopled with Dreams.” An accomplished singer-songwriter, John Mark is quite possibly my favourite musician on the planet, so this was a real treat. We talked about life and death and gods and a God who bleeds alongside us, and the connection between love and suffering. Listen today!

Jonathan PuddleFebruary 12, 2020music, god's love, suffering, life, hope, joy, johnmarkmcmillan, deconstructionComment

#63: Maria Gaba's story

In November last year, I spent two weeks in South Africa volunteering at a children’s home and daycare centre. Today I’m honoured to share with you the story of the centre’s founder, Maria Gaba. Maria’s story is one of overcoming traumatic childhood abuse by the power and love of God. It is honest, brutal at times, yet ultimately hope-filled. The work Maria does is nothing short of remarkable, and she gives all the glory to God. You will come away impacted, I promise you.

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 9, 2020story, testimony, child abuse, sexual abuse, poverty, social justice, forgiveness, sufferingComment

#60: Miracles and other Reasonable Things (with Sarah Bessey)

The one and only Sarah Bessey joined me on the Puddcast this week. We had a rich and tender dialogue on pain, grief, the tension between where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we’re going… and how to find safety along that road. We talked about making room for the stories that don’t get told as well as how to honour the legacy of Rachel Held Evans while being faithful to our own callings as well.

Jonathan PuddleDecember 5, 2019deconstruction, faith, healing, restoration, grief, sufferingComment

#46: Finding Your Identity (with Priscilla Shirer)

Priscilla Shirer came back on the show to discuss finding our identity and significance in God, both major themes of Overcomer, the new film from the Kendrick Brothers which she stars. Priscilla shared about some events in her life that exposed her own identity issues, while I pointed out that in her last film she played a music teacher and now she’s playing a principal. Promotion!

Jonathan PuddleAugust 1, 2019identity, significance, suffering, trials, priscilla shirerComment