About this podcast
The Followed By Mercy Podcast
Real Grace, Honest Hope
You might notice a new name and a fresh look, but the heart behind this podcast is the same. After years as the World Evangelism Podcast, I sensed God leading me to a deeper, more personal path centered on His relentless mercy and the kind of honest hope that can reach into every hurting place. That’s why this show is now called Followed By Mercy Podcast. The format may shift, and the tone may be a bit more personal, but my mission hasn’t changed: I still believe the world desperately needs to hear the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. You are welcome here if you’ve been with me from the beginning or just found us now.
What if God’s love is more personal, stubborn, and relentless than you ever imagined?
Welcome to The Followed By Mercy Podcast, where we get honest about pain, hope, and the kind of grace that finds you right where you are, five days a week. This isn’t about religious performance or church routines. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt worn out, unseen, or unsure if they belong in the story of God’s love. Every conversation is rooted in this reality: God loves you right now, just as you are, and He isn’t giving up on you.
Here’s what you’ll find in every episode:
Experience God’s Relentless Love
Every show starts by reminding you that the Shepherd knows your name, cares about your story, and isn’t offended by your failures or questions. This is personal—it’s about God’s unwavering affection for you.
Find Your Place in His Heart
Once you grasp how fiercely you’re loved, sharing that love with others doesn’t feel forced. It becomes the most natural thing in the world. Real grace overflows.
Prayer That Changes You
We pray together—not just for the world “out there,” but for the battles and hopes you’re carrying right now. These prayers are honest, rooted in Scripture, and meant for hearts that need a gentle touch from the Shepherd.
Discover Your Unique Role
Whether you’re called to go, give, serve, or show kindness in your corner of the world, God’s mercy meets you where you are. You’re not just a bystander. You are His beloved, invited into the story He’s writing.
When life knocks the wind out of you, this is a place to catch your breath. You’ll hear the encouragement that meets you on your hardest days, and your honest questions will be welcomed. No pretending, no heavy-handed advice—just the reminder that your Shepherd is right there with you, walking every step with you, even when you feel like giving up.
Why does this matter? Because some days, it feels like nobody sees you or cares what you’re going through. But the truth is, you have a Shepherd who never takes His eyes off you, lets you slip through the cracks, and never gives up on you. That kind of love can put you back on your feet, and it might be the hope someone else is waiting to see in you, too.
If you’re longing for more than just religious talk—if you want to know you’re not alone and that God’s mercy is following you all the way home, you’re in the right place. Whether you listen in the car, on a walk, or in a quiet moment, let every episode remind you: God’s mercy is after you right now, ready to bring real grace and honest hope.
Subscribe today and join a community to discover what happens when loved people become loving people. The journey’s just beginning, and there’s a place for you here.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 332 episodes
- Not Fifty-Fifty: Why Marriage (and Salvation) Runs on Covenant, Not Contract · 35 minSend us Fan Mail Turning to Ephesians 5 and Malachi 2:14, Austin Gardner unpacks the difference between a contract and a covenant and why that distinction changes everything, not…
- How to Stop Living Like a Worm When You're Already a Butterfly · 31 minSend us Fan Mail You don't obey God to become His child. You obey because you already are one. In this message from Ephesians 5, Austin Gardner unpacks a truth that flips what…
- Who Told You That? Rewriting the Story You Believe · 31 minSend us Fan Mail You've been telling yourself a story for years and chances are, God never wrote a word of it. In this message, Austin walks through Numbers 13, the prodigal son…
- Son or Servant? The Parable of the Father Who Ran to Both Sons · 34 minSend us Fan Mail Two sons. Same house. Same father. Two completely different stories. We always talk about the son who ran away, but Luke 15 is really about a father who loved…
- The Prodigal Father: The Scandalous Love You've Been Missing (Luke 15) · 34 minSend us Fan Mail Most of us have heard the story of the prodigal son our whole lives. But we've been reading it wrong. After 50+ years of ministry, Stage 4 cancer, and five…
- When Suffering Becomes Your Identity: Finding Your Life Again by Looking to Christ · 14 minSend us Fan Mail Some wounds heal physically but continue living in our minds for years. In this episode, Austin Gardner shares personal lessons God has been teaching him through…
- God Is Good (And Judges Proves It) · 13 minSend us Fan Mail What do you actually see when you picture God the Father? Not the Sunday school answer. The honest one. The one that surfaces when life gets hard, and the…
- Be Strong and of Good Courage: Believing God's Promises When Life Threatens · 26 minSend us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into Joshua chapter 1 and the command that God gave Joshua at one of the most intimidating moments in biblical history. Moses was dead…
- Deuteronomy: A Love Letter for the Exhausted · 15 minSend us Fan Mail Have you ever started reading the Book of Deuteronomy to find life, only to find a list? You read the commandments, the blessings, and the curses, and you think…
- Numbers: The God Who Refuses to Leave · 10 minSend us Fan Mail Most people remember the Book of Numbers for the complaining, the judgment, and the 40 years of wandering. But if you look closer, you’ll see a different thread…
- You Cannot Outrun the Love of God: Finding Hope in Leviticus · 19 minSend us Fan Mail Some of the most exhausted people in the world are sitting in church pews, trying to follow a list of requirements they can never satisfy. Join Austin Gardner as…
- Exodus: Grace, Mercy, and a God Who Stays · 17 minSend us Fan Mail We often divide the Bible into two Gods: the "angry" God of the Old Testament and the "loving" God of the New. Austin Gardner is here to bridge that gap. In this…
- Who Wrote Your Story? Choosing God’s Truth Over Your Version · 36 minSend us Fan Mail The loudest voice in your life is usually the one inside your own head—but is it telling the truth? In this powerful message, Austin Gardner explores a…
- The God of Genesis: Why Grace is Older than the Law · 16 minSend us Fan Mail "When did grace begin?" If you said Calvary or Pentecost, you might be missing the most beautiful part of the story. Join Austin Gardner as he journeys through…
- Learning a Person, Not a Religion: The Lifelong Discovery of Christ · 36 minSend us Fan Mail Most of us see Christianity as a journey to become something—to learn the rules, master the doctrine, and fix our behavior. But in Ephesians 4:20, Paul says…
- You Were Created for a "Love Party": Rethinking the Gospel · 1 h 4 minSend us Fan Mail Do you feel like God is an angry judge who only tolerates you because He’s looking through a "Jesus filter"? In the final installment of this series, W. Austin…
- Fig Leaves and Fake Religion: Why We Still Hide from God · 52 minSend us Fan Mail Are you exhausted from trying to "achieve" a spiritual status you already possess? In part two of this deep-dive series, W. Austin Gardner and Grace Walk author…
- The Dangerous Prayer That Changes Everything | Austin Gardner & Steve McVey · 48 minSend us Fan Mail What happens when you’ve known someone longer than your own wife? You get the kind of raw, honest conversation that only 54 years of friendship can produce. In…
- Spiritual Direction: Finding a Safe Place for Your Story · 33 minSend us Fan Mail "Evicting Shame and Embracing the Identity of the Beloved."Podcast Show Notes / Description: "Most of us are busy trying to 'fix' ourselves, but Mike Pennington…
- From Burnout to Beloved: Practical Soul Care with Austin Gardner & Mike Pennington · 33 minSend us Fan Mail Are you living as God’s employee or His beloved child? In this episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with his longtime friend and cousin, Mike…
- Trauma, Shame, and the Truth About Being God's Beloved · 22 minSend us Fan Mail Why do we feel like we have to "perform" to be loved by God? In this third part of our series, I’m joined by my cousin Mike Pennington to tackle the heavy…
- 4 Enemies of Your Peace: Overcoming Shame & Performance 🛡️ · 26 minSend us Fan Mail Why is it so much easier to believe God loves us in our heads than it is to feel it in our hearts? In today’s episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner…
- God is Smiling at You: Breaking the Performance Trap with Mike Pennington · 26 minSend us Fan Mail Are you tired of trying to prove you deserve God’s love? In this episode, Austin Gardner sits down with his cousin, Mike Pennington—a former missionary and…
- The Fierce Compassion of God · 29 min · Season 3 Episode 36Send us Fan Mail "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." — Isaiah 66:13 We often focus on the "Fatherhood" of God, but on this Mother’s Day episode, Austin…
- Why You’re Exhausted: The Truth About "Performance Christianity" · 19 minSend us Fan Mail "Have you ever felt like you were auditioning for God instead of serving Him? After 50 years in ministry—preaching thousands of sermons and traveling to 50…
- As a Mother Comforts: Finding God’s Heart in a Mama’s Love · 26 minSend us Fan Mail Is your view of God missing the "Sweetest Comfort"? In this special Mother's Day message, W. Austin Gardner dives into the profound mystery of God’s nature…
- Why “Lost” Doesn’t Mean Worthless: The Real Heart of God | W. Austin Gardner · 30 minSend us Fan Mail If you’ve spent any time in church, you’ve probably heard the word "lost" used as a label for people who are "wicked" or "wrong." But in this powerful mission's…
- Vigilance Over Fear: A Parent’s Guide to Child Safety with Hayley Thomas · 45 minSend us Fan Mail Are our children truly safe? Join Austin Gardner as he sits down with Navy veteran Hayley Thomas and former missionary Stephen Underwood from Black Flag…
- Protecting What Matters Most: Child Safety and Spiritual Vigilance · 43 minSend us Fan Mail In this vital conversation, Austin Gardner joins security experts Stephen Underwood and Haley Thomas to discuss the reality of child safety in today's world…
- The Mission of Mercy: Rescuing Children and Finding Grace · 48 minSend us Fan Mail In this episode, Austin Gardner sits down with Stephen Underwood and Haley Thomas to discuss the vital work of Black Flag International and the Black Flag…
- Why the Worst Thing That Can Happen is Actually the Best · 36 minSend us Fan Mail "I grew up stirring the mash... that kid grew up and is getting to preach the gospel today." In this concluding session of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner and…
- Breaking the Cycle: Lies, Bitterness, and the "I AM"Untitled Episode · 34 minSend us Fan Mail "Our God is I AM... and the I AM lives today and helps you right where you are." Pastor Ricky Howard joins Austin Gardner for the second installment of his…
- The Loved Love: Why "Regular People" Are God's Greatest Tool · 35 minSend us Fan Mail How do you break a cycle of trauma that has claimed the lives and freedom of so many your age? Pastor Ricky Howard joins Austin Gardner to discuss the…
- Shifting Your Focus to Serve Others: Fighting Child Trafficking with Stephen Underwood · 31 minSend us Fan Mail Shifting your focus to serve others is the most powerful way to break free from the trap of self-pity and find the "mercy that follows you." In this final…
- Is Your Child Safe? The Reality of Trafficking in Our Backyards | Followed by Mercy · 27 minSend us Fan Mail "Ignoring it will not make it go away." In this powerful episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with Stephen Underwood of the Black Flag…
- Radical Mercy: Why Protecting the Vulnerable is a Spiritual MandateUntitled Episode · 25 minSend us Fan Mail "What does a suicide bombing in Tal Afar, Iraq, have to do with the safety of your grandchildren in Georgia? Everything. Join Austin Gardner and special guest…
- Guardians of the Innocent: The Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking with Alyssa Deltorre · 30 minSend us Fan Mail Podcast Show Notes: "Freedom is hard. Freedom is heavy. It is the essence of 'you eat what you kill.'" — Alyssa Deltorre. Today on "Followed by Mercy," we are…
- The Front Lines of Grace: Fighting Child Trafficking and Veteran Suicide · 24 minSend us Fan Mail What happens when a missionary kid becomes a Special Operations soldier—and then uses those skills to rescue children from the darkest places on earth? In this…
- Chewing the Fat: Austin Gardner & Rickey Howard on Seeing God’s Goodness · 45 minSend us Fan Mail In this episode, Austin Gardner welcomes Pastor Rickey Howard to "chew the fat" and share a story that will change your perspective on what God can do. Rickey is…
- Why Human Love Fails (And How to Live from God’s Fullness) · 15 minSend us Fan Mail Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely alone? Have you ever been loved by others, yet still felt unlovable? In this deep-dive session…
- Why You’re Exhausted: The Secret to Resting in Your Identity in Christ · 13 minSend us Fan Mail Are you tired of trying to "become" a better Christian? What if the biggest struggle in your life isn't your lack of discipline or your battle with sin, but your…
- Made Righteous: Why Your Identity is a Gift, Not an Achievement | W. Austin Gardner · 16 minSend us Fan Mail "Jesus became what you were, so you could become what He is." Are you tired of waking up and feeling like you need to "fix" yourself before God can accept you?…
- Abiding in the Vine: Why Your Christian Life is Not an Achievement | W. Austin Gardner · 15 minSend us Fan Mail "Have you ever seen a branch sweating?" In this incredibly personal message, Austin Gardner confesses how he spent years turning "abiding" into just another rule…
- The One Includes the Many: Why Your Spiritual Location Matters Most | Austin Gardner · 13 minSend us Fan Mail "What if the message of being 'In Christ' has been there the whole time?" In this session, Austin Gardner (with 50+ years of ministry experience) walks us…
- Thou Art With Me: Why You Never Walk Alone (Even in the Valley) · 31 min · Season 2 Episode 52Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like you’re walking the "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," entirely on your own? In this session, Austin Gardner dives deep into one of the most…
- Christ In You: The Life You’re Living FromUntitled Episode · 16 minSend us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like the Christian life is a treadmill you can’t keep up with? Like if you just tried a little harder, you’d finally "get it"? In this…
- Identity Termination: Why God Didn't Fix the Old You · 14 minSend us Fan Mail Stop trying to improve something that God has already ended. Most people think salvation is just a second chance or a clean slate. But in this episode, Austin…
- Two Humanities: Understanding Your Location in Christ · 16 minSend us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like something about you was broken before you even chose anything? In this powerful teaching, Austin Gardner explores the two "planes" of…
- The Airplane Principle: Why Your Effort Doesn't Move the Plane · 18 minSend us Fan Mail Have you ever paid for something you didn't even know you were paying for? In this episode, Austin Gardner dives into one of the "strangest" passages in the…
- Stop Trying to Be the Hero: Understanding Representative Warfare · 16 minSend us Fan Mail We spend our whole lives trying to be David—trying to be the hero of our own stories. But after 50 years of ministry and a battle with Stage 4 cancer, Austin…







