Meet The Prof, with Shane & Spence

Shane Hartley
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Shane Hartley and Spence Hackney receive questions from college students and ask them to Christian professors in a fun, insightful interview format.Our mission: to encourage Christ-centered conversations on the college campus.We hope these interviews will help college students, inspire professors, and encourage parents and grandparents of college students.

  1. MTP 76: How Jesus reached a professor through a Christian student and rescued her from imposter syndrome, Dr. Kate Fogarty-Read, Associate Professor in Family Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida

    3D AGO

    MTP 76: How Jesus reached a professor through a Christian student and rescued her from imposter syndrome, Dr. Kate Fogarty-Read, Associate Professor in Family Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida

    In this interview, Dr. Kate Fogarty-Read shares her journey to faith in Christ during graduate school through the influence of one of her undergrad students, how Jesus sustained her through academic challenges, her involvement in mentoring graduate students, and her experience leading a faculty mission trip to Italy. She also discusses how faith and science can work together and offers practical advice for Christian faculty who want to make an impact on campus. Read more about Kate Fogarty-Read online: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/kate-fogarty-read/ Main Takeaways God often uses simple relationships and integrity to draw people to HimselfAcademic success without Christ can feel overwhelming and unsustainablePride and competition are real challenges for faculty, especially early in their careersMentorship is one of the most strategic ways professors can invest spirituallyFaculty can play a key role in global missions and ministry multiplicationFaith and science are not in conflict—discovery can deepen awe of GodStudents are more open to faith conversations than professors often assumeStarting ministry can be simple: find one partner and take one stepChristian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    41 min
  2. MTP 75: Anita Stephen, Why Do So Many Christian Professors Limit Their Faith to Sundays?

    MAR 27

    MTP 75: Anita Stephen, Why Do So Many Christian Professors Limit Their Faith to Sundays?

    In this episode, we interview Anita Stephen, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Florida. Anita challenges professors not to compartmentalize their faith but to live it out boldly and naturally in everyday academic life. She shares how God reshaped her heart from striving and self-focus to listening and kindness, and how that transformation now shapes her relationships with students, colleagues, and the broader campus community. Read more about Anita Stephen online: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/anita-stephen/ Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    32 min
  3. MTP 74: "Why do many Christian professors feel alone on campus?" Dr. Lanny Griffin, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)

    MAR 12

    MTP 74: "Why do many Christian professors feel alone on campus?" Dr. Lanny Griffin, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)

    Lanny Griffin is a longtime professor of mechanical engineering at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). Over the course of his career he has served as a department chair, Army Reserve officer, and faculty member at the United States Military Academy at West Point. If you’d like to learn more about Professor Griffin, you can find his profile at: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/lanny-griffin/ KEY TAKEAWAYS God often pursues people before they begin seeking Him.Many Christian professors feel isolated until they intentionally look for other believers.Simple relational invitations—like coffee conversations—can open doors to spiritual discussions.Mentoring students and discipling young believers creates lasting impact.Introverted professors can still build meaningful relationships by taking small steps of initiative.Interruptions in daily life can become opportunities for ministry. Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    56 min
  4. MTP 73: Is it safe for Christian professors to talk about their faith in class? Charles Kemp, Part 2

    JAN 16

    MTP 73: Is it safe for Christian professors to talk about their faith in class? Charles Kemp, Part 2

    Dr. Charles Kemp, Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Shawnee State University, talks about being a Christian professor and integrating his faith on campus, on Meet The Prof, episodes 72 and 73. He also discusses: Is it safe to be a Christian professor today? How to talk about faith as a professor. Can professors talk about Christianity in class? Being bold about faith as a professor. Christian professors afraid to speak up. How Christian professors influence students? Finding other Christian faculty on campus. How professors can mentor students spiritually. Should Christian professors share their faith? Encouraging Christian professors. Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    31 min
  5. MTP 72: Charles Kemp Part 1, How Can Professors Share Jesus Naturally with their Students?

    12/11/2025

    MTP 72: Charles Kemp Part 1, How Can Professors Share Jesus Naturally with their Students?

    In this episode, we talk with Dr. Charles Kemp, Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Program Coordinator and Intervention Specialist at Shawnee State University in Ohio. Charles shares his journey from a fear-based view of God to a deep experience of God’s love, his years serving missionary kids in West Africa and Papua New Guinea, and the surprising path that led him into higher education. He also explains how he boldly but wisely identifies himself as a Jesus follower in the classroom and models community for a generation hungry for relationships. Read more about Charles Kemp online: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/charles-kemp/ Main Takeaways  • Many Christian professors underestimate how freely and legally they can share their identity in Christ with students.  • Introducing yourself as a Jesus follower frames your identity without proselytizing.  • Students are hungry for authenticity, community, and relational connection.  • God uses early life experiences to prepare us for surprising future callings.  • Fear of God can grow into reverence when it becomes rooted in love rather than punishment. Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    31 min
  6. MTP 71: Kara Powell Pt 2, humble leadership, sharing Jesus, not judging, and Future-Focused Church

    10/10/2025

    MTP 71: Kara Powell Pt 2, humble leadership, sharing Jesus, not judging, and Future-Focused Church

    Dr. Kara Powell, Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary and Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, unpacks humble leadership in academic settings, how students can share faith without judgment, and key ideas from her new book Future Focused Church. She shares practical moves churches and professors can make to prioritize young people, build supportive communities, and love neighbors in tangible ways. Read: Future-Focused Church:  Leading through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, and Building a More Diverse Tomorrow   https://a.co/d/8v7RGxl By: Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Raymond Chang Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    29 min
  7. MTP 70: Kara Powell, Part 1, Christian Professors Are in Full-Time Ministry, Building Community & Leading With Humility

    10/03/2025

    MTP 70: Kara Powell, Part 1, Christian Professors Are in Full-Time Ministry, Building Community & Leading With Humility

    In part 1 of this inspiring interview, Dr. Kara Powell, Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary and Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, shares stories from her own faith journey, her passion for reaching young people, and practical advice for professors navigating doubt, boldness, humility, and transformation in academia and in the Church.  Main Takeaways: Christian professors are in full-time ministry, even on non-faith-based campuses.Building community is essential for courage and clarity, especially in a culture of fear around faith.Doubt is not toxic—silence is. Making room for students' tough questions can strengthen faith.Professors can prioritize young people in their churches by asking, “How does this decision affect the next generation?”Leading with humility includes being quick to apologize—even for the 10%.You don’t have to have all the answers. Ask questions instead of making statements.Read: Future-Focused Church:  Leading through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, and Building a More Diverse Tomorrow By: Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Raymond Chang Kara Powell, PhD, is the chief of leadership formation at Fuller  Theological Seminary, the executive director of the Fuller Youth  Institute, and the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration. Named by  Christianity Today as one of "50 Women to Watch," Kara speaks  regularly at national parenting and leadership conferences. Kara has  authored or coauthored numerous books, including Faith Beyond Youth  Group, 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future, 3 Big Questions That  Change Every Teenager, Growing With, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith  Guide for Your Family, and the entire Sticky Faith series. Kara and her  husband, Dave, are regularly inspired by the learning and laughter that  come from their three young adult children.   Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    27 min
  8. MTP 69: Karen Liller Pt 2, Why a student called her brave, & Christian USF profs launch a community

    09/19/2025

    MTP 69: Karen Liller Pt 2, Why a student called her brave, & Christian USF profs launch a community

    Dr. Karen Liller, Distinguished University Health Professor in the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, shares how consistent, respectful openness about her Christian faith—something as simple as wearing a cross daily—has sparked student conversations, encouraged fellow faculty, and shaped her public-health advocacy and research on injury and suicide prevention. She also spotlights USF’s faculty prayer community, her Activist Lab, and the role churches can play in reaching youth. Read more about Karen Liller online:  https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/karen-liller/ Christian professors, share with students how Jesus rescued you by submitting a profile at this link: https://meettheprof.com/create-profile/  Students & parents, find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/ Resources: Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSVEveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos   Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6kizp6klascdMj1nqaj6LD   Listen on Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-prof-with-shane-and-spence/id1733311320 Support Shane's ministry with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

    30 min
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Shane Hartley and Spence Hackney receive questions from college students and ask them to Christian professors in a fun, insightful interview format.Our mission: to encourage Christ-centered conversations on the college campus.We hope these interviews will help college students, inspire professors, and encourage parents and grandparents of college students.

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