Do you ever feel unsure of what your calling is in life? In “What Had Happened Was,” well-known comedian and content creator Chaz Smith visits the VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast to share his journey of living out his purpose by following God’s direction, not for himself or others. Chad saw how God directed all that has happened in the past 10+ years while preparing him for his current project. Join us as we’re reminded that God will continue to lead and show up, so we can carry out His greater purpose, even when we question where He is leading us. And yes, sometimes all we need is just a good laugh.

How do you help people explore uncomfortable truths? Ya'Ke Smith, the award-winning director of Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, explains how his life led him to understand that people need to see stories that reflect real life in order to be free from their bondage. Check out this episode of the Where Ya From? podcast by VOICES.

How does history affect how we use our voices today? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, recently retired VOICES Executive Editor Joyce Dinkins shares how her rich family roots inspire her to uplift marginalized stories of faith.

What does it mean to worship through justice? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, second-generation Latina author, pastor, and speaker Sandra Van Opstal discusses how Scripture should fuel our desire to seek justice in our communities and around the world.

Is there only one way to read the Bible? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Cuban-American theologian, author, and minister Dr. Justo González teaches us how our context—and even Jesus’ context—shapes how we read, interpret, and engage with Scripture.

What happens when the plans you have for your life don’t match up with what God has in store for you? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? Podcast, rapper, speaker, and activist who goes by Reflect discusses his old dreams of basketball stardom, his detour into youth service, and the Lord’s heart for the forgotten and oppressed.

How should we handle topics about Christianity that bring up potential offense and tension? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, author Rebecca McLaughlin shares the surprising truth that digging deep into these tough subjects is an opportunity to respect others and deepen our faith.

Do you ever feel like it’s more important to behave at church rather than be yourself? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Reach Records rapper 1K Phew discusses his music, upbringing, and reconciling who he is inside and outside of church.

How do we repair relationships that have been broken for a long time, even outside of our influence? Duke Kwon, pastor and writer of Reparations: A Christian Call to Repentance and Repair joins VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast to remind us that everyone is crowned with dignity because they are made in God’s image. Even people or places that have hurt us. God breaks His light of truth through even the most unlikely people and places—which means we can learn something from everyone, everywhere. Join us to rethink how being willing to let go and learn from others allows us to repair broken relationships.

Where do we find fulfillment? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? Podcast, FOX Sports host Chris Broussard joins host Rasool Berry to discuss how his earthly successes don’t compare to the ultimate victory he finds in God.

In recognition of International Women's Day, we’re pulling back the curtains at Where Ya From with an episode of producer’s picks—the powerful conversations about how God worked through women like Ekemini Uwan, KB Newton, and Jenn Peterson because they used what was “in their hand” —like Moses and his staff at the burning bush. They responded to the daunting call God was making on their lives by asking how they could possibly do that. And God said, look at what’s in your hand. See how it all starts with using what God has given you in this very specific moment.

Has God really experienced all of the pain and suffering we have? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, speaker, author, and trauma counselor Sheila Wise Rowe shares about her childhood in post-segregated Boston, her work in post-apartheid South Africa, and the Lord’s ultimate healing power.

Ever struggled to admit “I’m not okay,” even though you knew it was true? When Dr. Debbye Turner Bell won the Miss America pageant, she began the toughest time of her life. Join Rasool Berry on the Where Ya From podcast as he talks with Debbye Turner Bell, speaker, journalist, veterinarian, and writer of Courageous Faith about how isolation, burnout, and loss challenged her faith at a time when people expected her to be at her very best. Learn from Debbye about how it takes faith to admit you need help and to hold on to God even when you don’t like what He’s allowed.

How do you share your witness in political conversations? Does it fit your true convictions? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Justin Giboney, attorney, ordained minister, and co-founder of the AND Campaign, explains how his experience of being pressured to silence his witness—and witnessing others do the same—prompted him to reconsider political parties and to combine social justice AND moral order.

Facing the impossible in your life right now? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Carvens Lissaint, writer of Target Practice and actor on Hamilton, explains how facing devastating mountains in his life brought him an awareness of God and strengthened his faith.

How do you move what you know in your mind to what you believe in your heart? Nona Jones, well-known preacher, executive, entrepreneur, and writer of Killing Comparison, joins VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast to share how the trajectory of her life dramatically changed when she began believing in her heart that she truly is who God says she is. Join us to learn how to be inspired—rather than expired—by people we compare ourselves with, and see how Nona was able to push past the comparison game.

“Keep your mouth shut for one year” was the best advice he got as a new police officer. In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, reconciliation expert Jamie Winship describes how he learned to listen to God and to people around him in order to bring peaceful solutions to some of the world’s highest conflict areas.

How do you grow up in a broken world and still find your voice, full and whole as God intended? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, Dr. William Pannell and Jemar Tisby share their stories of growing up with racism in the communities they loved and how breaking silence and embracing tension allows them to advocate for justice.

What do you do when life puts you at the end of your rope? On this inspiring episode of VOICES Where Ya From? Podcast, retired Marine Officer, author and international speaker, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson speaks about where you find your grit when you’re all alone and have every odd against you.

Why does God let bad things happen? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, recording artist and author Kechi Okwuchi shares her story of the plane crash that changed her life and how she learned to rely on God’s unchanging love for her.

When was the last time you felt overwhelmed? It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced at some point in our life. In those moments, it’s hard to know what to do next. In this episode of Where Ya From?, Jenn Petersen, the Director of Mobilization for International Justice Mission (IJM) and co-lead pastor of Resurrection Life NYC, shares with host, Rasool Berry, about some of the most unimaginable cases of injustice she witnessed that sparked the passion and question, “God, what can I do to make a difference?”

Deep down, we all crave to be our truest selves. But what if we’re afraid that our culture has no place in Christian spaces? In this episode of VOICES’ Where Ya From? podcast, recording artist, author, and academic Sho Baraka shares why his faith and worldly convictions aren’t mutually exclusive.

Have you ever wondered how the past still affects our present? On this special episode of VOICES’s Where Ya From? podcast, author and Trinity University associate professor Dr. Carey Latimore speaks on the legacy of Juneteenth and the hope it still inspires today.

Have you ever wondered how the Bible inspires us to strive for racial unity? On this episode of the VOICES’s Where Ya From? podcast, authors Dr. Christina Edmondson and Chad Brennan discuss their book Faithful Antiracism and share how God calls us to advocate for one another.

Have you ever been criticized for pursuing a passion? On this episode of the VOICES’s Where Ya From? podcast, Grammy-nominated, recording artist, and singer-songwriter Mali Music discusses his childhood in the church, his surprising athletic prowess, and how others’ opinions couldn’t stop him from making music as a profession.