After IV

What's My Purpose?

It's a fundamental question that needs an answer. But would you be surprised to hear that the answer might not be quite as complicated as you think? This week, April Peters from Landing on Purpose is here to provide some helpful insight on our purpose and how it differs from our calling and mission.

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• E185: Who Am I? (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)

MORE FROM APRIL PETERS

• Landing on Purpos...

Who Am I?

The list of potential identities we hold during college is long: student, freshman/sophomore/junior/senior, athlete, Greek, leader, coordinator, president (to name a few). But putting on the cap and gown for graduation often requires taking off many of those titles. And as we leave them in the capable hands of those who remain on campus, we can be left with some uncertainty around our own identity. Who are we when...

Should I Cancel Netflix?

No, this isn't actually about Netflix, per se... Rather, what should my relationship be with media and entertainment after graduation? So often, we get home from work and our natural inclination is to sit down and turn on a streaming service or short-form social media like Instagram and TikTok. But is that the best way? What does it look like to establish healthy rhythms of rest that are informed by...

Where should I live?

"Wherever I can find a job," is probably the most common answer to this big question after graduation. We go where there's work. But what if there's more to it than that? What if we thought about "place" in terms of thriving? Where can I put down roots that will allow me to thrive and will also provide opportunities for me to help others thrive?

On this episode, we're joined by the leading expert in life...

How do I grow as a leader?

As a part of InterVarsity, opportunities to lead were abundant. That's the beauty of being part of a student-led organization! But those opportunities might not feel quite as accessible after graduation... How, then, do we keep developing as leaders in this new season of life?

Jason Jensen, author of the new IVP title "Formed to Lead", joins us for this episode to help reframe our understanding of ...

“What should I do about my anxiety?”

This week, we’re continuing our newest series, Big Questions, with the conclusion to our conversation with Nader Sahyouni, a professional in the world of clinical counseling and spiritual direction. Nader is going to finish clarifying what it means to accept more and then teach us how to attach better as a means to develop a healthier approach to managing anxiety.

If you missed part 1...

“What should I do about my anxiety?”

As a new grad, you have many questions running through your mind. It’s normal. It’s good. And it’s why this new series exists. For the next few weeks, we’re going to be asking the experts some of your biggest questions about life after graduation.

This week, we’re asking for help with anxiety. To help us do that, we’re joined by Nader Sahyouni, a professional in the world of clini...

Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... metaphor for life after graduation?

Okay, that's a stretch... BUT, the most recent Superman movie does illustrate a number of sentiments that might be appreciated by a brand new grad. Superman feels disconnected, misunderstood, lonely, and out of place. He's questioning his purpose but also has a deep sense of conviction and commitment to a meaningful mission. Can yo...

Alex Warren's "Ordinary" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 back in February of this year and has spent all of Summer '25 (so far) in the #1 position. It's catchy, it's deep, and it's fun to sing. But what does it mean? And how is it shaping us as we sing along in the car for the 50th time?

With lyrics that mention heaven's gates, the sanctuary, the altar, and even the Lord, it can leave us with familiar feelings of faith an...

What can a medical student expect as they make the transition to residency?

After IV is sitting down with another focus ministry alum this week! On this episode, we're chatting with Dr. Victor Hsiao, MD, an alum from the Keck Student Christian Fellowship at USC. In addition to providing insights about his transition to residency after Med School, Victor shares how his time with his grad fellowship helped prepare him for par...

We've heard the experts. But what are my fellow alumni saying?

We recently devoted 10 episodes to conversations with experts and your fellow alumni about navigating the unique challenges of faith transitions after college. We covered a range of topics including new rhythms for spiritual discipline, doubt, hope, and perseverance. 

Today, we look back on those conversations with Selah, a 2024 InterVarsity alumna who's walking ...

Too much? Not enough? Exactly the right amount?

How much joy would you say you experience in your life right now?

“Biblical joy and a life of joy comes about when we sense in our nearness to God that he is good and that that will never change. That his goodness and his loving grace toward us is unceasing and it is constant and it is consistent in the midst of life’s ups and downs.”

On this episode of After IV, we revisit our...

Has God left me here alone?

When we find ourselves in dark, dangerous places, it's easy to wonder if God has left us. We might wonder... 

• Did I miss his instructions? 
• Is it because of sin? 
• Does he just not care?

What if those are the wrong questions? What if we're supposed to ask...

• Where do I remember seeing God in the past?
• Is it possible he's still there?

Difficulty and hardship do not equal God's absence. I...

I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with Jesus lately...

That's normal! Sometimes, sticking with your faith isn't about feeling inspired. It's about continuing to show up when it's boring, confusing, and hard. This week, we're talking about spiritual perseverance and our ability to hold tight to Jesus; especially when it feels like our relationship with him just isn't going anywhere.

Because sometimes faithfully following J...

"I walked away for a pretty long time..."

No one expects to walk away from their faith after graduation. It was definitely a huge surprise for Rocco. He'd been highly involved in his InterVarsity chapter. He attended Urbana. And he was excited and hopeful about life after graduation. But loneliness, overworking, and extremely intelligent co-workers who didn't believe in Jesus left him experiencing an unexpected crisis of fa...

What do I do when my faith experience feels... disappointing?

In this candid episode of After IV, we welcome InterVarsity alumna Erica Spanjers to talk about the highs and lows of post-college faith. Jon and Erica explore what it means to follow Jesus when church communities let us down, when spiritual growth feels slow, and when God's presence seems quiet. With themes of church hurt, spiritual disappointment, and resilient...

When you look back, do you see Him? 

In part two of our conversation with Heather Thompson Day, we talk about the power of reflection, the slow work of spiritual growth, and the ways God shows up—often in hindsight. Heather shares how journaling, gratitude, and persistent hope have helped her recognize God's fingerprints even in seasons of silence and waiting. We also explore what it means to prosper in God’s kingdom (hint:...

What if doubt wasn’t something to run from, but a sign you’re right where God wants you? 

In part one of this honest and powerful conversation, Dr. Heather Thompson Day joins us to talk about the unexpected presence of doubt during life’s biggest transitions—like stepping away from a career, losing structure, or graduating from a close-knit community. Together, we unpack how faith and doubt often coexist, why resistance can...

What's the hardest part about making friends after graduation?

Believe it or not, it usually isn't meeting new people. New people are everywhere. The hardest part is taking consistent, proactive steps toward GETTING TO KNOW someone once you've met them. So, how do we take that step? If friendship and community are so important for our faith development, mental health, and general well being, how do we overcome that most dif...