Finding Something Real Podcast

Janell Wood

Maybe you’ve grown up as a Christian going to church or maybe you’re not interested in religion at all. But when you’re scrolling, hanging out with friends, trying to sleep, or overwhelmed with your day-to-day, do big existential questions ever pop in- you know- things like, “Why am I here? How did all this get here? What happens after I die?” “Is there a God and is there really meaning to all this?” ”What’s so special about Jesus Christ?” We’ve all experienced deep longing for something this world can’t seem to satisfy. Even someone as wildly successful as Taylor Swift knows that to be true. “I had won album of the year at the Grammys for a second time...” She said, “and I remember thinking afterwards, ’Oh my god, that was all you wanted!... That was all you focused on. You get to the mountaintop and look around and you’re like... what now?” If you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed with all the different voices yelling for your affections- telling you what to go after- whether it be success, beauty, the perfect partner, social media followers, money, or power… only to leave you let down and unsatisfied, searching for more… Maybe like my friends and me, you’re after finding something REAL. Every week, join me (Janell Wood), special co-hosts and guests as we ask questions, look for answers, and search for the source of something REAL: Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love. I believe those things can ultimately be found in relationship with Jesus Christ, but don’t take my word for it. Listen to our conversations for yourself and go on a journey with us: Is Jesus the REAL thing?

  1. 2D AGO

    The Gospel is Offensive with Adam and Candice Coltman

    Happy Wednesday! 🎙️   This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Adam and Candice Coltman—and we’re so excited to have them with us!   Not only do they bring incredible wisdom and authenticity to this conversation, but they’ll also be joining us in person for a special event this June (stay tuned for more details 👀).   In this episode, we dive into the importance of apologetics and what it truly means to boldly share your faith. We talk about how the Gospel, while sometimes offensive, is ultimately necessary—and how we’re called to stand firm in truth as followers of Christ.   We’re so grateful for Adam and Candice, their honesty, and the powerful insight they bring.   We hope this episode encourages and challenges you. 🤍   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   MAVEN   Taking Back Your Power Through Forgiveness with Amy Orr-Ewing   Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning with Allen Crostic   How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly   I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen   How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood   Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister     Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    1h 7m
  2. MAR 25

    Taking Back Your Power Through Forgiveness with Amy Orr-Ewing

    Happy Wednesday!    This week, we’re excited to welcome back Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, joined by co-hosts Ana and Sarah, for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation on forgiveness.   Drawing from her latest book, Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear, Amy challenges the way our culture often views forgiveness—as weakness, avoidance, or even injustice. Instead, she reframes it as an act of strength, courage, and deep spiritual power. In a world shaped by outrage and cancel culture, this episode explores how true forgiveness can lead to healing, reconciliation, and freedom from bitterness.   Together, we unpack what it really means to forgive without minimizing pain or ignoring justice. Amy shares how forgiveness doesn’t erase wrongdoing but releases the burden of personal vengeance, pointing instead to a greater, ultimate justice. She describes forgiveness as a “superpower”—a beautiful and compelling force that can restore broken relationships, families, and communities.   Whether you’re wrestling with hurt, seeking peace, or simply curious about the deeper meaning of forgiveness, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and a fresh perspective rooted in Christian principles.   We hope you enjoy this meaningful episode!     -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   https://amyorr-ewing.com/   Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning with Allen Crostic   How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly   I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen   How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood   Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister     Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    53 min
  3. MAR 19

    Can I Be Questioning as a Christian? - Sarah's Story

    Happy Wednesday!     We are thrilled to be sharing Sarah’s story this week.   Sarah reached out to Janell around this time last year. She was wrestling with questions and had doubts about Christianity. She shared her story and let Janell know she would love to be part of the podcast. Fast forward to now, she's played a crucial part of Finding Something Real.    Sarah has been a rockstar for Season 8. She is one of the most devoted co-hosts we've had. Sarah's been to most podcast recordings and always comes with incredible questions and wisdom. She shows great humility and grace as she walks through making her faith her own.    Even in just this short year, her faith has blossomed into something beautiful. We are so proud of her and grateful she gets to be part of this ministry. Watching her faith grow this season has been an honor to watch.    We hope you enjoy listening to her story.    -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning with Allen Crostic   How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly   I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen   How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    51 min
  4. MAR 11

    Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning? with Allen Crostic

    Happy Wednesday!   This week we are joined by Allen Crostic. Allen has been on the podcast before and we are thrilled to have him back on the podcast. Three of our co-host are joining us as well - Ana, Sarah, and Jeanine.    Suffering has been a topic our co-hosts this season are really interested in getting more answers on. Two of our co-host deal with chronic pain and other co-hosts that have someone in their life dealing with chronic suffering or someone who didn't get healed.    Allen has a powerful testimony! He shares his story of getting miraculously healed. He had an encounter with God that he could not deny that he was healed. However, within the last couple years, he started having health issues again.    Now, he’s left wrestling with those hard questions. “Did I actually get healed?” and “Does my suffering have any meaning?”    We are so grateful for his insight on suffering and choosing to honor God even when it’s painful.    This is one of our favorite episodes! We hope you enjoy listening.    -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly   I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen   How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood   Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister     Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    1h 5m
  5. MAR 4

    How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly

    Happy Wednesday!    We are excited for our conversation this week. We are joined with guest, Ryan Pauly. And our returning co-host, Sarah.   Ryan has been a believer his whole life but grew a love for apologetics when he realize the people around him couldn't give a defense for their faith. He realized he couldn't give a defense for his faith either and started digging. Now, he dedicates his life to equip individuals and church body to defend Christianity. His goal is to shift the narrative on how we approach people with different beliefs - meeting them with solid evidence and sincere love.    About Ryan: Ryan Pauly is the Founder and President of Think Well, the Director of Immersive Experiences at MAVEN, and an Adjunct Professor of Theology and Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. For over a decade, he has worked with junior high, high school, and college students as a missionary, educator, speaker, and apologist.   We hope you enjoy this week's episode!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS Think-Well   Maven   I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen   How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood   Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister     Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    1h 8m
  6. FEB 26

    I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen

    Happy Wednesday!   We are back with another episode! This week we are joined with guest, Travis Monen. We are also joined with our co-host, Ana.    Travis is a friend of Janell's and shares the same love for apologetics as she does. He shares his testimony in this episode. He gave his life to Christ when he was 14 but completely left his faith when he got to college. He ran away from God for years until he fully surrendered his life back to God and came to the end of himself.   When he stopped running and surrendered the heaviness he felt from running all those years, he was met with God’s love and mercy.   He emphasizes the importance of repentance. Repentance is a gift God offers. It simply means turning from the direction you were going and running towards God instead.    If you’re tired of running away from God, all you have to do is turn. He is waiting to meet you with open arms.   We hope you enjoy this week’s episode!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood   Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister     Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    59 min
  7. FEB 18

    How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way with Tripp and Megan Almon

    Happy Wednesday!   This week, are joined with our friends from Stand to Reason, Tripp and Megan Almon. As well as our returning co-host, Sarah.   Fitting after Valentine's Day, we are talking about relationships. Tripp and Megan are married and have a huge heart for apologetics. They share their individual stories of coming to faith and how they met. Tripp and Megan talk about some of the challenges of navigating relationships in a Godly way. As well as some of the myths in Christian dating, such as, "Are they the one?" and "God said they were my spouse?"   About Tripp: Tripp Almon serves as the Outpost Coordinator and a speaker with Stand to Reason. He is from Newnan, Georgia (just south of Atlanta) and now lives in Colorado with his wife, Megan, and their kids. Tripp’s passion for educating students of all ages in the areas of Christian theology, worldview, and apologetics is driven in large part from growing up in a Christian home and then struggling profoundly with the tidal wave of cultural ideas that engulfed him as he entered a secular university. Thankfully, his experience taught him that Christianity not only stands in the marketplace of ideas — it soars.   Before joining Stand to Reason in 2025, Tripp, a former elite gymnast, coached gymnastics for more than two decades. He served as a pastor for 10 years and was the Director of the Summit Ministries Gap Year program for seven years. Tripp loves when he and his wife, Megan, get to speak and serve at events together.   About Megan: Megan Almon, a former University of Georgia gymnast, worked as an award-winning journalist until 2008, when she decided to pursue a career speaking and teaching about Christian apologetics — especially in the areas of pro-life apologetics, bioethics and aesthetics. She joined Life Training Institute in 2009 and was awarded an M.A. in Christian apologetics from Biola University in 2011. She worked with Scott Klusendorf at Life Training Institute until 2024 when she began working with the speaking team at Apologetics, Inc. In 2025, she started an exciting new chapter as a Stand to Reason speaker.   Megan and her husband, Tripp—Stand to Reason’s Outpost Coordinator—have been married since 2003 and have two children. Though she was born and raised in Georgia, she and Tripp family spent seven years in Manitou Springs, CO where Tripp ran the Summit Ministries Gap Year program. Megan enjoys spending time with her family on the road (when she and Tripp have opportunities to speak together) and at home in Colorado, and is still known to practice handstands in her living room. She has spoken at high school and college assemblies and classrooms, conferences, youth organizations, women’s groups, pregnancy care centers, congregations, and to legislators both nationally and internationally.     We hope you enjoy this episode!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   Stand to Reason   Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story   I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood   Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister     Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856   www.janellmwood.com   Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    1h 5m
5
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

Maybe you’ve grown up as a Christian going to church or maybe you’re not interested in religion at all. But when you’re scrolling, hanging out with friends, trying to sleep, or overwhelmed with your day-to-day, do big existential questions ever pop in- you know- things like, “Why am I here? How did all this get here? What happens after I die?” “Is there a God and is there really meaning to all this?” ”What’s so special about Jesus Christ?” We’ve all experienced deep longing for something this world can’t seem to satisfy. Even someone as wildly successful as Taylor Swift knows that to be true. “I had won album of the year at the Grammys for a second time...” She said, “and I remember thinking afterwards, ’Oh my god, that was all you wanted!... That was all you focused on. You get to the mountaintop and look around and you’re like... what now?” If you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed with all the different voices yelling for your affections- telling you what to go after- whether it be success, beauty, the perfect partner, social media followers, money, or power… only to leave you let down and unsatisfied, searching for more… Maybe like my friends and me, you’re after finding something REAL. Every week, join me (Janell Wood), special co-hosts and guests as we ask questions, look for answers, and search for the source of something REAL: Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love. I believe those things can ultimately be found in relationship with Jesus Christ, but don’t take my word for it. Listen to our conversations for yourself and go on a journey with us: Is Jesus the REAL thing?

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