I sat down with artist, writer and friend Josh Nadeau to explore his path from theological precocity to personal crisis and ultimately, redemptive beauty. Josh shares how growing up steeped in Reformed theology didn’t insulate him from a slow descent into apathy, addiction, spiritual numbness, and walking through life “as a ghost”. It was beauty—raw, embodied, soul-stirring beauty—that woke him up. We talk about deconstruction, embodiment, addiction, the love of God, and why aesthetics — embodied faith — might be what Saints are made from. If you’re barely hanging on or wondering what a holy life could look like beyond checklists, I commend his book Room For Good Things to Run Wild to you.

In This Episode

Growing up “super Christian” and deeply catechized
University: the intellectual wrestling match of faith
Burnout, apathy, and alcohol: five years of slow unraveling
Rock bottom: bourbon at 5am and the call of hidden music
Churchy clichés and the need for something that can bear the weight
The boxing gym: embodied weakness and discipleship
Gnosticism, disembodied faith, and hunger for incarnation
Theology of the Body & rediscovering the sacred in flesh
Becoming a saint: not instant, not easy, but beautiful
God’s love beyond usefulness, the danger of returning to slavery
Why Josh wrote Room for Good Things to Run Wild
Beauty as the apologetic for a disenchanted age
Speaking to the silent middle: the “4 out of 10” Christian life

Guest Resources

Room for Good Things to Run Wild by Josh Nadeau
Josh’s Instagram
Josh’s Substack

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Overcoming the Darkness by Nate Pickowicz

This book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.

On Our Way Home by Colleen Chao

Through Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Gerd Kommer: Warum DU zögerst – und die anderen reich werden

Mission Money

Market Timing funktioniert nicht zuverlässig

The AI-powered Podcast Player