Rooted and Real : Raw Discussions

About Rooted and Real : Raw Discussions

Rooted & Real is a laid-back, no-frills podcast where faith meets everyday life. Hosted by just a regular guy, this show offers honest, down-to-earth conversations about the Bible, personal growth, and navigating life with purpose. No preaching, no pressure—just real talk, a little reflection, and a whole lot of grace. Whether you're deep in your faith or just curious, pull up a chair and join the conversation.

Publisher

AJ Riley

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Jul 2025

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

59 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   BONUS EPISODE: Halloween: The History, the Mess, and What We Do With It

   Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions | Special Halloween Bonus Episode How did an ancient festival marking the arrival of winter somehow turn into a night where kids dress like superheroes, strangers hand out candy, and Christians argue about whether any of it is okay? Seriously… how did we get here? Halloween has one of the strangest histories of any holiday we celebrate, and depending on who you ask, it's either completely harmless or something we should stay as far away from as possible. But what if the real story isn't quite what either side thinks? In this special Halloween bonus episode, A.J. Riley digs into the history, mystery, and downright bizarre traditions that shaped the Halloween we know today. We're talking ancient Celtic celebrations, medieval church traditions, wandering spirits, a legendary troublemaker named Stingy Jack, and how Americans somehow turned the whole thing into a multibillion-dollar candy extravaganza. And somewhere between the ghost stories and glowing pumpkins, we're asking some questions worth thinking about. Does a tradition's past determine what it means today? Should Christians avoid Halloween altogether? And are we sometimes more interested in defending our opinions than actually understanding what we believe? This isn't an episode about telling you whether to celebrate Halloween. It's about getting past the exaggerated stories, the arguments, and the assumptions to have a real conversation about history, faith, and personal conviction. Because sometimes the scariest thing isn't what's hiding in the shadows… it's realizing we might not know as much as we thought we did. So grab a cup of coffee, steal a Reese's from the Halloween candy bowl, and pull up a chair. We're digging into the history, the mess, and what we do with it. Stay Rooted. Stay Real. Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions Hosted by A.J. Riley Real conversations about faith, life, struggles, and the questions we don't always have easy answers for. No perfect people. No pretending. Just honest discussions about the things that matter. Opening Theme: "That Rooted and Real Life" Created and Copyrighted by A.J. Riley Closing Theme: "Through it All" Created and Copyrighted by A.J. Riley Instagram: @rootednreal TikTok: @rootedreal4 Facebook: Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 🎙️ About the Podcast🎵 Theme Music📱 Stay Connected

2. 

   26 Oct 2026

   "Here I am. Send Me" - Answering the Call

   “Here am I. Send me.” Five simple words. One powerful response. But do we truly understand what they mean? In this episode of Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions, A.J. Riley takes an honest look at Isaiah 6:8 and the incredible story surrounding one of the Bible's most recognizable verses. Before Isaiah answered God's call, he encountered God's holiness, recognized his own brokenness, and experienced grace. And when he finally said yes, the assignment wasn't exactly what anyone would consider easy. We explore what it really means to be called by God, how this powerful verse can sometimes be misunderstood or taken out of context, and why obedience isn't always about recognition, success, or doing something extraordinary. Because maybe “Here I am. Send me” isn't about being brave enough to do something big. Maybe it's about being willing to let God use you exactly where you are. The question isn't just where God is sending you. It's whether you're truly available when He calls. 🎙️ Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions Hosted by A.J. Riley Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Stay Rooted. Stay Real. Show themes “Backroads Revival Revived” & “Rooted in the Dark” created and copyrighted by A.J. Riley.

3. 

   12 Oct 2026

   I Believe. Help my Unbelief - A Look at Mark 9 : 14-29

   What do you do when you believe in God, but part of you is still struggling to trust Him? In this one-off episode of Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions, A.J. Riley takes a simple, honest look at Mark 9:14–29 and one of the most relatable prayers in Scripture: “I believe; help my unbelief.” This isn’t a theologian’s breakdown or a polished sermon. It’s a layman opening the Bible and wrestling with faith, doubt, unanswered prayers, disappointment, and what it means to bring our questions to Jesus instead of hiding them. Because maybe faith isn’t pretending we never doubt. Maybe faith is knowing where to take the doubt when it shows up. 🎙️ Rooted and Real: Raw Discussions Hosted by A.J. Riley Stay Rooted. Stay Real. Show themes “Backroads Revival Revived” & “Rooted in the Dark” created and copyrighted by A.J. Riley.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

4.5 / 5

8 ratings