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Artwork for Pod Have Mercy
Houston
Islam
United Methodist Church
American Muslim Identity
Cultural Identity
Interfaith Dialogue
Chapelwood
9/11
Mental Health
Community Engagement
Covid-19
Fort Bend
Storm
Passionately Held Bad Fit
Hispanic Ministries
Alcoholism
Spirituality
Addiction Recovery
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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes229Founded6 years ago
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ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Pod Have Mercy

Latest Episodes

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 insights about scapegoating, the hu... more

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 help students process trauma, ... more

YouTube

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 division, Bishop Emanuel share... more

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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 honesty, warmth, and the unmista... more

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Michelle Forrester
A pediatric psychologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in young children.
Private Practice in Houston
Episode: Episode 201: Talking to Your Children About Loss – What to Say and Not to Say
Bishop Ande Emmanuel
Resident Bishop for the United Methodist Church in Nigeria.
United Methodist Church, Nigeria
Episode: Episode 200: BISHOP ANDE EMMANUEL (UMC Nigeria)
Jeff Wood
Shame expert
Episode: Episode 197: SHAME

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 States2 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. The Crossing
2. This American Life
3. The Mel Robbins Podcast
4. American History Tellers
5. On Being with Krista Tippett

How many episodes of Pod Have Mercy are there?

Pod Have Mercy launched 6 years ago and published 229 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Pod Have Mercy?

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What guests have appeared on Pod Have Mercy?

Recent guests on Pod Have Mercy include:

1. Bishop Ande Emanuel
2. Joel Moore
3. Russ Levenson
4. Kathleen McShane
5. Gisela Kreglinger
6. Sasha Coles
7. Dr. Michelle Forrester
8. Bishop Ande Emmanuel

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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