An update regarding 2025…

please see below!

Dear Friend,

I’m writing this at the end of 2024. This season is filled with reflecting and making plans for the new year. It seems like a fitting time to update you on what’s happening with Finding Something REAL.

Last year, thanks to your incredible support, I was able to hire a media company to distribute the weekly podcast across channels and manage a consistent brand strategy. Because of those efforts, in Season 7, the Finding Something REAL podcast grew and was consistently shared as video on YouTube along with other platforms including shorter reels on social media. In the past year, we have had some amazing conversations and received some beautiful feedback like this Facebook post by author and apologist Lindsey Medenwaldt who said, "I don't listen to a ton of podcasts, and support even fewer financially. However, the Finding Something REAL podcast is one I wholeheartedly recommend (and support). If you haven't listened yet, please do. Janell Wood is a kind and loving host who creates meaningful conversations with a variety of guests in the hopes of answering skeptic's questions (often skeptics that Janell knows and loves personally)... I also mention an episode or two in my book. If you're looking for a new podcast, I'd start with this one."

My personal favorite episode from this past year was the one I co-hosted with my niece, Noelle and my Danish exchange “daughter,” Signe. It’s one where we spoke with returning guest, apologist Abdu Murray. I loved the way Abdu interacted with both young women. But there was something rare that happened during that conversation. There was a definite contrast between two people hearing the exact same message about Jesus-and having completely different responses. Here is a link to that episode in case you would like to see that particular episode. 

In the past five years of podcasting, I’ve had many deep faith conversations with young women and others. In 2024, I was also delighted to have multiple public speaking opportunities. Part time, I've been working as a field guide with an amazing ministry called MAVEN, helping teach a local homeschool co-op teens’ apologetics class, and assisting with a local teen center. My own kids are now preteens and teenagers and we’ve had many discussions about what it means to find something real with Jesus. I believe God has continued to equip me to love and disciple those who are tender and open to relationship with Jesus Christ.

This year has been exceedingly full!  After sensing a need to slow down, a lot of prayer and seeking wisdom, I’ve made the decision to take a sabbatical from weekly podcasting. I feel an urgency more than ever to share about Jesus and I would like to use the coming months to continue with ministry-discipling young people, writing, and speaking. I hope to (LORD willing) continue distributing a weekly email. But the time demands of a weekly podcast have been substantial and I believe I need to step back from it for a season. I would covet your prayers as I seek the LORD. I am praying for a ministry partner to come alongside me for a new iteration of the Finding Something REAL podcast or for God to open up other ministry opportunities. 

During this time, if you feel led to continue supporting Finding Something REAL, all monies received will go to future ministry work. The best way to send support is through mail or the support tab on the website: www.findingsomethingreal.com/getinvolved. My mailing address is P.O. Box 1824, Chelan, WA 98816. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at janell@findingsomethingreal.com

Thank you so much.

~Janell