Finding Something Real Podcast cover art

Finding Something Real Podcast

Finding Something Real Podcast

By: Janell Wood
Listen for free

Summary

 Maybe you’ve grown up as a Christian going to church or maybe you’re not interested in religion at all. But when you’re scrolling, hanging out with friends, trying to sleep, or overwhelmed with your day-to-day, do big existential questions ever pop in- you know- things like, “Why am I here? How did all this get here? What happens after I die?” “Is there a God and is there really meaning to all this?” ”What’s so special about Jesus Christ?”

We’ve all experienced deep longing for something this world can’t seem to satisfy.

Even someone as wildly successful as Taylor Swift knows that to be true. “I had won album of the year at the Grammys for a second time...” She said, “and I remember thinking afterwards, ’Oh my god, that was all you wanted!... That was all you focused on. You get to the mountaintop and look around and you’re like... what now?”

If you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed with all the different voices yelling for your affections- telling you what to go after- whether it be success, beauty, the perfect partner, social media followers, money, or power… only to leave you let down and unsatisfied, searching for more… Maybe like my friends and me, you’re after finding something REAL.

Every week, join me (Janell Wood), special co-hosts and guests as we ask questions, look for answers, and search for the source of something REAL: Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love. I believe those things can ultimately be found in relationship with Jesus Christ, but don’t take my word for it. Listen to our conversations for yourself and go on a journey with us: Is Jesus the REAL thing?©2023 All Rights Reserved Christianity Personal Development Personal Success Spirituality
Episodes
  • The Gift of Desperation with Shelli Strickland

    The Gift of Desperation with Shelli Strickland
    Apr 29 2026

    Happy Wednesday!

    This week we’re joined by special guest Shelli Strickland, along with four of our co-hosts—Ana, Cailee, Sarah, and Frankie.

    Shelli shares her powerful testimony of coming to faith and how what she calls “the gift of desperation” ultimately led her to Jesus. Through reaching a breaking point, she was able to fully surrender and invite God into the deepest, most broken areas of her life.

    Her story is one of healing, redemption, and identity. While she’s incredibly grateful for the ways the Lord has restored her, what means the most is knowing who she is now—a daughter of the living King.

    We pray this episode encourages you and reminds you that even in your lowest moments, God is working, pursuing, and restoring.

    We hope you enjoy this episode!

    About Shelli Strickland

    Shelli Strickland is a Christian speaker, author, and mentor who leads the ministry Graced For More. She is passionate about sharing the gospel and helping others experience healing, freedom, and restoration through Jesus Christ.

    Her personal story is rooted in transformation—having been delivered from addiction, bondage, and brokenness, she now uses her testimony to encourage others that God can redeem any situation. Her ministry focuses on guiding people out of shame and into identity, freedom, and purpose in Christ.

    -- -- -- -- --

    LINKS

    Graced For More

    How Do I Know God's Will For My Life? - Cailee's Story

    I Was Trying to Prove Atheism with Mary Jo Sharp

    The Kingdom of God Starts Now with Brant Hansen

    The Gospel is Offensive with Adam and Candice Coleman

    Taking Back Your Power Through Forgiveness with Amy Orr-Ewing

    Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning with Allen Crostic

    How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly

    I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen

    How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way

    Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story

    Listen on:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB

    Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856

    www.janellmwood.com

    Follow us on:

    Instagram: finding_something_real

    Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

    Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • How Do I Know God's Will For My Life? - Cailee's Story

    How Do I Know God's Will For My Life? - Cailee's Story
    Apr 22 2026

    Happy Wednesday!

    We are so excited to introduce one of our co-hosts, Cailee, on today’s episode!

    Cailee is truly a light—she loves deeply, cares genuinely, and reflects the heart of Christ in the way she lives. Though she’s been a Christian her whole life, she opens up about the real and honest struggles she faces—like discerning God’s will and feeling confident in defending the faith she believes in.

    In this episode, Cailee shares parts of her personal story, including what it was like growing up with large age gaps between her and her siblings, often feeling like an only child, and navigating life without a close relationship with her dad. Through it all, her story is marked by resilience, faith, and a desire to grow.

    You’ll also hear about her friendship with fellow co-host Katelyn, who is not a Christian, and how Cailee has faithfully shown the love of Christ through her actions and relationship. It’s a powerful example of living out your faith in a genuine and impactful way.

    We hope you love Cailee as much as we do!

    -- -- -- -- --

    LINKS

    I Was Trying to Prove Atheism with Mary Jo Sharp

    The Kingdom of God Starts Now with Brant Hansen

    The Gospel is Offensive with Adam and Candice Coleman

    Taking Back Your Power Through Forgiveness with Amy Orr-Ewing

    Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning with Allen Crostic

    How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly

    I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen

    How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way

    Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story

    Listen on:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB

    Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856

    www.janellmwood.com

    Follow us on:

    Instagram: finding_something_real

    Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

    Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • I Was Trying to Prove Atheism with Mary Jo Sharp

    I Was Trying to Prove Atheism with Mary Jo Sharp
    Apr 15 2026

    Happy Wednesday!

    We’re back with another episode, and this week we’re joined by special guest Mary Jo Sharp, along with our co-host Sarah.

    Mary Jo shares her powerful testimony of once trying to disprove Christianity—setting out to prove atheism was true—but instead encountering the truth of Jesus in a life-changing way. What began as skepticism turned into a deep conviction, and now she dedicates her life to defending and speaking on behalf of the Christian faith.

    In this episode, we dive into the importance of apologetics and why understanding why we believe matters. Mary Jo reminds us that while intellectual answers are important, they’re meant to move from the head to the heart. When both our mind and heart work together, it shapes us to become more like Christ.

    This conversation is both thoughtful and encouraging, whether you’re wrestling with questions or looking to grow deeper in your faith.

    We hope you enjoy this week’s episode!

    About Mary Jo Sharp

    Mary Jo Sharp is a Christian apologist, speaker, and author known for her passion for helping people understand and defend the truth of the Christian faith. After coming to faith in Christ from a background of skepticism and atheism, she developed a deep commitment to exploring life’s hardest questions and equipping others to do the same.

    She is the founder of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry and serves as an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Christian University. Mary Jo has written several books, including Why I Still Believe and Defending the Faith, where she addresses doubts, cultural challenges, and the intellectual side of Christianity.

    Through her teaching, writing, and speaking, Mary Jo encourages believers to engage their faith with both heart and mind, offering thoughtful responses to tough questions and helping others build confidence in what they believe.

    -- -- -- -- --

    LINKS

    The Kingdom of God Starts Now with Brant Hansen

    The Gospel is Offensive with Adam and Candice Coleman

    Taking Back Your Power Through Forgiveness with Amy Orr-Ewing

    Does My Suffering Have Any Meaning with Allen Crostic

    How Can I Defend Being a Christian? with Ryan Pauly

    I Was Running Away From God with Travis Monen

    How to Navigate Relationships in a Godly Way

    Can Christian's Struggle with Mental Health? - Christie's Story

    Listen on:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB

    Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856

    www.janellmwood.com

    Follow us on:

    Instagram: finding_something_real

    Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal

    Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
No reviews yet