“What should I do about my anxiety?” This week, we’re continuing our newest series, Big Questions , with the conclusion to our conversation with Nader Sahyouni, a professional in the world of clinical counseling and spiritual direction. Nader is going to finish clarifying what it means to accept more and then teach us how to attach better as a means to develop a healthier approach to managing anxiety. If you missed part 1 of the Big Question "What should I do about my anxiety," tap one of the li...
Aug 19, 2025•31 min
“What should I do about my anxiety?” As a new grad, you have many questions running through your mind. It’s normal . It’s good . And it’s why this new series exists. For the next few weeks, we’re going to be asking the experts some of your biggest questions about life after graduation. This week, we’re asking for help with anxiety . To help us do that, we’re joined by Nader Sahyouni, a professional in the world of clinical counseling and spiritual direction. Nader is also the author of Anxiety T...
Aug 12, 2025•30 min
Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... metaphor for life after graduation? Okay, that's a stretch... BUT, the most recent Superman movie does illustrate a number of sentiments that might be appreciated by a brand new grad. Superman feels disconnected, misunderstood, lonely, and out of place. He's questioning his purpose but also has a deep sense of conviction and commitment to a meaningful mission. Can you relate? Jon's flying solo this week, but he's carrying on with After IV...
Aug 05, 2025•28 min
Alex Warren's "Ordinary" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 back in February of this year and has spent all of Summer '25 (so far) in the #1 position. It's catchy, it's deep, and it's fun to sing. But what does it mean? And how is it shaping us as we sing along in the car for the 50th time? With lyrics that mention heaven's gates, the sanctuary, the altar, and even the Lord, it can leave us with familiar feelings of faith and spirituality. But should warning lights start to flash once we recognize...
Jul 29, 2025•42 min
What can a medical student expect as they make the transition to residency? After IV is sitting down with another focus ministry alum this week! On this episode, we're chatting with Dr. Victor Hsiao, MD, an alum from the Keck Student Christian Fellowship at USC. In addition to providing insights about his transition to residency after Med School, Victor shares how his time with his grad fellowship helped prepare him for partnering with Jesus in his calling after graduation. RELATED EPISODES E164...
Jul 22, 2025•36 min
We've heard the experts. But what are my fellow alumni saying? We recently devoted 10 episodes to conversations with experts and your fellow alumni about navigating the unique challenges of faith transitions after college. We covered a range of topics including new rhythms for spiritual discipline, doubt, hope, and perseverance. Today, we look back on those conversations with Selah, a 2024 InterVarsity alumna who's walking through so many of these exact faith transition experiences. She provides...
Jul 15, 2025•52 min
Too much? Not enough? Exactly the right amount? How much joy would you say you experience in your life right now? “Biblical joy and a life of joy comes about when we sense in our nearness to God that he is good and that that will never change. That his goodness and his loving grace toward us is unceasing and it is constant and it is consistent in the midst of life’s ups and downs.” On this episode of After IV, we revisit our conversation with Jay Kim, pastor and author of Analog Christian: Culti...
Jun 24, 2025•37 min
Has God left me here alone? When we find ourselves in dark, dangerous places, it's easy to wonder if God has left us. We might wonder... Did I miss his instructions? Is it because of sin? Does he just not care? What if those are the wrong questions? What if we're supposed to ask... Where do I remember seeing God in the past? Is it possible he's still there? Difficulty and hardship do not equal God's absence. In fact, Psalm 23 makes it clear that oftentimes the right paths lead through dark valle...
Jun 17, 2025•33 min
I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with Jesus lately... That's normal! Sometimes, sticking with your faith isn't about feeling inspired. It's about continuing to show up when it's boring, confusing, and hard. This week, we're talking about spiritual perseverance and our ability to hold tight to Jesus; especially when it feels like our relationship with him just isn't going anywhere. Because sometimes faithfully following Jesus after graduation isn’t dramatic or exciting like it was on campus. ...
Jun 10, 2025•30 min
"I walked away for a pretty long time..." No one expects to walk away from their faith after graduation. It was definitely a huge surprise for Rocco. He'd been highly involved in his InterVarsity chapter. He attended Urbana. And he was excited and hopeful about life after graduation. But loneliness, overworking, and extremely intelligent co-workers who didn't believe in Jesus left him experiencing an unexpected crisis of faith. This week, we hear Rocco's story of walking away from Jesus after gr...
Jun 03, 2025•31 min
What do I do when my faith experience feels... disappointing? In this candid episode of After IV , we welcome InterVarsity alumna Erica Spanjers to talk about the highs and lows of post-college faith. Jon and Erica explore what it means to follow Jesus when church communities let us down, when spiritual growth feels slow, and when God's presence seems quiet. With themes of church hurt, spiritual disappointment, and resilient hope, this episode offers real encouragement for alumni navigating tran...
May 27, 2025•34 min
When you look back, do you see Him? In part two of our conversation with Heather Thompson Day, we talk about the power of reflection, the slow work of spiritual growth, and the ways God shows up—often in hindsight. Heather shares how journaling, gratitude, and persistent hope have helped her recognize God's fingerprints even in seasons of silence and waiting. We also explore what it means to prosper in God’s kingdom (hint: it's not about success), how to live generously even in lack, and why you...
May 20, 2025•22 min
What if doubt wasn’t something to run from, but a sign you’re right where God wants you? In part one of this honest and powerful conversation, Dr. Heather Thompson Day joins us to talk about the unexpected presence of doubt during life’s biggest transitions—like stepping away from a career, losing structure, or graduating from a close-knit community. Together, we unpack how faith and doubt often coexist, why resistance can be a sign of God’s presence, and how to stay rooted when your future feel...
May 13, 2025•23 min
What's the hardest part about making friends after graduation? Believe it or not, it usually isn't meeting new people. New people are everywhere. The hardest part is taking consistent, proactive steps toward GETTING TO KNOW someone once you've met them. So, how do we take that step? If friendship and community are so important for our faith development, mental health, and general well being, how do we overcome that most difficult step? This week, Jon and Nader chat about vulnerability, healthy b...
May 06, 2025•36 min
Life's too distracting to have a meaningful prayer time... Do you ever feel this way? You're not alone ! Spiritual Director and clinical counselor, Nader Sahyouni, says that distraction is one of the most common barriers people experience in prayer. Whether it's the result of big life choices, frustrations at work, or relentless TikTok notifications, life is just distracting . And the remedy isn't simply getting more focused... It's leaning into God's gracious invitation to experience his love a...
Apr 29, 2025•35 min
How do I know where God is leading me? This episode kicks off a new series on After IV. We're exploring a few of the changes we can expect in our faith experience after graduation. On this episode, clinical counselor and spiritual director Nader Sahyouni joins us to unpack the shift from being driven to being called . Nader introduces listeners to the practice of discernment —not just for big decisions, but as a daily rhythm. He explains the role of consolation and desolation, how to build a per...
Apr 22, 2025•35 min
What does it really look like to navigate life after college with hope and faith? Erica Young Reitz returns to After IV with wisdom from the newly revised edition of her book After College , now updated for Gen Z. In this encouraging conversation, Erica and Jon explore the challenges of transition, the unique superpowers Gen Z brings to the table, and the role of spiritual formation in all of it. Whether you’re anxious about what’s next or simply looking for clarity, this episode will help you b...
Apr 15, 2025•36 min
When the final final whistle blows and a college athlete hangs up her jersey for the last time, what happens next? For Julia, an Athletes InterVarsity Alumna from UW-River Falls, it was a challenging transition. Saying goodbye to her team, managing an unfamiliar routine, and embracing her new grad school environment meant following Jesus into uncertainty. But God had been preparing her to take courageous steps of faith like these since joining the UW-River Falls Women's Basketball team during he...
Apr 08, 2025•37 min
In this special bonus episode, Philip Sheegog shares his final words of wisdom for alumni navigating life after graduation. Reflecting on his own journey, he encourages us to trust in God’s provision, release fear, and hold onto His faithfulness—even when the future feels uncertain. RELATED EPISODE E162: Holding Your Calling with Open Hands ( Apple , Spotify , YouTube ) STAY IN TOUCH Socials: @afterivpod Visit our Website Leave us a message on SpeakPipe ★ Support this podcast ★...
Apr 04, 2025•7 min
Jon realizes a dream today: Eating a really big cookie with Andy Mineo. (If you aren't watching this on YouTube, you should be. Link HERE .) RELATED EPISODE E20: Andy Mineo: Using Influence, Inspiration, and Imperfection to Make Something New ( YouTube , Spotify , Apple ) STAY IN TOUCH Socials: @afterivpod Visit our Website Leave us a message on SpeakPipe ★ Support this podcast ★...
Apr 01, 2025•28 min
As an artist, what does it mean to pursue your calling while holding it with open hands? In this episode, Philip Sheegog, an Arts InterVarsity alumnus and co-founder of the electroacoustic duo Arkai, shares his journey from Juilliard to life as a touring musician. He opens up about navigating calling, trusting God's plan in a highly competitive industry, and resisting the pressure to define success by the world's standards. Through personal stories and wisdom, Philip challenges alumni to surrend...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min
What does modern psychology have to say about our pursuit of health and wellness? As we close our wellness series this week, we're revisiting our conversation with Dr. Louis Tay from Purdue University's Department of Psychological Sciences. Listen in as Dr. Tay shares his expertise on well-being and how to live a life built on a foundation of loving God and having godly loves . RELATED EPISODE(S) E89: Navigating Anxiety with Grace and Grit: 10 Tips for Post-Graduation Anxiety ( Apple , Spotify ,...
Mar 18, 2025•31 min
We all know work can be difficult, but when does difficult become unhealthy ? This week, Chase Read returns to share about her difficult decision to leave a job. The work was something she loved, believed in, and had spent a lot of time studying to do. But when it became clear that the job was a detriment to her mental and emotional wellness, Chase discerned that it was time to step away. And, although it required her to step into unfamiliar territory, Chase was comforted to find a familiar God ...
Mar 11, 2025•31 min
This week, we're joined by Justin Morrissette, a Purdue University alumnus who's going to share about his wellness journey after graduation. Physical fitness has been a longtime value for Justin, but changes in context and daily rhythms required a renewed commitment to his physical wellness after graduation. However, in addition to getting regular exercise, Justin also found himself continuing to grow in meaningful relationships and with unexpected opportunities to have spiritual conversations a...
Mar 04, 2025•30 min
Between her junior and senior years of college, Halley began what she expected to be an ordinary summer of work, living at home, and relaxing with her family. But all of those plans changed one Tuesday night when Halley suddenly realized she could no longer see . And as she tried to explain to her family what she was experiencing, she also found that she couldn't speak ... Listen in as Halley shares about her wellness journey after navigating a life-threatening health scare and how she sensed Je...
Feb 25, 2025•33 min
Are there good emotions and bad emotions? Should we be investing extra effort into only feeling certain emotions and avoiding others? Our guest this week, Dr. Kevin Chapman, would suggest that our full spectrum of emotions is a gift from God, even the ones we'd often prefer to eliminate. And through a better understanding of common external triggers, along with our thoughts and responses to them, we can master our emotions, better commune with God and others, and lean into emotional wellness. MO...
Feb 18, 2025•29 min
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind ." ~Matthew 22:37 What does it mean to love God with our minds ? This week, Stan Wallace of Global Scholars joins the podcast to share why the discipleship of our mind is fundamental to our wellness journey and how it influences the way we love God and love others. RELATED EPISODE E153: Taking the Next Step in Your Wellness Journey ( Apple , Spotify , YouTube ) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Have We Lost Our Minds? Sta...
Feb 11, 2025•34 min
Loss of community. Change in routine. Lack of consistency. All of these things have a significant impact on our mental health in season of transition. So, what can we do to navigate these changes in a way that promotes wellness and healthy practices? Our guest this week, Chase Read, is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor at Restoration Psychology, working alongside other Christian therapists in the Denver area. Chase joins to share her expertise (and some personal experience) in caring for our me...
Feb 04, 2025•31 min
Seasons of transition can be hard on the body. Moving, adjusting to long hours at work, or simply trying to establish a new routine can cause us to narrow our focus to only accomplishing what must be done . But before we know it, we've acclimated to a rhythm that doesn't include the healthy practices we once had. This week, we're continuing our wellness series by zooming in on fitness and nutrition. Special guest, Phil Steele (Jon's dad ) joins to share his expertise on the subject. After today,...
Jan 28, 2025•35 min
What part(s) of your life could use a healthy boost right now? It's common for healthy rhythms to take a back seat after graduation. Whether it's adjusting to a new job, finding a suitable place to live, or just navigating the aisles of an unfamiliar grocery store, it's easy to feel like the best we can hope for is to just survive . But we were made for more than that! At the beginning of a new year, we're kicking off a series designed to help you thrive. Paying attention to your health and well...
Jan 21, 2025•36 min
