After IV

Has God left me here alone?

When we find ourselves in dark, dangerous places, it's easy to wonder if God has left us. We might wonder... 

• Did I miss his instructions? 
• Is it because of sin? 
• Does he just not care?

What if those are the wrong questions? What if we're supposed to ask...

• Where do I remember seeing God in the past?
• Is it possible he's still there?

Difficulty and hardship do not equal God's absence. I...

I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with Jesus lately...

That's normal! Sometimes, sticking with your faith isn't about feeling inspired. It's about continuing to show up when it's boring, confusing, and hard. This week, we're talking about spiritual perseverance and our ability to hold tight to Jesus; especially when it feels like our relationship with him just isn't going anywhere.

Because sometimes faithfully following J...

"I walked away for a pretty long time..."

No one expects to walk away from their faith after graduation. It was definitely a huge surprise for Rocco. He'd been highly involved in his InterVarsity chapter. He attended Urbana. And he was excited and hopeful about life after graduation. But loneliness, overworking, and extremely intelligent co-workers who didn't believe in Jesus left him experiencing an unexpected crisis of fa...

What do I do when my faith experience feels... disappointing?

In this candid episode of After IV, we welcome InterVarsity alumna Erica Spanjers to talk about the highs and lows of post-college faith. Jon and Erica explore what it means to follow Jesus when church communities let us down, when spiritual growth feels slow, and when God's presence seems quiet. With themes of church hurt, spiritual disappointment, and resilient...

When you look back, do you see Him? 

In part two of our conversation with Heather Thompson Day, we talk about the power of reflection, the slow work of spiritual growth, and the ways God shows up—often in hindsight. Heather shares how journaling, gratitude, and persistent hope have helped her recognize God's fingerprints even in seasons of silence and waiting. We also explore what it means to prosper in God’s kingdom (hint:...

What if doubt wasn’t something to run from, but a sign you’re right where God wants you? 

In part one of this honest and powerful conversation, Dr. Heather Thompson Day joins us to talk about the unexpected presence of doubt during life’s biggest transitions—like stepping away from a career, losing structure, or graduating from a close-knit community. Together, we unpack how faith and doubt often coexist, why resistance can...

What's the hardest part about making friends after graduation?

Believe it or not, it usually isn't meeting new people. New people are everywhere. The hardest part is taking consistent, proactive steps toward GETTING TO KNOW someone once you've met them. So, how do we take that step? If friendship and community are so important for our faith development, mental health, and general well being, how do we overcome that most dif...

Life's too distracting to have a meaningful prayer time...

Do you ever feel this way? You're not alone!

Spiritual Director and clinical counselor, Nader Sahyouni, says that distraction is one of the most common barriers people experience in prayer. Whether it's the result of big life choices, frustrations at work, or relentless TikTok notifications, life is just distracting. And the remedy isn't simply getting more focused....

How do I know where God is leading me?

This episode kicks off a new series on After IV. We're exploring a few of the changes we can expect in our faith experience after graduation.

On this episode, clinical counselor and spiritual director Nader Sahyouni joins us to unpack the shift from being driven to being called. Nader introduces listeners to the practice of discernment—not just for big decisions, but as a daily rhythm. ...

What does it really look like to navigate life after college with hope and faith?

Erica Young Reitz returns to After IV with wisdom from the newly revised edition of her book After College, now updated for Gen Z. In this encouraging conversation, Erica and Jon explore the challenges of transition, the unique superpowers Gen Z brings to the table, and the role of spiritual formation in all of it. Whether you’re anxious abou...

When the final final whistle blows and a college athlete hangs up her jersey for the last time, what happens next?

For Julia, an Athletes InterVarsity Alumna from UW-River Falls, it was a challenging transition. Saying goodbye to her team, managing an unfamiliar routine, and embracing her new grad school environment meant following Jesus into uncertainty. But God had been preparing her to take courageous steps of faith like...

In this special bonus episode, Philip Sheegog shares his final words of wisdom for alumni navigating life after graduation. Reflecting on his own journey, he encourages us to trust in God’s provision, release fear, and hold onto His faithfulness—even when the future feels uncertain.

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As an artist, what does it mean to pursue your calling while holding it with open hands? 

In this episode, Philip Sheegog, an Arts InterVarsity alumnus and co-founder of the electroacoustic duo Arkai, shares his journey from Juilliard to life as a touring musician. He opens up about navigating calling, trusting God's plan in a highly competitive industry, and resisting the pressure to define success by the world's standards...

What does modern psychology have to say about our pursuit of health and wellness?

As we close our wellness series this week, we're revisiting our conversation with Dr. Louis Tay from Purdue University's Department of Psychological Sciences. Listen in as Dr. Tay shares his expertise on well-being and how to live a life built on a foundation of loving God and having godly loves.

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We all know work can be difficult, but when does difficult become unhealthy?

This week, Chase Read returns to share about her difficult decision to leave a job. The work was something she loved, believed in, and had spent a lot of time studying to do. But when it became clear that the job was a detriment to her mental and emotional wellness, Chase discerned that it was time to step away. And, although it required her to ste...

This week, we're joined by Justin Morrissette, a Purdue University alumnus who's going to share about his wellness journey after graduation. Physical fitness has been a longtime value for Justin, but changes in context and daily rhythms required a renewed commitment to his physical wellness after graduation. However, in addition to getting regular exercise, Justin also found himself continuing to grow in meaningful relatio...

Between her junior and senior years of college, Halley began what she expected to be an ordinary summer of work, living at home, and relaxing with her family. But all of those plans changed one Tuesday night when Halley suddenly realized she could no longer see. And as she tried to explain to her family what she was experiencing, she also found that she couldn't speak...

Listen in as Halley shares about her wellness journey...

Are there good emotions and bad emotions? Should we be investing extra effort into only feeling certain emotions and avoiding others?

Our guest this week, Dr. Kevin Chapman, would suggest that our full spectrum of emotions is a gift from God, even the ones we'd often prefer to eliminate. And through a better understanding of common external triggers, along with our thoughts and responses to them, we can master our emotions,...