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. 1D AGO

    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   Those Big Faith Questions with Alycia Wood   What's So Special about Christianity? with Alycia Wood   Reasons to Look Into Christianity 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
  2. FEB 4

    I Need Jesus to Show Me More with Alycia Wood

    Happy Wednesday!   We are back with our guest, Alycia Wood! We had a great conversation with her last week and thrilled to have her back with our returning co-hosts, Sarah and Katelyn.    We discuss the evidence of Christianity. There's not necessarily a lack of evidence - there is plenty of reliable evidence out there. The problem is, it will never be enough.    The more we know, the more questions we have, and the more skeptical we become towards it all.   Katelyn shares some of the reasons why she would not put her faith in Christianity. Sarah, although she is a Christian, struggles with the thought of believing in the wrong thing.    About Alycia As a child growing up in the church, Alycia always had questions. She wanted to dig deeper into the Christian faith beyond the Sunday morning sermon. That fueled an independent search which led to her digging into the larger questions of life. While studying for a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology at Robert Wesleyan College, Alycia discovered Apologetics. It changed the course of her life. Her quest for a deeper understanding of her Christianity had a name.   She went on to get her Master’s in Social Justice from Marygrove College to further her passion for serving those in need in the developing world. This led to various volunteering opportunities at orphanages, prisons, and shelters for the homeless in various countries including Haiti, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. A few years after her travels were completed, she was able to spend a year studying Apologetics in England.   Alycia spent many years as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher for multiple grade levels. Following, she has spent over nine years doing full-time apologetics ministry where she travels and speaks on various topics relevant to our culture. She is currently with the C. S. Lewis Society in Tampa.   We hope you enjoy this conversation!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood   Those Big Faith Questions with Alycia Wood   What's So Special about Christianity? with Alycia Wood   Reasons to Look Into Christianity with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister   AI Proves God's Existence with Abdu Murray   Are Generational Curses are Real? - Ana's Story   Naturalism Doesn't Make Sense with Jon Noyes     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
  3. Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood

    JAN 29

    Do the Things in the Bible Still Happen? with Alycia Wood

    Happy Wednesday!   Today, we are joined with our guest, Alycia Wood. We are also joined with co-hosts, Sarah and Katelyn.    Alycia shares how she came to faith. She has always been a curious person and her questions ultimately led her to start looking at the most inevitable question - Does God exist?   Does God still do the miracles He did in the Bible? Why did he stop doing big miracles like parting the Red Sea?   About Alycia As a child growing up in the church, Alycia always had questions. She wanted to dig deeper into the Christian faith beyond the Sunday morning sermon. That fueled an independent search which led to her digging into the larger questions of life. While studying for a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology at Robert Wesleyan College, Alycia discovered Apologetics. It changed the course of her life. Her quest for a deeper understanding of her Christianity had a name.   She went on to get her Master’s in Social Justice from Marygrove College to further her passion for serving those in need in the developing world. This led to various volunteering opportunities at orphanages, prisons, and shelters for the homeless in various countries including Haiti, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. A few years after her travels were completed, she was able to spend a year studying Apologetics in England.   Alycia spent many years as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher for multiple grade levels. Following, she has spent over nine years doing full-time apologetics ministry where she travels and speaks on various topics relevant to our culture. She is currently with the C. S. Lewis Society in Tampa.   In her spare time, she is an avid sports fan, musician and grower of all things edible in her garden.   We hope you enjoy this week's conversation!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   Those Big Faith Questions with Alycia Wood   What's So Special about Christianity? with Alycia Wood   Reasons to Look Into Christianity with Alycia Wood   Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister   AI Proves God's Existence with Abdu Murray   Are Generational Curses are Real? - Ana's Story   Naturalism Doesn't Make Sense with Jon Noyes     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 10m
  4. Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister

    JAN 21

    Did the Resurrection Actually Happen? with Andy Bannister

    Happy Wednesday!    We have a treat for you this week. We are joined with our guest, Andy Bannister. We are also joined with one of our co-host, Sarah.    We had a great conversation about the legitimacy of Christianity and why it matters whether or not the resurrection actually happened.    Dr. Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas and an Adjunct Lecturer at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Andy holds a PhD in Islamic studies and is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at Melbourne School of Theology. Andy is the author of an academic book, An Oral-Formulaic Study of the Qur’an, and two popular-level books: The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist (or: The Terrible Consequences of Really Bad Arguments), and his latest: Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?. When not traveling, speaking, or writing, Andy is a keen hiker, mountain climber, and photographer. He is married to Astrid; they have two children, Caitriona and Christopher.   We hope you enjoy this week's episode!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS   Beauty, Math & Human Rights: Clues that Point to a Creator with Andy Bannister   AI Proves God's Existence with Abdu Murray   Are Generational Curses are Real? - Ana's Story   Naturalism Doesn't Make Sense with Jon Noyes     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

    1 hr
  5. Are Generational Curses Real? - Ana's Story

    JAN 7

    Are Generational Curses Real? - Ana's Story

    Happy Wednesday!   We are so excited for this week's episode! Today, we are sharing one of our co-host story, Ana!   Ana has been part of Finding Something Real since the very beginning. Janell and Ana met at a small group when she was a senior in High School in 2019. They've formed a beautiful friendship since then.   Ana was born and raised in Chelan, WA. She is currently the Social Media Manager for this Podcast and a co-host this season. She graduated from Northwest University and got her Bachelor's in Business Administration.   Ana is one of the founders of Valley Collective - a moment to unify the Churches in the Greater Chelan Valley. She's involved in many other ministries, including this one, using her gift and talents to build His Kingdom.    Ana loves the Lord with all her heart. It doesn't mean she hasn't gone through anything hard. Her dad had a stroke her sophomore year in High School. He was handicapped for four years until he passed away at the end of 2021. She shares her story about breaking a generational curse that was associated with to her dad's stroke.    She also opens up about her struggle with self-hatred and suicidal thoughts.   Ana's relationship with the Lord is so rich and so deep. If you relate to her story or want to ask more questions, please reach out! Message us - we would love to talk with you!   We hope you love Ana as much as we do!   -- -- -- -- -- LINKS I Have Seen the Goodness of God in My Life   You Don't Have to Have All the Answers with Lindsey Medenwaldt   Why People Really Don't Believe in Jesus with Xandra Grieme   Dealing with Grief and Church Hurt with Jason Schmidt   How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa   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 20m
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?