Curiously Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn's new podcast, The Better Question, is live now! Start listening now on Apple Podcast or Spotify:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-better-question-with-kaitlyn-schiess/id6827225634

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Asgcc4YLcLMgAlcdSy3Ju

Who should be baptized, and why does it matter? Skye and Kaitlyn unpack the debate between infant baptism and believer's baptism, looking at the biblical arguments, church history, and the different ways Christian traditions understand what baptism actually means. They also explore how our views of baptism connect to bigger questions about salvation, communion, and what it means to belong to the church.

Resources:

For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy by Alexander Schmemann: https://amzn.to/4s5jFQP

Baptism: Three Views by David F. Wright, Sinclair B. Ferguson, and Bruce A...

For one last episode, Kaitlyn and Mike tackle a final batch of kids' questions about heaven, miracles, Noah's Ark, Satan's snake, and how Adam and Eve didn't know they were naked. Kaitlyn also reflects on what she hopes listeners take with them from the show and why the church needs the curiosity of kids.

0:00 - Theme Song

5:43 - Will There Be Orthodontists in Heaven?

11:15 - What Happened to People in the Bible before Jesus?

15:22 - What Kind of Snake was Satan?

It's rapid-fire question time! Kaitlyn and Producer Mike work through some of the funniest, strangest, and surprisingly deep questions kids have sent in, covering everything from Genesis and heaven to free will, other religions, and the afterlife. Make sure to come back next week for our last episode!

0:00 - Theme Song

2:18 - Adam, Eve, and Their Belly Buttons

5:08 - Will There Be Birthdays in Heaven?

11:52 - Can You See Your Soul Drift to Heaven?

16:13 - Why'd God Make the Forbi...

Women are all over the Bible, but many of their stories rarely make it into sermons, Sunday school lessons, or children's Bibles. Kaitlyn sits down with Carmen Joy Imes and Nijay Gupta, authors of Fierce and Faithful, to talk about the women we overlook, the hard questions kids ask about Scripture, and why boys and girls alike need to hear these stories.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:40 - Why Focus on the Women of the Bible?

4:48 - The Prophet Huldah

8:18 - Answering Complicated Questions

 ...

Dinosaurs, Adam and Eve, evolution, and the Bible can raise some big questions, especially for kids. Kaitlyn and Producer Mike talk about how Christians have tried to make sense of science and Scripture, and why helping kids ask good questions may be more important than having the perfect answer.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:45 - Dinosaur questions!

3:55 - Three Views

10:23 - Science and Faith

15:23 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link...

Producer Mike's son Oliver has a lot of questions about the Bible, so Kaitlyn sits down with him to talk through as many as they can. Why did God rest on the seventh day? How did an angel shut the lions' mouths? Why did God make us, and how has God always existed? Listen along to hear what it actually looks like to talk about the Bible with kids.

0:00 - Intro

1:02 - Theme Song

1:22 - How Old Did Adam and Eve Turn?

5:49 - Why...

Curiously Kaitlyn is coming to an end in a few weeks, but Kaitlyn isn't going anywhere. Kaitlyn and Mike explain why the show is wrapping up, what they've loved about answering kids' questions, and why now feels like the right time to try something new. They also talk about a new podcast Kaitlyn is working on that will launch this fall.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:35 - Good news, bad news

4:30 - Why are we doing this?

11:52 - Sponsor - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pill...

Why did the Pharisees clash so often with Jesus if they were genuinely trying to be faithful to God? Kaitlyn explains who the Pharisees actually were, why they saw Jesus as a threat, and why the familiar picture of them as self-righteous villains misses important context. She also explores what Jesus' harshest critiques were really about, why Christians should be careful about calling people "Pharisees" today, and what these conflicts teach us about faithfulness, power, and trying to do Jesus' job for him.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:36 - Why Were the Pharisees An...

Why did Jesus go to heaven? And if he went "up," does that mean he's living somewhere in outer space? Kaitlyn and Mike unpack the surprisingly strange story of Jesus' ascension and why the Bible gives us so few details about where Jesus actually went. Kaitlyn explains why the ascension isn't primarily about Jesus leaving the earth, but about Jesus taking his place as King, ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:26 - Why Did Jesus Go to Heaven?

2:23 - What is...

Movies are filled with cars, buildings, and cities blowing up—we love explosions! Does the Bible have any explosions? Kaitlyn and Noah, her fiancé, ask what counts as an explosion and elect one "explosion" the best.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:26 - What's the Biggest Explosion in the Bible?

3:10 - Was Creation an Explosion?

5:20 - Sodom and Gomorrah

8:17 - The Walls of Jericho

13:50 - Sponsor - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended...

The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the most unsettling passages in the Bible. Kaitlyn explains why God tested Abraham even though he already knew what Abraham would do, and what the story reveals about both faith and the character of God. God's tests are not meant to reveal something to him, but to reveal and form something in us.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:04 - Why Did God Test Abraham?

5:27 - Uncomfortable Things in Scripture

10:15 - Tempting vs Testing

16...

In wedding ceremonies, couples say, "Til death do us part." Wait, but what happens to your marriage after death? Jesus talks only briefly about marriage and weddings, but that has been enough to give scholars a lot to debate about throughout the centuries. Kaitlyn explains what these passages say and why she thinks heavenly matrimony seems plausible.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:52 - What Will Marriage Be Like in Heaven?

6:14 - What Does the Bible Say?

10:36 - Marriage's Purpose

17:41 - Sponsor -  CB...

Crying can feel like a sign of weakness, which makes it hard to imagine an all-powerful God shedding tears. Kaitlyn explores what Jesus weeping at Lazarus's tomb reveals about a God who chooses to be moved by our suffering and how Christian hope does not minimize grief, but instead promises death, pain, and tears will not have the final word.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:32 - Does God Cry?

11:10 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, Use code CURIOUS30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible! htt...

The story of Adam and Eve has often been used to argue that men were created to lead and women were created to assist. But does Genesis actually say that? Kaitlyn looks more closely at the two creation accounts, the meaning of the word "helper," and why Eve's creation from Adam's side is meant to emphasize their shared humanity rather than her inferiority.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:56 - How Did God Make Even Out of Adam's Rib?

6:02 - Do We Know Genesis?

14:58 - Sponsor - Bl...

Heaven is often imagined as clouds, mansions, and maybe a few streets of gold, but Jesus' promise in John 14 is far more comforting than heavenly real estate. Kaitlyn talks about what Jesus meant when he said his Father's house has many rooms, why "mansions" may be a misunderstanding, and how the Bible's picture of eternity is physical, communal, and full of belonging. Heaven may not include a private mansion, but may offer something much better: a place in God's household.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:55 - Does God Have Mansions for Us?

What would the existence of aliens mean for the Christian story? Kaitlyn and Mike explore whether sin only affects humans, whether other planets are part of a fallen creation, and what the Bible's big-picture story of creation and redemption might have to say about life beyond Earth. They also talk about the image of God, why intelligence is not what makes humans valuable, and why the hope of Jesus is not just personal forgiveness, but the restoration of all things.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:38 - Are Other Planets Unsinful?

...

Why did changing "brothers" to "brothers and sisters" in some Bibles make so many Christians upset? Kaitlyn unpacks why older translations often said "brothers," "men," or "mankind," and why many newer translations now use more inclusive language. She talks about language, culture, and why it matters that every child knows God's Word is speaking to them.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:25 - Feeling Promotional

1:57 - Why Does it Say "Brothers" in the Bible Instead of "Sisters"

5:02 - Translation Reasons

12:29 - Sponsor - CBE...

When Jesus prayed, was he talking to himself? Kaitlyn dives into the deep end of Christian theology, talking about the Trinity, Jesus' humanity, and why "three persons, one God" is both true and mysterious. She explores why Jesus praying in the garden is not God merely talking to himself, but a glimpse into the eternal relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit, and why Jesus' human will matters for how we understand prayer, suffering, and obedience.

0:00 - Intro

1:33 - Why Does Jesus Pray for Us if He's God?

4:59 - T...

Daniel prays where people can see him, but Jesus tells his followers not to pray just to be noticed. So did Daniel and Jesus disagree about prayer? Kaitlyn explains why Daniel's prayer was an act of quiet faithfulness, not religious showmanship, and why Jesus was warning against using prayer to impress an audience. Mike and Kaitlyn talk about public faith, political protest, performative religion, and the difference between staying faithful to God and trying to look faithful to everyone else.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:58 - Was Daniel a Hypocrite?

...

It's a mailbag episode, and Kaitlyn is taking on a wide range of listener questions about church, communion, and Christian formation. Is it okay to take the Lord's Supper by yourself at home if your church only celebrates it once a month? What does it actually mean to "live in light of the resurrection"? And how much theological training should pastors and ministry leaders have before stepping into leadership? Plus, Kaitlyn and Mike wrestle honestly with what to do when every church near you feels too casual, too shallow, or just not what you hoped for.

When we say Scripture is inspired by God, what do we mean? Did God simply dictate every word, or put the authors in some sort of trance? Did Paul know he was writing Scripture when he first penned his letter to the Romans? Kaitlyn helps us understand what Christians mean when they say the Bible is "God-breathed," and how the Holy Spirit worked through real people with real personalities, purposes, cultures, and quirks. She also explains why God's choice to work through messy human means is not a problem to solve, but a gift to receive.

Kaitlyn looks at why Proverbs personifies both wisdom and folly as women, how those images have often been misunderstood, and why Proverbs 31 should not be treated as an impossible checklist for Christian womanhood. She also talk about the Bible's honest account of sin's impact on men and women, the difference between wisdom and certainty, and why learning to live with unanswered questions can actually strengthen faith.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:40 - What's Up with Proverbs?

9:24 - Devaluing Women

13:20 - Sponsor - World Relief - Part...

Ever looked around during worship and wondered why everyone suddenly has their hands in the air? Kaitlyn and producer Mike explore where this practice comes from, what the Bible actually says about worship, and why different churches express worship in such different ways. They also unpack the tension between emotional worship and thoughtful faith, and ask an important question: What if God cares more about the condition of your heart than the placement of your hands?

0:00 - Theme Song

1:01 - Why Do We Put Hands Up in Worship?

...

We know we are supposed to get baptized, but does it matter where it happens? Kaitlyn and Mike unpack what baptism actually is, why Christians do it, and why it's about more than just a personal moment. Where you're baptized might be less about the building and more about the people standing with you...but the building still matters!

0:00 - Theme Song

1:00 - Why Can You only Get Baptized in Church?

3:15 - What is Baptism?

7:51 - Is Baptism Just Symbolic?

15...

Many of us cannot imagine Heaven without bacon. Concerns about meat in Heaven may seem silly, but they're actually really relevant. Kaitlyn unpacks our understanding of our relationship to food, the Garden of Eden, and the Resurrection. And Mike wonders if, perhaps, Heaven will be full of hamburger trees.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:54 - Will There Be Meat in Heaven?

5:44 - Sin Vs. Limitations

12:33 - Sponsor - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended by dermatologists! Go to https://www.bl...

So, babies don't know very much. God knows everything. God became a baby. With all that in mind, did Baby Jesus know everything? Kaitlyn talks about Jesus being both a person and God at the same time and how confusing that can get!

0:00 - Theme Song

1:00 - All-Knowing Baby Jesus?

2:30 - Jesus Grew in Wisdom

10:45 - Sponsor - World Relief - Partner with World Relief in creating safety, stability and belonging for refugees and immigrants at https://www.worldrelief.org/KAITLYN

Human beings are made in the image of God, so we should be first, right? The first are usually the most important. Why would God make us after all the animals and plants? Kaitlyn explains the theology behind Adam and Even being made after the Garden of Eden.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:33 - Why Did God Create People Last?

2:42 - Being Last Humbles Us

9:00 - Being Last Elevates Us

16:18 - God Gave Us Rest

21:26 - Why Rest i...

So, every year, we talk about Jesus dying and coming back. Did that just happen once, or did he die and come back? Kaitlyn and Mike talk about why we mourn Jesus every year even though he only died once.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:45 - Does Jesus Die on the Cross Every Easter?

9:08 - Crucifixion and Communion

18:25 - Sponsor - Tyndale - Ask better question and discover the Gospel of Being Human with Marty Solomon. Check it out at: https://www.navpress.com/

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Ever read something Jesus said and thought… wait, was that supposed to make sense? One young listener asks why Jesus seemed to intentionally confuse people in Mark 4, and it turns out she's stumbled onto one of the hardest passages in the Gospels. Kaitlyn and Mike dig into the parable of the sower, Jesus' surprising quote from Isaiah, and whether God actually wants some people not to understand. They also wrestle with a tension many of us feel: why doesn't God just make everything clearer? The answer has less to do with intelligence and more to do with relationship, trust, an...

You may have heard people in church say, "Jesus is the Word of God," but they also say, "The Bible is the Word of God." The Bible itself refers to Jesus as the "Word of God." How are those things both true? Kaitlyn explains how the term "Word of God" is used throughout the Bible, the debates around the Greek word for "word," and how we interpret scripture to define important terms.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:00 - Why are Jesus and Scripture...

If your dog goes to heaven, will she see Jesus as a dog? Kaitlyn and Mike explore what the Bible actually says about animals, God's care for creation, and whether the pets we love might be part of the new creation. They tackle why Jesus became human and why that particular, embodied humanity still matters today. The conversation leads to a bigger question many adults quietly assume: is Jesus whoever we want him to be? And what happens when the real Jesus challenges the version we've made in our own image.

0:00 - Theme Song

Pharaoh's magicians seem to be doing magic in the Bible! If supernatural power comes from God, then how are these guys turning rods into snakes? Kaitlyn talks about how people have understood that passage in the Bible and what it reveals about our relationship to idols, magic, and God.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:56 - Why Did God Let Pharaoh's Magicians Do Magic?

4:25 - Was it Just a Magic Trick?

9:12  - God vs Egyptian gods

15:22 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Sp...

Most of us assume angels rank above humans in the great cosmic hierarchy. But angels, for all their mystery and power, lack two essential parts of what it means to be human: a physical body and the kind of covenant relationship with God that shapes our story. Kaitlyn takes up the simple question of whether angels are boys or girls and uses it to draw out the deeper differences between angels and humans and how these differences point us back to the astonishing claim at the heart of Scripture: that embodied, relational humanity holds a uniquely honored place in...

Did God choose you or did you choose God? Kaitlyn tackles one of Christianity's most debated questions, predestination vs. free will, exploring what the Bible says about God's sovereignty, human choice, and how believers have wrestled with holding both together for centuries. She also addresses the deeper motivations behind this debate, including fear about salvation, questions about responsibility, and the temptation to settle for overly simple answers to complex mysteries.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:10 - Free Will or Predestination?

5:18 - Bible Verse

15:00 - Sponsor - No...

Isn't it weird that the Bible has all these little verse and chapter markers? And the original writers of the books of the Bible didn't write them. So, where did they come from? Kaitlyn explains why we have verse and chapter markers and how it sometimes changes how we read the Bible.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:52 - What's With All the Numbers in the Bible?

4:00 - Why Read Whole Books of the Bible?

8:18 - Dividing the Bible Into Verses

13:35 - Spons...

We all know the story of Lot's wife being turned into a pillar of salt, but have you ever stopped to look at it from her perspective? Kaitlyn unpacks this strange story to talk about God's mercy, our tendency to return to things that harmed us, and how to read the Bible when we come across stories we do not fully understand.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:07 - Why Was Lot's Wife Turned Into Salt?

9:00 - Why Salt?

14:20 - Sponsor - No Small Endeavor - Awar...

What does it mean to fear an all-loving God? Is it just reverence and awe, or are we actually supposed to be afraid? Kaitlyn and Mike wrestle with biblical stories, common misconceptions about Greek and Hebrew word studies, and the difference between fear that drives us away from God and fear that draws us closer. They also explore how a healthy fear of God can free us from fear of people, power, and politics and why that paradox might actually be good news.

0:00 - Theme Song

3:11 - Fear as Respect?

We think the after life will be perfect in every way, but that is not the picture that Scripture paints.  From Eden to new creation, Kaitlyn and Mike explore why scripture calls creation "good" instead of "perfect," why only God has perfection, and why eternal life won't be static, boring, or frozen in place. Instead, it's a future of growth, learning, and flourishing—far better than the perfection we imagine now.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:55 - Should the Word Be Used to Describe Something on Earth?

3:35 - Was Eden p...

Why do Christians bow their heads when they pray? Is it just tradition, a way to avoid distraction, or does our posture actually shape our faith? Kaitlyn and Producer Mike explore where bowing came from, how the Bible depicts it, what the early church thought about prayer posture, and how our bodies help form our hearts. Also in the episode: feudal hand gestures, sugar glider onesies, and why distracted prayers might not be something to feel guilty about after all.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:25 - Why Do We Bow Our Heads?