Hosted by John Stephens/Matt Russell · 🇺🇸 US · EN · 240 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
Tune in every week for a lively conversation with Chapelwood's Senior Pastor, John Stephens and Executive Pastor, Matt Russell as they "go deep" on how today's church has changed and what the church will look like in the future!
John Stephens/Matt Russell hosts Pod Have Mercy, a religion show with 240 episodes published.
What happens when the Church weighs in on artificial intelligence? In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV's recent reflections on AI, technology, and human dignity. Drawing parallels between today's AI revolution and t
Fresh off a pilgrimage to Italy, John Stephens and Josef Klam reflect on the spiritual, historical, and personal impact of traveling through some of Christianity’s most significant sites. From Rome, Assisi, Siena, Floren
Laura Husband joins the podcast for a deeply honest conversation about grief, faith, healing, and the stories that shape us. Laura shares her experience growing up as the daughter of astronaut Rick Husband, commander of
What does it actually take to send humans back to the moon? This week on Pod Have Mercy, John sits down with NASA engineer Jimmy Warner to talk about the future of space exploration, moon bases, Mars missions, and the re
This week on Pod Have Mercy, Jerry Webber joins John Stephens for a thoughtful conversation on contemplative spirituality, the interior life, and the wisdom hidden within the rhythms of a vineyard. Drawing from years of
In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Matt sits down with Shariq Abdul Ghani — Executive Director of Bridges and a Muslim leader passionate about peace-building. We explore what it really means to be neighbors
In this special crossover episode, Ericka Graham joins Dr. Matt Russell for a wide-ranging conversation on faith, belonging, trauma, addiction recovery, justice, vulnerability, and the future of the church. Together, the
This week on Pod Have Mercy , Matt is out, so John and Geoff take the mic for a wide-ranging conversation on artificial intelligence, the future of creativity, and whether AI will make life easier or eventually take over
Holy Week invites us into something deeper than celebration—it calls us to slow down, face suffering, and wrestle with the reality of death before we ever reach resurrection. In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Scir
In a world where every headline demands a response, what does faithfulness actually look like? This week, we unpack the growing pressure on pastors and churches to make public statements after every cultural moment—and t
Ever notice how everything feels heavier at 2:30 in the morning? In this episode, we unpack the science behind what’s happening in your brain after midnight—and why your thoughts tend to spiral into anxiety, fear, and wo
In this episode of Pod Have Mercy, we revisit a conversation centered on the writings of Richard Rohr and the meaning of Good Friday. As the church moves through the season of Lent, Matt and John reflect on Rohr’s insigh
What happens when students who have been overlooked finally get a stage? In this episode, Matt sits down with Bill Moran and Claudia Crane of Iconoclast Artists , a Houston nonprofit using poetry and creative writing to
In this powerful global conversation, we sit down with Bishop Ande Emanuel, bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon. From persecution in Northern Nigeria to reconciliation after years of d
In this special episode of Pod Have Mercy, we honor the life and legacy of our dear friend, Bobby Wooley. Just weeks before his passing, we had the gift of sitting down with Bobby to record a conversation filled with hon
From the Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year (“rage bait”) to Super Bowl halftime controversy, from Ten Commandments legislation to immigration theology, from Christian influencers to monetized faith — this episode wres
In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Bobby Wooley shares his journey from addiction and recovery to faithful service, and now, to receiving a stage four cancer diagnosis. With honesty, humor, and hope, Bobby r
In this episode, John and Matt explore why public statements often soothe anxiety more than they create transformation, and why the Christian response to a broken world may be less about declarations and more about forma
In this festive and hilarious year-end episode, John welcomes Executive Pastor Josef Klam to close out 2025 with a conversation full of humor, honesty, and heart. From family traditions to church logistics to the emotion
This week on Pod Have Mercy, John sits down with friend and community favorite Joel Moore, also known to many as the “Gratitude Guru.” Joel shares his journey through addiction recovery, personal transformation, and the
Richard Rohr
Franciscan spiritual master and author
2 appearances on this show
Joel Moore
professor of geosciences and director of TU’s Environmental Science master's program
1 appearance on this show
Andrew Doyle
bestselling author and satirist · WTW
1 appearance on this show
Gisela Kreglinger
The Spirituality of Wine
1 appearance on this show
Dr. Richard Beck
product management leader · Beck Inspects
1 appearance on this show
Dr. James Kelly
General Manager and Master Coach · Westport Historical Society
1 appearance on this show
DR. WARREN KINGHORN
psychiatrist and professor
1 appearance on this show
Tod Bolsinger
Senior Congregational Strategist and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation · Church Leadership Institute
3 appearances on this show
Drew McIntyre
Undisputed WWE Champion · WWE
1 appearance on this show
Andrew Wolfe
Perth Comedy
1 appearance on this show
Will Willimon
bishop, pastor, professor, prolific author · United Methodist
2 appearances on this show
William Shatner
original Star Trek Captain Kirk
2 appearances on this show
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Pod Have Mercy is hosted by John Stephens/Matt Russell. The show is categorised under religion (spirituality) and has published 240 episodes.
Pod Have Mercy has published 240 episodes.
Pod Have Mercy regularly covers religion, spirituality, christianity. It sits in the religion category, with a spirituality focus.
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Episodes of Pod Have Mercy average 41 minutes. a focused format where a clear narrative arc and tight preparation matter most.
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