The Pursuit Podcast with Pastor Josh

Looking Back, Locking In: How to Transform the Second Half of 2026

We're officially in the second half of 2026 — so how are those New Year's resolutions really going? In this episode of The Pursuit Podcast, Pastor Josh breaks down how to look back, lock in, and transform the next six months of your life using two powerful biblical stories: Noah's Ark and Moses' encounter with his father-in-law Jethro in Exodus 18. You'll learn the 3-step framework for locking in for the rest of the year: ✅ PAUSE — Take time to praise God and acknowledge what He's already done ✅ REVIEW — Honestly evaluate your roles, systems, and sustainability ✅ REORIENT — Focus on what only YOU can do, train others, delegate, and lead with authority Pastor Josh also unpacks the story of Noah from Genesis 7, why not everyone makes it onto your "ark" for the next season, and what the Genesis 7:16 image of God "shutting the door" teaches us about being locked in for transformation. Plus, a real talk moment on discernment in entertainment, inspired by the movie Minions & Monsters. If you've ever felt stretched thin, burned out, or unsure if you're on track for the goals you set this year — this episode is your permission slip to pause, get honest, and lock back in. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week (Wednesday drop / Tuesday night audio) 📖 Scriptures referenced: Genesis 7, Exodus 18:1-23 🎙️ Related episodes: The Deconstruction Episode | 3 Relationship Green Flags

3 Green Flags for Dating in 2026 (Hot Girl Summer Edition)

It's hot girl summer, city boy summer, and everybody's outside meeting somebody new. But before you give your time away, Pastor Josh wants you to know what you're actually looking for. This week on The Pursuit Podcast, Pastor Josh breaks down a hard truth: "dating" as we know it isn't actually in the Bible. So what do we have instead? Using the story of Jacob and Rachel in Genesis 29, Pastor Josh pulls three green flags every Christian single should be watching for this season — what it looks like when someone truly sees you, how their family can preview your future, and why the people willing to work for you (and wait for you) are the ones worth your time. Spice is seasonal. Stamina is sustainable. Let's talk about it. New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen, and catch the video version on YouTube at Joshua Mitchell TV. Unprotected Texts by Jennifer Wright Knust : https://amzn.to/4wno3vx [https://amzn.to/4wno3vx] Sexuality and the Black Church by Kelly Brown Douglas  : https://amzn.to/3QzxRmW [https://amzn.to/3QzxRmW]

Down to the Studs: My Deconstruction and the Faith I Rebuilt

Pastor Josh gets personal about his own faith deconstruction — and the part nobody talks about: what it takes to rebuild. Prompted by a three-hour conversation with a young woman walking through her own questions, he traces his journey from a family Baptist church in DC, through seminary at Virginia Union, to rediscovering a bigger God on the other side. Using the Apostle Paul as a model for deconstruction and reconstruction, he shares three principles for anyone whose faith is being taken apart. If you're questioning what you were taught and afraid of where it leads, this one's for you.

The Loneliest Generation: What God Says About Belonging and Connection

In this episode, Pastor Josh explores the profound issue of loneliness among the younger generations, backed by recent statistics and biblical insights. He discusses the importance of covenant relationships, the dangers of isolation, and how faith can guide us through loneliness.

You Were Made for More Than a 9 to 5: Calling vs. Career in the Age of AI Layoffs

8,000 Meta employees got a layoff notice via email last week. Oracle. Amazon. Microsoft. Google. Dell. Over 150,000 tech jobs have been cut in 2026 alone — and the numbers keep climbing. If you've been watching the news and quietly wondering, where is God in all of this? — this episode is for you. Pastor Josh takes the moment that has shaken the workforce and reframes it through a lens of faith: What if the instability you're feeling isn't just an economic crisis? What if it's a divine invitation to finally stop building someone else's dream and start pursuing the one God designed you for? This isn't just a pep talk. Pastor Josh brings scripture, data, and a practical 5-step framework — the 5C System — drawn straight from the call of Moses to help you identify what God has actually called you to, even while you're still figuring out what to do with your career. In this episode: * The 2026 tech layoff wave — Meta, Oracle, Amazon, Microsoft & what it means for your future * How AI is reshaping the workforce and why this changes everything for young adults * The disproportionate impact on Black women and communities of color — and why the Church has to speak to it * Peter going back to fishing — and what that story really says about seasons of transition * Moses at the burning bush and the 5C System for identifying your calling: * Community — Who do you feel called to serve? * Crisis — What keeps you up at night? * Competency — What are you genuinely gifted in? * Context — How does your history make you uniquely qualified? * Cost — Would you do it for free? * Why Netflix's Nemesis is a warning about making an idol of your career Whether you're in a layoff, questioning your career path, or feeling like your job was never your calling to begin with — Pastor Josh gives you the theological grounding and the practical tools to move forward with clarity and confidence. You were made for more than a nine to five. Let's find it together. Subscribe on YouTube → youtube.com/@JoshuaMitchellTV | Morning Prayer: Mon–Fri, 6AM EST Help us reach 500 subscribers — share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!