Feeling Far from God? Here's How to Grow Closer | 10KQ Podcast Ep. 14

Shame, Identity & Forgiveness — Real Questions from Real Students | 10KQ Podcast Ep. 15

Welcome to this student Q&A episode on the 10,000 Questions Podcast, Val O'Brien is joined by Jordan Francis — counselor, youth ministry leader, and founder of Reframe — to tackle some of the rawest, most honest questions students are asking about shame, identity, grief, forgiveness, and faith. In this episode, we cover: - How do you not feel ashamed or embarrassed for the things you've done or that have happened to you? - Why can't people ever see the good in me? - How do you let bad things make you and not break you? - Why can't I forgive my mom for all the bad things she's done to me? - How do I spread the gospel when my life is a mess? - Is it okay to be an atheist and go to church? 📌 If you've ever felt like your past defines you, like no one sees your worth, or like your life is too messy to follow Jesus — this episode is for you. Learn more about the 10,000 Questions project: https://ask10KQ.org [https://ask10KQ.org] Check out Jordan's work: https://www.reframeyouth.com/ [https://www.reframeyouth.com/] Subscribe for more student-driven conversations about faith and real life. Comment your question for our next Q&A. Share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement. #ChristianPodcast #StudentFaith #10KQ #Identity #Forgiveness #GriefAndFaith #JesusAndMentalHealth

Feeling Far from God? Here's How to Grow Closer | 10KQ Podcast Ep. 14

Welcome to this Q&A episode on the 10,000 Questions Podcast—a podcast for students where we answer your hardest questions about God, faith, and life. Host Val O'Bryan is joined by Chad Huffman, high school teacher, coach, department head, and Christianity & Culture instructor with over 13 years in education. How do you grow closer to God and what does that actually look like in real life? Whether you've been following Jesus for years or you're just beginning to explore faith, this episode is for you. We recorded it for anyone ready to take one more step toward knowing God. In this episode, we cover: - What to do when you feel far from God in your faith - Whether spiritual distance is something you caused—or something worth paying attention to - How relationship habits (prayer, Scripture, community) shape your walk with God - The difference between building healthy spiritual habits and falling into legalism - How the people and patterns in your life affect your closeness to God - What it looks like to grow at different stages of following Jesus - Why students' hardest faith questions deserve honest answers—not just the "party line" - How a Christianity & Culture class brings real-world topics into faith conversations 📌 If you've ever wondered why God feels distant, or what you're actually supposed to do about it—this episode is for you. Learn more: https://ask10KQ.org [https://ask10KQ.org] Subscribe for more student-driven conversations about faith and real life. Comment your question for our next Q&A. Share with a friend who needs encouragement. #ChristianPodcast #StudentFaith #10KQ #GrowingCloserToGod #FaithQuestions #ChristianStudents #HighSchoolFaith #KnowingGod

Jesus: Who He Is, What He Was Like, and Why It Matters | 10KQ Podcast Ep. 13

Welcome to this student Q&A episode on Jesus on the 10,000 Questions Podcast—a podcast for students where we answer your hardest questions about God, faith, and life. Val O’Brien is joined by Dr. Mikel Del Rosario (Moody Bible Institute) to explore one of the biggest questions ever asked: Who is Jesus? From history to theology to personal faith, this conversation dives deep into the person of Jesus from every angle. In this episode, we cover: Who is Jesus? (historically, theologically, and personally) What do non-Christian historians say about Jesus? What was Jesus’s life like before his ministry? Did Jesus know he was the Messiah as a child? What did Jesus actually look like? How was Jesus fully human and fully God at the same time? Was Jesus “talking back” to God in the Garden of Gethsemane? Does Jesus regret dying for our sins? Did Jesus teleport after the resurrection? Why does it matter what you believe about Jesus? This episode tackles real questions with intellectual honesty and points to the deeper truth at the center of Christianity. 📌 If you’ve ever wondered whether Jesus was just a historical figure—or something more—this episode is for you. Learn more about the 10,000 Questions project: https://ask10KQ.org [https://ask10KQ.org] Check out Dr. Del Rosario’s work: https://apologeticssky.com [https://apologeticssky.com]

Sexuality Q&A (Part 2): Culture vs Purity vs Biblical Narrative | 10KQ Podcast Ep. 12

Welcome to Part 2 of our student Q&A series on sexuality on the 10,000 Questions Podcast—a podcast for students where we answer your hardest questions about God, faith, and life. Val O’Brien is joined again by Ian and Jordan from Authentic Intimacy to answer real student questions and unpack a framework that changes everything: In this episode, we cover: - Who taught you about sex? (Why everyone has a “sexuality narrative”) - The three narratives: the cultural narrative, the purity narrative, and the biblical narrative - Why “purity culture” can miss the reason behind God’s design - Why does it matter if someone wants to be transgender? (How to respond with compassion + truth) - Weird modesty rules (what the Bible actually emphasizes) - Why do some Christians hate or mistreat LGBTQ people? (and why that’s incompatible with Jesus) - Why not live together before marriage? (statistics + covenant commitment) 📌 Important: If you haven’t listened to Part 1, start there first. Part 2 builds on the biblical framework laid in the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRjKap33ogo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRjKap33ogo] Resources & Links: Learn more about the 10,000 Questions project: https://ask10KQ.org [https://ask10KQ.org] Subscribe for more student-driven conversations about faith and real life. Comment your question for our next Q&A. Share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.

Sexuality Q&A (Part 1): Sex, Porn, Masturbation & God’s Design | 10KQ Podcast Ep. 11

Sex. Porn. Masturbation. Waiting. Shame. Healing. In Part 1 of this student Q&A episode of the 10,000 Questions Podcast, Val O’Brien is joined by Ian Shy and Jordyn Gent from Authentic Intimacy to talk about what the Bible actually teaches about sexuality and to answer the real, raw questions students are asking. Before jumping into the Q&A, this episode sets a foundation: sex isn’t just a rule list or a random urge—God designed sexuality with a purpose that runs from Genesis to Revelation. From there, we get honest about pornography, shame cycles, desire, boundaries, and what to do when your story doesn’t match the “ideal.” In this episode, we cover: - The Bible’s big-picture story of sex: what it’s for and why it matters - What’s the point of waiting until marriage? - If I’ve had sex before… will God forgive me? - What if I felt forced but never said anything? - Why am I so addicted to porn? (and what might be underneath the behavior) - Is masturbation okay? (how to think biblically in a “gray area”) If you feel stuck, ashamed, confused, or tired—don’t quit. You’re not alone. Jesus isn’t afraid of these questions, and you don’t have to be either. Resources & Links: Learn more about the 10,000 Questions project: https://ask10KQ.org [https://ask10KQ.org] Subscribe for more student-driven conversations about faith and real life. Comment your question for our next Q&A. Share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement.