Going Deeper

Justine Cheri Ordway
  • 4.9 (55)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Gospel conversations that challenge cultural narratives—nothing is too taboo here. We bring wisdom, humility, and grace to topics like mental health, social media, money, spiritual disciplines, and more.

  1. 12/17/2025

    Rethinking the Good Life: Comfort, Suffering, and the Presence of God with Shelbi Shutt

    In this episode of the Going Deeper podcast, I sit down with speaker Shelbi Shutt to talk about faith, suffering, and what real comfort looks like in a world obsessed with ease and leisure. Shelbi lives with muscular dystrophy, and her story has profoundly shaped the way she understands the good life, discipleship, and the presence of God. Her honesty pushes us to examine what we run to for comfort and whether those places actually bring life. We talk about how suffering exposes the beliefs we carry beneath the surface. She shares how her diagnosis forced her to confront the “Jesus plus” gospel she didn’t realize she held, and how choosing to participate in the sufferings of Christ has formed her spiritual maturity. She reminds us that true comfort is found in the presence of God. In a world filled with noise, discipling our attention becomes a real part of following Jesus. We explore how prayer reorients us, how lament and celebration can coexist, and how resurrection life isn’t just a future hope but a present reality that shapes our perspective today. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Connect with Shelbi: https://solo.to/shelbishutt Shelbi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbishutt/ Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction  04:19 — Shelbi’s Journey and Diagnosis  07:17 — Faith and Suffering  10:20 — The Good Life and the Jesus Plus Gospel  16:27 — The Role of Suffering in Spiritual Growth  19:16 — The Illusion of Worldly Comfort  25:14 — Prayer and True Comfort  28:20 — Paradise and the Hope of Restoration  31:34 — Living in the Resurrection Life  40:19 — Discipling Our Attention in a Distracted World  42:16 — Longing for the Presence of the Lord  44:55 — Lament and Celebration: Coexisting Realities  48:31 — Finding Comfort in Daily Struggles  52:43 — Current Projects and Future Aspirations

    54 min

  2. 12/11/2025

    Longing for Home in a Rootless and Restless World with my Editor Eddie Larow

    In this episode of the Going Deeper podcast, I sit down with my own acquisitions editor, Eddie Larow of Baker Books. We talk about what an acquisitions editor actually does, how he helps authors connect with the readers who need their message, and how my own unexpected journey into authorship was guided by God’s timing. From there, we widen the conversation to the cultural landscape shaping Gen Z: their longing for home, the pull toward community, and the deep sense of spiritual homelessness many young adults feel in a secular age. We explore how modernity and mobility have created restlessness, why “nomadic modernity” captures so much of our cultural moment, and how the return to historic churches reveals a desire for structure, order, and rootedness. We end with a call to localism—pursuing embodied, committed community right where we live. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Eddie's Article "Gen Z Longs for Home": https://firstthings.com/gen-z-longs-for-home/  Eddie's Substack: https://substack.com/@eddielarow Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction  02:05 — Understanding the Role of an Acquisitions Editor  04:30 — The Journey to Authorship  09:45 — Cultural Observations: Gen Z’s Longing for Home  13:10 — The Impact of Modernity on Community and Belonging  19:07 — Exploring Nomadic Modernity and Its Implications  27:20 — Cultural Shifts and the Search for Authenticity  31:21 — Nostalgia and the Desire to Return to Simplicity  33:46 — The Skills Gap and Superficiality in Trad Aesthetics  37:32 — Spiritual Homelessness and the Need for Community  41:24 — The Search for Objective Truth in a Postmodern World  47:04 — The Longing for Tradition and Authenticity in Faith  52:51 — Ecumenical Unity and the Pursuit of Christ  01:00:47 — Localism and the Call to Community Engagement

    1h 5m

  3. 11/26/2025

    A Devotional Reading of Philippians and How I'm Leaning Into Advent

    In this episode, I’m sharing why Advent has become such a meaningful season for me—one marked by anticipation, preparation, and a deliberate slowing down. I talk through some of the practices my family and I are leaning into this year, why I’m taking a step back from social media, and how intentional rhythms can make room for real peace and hope. I also walk through a reading from Philippians and reflect on the themes of humility, contentment, and the true cost of following Jesus. My prayer is that this conversation helps you sink deeper into Scripture and cultivate a heart that’s attentive to Christ as we move toward Christmas. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Advent and Personal Reflection 06:12 – Embracing Advent: Intentional Practices 11:55 – Reading and Reflecting on Philippians 48:29 – Conclusion and Future Conversations

    50 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    On Compassionate Wardrobes, Self-Righteousness, and What the Self-Esteem Movement Gets Wrong with Sharon Hodde Miller

    In this episode of Going Deeper, I talk with Sharon Hodde Miller about the growing problem of self-righteousness among Christians online, especially after Charlie Kirk's assassination. We unpack how the self-esteem movement has shaped how many believers think about identity and worth—and how it fosters the idea that we are called to self-discovery rather than self-denial. Sharon also shares biblical wisdom on modesty and humility in appearance, revealing that modesty may not be so much about covering up as about being intentional about dressing in a way that fosters compassion rather than comparison.  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Free of Me Book: https://sheworships.com/free-of-me/ Gazing at God Book: https://sheworships.com/gazing-at-god/ Follow Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonhmiller/

    1 hr

  5. 11/05/2025

    The Wellness Gospel, Radical Faith, and What to Do When You Don't "Feel" God

    In this episode of Going Deeper, I’m unpacking the idea of the “Wellness Gospel”—the subtle belief that health and self-optimization can save us. I share about my own journey with health and wellness, and how something good slowly became an identity that distanced me from Jesus. I talk about how easy it is to elevate health, balance, and self-care above obedience and surrender, and how the true gospel of Jesus calls us into something far more radical. Through Scripture, I contrast the Wellness Gospel with the real gospel—the one that invites us to lose our lives for Christ’s sake and trust Him completely. I also answered a listener's question about feeling distant from God. I share how faith isn’t about chasing feelings but about knowing God and remembering His faithfulness, even when our emotions waver. My hope is that this episode helps you see the difference between caring for your body and worshiping it—and reminds you that real wellness begins with a soul anchored in Him. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Chapters 00:00 — Today's Agenda 03:12 — My Wellness Story 12:45 — The Wellness Gospel 23:30 — A Biblical View of Health 32:18 — Radical Faith  38:50 — Listener Question: Feeling Distant from God Keywords wellness gospel, health, faith, Jesus, radical verses, self-help, spirituality, holistic health, personal journey, listener question

    1h 1m

  6. 10/28/2025

    Influencer Culture, ChatGPT Boundaries, and Why Reading Your Bible Is So Hard—And What to Do About It

    In this episode of Going Deeper, we're talking about ChatGPT boundaries, Influencer culture, and the spiritual discipline of Bible reading—and why its so hard. My hope is that this episode encourages you to stay spiritually awake and intentional as we learn to follow Jesus faithfully in a world driven by technology. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction and Overview 02:19 — The Bible Bag and Prayer Practices 07:47 — Navigating AI and ChatGPT Boundaries 27:32 — The Rise of AI Influencers 36:07 — Understanding the Challenges of Bible Reading

    1h 3m

  7. 10/21/2025

    A Theology of Happiness with Griffin Gooch

    In this episode, I’m joined by Griffin Gooch to talk about one of the most misunderstood topics in both culture and the church—happiness. Griffin is a theologian and writer who’s exploring what it really means to live a happy and holy life, and how our understanding of happiness has shifted throughout history. We dig into the Beatitudes as Jesus’s surprising pathway to joy, how pleasure, meaning, and growth each play a role in true happiness, and why pursuing happiness for its own sake often leaves us emptier than before. Griffin also shares practical, gospel-shaped ways to navigate mental health struggles, practice gratitude, and find lasting fulfillment through community and service. If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between happiness and holiness, or wondered what Jesus actually meant by the “abundant life,” this conversation will challenge and encourage you in the best way. Follow Griffin on Substack: https://griffingooch.substack.com/  Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to my newsletter: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

    53 min

  8. 10/14/2025

    Is Christian Charity Dead? Forrest Frank, Taylor Swift, and What the Bible Says About the World

    Welcome back to Going Deeper! After a short break, I’m so excited to return with a brand-new season—and to finally share a few updates on what’s been happening behind the scenes, including my upcoming book on the “good life” and my new newsletter, The Digest.  In today’s episode, we’re diving into several big conversations happening across Christian culture—from Forrest Frank’s decision not to attend the Dove Awards, to the online discourse surrounding Jackie Hill Perry and Christian Nationalism, and even the controversy surrounding Taylor Swift’s latest album. These cultural moments have raised numerous questions about personal convictions, Christian liberty, and what unity entails within the body of Christ. We’ll talk about how to discern between sin and personal conviction, why sanctification looks different for every believer, and how to practice humility and grace when we disagree. At the heart of it all is this: how can we live in the world but not of it, and what does God say about how we should live as witnesses of Jesus?  Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to my newsletter: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome Back + Book Update 03:16 — Cultural Observations  06:26 — Forrest Frank’s and the Dove Awards 12:18 — Jackie Hill Perry, Allie Stuckey, and Online Discourse 15:09 — Is listening to Taylor Swift a sin? 27:44 — Charitable Disagreeing 31:54 — Conformity to the World 36:11 — Friendship with the World  44:13 — Loving the World  50:11 — Being in the World but Not of It 54:14 — Answering Listener Question

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

Gospel conversations that challenge cultural narratives—nothing is too taboo here. We bring wisdom, humility, and grace to topics like mental health, social media, money, spiritual disciplines, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Justine Cheri Ordway
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Going Deeper
  • Show Website
    Going Deeper