Faith-challenges – College Faith Podcast

#70: Hope for the Hurting Student: Mental Health and Connection in College

Published July 1, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:48 — 23.8MB)

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges facing students today: mental health during the college years. Between academic pressure, anxiety about the future, loneliness, relationships, social media, and the constant pressure to succeed, many students are struggling quietly and wondering how to navigate it all faithfully and wisely. My guest is Brooke Wesley, a licensed clinical social worker, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and co-founder of Bellatore Recovery in the Kansas City area, where she has spent more than two decades helping teens and adults pursue healing and emotional health. Brooke’s passion for this work is deeply…

Show Notes

#62: Losing Your Faith and Finding It Again

Published November 1, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:14 — 27.2MB)

This episode’s conversation is especially important if you’ve ever felt like your faith was unraveling—or if you’ve watched someone you care about go through that. I’m joined by Dr. Peter Schuurman, a sociologist, pastor, and co-author of Blessed Are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada. It’s a book full of real-life stories from people who have struggled with their faith — and it addresses themes well beyond the Canadian context. Whether you’re deconstructing, reconstructing, or just trying to hang on to your faith—this conversation is for you. In this podcast we discuss: Why Peter wrote…

Show Notes

1 Comment

#45: Dealing With Doubt

Published June 1, 2024

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:33 — 27.8MB)

Between the recording of this episode and its posting, Randy Newman, my guest and dear friend, went to be with the Lord. Though Randy is certainly rejoicing to be in the presence of his King, I and so many others who knew him well are grieving deeply. But, as a way to honor his memory, and to continue encouraging others to learn from his great wisdom, I have decided to post this interview posthumously. We discuss a topic very dear to him–helping believers engage their doubts in healthy and redemptive ways. I believe he would have wanted you to hear…

Show Notes

1 Comment

#40: Finding the “Middle Way” in the LGBTQ+ Conversation

Published January 1, 2024

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:23:40 — 76.6MB)

My guest today is Rick Mattson, a national apologetics specialist and evangelism coach with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He often does open “Q and A” sessions on college campuses in which he is asked for insights on how to understand LGBTQ+ issues in ways that embody both truth and love. We discuss some of what he shares on this important topic. In this podcast we discuss: Resources mentioned during our conversation:

4 Comments

#30: Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey

Published March 1, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:46 — 26.0MB)

My guest today is Jonathan Morrow. Jonathan has been equipping students and parents in biblical worldview, apologetics, and culture for over 16 years, and is passionate about seeing a new generation build a lasting faith. He holds graduate degrees in Christian thought and is currently the Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship at the Impact 360 Institute and an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University. Jonathan has authored several books, including Welcome to College, Questioning the Bible, and Is God Just a Human Invention? His book Welcome to College is the best book I’ve seen to help students…

Show Notes

1 Comment

#26: The Role of Spiritual Disciplines and Directors in Spiritual Formation

Published November 1, 2022

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:42 — 30.6MB)

My guest today is Dr. Nita Kotiuga, Director of Spiritual Formation at Bakke Graduate University. Nita began to think seriously about being formed in the image of Christ during her college years while involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She then served on InterVarsity staff for six years, sharing with students what she had learned about developing intimacy with Christ. So interested was she in understanding and living in light of biblical truth that she went on to earn graduate degrees in theology and spiritual formation, which have positioned her well for her current role. In this podcast we discuss: What…

Show Notes

2 Comments

#15: How To Respond When Your Faith is Challenged in Class

Published December 1, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:07 — 57.9MB)

My guest for this episode is Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, professor of Communication at Biola University. His research, writing, speaking, and consulting focuses on how to have healthy and productive conversations with others, from the home to the church to the university to the public square. Due to his understanding of communication theory, as well as spending many years earning three degrees in public universities, I can think of no one better to help us understand our topic today! In this podcast we discuss: How the wrong choice of words can easy sabotage communication and relationships Why he began researching how…

Show Notes

1 Comment

#11: Surviving Religion 101 – Dr. Michael Kruger

Published August 1, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:48 — 21.9MB)

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Michael Kruger, President of Reformed Seminary-Charlotte and author of Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College. Dr. Kruger wrote this book for his daughter, who is now a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, sharing what he wished he understood as a young believer and a student there thirty years ago, as his faith was challenged by his religion professor. Now an accomplished scholar, he is able to offer much wisdom to his daughter Emma, and so…

Show Notes

2 Comments

#7: The Three Necessary Ingredients to Grow Your Faith in College – Dr. Steven Garber

Published April 1, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:49 — 23.8MB)

During his many years in ministry to students Steve noticed some thrived spiritually, while others did not. He began studying what the common factors were that caused students to thrive, eventually earning a PhD in the philosophy of learning at Penn State University. His research led to his first book, The Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief & Behavior During the University Years, where he discusses the three critical success factors he identified. Now almost three decades later, The Fabric of Faithfulness continues to be widely read and these three principles continue to help countless students flourish as Christians during…

Show Notes

1 Comment

#2: Thriving as a Christian at a Secular University – Dr. Christy Moran Craft

Published November 4, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:50 — 28.7MB)

Christian students at public universities face unique challenges, as well as unique opportunities. Whether a student thrives in this environment depends on many factors, including how they engage this “marketplace of ideas.” Knowing how best to respond when one’s worldview is challenged is an important skill to develop. Dr. Craft is most interested in is preparing students to engage in this “marketplace of ideas”–both inside and outside the classroom–on issues such as social justice, diversity and inclusion training, and LGBTQ+ questions. Dr. Christy Moran Craft is a professor and interim department chair in the College of Education at Kansas State University. For…

Show Notes

3 Comments

Tag: Faith-challenges

#70: Hope for the Hurting Student: Mental Health and Connection in College

#62: Losing Your Faith and Finding It Again

#45: Dealing With Doubt

#40: Finding the “Middle Way” in the LGBTQ+ Conversation

#30: Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey

#26: The Role of Spiritual Disciplines and Directors in Spiritual Formation

#15: How To Respond When Your Faith is Challenged in Class

#11: Surviving Religion 101 – Dr. Michael Kruger

#7: The Three Necessary Ingredients to Grow Your Faith in College – Dr. Steven Garber

#2: Thriving as a Christian at a Secular University – Dr. Christy Moran Craft

Subscribe to the College Faith Podcast Email List and receive a complimentary copy of the College Faith: 5 Strategies to Help Your Child Flourish During the University Years eBook