Real Talk Christian Podcast

280: The Least Of These: Taking Care Of Those In Need

Show Notes::
Happy Thanksgiving 2025! In this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller talk about not just focusing on thanks (although that is super important) , this time of year, but also how we can help those in need. Now does that just mean just financially or is there more? Tune in to this holiday episode to find out.
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/018-thanksgiving-black-friday/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/067-how-to-be-thankful-in-2020/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/119-should-christians-celebrate-thanksgiving/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/171being-part-of-gods-family-a-thanksgiving-day-episode/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/223-how-your-life-can-be-a-thank-you-gift-to-god/
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

279: The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Christian Life with Ryan Coatney & Erik Reid

In an era where Google searches are declining and people are increasingly turning to AI for life's biggest questions—including matters of faith—two Nashville pastors are refusing to let secular ideology win by default.
Erik Reid and Ryan "Coat" Coatney join the podcast to discuss why they've invested in building Dominion AI, a Christian worldview-informed alternative to mainstream AI tools, and why Christians can't afford to sit this revolution out.
The conversation tackles the real tension many believers face: AI is becoming the most influential voice in every person's life, yet most Christians are either completely unaware of its impact or tempted to reject it entirely. Erik and Coat dive deep into how AI is already shaping the way people think about truth, morality, and meaning—often without anyone realizing the secular assumptions baked into every response.
They address pressing questions from the Christian community with refreshing honesty: Can AI replace pastors and artists? How can church leaders use these tools responsibly without compromising their calling? What about the danger of isolation as people build "personal cathedrals" with AI instead of engaging in real community? And yes, they even tackle whether AI could be connected to the mark of the beast. Whether you're a parent worried about your kids growing up in an AI-saturated world, a pastor trying to navigate these tools faithfully, or simply someone who wants to understand what's really at stake when we let machines answer our biggest questions, this episode challenges you to think critically about the worldview behind the technology we're all about to depend on.
 
Links From The Show:
Dominion AI: https://dominion.chat/
CrossFormed Kids: https://www.crossformedkids.com/
The Bully Pulpit Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RznYY7HuiqGkazvhnvcSe
Imago Classical Academy: https://www.imagoclassicalacademy.com/
Journey Church Nashville: https://www.tjclive.com/

278: Halloween 2025: What's The Deal With Fortune Tellers, Palm Readers, And Tarot Cards?

Show Notes::
Over the last 6 years, we've talked about if we should celebrate Halloween, Satan and his demons, dead people walking horror films, haunted houses, and extra terrestrials. But what about Tarot Cards, Palm Readings, Horror Scopes, and Psychics? What should our response be to these things? IN this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller talk about what the Bible says about these things and how it applies to us in this culture. Open your Bible and follow along.
 
//Resources Used In This Episode//
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/08/pope-says-card-palm-readings-are-idolatrous-distract-from-god
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/014-the-halloween-episode/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/bonus-extraterrestrials-and-christianity/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/115-lets-talk-about-horror-films-haunted-houses/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/167-satan-and-his-demons-halloween-episode/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/253-should-christians-celebrate-halloween-or-else/
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

277: Coffee, Church History, and Crisis of Faith (Getting To Know Your Hosts) – RTC On The Road

Fresh off a wild two days at Revive Fest (complete with rainy weather, bubble machines, and listeners bearing gifts of zebra cakes), Marc & Fuller take a different approach in this episode by answering personal questions their community has been asking. What starts as lighthearted banter about coffee preferences and boxing matches quickly transitions into deeper territory as they tackle one of the most vulnerable questions they've received: what almost made them leave Christianity?
The conversation gets particularly raw as they discuss the struggle of watching genuinely moral people from other faiths and wondering about their eternal destiny.
Between missing turns in the dark Michigan countryside, getting pulled over (for a license plate light, not drunk driving!), and dealing with shot voices from two days of ministry, Marc & Fuller manage to have one of their most honest conversations yet about doubt, other religions, and what keeps them anchored in their faith when everything else feels uncertain.
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

276: Missing Church. Finding Church. Leaving Church. – RTC On The Road

In this candid car conversation, Marc and Fuller tackle some of the most common and difficult questions about church life that the RTC Online Facebook Community has been asking. They dive deep into the thorny issue of church attendance - when it's okay to miss and when you might be making excuses - while sharing personal stories about their own church search experiences. The discussion gets particularly honest when they explore the challenges of finding a new church home, including what to look for, how long the process might take, and the difference between healthy church transfers versus unhealthy "church shopping."
The conversation takes a personal turn as they share their own stories of leaving churches - one for doctrinal reasons and another for family reestablishment after major life changes. They also wrestle with one of the most challenging scenarios many couples face: what to do when your spouse, whether saved or unsaved, simply doesn't want to attend church. Their advice emphasizes patience, prayer, and having difficult but loving conversations while maintaining the importance of remaining connected to the body of Christ, even when circumstances make it complicated.
On, and we almost hit a deer.
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
36: What's Up With All of These Different Denominations?
121: Why Mega Church Pastors Fall
198: Is Church Membership a Real Thing?
217: Has the Church Become Too Corporate?
220: When Should I Leave My Church?
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org
 

275: Trust, Silence, and Hard Forgiveness – RTC on the Road

Conversation starts at 5:45
In this "RTC on the Road" episode (recorded after the Smith's wedding), Marc and Fuller tackle four challenging faith questions:
What does trusting God look like in everyday life?
How do you keep faith when life falls apart?
Have you ever felt like God was silent?
And when have you had to forgive someone who didn't deserve it?
The conversation gets real quickly as they explore the difference between first-world problems and genuine crisis, the balance between taking action and trusting God's sovereignty, and why basing faith on feelings can be dangerous during difficult seasons.
The discussion turns deeply personal when they address forgiveness. Marc shares his honest struggle with forgiving those who have hurt his family through divorce, while Fuller opens up about his own journey forgiving parents who ruled by fear rather than love. They examine the difference between forgiveness and restoration, the role of boundaries in relationships, and how the church should handle abuse and betrayal. This unscripted conversation offers raw, honest perspectives on faith's most challenging questions without easy answers or spiritual platitudes.
Learn More about RTC: https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/
Join the RTC Online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtalkchristianpodcast

274: Getting Your Spiritual Armor From Cobwebs to Battle Ready – RTC On the Road at Revive Fest

Whether you want to admit it or not, you are in a battle. As Christians, we read that we are wrestle not against flesh above but against evil and spiritual forces beyond our comprehension, but so many Christians act as if nothing is happening around them.
In this episode of RTC, you will get to hear the workshop that Marc and Fuller taught at Revive Fest in Leonidas, MI, as we continue our series "RTC on the Road!"
Want to learn more about RTC, head over to our website at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/.
And make sure you join the RTC Facebook community over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtalkchristianpodcast.

273: Biblical Convictions in Modern Dilemmas: Spiritual Armor, Same-Sex Marriage, and Passing on Faith – RTC on the Road

Conversation beings at 9:24.
What happens when your Christian convictions collide with today's cultural realities? How do you love people while staying true to biblical principles? And what do you do when you're too exhausted from ministry to actually live out your faith?
Marc and Fuller tackle some of the hardest questions facing Christians today while driving to a wedding in Peru, Indiana. From the RTC Facebook group, listeners asked about everything from spiritual armor to same-sex weddings to passing faith down to the next generation.
You'll hear Marc explain why the "belt of truth" keeps your pants up (literally and spiritually), while Fuller admits he's still working on that whole "gospel of peace" thing. They dive deep into the messy reality of LGBTQ wedding invitations - should you go or not? Marc shares a personal story about drawing loving boundaries, while Fuller wrestles with the ministry implications of saying yes or no.
But maybe the most honest moment comes when they open up about their current faith struggles. Marc's trying to figure out how to raise kids who own their faith instead of just inheriting it. Fuller's battling the exhaustion that comes with being an elder - turns out spiritual leadership can actually make your faith harder, not easier.
No easy answers here, just two dudes being real about the complicated business of living out biblical convictions in 2025. Join the conversation and see if you relate to their struggles.
Recorded on the road - because sometimes the best conversations happen between destinations.
–––
Learn more about RTC online at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/

272: Spiritual Discipline 101 – RTC On the Road

Join Marc and Fuller as we start a new series called "RTC On The Road!" In this episode, Marc and Fuller are heading to an RTC listener's wedding and had some real, honest conversations. In this episode, they talk about three different questions, asked by RTC listeners. These questions are:
"What's one way to stay spiritually disciplined when traveling or outside of routine?"
"What's the difference between conviction and guilt in a Christian life?"
"What's one mistake you made in your faith journey that taught you a lot?"
You can learn more about our season 7 announcement by reading more below or visiting us online at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com.
 
–––
A couple years ago, we changed up Real Talk Christian Podcast:
Tighter episodes
Less banter (that didn't last too long did it )
Every other week episodes
We know that many folks want either (a) more episodes (b) more honest conversations from the heart. Honestly, we can't provide (a), but we are gunna provide (b)!
 
For the first handle of episodes of season 7, we're trying something different! We are going to be doing "RTC On The Road" where Fuller and I record honest conversations while driving around to different places!
 
Sure, it may not have the same flavor (and we definitely don't have show notes in front of us), but we're hoping that by us getting back to the roots of "real talk," you'll be able to join us in the honest conversations and honest processing of the Christian faith.

271: Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and God: What Should Christians Think?

Show Notes::
Episode Starts: 12:11
Artificial Intelligence is on the rise in this day and age. Some say it will benefit mankind in unimaginable ways while others say it is the doom of the human race. But the question remains, should christians praise or fear it? Can it be used for furthering the kingdom of God, or is it some. new type of unethical idol? In this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller look at the good and bad of AI and attempt to draw some lines so that others can see the risks and benefits of AI. Join in on this fun conversation.
 
//Resources Used In This Episode//
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/artificial-intelligence
https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/should-we-be-optimistic-about-technology/
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/011-parenting-in-the-digital-age-with-justin-herman/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/248-presenting-the-gospel-in-this-day-and-age/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/131-what-happens-to-those-who-dont-hear-the-gospel/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/096-idolatry-in-the-church/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/110-a-christians-response-to-the-world-around-us/
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org