Join me on the Mercy Cast as I reconnect with Alexander John Shaia, founder of Quadratos and author of "Heart and Mind" and "Returning from Camino." In this episode, we explore the transformative power of pilgrimage, the art of slowing down, and the wisdom found in embracing life's seasons. Discover how the journey home can be as enlightening as the journey itself, and why the Camino is more than just a path—it's a way of life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about finding meaning in the present moment and the beauty of returning home changed.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• The way home is to go slowly.
• Distraction robs you of the present.
• Pilgrimage is a way of stepping away from your ordinary life to experience change and step back into it.
• What if we looked at the things that we went through as seasons that will change eventually?
• Shaia who is an anthropologist explains how the start of the day for the Celtic Tribes in the area where He now lives started in the darkness.

Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review if this conversation spoke to you. Let’s keep walking in trust, together.

Learn more about Alexander John Shaia and Quadratos. You can his book, Returning From Camino.

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You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

In this episode of The Mercy Cast, I share a personal story about reconnecting with old college friends and delve into the themes of shame and vulnerability. I start by recounting a particular dream of unpreparedness and analyzes its symbolism, relating it to the Genesis narrative of Adam and Eve. Then I transition into how humanity's attempts at covering shame are inadequate and highlights the importance of biblical scripture in addressing these deep-seated fears. We are now free to confront our shame and embrace the righteousness offered by Jesus Christ.

In this episode of the Mercy Cast, host Raleigh Sadler welcomes back his good friend Joe Thorn, pastor of Redeemer Fellowship and author of several books. Raleigh and Joe engage in a candid and humorous discussion about friendships, gospel living, and addressing life’s struggles. They delve into the importance of gospel-centered relationships, the significance of reflecting on scripture, and the detrimental effects of sin, including pornography. Throughout their banter, they emphasize the unchanging love and grace of Jesus Christ for everyone, encouraging listeners to face their realities with the truth of the gospel.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• The art of compassion is learned through adversity.
• Gospel friendships allow for honesty and vulnerability.
• Preaching to yourself is essential for spiritual growth.
• Understanding the law helps us recognize our need for grace.
• Meditation on God's word is crucial for renewal.
• Liturgy serves as a reminder of God's grace and love.
• We often forget our identity in Christ during struggles.
• Functional saviors lead us away from true intimacy with God.
• Christ's love is unconditional and transformative.
• Facing reality is the first step towards embracing grace.

The Gospel changes us. Often in imperceptible ways that don’t appear until we face a crisis point. But even when we fail, we are reminded that God loves us and that loves frees us to move forward in Grace.

— Raleigh

Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review if this conversation spoke to you. Let’s keep walking in trust, together.

Learn more about Joe and his ministry.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Hey everyone! Life doesn't always go the way that we hope. Things break. People die. Life kicks you in the teeth. But you are not alone. This week, we are continuing our exploration of the foundations of this podcast, talking specifically about our foundation for life. God is our safe place, and if you are willing to trust Him, he will keep you even in those moments that feel shaky and uncertain.

Listen in, tell a friend, and don't forget to like and describe for the love of all that's good and holy. ;)

Hey friends, it’s Raleigh. In this episode of MercyCast, we lean into something we often avoid—our adversity. We're unpacking how the things that we often think would take us out are the very things that grow us into who we are becoming.

If this episode stirred something in you, I’d love it if you shared it with one person who might need the reminder: your weakness isn’t your enemy—it’s where you’ll find your greatest strength.

Leave a review, send a note at info@mercycast.com, or tag me, @RaleighSadler or @mercycastpod on social. Let’s keep walking together.

If you like what you hear, please like and subscribe.

In this episode of the Mercycast, host Raleigh Sadler delves into the profound journey of personal growth and transformation through life's adversities. Discover how challenges shape us, not define us, and how compassion emerges from shared vulnerability. Raleigh shares personal stories and insights, emphasizing that our experiences, both good and bad, are gifts that mold us into who we are meant to be. Tune in to explore the art of compassion and the freedom found in embracing our imperfections. #PersonalGrowth #Transformation #Compassion

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Hey friends, it’s Raleigh Sadler. In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with my good friend Tyler Gresham, Administrative pastor to students at Fairhaven Baptist in Demopolis, Al, to talk about something we all encounter but often don’t know how to handle—suffering, especially in the face of unimaginable loss. Tyler opens up about the heartbreaking journey of losing his daughter, Tessa, to a terminal birth defect, and what it looked like to walk through that adversity with honesty, trust, and a deep longing for healing.

Together, we unpack how compassion—as well-intentioned as it is—can sometimes feel like salt in a wound when we’re not careful with our words. We talk about how simply listening—really listening—can communicate more love than any advice ever could.

We also explore the quiet, sacred space of prayer, the long road to acceptance, and the deep value of community when everything falls apart. Tyler reminds us that in the worst pain, we don’t need answers—we need people willing to be present. That presence, that shared space in our suffering, can begin to pave the way toward healing.

Whether you're walking through grief, sitting with someone in pain, or wrestling with how to show up well for others, this conversation is for you. We’re not here to tie things up with a bow, but to ask better questions and lean into the mystery of shared sorrow.

Thanks for being here. Let's learn to suffer with instead of suffering alone.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Compassion can be miscommunicated through even the kindest words.
• Loss invites us into deep acceptance and a need for community support.
• Suffering is a universal experience that calls for honest reflection and connection.
• Listening and presence often matter more than having the right thing to say.
• It’s okay to not have the answers; what matters is showing up with empathy.
• Prayer, even in doubt, can be a lifeline to meaning and healing.
• Asking “How can I best support you?” is more powerful than we think.
• We grow closer when we vulnerably share our stories of pain and hope.

When you suffer, people may not know what to say. That’s okay. Suffering often exposes reality. But this podcast is about facing reality, facing pain, and growing through it.

Thanks for listening, and as always, let’s keep mercy at the center.

— Raleigh

Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review if this conversation spoke to you. Let’s keep walking in trust, together.

Learn more about Tyler and his ministry.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

In this episode of MercyCast, I sit down with my good friend Will Parker Anderson to talk about something close to both of our hearts: creativity, calling, and the deep need we all have for community.

We explore how our passions can point us toward our purpose, but also how hard it can be to stay true to that purpose in a world full of pressure and noise. Will shares what he’s learned as a writer and editor—and more than that, as a person committed to loving others well through creativity.

As we talk, one theme comes through again and again: the importance of personal expression that doesn’t ignore the audience we’re trying to serve. We dig into what it means to communicate clearly without compromising who we are, and how writing, like any creative act, can become a sacred expression of love.

If you've ever faced setbacks in your creative life (who hasn’t?), this one’s for you. We talk honestly about the struggle, and how it's often community feedback and connection that help us through. Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s messy, relational, and beautiful—and we need each other to keep going.

Wherever you are in your journey—writing, editing, dreaming, or doubting—I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone. Your creativity matters, and your calling is something that can be discovered with others, not just for yourself.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Your calling often emerges through relationships, not isolation.
• Creativity is deeply relational—it’s about giving, not just expressing.
• Community helps shape and refine our creative work.
• Knowing your audience helps your voice come through more clearly.
• Writing and editing are acts of love rooted in humility and honesty.
• Facing setbacks is part of the process, not a sign to stop.
• “Whatever you're doing, love others.”
• “Writing is an act of love.”
• “You can't preach that to yourself.”

Thank you for listening. If this conversation resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a review, share with a friend, or reach out to us on social media. Keep creating, keep loving, and remember: you don’t have to do this alone.

—Raleigh

Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review if this conversation spoke to you. Let’s keep walking in trust, together.

Learn more about Will Parker Anderson.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.