Episodi

  • "If you want to break a culture, you'll weaken men by sexualizing and objectifying women. A weak man will not defend a woman; he will not understand that a woman has influence. Why did Satan approach Eve in the garden? Why did Mordecai approach Esther? Because women have influence, but you will not have strong women if you do not have strong men ." -Jaco Booyens

    Y'all.

    I am STOKED for today's episode. This is one you will want to download and share with 3 friends! On the show today have Jaco Booyens. Today we are talking about men in the American church, pornography, sex trafficking, and taking up moral leadership. You may think those don't go together, but trust me- they do. Whether you're a man or a woman, be prepared to be on FIRE for what the Lord has called you to do, in such a time as this.

    Jaco Booyens is a native of South Africa and an American citizen. Fighting sex trafficking is personal to Jaco. After witnessing the horrors of trafficking through his younger sister, who is now a survivor, Jaco turned abolitionist in 2001. He is a well-recognized speaker on human trafficking, Christian faith, and motivation.

    Show Links:

    Follow Unpolished Faith on Instagram

    Connect with Madi Franquiz

    Watch This Episode on YouTube in 2025

    Connect with Jaco Booyens

    Watch Jaco Booyens Testimony Here

    Jaco Booyens Ministries (JBM)

    Follow JBM Ministries

  • Hi friend! Welcome back to another episode of Unpolished Faith. Big things happened this week in the US. Hear my thoughts on the election and how we as the body of Christ can engage our culture from here. Also, hear our updates for the last few episodes of Season 2, and the introduction to our new Season going into 2025.

    Thank you for downloading and sharing with a friend! :) Have a great week.

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  • Welcome back to another episode of Unpolished Faith friend! Today is October 31, and I cannot tell you how many reels and Tik Toks I have seen over the last couple weeks asking questions like:

    Can Christians participate in Halloween?

    Can we watch scary movies? Or even spooky movies like Hocus Pocus?

    Can my kids read Harry Potter and Other Things?

    Not everything that we encounter in culture today is explicitly laid out in the Bible. So how do we make good decisions about controversial topics that are not laid out in the Bible?

    Much like the "meat sacrificed to idols" principle, not everything is good and profitable. We know we live in the world, but we are not of the world. In this conversation, Pastor Robby Brown and I take something like Halloween, a topic that often raises questions among Christians, and use it as an example to lay out a biblical framework for making sound decisions in our modern culture.

    Show Links:

    Connect with Madi

    Follow Unpolished Faith

    Connect with Pastor Robby Brown

  • Hi friends! Welcome back to another episode of Unpolished Faith. Today, I’m joined by my friend, Jac Marino Chen, who shares her powerful testimony of coming out of the New Age and the occult. With so many occult practices on the rise, you may be wondering, 'Is the New Age dangerous for my faith?' Jac dives into her story and offers practical wisdom on avoiding spiritual pitfalls. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation!

    **Please be aware that the subjects of sexual abuse, drug use, and alcohol abuse are discussed within this episode. Listener discretion is advised.

    Show Links:

    Just Thinking Podcast, The Enneagram and the Gospel

    Connect with Madi Franquiz

    Madi's Website

    Connect with Jac Marino Chen

    Jac's Website

  • Hi friend! Welcome back to another episode of Unpolished Faith! On today's show Madi Franquiz and Patricia Engler discuss navigating college life as a Christian.

    Patricia Engler is a Christian apologetics speaker, author, and podcast host for Answers in Genesis. She joined AiG–Canada as a speaker, writer, and youth outreach coordinator in 2019 before transferring to AiG–US in 2022. She also serves as an Answers News panelist and cohosts Zero Compromise, AiG’s podcast for young adults.

    After graduating from homeschooling and earning a BSc degree, Patricia backpacked 360 degrees around the world in 180 days documenting how Christian students keep their faith at university. The top takeaways from this research are available in Patricia’s book, Prepare to Thrive: A Survival Guide for Christian Students. In 2022, she embarked on a second backpacking journey to research Marxism’s history and consequences in Europe. Both backpacking trips formed the basis for separate teaching series available on Patricia’s blog. Patricia is now pursuing an MA in bioethics to help Christians think biblically about sanctity of life issues and emerging technologies.

    Madi and Patricia address questions like "How can I stand firm in my beliefs on a secular campus?" and "What tools do I need to stay rooted in Christ during these years?" Whether you're heading to college, currently a student, or know someone who is, this episode is packed with practical insights and encouragement for living out your faith boldly.

    Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

    SHOW LINKS:

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Patricia

    Patricia's Website

    Answers in Genesis

  • "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” -AW Tozer.

    Hello friends! Welcome back to another week of Unpolished Faith. I am excited for you to hear this conversation because this is (probably) the most controversial question of all time: "Why does God allow bad things?" Davey Blackburn, founder of Nothing is Wasted Ministries, is here to help us wrestle with this question, the problem of suffering, and the God who works all things together for good.

    In 2015, Davey's world was turned upside-down when his wife of 7 years was murdered in their home during a break-in. Since then, God has begun to write a beautiful redemption story of healing, forgiveness, and purpose. Davey has devoted his life to helping others find redemption in their stories and purpose in their pain.

    Please be aware that the subjects of my sexual assault and the death of Davey's first wife are briefly discussed within this episode. Listener discretion is advised.

    Thank you for being here, downloading it, and sharing it with a friend. :)

    Show Links:

    Connect with Madi

    Join our community on Instagram

    Watch this episode on YouTube starting in November

    Connect with Davey

    Order Davey's book Nothing is Wasted

    Nothing is Wasted Ministries

  • Hi friend welcome back to another episode of Unpolished Faith! I am so excited you are here. This week I am recapping "month of conferences," crazy schedule, and giving you all the updates for everything we have coming in October.

    SHOW LINKS:

    ï»żConnect with Madi

    Join our online community

    Madi's Website: Sign up for the monthly newsletter to know everything that's happening with Unpolished Faith

    Watch our episodes soon on our YouTube Channel

  • "I don't want to stand before the Lord one day and say 'I didn't stand for You because it was too hard or I was too scared," - Dr. Sandra Reid.

    Hello friends! Welcome to another week at Unpolished Faith. Today, one of my college professors, mentors, and dear friends will join the show to help us answer the question, "Should Christians be afraid of Artificial Intelligence?" If you have looked around and thought, "This tech sure feels Mark of the Beasty," this episode is for you.

    You will find this conversation to be a beautiful reminder of a believer's responsibility to stand for righteousness even as the days get darker. Thanks for downloading and sharing with a friend :)

    Show Links

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Dr. Sandra Reid

    Articles:

    AI Is Changing the Skills Employers Want From Workers

    Artificial Intelligence and Content: Understanding the Potential and Pitfalls for Content Strategy, Creation, and Operations

    How Is ChatGPT's Behavior Changing Over Time?

  • Hello friends! In this episode of Unpolished Faith, my long-time mentor and friend, Dr. Mike Goddard, and I dive into an important conversation for every parent—or future parent— about raising and discipling children. My mother often lamented growing up that there was no guidebook to raising children. If you've felt this way, today's episode if for you!

    Whether you have children or not, nurturing a Christ-centered worldview in the next generation is something we can all take part in. Join us as we discuss practical ways to guide kids in navigating today’s world, strengthen their faith, and build a foundation rooted in biblical truth.

    SHOW LINKS:

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Dr. G

    Join our online community

    Madi's Website: Sign up for the monthly newsletter to know everything that's happening with Unpolished Faith

    . . . . .

    Thank you to our sponsors!

    Prestonwood Biblical Worldview Conference: Visit prestonwoodworldview.org and use my code "MADI15" for 15% off just for Unpolished Faith listeners.

  • "That is a curse, not a command. Jesus redeemed us to our original commission- both male and female by His death, burial, and resurrection," -Pastor Kenny Chinn

    Welcome back, friends! If you’re new here, you may or may not have heard from one of our Pastors in Residence here, Pastor Kenny Chinn. Pastor Kenny is a trusted theological resource here at Unpolished Faith. He was on earlier this season to help us answer the question “Do all good people go to Heaven?” and he is back once again to help us answer the question “What’s a woman’s place in the Church?” Our goal for today is not only to seek an answer to this question. We want to provide great tools to humbly approach the scriptures on controversial or uncomfy topics.

    Today we take a fresh look at what the Bible teaches about women in general, the relationship between men and women, and the role of women within the church. If you have had questions about any of these topics, you've come to the right podcast!

    Thank you for downloading and sharing with a friend :)

    ï»ż

    ï»żSHOW LINKS:

    Connect with Madi

    Join us over on Instagram

    Watch the show on YouTube

    Connect with Pastor Kenny

    Northside Church

    Madi's Website: Sign up for the monthly newsletter to know everything that's happening with Unpolished Faith

    Watch our episodes soon on our YouTube Channel

    . . . . .

    Thank you to our sponsors!

    Prestonwood Biblical Worldview Conference: Visit prestonwoodworldview.org and use my code "MADI15" for 15% off just for Unpolished Faith listeners.

  • Hi friend welcome back to another episode of Unpolished Faith! I am so excited you are here. This week I am recapping my experience at my first Christian church camp and giving you all the updates for everything we have coming in September. This is a busy month for me speaking at 3 conferences now, but I am so looking forward to everything God has in store!

    SHOW LINKS:

    ï»żConnect with Madi

    Join our online community

    Madi's Website: Sign up for the monthly newsletter to know everything that's happening with Unpolished Faith

    Watch our episodes soon on our YouTube Channel

    . . . . .

    Thank you to our sponsors!

    Prestonwood Biblical Worldview Conference: Visit prestonwoodworldview.org and use my code "MADI15" for 15% off just for Unpolished Faith listeners.

  • Have you read scripture passages about the Nephilim, the divine council, or the weird chariots in Ezekiel and been like Whaaattt? Have you ever asked yourself what Ancient Aliens are? Have you wondered what the UFO phenomenon is and how it works in the Christian worldview? Today's podcast is one you can't miss!

    Prepare for an engaging conversation as we're joined by Dr. Joel Muddamalle from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Together, we'll delve into the Divine Council Worldview, the Tower of Babel, the divisions of the nations, and more. This aligns perfectly with our current season, Controversial, where we tackle tough questions and seek real answers about our faith. We'll also explore the role of Jesus in reclaiming the nations, bringing unity and peace to restore His people to Himself.

    Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend! :)

    SHOW LINKS:

    ï»żConnect with Madi

    Join our online community

    Madi's Website: Sign up for the monthly newsletter to know everything that's happening with Unpolished Faith

    Watch our episodes soon on our YouTube Channel

    Connect with Dr. Joel Muddamalle

    Joel's Website

    Order Joel's new book, The Hidden Peace

    . . . . .

    Thank you to our sponsors!

    Prestonwood Biblical Worldview Conference: Visit prestonwoodworldview.org and use my code "MADI15" for 15% off just for Unpolished Faith listeners.

  • "When there is a lack of a standard, everybody will do what they see fit. That's why we all need the standard, the Word of God, in our lives. We need to read it, study it, and apply it to our lives," Dr. Jon Choi.

    On today's show, we have Dr. Jon Choi, my academic advisor for my Master's in Christian Ministry program at Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Choi has been a great spiritual adviser, mentor, and friend to me over the last three years. I have so enjoyed learning from him that I wanted you, my community, to learn from him, too! Today, Dr. Choi will be helping us to answer the question: What are hermeneutics? If that feels like a big Christian word, I totally get that. What we are talking about is how we can read the Bible, study it, and apply its lessons to our lives.

    Thank you for downloading and sharing with a friend:) You are loved!!

    ï»żShow Links:

    Connect with Madi

    Join our online community

    Madi's Website: Sign up for the monthly newsletter to know everything that's happening with Unpolished Faith

    . . . . .

    Thank you to our sponsors!

    Prestonwood Biblical Worldview Conference: Visit prestonwoodworldview.org and use my code "MADI15" for 15% off just for Unpolished Faith listeners.

  • Happy Thursday, friends! (And- birth week to me...Okay, I had to put that one here!) I am celebrating God's goodness and faithfulness through my twenty-something years this week, and one of the best ways you can celebrate with me is by leaving a review of the show. I would love to hear what you're loving about Unpolished Faith!

    The second order of business, arguably the most important: Y'all know I am a reader. On today's show, we have Tim Harlow, the author of one of my Big Five books of all time. Tim wrote the book What Made Jesus Mad: Rediscover the Blunt, Sarcastic, Passionate Savior of the Bible. This book has shaped me in more ways than one, and I find myself coming back to re-read this book year after year. In our conversation, we talk about legalism, hypocrisy, being the hands and feet of Jesus, and more as Tim helps us answer the question: What Makes Jesus Mad?

    Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend :)

    Show Links:

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Tim

    Get the Book: What Made Jesus Mad

    Tim's Website: Life On Mission

  • Did you see the opening ceremony of the Olympics this year? Do you feel more like an outsider because of your beliefs? Have you wondered how Christians can respond to the current cultural climate in a way that truly reflects our faith and values? I definitely have! Today's podcast is one you can't miss! Bunni Pounds from Christians Engaged joins us in this conversation as we seek to answer the question: how should Christians engage culture?

    This was one of the first episodes I recorded, knowing eventually, this year, I would want to talk about this uncomfortable issue. It really is a lot simpler than I have made it out to be. We are called to be salt, light, and a city on a hill. Bunni gives us three practical takeaways on how we, as Christians, can effectively engage with culture while still remaining Christ-like. We also discuss Bunni's book, Jesus and Politics: One Woman's Walk with God in a Mud-Slinging Profession, and the work of Christians Engaged.

    Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

    If you're a young person listening to this podcast today and you want to connect with the work of Christians Engaged, check out their new initiative, 1630, which works to engage the next generation of leaders.

    Show Links:

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Bunni

    Join the Unpolished Faith community online

    Bunni's Book: Jesus and Politics: One Woman's Walk with God in a Mud-Slinging Profession

    Website for Christians Engaged: Christians Engaged

  • Hi friends! Happy August. Today, you'll hear me talk about experiencing deeper intimacy with God, the Lisa Harper podcast, the book of James, and you might even get to hear me sing... I also couldn't wait to share everything we have coming up this month. Our season of uncomfortable questions continues with some questions that have come from you, Faith Fam.

    Our lineup for August includes: Bunni Pounds, Tim Harlow, Dr. Jon Choi, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle. Trust me when I tell you that you do not want to miss an episode!

    Thank you for sharing with a friend. :) You are helping us grow, and I am so incredibly grateful to each one of you. Love ya!

    Show Links:

    Lisa Harper's Back Porch Theology: Living Called Instead of Driven

    James 1: 8-17

    Bunni Pounds

    Bunni's Book: Jesus and Politics

    Tim Harlow

    Tim's Book: What Made Jesus Mad?

    Dr. Jon Choi

    Dr. Joel Muddamalle

  • Today on the show, we discuss singleness with Ryan Wekenman, who helps us answer the question, "Have we made marriage an idol?" I don't know about you, but I tend to idolize even God-given gifts. Whether you're single and want to be married, single and sufficient, married, or somewhere in between, you'll love learning how to steward the time the Lord gives you and how you can be present at the moment today.

    Ryan is generously giving away a copy of his book, Single Today, on our Instagram. Don't miss this opportunity! Head over to @unpolishedfaith to find out how you can enter and potentially win a copy.

    Thank you for listening and sharing with a friend!

    Show Links:

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Ryan

    Get Ryan's book

  • Welcome back to Unpolished Faith! Today, we're diving into a topic that’s heavy but crucial: sexual abuse in the church. Today's episode is marked explicit. I promise it is not for potty language but for the weightiness of the subject matter. Sexual abuse isn't a new issue—it's one that, sadly, has been present throughout history. No space, not even the church, is immune.

    How do we protect the vulnerable within our congregations? What steps can we take when abuse is discovered to help those who have been harmed? Has the corporate model of the church worsened this issue? And how has purity culture tangled our understanding of our bodies and worth? There are many questions Mary DeMuth and I answer in today's conversation, but the overarching question is: how should we, the body of Christ, respond to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church? One thing is sure- we must change the narrative about how we view and treat women and the vulnerable, both in our churches and in our modern culture.

    **Today’s episode carries a trigger warning for trauma and sexual assault. The hard "r" word is mentioned several times. We don’t go into too much detail, but you may want to skip this episode if you are uncomfortable. Don't worry! You can jump back next week as we discuss singleness, seeking to answer the question: have we made an idol of marriage?

    ï»żShow Links

    Join Our Community

    Check Out Our Latest Episodes

    Connect with Madi on Instagram

    Connect with Mary on Instagram

    The FAQs: Report Reveals Sexual Abuse Cover-Up by Southern Baptist Entity

    Resource for Survivors: 21 Days- We Too

    About Mary DeMuth

  • Has my political lean become my bow? I often wrestle with the tension between my political beliefs and my ultimate allegiance to King Jesus. It's a journey that's often easier said than done! I want to engage culture. I want to make a difference for Jesus. I desire unity, but sometimes it's difficult to hold that tension- especially in today's political culture. If you feel like that at all, this conversation is for you.

    This week, I concluded my conversation with Joshua Ryan Butler. He shares practical tools that can help us engage our culture in a Christ-like way, and he draws inspiration from our Biblical heroes who navigated their political systems. This conversation is a powerful reminder that God is a redemptive God, intervening in our mess for our good and for His glory. Jesus is not only the ultimate party crasher; He is throwing a better party.

    Remember to download and share this episode with a friend! Your feedback is invaluable to us. If the conversations that we are having have been helpful to you, let us know by leaving a review. We would love to hear from you!

    Josh has also provided incredible resources, including the Christian Political Commitment and the Party Crasher Bible Study.

    Show Links

    Connect with Madi

    Connect with Josh

    Get Josh's Book, The Party Crasher: How Jesus Disrupts Politics as Usual and Redeems our Partisan Divide

    Madi's Website

    Josh's Website

    Party Crasher Bible Study

    Christian Political Commitment

  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! As an amateur historian, any holiday centered around history is one of my favorites. So, in true American fashion, we are talking about the division we see in America today. I know we have friends listening from around the globe. Off the bat, you may not think this conversation is for you, but what we're talking about this week is looking for security in human institutions rather than God, leading to political idolatry. Josh is here to help us answer the question: Who Can Heal Our Partisan Divide?

    We chatted for quite a bit, so this episode is a two-parter. This week, rather than rehashing which party is right, Josh and I break down the 4 (Wat 4? Yes 4!) political ideologies we see sweeping the globe today. Josh and I evaluate the core values of each party, ultimately finding Ecclesiastes to be true: God has indeed placed eternity in the hearts of man. Finally, we talk about his latest book, The Party Crasher: How Jesus Disrupts Politics as Usual and Redeems our Partisan Divide, an incredible book about political discipleship and how followers of Jesus can faithfully engage the political world around us.

    Remember to download and share this episode with a friend! Your feedback is invaluable to us. If the conversations that we are having have been helpful to you, let us know by leaving a review. We would love to hear from you!

    Show Links

    Connect with Madi

    Madi's Website

    Connect with Josh

    Get Josh's Book, The Party Crasher: How Jesus Disrupts Politics as Usual and Redeems our Partisan Divide

    Josh's Website

    About Josh

    Joshua Ryan Butler is a pastor and the author of The Party Crasher, Beautiful Union, The Skeletons in God’s Closet, and The Pursuing God. Josh loves shifting paradigms to help people who wrestle with challenging Christian faith topics by confronting popular caricatures and replacing them with the beauty and power of the real thing. He and his wife, Holly, and their three children live in Portland, Oregon. They enjoy spending time with friends over great meals and exploring the scenic beauty of the Pacific Northwest.