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Hardly Initiated

Hardly Initiated

Hardly Initiated 482 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

Hardly Initiated is a live YouTube show that streams every Monday and Thursday at 6 PM EST. The podcast covers a variety of topics, with episodes available for subscription on YouTube.

Episodes

Women Defending Their Faith and Facing the Backlash: Apologetics, Doubt, and Daily Practice
Women Defending Their Faith and Facing the Backlash: Apologetics, Doubt, and Daily Practice Oct 13, 2026 6441 You can believe deeply in Jesus and still freeze when someone asks you why.But what happens when defending your faith starts crowding out your time with God?This Hardly Initiated conversation moves beyond knowing the right arguments. The speakers examine the difference between growing up around Christianity and personally choosing to follow Christ, then wrestle with what public conviction requires
Hollywood Offered Him Millions but God Said Leave | Brandon ‘WriterBoy’ Washington
Hollywood Offered Him Millions but God Said Leave | Brandon ‘WriterBoy’ Washington Oct 6, 2026 6002 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 i
Can You Defend Your Faith Without Being Rude? | Da' T.R.U.T.H
Can You Defend Your Faith Without Being Rude? | Da' T.R.U.T.H Sep 29, 2026 6217 join our waitlist to our EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY and be the first to have access https://stayinitiated.comYou 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
Lust, Lies, and Liberation Keisha Gibsons Faith Journey
Lust, Lies, and Liberation Keisha Gibsons Faith Journey Sep 22, 2026 5614 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 strug
From Billboard, Nightlife & the Nation of Islam to Jesus
From Billboard, Nightlife & the Nation of Islam to Jesus Sep 15, 2026 6677 Kelz had Billboard success, nightlife access, and a place to belong—but he still could not find peace. Then one sentence inside the Nation of Islam made him decide: **I’m walking out, and I’m not coming back.**In this episode of Hardly Initiated, Kelz sits with Michael J. McDonald and Kira Oliver to tell the story behind that decision: the suicide crisis he survived, the family pressure that foll
The Hood Bible: P Lo on Rikers Island, Drug Dealing and Faith
The Hood Bible: P Lo on Rikers Island, Drug Dealing and Faith Sep 8, 2026 7368 He was selling drugs. Then a man in jail called him a witch.P Lo says that conversation made him confront the harm behind his hustle.Follow Guest: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJl6hwSOSpK/?stkn=bmNkZXh6OHI4c2U1Follow Kira: https://www.instagram.com/thekiraoliver/Follow Michael: https://www.instagram.com/michaeljmacdonald/Before Rikers Island, he already knew about God. But knowing about faith an
Why I Hate Satan: Pain, Alcohol & the Battle for Your Soul
Why I Hate Satan: Pain, Alcohol & the Battle for Your Soul Sep 1, 2026 5955 When the person everyone depends on starts breaking, where do they take the pain? Michael was carrying a private family crisis and crying only when nobody could see—until lifelong friends and a moment in worship brought everything out.In this episode of Hardly Initiated, Michael J. MacDonald and Kira Oliver have an unfiltered conversation about emotional suppression, alcohol, inherited coping patt
Fear of Death, Finding Faith & the Search for Real Peace
Fear of Death, Finding Faith & the Search for Real Peace Aug 25, 2026 4205 Michael J. MacDonald has been afraid of death since losing his grandmother at eight years old. In this episode, he and Kira Oliver explore how childhood loss, uncomfortable church experiences, identity, and religious pressure can shape someone’s willingness to pursue faith.Michael explains why success and material comfort cannot replace peace—and why his brother’s early attempts to push Christiani
God’s Test or Satan’s Trap? How to Know the Difference
God’s Test or Satan’s Trap? How to Know the Difference Aug 18, 2026 4290 Michael was searching for a home-theater system when a stranger suddenly offered him a $10,000 system for only $1,000.It arrived at exactly the right time, so Michael assumed it had to be God answering him.It was a scam.Kira had a very different experience. She prayed for God to help her escape a relationship she knew wasn’t right. The next day, her house burned down—and she still struggled to rec
She Left The Weeknd’s Concert After Two Songs: Music, Conviction & Spiritual Warfare
She Left The Weeknd’s Concert After Two Songs: Music, Conviction & Spiritual Warfare Aug 4, 2026 3009 After spending 30 days focused on worship, faith, and getting closer to God, Kira Oliver accepted an invitation to see The Weeknd in concert.She expected a fun night out. But after only two songs, she says the atmosphere felt so spiritually heavy that she called an Uber and left.That moment changed how she listened to music—and opened a much bigger conversation.In this episode of Hard Leanin’, Mic
Kira Oliver: Does a Good Heart Get You Into Heaven? | Hardly Initiated Ep. 1
Kira Oliver: Does a Good Heart Get You Into Heaven? | Hardly Initiated Ep. 1 Jul 28, 2026 3403 A year ago, Kira Oliver didn't own a Bible.She was out every weekend — drinking, chasing the world, putting "God first" with her mouth but last with her life. Then during one of the hardest seasons of her life, a friend told her to try something she'd never done before: fast. She brushed it off. Days later, a voice she couldn't ignore said it again.So she did it. Seven days. No
HI #20: Purpose and Partnership: Michael and Jessica's New Beginning
HI #20: Purpose and Partnership: Michael and Jessica's New Beginning Jun 29, 2026 2904 In this episode, Michael J. MacDonald sits down with his wife, Jessica Lane MacDonald, to introduce her to the audience and explain why she has stepped into hosting this faith-based platform. Michael opens by sharing how the opportunity came about through a call from Tysean and Ryan, the original founders of the page, and why he believes Jessica was always meant to be in this seat, calling it her

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