Lo-fi Faith
Lo-fi Faith
Mike Dawson and James Mello
On Lo-fi Faith, Mike and James have honest conversations about what it means to follow Jesus in today's world. Whether you're deeply committed, spiritually curious, or deconstructing what you once believed, you're welcome here.
Approaching Ellen White (Part 1)
Few topics generate more tension in the Adventist Church than Ellen White. Mike and James discuss why that is, what happens when questions are discouraged, and why truth has nothing to fear from honest inquiry.
Jul 26
27 min
Men, Grief, and Loss
What does healthy grief look like, and why do so many men struggle to process it? In this episode, Mike and James are joined by Christchurch counsellor Daryl Parsons, who shares his experience of losing his wife and the extremely difficult time that followed. Together, they explore the harsh realities of bereavement, the need for men to become more emotionally self-aware, and why allowing ourselves to grieve is an essential part of healing.
Jul 12
27 min
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Part 2)
Can you be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature? In this episode, Mike and James continue their conversation with therapist Orlando Lizardi. Together, they unpack the challenges of emotionally immature relationships and explore practical ways to become more in touch with your inner world. If growing in emotional intelligence is one of your goals, this episode is for you.
Jun 28
33 min
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Part 1)
Can someone be spiritually healthy while emotionally unhealthy? Mike and James sit down with therapist Orlando Lizardi to discuss how our emotional lives shape our experience of God, ourselves, and others—and why emotional healing is an essential part of spiritual growth.
Jun 14
28 min
Reverence In The Sanctuary?
In this episode, Mike and James examine the idea of church buildings as “sacred space” and ask the question: Is church holy ground? Looking at the teachings of Jesus, the practices of the early church, and the broader trajectory of the New Testament, they explore whether certain modern definitions of reverence truly reflect the biblical picture of worship, or whether they stem more from tradition than Scripture.
May 31
28 min
Apocalyptic Mania
Fear sells—and in some Christian circles, apocalyptic fear sells really well. In this episode, Mike and James unpack the culture of end-times sensationalism, from panic-driven lifestyle decisions to online voices that continually revise their predictions without losing influence. It’s a conversation about discernment, misplaced priorities, and the uncomfortable reality that many believers may be receiving far more discipleship from social media algorithms than from their local church.
May 17
26 min
Religious Trauma (Part 2)
In this episode, Mike and James continue their conversation on religious trauma, exploring how harmful leadership dynamics take root, why they persist, and how churches can shift toward being trauma-informed, fostering environments of safety, awareness, and genuine care.
May 3
29 min
Religious Trauma (Part 1)
In this episode, Mike and James discuss what happens when church becomes a place of harm instead of healing. They explore religious trauma, spiritual abuse, fear-based religion, and the ways people can be deeply wounded by systems that claim to speak for God.
Apr 19
26 min
Social Justice & The Gospel
The gospel changes hearts—but does it also challenge systems? In this episode, Mike and James discuss how the message of Jesus intersects with justice, culture, and power, and whether following him should naturally lead us to engage with the broken structures around us.
Apr 5
31 min
Text vs Tradition
After exploring the role preconceptions play in forming our theology, Mike and James now put those ideas into practice using a real-world example from their own experience: the idea that vegetarianism represents a spiritual ideal that all Christians must aim for. Looking at passages like Genesis 1 and Daniel 1, they ask a bigger question—where does the Bible actually speak, and where might tradition be speaking for it?
Mar 21
28 min
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