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Followed By Mercy

W. Austin Gardner

The Followed By Mercy Podcast

Real Grace, Honest Hope

You might notice a new name and a fresh look, but the heart behind this podcast is the same. After years as the World Evangelism Podcast, I sensed God leading me to a deeper, more personal path centered on His relentless mercy and the kind of honest hope that can reach into every hurting place. That’s why this show is now called Followed By Mercy Podcast. The format may shift, and the tone may be a bit more personal, but my mission hasn’t changed: I still believe the world desperately needs to hear the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. You are welcome here if you’ve been with me from the beginning or just found us now.

What if God’s love is more personal, stubborn, and relentless than you ever imagined?

Welcome to The Followed By Mercy Podcast, where we get honest about pain, hope, and the kind of grace that finds you right where you are, five days a week. This isn’t about religious performance or church routines. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt worn out, unseen, or unsure if they belong in the story of God’s love. Every conversation is rooted in this reality: God loves you right now, just as you are, and He isn’t giving up on you.

Here’s what you’ll find in every episode:

Experience God’s Relentless Love

Every show starts by reminding you that the Shepherd knows your name, cares about your story, and isn’t offended by your failures or questions. This is personal—it’s about God’s unwavering affection for you.

Find Your Place in His Heart

Once you grasp how fiercely you’re loved, sharing that love with others doesn’t feel forced. It becomes the most natural thing in the world. Real grace overflows.

Prayer That Changes You

We pray together—not just for the world “out there,” but for the battles and hopes you’re carrying right now. These prayers are honest, rooted in Scripture, and meant for hearts that need a gentle touch from the Shepherd.

Discover Your Unique Role

Whether you’re called to go, give, serve, or show kindness in your corner of the world, God’s mercy meets you where you are. You’re not just a bystander. You are His beloved, invited into the story He’s writing.

When life knocks the wind out of you, this is a place to catch your breath. You’ll hear the encouragement that meets you on your hardest days, and your honest questions will be welcomed. No pretending, no heavy-handed advice—just the reminder that your Shepherd is right there with you, walking every step with you, even when you feel like giving up.

Why does this matter? Because some days, it feels like nobody sees you or cares what you’re going through. But the truth is, you have a Shepherd who never takes His eyes off you, lets you slip through the cracks, and never gives up on you. That kind of love can put you back on your feet, and it might be the hope someone else is waiting to see in you, too.

If you’re longing for more than just religious talk—if you want to know you’re not alone and that God’s mercy is following you all the way home, you’re in the right place. Whether you listen in the car, on a walk, or in a quiet moment, let every episode remind you: God’s mercy is after you right now, ready to bring real grace and honest hope.

Subscribe today and join a community to discover what happens when loved people become loving people. The journey’s just beginning, and there’s a place for you here.

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September 4 · 30 min
Who Told You That? Rewriting the Story You Believe
Send us Fan Mail You've been telling yourself a story for years and chances are, God never wrote a word of it. In this message, Austin walks through Numbers 13, the prodigal son, and the life of Joseph to expose the difference between the story pain writes and the story the Father tells. From "we were as grasshoppers" to "who told you that you were naked," this episode confronts the internal narrative that shapes how you see yourself, your circumstances, and your God — and points to the only story worth believing: the one He wrote about you in Christ. In this episode: Why the enemy's greatest weapon is deception, not temptation What Genesis 3:11 reveals about the origin of shame How the prodigal son's story and the Father's story couldn't be more different Why pain may explain your story but never has the right to define it Audience of One. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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September 4 · 30 min
How to Stop Living Like a Worm When You're Already a Butterfly
Send us Fan Mail You don't obey God to become His child. You obey because you already are one. In this message from Ephesians 5, Austin Gardner unpacks a truth that flips what most of us have been taught about Christian living: behavior flows from identity, not the other way around. Fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness aren't forbidden because saints follow rules. They're rejected because they simply don't fit who a saint already is. Using the picture of a butterfly that doesn't strive to fly, it flies because it's already a butterfly, Austin walks through what it looks like to live as light instead of trying to become light. You'll hear about the difference between a child and an orphan, why thanksgiving is the cure for covetousness, and why light doesn't fight darkness; it just shines, and darkness runs. If you've ever felt like Christianity was a performance you couldn't quite keep up with, this message will remind you: you're not an orphan trying to earn a place at the table. You're already home. #FollowedByMercy #AudienceOfOne Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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September 4 · 34 min
Not Fifty-Fifty: Why Marriage (and Salvation) Runs on Covenant, Not Contract
Send us Fan Mail Turning to Ephesians 5 and Malachi 2:14, Austin Gardner unpacks the difference between a contract and a covenant and why that distinction changes everything, not just for marriage, but for how we understand our relationship with God. Starting with the often-misused command for wives to submit, he shows how it's rooted in mutual submission (v. 21) and modeled on the order within the Trinity itself (1 Corinthians 11:3), never on control or superiority. From there, the message moves to Malachi's picture of marriage as covenant: not a fifty-fifty arrangement built on doubt, but a self-giving promise built on trust — the kind sealed, in ancient culture, with a broken body and shed blood. Drawing on 53 years of marriage and decades of ministry in Peru, Austin traces that covenant language all the way to Calvary, showing in Ephesians 2:8-9 and 2 Timothy 2:13 that salvation itself is not a 50/50 partnership with God, but a gift — authored and finished by Christ, who remains faithful even when we don't. A message about marriage that becomes a message about grace: God doesn't relate to us by contract. He relates to us by covenant. #FollowedByMercy #AudienceOfOne Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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September 4 · 34 min
Son or Servant? The Parable of the Father Who Ran to Both Sons
Send us Fan Mail Two sons. Same house. Same father. Two completely different stories. We always talk about the son who ran away, but Luke 15 is really about a father who loved both of his boys the same. In this message, we walk through the older brother's side of the prodigal son story, the son who never left home but still didn't know his father's heart. He kept every rule, worked every day, and never touched what wasn't his, yet he ended up standing outside his own father's party, angry and alone. If you've ever felt like you're serving God instead of walking with Him, like you're earning a place you've already been given, this one's for you. God isn't looking for employees who perform. He's looking for sons and daughters who know they belong. Audience of One. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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July 15 · 34 min
The Prodigal Father: The Scandalous Love You've Been Missing (Luke 15)
Send us Fan Mail Most of us have heard the story of the prodigal son our whole lives. But we've been reading it wrong. After 50+ years of ministry, Stage 4 cancer, and five radiation treatments, Austin Gardner discovered something that changed everything: the parable Jesus told isn't about a foolish son. It's about a scandalous Father. In this message, Austin unpacks Luke 15 like you've never heard it before — revealing a God who doesn't just tolerate your failures but celebrates your return. A Father who gives you freedom, waits for you patiently, and restores you fully. Whether you're the younger son (running from God) or the older son (resentfully serving God), this message will help you see the Father's heart like never before. 🔔 Subscribe for more grace-centered teaching: waustingardner.com Key Moments: 00:00 – Radiation update & why Austin started studying the Father 02:09 – 50 years of ministry and missing the point 04:20 – The scandalous love nobody talks about 10:25 – The Father gives you freedom 18:37 – Rules vs. relationship (and why Baptists struggle with this) 20:49 – The Father waits for you 23:28 – He loved you before you ever loved Him 29:45 – The homecoming nobody expected 33:49 – From ruined son to restored son #ProdigalSon #ProdigalFather #Grace #WAGardner #FollowedByMercy #Luke15 #ChristianTeaching #GodsLove #Faith #BiblicalTeaching Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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July 1 · 14 min
When Suffering Becomes Your Identity: Finding Your Life Again by Looking to Christ
Send us Fan Mail Some wounds heal physically but continue living in our minds for years. In this episode, Austin Gardner shares personal lessons God has been teaching him through years of stage 4 cancer, loss, suffering, and disappointment. He opens Scripture to answer a question many hurting believers quietly ask: How do you move forward when suffering has become part of your identity? Drawing from the lives of Job, David, Paul, and the teachings of Jesus, Austin explains why the Bible never asks us to deny our pain—but it also never calls us to build our lives around it. You'll discover why Satan often attacks a believer's focus instead of their faith, how fear can shape our perceptions, what it means to take every thought captive to Christ, and why the greatest restoration in Job's life happened before his circumstances ever changed. This conversation is for anyone who has been betrayed, falsely accused, abandoned, overwhelmed by illness, or trapped in memories that refuse to let go. The gospel doesn't promise that your past disappears. It promises that Jesus becomes greater than your past. If you've been living in yesterday, this episode offers biblical hope for living faithfully today—one day at a time, with your eyes fixed on Christ rather than on the wounds behind you. Scriptures discussed include: 2 Corinthians 10:5 Philippians 3:13–14 Job 38–42 Hebrews 12:1–2 Matthew 6:34 Luke 9:23 May this episode encourage you to stop building your home in yesterday's pain and begin resting in the One whose love has never changed. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 25 · 13 min
God Is Good (And Judges Proves It)
Send us Fan Mail What do you actually see when you picture God the Father? Not the Sunday school answer. The honest one. The one that surfaces when life gets hard, and the silence stretches on. If you're like most believers, you picture someone disappointed. Arms crossed. Keeping score. Waiting to see if you'll finally get it right this time. That picture is wrong. Not a little wrong, completely wrong. In this episode, Austin Gardner walks through what the Bible actually reveals about the Father's heart, starting in a place you might not expect: the book of Judges. That relentless cycle of failure and rescue isn't a story about how bad Israel was. It's a story about a God whose mercy outlasted every single one of their failures. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Judges 2:18 might be the most overlooked verse about God's heart in the entire Old Testament What "God is love" actually means (it's a statement about His nature, not His mood) How Jesus is not a softer version of God. He's the exact image (Hebrews 1:3) Why the prodigal son's father was running before the son finished his confession How to stop treating God's love like weather and start treating it like bedrock What it looks like to talk to God like you're already His Key Scriptures: 1 John 4:8 — God is love Judges 2:18 — His soul was grieved Lamentations 3:22-23 — Mercies new every morning John 14:9 — He who has seen Me has seen the Father Luke 15:20 — The father ran Romans 8:28 — All things work together for good Quotable: "God's love is not weather — it is bedrock. And bedrock does not shift based on your performance last week." 📬 Subscribe to Followed by Mercy on Medium or Substack to get these reflections in your inbox. 🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://followedbymercy.buzzsprout.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@waustingardner 📖 Read more at: https://waustingardner.com Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 24 · 26 min
Be Strong and of Good Courage: Believing God's Promises When Life Threatens
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into Joshua chapter 1 and the command that God gave Joshua at one of the most intimidating moments in biblical history. Moses was dead, the Jordan was at flood stage, and two million people were looking to him for answers he didn't have yet. But God didn't hand Joshua a strategy first. He handed him a promise. I explore the question every believer eventually asks: How do you actually believe a promise when everything around you is falling apart? We trace the thread from Adam's fear in the garden to Paul's declaration in Romans 8 and land on this truth: the courage God commands is the courage He supplies. You don't have to manufacture it. You just have to receive what's already been given. Whether you're facing a health crisis, financial collapse, relational brokenness, or just the slow wearing down of unanswered prayers — this episode is for you. 🕊️ Key Points: God's presence comes before His instructions Your circumstances do not define you. Christ does The covenant is not fragile; your crisis cannot break it The miracle meets you in the middle of the step of obedience Meditation on the Word is how you let God's voice be louder than your fear 🔗 Resources: waustingardner.com | alignmentministries.com Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 19 · 15 min
Deuteronomy: A Love Letter for the Exhausted
Send us Fan Mail Have you ever started reading the Book of Deuteronomy to find life, only to find a list? You read the commandments, the blessings, and the curses, and you think: "I can’t do this." In this episode, Austin Gardner reveals the stunning secret of Deuteronomy: God already knew you couldn't do it. The Law wasn't written to crush you or act as a scorecard for your performance. It was written to bring you to the end of yourself so you could finally fall into the arms of the Father who has been carrying you all along. Join Austin as he discusses: Why relationship always comes before instruction. The circular logic of God's love (He loves you because He loves you). How the wilderness isn't proof of God's absence, but proof of Him carrying you like a father carries a son. The promise of a new heart in Deuteronomy 30. If you’re a "burned out believer" tired of auditioning for God's approval, this walk through Deuteronomy is your permission to rest. SEO/Keywords: Deuteronomy, Christian Burnout, Grace vs Law, W. Austin Gardner, Bible Study, Legalism, God's Unconditional Love, Biblical Grace. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 18 · 10 min
Numbers: The God Who Refuses to Leave
Send us Fan Mail Most people remember the Book of Numbers for the complaining, the judgment, and the 40 years of wandering. But if you look closer, you’ll see a different thread: God never let them go. Not once. In this episode, Austin Gardner walks through the wilderness with Israel to show us a God who: Counts His people because He owns them. Puts His house in the dead center of a camp He knows will fail Him. Disciplines His children without ever abandoning them. Pardons not because we deserve it, but because of His long-suffering character. If you’ve ever felt like your failures have pushed God away, Numbers is the honest book you need to hear. Discover a Father who refuses to stop walking with a wandering people. SEO/Keywords: W. Austin Gardner, Book of Numbers, Grace in the Old Testament, Covenant Love, Bible Study, Numbers 14, God’s Faithfulness, Biblical Grace. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 17 · 18 min
You Cannot Outrun the Love of God: Finding Hope in Leviticus
Send us Fan Mail Some of the most exhausted people in the world are sitting in church pews, trying to follow a list of requirements they can never satisfy. Join Austin Gardner as he uncovers the gospel hidden in the Old Testament. This isn’t about behavior modification or trying harder; it’s about a Father who prepared a way home before his children ever left. Whether you're in a dark place or just soul-tired, this episode will remind you that God’s love is the foundation of your existence, not a response to your behavior. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 16 · 17 min
Exodus: Grace, Mercy, and a God Who Stays
Send us Fan Mail We often divide the Bible into two Gods: the "angry" God of the Old Testament and the "loving" God of the New. Austin Gardner is here to bridge that gap. In this episode of the Grace series, we look at the Book of Exodus not as a list of demands, but as a monument to God’s patience and provision. Whether it’s bitter water turning sweet or a covenant renewed after a massive failure, Exodus proves that God has always chosen rescue over requirements. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 15 · 36 min
Who Wrote Your Story? Choosing God’s Truth Over Your Version
Send us Fan Mail The loudest voice in your life is usually the one inside your own head—but is it telling the truth? In this powerful message, Austin Gardner explores a fundamental reality: The story you believe determines the life you live. Drawing on the account of the twelve spies in Numbers and the famous story of the Prodigal Son, Austin illustrates how pain, betrayal, and shame can lead us to rewrite our history in ways God never intended. Whether you see yourself as a "grasshopper" in a land of giants or a "day laborer" unworthy of sonship, those are versions written by pain, not by the Father. The Gospel isn’t about trying to change God's mind about you; it’s about letting God change your mind about yourself. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Grasshopper Complex: Why ten spies saw giants while two saw God—and how your perspective dictates your victory. "Who Told You That?": A look at Genesis 3 and why we believe lies about our own inadequacy. The Father’s Party: A fresh look at the Prodigal Son through the lens of the Father’s joy, rather than the son’s shame. New Identity vs. Improved Old Story: Why 2 Corinthians 5:17 means your "junk" hasn't just been fixed—it's been passed away. The Joseph Perspective: How to see the "evil intent" of others as the "good purpose" of God. Scripture References: Numbers 13:33 John 8:32 Genesis 3:11 Luke 15:11-32 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ephesians 5:8 Genesis 50:20 Romans 12:2 waustingardner.com Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 15 · 15 min
The God of Genesis: Why Grace is Older than the Law
Send us Fan Mail "When did grace begin?" If you said Calvary or Pentecost, you might be missing the most beautiful part of the story. Join Austin Gardner as he journeys through the Book of Genesis to uncover the "God of Grace" who has been pursuing humanity since the foundation of the world. Through the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Joseph, Austin reveals that God wasn’t a distant judge who later "softened up" when Jesus arrived. He has always been the Seeker, the Provider, and the one who binds Himself to promises even when we fail. If you’ve ever felt like you weren't "good enough" for God, this episode will turn your theology upside down and give you a place to truly rest. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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June 3 · 36 min
Learning a Person, Not a Religion: The Lifelong Discovery of Christ
Send us Fan Mail Most of us see Christianity as a journey to become something—to learn the rules, master the doctrine, and fix our behavior. But in Ephesians 4:20, Paul says something shocking: "You have not so learned Christ." In this episode, Austin Gardner explores the difference between learning about Jesus and actually learning Him. Using the beautiful analogy of a 50-year marriage, Austin shares how our walk with God isn't about graduation; it’s about orientation. It’s a lifelong process of hearing His voice and discovering that eternal life isn’t just a destination—it’s the intimacy of knowing the Father right now, even in the middle of cancer, trials, and "the mess." Key Takeaways: Past Tense Grace: You have already "learned Christ"—it’s a finished work you can rest in. Relationship > Ritual: Why knowing a person changes you more than studying a textbook ever could. The Abiding Life: How to "hang out" with God instead of gritting your teeth to be "better." Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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May 29 · 1 hr 4 min
You Were Created for a "Love Party": Rethinking the Gospel
Send us Fan Mail Do you feel like God is an angry judge who only tolerates you because He’s looking through a "Jesus filter"? In the final installment of this series, W. Austin Gardner and Steve McVey (author of Grace Walk) dismantle one of the most damaging lies in modern Christianity: the idea that the Father is a vengeful punisher while the Son is a merciful savior. What you’ll discover in this session: The "Jesus Filter" Fallacy: Why the Father, Son, and Spirit were all in the rescue mission together—not at odds with each other. The Eternal Love Party: Why humanity wasn't a "Plan B" to fix sin, but an invitation to join the pre-existing love of the Trinity. Redefining Justice: Moving from "Judicial Justice" (retribution) to "Divine Justice" (restoration). The Cross wasn't for God’s Anger: Understanding that the Cross was God’s way of reconciling the world to Himself, not a way to "get it out of His system." The Big Takeaway: The Gospel didn't start with your sin; it started with God’s love. You were created not to be a project, but to be a participant in a love that has existed for all eternity. Chapters: 0:00 - The "Jesus Filter" Problem 7:45 - Is Jesus Nicer Than God? 14:20 - The Eternal Love Party: Our True Origin 25:10 - Why the Cross wasn't Plan B 33:45 - Judicial vs. Divine Justice: Restoring the Broken 46:30 - Final Reflections on the Grace Walk Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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May 28 · 52 min
Fig Leaves and Fake Religion: Why We Still Hide from God
Send us Fan Mail Are you exhausted from trying to "achieve" a spiritual status you already possess? In part two of this deep-dive series, W. Austin Gardner and Grace Walk author Steve McVey dismantle the "Original Lie" that keeps most Christians stuck in a cycle of religious performance. Austin shares a candid confession about his early years in ministry: he used to read the Bible like a "Chilton’s Repair Manual"—looking for instructions to fix himself instead of looking for the heart of his Father. Key Themes in this Episode: The Chilton’s Manual Trap: Moving from "How do I fix this?" to "Who is my Father?" The First Act of Religion: Why Adam and Eve’s fig leaves were the birth of legalism. Doing vs. Being: Understanding that we don't "do to be" (servants/children); we "do because we are." The Idolatry of Guilt: Why wallowing in self-condemnation is actually a rejection of the finished work of Christ. The Big Takeaway: God doesn't need your service. He spoke the universe into existence—He’s doing just fine. But He wants you. He invites you into His work not because He needs an employee, but because He loves His child. Chapters: 0:00 - Why God Doesn't Need You (But Wants You) 8:45 - Confessions of a "Bible Repair Manual" Reader 15:30 - The Original Sin: The Myth of Independence 24:10 - Fig Leaves: The Birth of Religion 32:50 - The Lie: Trying to Become What You Already Are 45:15 - Is Your Guilt Actually Idolatry? Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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May 27 · 47 min
The Dangerous Prayer That Changes Everything | Austin Gardner & Steve McVey
Send us Fan Mail What happens when you’ve known someone longer than your own wife? You get the kind of raw, honest conversation that only 54 years of friendship can produce. In this episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with his lifelong friend and mentor, Steve McVey—the best-selling author of Grace Walk. They take us back to the beginning in 1972, sharing hilarious stories of street preaching and "witnessing" in bars, before diving into a profound truth: the danger of asking God to know Him more deeply. Inside the Episode: The Bumblebee Bar Story: Why Betty (Austin’s wife) caught him coming out of a bar at a Baptist college. The Performance Trap: How Steve went from a "successful" pastor at 19 to finding true intimacy with Christ. Defining Brokenness: Why Steve defines brokenness as "giving up confidence in our own ability to manage life." The "Dangerous Prayer": Why praying to know God more deeply often leads to chaos, but always leads to grace. Whether you are struggling with the pressure to perform or navigating your own season of "chaos," this conversation is a roadmap to finding rest in the finished work of Jesus. Connect with Austin Gardner: 🌐 Website: https://waustingardner.com 📩 Substack: https://waustingardner.substack.com 📘 Alignment Ministries: https://alignmentministries.com About Steve McVey: Steve is the author of Grace Walk and has spent decades helping people move from performance-based religion to the freedom of a relationship with Christ. SEO & Ranking Keywords Primary Keyphrase: Grace vs Performance Secondary Keywords: Steve McVey Grace Walk, Austin Gardner Podcast, Christian Brokenness, Spiritual Growth through Chaos, Finding Peace in Christ, Grace-filled Leadership, Overcoming the Performance Trap. Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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May 26 · 33 min
Spiritual Direction: Finding a Safe Place for Your Story
Send us Fan Mail "Evicting Shame and Embracing the Identity of the Beloved." Podcast Show Notes / Description: "Most of us are busy trying to 'fix' ourselves, but Mike Pennington suggests a different path: Spiritual Direction. Unlike coaching, which focuses on your next action step, Spiritual Direction asks: 'What is God’s invitation to you right now?' Austin and Mike get 'down in the weeds' to talk about: Shame & Self-Rejection: Why the devil never takes a day off, and how to use Romans 8:1 as your defensive line. Living in the Present Tense: Why God is 'the God of the I AM,' not the God of your past trauma. The Power of Being Seen: Why every human needs to feel seen, soothed, safe, and secure in the arms of the Father. Resources Mentioned: Mike Pennington’s Website: belovedlivingnow.com Christie Pennington’s Spiritual Direction: ChristiCoaching.com The REACH Forgiveness Tool (Google 'REACH Forgiveness' for the full path). Connect with Austin: Visit waustingardner.com for more resources on grace-filled leadership and marriage restoration." Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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May 25 · 33 min
From Burnout to Beloved: Practical Soul Care with Austin Gardner & Mike Pennington
Send us Fan Mail Are you living as God’s employee or His beloved child? In this episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with his longtime friend and cousin, Mike Pennington, to discuss the radical shift from performance-based religion to the rest of "belovedness." Mike shares his journey from the hills of Tennessee to the mission fields of Venezuela, revealing how even decades of successful ministry can hide an exhausted soul. If you’ve ever felt like your spiritual life is just a series of spinning plates, this conversation is your permission to let them drop. In this episode, we dive into: The Iceberg Analogy: Why 90% of your spiritual life happens under the surface. Breaking the Chain: How Mike and his wife, Kristi, intentionally broke the cycle of anger in their family heritage. Practical Soul Care: Why you need to visit your "Beloved Tree" every morning. The Sabbath Shift: How to unplug from technology to plug back into God’s presence. The Power of Holy Imagination: Why Jesus wants to give you a hug before you start your "To-Do" list. Resources Mentioned: Mike’s Website: belovedlivingnow.com Kristi’s Website: christycoaching.com Soul Care Institute: soulcareinstitute.com Austin Gardner’s Hub: waustingardner.com Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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