MercyCast

Let My People Go
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Have you ever hit a wall and asked yourself, "What do I do now? How will I ever get past this?" If you are human and have a pulse, you probably have. The MercyCast is a podcast dedicated to learning the subtle art of compassion through the adversity of everyday life. Join Raleigh Sadler, the host, as he has honest and thought-provoking conversations with friends he has met along the way. Each Wednesday, listen to the encouraging true stories of people, like you and me, who are learning compassion through hard times. For more information and show notes, go to mercycast.com.

  1. Julie Wilson on the power of intentional giving.

    3d ago

    Julie Wilson on the power of intentional giving.

    What if generosity is about more than money? In this episode of MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Julie Wilson, President and CEO of Women Doing Well, to discuss purpose, stewardship, and the growing role women are playing in shaping generosity. Julie shares how a season of burnout led her to discover her God-given calling and how that journey ultimately brought her into a movement equipping women to steward resources with confidence and purpose. Together, they explore the connection between faith, generosity, and personal transformation, challenging listeners to move beyond scarcity and embrace a life of open-handed stewardship. In This Episode How burnout can reveal purposeLiving from stewardship instead of scarcityThe importance of understanding your unique callingWhat current research reveals about women and generosityThe impact of the Great Wealth TransferWhy generosity is a spiritual practiceHow small acts of giving shape our heartsMemorable Quotes "You are a unique individual, and there will only be one of you ever in the whole history of the world.""Generosity, if it's not a gift, it's a spiritual practice.""What do I have that God hasn't given me?""I've never met an unhappy, generous person."Key Takeaway Generosity isn't reserved for a select few. It's a practice that grows as we learn to view our time, talents, and resources as gifts entrusted to us by God. Whether through finances, hospitality, encouragement, or service, every act of generosity shapes both the giver and the world around them. Resources Mentioned Women Doing WellWomen Doing Well on InstagramConnect with MercyCast If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Together, we can cultivate lives marked by mercy, purpose, and generosity. Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and rate on Spotify. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    34 min
  2. Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell on finding God in the midst of suffering.

    Jun 17

    Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell on finding God in the midst of suffering.

    What happens when the prayers keep coming but the circumstances never seem to change? In this episode of MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with authors Kristen Weatherall and Sarah Walton to discuss their new book, Jesus Will Meet You There. Together, they explore chronic illness, parenting through crisis, unanswered prayers, grief, fear, and the long seasons of suffering that can leave us wondering where God is. Rather than offering quick fixes or easy answers, Kristen and Sarah share how suffering stripped away false expectations and revealed a deeper reality: Christ does not abandon His people in pain. He meets them there. Drawing from personal experiences with chronic illness, family hardship, and years of uncertainty, they discuss how God's presence often becomes most tangible when strength runs out. This conversation is a powerful reminder that faith is not about escaping weakness but discovering the compassion of Jesus within it. Whether you're walking through loss, disappointment, unanswered prayers, or simply feeling exhausted by life's burdens, this episode offers hope for the journey and encouragement to keep your eyes fixed on Christ. In This Episode Why suffering often reshapes our understanding of GodFinding Christ in seasons of chronic illness and uncertaintyWhat to do when God feels silentThe difference between God's presence and our feelingsHow weakness becomes a doorway to deeper dependenceLearning contentment in difficult circumstancesThe compassion of Jesus toward those who sufferLiving with both sorrow and joyWhy eternal hope changes how we view present painEncouragement for anyone walking through a long season of hardshipMemorable Quotes "The most awful moments of my life have also become some of the most sacred because I experienced the presence of Christ there.""Christianity isn't about getting your act together. It's about Jesus, who has done all the right things for you.""Sometimes the gift isn't deliverance from suffering. It's discovering that Christ is with you in it."Resources Mentioned Jesus Will Meet You There by Kristen Weatherall and Sarah WaltonConnect with MercyCast If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need the reminder that Jesus meets us in the middle of suffering—not just after it ends. Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and rate on Spotify. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    55 min
  3. Wayne Jacobsen on love beyond performance.

    Jun 10

    Wayne Jacobsen on love beyond performance.

    There are moments in life that expose what we really believe. A cancer diagnosis. A fractured relationship. A loss we never saw coming. In this conversation with Wayne Jacobsen, we talk about what happens when faith moves beyond performance and becomes a lived experience of God's love. Wayne shares deeply personal stories—from surviving a cancer diagnosis to navigating one of the most painful seasons of his 51-year marriage—and reveals how God's presence met him in places where easy answers could not. For decades, Wayne has invited people to move beyond religious striving and into a relationship rooted in love. His newest book, Just Love, explores a powerful truth: righteousness isn't about earning God's approval. It's about learning to receive His love and allowing that love to transform how we see and treat others. This conversation challenged me personally. We discussed the difference between living for love and living from love, how God often takes the initiative long before we recognize it, and why genuine compassion grows out of being deeply loved ourselves. In this episode, we discuss: Why do so many of us spend years trying to earn a love God has already given?The difference between knowing about God's love and actually living loved.How performance-based faith keeps us trapped in fear and control.Why God's presence is often discovered in pain rather than certainty.What Wayne learned through a devastating crisis in his marriage.How unresolved trauma can shape our relationships and understanding of ourselves.Why love is not an obligation but the natural overflow of a heart experiencing God's affection.The connection between justice, compassion, and loving the person right in front of us.How to stop trying to fix people and start being present with them.What it means to trust God when circumstances make no sense.Key Takeaways You Don't Have to Earn What God Has Already Given Wayne spent decades trying to earn God's approval before realizing he was already loved. Everything changed when he stopped waking up trying to be loved by God and started waking up as God's beloved. God Often Initiates Before We Notice Many of us think we're searching for God, but Wayne reminds us that God is often the One pursuing us. The Father draws us long before we recognize His presence. Love Changes How We Walk Through Suffering When Wayne's wife unexpectedly left after 46 years of marriage, everything in him could have reacted with fear, anger, and a sense of control. Instead, years of learning to trust God's love allowed him to remain present, patient, and compassionate through one of the hardest seasons of his life. Justice Flows From Love Rather than seeing justice as another religious obligation, Wayne argues that God's love naturally produces a life marked by compassion, mercy, and care for others. Love fulfills justice because love fulfills us. The Next Person Matters We often think about changing the world while overlooking the person directly in front of us. Wayne reminds us that the Kingdom of God is often expressed through simple acts of presence, curiosity, compassion, and care. Memorable Quote "I spent the first 42 years of my life trying to earn the love of God that I already had and didn't know it." — Wayne Jacobsen Resources Mentioned Just LoveHe Loves MeFinal Thoughts One thing Wayne said continues to stay with me: God's goal isn't only bring us into heaven someday. His desire is to free us from the constant need to prove ourselves so we can live in the freedom of His love today. When we stop striving to earn God's affection, we're finally free to love the people around us—not because we have to, but because we've already received more love than we could ever exhaust. That's where compassion begins. That's where mercy becomes real. And that's where lives begin to change. If you are interested in reading Wayne’s books, please go to the links above. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    53 min
  4. Callie Priest on how the church can impact foster care.

    Jun 3

    Callie Priest on how the church can impact foster care.

    Every child needs a place to belong. A home where they are known. A place where they are safe. A family that sees them for who they are—not simply for the circumstances that brought them into foster care. In this episode of MercyCast, I sat down with Callie Priest, Director of Strategic Partnerships at WinShape Homes. What made this conversation especially meaningful was discovering that Callie and I first met more than a decade ago while I was meeting at a church where she served. Since then, God has continued shaping her passion for vulnerable children and families. Callie shared how her journey began with a family adoption that opened her eyes to the realities facing children without permanent families. Later, ministry opportunities around the world—including a life-changing visit to a cemetery community in the Philippines—deepened her understanding of vulnerability and God's heart for those who often go unseen. Today, Callie helps churches engage foster care in practical and meaningful ways. Through WinShape Homes, she equips churches to support foster families, care for children impacted by trauma, and create environments where healing and belonging can flourish. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered on a simple truth: many churches want to help, but often feel unprepared. Callie shared how a foster family in her church helped her recognize an important gap. Churches were encouraging foster care without fully understanding how trauma impacts children and families. That realization transformed her approach to ministry and strengthened her commitment to trauma-informed care. I appreciated Callie's honesty. She reminded us that faithfulness doesn't begin with expertise—it begins with awareness. We don't have to know everything before we take a step. We simply need to be willing to see the needs around us and respond. We also talked about what Callie calls the "curb cut effect." Originally designed to help people in wheelchairs navigate sidewalks, curb cuts ended up helping everyone—parents with strollers, delivery workers, and the elderly. The same is true when we care for vulnerable children. When we make room for those most in need, entire communities benefit. One of the strongest themes throughout our conversation was that foster care is not someone else's issue. It affects our communities, schools, churches, and neighbors. And for followers of Jesus, it presents a tangible opportunity to live out the gospel. The story of foster care points us back to the story of redemption. We were all in need of rescue. Through Christ, we have been welcomed into God's family. Because of that, we are free to open our lives, homes, and churches to others. You may never become a foster parent. But you can support a foster family. You can invite someone to your table. You can learn the names and stories of children in your community. Sometimes belonging begins with something as simple as showing up, paying attention, and making room for someone who needs to know they matter. Key Takeaways God often uses ordinary experiences to open our eyes to the needs of vulnerable children.Foster care is a community issue that impacts far more people than we often realize.Churches can play a vital role by becoming trauma-informed and supporting foster families well.You don't need to be an expert to make a difference—you simply need to be willing to engage.Caring for vulnerable children strengthens both families and the broader church community.Foster care reflects the heart of the gospel: welcoming others into a family where they belong.Memorable Quotes "The opposite of poverty isn't wealth. The opposite of poverty is enough." — Callie Priest "We don't rescue people. We get to be a conduit for what God is doing." — Callie Priest "When we care well for the most vulnerable, everyone benefits." — Callie Priest "The church doesn't just support foster families. Foster families are a gift to the church." — Callie Priest Resources Learn more about WinShape Homes and how churches can engage foster care in their communities. Listen to Mercycast If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to learn how compassion can transform communities. Together, we can learn the art of compassion through the adversity of life. Learn more about Callie and her work on her podcast. Follow Winshape homes on instagram. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    43 min
  5. Rachelle Starr on healing father wounds.

    May 27

    Rachelle Starr on healing father wounds.

    Some conversations stay with you long after the microphones are off. This was one of them. In this episode of the MercyCast, I sit down with my longtime friend Rachelle Starr — founder of Scarlet Hope, author of Outrageous Obedience, and one of the clearest voices I know on mercy, trauma, exploitation, and the love of God. We talk about her new documentary, He Calls Me Daughter, a powerful film exploring father wounds, identity, healing, and what happens when women who have spent their lives feeling abandoned begin to believe they are truly seen by God. This conversation moved me deeply because it gets to the heart of things. We talk about the hidden wounds people carry from absent, abusive, distant, or emotionally unavailable fathers — and how those wounds often shape vulnerability, exploitation, addiction, performance, overworking, relationships, and identity in ways we don’t even realize. Rachelle shares stories from nearly two decades of serving women in strip clubs, online exploitation, trafficking, and the adult entertainment industry through Scarlet Hope. She explains how their ministry now reaches exploited women across the country through digital outreach, including text-based intervention with women being trafficked online. One story in particular wrecked me: a woman trapped in exploitation for nearly ten years receives a single text message from Scarlet Hope — and that moment becomes the beginning of her freedom. We also talk about: The rise of online sexual exploitation and traffickingWhy “daddy issues” is often a cruel oversimplification of real traumaCompassion fatigue and burnout in justice workThe difference between being a savior and being a neighborHow healing rarely happens overnightWhy faithful presence matters more than quick fixesThe power of staying when it would be easier to walk awayOne of the most moving moments of the episode is when Rachelle shares the story of Priscilla — a woman she met in a strip club who wanted nothing to do with God, Christians, or ministry. Over years of consistency, meals, conversations, and love, everything changed. Not through pressure. Not through performance. But through presence. If you’ve ever wrestled with wounds from your past, burnout, identity, faith, trauma, or what it means to truly love people well, I think this episode will meet you where you are. In This Episode Father wounds and healingHuman trafficking and online exploitationTrauma-informed ministryCompassion fatigue and burnoutScarlet Hope’s outreach workThe documentary He Calls Me Daughter.Faith, identity, and belongingHospitality, mercy, and long-term presenceTechnology and trafficking interventionWhat it means to be called “daughter.”About Rachelle Starr Rachelle Starr is the founder of Scarlet Hope, a ministry serving women in the adult entertainment industry across the United States. She is the author of Outrageous Obedience and appears in the documentary He Calls Me Daughter, which explores the impact of father wounds and the healing available through God’s love. Listen to Mercycast If this episode encouraged you, share it. And if the Mercycast has impacted you, subscribe, leave a review, and help us continue having honest conversations about faith, suffering, justice, and the mercy of God in a broken world. Listen to her last episode on MercyCast. Follow Rachelle and Scarlet Hope here: instagram.com/rachellestarr.coinstagram.com/thescarlethopefacebook.com/thescarlethopetwitter.com/thescarlethoperachellestarr.coscarlethope.orgWatch the documentary, He Calls Me Daughter. You can also get a copy of her book—Outrageous Obedience: Answering God's Call to Shine in the Darkest Places—at Amazon. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    41 min
  6. Daniel Penovich on the hidden art of hospitality.

    May 20

    Daniel Penovich on the hidden art of hospitality.

    “The lead dishwasher.” A simple title that not only sets the tone of this episode, but serves as this week’s guest’s true north for his restaurant. In this episode of the Mercycast, I sit down with Daniel Penovich, owner, chef, and self-described “lead dishwasher” of Koko Japanese Pub in Cocoa Beach. What started behind a sink full of dishes became a conversation about vocation, creativity, ego, hospitality, faith, art, and building authentic community in the middle of a changing city. Daniel shares how running one of the most talked-about restaurants on Florida’s Space Coast has less to do with status and more to do with service. We talk about the tension between artistry and discipline, why creativity should feel deeply personal, and how hospitality can become a form of ministry without turning into performance or branding. From anime-covered walls and Japanese street food inspiration to conversations about Jesus, meaning, loneliness, and identity, this episode explores what it looks like to create spaces where people feel truly seen. If you’ve ever wrestled with ambition, authenticity, burnout, faith, or finding purpose in your work, this conversation will resonate deeply. Key Themes Discussed Creativity, art, and vocationHumility in leadership and businessHospitality as ministryFaith in secular industriesJapanese food culture and designBuilding authentic community in Cocoa BeachThe relationship between ego and successCreating meaningful experiences through foodEntrepreneurship and restaurant cultureWhy “Christian branding” often misses the pointMemorable Quotes “It’s a daily reminder of like, no, I just wash dishes. I’m here to make people happy.”“You can’t be all things to all people, but you can try to be most things to most people.”“I wanted people to feel like they were walking into my home.”“There’s no such thing as a Christian restaurant. But there is such a thing as a Christian living faithfully where they are.”“Live a life that begs the question, ‘Why?’”Key Takeaways True leadership starts with service, not recognition.Creativity becomes powerful when it reflects authenticity instead of trends.Hospitality creates space for vulnerability, connection, and healing.Faith often speaks loudest through presence, peace, and consistency.Community is built one conversation at a time.Meaningful art and meaningful work both require sacrifice.The best creators invite people into who they really are.About Daniel Penovich Daniel Penovich is the owner and chef behind Koko Japanese Pub, a Japanese-inspired restaurant in downtown Cocoa Beach known for its creative food, immersive atmosphere, and deeply personal approach to hospitality. His work blends Japanese culinary inspiration, pop culture, art, and community into a one-of-a-kind dining experience on Florida’s Space Coast. Listen to Mercycast If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who you think is a servant first. And if the Mercycast has impacted you, subscribe, leave a review, and help us continue having honest conversations about faith, suffering, justice, and the mercy of God in a broken world. Learn More about Koko Japanese Pub and follow Daniel on Instagram and Koko Pub. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    51 min
  7. John Plake on how data, disruption, culture, and scripture come together.

    May 13

    John Plake on how data, disruption, culture, and scripture come together.

    Something is shifting. Not loudly. Not dramatically. But underneath the surface, people are searching for something solid again. In this episode of the MercyCast, I sit down with American Bible Society Chief Innovation Officer and Editor-In-Chief of the State of the Bible research series, John Plake to talk about what the latest research is revealing about faith, Scripture engagement, church culture, and why more people are opening the Bible in moments of disruption, grief, burnout, and uncertainty. We talk about the “movable middle,” the millions of Americans who are spiritually curious but overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure where to begin. We also unpack how pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday Christians can stop speaking in Christian clichés and start actually listening to people again. This conversation is a needed reminder that ministry is not about performing spirituality. It’s about knowing people, listening well, and helping them take the next faithful step toward Jesus. Key Takeaways Millions of Americans are becoming more open to Scripture and spiritual conversations.Life disruptions often create openness to faith and deeper spiritual reflection.Many churchgoers want to engage the Bible but feel overwhelmed or unequipped.Ministry leaders must balance biblical truth with cultural awareness.Christian systems and methods should never replace authentic relationships with God.Research and data can help churches better understand and serve people.Sharing faith is less about perfection and more about faithfully offering the “next link in the chain.”People are looking for meaning, purpose, flourishing, and hope—not polished performances.Memorable Quotes “Culture doesn’t just eat strategy for breakfast. It eats everything.” “A lot of times we think we know what people need without actually talking to the people.” “The goal isn’t making disciples who follow us. It’s making disciples who follow Jesus.” “God has bigger shoulders than we give Him credit for.” “People who engage deeply with Scripture begin to flourish in ways the data can actually measure.” What We Talk About The latest findings from the State of the Bible ProjectWhy people often reconnect with faith during disruption and hardshipHow pastors can better understand the people they serveThe danger of performative Christianity and “Christianese.”Why do many Christians feel incapable of sharing their faith?The connection between Scripture engagement and human flourishingHow churches can equip people without overwhelming themWhy listening may be one of the most important ministry skillsResources Mentioned State of the BibleNext Step Bible Journey ToolNext Step for Church AssessmentListen to Mercycast If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who feels spiritually stuck, burned out, or unsure where to begin again. And if the Mercycast has impacted you, subscribe, leave a review, and help us continue having honest conversations about faith, suffering, justice, and the mercy of God in a broken world. Learn More about the American Bible Society and their work.‍ ‍ You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    44 min
  8. Genee Francis on staying connected in relationships.

    May 6

    Genee Francis on staying connected in relationships.

    Two people can sit at the same table, raise the same kids, and still slowly drift apart. Schedules replace conversations. Logistics replace intimacy. And somewhere along the way, two people stop feeling seen. In this episode of the Mercycast, I talk with Genee Francis, Assistant Director for Content and Programming at WinShape Marriage. We discuss marriage, emotional connection, faith, and how couples can quietly drift apart over time. Genee offers useful advice from her years of helping couples reconnect before distance turns into disconnection. We discuss building healthy marriages through regular connection, emotional safety, good communication, identity, sacrifice, and the idea that consistency matters more than perfection. One idea stood out to me in the course of our conversation: drifting apart can happen gradually, but it does not have to last forever. That matters because many couples assume distance means failure. Often, it simply means the relationship needs intentional care again. Key Takeaways Healthy marriages require intentional connection.Emotional safety creates deeper communication.Shared rhythms help couples stay current with each other.You can grow individually without growing apart.Drift happens slowly, but reconnection is possible.Covenant love calls for sacrifice, grace, and consistency.Memorable Quotes “You can still be you in marriage.”“The marital drift is a progressive loss of connection, but it is not permanent.”“Marriage is a selfless journey.”“United goals and vision help navigate tension.”Healthy marriages do not happen by accident. They are built on honesty, grace, and the choice to keep showing up for each other. If you’ve ever felt cut off, unseen, or unsure how to reconnect with your spouse, this conversation will encourage you. Please subscribe to the Mercycast, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who could use some hope for their marriage, faith, or relationships. Learn more about Genee and her work at Winshape Marriage.  You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

    44 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Have you ever hit a wall and asked yourself, "What do I do now? How will I ever get past this?" If you are human and have a pulse, you probably have. The MercyCast is a podcast dedicated to learning the subtle art of compassion through the adversity of everyday life. Join Raleigh Sadler, the host, as he has honest and thought-provoking conversations with friends he has met along the way. Each Wednesday, listen to the encouraging true stories of people, like you and me, who are learning compassion through hard times. For more information and show notes, go to mercycast.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Let My People Go
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    181
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    MercyCast

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