
Mere Christians
How does the gospel influence the work of Mere Christians—those of us who aren’t pastors or religious professionals, but who work as entrepreneurs, baristas, and accountants? That’s the question this podcast explores every week as Jordan Raynor interviews guests across the widest variety of vocations.
Latest episodes

Jun 4, 2025 • 44min
Dr. Praveen Sethupathy (Chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University)
How to lead winsomely when your vocation is under attack, how the cross can “disabuse you of any sense of power” at work, and how Dr. Sethupathy practically elevates the marginalized in his office.Links Mentioned:Dr. Praveen SethupathyDr. Praveen Sethupathy on LinkedInEpisode 200: Dr. Francis Collins (Fmr. Director of the National Institutes of Health)Episode 272: Dr. Francis Collins (Author of The Road to Wisdom)Timothy KellerThe Human Genome Project‘Science as a Christian Vocation’Johannes KeplerMadeleine L'EngleFred RogersNational Academy of SciencesThe Myth of CertaintyWhat's So Amazing About Grace?The Genius of Their AgeDr. Ard LouisDr. Katharine HayhoeEpisode 48: Dr. Katharine Hayhoe (Climate Scientist)BioLogosVeritasJordan Raynor

May 28, 2025 • 37min
Dave Stuart, Jr. (High School Teacher)
How to calculate your compensation beyond what you get paid, how life-giving it can be to simply stop being surprised by thorns and thistles, and why you need more “Himalaya Boundaries” in your calendar to protect your family and rest.Links Mentioned:Dave Stuart Jr. BooksDave Stuart on LinkedInDave Stuart Jr. on XDallas WillardSimple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex WorldScandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with GodThe Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In GodScrewtape LettersJordan RaynorJordan Raynor Books

May 21, 2025 • 24min
Kevin Olusola (Member of Pentatonix)
Why “creativity is our birthright,” how fame has changed Kevin’s prayers, and why he doesn’t want to be a “superstar” but a “superplanet” that reflects God’s light to others.Links Mentioned:Kevin Olusola on YouTubeKevin Olusola on LinkedInKevin Olusola on InstagramKevin Olusola on XDawn of a MisfitHigh Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That WayQuincy Jones on InstagramQuincy Jones on X12 Notes: On Life and Creativity The Weeknd on InstagramSteph Curry on InstagramJordan Raynor

May 14, 2025 • 31min
Roy Tinklenberg (Founder of Faith and Work Movement Global)
Roy Tinklenberg, Founder of Faith and Work Movement Global, shares his journey from church planting to enhancing Christian communities in major companies like Apple and Google. He discusses the vital role of Christian Employee Resource Groups in the workplace, focusing on how they build connections, improve morale, and create a supportive environment. Roy offers practical advice on starting these groups and highlights the significant impact of faith integration in tech-centric corporate settings.

May 7, 2025 • 56min
Kaleigh Cox (Co-Author of Five Mere Christians)
What Jordan’s decision to work with a co-author can teach you about your own work, why he chose to make a collection of biographies his next book, and the stickiest stories from Five Mere Christians that have changed how he works.Links Mentioned:Five Mere ChristiansOrder Five Mere Christians to Get Access to Jordan’s Free Co-Author CourseKaleigh Cox on LinkedInKaleigh Cox on InstagramJordan RaynorJordan Raynor on XRedeeming Your TimeScatterJames Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life

Apr 30, 2025 • 49min
S.D. Smith (Author of The Green Ember series)
How we can see all our vocations as participating in the “Mended Wood,” why The Lord of the Rings was more spiritually powerful for him than any Christian non-fiction, and the call to “modesty, fidelity, and audacity” in our work.Links Mentioned:S.D. SmithS.D. Smith on FacebookS.D. Smith on InstagramS.D. Smith on YouTubeThe Green Ember SeriesJack Zulu and the Girl with Golden WingsLongtreader Games Launch TeamBabble Publishing CompanyHopeWords Writers' ConferenceRead-Aloud RevivalZach FranzenLittle House on the PrairieAnne of Green GablesThe Chronicles of NarniaJurassic ParkThe Lord of the RingsPhantastesDavid Robinson on XThe Hunger GamesNorth Greenville UniversityA Diary of Private PrayerThe Prodigal GodEpisode 268: Kathy Keller (Co-author of The Meaning of Marriage)The Book of Common PrayerKenneth Padgett on InstagramWolfbane BooksNate BargatzeEpisode 258: Stephen Bargatze (Magician)Skye JethaniFive Mere ChristiansCalled to CreateThe Creator in YouThe Royal in YouJordan Raynor on XJordan Raynor

Apr 23, 2025 • 32min
Laura Wifler (Poet + Author of Your Worth Never Wavers)
Laura Wifler, co-founder of Risen Motherhood and author of 'Your Worth Never Wavers', shares her insights on finding freedom through faith. She discusses the courage it takes to quit ventures thoughtfully and emphasizes the importance of self-worth, especially for young girls. The conversation delves into the value of being misunderstood and the power of creative expression through poetry. Laura reflects on living authentically for God's glory and encourages embracing a path of boldness and stewardship in all pursuits.

Apr 16, 2025 • 41min
Tim Croll (LEGO Masters contestant + Director of Serious Play at Narrative.live)
What we can learn from Scripture about a theology of play, how LEGO’s Serious Play can solve problems at work, and why the opposite of play is not work but depression.Links Mentioned:Tim CrollTim Croll on LinkedInTim Croll on XTim Croll on InstagramTim Croll on YouTubeTim Croll on FacebookTim Croll on IMDbLEGO® MastersLEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®Narrative‘Ole Kirk Kristiansen's Childhood and Youth’PlayNational Institute for PlayTony GrebmeierThreshold 360SunFrogMentor LeaderSara Miller on LinkedInA House on BeekmanFive Mere ChristiansCalled to CreateThe Called to Create Study JournalThe Sacredness of Secular WorkJordan Raynor

Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 25min
Audiobook excerpt of Five Mere Christians
Get the full audiobook here: https://amzn.to/3Yx57Mb

Apr 9, 2025 • 36min
Skye Jethani (Author of What If Jesus Was Serious About Justice?)
The brain science showing that rest is a pre-requisite to doing justice, why it’s essential we remember that Christ both saved us AND killed us on the cross, and the best laugh Skye’s ever gotten from the improv stage.Links Mentioned:Skye JethaniSkye Jethani on LinkedInSkye Jethani on XSkye Jethani on InstagramSkye Jethani on YouTubeWhat If Jesus Was Serious about Justice?Holy Post MediaDavid French on XDallas WillardG.K. ChestertonAndrew Young Books on AmazonFannie Lou Hamer | BritannicaThis Is UsAarti SequeiraSimply ChristianThe Return of the Prodigal SonFour Thousand WeeksFive Mere ChristiansJordan Raynor