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Islam
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American Muslim Identity
Cultural Identity
Interfaith Dialogue
Chapelwood
Mental Health
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Community Engagement
Covid-19
Fort Bend
Storm
Passionately Held Bad Fit
Hispanic Ministries
Addiction Recovery
Alcoholism
Spirituality
General Conference
LGBTQ Rights

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!

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ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Pod Have Mercy

Latest Episodes

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 everything.

They also dive in... more

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 Sciretti, pastor of the Center fo... more

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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 the assumption that silence eq... more

YouTube

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 worst-case scenarios. Turns out... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Michael Sciretti
Pastor at the Center for Christian Spirituality
Center for Christian Spirituality, Chapelwood
Episode: Episode 229: No Resurrection Without the Cross
Bill Moran
Education director / head teacher at Iconoclast Artists
Iconoclast Artists
Episode: Episode 225: ICONOCLAST ARTISTS
Claudia Crane
Executive Director of Iconoclast Artists
Iconoclast Artists
Episode: Episode 225: ICONOCLAST ARTISTS
Bishop Ande Emanuel
Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, overseeing multiple annual conferences and regional districts
United Methodist Church in Nigeria
Episode: Episode 224: Unity, Growth & Perseverance (Bishop Ande Emmanuel)
Joel Moore
A friend of the host and known as the 'guru of gratitude'.
Episode: Episode 218: A CONVERSATION WITH JOEL MOORE
Russ Levenson
A retired pastor and author of "Witness to Belief"
St. Martin's Episcopal Church
Episode: Episode 210: REV. RUSS LEVENSON
Kathleen McShane
Former United Methodist pastor, now working at the Texas Methodist Foundation
Texas Methodist Foundation
Episode: Episode 209: REV. KATHLEEN MCSHANE
Gisela Kreglinger
Writer, theologian, and speaker, who has written about the intersection of wine and spirituality
Episode: Episode 205: GISELA KREGLINGER (The Spirituality of Wine)
Sasha Coles
Private practice psychotherapist and former executive director of Archway Academy.
Peaceful Souls
Episode: Episode 202: HOW TO PROCESS GRIEF

Hosts

John Stephens
Senior Pastor at Chapelwood; host of the show, often guiding conversations on church leadership, regionalization, and faith in daily life.
Matt Russell
Executive Pastor at Chapelwood; co-host, focusing on practical ministry, leadership, and community impact.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • New Find

    I have just discovered Pod Have Mercy while attending Mercy Street (which I also love). I find Matt and John to be very real and down to earth, love their humor and humanness….kept it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JonS1984
    United States3 years ago
  • Excellence.

    This is a podcast that thoroughly engages the heart and the mind. Its hosts are not squeamish about tackling tough subjects going on in the Church and its point of intersection with the world in which we live.

    It is true excellence. Everytime.

    Thank you Rev Dr Matt Russell and Rev Dr John Stephens for you wit, humour, and serious focus in what is truly important.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kipsand
    United States3 years ago
  • Important information as UMC struggles with division

    I have found this podcast extremely helpful as I try and learn all I can about the current struggles in the UMW. I have found their guest to be most informative. Thank you for clearing up so many issues of misinformation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LEdenfield
    United States4 years ago
  • POD Have Mercy

    I’m really enjoying this podcast, the timing couldn’t be better. What a great tool to use during this season of Lent and wondering in the wilderness. I really appreciate the vulnerability that is being given in this space. Vulnerability we don’t often get in worship.

    Of course the due of John Stephens and Matt Russell is entertaining for me. 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kidneyash
    United States6 years ago
  • So good

    What a great conversation.

    I’m lucky to know both of you and this podcast is so real and fun.

    I enjoyed and was enriched by what y’all shared with us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leo Lozano
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the down-to-earth vibe and real, practical faith discussions.
Many appreciate the balance of humor and serious topics in tough church conversations.
Guests are seen as informative and thoughtful, with credible church leadership insights.
The show is valued for timely takes on church life during crises and cultural shifts.
Positive feedback highlights community and vulnerability in conversations.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 224: Unity, Growth & Perseverance (Bishop Ande Emmanuel)
Q: What can United Methodist churches in the United States do to support the Nigerian church today?
They can partner with Nigerian conferences and local churches to support peacebuilding, migration and gender-based ministry, evangelism, and agricultural initiatives, providing hands-on involvement without dictating local decisions, and they can help sustain long‑term projects like rice farming, cattle farming, and youth training.
Episode 212: ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
Q: If this is a virtue, if gravity is a virtue, how might... What would be a step?
Listeners should take steps in their own lives to embody gravity and seriousness in their actions and thoughts.
Episode 209: REV. KATHLEEN MCSHANE
Q: Could you unpack some of that and some of your insight around that?
Wounding is essential for growth, and it often acknowledges our vulnerability, contrasting with the triumphalism often experienced in church history.
Episode 205: GISELA KREGLINGER (The Spirituality of Wine)
Q: Could you explain what 'holy tipsiness' means?
Holy tipsiness is a level of intoxication that opens you up without shutting down or losing control, allowing deeper bonds of kinship to grow.
Episode 203: CHATGPT AND FALL KICKOFF
Q: Did you learn anything over the summer?
Yes, I learned about the importance of not grinding and allowing spiritual growth to emerge.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pod Have Mercy

What is Pod Have Mercy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features in-depth conversations with church leaders and ministry professionals, exploring how churches are evolving in the modern era, regional church dynamics, leadership challenges, and opportunities for collaboration across denominations and continents. Episodes often blend personal faith journeys, practical ministry strategies, and timely reflections on culture, technology, and social issues, with a strong emphasis on community impact and sustainable, locally led mission projects. Noteworthy elements include candid discussions about church regionalization, interchurch partnerships, and the balancing act between tradition and innovation in church life.

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Which podcasts are similar to Pod Have Mercy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pod Have Mercy:

1. Chapelwood Sanctuary Podcast
2. The Crossing
3. SmartLess
4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

How many episodes of Pod Have Mercy are there?

Pod Have Mercy launched 6 years ago and published 233 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Pod Have Mercy?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Pod Have Mercy?

Recent guests on Pod Have Mercy include:

1. Michael Sciretti
2. Bill Moran
3. Claudia Crane
4. Bishop Ande Emanuel
5. Joel Moore
6. Russ Levenson
7. Kathleen McShane
8. Gisela Kreglinger

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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