What do Easter, ancient Gnosticism, and modern Fury Fandom have in common?

More than we might expect.

In this episode of the More to the Story Podcast, I’m joined by Christian author and apologist Melissa Dougherty to talk about how truth gets obscured, not always by outright rejection, but by replacement. Easter, Melissa argues, hasn’t been abandoned by the Church; it’s been crowded out by well‑intentioned traditions, consumerism, and a spirituality that feels meaningful without being clear.

Together, we explore how this shift shapes what children and families actually learn about Easter—and what they often miss entirely.

These concerns led Melissa to write a gospel‑centered children’s allegory, The Day That Made the Way, designed to help children understand not just that Jesus rose from the dead, but why He had to.

We also talk about Melissa’s research into Fury Fandom, using it as a lens to examine modern devotion, identity formation, and how people—especially the young—are catechized by the stories and communities they inhabit.

At heart, this episode is about discernment: how truth is preserved, how it’s diluted, and how Christians can hold fast to what is true in a noisy and crowded age.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/1MfgTxSJZ5Q

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this special episode of More to the Story, I’m joined by my favorite guest of all time—my wife—to introduce a practical and engaging approach to delivering sermons together: Tag‑Team Preaching.

We break down how this method works, why it has strengthened our ministry, and how couples or co‑communicators can use it to bring clarity, energy, and relational depth to the preaching moment. Together we explain how this method can create a richer experience for a congregation without losing focus or theological coherence.

We share stories from our own experience, outline a simple framework for getting started, and offer guidance for making the transition smooth for both the preachers and the church. If you’re a pastor, teacher, or ministry leader interested in collaborative communication, this episode provides a practical, encouraging roadmap.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/Jq5wHY0dF4I

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

In this episode of More to the Story, I’m joined by historian and theologian Dr. John Wilsey to discuss his important new book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer. John offers a clear, historically grounded, and theologically informed case for why religious liberty is essential to the American experiment—and why Christians should champion it not merely for themselves, but for everyone.

We explore the intellectual roots of religious freedom, how conservative thinkers have approached the topic, and why protecting conscience is a distinctly Christian act of neighbor love. John also sheds light on current cultural debates, misconceptions about the First Amendment, and what a principled commitment to pluralism should look like for believers today.

This thoughtful conversation helps us understand the past, navigate the present, and prepare for a future in which religious freedom must be intentionally preserved.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/_2Ib1tvmZp4

Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4

Find Dr. Wilsey’s book here - https://a.co/d/05Ouchm4

If you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses,

Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

And don’t forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon!

Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! For more from Andy Miller III, visit andymilleriii.com or follow @andymilleriii on X.

Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net