Chai Can’t Even Episodes

Most guests on Chai Can’t Even who come to tell the stories of why they stay in Community of Christ are young adults, but imagine how many stories someone who has been in the church for over 80 years has to share. Well, this ...

From the time he was two years old, Eldred Spain knew he wanted to be one of “them” ... a minister who helped people. 89 years later, Eldred is still learning and still finding ways to minister to people. In this special epis...

Chai Can’t Even usually focuses on young adults and why they stay in the church, but this time, host Blake Smith is sitting down with Tore Nilsen, whose grandfather was one of the first converts in Norway, and who is himself ...

Although the church ought to always be a place of healing and renewal, we are all human, and pain and struggle sometimes manifest themselves in our lives as a result of the church. In this episode of Chai Can’t Even, we hear ...

There is nothing better than hearing someone say that one of the reasons they have stayed in the church is because they’ve been “loved to death.” And, that seems to be a recurring theme here at Chai Can’t Even. Kudos to the c...

It’s encouraging to hear stories of people finding deep welcome and connection in the church ... no matter which congregation they step into. That is the case in the personal stories shared by Mike Sherman of Pensacola, FL w...

“Yay, we’re at the party. We’re going to a church party!’ Wouldn’t it be great if a few more people felt that way about church ... and not just two-and-a-half-year-olds? In this episode of Chai Can’t Even, host Blake Smith si...

You know you’ve done something right when a child/adolescent goes to church... not because they have to, but because they want to. An ordained teacher at 18 and a high school band teacher at 21, Ethan Mitchell, was one of tho...

All roads lead to Lamoni, Iowa — at least for Chad and Katie. Their relationship began when they were both students at Graceland, and it all came full circle when they found themselves back in Lamoni, bringing their vision fo...

Have you ever questioned your own worth because you were caught between the role expectations and gender stereotypes you were taught and what you were actually feeling and experiencing in life? Have you ever been torn between...

Relationships, meaningful connections, mentors, encouragers... all incredibly important elements in the journey of faith. Everyone needs to hear and know that they are good enough and capable enough to live the life for which...

High Priest Erica Blevins Nye shares about growing up in Independence, working with young adults, and her hopes for the future of Community of Christ. Host: Brittany Mangelson Guest: Erica Blevins Nye Thanks for listening to ...

What keeps millennials engaged in religious communities when so many choose to leave the pews? Alisha Bowen shares her experiences growing up in Community of Christ and what gives her hope for the future. Host: Brittany Mange...

From camps to leading worship as a teen, to marrying her wife in the church, Cheyenne Koerth of Austin, Texas shares what it was like growing up in Community of Christ. With a deep love of the Enduring Principles, Cheyenne r...

Molly Bagley, a millennial in Community of Christ, shares about growing up in the church, her evolving and sometimes complicated relationship with the Restoration, but why she remains an enthusiastic participant with Communit...

Dan Gregory has served Community of Christ in a variety of roles. As a gay man who was employed by the church before the USA National Conference, he has faced difficult decisions surrounding ministry and life. Today on the po...

Today on Project Zion podcast, we welcome Meghan and Jayson Gray to share what it was like growing up in Community of Christ. Having grown up in the Independence area and now raising their own child in "the shadow of the Temp...

Growing up in Oklahoma, Ashley Sebree's childhood included camps, home visits, and being mentored as a disciple in Community of Christ. Ashley is currently enrolled in seminary, and serves in leadership positions in both her mission center and at the online ministry, Community Space. Today, Ashley …

Nathan Mack of Independence, Missouri joins us for our Chai Can't Even series where we talk to young adults in Community of Christ. Nate shares about growing up in the church, his time at Graceland as both a student and an employee with Campus Ministries, as well as what keeps him engaged with Comm…

In this episode of our Chai Can't Even series, we're hearing from Emma and Ryan Pitt! Emma is a designer at The Knot and Ryan is the Mission Center President of the Mid-Atlantic Mission Center. Both Emma and Ryan grew up in Community of Christ and they share stories of their childhood and how the c…

We've got Caitlin d'Esterre back on the podcast! This time she'll be talking about being a millennial in Community of Christ as part of our Chai Can't Even series. Join us as Caitlin talks about growing up in the church, how meaningful the camping programs were to her, and her hopes and advice for …

Zac Harmon McLaughlin, the director of Community of Christ Seminary, shares his experience growing up in Community of Christ in Independence Missouri. Zac discusses how he was mentored, challenged, and supported through his t...

Pour yourself a cup of chai and have a listen to today's episode of Chai Can't Even. Brittany sits down with Laura Bolton and they talk about what it was like for Laura growing up in the church in Independence as well as what it's like to be back there as a young adult. They talk about mission, cha…

In this episode of our Chai Can't Even series, Andy Larkins shares what it was like growing up in Community of Christ in Colorado. He shares how he was mentored and shaped as a disciple and how he has used those skills in every day life. Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Fa…