Viral Jesus
130 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago -Viral Jesus is a podcast from Christianity Today about digital communication and the power of social connections. Join author and communication scholar Heather Thompson Day as she dives deep with ministry leaders, content creators, and social media influencers to find out how they're starting important conversations, building community, and sharing their faith in digital spaces.
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Episodes
TikTok Therapy: Red Flag or Green Flag?
August 24, 2023 13:00 - 48 minutesWelcome back Viral Jesus family! Many of you asked over the summer if you could have more mental health episodes so we wasted no time in giving you exactly what you wanted. Episode 1 of season 4 is here with an incredibly thoughtful and wise conversation with TikTok's favorite trauma therapist, Kobe Campbell. *Trigger warning* Heather and Kobe do discuss mental health and trauma, and there is a point where Kobe discusses suicide. Heather also asks Kobe what her thoughts are on the dangers of...
Mandy Majors: Raising Kids in a Digital World
June 22, 2023 11:00 - 47 minutesThis is our last episode of season 3, and we are pulling out all the stops. If you are a parent trying to figure out how to raise your kids in the age of social media and nonstop technology access, this episode is a great place to start. Heather sits down with the award-winning author Mandy Majors to discuss three practical ideas for how to navigate the toils and snares of this digital age. Today’s episode concludes our “3 Things That Could Change Your Life” series. If you’re jumping into our...
3 Tips for Becoming a Better Public Speaker
June 15, 2023 12:15 - 44 minutesTwo communication questions Heather gets without fail every season are: How can I become a better public speaker? and How do I break into the Christian speaking circuit? If one or both of these questions have ever crossed your mind, then this episode is for you. Today Heather sits down with speaking coach Mary R. Snyder to discuss everything about public speaking—from working a stage, to finding your passion, to negotiating your pay. As a Christian entrepreneur, Mary also challenges her stud...
Mark Batterson: 3 Words That Could Change Your Life
June 08, 2023 10:00 - 52 minutesToday we launch our final pod-class series of the season: “Three Things That Could Change Your Life.” In this three-part series, we speak with three Christian thought leaders about their three areas of expertise and ask them to share simple strategies that everyday people can implement in their daily lives. We are thrilled to open this series with Pastor Mark Batterson, the bestselling author of The Circle Maker. Mark tells Heather why three simple words—Please, Sorry, and Thanks—have the pow...
I Think I Need a Therapist, Part 2
June 01, 2023 11:00 - 50 minutesThis is session 2 of our two-part pod-class series “I Think I Need a Therapist.” If you’re a stickler for listening to podcasts in their sequential order and you missed last week’s episode, you may want to hit pause and play session 1 first. But you’ll find the conversations valuable in whichever order you listen to them. Today Heather sits down with family therapist Sarah Bontrager, a friend and former colleague from Heather’s Colorado Christian University days. In their candid conversation,...
I Think I Need a Therapist
May 25, 2023 23:30 - 51 minutesWelcome back! After a two-week break, Viral Jesus is back and ready to serve you in a variety of ways this summer. We are kicking off our first pod-class of summer today with the first episode of our new two-part series “I Think I Need a Therapist.” You will have plenty to chew on after listening to this episode. In the midst of what many are calling a national mental health crisis, young people are hurting, families are hurting, pastors and churches are hurting. Even some who once pooh-poohe...
Wintering Lessons
May 04, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutesIn today’s episode Heather borrows author Katherine May’s metaphorical idea of “wintering” to describe the season of sadness that she’s recently been navigating. Winters can be long and harsh, but they also can be vital to the healing and renewal of an environment. Our spiritual winters are no different. If this year has added pain and anxiety to your life, you will want to hear the encouragement in this episode, as Heather points us all toward spring. She also shares the important dates you’...
Shannan Martin: Start with Hello
April 27, 2023 17:41 - 49 minutesIn today’s episode Heather sits down with author Shannan Martin for the final installment in our four-part series “Who Is My Neighbor?” Shannan says don’t wait for community to just happen. Instead, she encourages us to become the type of neighbor that creates and inspires community. Heather and Shannan discuss practical ways we can better live out our calling as Christ followers, right where we are. Heather also chats with our favorite social media expert, Brady Shearer, about Meta allowing ...
Hearing the Voices of Lament
April 20, 2023 11:00 - 44 minutesIn today’s episode Heather shares part three of our “Who Is My Neighbor?” pod-class series. She is joined by QuaWanna Bannarbie and Bethany Rivera Molinar, two of the gifted contributors to Voices of Lament: Reflections on Brokenness and Hope in a World Longing for Justice, a new book inspired by Psalm 37. In their candid conversation with Heather, QuaWanna and Bethany invite us to lean into the spiritual practice of lament and reflect on its power for both personal and social transformation....
Karen González: Seeing Our Immigrant Neighbor
April 13, 2023 11:00 - 49 minutesIn today’s episode Heather sits down with Karen González for part two of our four-part pod-class titled “Who Is My Neighbor?” If you’re joining us fresh, make sure to catch last week’s episode where we opened the series with Native American Bible translator Terry Wildman. This week, Karen challenges us to question our positionality as we engage with the stories we love in Scripture. “We will discover that we’re not Joseph; we’re Egypt.” Heather also chats with our favorite social media exper...
Retelling the Creator’s Story
April 06, 2023 11:00 - 52 minutesToday’s episode is part one of “Who Is My Neighbor?,” our latest pod-class series on faithful discipleship and what it means to truly love our neighbor. And, in case you missed it, be sure to listen to last week’s episode, where Heather revisits the parable of the Good Samaritan and explains why she chose “Who Is My Neighbor?” as this month’s pod-class theme. This week, Heather is joined by minister and Bible translator Terry M. Wildman to discuss Terry’s work on First Nations Version: An Ind...
Who Is My Neighbor?
March 30, 2023 17:26 - 40 minutesIn today’s episode Heather explains why she chose “Who Is My Neighbor?” as the subject for our next four-part, pod-class series, which starts next week. To help set the tone, Heather walks us through the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Using Kenneth E. Bailey’s book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes as a framework, Heather challenges us to experience the explosive message of the parable in a way similar to how its first-century audience heard it. Also, for this week’s Social To...
These Brothers Are ‘Just Different’
March 23, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutesIn today’s episode Heather sits down with brothers Darin and Jordan Starks, hosts of The Just Different Podcast, to talk about how they built an engaged podcast community. Darin and Jordan speak transparently and wisely about topics such as love, sex, purpose, and shame. They also share their experience with mentorship, finding their “why,” and why they believe God doesn’t need us to be perfect, just available. Heather also chats with our favorite social media expert, Brady Shearer,, about ho...
Gen Z Needs Your Patience, Not Your Judgment
March 16, 2023 11:00 - 44 minutesIn today’s episode Heather unpacks some of the key themes and learnings from the past four weeks of our “Lessons from My Mentor” pod-class series. She is joined by special guests Arleny Aquino and Xavier Thomas, two of her students at Andrews University, who share their reflections on mentorship and what they were most challenged and encouraged by in the Viral Jesus pod class. They also discuss what they believe college students and young professionals need most from older adults right now, a...
Beth Moore: God Is Always Talking to Us
March 09, 2023 12:00 - 57 minutesToday’s episode concludes our four-part, pod-class series on mentorship. And what better way to finish than with godly wisdom and inspiration from another one of Heather’s favorite online mentors? We’re thrilled to welcome Beth Moore to Viral Jesus. Last week, Jo Saxton guided us through practical tips on what mentoring is, and why we need to cultivate environments that allow us to use our gifts. This week, in often emotional chat, Beth helps us to decipher the voice of God and explains why S...
Jo Saxton: You Need Space to Practice Your Gifts
March 02, 2023 12:00 - 47 minutesIn today’s episode we continue with part three of our four-part pod-class series on mentorship. If you missed it, please check out last week’s episode with Christine Caine, where Christine cautioned us to not confuse platform with ministry. This week we sit down with Jo Saxton to gain some practical tips on what mentoring is, how we can get a mentor, and why we need to cultivate environments that let us use our gifts. Heather also sits down to discuss the latest research on mentoring with Dr....
Christine Caine: Don’t Confuse Platform with Ministry
February 23, 2023 12:00 - 58 minutesIn today’s episode we present part two of “Lessons from My Mentor,” our four-part, pod-class series on mentorship. In part one, Heather introduced us to Pastor José Rojas, her personal mentor and a former White House advisor. This week we learn from author, activist, and evangelist Christine Caine in a power-packed conversation about what it means to trust God, pursue your calling, and lean into the development process of your own life rather than rush through it. Christine also tells us why ...
José Rojas: Giving It All Away
February 16, 2023 12:00 - 59 minutesJosé Rojas went from a 1.7 GPA to a career at the White House and a lifetime of empowering others, including the host of this podcast. Today’s episode is part one of “Lessons from My Mentor,” our new four-part, pod-class series on mentorship. To kick off the series Heather sits down with Pastor Rojas, her personal mentor, to discuss the power of servant leadership. José recounts his ministry journey and explains how he learned the importance of using his influence to create transformative mem...
What We May Be Getting Wrong About the Image of God
February 09, 2023 12:00 - 45 minutesIn today’s episode Heather puts on her professor’s hat to walk us through the social psychology behind why human beings are wired to exist in relationship with one another. Heather says this is where evolutionary biology and Christianity can agree, that human beings are social beings whose mental and spiritual wholeness depends on our connection to other people and our connection to God. We were created to exist in relationship. This episode wraps up our thought-provoking “What You May Be Get...
What You May Be Getting Wrong About the Character of God
February 02, 2023 12:00 - 1 hourIn today’s episode Heather sits down with her friends Ty Gibson and David Asscherick to discuss what we may be getting wrong about the character of God. David and Ty walk us through Scripture and show us what has been there all along: God is love. What would happen to our evangelism and conversations if we, as a church body, truly started believing that this statement is true? You won’t want to miss this third and final conversation in our “What You May Be Getting Wrong About God” pod-class s...
What You May Be Getting Wrong About God’s Vision for the Church
January 26, 2023 12:00 - 46 minutesIn today’s episode Heather visits with one of her favorite theologians, Joel Muddamalle, for an energetic and insightful conversation about God’s original vision for the church and how we often miss it. Joel unpacks what it means to be ambassadors for Christ in a fragmented world; he cautions us against letting social media divide our souls; and he reminds us that ethnic and cultural diversity in the church is a feature, not a bug. One of the big points Joel touches on is what he calls our co...
What You May Be Getting Wrong About Biblical Womanhood
January 19, 2023 13:00 - 58 minutesIn this episode Heather begins our three-part series of conversations with evangelical thought leaders who are challenging us to reconsider some of our long-held beliefs about God. We’re calling this pod-class series “Things You May Be Getting Wrong About God.” If you missed last week’s episode, you may want to go back to hear Heather’s personal reflections on the theme and why she hopes you’ll join her on this journey. But be forewarned: As its title suggests, this pod-class series is design...
What You May Be Getting Wrong About God
January 12, 2023 13:00 - 40 minutesIt’s our first new episode of 2023, and Heather opens the new year by introducing our latest pod-class series, “Things You May Be Getting Wrong About God.” She shares thoughts from Isaiah 30, a passage of Scripture she’d been reading in worship that prompted her to confront some of her shortsighted ideas about how God was moving in her life. In addition to her own personal reflections, over the next few episodes Heather will talk to three different evangelical theologians about God’s active r...
Jonathan Evans: When Misery Becomes Ministry
December 15, 2022 12:00 - 45 minutesIn today’s episode Heather sits down with Jonathan Evans to talk about his latest book, Fighting Your Battles: Every Christian’s Playbook for Victory. In this conversation Jonathan describes a God who has often “unsettled” him. What do we do when life brings us conflict and disappointment instead of comfort and security? It starts, Jonathan says, by realizing that Christian maturity is not independence but dependence. Jonathan, the son of Tony Evans and his late wife Lois, shares openly about...
Kara Powell: The Spiritual Promise of Generation Z
December 08, 2022 12:00 - 45 minutesIn today’s episode Heather is joined by youth ministry expert Kara Powell to talk about Kara’s latest book, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager. Kara will teach us how to connect with Generation Z, what they need in order to thrive spiritually, and how we can help them as they wrestle with questions of identity, purpose, and belonging. But first we visit with Mandy Majors, author of Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World, for this week’s #Blessed. When and how should we give our kids the...
Anh Lin: Letting Go to Grow
December 01, 2022 12:00 - 42 minutesThis week, Heather sits down with social media influencer and Bible teacher Anh Lin to talk about all things YouTube and content creation. You’ll hear from one of the most dynamic content creators in the online lifestyle space about how she built her platform, what she discovered about handling burnout, and how being vulnerable about her failures helped save a life. Also, learn how Anh, a self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist,” deals with self-doubt and feeling like her content will never...
Lord of ‘Little by Little’
November 17, 2022 21:00 - 38 minutesThis week, we review and reflect on what we learned in our “pod-class” series on gaining self-confidence. Heather shares feedback from her listeners and reminds us that God often moves in our lives gradually—little by little—one small shift after another. If you’re new to our pod-classes, you may want to pause this episode and start with Heather's preface to the series, “On Gaining Self-Confidence,” where she sets the framework for this three-week journey of faith. Then check out our first co...
Tori Hope Petersen: Fostering Hope
November 10, 2022 12:00 - 44 minutesWelcome to part three of our three-part “pod-class” series on gaining self-confidence. Heather visits with author Tori Hope Petersen to discuss Tori’s incredibly inspiring story of growing up in foster care, becoming a 4x track state champion, and eventually becoming Mrs. Universe. By the end of their lively and thoughtful chat, you'll understand a truth that drives Tori's ministry: “Healed people heal people.” In other words, we must use what God has given us to help others. If you’re new t...
Jordan Lee Dooley: Embracing Your Almosts
November 03, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutesWelcome to part two of our three-part pod-class series on gaining self-confidence. Heather sits down with author Jordan Lee Dooley to discuss what you should do when “almost” disrupts the life you thought God was calling you to. “Your greatest disappointment can be one of two things,” writes Jordan, “dead ends or defining moments.” If you’re new to our “pod-class,” you may want to pause this episode and start with Heather’s preface to the series, “On Gaining Self-Confidence,” where she sets t...
Amanda Pittman: Stand in Confidence
October 27, 2022 17:00 - 46 minutesThis week, Heather is joined by her BFF Scarlett Longstreet for a #Blessed chat session on whether we should unfollow people who make us feel bad about ourselves online. Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #blessed. Today is session one of our new pod-class series on gaining confidence. We will be doing this pod-class for the next three week. If you want to pause this episode, you may want to start with last week’s titled: “On Ga...
On Gaining Self-Confidence
October 20, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutesKicking off this week’s episode, Heather sits down with Scarlett Longstreet to talk about whether or not we should be using filters on our photos. Are they hurting us? Are they making us insecure? Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #Blessed. Today is the pre-game show for our new pod-class series on “Gaining Self-Confidence.” Heather sits down to have a heart to heart with you, the listener, about the reality of life right now. ...
Do the Next Right Thing
October 13, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutesThis week’s episode begins with a consideration of a constant danger of online life—oversharing. Heather is joined by her husband, Seth Day (also known on Instagram as @originalsadking), for a lively #Blessed discussion of the subject. Are we saying too much on social media? What are some guidelines for making sure we don’t overshare? Does knowing so much about one another online help us connect in person more easily? Be sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagra...
Seth Day: I’ll See You Tomorrow
October 06, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutesKicking off this week's episode, on #blessed Heather sits down with Vimbo Watson and talks about online dating. Is this a wonderful blessing to our romantic lives or an absolute mess. Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #blessed. As our pod-class journey on healing concludes, (don’t forget to listen to previous episodes in the series) Heather sits down with her co-author, husband, and best friend, Seth Day to discuss their new b...
Sheila Wise Rowe: Understanding Our Own Trauma
September 29, 2022 13:00 - 50 minutesKicking off this week's episode, on #blessed Heather sits down Seth Day and talks about whether Christians should use anger as an online tool for engagement. Anger is one of the fastest emotions to go viral online, so when it is appropriate, and when is it pandering for reactions? Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #blessed. As our pod-class journey on healing continues, (don’t forget to listen to previous episodes in the serie...
Sharon Hodde Miller: The Cost of Control
September 22, 2022 12:55 - 56 minutesKicking off this week's episode, on #blessed Heather sits down with Sharon Hodde Miller and talks about online church. Is online church a blessing that is making us more connected as a body of believers? Or is it a mess that is disconnecting us? Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #blessed. As our pod-class journey on healing continues, (don’t forget to listen to previous episodes in the series) Heather sits down with Sharon Hod...
Nona Jones: Killing Comparison
September 15, 2022 13:00 - 51 minutesKicking off this week's episode, on #Blessed Heather brings in her best friend Scarlett Longstreet to discuss the new option on instagram of paying for subscription. Scarlett has been using the new paid subscribers model, and will walk you through the difficulties and blessings of getting your audience to pay for your content. Make sure to let us know your thoughts by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #Blessed. As our pod-class journey on healing continues, (don’t for...
Chanel Dokun: Life Starts Now
September 08, 2022 20:00 - 51 minutesKicking off this week’s episode, Heather is joined by her husband, Seth, for another round of #Blessed.This time the pair explore the idea of buying social media followers. Is it ever a good thing? Is it even ethical? Have you ever thought about buying followers? Make sure to let us know your thoughts on the topic by typing in ViralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and using #blessed. As our pod-class journey on healing continues, (don’t forget to listen to pod-class one with Katelyn Beaty las...
Katelyn Beaty: Resisting Christian Idols
September 01, 2022 20:31 - 1 hourIn the second episode of Viral Jesus season 3, Heather discusses on #blessed the latest news out of The Village Church about Matt Chandler stepping down for a leave of absence due to an inappropriate relationship with a woman who wasn’t his wife in his DM’s on Instagram. Heather and Seth discuss the concept of what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior for married people in the DM’s. If you have thoughts on this please @viralJesusPod on Instagram or Twitter and let us know. In her conver...
Everyone’s Exhausted
August 26, 2022 12:00 - 37 minutesIt’s a brand-new season of Viral Jesus, and change is in the air. In this first episode of Season 3, Heather is joined by a surprise guest to help her introduce a new segment called #Blessed. It’s a fun and breezy look at headlines and ideas from the world of tech and social media. Heather also previews a new Viral Jesus formation project called “pod-classes” that will connect and build upon Heather’s weekly conversations with Christian creators, influencers, and thought leaders. For the inau...
Christina Edmondson: How to Stop Feeling ‘Othered’
July 07, 2022 11:00 - 48 minutesIn the last episode of season 2, Heather says goodbye (for now) to listeners, and lets you in on a little secret about what is coming up for season 3. In this conversation, Heather and author Christina Edmondson discuss Christina’s work in anti-racism and diversity and inclusion. Christina brings up the value of affinity spaces, in allowing us to not feel “othered.” Christina also discusses how social media is helping and hurting us in our cultural competence. Christina’s unique skill set in ...
Maryanne J. George: Still Talking to Jesus
June 30, 2022 11:00 - 38 minutesIn this episode, Heather sits down with singer/songwriter Maryanne J. George of Maverick City Music to discuss what it’s like to work in the music industry. Maverick City has had an impressive rise to fame in the last couple years with the award-winning album Old Church Basement (their live collaboration with Elevation Worship) and performances at the 2022 Grammys and the BET Music Awards. Maryanne explains why faith has so deeply impacted her music, what her songwriting process looks like, a...
Joe Jensen: Discipleship by Screen
June 23, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutesIn this episode Heather and Barna’s Joe Jensen discuss the idea that whether we like it or not, screens disciple. The latest research shows that people are hungry for community. People no longer just want content, they are craving connection. Heather and Joe look at the importance of churches starting with social media, but not ending with social media. We can’t be content to just watch pictures of other people’s worship. How do we inspire, but also then disciple, people into their own person...
York Moore: From Angry Atheist to TikTok Evangelist
June 16, 2022 13:00 - 42 minutesIn this episode Heather and York discuss his own testimony as well as his incredible story of his own conversion into Christianity. York grew up an atheist and remained so into adulthood, but he had an incredible experience of being called by God, and then surrendering his life to not just faith, but also evangelism while in College. York shares with us what he believes the next generation is looking for, how we can be more effective in reaching them, as well as what the voice of God sounds ...
DeVon Franklin: It Takes a Village
June 09, 2022 13:00 - 36 minutesIn this episode Heather and DeVon talk about his experience being raised one of three sons with a “village” of women supporting him after his father’s untimely death. DeVon also shares what he believes are some of the fair criticisms of Christianity, while encouraging people to follow after the model set before them in the life of Jesus Christ. DeVon celebrates women as a crucial part of his own family, he says they were a pivotal piece in the success of his career, and he believes they hold...
Karen Swallow Prior: The Work is the Platform - Part II
June 02, 2022 13:00 - 43 minutesIn this episode Heather and Karen continue their most downloaded conversation from last season. They discuss what it means to be called, as well as the difficult conversation of platforming as it relates to a person’s art. Is a following proof of your call? Are we somehow more talented when other people notice our gifts? Are the millions of lives who have not known notoriety somehow less valuable? Karen doesn’t think so. And this conversation will tell you why. Guest Bio Karen Swallow Prior ...
Khristi Lauren Adams: Platforms, Publishing, and Parables
May 26, 2022 13:00 - 45 minutesIn this episode Heather and Khristi talk about how social media has removed the gatekeepers of the publishing industry. They discuss what it is like trying to break into the Christian market as Black women, as well as the importance of being thoughtful and intentional about what you post online. Khristi explores why she thinks her award winning book, Parable of the Brown Girl was so unique, as well as her hopes for other women who are trying to find their voice, and share their experiences wi...
Brandon J. O'Brien: Scripture as a cross-cultural experience
May 19, 2022 13:00 - 50 minutesIn this episode Heather and Brandon talk about how we often read our own cultural values, perspectives and assumptions, into the Biblical text, and forget that Scripture is actually a cross-cultural experience. This episode will help each of us be better readers and perceivers of the Bible. Guest Bio Brandon J. O'Brien has a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the co-author of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, and is Director of Content Development and Distribution for ...
Katie Schnack: Standing in the Gap Decade
May 12, 2022 13:00 - 38 minutesDescription/ Show Notes: In this episode Heather and Katie talk about the difficulty of life transitions. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the reality of adulthood, while still kind of feeling like a kid, is it possible that it is because you are in the midst of your gap decade? The gap decade is that sometimes difficult transitional season young adults face in their twenties and early thirties, and it is in this space that our brains are overloaded with self-discovery, and transition. If ...
Ashley Hales: Trading Hurry for Delight
May 05, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutesIn this episode Heather and Ashley look at what it means to live a spacious life. In a time where our success often feels measured by our productivity, what benefit could there possibly be to slowing down? How can we cultivate better rhythms of rest, and how much are we missing by not being present with ourselves and each other? Ashley Hales will talk to you about what may be disrupting your healthy rhythms, and why Sabbath is so important for Christians to take seriously. Guest Bio Ashley H...
The Faith of Black Women with Truth’s Table
April 28, 2022 11:00 - 51 minutesIn this episode, Heather is joined by Ekemini Uwan and Michelle Higgins of the Truth's Table podcast to discuss what it's like to be a Black Christian woman today. They dive all the way in on topics like colorism, singleness and divorce, racial justice, theology, and nearly every hot button issue Black women may find themselves at the intersection of when navigating their life and their faith. Ekemini and Michelle will help you see how faith can truly be the bedrock of your life, all while b...