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Ep. 108: Tony Kriz on literacy as a path to justice.

Did you know that one in five adults in the U.S. never learned to read?

In this episode of Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler and guest Tony Kriz, co-founder of The Children's Literacy Project and co-author of READ: How God's People Can Bring Justice Through Literacy, discuss the intersection of literacy and justice, highlighting how personal vulnerabilities can motivate individuals to make a difference.

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Ep. 107: Shawn Nowotnik on finding meaning.

In this episode of Mercycast, Raleigh engages in a profound conversation with Sean Nowotnik, exploring themes of compassion, grief, and the search for meaning in life. Shawn Nowotnik, an artist and author of the new book F Happiness: The Search for Meaning in the World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness, is a filmmaker and therapist living outside Chicago.

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Ep. 104: Terry A. Smith on finding peace in adversity.

How do we stop and experience the peace we were meant to possess?

In this episode of Mercycast, Terry A Smith, pastor of The Life Christian church for the last 33 years and author of "The Lord Give You Peace: A 28-day Journey to Thrive in God's Shalom," explores the profound concept of peace, mainly through the lens of 'shalom.' We discuss the importance of understanding shalom as more than just the absence of conflict but as a holistic state of well-being that encompasses flourishing in all aspects of life.

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Ep. 103: Rick Dubose on creating an atmosphere for Change.

Without an atmosphere, we suffocate. Full stop.

So, how can we create the right atmosphere around us to help us grow?

In today’s conversation, we discuss the theme of transformation—how adversity can propel us toward personal growth and how embracing revelation is the first step toward unlocking our potential. Rick Dubose, the Assemblies of God Assistant Superintendent and author of the new book The Creator’s Wheel, shares how the Biblical creation narrative gives us a paradigm for transformation.

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Ep. 102: Hannah Hughes on finding purpose amid life’s messiness.

Can pain and purpose co-exist?

In this episode of Mercycast, I sit down with my friend, Hannah Hughes, to discuss the complexities of life, faith, and purpose—especially when life feels anything but perfect. We get real about the challenges of finding meaning amid pain and struggle and how, as followers of Christ, we need to embrace the messiness of life rather than run from it.

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Ep. 101: Becky Murray on saying yes: the power of small acts.

What if you didn’t have to save the world? What if you could focus on what was in front of you?

In this episode of Mercycast, I’m joined by Becky Murray, founder and CEO of One by One, as we dive into her incredible journey in the world of compassion and justice. Becky shares a pivotal moment from her time in Sierra Leone, where an encounter with a young girl ignited her passion for helping vulnerable children.

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Ep. 100: Chad Bird on learning compassion through adversity.

What were you made for? Is selfishness anti-human?

In this milestone 100th episode of MercyCast, I’m joined by Chad Bird, my first guest, to answer these questions and for a deep dive into the central theme of the MercyCast: how adversity is not just something to endure, but a classroom in which we learn the invaluable lesson of compassion.

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Ep.098: Mikala Albertson on navigating the midlife maze.

Welcome to another episode of MercyCast! This conversation explores the challenges of aging, the journey of healing, and the importance of embracing vulnerability. Mikayla Albertson, who’s walked this road herself, shares invaluable insights on how we can navigate this season with grace, self-acceptance, and, most importantly, radical love for ourselves.

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Ep.096: The Christmas special.

It’s Christmas time!

In this very short episode of MercyCast, I want to discuss holiday traditions. I explore a few Christmas traditions from around the world (some you have heard of and some you haven't). Every tradition exists in some way to bring people together and refocus them on what truly matters. With this in mind, what would happen if we decided to create new traditions that foster healing and community, which remind each of us that we are loved and seen, especially during difficult times?

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Ep.095: Lewie Clark on singleness, suffering, and belonging.

This week, we take a break from Christmas episodes. In this episode of Mercycast, my good friend Lewie Clark joins me as we dive into an often-overlooked topic: singles' unique and vital role in ministry and church leadership. In the church, there's often an implicit assumption that marriage is the "default" position for leadership, but we believe that single people have a crucial and powerful kingdom purpose.

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Ep.093: Jared C. Wilson on the Advent, waiting, and expectation.

Do you have an Advent Calendar this year? If not, maybe you should consider getting one.

In this episode of Mercycast, join Jared C. Wilson, author of Gifts of Grace: 25 Advent Devotions, as he explores the themes of AdventChristmas, and the deeper meaning of the holiday season. Jared, a pastor and professor, explores the powerful connection between vulnerabilityhope, and grace during this time of Christmas anticipation.

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Ep.092: Cody Wilde on finding faith in broken places.

Sometimes, we find faith in the most challenging places.

In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with Cody Wilde, Senior Vice President of Correctional Programs at Prison Fellowship, to discuss his influential work in prison ministry and the profound impact of compassion and vulnerability in the lives of those incarcerated.

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Ep.091: Amy Betters-Midtvedt on the challenges of parenting teenagers.

Parenting teenagers is not always easy. That’s probably the understatement of the year.

In this insightful episode, Amy Betters-Midtvedt, author of You’ll Make It (And They Will Too), offers expert advice on parenting teenagers and understanding the complexities of family dynamics. With over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and families and as a contributing writer for Today Parenting, Amy has impacted over a million readers with her compassionate approach to adolescent behavior, emotional growth, and mental health.

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Ep.090: Dr. Kimberly Offutt on fostering compassion.

There are over 400,000 children in the Foster care system. Roughly 125,000 are available for adoption, and 25,000 age out a year. What does compassion say do?

In this episode of Mercycast, Dr. Kimberly Offutt discusses the transformative power of compassion, community support, and advocacy in the foster care system.

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