Ep. 155: Brendan McClenahan on loneliness, connection, and creation care.
Creation care meets discipleship in this episode of the MercyCast with Brendan McClenahan of Plant With Purpose. Discover how faith, community, and simple practices like composting can restore lives and neighborhoods. Explore embodied Christianity, environmental stewardship, and the path to deeper connection with God and others.
Ep. 154: Elli Oswald on reimagining child welfare.
Are orphanages really helping vulnerable children? In this powerful episode, Raleigh Sadler and Elli Oswald (Faith to Action) unpack the shift to family-based care and expose the gap between belief and action. Discover why children thrive in families—and how the Church can lead lasting change in global child welfare.
Ep. 153: Jermaine Wilson on going from prison to purpose.
From prison to purpose—Jermaine Wilson’s story will change how you see failure, faith, and second chances. After rejection, setbacks, and a criminal record, he discovered purpose through surrender and resilience. If you feel stuck, this powerful MercyCast episode on redemption, faith, and transformation is for you.
Ep. 152: Telicia Maxwell on the power of vulnerability.
When the world goes quiet at night, most of us feel safe.
But for many women and children, that’s when the hardest questions begin:
Where will I sleep? Who will protect me? Will tomorrow be any different?
A powerful conversation with Telicia Maxwell of My Sister’s House at Atlanta Mission on homelessness, faith, and healing. Discover how vulnerability, trust, and genuine relationships transform lives. Learn why people don’t need fixing—they need to be seen. Listen now for insights on community, service, and lasting change.
Ep. 151: Cally Logan on the power of the quiet moments.
In this episode, I sit down with Cally Logan to talk about trusting God in the quiet, uncertain moments. We explore surrender, identity, and how God works through small steps, detours, and even our mistakes to shape something deeper in us.
Ep. 150: Ryan Tinetti on quiet ambition.
Why does the Bible say to “make it your ambition to live quietly”? In this MercyCast episode, Raleigh Sadler talks with Ryan Tinetti about ambition, anxiety in ministry, vocation, and trusting God in ordinary life. A conversation about faithfulness, quiet obedience, and why small things matter in God’s Kingdom.
Ep. 149: Mark Buchanan on quiet heroism, vulnerability, and our true allegiance.
In this episode, Raleigh Sadler interviews Mark Buchanan about What Is Left of the Night and the true story of Le Chambon, where 900 villagers sheltered 2,500 Jewish refugees during WWII. Discover how scripture-shaped courage, costly obedience, and radical hospitality challenge modern ideology and invite us into vulnerable, transformative faith today.
Ep. 148: Alicia Barr on breaking free from secrecy.
Author Alicia Barr shares her story of a four-year extramarital affair, rock bottom, confession, and finding grace. A powerful MercyCast conversation about secrecy, shame, accountability, and redemption.
Ep. 147: JT Tapias on what can’t you say no to.
On this episode of the Mercycast, Raleigh Sadler talks with JT Tapias about overcoming addiction, homelessness, and adversity through faith and holistic health. Discover how nutrition, spirituality, and surrender shape personal growth, self-control, and lasting transformation. A powerful conversation on wellness, compassion, and abundant life in Christ.
Ep. 146: Tanner Olson on being first-time humans.
On this episode of MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler talks with Tanner Olson, author of Getting Through What You’re Going Through, about grief, emotional healing, Christian hope, and prayer in hard seasons. Learn how to process pain in a healthy way, navigate disappointment, and take the next faithful step toward healing. If you’re grieving, anxious, or spiritually tired, this honest conversation is for you.
Ep. 145: Nathan Clarkson on finding the courage to be seen.
What happens if the shoe doesn’t drop? What happens if you find the thing that you were looking for?
In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Nathan Clarkson—actor, filmmaker, and author of the new book I Am the Worst: How Freedom Is Found in Admitting Our Faults—for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had about identity, acceptance, and healing.
Ep. 144: Rachel Krentzman on healing when it’s not linear.
Sometimes life doesn’t fall apart all at once.
Sometimes it cracks.
In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Rachel Krentzman, author of As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past through Yoga, to talk about what happens when the world you thought you understood suddenly looks different—and you can’t unsee it. Rachel shares the story behind her memoir, including the cost of vulnerability, the courage it took to tell the truth, and the long, uneven road of healing that followed.
Ep. 143: James McLamb on empowering youth through compassion.
What works better: connection or correction?
We answer this question and others in this week’s episode. Today I had the privilege of speaking with James McLamb, a National Youth Empowerment Strategist and founder and CEO of Generation Youth. Our conversation centered on the powerful role mentorship plays in young people's lives.
Ep. 142: Abdu Murray on navigating identity in the age of AI.
Is our dependence on artificial intelligence a good thing?
In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Abdu Murray, the author of “Fake ID,” for an honest conversation about faith, technology, and what really makes us who we are. We dig deep into the intersection of artificial intelligence, identity, and Christianity—topics that are shaping how we see ourselves and each other in a rapidly changing world.
Abdu shares his journey from Islam to Christianity, revealing how deeply personal and relational the path to faith can be. Together, we examine how the Imago Dei—the image of God—grounds our identity and purpose, even as artificial intelligence and technology push the boundaries of creativity and relationships. Abdu’s insights challenge us to consider the dangers of over-reliance on AI, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of genuine human connection and compassion.
Ep. 141: Elizabeth Cole on finding hope as a solo-parent.
How do you come to terms with the fact that what you thought your life was gonna look like is not what it looks like?
Elizabeth Cole, VP of Solo Parent, a leading nonprofit supporting single parents, stops by to discuss the real-life challenges and journeys of solo parenting. We discuss how single parents navigate life after divorce, the importance of building a strong support network for solo parents, and why vulnerability and authentic community are essential for healing. Elizabeth shares powerful insights on practicing self-compassion, overcoming shame and guilt, and understanding your past to foster personal growth. Throughout our conversation, we highlight how encouragement and practical support can make a world of difference for single moms and dads facing life’s toughest moments.
Ep. 140: Will Acuff on Spirit-Led Self Awareness.
Sanctification is returning to your true self as God’s Beloved.
Hey friends, Raleigh here. We all know that we want to change things about ourselves. Maybe we want to shed a few pounds, or learn a new language. You are probably making your resolutions right now. For this New Year’s Eve, I had the honor of sitting down with Will Acuff, author of the new book, No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-led Self Awareness, for an important conversation about becoming self-aware. Will opened up about his profound journey of self-discovery—one marked by deep connection, honest reflection, and a powerful return to his roots.
We talked about what it means to truly meet yourself, even in the hardest places; when life cracks you open. Will described what it was like to touch the unconditional love of God—a moment so utterly transformative that it reshaped how he viewed himself and the world around him. It wasn’t just a mountaintop experience; he knew he was coming home to a hard context. Yet, in that vulnerability, he found the strength to return to himself.
This episode is about the power of connection, the necessity of returning to our roots, and the way unconditional love can pivot our entire lives. Will’s journey is deeply personal, but I think you’ll find something of yourself in his story.
Ep. 139: Ken Isaacs on showing compassion when it is hard.
Is it possible to be impartial when caring for people on both sides of a conflict?
In this episode of the MercyCast, I sit down with Ken Isaacs, Vice President of Samaritan’s Purse and author of “Running to the Fire: Helping in Jesus’ Name.” Together, we dive deep into how Christian compassion, faith, and practical love can make a real difference in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones.
One of the most powerful moments from our conversation was hearing Ken share about his firsthand experiences, including a story where an ISIS member questioned why anyone would show them kindness. It reminded me how transformative acts of compassion can be—even in the darkest situations.
If you’re passionate about Justice, Mercy, humanitarian stories, or want to learn how faith and practical love can make a difference in a divided world, this episode is for you. Give it a listen—I know you’ll be inspired by Ken’s incredible journey and the stories we share.
Ep. 138: Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith on helping parents navigate youth sports.
In this episode of MercyCast, I talk with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, about parenting, sports pressure, and how Christian faith shapes our engagement with youth sports.
Ep. 137: Jen Thompson on compassion, vulnerability, and controversial holidays.
This week, Jen Thompson is back! We tackle history, Halloween, identity, the joys of f’uncle hood, real friendship, boundaries, masks, vulnerability, awkwardness and the reality of Grace.
We discuss the challenges of being honest and open in a world that often values superficial interactions. We reflect on the difference between perfectionism and godliness, emphasizing the freedom that comes from understanding one's identity in Christ. So many topics with one truth driving them all. Grace frees you to be truly human. Tune in.
Ep. 136: Katie Koplin on duality and the Christian life.
In this most recent conversation, Raleigh Sadler and Katie explore themes of compassion, vulnerability, and the complexities of faith. They reflect on their experiences at a recent conference, discuss living in a decommissioned church, and delve into the sacredness of space and community. The dialogue touches on the dichotomy of pain and beauty, the importance of law and gospel, and the idea that redemption is more valuable than perfection. They emphasize the role of emotions in faith and encourage listeners to embrace both their struggles and their hope in Christ.