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Hardly Initiated

Hardly Initiated

Hardly Initiated 482 Episodes Sep 15, 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

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
HI #19: The Ripple Effect: When Loyalty Becomes a Betrayal to Your Own Soul
HI #19: The Ripple Effect: When Loyalty Becomes a Betrayal to Your Own Soul Jun 25, 2026 6346 What happens to the people left standing when a marriage suddenly collapses? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Gail Wells is joined by her closest friends — Dr. Simone, a board-certified OBGYN and Bravo star, and Rachel, a divorce attorney who navigated her own divorce while representing others — to unpack the side of betrayal no one talks about: the ripple effect. They go deep on why our g
Betrayal's Pain From Heartbreak to Fighting Back
Betrayal's Pain From Heartbreak to Fighting Back Jun 22, 2026 876 WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE:https://youtu.be/WxTFDB-qr4gHost Jessica Laine-MacDonald:https://www.instagram.com/itsjessicalaine/Renew The Mind Journal:https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/renew-the-mind-journalFight The Flesh Bracelet:https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/fight-the-flesh-braceletHardly In Love Dating Cards:https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/dating-deckApply for Teach The Ga
Lost Identity After Betrayal: Finding Strength in Faith
Lost Identity After Betrayal: Finding Strength in Faith Jun 20, 2026 762 WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE:https://youtu.be/WxTFDB-qr4gHost Jessica Laine-MacDonald:https://www.instagram.com/itsjessicalaine/Renew The Mind Journal:https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/renew-the-mind-journalFight The Flesh Bracelet:https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/fight-the-flesh-braceletHardly In Love Dating Cards:https://www.hardlyinitiated.com/products/dating-deckApply for Teach The Gam
HI #18: Married and Divorced: A wife’s triumph over BETRAYAL
HI #18: Married and Divorced: A wife’s triumph over BETRAYAL Jun 18, 2026 5120 TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Betrayal Hits Like Trauma00:22 The Airline Call Clue00:45 Truth Comes Crashing Down01:18 Welcome to the Story04:39 Who Is Gail Wells05:36 What Marriage Meant06:31 Signs and Trusting Nature08:37 Losing Yourself in Marriage10:58 Gail Rebooted 2.014:02 Heartbreak and Hospital Visit17:07 Finding Strength to Fight22:52 Grief Comes in Waves28:17 Speaking to the Suicidal Sister32:48 Surv

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