Pod Have Mercy

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 the Industrial Revolution, they explore how technology shapes our lives, influences our relationships, and challenges our understanding of what it means to be human.The conversation touches on social media algorithms, political polarization, Christian formation, human identity, and why the most important question may not be whether technology is good or bad, but who we are becoming while we build it.Plus, the hosts discuss the dangers of reducing people to labels, the importance of seeing others as image-bearers of God, and whether AI might someday replace the voices on the other end of customer service calls.

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 the Space Shuttle Columbia, and reflects on the tragedy that changed her life at just 12 years old.Together, Matt and Laura explore what it means to navigate public grief, wrestle with abandonment and loss, and discover the presence of God in suffering. They discuss counseling, healing, storytelling, forgiveness, and the ways our deepest wounds can become places of connection and hope for others.Laura also shares about her new podcast, Stories That Serve, where she invites guests into meaningful conversations about how pain, healing, and faith can shape lives that serve others.This episode is honest, vulnerable, hopeful, and full of wisdom for anyone walking through grief, loss, or the process of healing.Links & ResourcesFollow Laura Husband:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaurahusbandStories That Serve Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesthatservepodcastYouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@StoriesThatServeAll Platforms & Links:https://linktr.ee/storiesthatserve

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 ministry, spiritual direction, and soul work, Jerry reflects on why silence, dormancy, weakness, and even loss can become sacred teachers in our spiritual lives.Together, they explore the imagery of vineyards, old vines, mystics, and spiritual practices that help us slow down long enough to notice where God is already at work within us. From Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr to the “dark night of the soul,” this episode is an invitation to move beyond performance-driven faith and toward deeper awareness, attentiveness, and connection.Whether you’re navigating a difficult season, searching for spiritual grounding, or simply curious about contemplative spirituality, this conversation offers practical wisdom and hopeful perspective.

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, they explore why people are often longing for connection more than certainty, how curiosity can become a path toward healing, and why authenticity matters more than polished answers in an AI-driven world.Ericka shares her background in theological studies, including graduate work at Rice University focused on sexuality in the Bible and seminary research on soul-body integration and embodiment. Through her podcast, Curiously with Ericka Graham, she creates space for conversations at the intersections of faith, religion, science, mental health, and more.Website: ⁠https://curiouslywitherickagraham.simplecast.com⁠This episode is honest, hopeful, intellectually rich, and full of moments that will stay with you long after it ends.

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 emotional weight of changing long-held rituals, this episode dives into why Christmas is both magical and mildly chaotic for pastors and why it still matters so deeply.John and Joseph swap stories about Christmases past, what happens when a printer accidentally mails last year’s Christmas Eve service times (yes, including the nonexistent 9 PM service), and how sacred rhythms get disrupted and sometimes healed over time. They explore the grief that can accompany change, the beauty of new seasons in the church, and the hilarious realities of ministry life, including late-night toy assembly, drum sets for toddlers, and why Santa is absolutely still real.

In this Thanksgiving episode, John and his brother Matt return to the studio to talk about family memories, hilarious holiday traditions, and all the things people probably should and should not say at the Thanksgiving table. From childhood oyster stories to smoked turkeys, family dynamics, awkward comments, and the stress some people feel going into the holidays, this episode is an honest, warm, and funny look at what Thanksgiving is really like for many families.John and Matt share their favorite childhood Thanksgiving memories, stories from their grandparents’ house, and the unforgettable oyster moment that has followed Matt for decades. They talk about the topics families often try to avoid like politics, religion in certain situations, past grievances, food and body comments, and the pressure around kids and grandkids. Their conversation blends real pastoral insight with humor, honesty, and relatable family moments.They also explore how to keep the peace at the table, how to create a healthier holiday atmosphere, how to handle tense family dynamics, and why kindness, patience, and gratitude matter more than anything else during the holidays. Between Paul Hollywood look-alike jokes, Texas vs Georgia barbecue debates, and stories about hunting, cooking, and family traditions, this episode captures the spirit of Thanksgiving in all its messy and meaningful reality.If you need a break from your own family gathering, or you're preparing for the upcoming holiday weekend, this episode is the perfect escape.Happy Thanksgiving from Pod Have Mercy.

In this wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation, Matt Russell sits down with The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, the ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, to explore what it means to live faithfully in an age marked by polarization, digital noise, and spiritual disconnection.Drawing from his background as an artist, pastor, author, and public theologian, Bishop Doyle reflects on:How technology forms—and often malforms—our imaginationsWhy embodied community, nature, and real relationships matter more than everThe difference between charity and justiceThe church’s calling to offer a different imagination than the culture around usWhy leaning into community, mercy, and service changes usHow discipleship must evolve in a world facing inequality, climate pressures, and isolationHe also shares stories from his newest book Unabashed Faith, reflects on reconciliation, creativity, and public theology, and even talks Jeeps, camping, and the spirituality of being outdoors.This episode is a hopeful, challenging, and grounding invitation to imagine a new way forward—one rooted in mercy, dignity, justice, and the presence of Christ in the everyday.Learn more about Bishop Doyle:https://www.epicenter.org/about/the-diocese/bishops/the-rt-rev-c-andrew-doyle-ix-bishop-of-texas/

Is Halloween harmless fun, a spiritual battleground, or something in between?In this episode of Pod Have Mercy, John Stephens sits down with Joseph Patty, Director of Student Ministries at Chapelwood, for a thoughtful (and often funny) conversation about how people of faith can approach Halloween with nuance and grace.From animism and All Saints’ Day to trick-or-treating and Dia de los Muertos, they explore how Christians can honor the past, engage the present, and teach the next generation to see light in the midst of shadows. Along the way, they unpack the thin veil between life and death, share stories of family traditions, and ask what it really means to be “faithfully present” in our culture.Whether you’re turning off the porch light or heading out for Trunk or Treat, this episode will help you see the holiday and the holy days that surround it with new eyes.