Hardly Initiated

About Hardly Initiated

Tuesday's 6PM EST New Episodes Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/HardlyInitiated (https://www.youtube.com/c/HardlyInitiated)

Publisher

Hardly Initiated Network

Category

education · religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Apr 2023

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

507 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Hollywood Offered Him Millions but God Said Leave | Brandon ‘WriterBoy’ Washington

   The opportunity involved a new streaming platform and prospective multimillion-dollar deals. The speaker’s account turns on a harder question: what happens when ambition and conviction stop pointing in the same direction? In this Hardly Initiated conversation, the speaker describes preparing to lead a venture, hesitating for two weeks, and confronting a decision understood as God’s direction. This is personal testimony about faith and business, not a promise that obedience guarantees money or certainty. The conversation also challenges an easy assumption about Hollywood. Alongside difficult business experiences, the speaker describes colleagues who advocate for fair contracts and professional success. That distinction matters: protecting your values does not require assuming everyone around you is against them. Beyond the career story, this conversation explores: • How studying Scripture shapes the speaker’s understanding of spiritual guidance. • Why friendship and accountability matter when a decision carries real stakes. • The difference between shared faith and identical spiritual maturity in relationships. • How daily time with God and practical mentorship make conviction more than a public statement. When should a strong conviction lead you to leave an opportunity, and when should you seek more counsel first? Share an experience, including what helped you evaluate the decision responsibly. Subscribe to Hardly Initiated for honest conversations about faith and real life. Share this episode with someone weighing a difficult choice. Chapters: 00:00 Hearing God at 17 00:49 Faith in Hollywood 01:51 Wearing the Cross Loud 02:21 Podcast Welcome 03:26 Meet Brandon Washington 04:57 Instagram Connection 06:42 Before Writer Boy 08:54 Subway Obedience Test 12:23 Knowing His Voice 15:25 Identity in Hollywood 17:08 Foundation Before Fame 19:09 Vision and Calling 22:10 Walking Away From Millions 30:52 Light in Dark Places 33:09 Obedience and Sacrifice 36:10 Roots and Upbringing 37:53 Hood Lessons and Family 38:21 Giving Away the 300 39:02 Grandma Affirms Obedience 41:16 Owning His Voice 41:54 Cross on the Carpet 43:11 Radical Faith Explained 46:01 Backlash and Conversations 50:30 NLE Choppa and Grace 55:07 Finding Purpose in Film 57:39 New Film What Is Love 59:05 Purpose Through Christ 01:00:42 Real Relationship With God 01:02:06 Singleness and Temptation 01:07:26 God First in Marriage 01:10:34 Bride of Christ Book 01:11:08 Purpose in Singleness 01:11:28 God First in Love 01:12:39 Faith Standards in Dating 01:13:47 Baptism Is a Process 01:14:59 Equally Yoked Seasons 01:16:31 Discernment and Boundaries 01:19:16 Accountability Over Sin 01:20:21 Marriage Shapes Legacy 01:21:48 Moses and Face to Face 01:25:26 Asking God for More 01:27:59 Fasting and Hearing God 01:32:48 Daniel Fast Until 01:35:28 Obedience and Discipline 01:37:22 Calling and Creative Work 01:38:26 Projects Book and Farewell #FaithAndWork #ChristianAccountability #HardlyInitiated Renew The Mind Journal: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/renew-the-mind-journal Fight The Flesh Bracelet: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/fight-the-flesh-bracelet Hardly In Love Dating Cards: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/dating-deck Apply for Teach The Game Thursdays: https://forms.gle/b3mxsAhMd6hx4AnN9 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Can You Defend Your Faith Without Being Rude? | Da' T.R.U.T.H

   join our waitlist to our EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY and be the first to have access https://stayinitiated.com You grew up hearing about God. You learned the scriptures. You inherited the beliefs. But when life starts testing everything you’ve been taught… is your faith actually yours? Before Da’ T.R.U.T.H. was a Grammy-nominated Christian hip-hop artist and apologist, he was a pastor’s son who believed in God at five years old. Then came the questions. The doubts. The encounters that challenged beliefs he didn’t yet know how to defend. He didn’t begin searching for answers to win debates. He needed them for himself. In this episode of Hardly Initiated, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. joins Michael J. McDonald and Kira Oliver for an honest conversation about what happens when the faith you were raised with meets questions you can no longer ignore. Why is Jesus the only way? Can you believe in God and still wrestle with doubt? How were the books of the Bible chosen? And how do you confront the painful history of racism in the church while pursuing a relationship with Christ? As Michael brings his own questions to the table, the conversation becomes personal—moving through skepticism, race, scripture, and the challenge of loving people whose actions have hurt you. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. also reflects on learning that defending his faith requires listening, humility, and care for the person across from him. At the heart of it all is the move from inherited faith to informed faith: examining what you believe, understanding why you believe it, and choosing to go deeper. What question made you examine your own faith? Share your story in the comments. Subscribe to Hardly Initiated for more honest conversations. Share this episode with someone who’s been asking the hard questions. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Teaser 00:50 Meet DA Truth 01:34 Apologetics as Dialogue 02:34 New Book Announcement 02:49 Training and Credentials 04:32 From Music to Ministry 08:34 Growing Up in Faith 10:40 Crises and Doubts 13:34 What Apologists Do 15:18 Intelligent Faith Mission 15:53 Black Church and Scholarship Gap 20:05 Information Age Challenges 20:58 Dogma vs Education 22:33 Creating Safe Spaces 23:37 Epistemology Doing the Work 26:18 Truth Without Rudeness 27:00 London Story Body Language 30:59 When Truth Feels Judgmental 32:29 Post Truth Culture 33:20 Belief Has Consequences 34:58 Iceberg Conversations 37:11 Rich Young Ruler 41:32 Why Jesus Uses Questions 46:05 Beyond Sunday School Faith 52:55 Black White Church Dynamics 59:11 History Behind Segregation 01:00:34 Gospel Reconciliation Vision 01:03:42 Image Bearers Over Labels 01:08:51 Christianity White Religion Claim 01:09:31 History Shapes Faith 01:10:58 Bridge Building AEAA 01:13:12 White Jesus Imagery 01:15:58 Ask Before Answer 01:18:52 Christianity Before Slavery 01:20:46 Christ Versus Culture 01:23:52 Canonization Explained 01:27:37 Pseudepigrapha And Tests 01:34:10 Informed Faith Challenge 01:38:51 Pray For Appetite 01:42:24 Wrap Up And Resources #HardlyInitiated #DaTRUTH #Faith #ChristianApologetics Renew The Mind Journal: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/renew-the-mind-journal Fight The Flesh Bracelet: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/fight-the-flesh-bracelet Hardly In Love Dating Cards: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/dating-deck Apply for Teach The Game Thursdays: https://forms.gle/b3mxsAhMd6hx4AnN9 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Lust, Lies, and Liberation Keisha Gibsons Faith Journey

   Keisha Gibson’s story is a powerful testimony of survival, faith, and transformation. Born into trauma and generational curses, Keisha faced molestation, addiction, and years of life on the streets. Yet through the grace of Jesus Christ, she found freedom from the chains of sin and a new identity as a bride of Christ. In this episode, Keisha shares candid reflections on spiritual warfare, the struggle with lust, and the importance of obedience over mere ritual. She challenges misconceptions about faith, self-worth, and the church, offering raw honesty and hope. Takeaways include: - How generational sin can impact lives and how God’s grace breaks those cycles. - The difference between loving self and loving God as the foundation for transformation. - Practical insights on discerning God’s voice amid confusion. - The power of confession and community in healing. - Why obedience is the key to unlocking God’s provision and protection. What part of Keisha’s journey resonates most with you? How do you discern God’s voice in your life? Subscribe for more honest conversations that challenge and encourage your faith. Share this episode with someone who needs hope today. ## Chapters 00:00 Cycles of Trauma 00:37 Sex Work and Survival 00:58 Danger in the Streets 01:16 God Says Not This One 01:54 Podcast Guest Intro 04:18 Brooklyn Roots and Abuse 06:26 Abortions and No Foundation 07:37 From Hustling to Brothels 11:59 Money vs Lust 13:55 Outcalls and Close Calls 15:17 Saved From Hell 18:14 God’s Love for the Lost 22:56 Childhood Strength and Silence 25:34 Breaking Generational Curses 28:04 Fasting and Hearing God 31:06 No More Debates Just Souls 31:49 Protecting the Next Generation 32:20 Family Alcohol Warnings 32:41 Raising a Protected Child 36:07 Prayer Covering Daily 36:54 Music and Spiritual Influence 37:32 God Said Not This One 38:13 Leaving Prostitution Behind 40:02 First Church Breakthrough 42:02 Abortion Clinic Voice 44:22 No More Double Life 45:53 Hard Truth on Fornication 50:27 Three Voices Discernment 55:58 Bible Over Church Routine 58:26 One Church Not Three 01:02:29 One Church Headship 01:03:26 Confusion From Mixed Teaching 01:04:23 Pastor Integrity Risks 01:06:50 Ask God Where To Go 01:08:36 Calling Growth And Rebellion 01:10:45 Obedience Over Sacrifice 01:15:02 Catholicism And Denominations 01:20:16 Giving Up Secular Life 01:26:32 Mentors And Hearing God 01:28:12 Grace Vs Willful Sin 01:31:38 Final Declaration And Outro #FaithJourney #SpiritualTransformation #HardlyInitiated Renew The Mind Journal: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/renew-the-mind-journal Fight The Flesh Bracelet: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/fight-the-flesh-bracelet Hardly In Love Dating Cards: https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/dating-deck Apply for Teach The Game Thursdays: https://forms.gle/b3mxsAhMd6hx4AnN9 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.