Curiously Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn Schiess

Do you have questions about theology, the Bible, or the church that you're too afraid to ask? Tired of pastors and scholars using unfamiliar language or overly complicated explanations? Curiously, Kaitlyn is a weekly podcast hosted by author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess that tries to make theology accessible, meaningful, and fun. Each week, you'll hear a kid ask a theology question–sometimes serious, sometimes silly–and Kaitlyn will interview a scholar to help answer it (without all the academic jargon). Together, Kaitlyn and her guest discover that this one simple question opens up big theological ideas that can impact our lives, shape our view of God, and understand Scripture in a new way. Whether you're reminiscing about your own childhood curiosities or simply seeking a refreshing take on faith, tune in and rediscover the joy of learning with "Curiously Kaitlyn."

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28 episodes
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Avg 30 min
English

Episodes 28

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Tuesday · 35 min
Did Adam and Eve Have Belly Buttons, Will There be Birthdays in Heaven, and More!
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 Forbidden Fruit? 20:15 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330 21:17 - Sponsor - World Relief - Help walk alongside refugees by donating now at with https://worldrelief.org/KAITLYN 22:40 - Sponsor - With God Daily - Get the daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals in your inbox every day by signing up at: https://holypost.com/plus 24:00 - Will We Be Naked in Heaven 29:02 - Does God Love People Who Worship Other gods? 32:33 - Who Did Cain Marry? 35:20 - End Credits
September 22 · 33 min
The Women in the Bible We Forget to Talk About
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 15:22 - Sponsor - The Esau McCaulley Podcast - Esau has conversations that challenge your thinking, strengthen your faith, and give you plenty of reasons to laugh. Listen now at: https://pod.link/1770229436 16:32 - Favorite Women in the Bible 28:00 - Are Any Books of the Bible Written by a Girl? 32:50 - End Credits Fierce and Faithful: 25 Women of the Bible Who Dared to Trust God by Carmen Joy Imes and Nijay Gupta: https://amzn.to/3T0t6Ea
September 15 · 36 min
Did Dinosaurs Live with Adam and Eve?
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/1712333330 16:23 - What's the Bible For? 26:27 - How We Overcorrect 35:57 - End Credits
September 8 · 21 min
Kaitlyn Answers an 8-Year-Old's Hardest Bible Questions
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 Did God Send an Angel to Close the Lions' Mouths? 7:56 - Why Did God Rest on the Seventh Day? 15:25 - Why Did God Make Us? 19:21 - End Credits 19:50 - Bloopers
September 1 · 20 min
Some Good News and Some Bad News
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 pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended by dermatologists! Go to https://www.blissy.com/KAITLYN and use code KAITLYN to get 30% off! 12:48 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330 13:51 - Sponsor - Renovare Book Club - Spiritual formation through books! What else could you ask for? Learn more at https://renovare.org/bookclub 15:02 - The Future of Kids Content at Holy Post 19:43 - End Credits
August 25 · 26 min
Why Did the Pharisees Hate Jesus?
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 Angry at Jesus? 3:11- Who were the Pharisees and Sadducees? 8:42 - Human Mixed Motives 12:20 - Sponsor - JIYU - The Korean skincare brand everyone is talking about. Our listeners get 20% off their entire order by using code KAITLYN at https://jiyuskin.com/KAITLYN 13:26 - Sponsor - With God Daily - Get the daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals in your inbox every day by signing up at: https://holypost.com/plus 14:40 - Why Was Jesus so Critical? 25:52 - End Credits
August 18 · 34 min
Why did Jesus ascend to Heaven instead of staying on earth?
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 Biggest Explosion in the Bible? 5:38 - Why Did Jesus leave? 10:57 - Jesus in Space? 16:18 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330 17:12 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: https://sites.tyndale.com/lasb/ 18:15 - Sponsor - Sponsor - World Relief - Help walk alongside refugees by donating now at with https://worldrelief.org/KAITLYN 19:37 - The Ascension is Important! 26:22 - Jesus is Not Gone 34:20 - End Credits
August 11 · 35 min
What is the biggest explosion in the Bible?
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 by dermatologists! Go to https://www.blissy.com/KAITLYN and use code KAITLYN to get 30% off! 14:46 - Sponsor - With and For - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330 15:50 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, Use code CURIOUS30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible! https://tyndale.com 16:49 - Explosive Showdown: God vs Baal 26:36 - So—what's the biggest? 35:57 - End Credits
August 4 · 28 min
Why Did God Ask Abraham to Sacrifice Isaac?
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 16:15 - Faithfulness 25:36 - Wrapping Up 27:51 - End Credits
July 28 · 37 min
Will There Be Marriage in Heaven?
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 - CBE International - CBE's 2026 Conference is in Chicago on August 6-9 2026! Register today at cbe.today/chicago2026 and use code CURIOUS20 to receive $20 off! 18:40 - Sponsor - World Relief - Help walk alongside refugees by donating now at with https://worldrelief.org/KAITLYN 20:02 - Heaven Changes Things 27:08 - Human Relationships in Heaven 36:33 - End Credits
July 21 · 32 min
Does God Cry?
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! https://tyndale.com 12:02 - Sponsor - With and For - The With and For podcast brings together psychology and spiritual wisdom—check it out now: https://pod.link/1712333330?view=apps&sort=popularity 13:05 - Sponsor - World Relief - Help walk alongside refugees by donating now at with https://worldrelief.org/KAITLYN 14:27 - Incarnate God Tears 29:48 - How to Explain it to a Child 32:02 - End Credits
July 14 · 33 min
Why did God make Eve from Adam?
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 - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended by dermatologists! Go to https://www.blissy.com/KAITLYN and use code KAITLYN to get 30% off! 15:53 - Sponsor - CBE International - CBE's 2026 Conference is in Chicago on August 6-9 2026! Register today at cbe.today/chicago2026 and use code CURIOUS20 to receive $20 off! 16:22 - Suitable Partner 24:30 - Does God Change His Mind? 33:27 - End Credits
July 7 · 26 min
Do we get mansions in Heaven?
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? 3:09 - Mansion? Room? Household? 8:18 - Security in Christ 14:55 - Sponsor - Sponsor - CBE International - CBE's 2026 Conference is in Chicago on August 6-9, 2026! Register today at cbe.today/chicago2026 and use code CURIOUS20 to receive $20 off! 21:40 - Extended Family of Heaven 26:22 - End Credits
June 30 · 30 min
If aliens exist, do they need Jesus?
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? 12:10 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Get your 30-day devotional free from World Challenge at https://worldchallenge.org/KAITLYN 13:30 - How Does Sin Affect Creation 21:27 - Is Sin Just on Earth? 30:08 - End Credits
June 23 · 28 min
Does God speak to girls too?
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 International - Register today at https://www.cbe.today/chicago2026 and use code CURIOUS20 to receive $20 off! 13:21 - Why Doesn't Scripture Condemn Sexism? 21:27 - Why Bother Changing Translations? 28:09 - End Credit
June 16 · 34 min
Why does Jesus pray if he's God?
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 - The Trinity is one 17:02 - Sponsor - World Relief - Right now, there's $150,000 challenge gift that will TRIPLE your giving, ending June 30th! Act now and go to https://www.worldrelief.com/KAITLYN 18:08 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Get your 30-day devotional free from World Challenge at https://worldchallenge.org/KAITLYN 19:30 - Jesus' Perfect Human Will 26:34 - It's Not Sinful to be Human 34:00 - End Credits
June 9 · 28 min
Did Daniel and Jesus disagree about prayer?
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? 6:57 - What's the Lion's Den Story's Point? 11:40 - Sponsor - Belonging by Design - Learn how to show up for special-needs families at your church. Go to https://www.accessible.faith/holypost to claim two free lessons and if you're ready to go all in, promo code HOLYPOST gets you $200 off! 12:48 - Sponsor - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended by dermatologists! Go to https://www.blissy.com/KAITLYN and use code KAITLYN to get 30% off 13:50 - Modern "Praying for Others to See" 18:30 - Jesus and Praying in Public 23:56 - Praying for God, Not People 27:53 - End Credits
June 2 · 41 min
Mailbag: Communion Alone? Living in Light of the Resurrection? Do I Have to Join a Church, and more!
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. 0:00 - Theme Song 1:33 - Can You Do the Lord's Supper Alone/ 11:21 - Living in Light of the Resurrection? 17:22 - Importance of Being "Theologically-Trained" 25:02 - Sponsor - Belonging by Design - Learn how to show up for special-needs families at your church. Go to https://www.accessible.faith/holypost to claim two free lessons and use promo code HOLYPOST gets you $200 off! 26:20 - When Do You Leave a Church? 41:23 - End Credits
May 26 · 25 min
How did God inspire the Bible?
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. 0:00 - Theme Song 2:58 - How Did the Bible Writers Know About God? 7:55 - The Experience of Being Inspired 12:20 - Sponsor - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended by dermatologists! Go to https://www.blissy.com/KAITLYN and use code KAITLYN to get 30% off! 13:23 - God Working Through Us 19:30 - Writer's Personalities Shining Through 24:05 - But How Did They Know? 27:08 - End Credits
May 19 · 25 min
Why is wisdom considered a girl in the Bible?
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 - Partner with World Relief in creating safety, stability and belonging for refugees and immigrants at https://www.worldrelief.org/KAITLYN 14:38 - The Bible Isn't a Formula 20:00 - Comfort in Uncertainty 24:31 - End Credits

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