Podcast

Viral Jesus

Wintering Lessons

Our souls long for spring, but winter shapes us, too. Plus: How Chaz Smith grew a community of 3 million followers by creating content for everyone.

In today’s episode Heather borrows author Katherine May’s metaphorical idea of “wintering” to describe the season of sadness that she’s recently been navigating. Winters can be long and harsh, but they also can be vital to the healing and renewal of an environment. Our spiritual winters are no different. If this year has added pain and anxiety to your life, you will want to hear the encouragement in this episode, as Heather points us all toward spring. She also shares the important dates you’ll need to know for the Viral Jesus summer series.

For this week’s Social Toolkit, Heather chats with digital creator Chaz Smith, who has amassed a massive social media presence with over 3.2 million followers across his YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok channels. Chaz will tell you about his latest project, an animated Bible series titled What Had Happened Was, and also share some helpful tips that will enhance your social toolkit.

Remember, Viral Jesus is taking a two-week break. But Heather will be back on May 25 with our first summer pod-class titled “I Think I Need a Therapist.”

Host Bio Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

Our Latest

Excerpt

There’s No Such Thing as a ‘Proper’ Christmas Carol

As we learn from the surprising journeys of several holiday classics, the term defies easy definition.

Advent Calls Us Out of Our Despair

Sitting in the dark helps us truly appreciate the light.

Glory to God in the Highest Calling

Motherhood is honorable, but being a disciple of Jesus is every woman’s primary biblical vocation.

Advent Doesn’t Have to Make Sense

As a curator, I love how contemporary art makes the world feel strange. So does the story of Jesus’ birth.

Public Theology Project

The Star of Bethlehem Is a Zodiac Killer

How Christmas upends everything that draws our culture to astrology.

News

As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire

University president praises the community’s “calm resilience” as students and staff shelter in place in fireproof buildings.

The Russell Moore Show

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, and Russell discuss this year’s reads.

News

The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal

Seventeen years after the former Hindu kingdom became a secular state, Christians have a pathway to legal recognition.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube