November 26, 2023 • 34 mins
Ever wonder why two people who have such differing opinions about one very important subject like the function of the Church and faith in society work together so well? In this episode, we take some time to get to know our co-host Rick Costa and maybe understand a little bit better why it all works!
Rick talks openly about his journey that led him to become 'Pastor Rick' - a title he initially resisted. Join us as we share our thoughts on topics such as why people are leaving Churches, scandals of sexual abuse by priests, and the disturbing trend of evangelical churches exploiting faith for financial gain.
We then discuss inclusivity in churches and the importance of fostering a welcoming environment free from judgment. Rick, who reads from the Bible and prays for others in his daily online service, emphasizes a genuine relationship with God that isn't transactional. He believes it's essential to find a church that aligns with your beliefs and values and offers a sense of community and friendship. So, come along for this insightful conversation, learning a little bit more about Rick Costa, as we question the norms and explore what it means to have an authentic and respectful relationship when you work with people who you may not necessarily agree with 100%.
Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page.
Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481
Editing by Team A-J
Host, Carmen Lezeth
DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Carmen Lezeth (00:00):
Hi everyone, welcome to All About the Joy.
This is the podcast version.
We're doing a little interviewtoday and a little chit chat
with Rick Costa.
I just realized, rick hi, howare you, hello, hello, how are
you?
Nice to always have you here.
I realized the other day thatyou know we haven't taken some
time to kind of get to know youas the co-host of All About the
(00:22):
Joy.
So I thought we'd do a littlefew minutes kind of just chit
chatting about that and why ourrelationship kind of works.
And then the other thing Iwanted to talk to you about too
is some of the topics you'vebeen talking about on your live
stream, because I thought it wasinteresting.
So welcome to the show, rick.
Rick Costa (00:43):
Thank you, I feel welcome.
Thank you yeah.
Carmen Lezeth (00:46):
So why don't you tell people how we met?
Rick Costa (00:50):
So this wonderful app that no longer exists called
Apps.
That was just an amazing,positive experience of being so
sarcastic right now.
Yeah, we just came across eachother on there, but I think the
one video I saw was when youwere with three other women and
(01:10):
you guys were talking about menand I was like, oh, this is
amazing.
This conversation is awesome.
I'm learning stuff right now.
And I was like that's when Iwas like, oh, I like these
people.
Carmen Lezeth (01:21):
Oh, that's so funny.
I don't remember who that was,but that price sounds like me,
whatever.
Oh, that's hilarious.
Yeah, and when I first ran intoor started getting to know
people on Apps and anyone wholistens to me or is on our show
knows that I hate that app withevery fiber of my being, and I
say it every time, just to beclear Part of it is because it
(01:44):
was just a very toxic place.
But there were pearls, therewere people, and you're one of
those people, rick, that Ithought were pretty cool, even
though you and I do not believein the same things, and that's
what I want to talk about, so,rickcostedcom.
So when I first met Rick, Ithought he was a pastor, because
(02:04):
everyone called you Pastor,rick.
Rick Costa (02:08):
Oh, I mean, so how did that come about?
So it was on Periscope.
Carmen Lezeth (02:13):
Another app.
Wait, wait, yes, yes, periscopeis another app, right.
Rick Costa (02:17):
Periscope was pretty big back in the day.
Actually, I think the secondyear I was out it became like
the number one app and that'swhen it really kind of pulled in
.
Everybody was on that thing.
But, funny enough, people havecalled me that like slipping,
sort of Like, oh, pastor, I meanRick, they've done that for
(02:37):
forever.
Even my own pastor has donethat in front of the church and
I'm like, hmm, what's that about?
Carmen Lezeth (02:44):
Yeah, but why you should tell people why.
Rick Costa (02:47):
Because I am super hardcore into the Bible and
Jesus.
Carmen Lezeth (02:53):
OK when you're being a little humble, let me
intervene.
It's not just that you're superhardcore into the Bible, but
that is part of it.
But you also have a dailyservice show that you do on let
me see if I got this rightSunday through Friday at 3.
(03:13):
Pm Pacific and six pm Eastern,and it's about half an hour 45
minutes and you do a Biblereading, you do a Song that you
all sing together.
You have regular people thatcome on the show.
You read the Bible and then youhave, like some games that you
(03:33):
do that I try to once in a whilecome and visit and I always
Kind of into being when thegames are going on because I
think they're fun and you do alot of praying for other people
and stuff like that.
So you've been doing this forEight years now, every day's
gobbledy.
You have not missed a day whichyou're very proud about that
and I'm all like we doing thispodcast because we taking off
(03:55):
Thanksgiving.
I have no interest whatsoeverin doing that, but
Congratulations to you.
But the reason why I bring thatup is because I think that's
why people were calling you alsopasturic is because you are
providing a Religious service orsermon, or I don't want to
speak for you, but why don't youtell people what you call it?
Rick Costa (04:16):
I mean that's what people just naturally started
doing.
And then it got to the pointwhere it happened so much when I
was like, okay, I guess this ishappening, so I'm just gonna
let it happen.
And I even changed my name onperiscope to pastor Rick Costa.
I was like we're just gonna gowith it, that's what it is.
And I mean I'm serving the thepurpose of one.
(04:39):
You know I do.
What do I do?
That's different and not reallymuch, you know I.
There's like a little sermon,you know.
But there's the worst it's achurch service.
It's literally a church service, for yeah, it's online.
So, yeah, we just kind of wentwith it and everybody was
calling me that and I was like,all right, I Guess I accept it.
You know, I didn't.
I fought that.
For the longest I was likemm-hmm, no, no, don't put that
(05:01):
on me, don't put that on me.
But then I was like, all right,all right.
Carmen Lezeth (05:05):
What?
What's the big deal?
I mean, if I mean I don't knowwhat the okay, so let's just
talk about we don't have to godown why you are or not called
pastor Rick and I understand youhave a lot of humility issues
and being some.
I Say that respectfully but,being someone who grew up in the
Catholic Church, I went toschool for 12 years, from first
(05:27):
grade to 12th grade went toCatholic school.
My mom for you know the yearsthat I had her up until it was
11 1 1 1 was Catholic.
We lived in the archdiocese, sothere was a lot of this around
me growing up.
The difference was is that mymom made it very, very clear to
us that you know there werethings about the Catholic Church
(05:50):
specifically that we didn'thave to adhere to.
So like, for example, my mom.
I remember vividly I came homewhen they started having the
priest have face-to-faceconfession.
I don't know what you knowabout Catholicism because your
services I grew up inCatholicism.
Rick Costa (06:07):
Oh you did was.
I was a hardcore Catholic ohokay.
I prayed a rosary every day.
Oh yes, oh goodness.
Okay, I was a altar boy.
Carmen Lezeth (06:15):
Oh, were you oh everything, yeah remember when
they switched from going intothe confessional into Going
face-to-face to the priest thefirst time I did communion,
because I was in Catholic schoolas well as regular public
school.
Rick Costa (06:28):
I cried.
I don't remember what he said.
I came out of the room and I'mlike I just wanted to leave.
They're like what did he tellyou to do?
You got to say however manyprayers, I don't remember what
he said.
Well, you go up there and youfake it.
You can't just leave.
I was literally crying becauseI was like this is weird to me.
Why am I telling a human mythoughts?
Can God not hear me?
(06:49):
Like what?
This doesn't make sense to me.
Carmen Lezeth (06:50):
I never thought that was a little bit different.
I just didn't want to be in aroom by myself with a priest or
with anybody, and and you know Iwas a little kid but I remember
my mom being very dismissiveabout Confessional and I think
it's probably kind of in linewith what you're talking about.
She was just like go in, sayyou sword your mother, say you
(07:12):
did baby and don't, don't worryabout it, and then just sit
there and pretend you're prayingand don't.
You know it's kind of thatthing and I was really young.
But I remember the impressionwas Because I don't remember
what she said exactly, you knowI'd be lying if I said I
remember but the impression wasyour relationship is between you
and God.
We're just here because we'repart of the archdiocese and it's
(07:34):
a good school, you know.
I mean, I kind of alwaysunderstood that, and also you
know Just the people around me.
So yeah, so we, we have thatbackground as a common thing.
But I also think you're prettycool.
You don't push religion onother people.
You, you know, as everyone hasseen the show, you're a big
(07:57):
Marvel fan and a Star Trek fanand and so we kind of connected
on that end too, and we've hadsome heated conversations about
issues and I don't think Ichanged your mind, but I feel
like I made you think aboutsomething.
Yes and I like that.
(08:18):
You know what I mean and I'vecome on your show and I've
enjoyed the you, how do you saythe community of praying for
people?
I love that part.
I don't usually chime in.
I chime in during the game.
I say hi.
I do say hi, you know, but I dolove that People are asking
(08:42):
worshiping together.
I do think there is somethingbeautiful about that, no matter
what church it is.
Rick Costa (08:48):
Yeah, yeah, I agree, I definitely think there's
something to it.
When you do it together, youknow, yes, you can do it
yourself, and that's awesome.
But when you're doing it in acommunity, it's just different.
Somehow.
It's I don't know, it'spowerful, it's just different.
Carmen Lezeth (09:02):
I absolutely believe in God.
I don't believe in the Bible.
That's where you and I kind ofhave a difference of opinion or
faith or whatever we're callingit.
But I respect it.
I respect your viewpoint.
But I love going to like aBaptist church or whatever, just
for the sheer community of it,of worshiping with people, and
(09:24):
also the music is just.
So there is a spiritual I don'teven know what to call it.
There is something that happenswhen you're with other people
who are that intense aboutpraying.
You can't help but become partof that.
I'm gonna call it joy.
I'm sorry.
Yeah yeah, there is somethingreally beautiful and powerful
(09:48):
about it.
So, yeah, I'm not against it.
Rick Costa (09:52):
Yeah, community aspect is definitely a big
attraction, I would say, forsure you know.
Carmen Lezeth (09:58):
And you have a pretty decent following, and
what I'm so grateful for is somany of the people that follow
you on your show come to AllAbout the Joy, which is so
lovely of them to stop by, andthey've become part of our
regular people and I kind oflove that.
I think it's so cool, so thankyou for bringing your crew with
(10:18):
us.
Rick Costa (10:19):
Yeah, not like I'm begging them, they're just like
oh, rick's gonna be over here,let's join.
Carmen Lezeth (10:23):
Yeah, okay.
So I have a question, though,because I the reason why we're
doing this is because I wantedto have this conversation with
you.
Now, I don't remembereveryone's names, but you have a
group, two other people thatyou do a show with.
Why don't you talk about that?
And then I'll ask you thequestion about the subject
matter you were talking aboutrecently.
Rick Costa (10:43):
Yeah, so there's Jason Wallace and also Catholic.
But then he started going toanother church and the pastors
challenged him to read the Bibleevery day and he saw me and he
goes.
You know what?
I could go online and read theBible, so he started doing that
(11:03):
and then it just started asnowball of him broadcasting all
the time, and now I think yougot more people watching him
than me.
So, yeah, he was there fromalmost the very beginning and
then Sue, who we call Mama Sue.
She's been Christian for a longtime too, and, yeah, we asked
her one day would she join us,and she goes oh, I'd love to,
and so, yeah, so we do a monthlybroadcast together if we're all
(11:26):
available.
Carmen Lezeth (11:27):
A monthly.
I thought it was weekly.
Rick Costa (11:29):
Yeah, it's monthly.
Carmen Lezeth (11:31):
It's monthly and the subject matter that you guys
are talking about intrigued me.
I haven't been able to watch ashow because I think it's on a
Saturday or something right,yeah, usually Saturdays yeah.
But you were talking about andI'm so sorry to do this You're
okay talking about it thoughright, yeah, yeah, you're one on
that, yeah.
So the subject matter is whyare people no longer going to
(11:55):
church?
Is that correct?
Am I putting that correctly?
Rick Costa (11:58):
So basically, it started with a Facebook post
where I asked the question, andthis was like from two or three
years ago why do you thinkpeople don't go to church?
And boy did the comments flow.
People had lots to say.
Carmen Lezeth (12:12):
And so my question is what are some of the
reasons or what are youlearning through this
conversation?
Because if people really wantto know about it, they should
probably go.
I want to promote Mama Sue andwhat's his name?
Jason Wallace's, wallace JasonWallace's show as well.
I want to be nice to them inkind, and you can find out more
information about them onRickCostacom.
Rick Costa (12:34):
You can find out more about the schedule there.
Jesusdiditorg is specificallyfor the whole ministry.
Carmen Lezeth (12:39):
I am so sorry and I never promote his show on my
show, but I will today.
I'm so sorry, jesusdiditorg.
What's RickCostacom?
Rick Costa (12:49):
Oh, that's just personal, that's just me yeah.
Carmen Lezeth (12:52):
Okay, so I'm sorry, but if people go to
RickCostacom can they findJesusDidItorg.
Rick Costa (12:59):
If they click on the link for my book, it takes you
to JesusDidItorg.
Yeah, I'm not.
Carmen Lezeth (13:03):
I am so sorry, I did not know this, so yeah
that's fine.
You maybe want to put a buttonthere.
Rick Costa (13:08):
Yeah, I was just thinking do I even have one?
Carmen Lezeth (13:15):
So yeah, so my apologies, jesus did it.
Org.
I always say, rick, cost ofthat, come, because people are
starting to know you.
That's like your brand, yourname.
So yeah, I think after tonightyou gonna put a little button
somewhere, right.
Rick Costa (13:28):
I need to if it's not.
Carmen Lezeth (13:31):
But okay.
So what have you learned inyour conversations?
Biggest reasons or biggestsurprises?
Rick Costa (13:38):
I think the biggest, biggest thing that just keeps
coming up over and over and overagain through all the different
types of comments is peoplehave been hurt.
We call it church hurt, quote,quote.
Um, yeah, people just been hurtin church and it's like Church
is not a place where you gethurt.
Church is a place where you'resupposed to get help and healed
and have hope.
And the fact that people gethurt it's like what are y'all
(14:02):
thinking about?
Carmen Lezeth (14:03):
You get more specific.
What do you mean by like, like?
Are there some specificexamples Like?
What does that mean?
Rick Costa (14:10):
Some people are real sensitive.
Some of them, you know they'rejust too sensitive.
Like the pastor didn't say hito me, like sometimes is that
done?
Carmen Lezeth (14:19):
Well, that's ridiculous.
Rick Costa (14:20):
It is ridiculous, I mean.
Carmen Lezeth (14:21):
I know some people who have left the church
because of the hypocrisy, yes,of what priests have done in the
Catholic.
You know, church to Alter boys,to young people, that you, I
mean, that's in the news, youcan Google it, that's not.
And I know people who are likeyou know what?
It's not even that the acthappened, it's that.
(14:41):
Then you know, the Pope or thebishops have just moved people
on.
You know, I mean, and notreally dealt with that and I,
you know I have other reasonswhy I don't go to church, but
that to me is a big one.
Rick Costa (14:54):
There's a yeah.
Yeah, you can't sweep thatunder the rug.
Yeah there's no way.
There's no way.
And, like you know, just likeAny sex offender, you know you
get on the registry and if theymove into your neighborhood you
can get an email.
Somebody just you know right,shouldn't be a secret.
You know you want to be.
You know I feel bad for them,yeah, because it's embarrassing.
But I mean you want to be safeif you got kids, especially so.
Carmen Lezeth (15:16):
Wait, wait.
Who do you feel bad for?
Rick Costa (15:19):
Like I know somebody that there was a situation and
they were accused he, yeah, butthe girl was totally pretending
to be older and it was just abig mess and so there's no doubt
.
Carmen Lezeth (15:33):
I mean, this has nothing to do with the church.
I've known men who were accusedas well, and I find it hard to
believe.
But you know that that's awhole other conversation, when
people are taking advantage ofthe fact that we will believe
you.
We want to believe you and wewill do whatever we need to do
(15:54):
to protect you.
You know so that's a tough one,but let's get back to the check
.
What else have you learned?
So I don't want to hear thestupid stuff which you know.
The priest didn't say hi to me.
Oh, whoever.
Rick Costa (16:07):
We need to talk to see definitely comes up.
People say all their hypocritesare hypocrites and like well,
join in, because I'm sure youprobably got some hypocrisy you
too.
Nobody's perfect, I meanthere's just.
There's an expression to saywell, if you want to join the
perfect church as soon as youget there ain't gonna be perfect
no more, because you ain'tperfect either.
None of us are, you know.
So that's kind of a dumb reason, not me, not dumb.
(16:27):
But Anyway, there's a millionchurches.
Carmen Lezeth (16:31):
Okay, how about the?
Okay?
Here's my reasoning, and thisisn't specifically to the
Catholic Church.
But what about all of thisevangelical Wealth?
That, I think, is, I mean, Ithink, one of things that
bothers me.
I went to Catholic school andthe nuns were sisters of charity
and let me tell you, there wasno doubt about it, they were
(16:52):
sisters of charity.
We didn't have nothing.
They didn't have nothing,definitely sisters of poverty or
whatever their thing was, and Iremember that.
You know, but I feel, like someof these churches, I'm shook by
the tithing and then, and I'mokay, I'm okay investing in
(17:14):
something you believe in, but ifhe's driving a Rolls Royce, I'm
just saying I don't thinkthat's what Jesus would have
thought when you're fucking gotfood.
Rick Costa (17:24):
Yeah, that's definitely one of the big ones
too is they're like oh, theyjust want money, they just want
money to do, and I'm, and I careit, I understand it.
And that was a funny thing onPeriscope again the first time I
was on and because it was a somany more people over there,
they'd see me be like, oh,here's another money hungry
preacher.
And I'm like, excuse meeverybody, can you tell this
person how many times I haveever asked for money?
(17:46):
Right, they're like you neverasked for money.
Right back then.
I definitely did never.
Never asked for money.
Um, I don't know, I don't getpaid to do this.
No, I'm gonna pay check noise,but I'm gonna go into my head
either I just do it because Iwant to do it.
But, um, yeah, I definitelyunderstand that.
I mean, if you're sitting therebroke and the past is like you
gotta give blah, blah, blah, I'mlike I gotta pay my rent.
What are you talking about?
I gotta get what well and hetold me.
Carmen Lezeth (18:08):
When they tie the Amount of money you get to the
miracles and the blessings, I'mlike that's your first clue that
that is a bad place to bechurching, as I call it.
If someone cuz, cuz, yourrelationship with God is your
relationship with God and itdoesn't matter how much money
you give To whoever ispretending because at that point
(18:30):
you're pretending, I'm sorry,you know.
I mean like if you're doing aquick pro quo, like if you give
me 10% of your salary and then Iwill give you a blessing,
that's a red flag right there.
Rick Costa (18:42):
Yeah, and I've heard horror stories too.
Like I'm a person that's prettywell known, we'll say the name.
But some good, some, somebrother guys.
Brother went to his service andhe said to the preacher he's
like, hey, my mom's got cancer.
It's not looking good.
And he said, oh, buy this $50.
Oh, my god oil, pour it allover her and she will be healed.
(19:05):
She died a month later.
Carmen Lezeth (19:07):
Of course she did .
So that's there.
Rick Costa (19:10):
I'm sure I'm not trying to be funny, but come on
that stuff, like that dad, justis disgusting and it makes all
of us look bad, like what areyou doing?
Carmen Lezeth (19:18):
stop, and you do know that there are more
churches like that than not,right?
I mean, that's the problem.
Rick Costa (19:24):
I don't know every church, so I don't know.
Carmen Lezeth (19:26):
Well, okay, I'm sorry, Let me talk about
Catholic churches.
Like, every time I go into aCatholic church, like even here
in Santa Monica, which is thisbig church right down the street
here, very well-known, veryfamous tour guides go by,
whatever, and you know, evenwhen you walk in there, the
opulence.
I mean it's beautiful, right,Because these are the old
churches, the old cathedrals,whatever, and all that has to be
(19:47):
, you know, up capped orwhatever, and if you go to
church, that tithing thing comesaround three times.
Okay, here's the thing aboutCatholic church.
In case black people belistening, who are not Catholic,
Catholic church is maybe 40minutes.
You're not there all day.
It is our father, we sing asong, it's the same.
(20:10):
You know.
Sermon, whatever.
I mean, I haven't been tochurch in a long time and every
time I step in it's like I wasjust there yesterday.
Rick Costa (20:17):
Because it's exactly the same exact thing Every time
.
Carmen Lezeth (20:19):
So in 40 minutes, when that basket comes around
three or four times that's a lotof pressure.
You know what I mean and I'mnot saying you shouldn't invest
in things that you believe in,but it's like nonprofits to me.
If you want to invest money toa nonprofit, you need to
research it, find out how muchmoney is going to the
(20:41):
administrative costs which arevalid.
You can't have a nonprofitwithout the administrative staff
working to do the stuff.
But you want to make sure thatratio is 80% administrative and
then 20% to the actual thingyou're supporting.
And I don't think churches havethat.
But you can do research on somechurches before you give money
(21:03):
to them.
Rick Costa (21:03):
Yeah, and listen, if I didn't give it to you the
first time, what makes you thinktwo or three and four, five
more times?
If I'm broke, I'm still goingto be broke.
Don't be that time you passthis thing around.
Okay, like, what is the pointof that?
I know that's.
Carmen Lezeth (21:17):
You know what.
That was so good, rick, thatwas funny.
No, but it is true.
But I remember thinking likethat's changed, because I don't
remember getting that basket.
So many times when I was going.
I thought it came around onceright before you gave, when you
shook each other's hands.
I forget what that thing is,you know what I mean.
Yeah, you know what I mean Kindof the peace or whatever.
Rick Costa (21:37):
Peace, be with you, peace be with you, right?
Carmen Lezeth (21:39):
So that offering would come by before or after
that, I never remember, but itwas always like one time, but
yeah.
Rick Costa (21:44):
Yeah, yeah, me too.
When I was a little kid I wasjust once, so yeah.
Carmen Lezeth (21:48):
Why would you say that people should go back to
the church, whether it be onlineor physically?
What would be your bestargument?
Rick Costa (21:59):
Well, I mean, there's so many first of all, so
you got to kind of find onethat you kind of like.
Carmen Lezeth (22:05):
What do you mean?
Oh, so many.
Rick Costa (22:07):
Oh, in America.
Carmen Lezeth (22:07):
In.
Rick Costa (22:07):
Americans In every street corner.
I mean maybe not that many, butthere's a lot, there's a lot.
So you got to, you got tosearch a little bit and I always
say ask your friends.
You surely must have somefriends that go to church.
Why do you like it?
What's good about it, what youdon't you like about it?
Da da da.
And then do some searching,don't just go to one.
You're like I'll give up, likeno, because again the whole
sense of community thing isawesome.
(22:29):
You make friends there.
Maybe that friend might helpyou one day when you need to
help.
Sitting at home watching TV,ain't nobody going to help you.
Carmen Lezeth (22:40):
So you wouldn't say you should only look at
churches in your neighborhood.
You would say you might want tolook online or look at other
places.
What about inclusivity?
How about that Like, how doesyour sermon or what you do I
don't know what the right wordis.
I was going to say manifest,but that's not right.
How do you deal with maybesomeone who's gay, somebody
(23:05):
who's transgender issues thatare?
You know, maybe somebody isvery politically inclined or
something, or whatever it is.
How does your teaching dealwith that?
Or your service specifically?
Rick Costa (23:21):
Yeah, so I mean, to me, the focus should always be
on the person of Jesus, like, ifyou're not.
I even have a shirt that I usedto have a shirt that said if
you're not talking about Jesus,you're not talking about Jesus.
People are like huh, becauseit's like that's the thing we're
here to talk about.
That's what we're gatheredaround rallying around him, not
agendas.
Not my sin is worse than yoursor better than what, I don't
(23:44):
care.
That's your issue.
That's between you and God.
Don't judge somebody elsebecause they sin different than
you.
Carmen Lezeth (23:52):
So you would okay .
I just want to clarifysomething.
Are you saying that somebodywho's transgender or gay is
sinning?
Rick Costa (24:00):
That's not my issue.
That's between you and God.
Carmen Lezeth (24:03):
Okay, Well that's what I want to be clear,
because, as I said that, thenyou started talking about
sinning, and I just want to beclear that that's not your issue
, your issue.
Rick Costa (24:10):
The church loves judging, judging, judging
everything, and they're big forthat, unfortunately.
And that turns off people.
I'll never forget.
I was on Periscope and it'sactually happened in real life
too.
Somebody came on and they'relike, oh, you're a Christian.
I was like, yeah, and he goes.
Oh, so you hate me?
Huh.
I was like, huh, what?
Carmen Lezeth (24:27):
do you?
Rick Costa (24:27):
mean, I don't even know you.
What are you talking about?
Well, I'm gay, so by defaultyou hate me.
I was like I don't even knowyou.
How can I hate you?
I don't know the first thingabout you.
I was like why?
And again, church hurt.
They've been hurt before, soautomatically all Christians
must hate you know, blah, blah,and that kills me.
I had a real life encounter toowith somebody who visited from
(24:48):
Florida, stayed with family, butthe family was a little bit
judgy too and I made the effort.
He loved to go to movies.
I went to the movies with himand we hung out and we went to
the restura and the day beforehe left and it was fighting so
hard not to cry when he said ithe was thank you, rick, because
you're the only one that didn'tmake me feel like an outcast or
a weirdo or, you know, like Iwas a leprous person or
(25:08):
something.
Oh man, I'll try so hard not tocry when he said that because
that hurt me so bad.
I'm like are you serious, evenyour own family?
Carmen Lezeth (25:16):
So, yeah, I mean To your whole, your whole
service or your and I don't wantto speak to you, but I want to
clarify.
You don't care if someone isgay or transgender, or black or
white, or Jewish or whatever.
Well, I doubt somebody who'sJewish would come to your
service.
Well, we don't know Somebodynever know.
(25:37):
You know, convert or somethingand believe that Jesus is a
different, because they believein Jesus.
But he's just a prophet forthose of you who don't know.
But you don't care wheresomeone's coming from, because
you don't judge them.
They're accepted into yourservice because, unlike a lot of
other churches, they're notgonna you're not gonna try to
(25:58):
change them because that's notwhat you're there to talk about.
Rick Costa (26:02):
What you believe, which is, yes, not my job to
change nobody.
I'm working on me, okay, andgot time to work on you, I gotta
fix me.
So, yeah, I accept anybody andeverybody, because we all got
issues, you know, and if it'ssomething you got to deal with
between you and God, do it.
But I got my own issues.
I ain't trying to fix nobody.
I don't have the power to fixanybody or change anybody.
I can't change anybody.
Carmen Lezeth (26:24):
Right, so what?
So?
Why are you the person who hasthe expertise, let's say, or the
like?
Why are you someone I shouldcome and listen to Preach about
Jesus or the Bible?
Rick Costa (26:41):
Well, I mean, as far as my background, I Became a
what I am now type of Christian,12 years old, voraciously into
the Bible like I could not getenough and it's my life
completely turned around.
When I did that I was gonnakill myself at 12 and it was
just those into so much stuff,just garbage.
(27:03):
But, um, yeah, I've been intothis since I was 12 and I've
never stopped and I've dealtwith all kinds of people and,
you know, prayed for so manypeople, help people.
Carmen Lezeth (27:16):
Um, and you do it like in Spanish we say like
Anna, right, like you do it frombecause you have to do it.
You've read the Bible how manytimes now?
Rick Costa (27:26):
I'm not even sure.
Carmen Lezeth (27:27):
Well, I heard you say the day was like the third
time Maybe.
Rick Costa (27:30):
well, online, yes, online, starting in Periscope.
We've read it.
This is the third time, I think, now going, but me personally,
I'm not even sure anymore.
It's because I read it everyyear.
I do a one-year Bible plan, soit's been a bunch times.
Carmen Lezeth (27:45):
Yeah, it's Periscope still around because
all of you talk about it so much.
I just want to be clever.
People gonna be like looking upPeriscope.
So Periscope was an app theyall used in the past.
It was part of Twitter back inthe day right.
It was huge and it was huge andthere was really bad parts of
it, but really good good partsof it.
This is where most of thesepeople became friends, and then
(28:07):
Periscope got shut down and thenpeople went over to a place
called Haps for a minute.
So I just want people not toget confused, because you keep
saying you all talk aboutPeriscope.
I don't realize how much.
Rick Costa (28:20):
It was.
It was huge.
That's where we got our start,like it was nothing to get 2,000
people on our broadcast likeand everybody talking and you
try to keep up With all thecomments.
So yeah, it was, it was a bigthing.
Carmen Lezeth (28:31):
So yeah, um, is there anything that you would
want to add to our conversationtoday that might inspire people
who have decided not to Bereligious or be but still have
faith?
Like, is there something Lastwords or something you want to
(28:51):
tell me last words?
That way, I just want to moveon to another topic.
Rick Costa (29:00):
There's anything else you want to say to someone
who might be a little intrigued,inspired, but yeah, there's a
verse in the Bible that says ifyou seek him with all your heart
, you will find him.
And I 100% believe that.
And people say, like well, whatif there's somebody on a island
and they never heard of nothingabout Jesus or Bible?
And I'm like I still stick withthat verse if you seek him with
(29:22):
all your heart, you will findhim.
God will find a way.
Carmen Lezeth (29:26):
Okay, but what if people don't know Jesus?
Rick Costa (29:30):
I Hope you want to find out something about him,
just in case, in case.
In case this really is hisuniverse that he created, it
might be in your best interestto, just in case, find out a
little bit of something you know.
Carmen Lezeth (29:46):
No, I really appreciate you doing this
because I think it'll be reallyhelpful for people.
People ask me all the time LikeI don't understand, like why
are you have him as your coat?
Like because he's okay, he'scool, he's not crazy, totally
lowest, we do get along yeah.
(30:07):
And and I I have no issues withanyone who is pursuing what
they believe in their heart andsoul and I think the biggest
problem, and especially in theUnited States right now, is this
inability to be okay withsomebody who's different than we
are.
Rick Costa (30:26):
Right, and I think that's a big thing about me too,
and the people say all the timethat I'm very open to listen to
anybody, to hear anybody, tohear different opinions.
I'm not scared to hearsomebody's different thoughts,
you know.
So, yeah, and I'm going totreat you.
You're all human, I'll treatyou just as good as you treat me
.
You know, probably bettersometimes, but yeah, Well, I
(30:48):
appreciate you for doing this.
Carmen Lezeth (30:49):
I want to tell people again it is JesusDidItorg
.
Sorry that I was sayingRickCostacom, but as of tonight
he's going to set up a buttonjust to keep.
Rick Costa (31:01):
You should do that anyways, because it might even
be on there, I can't remember.
Carmen Lezeth (31:05):
But yeah, because I was always saying that you
know it means other people andand look at, just so people are
aware.
I don't promote Rick's show onmy show because I don't want to
push people away who are notreligious.
And you know, I mean, like thisshow is all about the joy and
we do specific topics, we haveguests on or whatever.
(31:27):
So and Rick knows that.
But it's not because I'mavoiding what he does.
I respect what he does.
I try to visit his broadcast atleast once or twice a week to
be supportive and I believe inwho Rick is as a person.
So I don't want people to getit twisted.
I may not believe exactly whathe does, but I know that he is
(31:50):
and I say this respectfully oneof the good people.
Rick Costa (31:53):
You know?
I mean, I was just thinkinglike if anybody on the Christian
side is saying the same thinglike, well, why do you hang out
with Carmen?
Because she's good people.
Carmen Lezeth (32:00):
That's right, we're good people.
Rick Costa (32:03):
I just checked my website, by the way, and there
is a link to Jesus that did itat work.
Carmen Lezeth (32:10):
Oh, okay, good, good.
So I wanted to see.
I mean again thank you so muchfor for letting me kind of go
through this and kind of talk toyou.
I think it's an important partof it.
Rick Costa (32:20):
I mean you, let me interview you about your book.
So it's only fair.
Carmen Lezeth (32:26):
Like how you like to slip that all in there.
Rick Costa (32:28):
No called canela on Amazon.
Carmen Lezeth (32:31):
But actually, you know, what's so interesting is
I am writing a second book andI'm now trying to carve out time
Because I think if you reallywant to do something, you need
to do it.
You need to stop talking aboutit, you need to just do it.
But it is hard, right, whenyou're so busy and just
ridiculously off I don't know onso many things, but so glad you
were here.
I'm going to shut this down andthank you again and I
(32:55):
appreciate you so much and Ilove that you're part of all
about the joy.
I don't think I would have thebroadcast without you because
you've got to have, but it'strue, you got to have the
ability to talk with somebodythat gets you and that you can
argue with and have.
I don't think we've really hada lot of arguments, but we
disagree on a lot of stuff, butwhen it comes to, like Loki and,
(33:18):
you know, thor, things thatreally really matter, yeah, but
I appreciate you so much and wedefinitely want to say what time
and day do does all about thejoy?
Rick Costa (33:34):
come on, can't forget to say that.
Carmen Lezeth (33:36):
But they know.
No, I'm just kidding.
So Thursday night, 6pm Pacific,9pm Eastern.
You can visit us on All Aboutthe Joy on the live stream on
Thursday night, 6pm Pacific, 9pmEastern.
You can always catch thepodcast it posts by Monday
morning at 6am on the east coast.
(33:57):
And yeah, we will catch you allnext time.
So thank you for stopping byand remember it's always All
About the Joy, see ya.
Thank you, rick.
Bye, thank you, bye-bye.
Thanks for stopping by.
All About the Joy.
Be better and stay beautifulfolks.
Have a sweet day.
Hi everyone, welcome to All About the Joy.
This is the podcast version.
We're doing a little interviewtoday and a little chit chat
with Rick Costa.
I just realized, rick hi, howare you, hello, hello, how are
you?
Nice to always have you here.
I realized the other day thatyou know we haven't taken some
time to kind of get to know youas the co-host of All About the
(00:22):
Joy.
So I thought we'd do a littlefew minutes kind of just chit
chatting about that and why ourrelationship kind of works.
And then the other thing Iwanted to talk to you about too
is some of the topics you'vebeen talking about on your live
stream, because I thought it wasinteresting.
So welcome to the show, rick.
Rick Costa (00:43):
Thank you, I feel welcome.
Thank you yeah.
Carmen Lezeth (00:46):
So why don't you tell people how we met?
Rick Costa (00:50):
So this wonderful app that no longer exists called
Apps.
That was just an amazing,positive experience of being so
sarcastic right now.
Yeah, we just came across eachother on there, but I think the
one video I saw was when youwere with three other women and
(01:10):
you guys were talking about menand I was like, oh, this is
amazing.
This conversation is awesome.
I'm learning stuff right now.
And I was like that's when Iwas like, oh, I like these
people.
Carmen Lezeth (01:21):
Oh, that's so funny.
I don't remember who that was,but that price sounds like me,
whatever.
Oh, that's hilarious.
Yeah, and when I first ran intoor started getting to know
people on Apps and anyone wholistens to me or is on our show
knows that I hate that app withevery fiber of my being, and I
say it every time, just to beclear Part of it is because it
(01:44):
was just a very toxic place.
But there were pearls, therewere people, and you're one of
those people, rick, that Ithought were pretty cool, even
though you and I do not believein the same things, and that's
what I want to talk about, so,rickcostedcom.
So when I first met Rick, Ithought he was a pastor, because
(02:04):
everyone called you Pastor,rick.
Rick Costa (02:08):
Oh, I mean, so how did that come about?
So it was on Periscope.
Carmen Lezeth (02:13):
Another app.
Wait, wait, yes, yes, periscopeis another app, right.
Rick Costa (02:17):
Periscope was pretty big back in the day.
Actually, I think the secondyear I was out it became like
the number one app and that'swhen it really kind of pulled in
.
Everybody was on that thing.
But, funny enough, people havecalled me that like slipping,
sort of Like, oh, pastor, I meanRick, they've done that for
(02:37):
forever.
Even my own pastor has donethat in front of the church and
I'm like, hmm, what's that about?
Carmen Lezeth (02:44):
Yeah, but why you should tell people why.
Rick Costa (02:47):
Because I am super hardcore into the Bible and
Jesus.
Carmen Lezeth (02:53):
OK when you're being a little humble, let me
intervene.
It's not just that you're superhardcore into the Bible, but
that is part of it.
But you also have a dailyservice show that you do on let
me see if I got this rightSunday through Friday at 3.
(03:13):
Pm Pacific and six pm Eastern,and it's about half an hour 45
minutes and you do a Biblereading, you do a Song that you
all sing together.
You have regular people thatcome on the show.
You read the Bible and then youhave, like some games that you
(03:33):
do that I try to once in a whilecome and visit and I always
Kind of into being when thegames are going on because I
think they're fun and you do alot of praying for other people
and stuff like that.
So you've been doing this forEight years now, every day's
gobbledy.
You have not missed a day whichyou're very proud about that
and I'm all like we doing thispodcast because we taking off
(03:55):
Thanksgiving.
I have no interest whatsoeverin doing that, but
Congratulations to you.
But the reason why I bring thatup is because I think that's
why people were calling you alsopasturic is because you are
providing a Religious service orsermon, or I don't want to
speak for you, but why don't youtell people what you call it?
Rick Costa (04:16):
I mean that's what people just naturally started
doing.
And then it got to the pointwhere it happened so much when I
was like, okay, I guess this ishappening, so I'm just gonna
let it happen.
And I even changed my name onperiscope to pastor Rick Costa.
I was like we're just gonna gowith it, that's what it is.
And I mean I'm serving the thepurpose of one.
(04:39):
You know I do.
What do I do?
That's different and not reallymuch, you know I.
There's like a little sermon,you know.
But there's the worst it's achurch service.
It's literally a church service, for yeah, it's online.
So, yeah, we just kind of wentwith it and everybody was
calling me that and I was like,all right, I Guess I accept it.
You know, I didn't.
I fought that.
For the longest I was likemm-hmm, no, no, don't put that
(05:01):
on me, don't put that on me.
But then I was like, all right,all right.
Carmen Lezeth (05:05):
What?
What's the big deal?
I mean, if I mean I don't knowwhat the okay, so let's just
talk about we don't have to godown why you are or not called
pastor Rick and I understand youhave a lot of humility issues
and being some.
I Say that respectfully but,being someone who grew up in the
Catholic Church, I went toschool for 12 years, from first
(05:27):
grade to 12th grade went toCatholic school.
My mom for you know the yearsthat I had her up until it was
11 1 1 1 was Catholic.
We lived in the archdiocese, sothere was a lot of this around
me growing up.
The difference was is that mymom made it very, very clear to
us that you know there werethings about the Catholic Church
(05:50):
specifically that we didn'thave to adhere to.
So like, for example, my mom.
I remember vividly I came homewhen they started having the
priest have face-to-faceconfession.
I don't know what you knowabout Catholicism because your
services I grew up inCatholicism.
Rick Costa (06:07):
Oh you did was.
I was a hardcore Catholic ohokay.
I prayed a rosary every day.
Oh yes, oh goodness.
Okay, I was a altar boy.
Carmen Lezeth (06:15):
Oh, were you oh everything, yeah remember when
they switched from going intothe confessional into Going
face-to-face to the priest thefirst time I did communion,
because I was in Catholic schoolas well as regular public
school.
Rick Costa (06:28):
I cried.
I don't remember what he said.
I came out of the room and I'mlike I just wanted to leave.
They're like what did he tellyou to do?
You got to say however manyprayers, I don't remember what
he said.
Well, you go up there and youfake it.
You can't just leave.
I was literally crying becauseI was like this is weird to me.
Why am I telling a human mythoughts?
Can God not hear me?
(06:49):
Like what?
This doesn't make sense to me.
Carmen Lezeth (06:50):
I never thought that was a little bit different.
I just didn't want to be in aroom by myself with a priest or
with anybody, and and you know Iwas a little kid but I remember
my mom being very dismissiveabout Confessional and I think
it's probably kind of in linewith what you're talking about.
She was just like go in, sayyou sword your mother, say you
(07:12):
did baby and don't, don't worryabout it, and then just sit
there and pretend you're prayingand don't.
You know it's kind of thatthing and I was really young.
But I remember the impressionwas Because I don't remember
what she said exactly, you knowI'd be lying if I said I
remember but the impression wasyour relationship is between you
and God.
We're just here because we'repart of the archdiocese and it's
(07:34):
a good school, you know.
I mean, I kind of alwaysunderstood that, and also you
know Just the people around me.
So yeah, so we, we have thatbackground as a common thing.
But I also think you're prettycool.
You don't push religion onother people.
You, you know, as everyone hasseen the show, you're a big
(07:57):
Marvel fan and a Star Trek fanand and so we kind of connected
on that end too, and we've hadsome heated conversations about
issues and I don't think Ichanged your mind, but I feel
like I made you think aboutsomething.
Yes and I like that.
(08:18):
You know what I mean and I'vecome on your show and I've
enjoyed the you, how do you saythe community of praying for
people?
I love that part.
I don't usually chime in.
I chime in during the game.
I say hi.
I do say hi, you know, but I dolove that People are asking
(08:42):
worshiping together.
I do think there is somethingbeautiful about that, no matter
what church it is.
Rick Costa (08:48):
Yeah, yeah, I agree, I definitely think there's
something to it.
When you do it together, youknow, yes, you can do it
yourself, and that's awesome.
But when you're doing it in acommunity, it's just different.
Somehow.
It's I don't know, it'spowerful, it's just different.
Carmen Lezeth (09:02):
I absolutely believe in God.
I don't believe in the Bible.
That's where you and I kind ofhave a difference of opinion or
faith or whatever we're callingit.
But I respect it.
I respect your viewpoint.
But I love going to like aBaptist church or whatever, just
for the sheer community of it,of worshiping with people, and
(09:24):
also the music is just.
So there is a spiritual I don'teven know what to call it.
There is something that happenswhen you're with other people
who are that intense aboutpraying.
You can't help but become partof that.
I'm gonna call it joy.
I'm sorry.
Yeah yeah, there is somethingreally beautiful and powerful
(09:48):
about it.
So, yeah, I'm not against it.
Rick Costa (09:52):
Yeah, community aspect is definitely a big
attraction, I would say, forsure you know.
Carmen Lezeth (09:58):
And you have a pretty decent following, and
what I'm so grateful for is somany of the people that follow
you on your show come to AllAbout the Joy, which is so
lovely of them to stop by, andthey've become part of our
regular people and I kind oflove that.
I think it's so cool, so thankyou for bringing your crew with
(10:18):
us.
Rick Costa (10:19):
Yeah, not like I'm begging them, they're just like
oh, rick's gonna be over here,let's join.
Carmen Lezeth (10:23):
Yeah, okay.
So I have a question, though,because I the reason why we're
doing this is because I wantedto have this conversation with
you.
Now, I don't remembereveryone's names, but you have a
group, two other people thatyou do a show with.
Why don't you talk about that?
And then I'll ask you thequestion about the subject
matter you were talking aboutrecently.
Rick Costa (10:43):
Yeah, so there's Jason Wallace and also Catholic.
But then he started going toanother church and the pastors
challenged him to read the Bibleevery day and he saw me and he
goes.
You know what?
I could go online and read theBible, so he started doing that
(11:03):
and then it just started asnowball of him broadcasting all
the time, and now I think yougot more people watching him
than me.
So, yeah, he was there fromalmost the very beginning and
then Sue, who we call Mama Sue.
She's been Christian for a longtime too, and, yeah, we asked
her one day would she join us,and she goes oh, I'd love to,
and so, yeah, so we do a monthlybroadcast together if we're all
(11:26):
available.
Carmen Lezeth (11:27):
A monthly.
I thought it was weekly.
Rick Costa (11:29):
Yeah, it's monthly.
Carmen Lezeth (11:31):
It's monthly and the subject matter that you guys
are talking about intrigued me.
I haven't been able to watch ashow because I think it's on a
Saturday or something right,yeah, usually Saturdays yeah.
But you were talking about andI'm so sorry to do this You're
okay talking about it thoughright, yeah, yeah, you're one on
that, yeah.
So the subject matter is whyare people no longer going to
(11:55):
church?
Is that correct?
Am I putting that correctly?
Rick Costa (11:58):
So basically, it started with a Facebook post
where I asked the question, andthis was like from two or three
years ago why do you thinkpeople don't go to church?
And boy did the comments flow.
People had lots to say.
Carmen Lezeth (12:12):
And so my question is what are some of the
reasons or what are youlearning through this
conversation?
Because if people really wantto know about it, they should
probably go.
I want to promote Mama Sue andwhat's his name?
Jason Wallace's, wallace JasonWallace's show as well.
I want to be nice to them inkind, and you can find out more
information about them onRickCostacom.
Rick Costa (12:34):
You can find out more about the schedule there.
Jesusdiditorg is specificallyfor the whole ministry.
Carmen Lezeth (12:39):
I am so sorry and I never promote his show on my
show, but I will today.
I'm so sorry, jesusdiditorg.
What's RickCostacom?
Rick Costa (12:49):
Oh, that's just personal, that's just me yeah.
Carmen Lezeth (12:52):
Okay, so I'm sorry, but if people go to
RickCostacom can they findJesusDidItorg.
Rick Costa (12:59):
If they click on the link for my book, it takes you
to JesusDidItorg.
Yeah, I'm not.
Carmen Lezeth (13:03):
I am so sorry, I did not know this, so yeah
that's fine.
You maybe want to put a buttonthere.
Rick Costa (13:08):
Yeah, I was just thinking do I even have one?
Carmen Lezeth (13:15):
So yeah, so my apologies, jesus did it.
Org.
I always say, rick, cost ofthat, come, because people are
starting to know you.
That's like your brand, yourname.
So yeah, I think after tonightyou gonna put a little button
somewhere, right.
Rick Costa (13:28):
I need to if it's not.
Carmen Lezeth (13:31):
But okay.
So what have you learned inyour conversations?
Biggest reasons or biggestsurprises?
Rick Costa (13:38):
I think the biggest, biggest thing that just keeps
coming up over and over and overagain through all the different
types of comments is peoplehave been hurt.
We call it church hurt, quote,quote.
Um, yeah, people just been hurtin church and it's like Church
is not a place where you gethurt.
Church is a place where you'resupposed to get help and healed
and have hope.
And the fact that people gethurt it's like what are y'all
(14:02):
thinking about?
Carmen Lezeth (14:03):
You get more specific.
What do you mean by like, like?
Are there some specificexamples Like?
What does that mean?
Rick Costa (14:10):
Some people are real sensitive.
Some of them, you know they'rejust too sensitive.
Like the pastor didn't say hito me, like sometimes is that
done?
Carmen Lezeth (14:19):
Well, that's ridiculous.
Rick Costa (14:20):
It is ridiculous, I mean.
Carmen Lezeth (14:21):
I know some people who have left the church
because of the hypocrisy, yes,of what priests have done in the
Catholic.
You know, church to Alter boys,to young people, that you, I
mean, that's in the news, youcan Google it, that's not.
And I know people who are likeyou know what?
It's not even that the acthappened, it's that.
(14:41):
Then you know, the Pope or thebishops have just moved people
on.
You know, I mean, and notreally dealt with that and I,
you know I have other reasonswhy I don't go to church, but
that to me is a big one.
Rick Costa (14:54):
There's a yeah.
Yeah, you can't sweep thatunder the rug.
Yeah there's no way.
There's no way.
And, like you know, just likeAny sex offender, you know you
get on the registry and if theymove into your neighborhood you
can get an email.
Somebody just you know right,shouldn't be a secret.
You know you want to be.
You know I feel bad for them,yeah, because it's embarrassing.
But I mean you want to be safeif you got kids, especially so.
Carmen Lezeth (15:16):
Wait, wait.
Who do you feel bad for?
Rick Costa (15:19):
Like I know somebody that there was a situation and
they were accused he, yeah, butthe girl was totally pretending
to be older and it was just abig mess and so there's no doubt
.
Carmen Lezeth (15:33):
I mean, this has nothing to do with the church.
I've known men who were accusedas well, and I find it hard to
believe.
But you know that that's awhole other conversation, when
people are taking advantage ofthe fact that we will believe
you.
We want to believe you and wewill do whatever we need to do
(15:54):
to protect you.
You know so that's a tough one,but let's get back to the check
.
What else have you learned?
So I don't want to hear thestupid stuff which you know.
The priest didn't say hi to me.
Oh, whoever.
Rick Costa (16:07):
We need to talk to see definitely comes up.
People say all their hypocritesare hypocrites and like well,
join in, because I'm sure youprobably got some hypocrisy you
too.
Nobody's perfect, I meanthere's just.
There's an expression to saywell, if you want to join the
perfect church as soon as youget there ain't gonna be perfect
no more, because you ain'tperfect either.
None of us are, you know.
So that's kind of a dumb reason, not me, not dumb.
(16:27):
But Anyway, there's a millionchurches.
Carmen Lezeth (16:31):
Okay, how about the?
Okay?
Here's my reasoning, and thisisn't specifically to the
Catholic Church.
But what about all of thisevangelical Wealth?
That, I think, is, I mean, Ithink, one of things that
bothers me.
I went to Catholic school andthe nuns were sisters of charity
and let me tell you, there wasno doubt about it, they were
(16:52):
sisters of charity.
We didn't have nothing.
They didn't have nothing,definitely sisters of poverty or
whatever their thing was, and Iremember that.
You know, but I feel, like someof these churches, I'm shook by
the tithing and then, and I'mokay, I'm okay investing in
(17:14):
something you believe in, but ifhe's driving a Rolls Royce, I'm
just saying I don't thinkthat's what Jesus would have
thought when you're fucking gotfood.
Rick Costa (17:24):
Yeah, that's definitely one of the big ones
too is they're like oh, theyjust want money, they just want
money to do, and I'm, and I careit, I understand it.
And that was a funny thing onPeriscope again the first time I
was on and because it was a somany more people over there,
they'd see me be like, oh,here's another money hungry
preacher.
And I'm like, excuse meeverybody, can you tell this
person how many times I haveever asked for money?
(17:46):
Right, they're like you neverasked for money.
Right back then.
I definitely did never.
Never asked for money.
Um, I don't know, I don't getpaid to do this.
No, I'm gonna pay check noise,but I'm gonna go into my head
either I just do it because Iwant to do it.
But, um, yeah, I definitelyunderstand that.
I mean, if you're sitting therebroke and the past is like you
gotta give blah, blah, blah, I'mlike I gotta pay my rent.
What are you talking about?
I gotta get what well and hetold me.
Carmen Lezeth (18:08):
When they tie the Amount of money you get to the
miracles and the blessings, I'mlike that's your first clue that
that is a bad place to bechurching, as I call it.
If someone cuz, cuz, yourrelationship with God is your
relationship with God and itdoesn't matter how much money
you give To whoever ispretending because at that point
(18:30):
you're pretending, I'm sorry,you know.
I mean like if you're doing aquick pro quo, like if you give
me 10% of your salary and then Iwill give you a blessing,
that's a red flag right there.
Rick Costa (18:42):
Yeah, and I've heard horror stories too.
Like I'm a person that's prettywell known, we'll say the name.
But some good, some, somebrother guys.
Brother went to his service andhe said to the preacher he's
like, hey, my mom's got cancer.
It's not looking good.
And he said, oh, buy this $50.
Oh, my god oil, pour it allover her and she will be healed.
(19:05):
She died a month later.
Carmen Lezeth (19:07):
Of course she did .
So that's there.
Rick Costa (19:10):
I'm sure I'm not trying to be funny, but come on
that stuff, like that dad, justis disgusting and it makes all
of us look bad, like what areyou doing?
Carmen Lezeth (19:18):
stop, and you do know that there are more
churches like that than not,right?
I mean, that's the problem.
Rick Costa (19:24):
I don't know every church, so I don't know.
Carmen Lezeth (19:26):
Well, okay, I'm sorry, Let me talk about
Catholic churches.
Like, every time I go into aCatholic church, like even here
in Santa Monica, which is thisbig church right down the street
here, very well-known, veryfamous tour guides go by,
whatever, and you know, evenwhen you walk in there, the
opulence.
I mean it's beautiful, right,Because these are the old
churches, the old cathedrals,whatever, and all that has to be
(19:47):
, you know, up capped orwhatever, and if you go to
church, that tithing thing comesaround three times.
Okay, here's the thing aboutCatholic church.
In case black people belistening, who are not Catholic,
Catholic church is maybe 40minutes.
You're not there all day.
It is our father, we sing asong, it's the same.
(20:10):
You know.
Sermon, whatever.
I mean, I haven't been tochurch in a long time and every
time I step in it's like I wasjust there yesterday.
Rick Costa (20:17):
Because it's exactly the same exact thing Every time
.
Carmen Lezeth (20:19):
So in 40 minutes, when that basket comes around
three or four times that's a lotof pressure.
You know what I mean and I'mnot saying you shouldn't invest
in things that you believe in,but it's like nonprofits to me.
If you want to invest money toa nonprofit, you need to
research it, find out how muchmoney is going to the
(20:41):
administrative costs which arevalid.
You can't have a nonprofitwithout the administrative staff
working to do the stuff.
But you want to make sure thatratio is 80% administrative and
then 20% to the actual thingyou're supporting.
And I don't think churches havethat.
But you can do research on somechurches before you give money
(21:03):
to them.
Rick Costa (21:03):
Yeah, and listen, if I didn't give it to you the
first time, what makes you thinktwo or three and four, five
more times?
If I'm broke, I'm still goingto be broke.
Don't be that time you passthis thing around.
Okay, like, what is the pointof that?
I know that's.
Carmen Lezeth (21:17):
You know what.
That was so good, rick, thatwas funny.
No, but it is true.
But I remember thinking likethat's changed, because I don't
remember getting that basket.
So many times when I was going.
I thought it came around onceright before you gave, when you
shook each other's hands.
I forget what that thing is,you know what I mean.
Yeah, you know what I mean Kindof the peace or whatever.
Rick Costa (21:37):
Peace, be with you, peace be with you, right?
Carmen Lezeth (21:39):
So that offering would come by before or after
that, I never remember, but itwas always like one time, but
yeah.
Rick Costa (21:44):
Yeah, yeah, me too.
When I was a little kid I wasjust once, so yeah.
Carmen Lezeth (21:48):
Why would you say that people should go back to
the church, whether it be onlineor physically?
What would be your bestargument?
Rick Costa (21:59):
Well, I mean, there's so many first of all, so
you got to kind of find onethat you kind of like.
Carmen Lezeth (22:05):
What do you mean?
Oh, so many.
Rick Costa (22:07):
Oh, in America.
Carmen Lezeth (22:07):
In.
Rick Costa (22:07):
Americans In every street corner.
I mean maybe not that many, butthere's a lot, there's a lot.
So you got to, you got tosearch a little bit and I always
say ask your friends.
You surely must have somefriends that go to church.
Why do you like it?
What's good about it, what youdon't you like about it?
Da da da.
And then do some searching,don't just go to one.
You're like I'll give up, likeno, because again the whole
sense of community thing isawesome.
(22:29):
You make friends there.
Maybe that friend might helpyou one day when you need to
help.
Sitting at home watching TV,ain't nobody going to help you.
Carmen Lezeth (22:40):
So you wouldn't say you should only look at
churches in your neighborhood.
You would say you might want tolook online or look at other
places.
What about inclusivity?
How about that Like, how doesyour sermon or what you do I
don't know what the right wordis.
I was going to say manifest,but that's not right.
How do you deal with maybesomeone who's gay, somebody
(23:05):
who's transgender issues thatare?
You know, maybe somebody isvery politically inclined or
something, or whatever it is.
How does your teaching dealwith that?
Or your service specifically?
Rick Costa (23:21):
Yeah, so I mean, to me, the focus should always be
on the person of Jesus, like, ifyou're not.
I even have a shirt that I usedto have a shirt that said if
you're not talking about Jesus,you're not talking about Jesus.
People are like huh, becauseit's like that's the thing we're
here to talk about.
That's what we're gatheredaround rallying around him, not
agendas.
Not my sin is worse than yoursor better than what, I don't
(23:44):
care.
That's your issue.
That's between you and God.
Don't judge somebody elsebecause they sin different than
you.
Carmen Lezeth (23:52):
So you would okay .
I just want to clarifysomething.
Are you saying that somebodywho's transgender or gay is
sinning?
Rick Costa (24:00):
That's not my issue.
That's between you and God.
Carmen Lezeth (24:03):
Okay, Well that's what I want to be clear,
because, as I said that, thenyou started talking about
sinning, and I just want to beclear that that's not your issue
, your issue.
Rick Costa (24:10):
The church loves judging, judging, judging
everything, and they're big forthat, unfortunately.
And that turns off people.
I'll never forget.
I was on Periscope and it'sactually happened in real life
too.
Somebody came on and they'relike, oh, you're a Christian.
I was like, yeah, and he goes.
Oh, so you hate me?
Huh.
I was like, huh, what?
Carmen Lezeth (24:27):
do you?
Rick Costa (24:27):
mean, I don't even know you.
What are you talking about?
Well, I'm gay, so by defaultyou hate me.
I was like I don't even knowyou.
How can I hate you?
I don't know the first thingabout you.
I was like why?
And again, church hurt.
They've been hurt before, soautomatically all Christians
must hate you know, blah, blah,and that kills me.
I had a real life encounter toowith somebody who visited from
(24:48):
Florida, stayed with family, butthe family was a little bit
judgy too and I made the effort.
He loved to go to movies.
I went to the movies with himand we hung out and we went to
the restura and the day beforehe left and it was fighting so
hard not to cry when he said ithe was thank you, rick, because
you're the only one that didn'tmake me feel like an outcast or
a weirdo or, you know, like Iwas a leprous person or
(25:08):
something.
Oh man, I'll try so hard not tocry when he said that because
that hurt me so bad.
I'm like are you serious, evenyour own family?
Carmen Lezeth (25:16):
So, yeah, I mean To your whole, your whole
service or your and I don't wantto speak to you, but I want to
clarify.
You don't care if someone isgay or transgender, or black or
white, or Jewish or whatever.
Well, I doubt somebody who'sJewish would come to your
service.
Well, we don't know Somebodynever know.
(25:37):
You know, convert or somethingand believe that Jesus is a
different, because they believein Jesus.
But he's just a prophet forthose of you who don't know.
But you don't care wheresomeone's coming from, because
you don't judge them.
They're accepted into yourservice because, unlike a lot of
other churches, they're notgonna you're not gonna try to
(25:58):
change them because that's notwhat you're there to talk about.
Rick Costa (26:02):
What you believe, which is, yes, not my job to
change nobody.
I'm working on me, okay, andgot time to work on you, I gotta
fix me.
So, yeah, I accept anybody andeverybody, because we all got
issues, you know, and if it'ssomething you got to deal with
between you and God, do it.
But I got my own issues.
I ain't trying to fix nobody.
I don't have the power to fixanybody or change anybody.
I can't change anybody.
Carmen Lezeth (26:24):
Right, so what?
So?
Why are you the person who hasthe expertise, let's say, or the
like?
Why are you someone I shouldcome and listen to Preach about
Jesus or the Bible?
Rick Costa (26:41):
Well, I mean, as far as my background, I Became a
what I am now type of Christian,12 years old, voraciously into
the Bible like I could not getenough and it's my life
completely turned around.
When I did that I was gonnakill myself at 12 and it was
just those into so much stuff,just garbage.
(27:03):
But, um, yeah, I've been intothis since I was 12 and I've
never stopped and I've dealtwith all kinds of people and,
you know, prayed for so manypeople, help people.
Carmen Lezeth (27:16):
Um, and you do it like in Spanish we say like
Anna, right, like you do it frombecause you have to do it.
You've read the Bible how manytimes now?
Rick Costa (27:26):
I'm not even sure.
Carmen Lezeth (27:27):
Well, I heard you say the day was like the third
time Maybe.
Rick Costa (27:30):
well, online, yes, online, starting in Periscope.
We've read it.
This is the third time, I think, now going, but me personally,
I'm not even sure anymore.
It's because I read it everyyear.
I do a one-year Bible plan, soit's been a bunch times.
Carmen Lezeth (27:45):
Yeah, it's Periscope still around because
all of you talk about it so much.
I just want to be clever.
People gonna be like looking upPeriscope.
So Periscope was an app theyall used in the past.
It was part of Twitter back inthe day right.
It was huge and it was huge andthere was really bad parts of
it, but really good good partsof it.
This is where most of thesepeople became friends, and then
(28:07):
Periscope got shut down and thenpeople went over to a place
called Haps for a minute.
So I just want people not toget confused, because you keep
saying you all talk aboutPeriscope.
I don't realize how much.
Rick Costa (28:20):
It was.
It was huge.
That's where we got our start,like it was nothing to get 2,000
people on our broadcast likeand everybody talking and you
try to keep up With all thecomments.
So yeah, it was, it was a bigthing.
Carmen Lezeth (28:31):
So yeah, um, is there anything that you would
want to add to our conversationtoday that might inspire people
who have decided not to Bereligious or be but still have
faith?
Like, is there something Lastwords or something you want to
(28:51):
tell me last words?
That way, I just want to moveon to another topic.
Rick Costa (29:00):
There's anything else you want to say to someone
who might be a little intrigued,inspired, but yeah, there's a
verse in the Bible that says ifyou seek him with all your heart
, you will find him.
And I 100% believe that.
And people say, like well, whatif there's somebody on a island
and they never heard of nothingabout Jesus or Bible?
And I'm like I still stick withthat verse if you seek him with
(29:22):
all your heart, you will findhim.
God will find a way.
Carmen Lezeth (29:26):
Okay, but what if people don't know Jesus?
Rick Costa (29:30):
I Hope you want to find out something about him,
just in case, in case.
In case this really is hisuniverse that he created, it
might be in your best interestto, just in case, find out a
little bit of something you know.
Carmen Lezeth (29:46):
No, I really appreciate you doing this
because I think it'll be reallyhelpful for people.
People ask me all the time LikeI don't understand, like why
are you have him as your coat?
Like because he's okay, he'scool, he's not crazy, totally
lowest, we do get along yeah.
(30:07):
And and I I have no issues withanyone who is pursuing what
they believe in their heart andsoul and I think the biggest
problem, and especially in theUnited States right now, is this
inability to be okay withsomebody who's different than we
are.
Rick Costa (30:26):
Right, and I think that's a big thing about me too,
and the people say all the timethat I'm very open to listen to
anybody, to hear anybody, tohear different opinions.
I'm not scared to hearsomebody's different thoughts,
you know.
So, yeah, and I'm going totreat you.
You're all human, I'll treatyou just as good as you treat me
.
You know, probably bettersometimes, but yeah, Well, I
(30:48):
appreciate you for doing this.
Carmen Lezeth (30:49):
I want to tell people again it is JesusDidItorg
.
Sorry that I was sayingRickCostacom, but as of tonight
he's going to set up a buttonjust to keep.
Rick Costa (31:01):
You should do that anyways, because it might even
be on there, I can't remember.
Carmen Lezeth (31:05):
But yeah, because I was always saying that you
know it means other people andand look at, just so people are
aware.
I don't promote Rick's show onmy show because I don't want to
push people away who are notreligious.
And you know, I mean, like thisshow is all about the joy and
we do specific topics, we haveguests on or whatever.
(31:27):
So and Rick knows that.
But it's not because I'mavoiding what he does.
I respect what he does.
I try to visit his broadcast atleast once or twice a week to
be supportive and I believe inwho Rick is as a person.
So I don't want people to getit twisted.
I may not believe exactly whathe does, but I know that he is
(31:50):
and I say this respectfully oneof the good people.
Rick Costa (31:53):
You know?
I mean, I was just thinkinglike if anybody on the Christian
side is saying the same thinglike, well, why do you hang out
with Carmen?
Because she's good people.
Carmen Lezeth (32:00):
That's right, we're good people.
Rick Costa (32:03):
I just checked my website, by the way, and there
is a link to Jesus that did itat work.
Carmen Lezeth (32:10):
Oh, okay, good, good.
So I wanted to see.
I mean again thank you so muchfor for letting me kind of go
through this and kind of talk toyou.
I think it's an important partof it.
Rick Costa (32:20):
I mean you, let me interview you about your book.
So it's only fair.
Carmen Lezeth (32:26):
Like how you like to slip that all in there.
Rick Costa (32:28):
No called canela on Amazon.
Carmen Lezeth (32:31):
But actually, you know, what's so interesting is
I am writing a second book andI'm now trying to carve out time
Because I think if you reallywant to do something, you need
to do it.
You need to stop talking aboutit, you need to just do it.
But it is hard, right, whenyou're so busy and just
ridiculously off I don't know onso many things, but so glad you
were here.
I'm going to shut this down andthank you again and I
(32:55):
appreciate you so much and Ilove that you're part of all
about the joy.
I don't think I would have thebroadcast without you because
you've got to have, but it'strue, you got to have the
ability to talk with somebodythat gets you and that you can
argue with and have.
I don't think we've really hada lot of arguments, but we
disagree on a lot of stuff, butwhen it comes to, like Loki and,
(33:18):
you know, thor, things thatreally really matter, yeah, but
I appreciate you so much and wedefinitely want to say what time
and day do does all about thejoy?
Rick Costa (33:34):
come on, can't forget to say that.
Carmen Lezeth (33:36):
But they know.
No, I'm just kidding.
So Thursday night, 6pm Pacific,9pm Eastern.
You can visit us on All Aboutthe Joy on the live stream on
Thursday night, 6pm Pacific, 9pmEastern.
You can always catch thepodcast it posts by Monday
morning at 6am on the east coast.
(33:57):
And yeah, we will catch you allnext time.
So thank you for stopping byand remember it's always All
About the Joy, see ya.
Thank you, rick.
Bye, thank you, bye-bye.
Thanks for stopping by.
All About the Joy.
Be better and stay beautifulfolks.
Have a sweet day.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.