Just Talkin' About Jesus

Jan Johnson

A place with real people sharing their real faith. What was the moment when you first realized how real Jesus is? Tell me about your But God moment. Have you had moments when you were so low you could only rely on your faith? What makes you joyful when the rest of the world isn't? These are a few of the questions that lead my interviews. Once a month we have a roundtable chat with a few people about a topic.

  1. The Moment Everything Changed: How Lyubov Shalya's Desperate Prayer Transformed her Life in Seconds

    5D AGO

    The Moment Everything Changed: How Lyubov Shalya's Desperate Prayer Transformed her Life in Seconds

    Send me a text and let me know your thoughts! What happens when you come to the end of yourself and cry out to God one last time? In this powerful episode, Luba Shalya shares her remarkable journey from underground churches in Soviet Ukraine to a life-changing encounter with God in Portland, Oregon. Raised under religious control and later battling deep depression after divorce, Luba reached a breaking point that became her breakthrough. On January 31, 2006, she gave God an ultimatum—and experienced a supernatural transformation in just 15-20 seconds that completely changed her mind, heart, and spirit. Through tears and triumph, Luba shares about breaking generational curses, learning to hear God's voice (even when it means giving $100 to a stranger), and the difference between religious obligation and falling deeply in love with Jesus. Her story will challenge you to move beyond spiritual milk to solid food, to hunger for more of God, and to trust Him through the painful process of transformation. Whether you're struggling with depression, religious trauma, or simply want to go deeper with God, Luba's testimony reminds us that God sees our hearts and is always waiting for that final roar of desperation that leads to deliverance. Guest: Luba Shalya - businesswoman, mother of 9, and passionate follower of Jesus whose name literally means "Love" Connect with Luba: Instagram: @lubashalyaFacebook Messenger: Lyubov ShaliaSubstack @lyubovshalyaMusic from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit License code: YEMOID7DEYZIE4N3 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/luminbird/together-forever License code: XIARHFTDFJ0FBKKT Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus https://jan-johnson.com/ https://justtalkingaboutjesus.com/ https://janjohnsonauthor.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell, check out the form on my website- justtalkingaboutjesus.com. I'd love to connect with you! No, really.... hit me up!

    34 min
  2. You Really Believe That? Where Faith Comes In with Marti and John Darcangelo, Sister Mercy and Ed Johnson

    12/31/2025

    You Really Believe That? Where Faith Comes In with Marti and John Darcangelo, Sister Mercy and Ed Johnson

    Send me a text and let me know your thoughts! If you are new here, welcome! I’m Jan Johnson, your host. I’m glad you’re joining us and I hope that by the end of this show you feel encouraged and strengthened.   Today is December 30, 2025, and as it’s the end of the year and a beginning of a new year, I wanted to start doing one episode a month that is more of a round table discussion on a topic. So, this episode is the beginning of that. Joining me today are my daughter Sister Mercy, my husband Ed, and friends Marti and John Darcangelo.  Our topic is Faith, and bottom line, why we believe. What leads us to believe in what others might call fairy tales of the Bible? A talking donkey A man swallowed by a whale and thrown up alive People like Isaiah going to heaven who never died. People like Jesus and Lazarus and some boy dying and rising again 1 Corinthians 1:18,  "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:23 adds: "but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." There's also 1 Corinthians 2:14, which expands on this idea: "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic of Faith. Why exactly do you believe? Let me know in the comments. Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/luminbird/together-forever License code: XIARHFTDFJ0FBKKT Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-phillipson/moments License code: AWMMVCHCGOXAXQX4 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/play-time License code: XRG3LDIFYTNTXS0P https://youtu.be/9Oc0EHUr5ro Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus https://jan-johnson.com/ https://justtalkingaboutjesus.com/ https://janjohnsonauthor.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell, check out the form on my website- justtalkingaboutjesus.com. I'd love to connect with you! No, really.... hit me up!

    38 min
  3. Surrendering to God's Higher Plan with Kim Oswalt

    12/20/2025

    Surrendering to God's Higher Plan with Kim Oswalt

    Send me a text and let me know your thoughts! In this episode of Just Talking About Jesus, host Jan Johnson meets with Kim Oswalt to hear her heartfelt testimony about discovering faith during her teenage years in Utah.  Despite her family's irregular church attendance, Kim's journey took off when a move prompted a deeper connection to God through a local church community.  Her story highlights the value of youth groups and finding mentors who inspire bold, everyday faith.  Kim shares how God’s presence in her life has been evident through various life upheavals, paving the way for unexpected yet beautiful outcomes. Do you ever feel like you're fighting a battle no one can see? Lies like “You’re not enough” or “You’ll never change” don’t just hurt—they shape how we see ourselves, others, and even God. What thoughts have taken root in your mind that God never planted? You may like the Battle for Our Minds, and that one is uncovering the lies that we've been told and being able to replace them with the truth of what God says about us in His Word. https://www.kimoswalt.com/   Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit License code: YEMOID7DEYZIE4N3 Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus https://jan-johnson.com/ https://justtalkingaboutjesus.com/ https://janjohnsonauthor.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell, check out the form on my website- justtalkingaboutjesus.com. I'd love to connect with you! No, really.... hit me up!

    38 min
  4. When Scripture Collides with Power: Thomas Abell's Story of Integrity with Theresa Haynes

    12/13/2025

    When Scripture Collides with Power: Thomas Abell's Story of Integrity with Theresa Haynes

    Send me a text and let me know your thoughts! In this episode of Just Talking About Jesus, author Teresa Abell Haynes shares her lifelong walk with the Lord—from childhood prayers on the school bus to the deep faith that carried her through life’s hardest seasons. Theresa reveals the fascinating research journey behind her novel The Queen’s Priest, a powerful story of integrity and courage inspired by the real-life martyr Thomas Abell, a man who stood for truth against King Henry VIII. We explore the cost of obedience, what it means to stand for righteousness in the face of pressure, the role of Scripture in shaping conviction, and the importance of spiritual perseverance today. Whether you’re a history lover, a person of faith, or simply someone seeking encouragement, this conversation will strengthen your spirit. The Queen’s Priest Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit License code: YEMOID7DEYZIE4N3 Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus https://jan-johnson.com/ https://justtalkingaboutjesus.com/ https://janjohnsonauthor.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell, check out the form on my website- justtalkingaboutjesus.com. I'd love to connect with you! No, really.... hit me up!

    29 min
  5. Memorial Stones: Mapping Memorials in Everyday Life with Brenda Savanhu

    11/15/2025

    Memorial Stones: Mapping Memorials in Everyday Life with Brenda Savanhu

    Send me a text and let me know your thoughts! Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Brenda Savanhu’s journey has spanned continents and cultures.  She spent her early years between England and Zimbabwe, before moving to the United States at the age of 18.  From a young age, Brenda was an avid reader, finding comfort and inspiration in the pages of Nancy Drew mysteries and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.  Brenda’s faith story is one of rediscovery. Though she first encountered Jesus as a teenager, it was in her early thirties—after a season of wandering—that she found herself drawn back into His embrace.  This profound return to faith became the foundation for her book, Memorial Stones: A Guided Devotional Journal for Foundational Miracles in Your Life.  Through her writing, Brenda encourages others to reflect on and celebrate the miracles that shape their spiritual journeys.  Today, Brenda shares her story to inspire hope and faith in others, inviting them to recognize the hand of God in their own lives.  In this episode, host Jan Johnson engages with Brenda Savannu, delving into the art of documenting life's spiritual journey through metaphoric memorial stones. Brenda discusses how divine inspiration led her to create a book centered on pivotal moments where God's presence was profoundly felt.  Drawing from scriptural references, specifically from the Book of Joshua, they explore how these recorded journeys not only serve as personal testimonials of faith but also facilitate community sharing, fostering deeper connections.  Brenda shares how life events catalyzed her introspection, leading to a renewed faith and a unique way to chart her spiritual journey. Memorial Stones (Amazon Link) Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roger-gabalda/the-joy-of-waltzing License code: NAHKUTIEXGRPLQVY   Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus https://jan-johnson.com/ https://justtalkingaboutjesus.com/ https://janjohnsonauthor.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell, check out the form on my website- justtalkingaboutjesus.com. I'd love to connect with you! No, really.... hit me up!

    37 min
5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

A place with real people sharing their real faith. What was the moment when you first realized how real Jesus is? Tell me about your But God moment. Have you had moments when you were so low you could only rely on your faith? What makes you joyful when the rest of the world isn't? These are a few of the questions that lead my interviews. Once a month we have a roundtable chat with a few people about a topic.