Where Ya From? Podcast

What does the Bible actually say about justice? Is it something we should care about? Inspired by her own family’s journey from Latin America to the United States, author and pastor Sandra Van Opstal has dedicated most of life chasing justice locally and globally. Being on the margins for most of her life—and being an advocate for those underserved in her own congregation and backyard—has shaped her definitions of compassi...

If the Bible is humanity’s source of absolute truth, why do so many readers interpret it differently? How do we overcome the hurdles of our differences to understand the full picture of unity that Scripture paints? In this classic WYF conversation from Season 4, Cuban American theologian Dr. Justo González shares how our contexts—and even Jesus’ context—shape the way we read, interpret, and engage with God’s Word.

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Even though their stories happened decades apart, Dr. William Pannell and Dr. Jemar Tisby’s church experiences start off in a very similar place. Growing up in their beloved Midwest communities, they both experienced a polite ignorance that worked to keep them “in their place” among their classmates and church family. They knew there was something deeply wrong, but there wasn’t the language or space to speak about it. Usin...

Have you ever wondered how one event in history shaped who you are today? For many of us, the first celebrations of Juneteenth more than 150 years ago continue to inspire faith, courage, and hope of generations—and speak into what’s possible for our future. With this special Best of Where Ya From? episode, we are revisiting the conversation with late author and historian Dr. Carey Latimore. Join us in reflecting on his con...

People around us may think they know what’s best for our future, but in the end, it’s God’s plan that matters most. This is a truth Grammy-winning recording artist Mali Music learned younger than most. Mali was just a teenager when he decided, against his family, friends, and loved ones’ wishes, to pursue his passion for creating music. In this previously aired episode, Mali details his childhood in the church, his boyhood...

Everyone struggles with issues of identity. We’re all looking for those “perfect” qualities, whether big or small, that define us. That’s why, when we allow others or our culture to answer that question for us, it can lead to devastating consequences. In this throwback episode of Where Ya From?, Rasool speaks with theologian Ekemini Uwan and discovers how harmful ideologies impacted not only the way she viewed herself, but...

The power of music, filled with hopeful expressions and joyful melodies, can unite us. But what if the music you love and create gets mislabeled by your own church and community? In this throwback episode of Where Ya From?, world-renowned jazz musician Ruth Naomi Floyd shares her story of caring for the wounded and alienated in her beloved community of Philadelphia and how that, paired with her faith, led her to unapologet...

We all have blind spots in our lives—areas where our beliefs, values, or assumptions may suffer because of a lack of understanding or impartiality. Years ago, Daniel Hill suddenly came face-to-face with having to tear down and rebuild what he thought was true. All because of a single conversation, he started a new chapter of his story, helping Christian circles understand the issues of race and justice and inviting them to...

Have you ever stopped to think about the generations that lived on the land centuries before you? For some, this question can bring up a lot of complex emotions and trauma. But it’s by asking ourselves these unsettling truths that lay the groundwork for the seeds of education, information, and action that create real change.  

On this Best of Where Ya From? episode, we’re throwing it back to a thought-provoking conversation...

From the very beginning, God made it clear that we needed each other. In fact, we’re at our best when all of us, men and women, are pursing God’s mission together. But what exactly does that mean? On this “Best of Where Ya From?” episode, Carolyn Custis James shares her personal experience with gender inequality and learning about injustices toward women around the world. These experiences led her to become an advocate for...

What do you do when someone questions your deepest beliefs? How do you respond? In this first episode in our “Best of Where Ya From?” series, we’re throwing it back to the very first conversation we ever had on the podcast. That was when we sat down with Lisa Fields, the highly regarded Christian apologist and founder of the Jude 3 Project, to hear how the struggles and questions of her own faith forced her to go back to t...