I Don't Know S*** - a Christian Podcast

Jake Smeester
  • 4.9 (9)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Welcome to I Don’t Know S***, hosted by Jake Smeester—a seminary grad, former church worker, and lifelong learner. In this intro episode Jake shares his personal journey through faith, ministry, and deconstruction, laying the foundation for a podcast centered on exploring the gray areas of theology, culture, and identity. This podcasts is all about having honest, nuanced conversations on hot-button social topics and biblical interpretation, as well as more subtle struggles like pastoral loneliness and corporate faith. If you're open to embrace the tension and  sit in the discomfort of uncertainty - if you’re willing to admit “I don’t know s***,” this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. APR 2

    E8. Did we get the Trinity right?... with Alex Walton

    What if one of the most central beliefs in Christianity… just doesn’t quite make sense to you? In this episode, Jake sits down with pastor and theologian Alex Walton to wrestle honestly with the doctrine of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From the ancient creeds to modern church experiences, they explore why this foundational belief can feel confusing, abstract, and even unsettling. Jake shares his own struggles with the Trinity after years of study, along with personal experiences that shaped his skepticism—while Alex brings a thoughtful, humble perspective that makes space for both questions, uncertainty, and faith. Together, they dig into questions like: Why does the Trinity feel so hard to understand?Is it okay to question something so central to Christianity?Are we trying too hard to explain a mystery?What if faith isn’t about certainty, but learning to live with tension?This isn’t a debate meant to “solve” the Trinity. It’s a conversation about embracing mystery, letting go of rigid answers, and discovering a more honest way to engage with belief. If you’ve ever felt unsure about the Holy Spirit, confused by theology, or hesitant to voice your doubts—this episode is for you. Notes: South Fellowship (podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/south-fellowship-church/id550847930 Red Couch Theology (podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/red-couch-theology/id1616539767 Nicene Creed recording: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sww332kehVg Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: https://tinyurl.com/pea3rr3u

    1h 2m

  2. FEB 4

    E7. The gift of Sabbath: How one family is embracing rest with Lauren Zitek

    No work. No rushing. Just rest, play, good food, and time together. It’s called Sabbath — an ancient, biblical rhythm woven through Scripture — yet most modern Christians barely practice it. In this episode of I Don't Know S***, Jake spends a Sunday with the Zitek family, who’ve built their lives around Sabbath rest. They’re not pastors or theologians — just a regular family choosing a radically countercultural way to live. What they’ve found is simple: Sabbath isn’t a rule to keep, but a gift to receive. If you’re feeling burned out or stretched thin, this conversation might completely reframe how you think about rest, faith, and family life. Want to connect with Lauren?  Lauren is passionate about Sabbath and helping others both embrace and practice it. Fill out the following form to get in touch with her.  https://forms.gle/yQEN56CWjn14hgii7 Recommended Books on Sabbath: Subversive Sabbath (A.J. Swoboda)  Garden City (John Mark Comer) Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest (Ruth Haley Barton) The Ruthlessness Elimination of Hurry (John Mark Comer) Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation (Ruth Haley Barton) Recommended Podcasts on Sabbath Tyler Staton (Sabbath) (Bridgetown Church): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sabbath-ft-tyler-staton-unforced-rhythms-of-grace-e9/id1592847144?i=1000657389476 Tyler Staton (You Know a Tree by It's Fruit) (Bridgetown Church): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-know-a-tree-by-its-fruit-ft-tyler-staton-for/id1592847144?i=1000698557173 Garden City Series (John Mark Comer) 5 episode series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human-garden-city-e1/id1592847144?i=1000729050568 Sabbath Series (John Mark Comer) 4 episode series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rest-for-your-soul-sabbath-e1/id1592847144?i=1000575858186 Alex Walton (South Fellowship Church): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sabbath-in-the-way-of-jesus-part-8/id550847930?i=1000695598073 Thanks to Marty Solomon for the phrase, "We rest. We play. No work. God Loves us."

    48 min

  3. JAN 15

    E6. Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) here to save or ruin us, with Ryan Findley

    In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Ryan Findley—better known as Fin. A former teacher turned tech insider, Fin has spent the last three years helping schools and organizations make sense of the sudden avalanche of artificial intelligence. As the technology’s impact has become impossible to ignore, he’s shifted his focus toward an even bigger question: how families and parents can prepare for life in the Age of AI. Together, we tackle one of the strangest and most urgent questions of our time: what is AI, really—and is it saving us, ruining us, or doing something far more complicated? Our conversation ranges from Silicon Valley hype cycles and global tech races to the very real ways AI is already helping people, harming people, reshaping faith, and quietly reshaping who we are. Expect honest disagreements, truth-telling, and a few stories that might make you rethink your relationship with the internet altogether. You can download Fin's free guides or sign up for his 2026 courses on his Linktree (which is linktree.com/parentAI) and follow him on Finstagram (@finsky777).  BBC article: “ChatGPT shares data on how many users exhibit psychosis or suicidal thoughts” https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd90g0q43o.amp

    1h 6m

  4. 10/31/2025

    E5. Israel from the early 20th century to present-day with Dr. Carl Yonker

    In this episode, we talk with Dr. Carl Yonker, a senior researcher at Tel Aviv University, to unpack the complex history and present-day realities of Israel and the Middle East. Carl traces the roots of Zionism, the formation of Israel, and the evolution of modern conflicts through Carl’s expert lens — blending historical context with deeply personal reflection. Recorded just before the most recent ceasefire, this conversation offers an honest, human perspective on life in Israel amid war, politics, and shifting worldviews. Note: The views expressed by Dr. Yonker are his own and do not represent Tel Aviv University or its affiliated institutions.

    42 min

  5. 09/15/2025

    E4. Women's health and Abortion with Stephanie Peverill

    In this episode, we sit down with my friend Stephanie Peverill, a counselor who specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health, to talk about one of the most complex and emotional topics out there: abortion. We dig into women’s health, access to care, the politics around it, and why investing in women changes everything for families and communities. Stephanie brings tons of experience and compassion to the table, and I walked away realizing how much more there is to this conversation than I thought. One quick note: I know this is a sensitive topic for people on all sides. I did my best to approach it with humility, curiosity, and respect—so if at any point it comes across differently, I sincerely apologize.

    1h 2m

  6. 08/06/2025

    E3. What It's Really Like to Be a Pastor with David Burke

    In this episode, we hear from a longtime friend and mentor, David Burke. With over 25 years of ministry experience—including 16 years in college ministry and nearly a decade as a senior pastor—David has a deep well of insight into the life of a pastor. Today, he serves with Standing Stone Ministry, offering confidential coaching and support to pastors and ministry leaders who are often overwhelmed, isolated, or burned out. In this conversation, David helps us explore the often invisible emotional toll of pastoral work, the pressure of leadership, and the loneliness that can come with it. We also discuss how the public narrative tends to highlight scandals while overlooking the everyday struggles of faithful leaders quietly doing the work. This episode is for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what pastors go through—and why they need our support, not just our criticism. Show notes: https://standingstoneministry.org/

    54 min

  7. 07/02/2025

    E2. Is the Bible Inerrant? A Conversation with Evan Kim

    Is the Bible perfect—unchanging and immune to cultural shifts? Does it contain errors (errant), or is it entirely without error (inerrant)? The belief in biblical inerrancy is a traditional and widely held view, but what if that wasn’t the original intent of the text? In this episode, Jake sits down with his good friend Evan Kim, a former classmate at Denver Seminary. Evan holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary, is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and currently teaches Logic and Rhetoric at Arma Dei Academy in Colorado. While Jake and Evan don't see eye to eye on the issue, they engage in a thoughtful and respectful conversation. Evan brings a more traditional perspective on inerrancy, while Jake—though he deeply values the Bible as divine revelation—questions whether it was ever meant to be viewed as strictly inerrant. This episode doesn’t claim to solve the debate, but it does offer a rich dialogue that invites deeper reflection on how we read and understand Scripture. Show notes: https://defendinginerrancy.com/bible-difficulties/

    1h 17m

  8. 04/23/2025

    E1. What is I Don't Know S***?

    Welcome to the first episode of I Don’t Know S***, hosted by Jake Smeester—a seminary grad, former church worker, and lifelong learner. In this intro eposide Jake shares his personal journey through faith, ministry, and deconstruction, laying the foundation for a podcast centered on exploring the gray areas of theology, culture, and identity. From his upbringing in a strict Christian school to working in the tech world in Seattle and Denver, Jake reflects on his evolving beliefs—particularly around politics, the role of the Church, and the inerrancy of Scripture and other topics. Inspired by voices like Richard Dahlstrom and Richard Rohr, he challenges the Western evangelical desire for resolution and instead advocates for growth through curiosity and humility. This episode sets the tone for honest, nuanced conversations on hot-button social topics and biblical interpretation, as well as more subtle struggles like pastoral loneliness and corporate faith. If you're open to saying “I don’t know s***,” and willing to sit in the discomfort of uncertainty, this podcast is for you.

    11 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to I Don’t Know S***, hosted by Jake Smeester—a seminary grad, former church worker, and lifelong learner. In this intro episode Jake shares his personal journey through faith, ministry, and deconstruction, laying the foundation for a podcast centered on exploring the gray areas of theology, culture, and identity. This podcasts is all about having honest, nuanced conversations on hot-button social topics and biblical interpretation, as well as more subtle struggles like pastoral loneliness and corporate faith. If you're open to embrace the tension and  sit in the discomfort of uncertainty - if you’re willing to admit “I don’t know s***,” this podcast is for you.

Information

You Might Also Like