Grab your sunscreen and roll the windows down — it's the summertime kickoff to Spiritual, Not Religious! Hosts Shawn, James, and Mollie use the metaphor of the road trip to dig into one of the biggest questions facing young adults and emerging adults today: am I supposed to find myself, or am I meant to be found?

In this episode, the trio shares personal road trip stories — from Mollie's mission trips to Guatemala with the UTM Wesley Foundation to James's all-night college drives — before turning to the deeper spiritual themes underneath: the pressure young adults feel to "follow their heart" and "live their truth" when they don't yet know what either means, the cultural checklist of college-career-marriage-kids, and why wandering in the wilderness (yes, like the Israelites) isn't failure — it's formation.

They talk about journaling as a spiritual practice, hearing God's "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19), the difference between perfectionism and wholeness, the role of mentors in discerning God's voice, and why faith often isn't about climbing toward God but realizing God has been pursuing you all along — through scripture's tax collectors, fishermen, and the woman at the well.

It's a conversation about trusting the process, embracing the unknown, and remembering that — whether you're on a literal road trip or just trying to figure out your twenties — you are infinitely precious and unconditionally loved for the gift you already are.

In this episode:

• Why road trips are the perfect metaphor for the spiritual life
• The problem with "just follow your heart" advice for young adults
• Wilderness wandering as discernment, not punishment
• Journaling as a spiritual practice (and giving yourself grace when it's messy)
• Hearing God in the silence (1 Kings 19 / Elijah)
• Finding vs. being found — faith as pursuit, not achievement
• A shoutout to Appalachia Service Project and the Greenbrier County, WV summer crew

Connect with us: Instagram: @spiritual.not_religious_podcast Email: spiritualnotreligiouspodcast@gmail.com

Spiritual, Not Religious is a podcast for young adults exploring the intersection of God's kingdom and the modern world.

In this episode of Spiritual, Not Religious, Shawn, James, and Mollie explore the “gospel of fear” that often shapes culture, politics, and faith communities—and why that message can be especially harmful for young and emerging adults. Together, they reflect on the difference between healthy fear and controlling fear, the ways fear can divide us into “us” and “them,” and how Jesus continually calls people beyond suspicion into compassion, relationship, and love. The conversation invites listeners to notice when fear rises, question where it comes from, and choose a faith rooted not in anxiety or control, but in neighbor-love, grace, and the deep truth that we are infinitely precious and unconditionally loved.

In this episode of Spiritual, Not Religious, Shawn, James, and Mollie explore the complicated but deeply important topic of vulnerability, especially within faith communities. Together they reflect on how churches often fail to feel like safe places for honesty, with James and Shawn sharing personal experiences of church environments where openness felt risky rather than healing, while Mollie names the real harm that can happen when vulnerability is mishandled. The conversation highlights how trust, authenticity, empathy, and healthy boundaries are essential for any community that hopes to hold people well. Drawing on scripture, pastoral experience, campus ministry, and recovery-group insights, they suggest that true vulnerability usually grows not in large public spaces but in smaller, trusted relationships where people are met with grace rather than shame. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners not to give up on seeking spiritual community, but to look carefully for people and places where honesty is welcomed, healing is possible, and love is real.