Shows
Followed By MercyProtecting What Matters Most: Child Safety and Spiritual VigilanceSend us Fan MailIn this vital conversation, Austin Gardner joins security experts Stephen Underwood and Haley Thomas to discuss the reality of child safety in today's world. This isn't just about "stranger danger"; it's about a pastoral commitment to the integrity of the home and the protection of the next generation.The Reality of Vigilance:Haley and Stephen pull back the curtain on the "backyard" reality—the hard truth that most harm happens within circles of trust. Drawing from 1 Peter 5:8, they frame child protection as a spiritual battle that requires us to...
2026-05-0642 min
Followed By MercyThe Mission of Mercy: Rescuing Children and Finding GraceSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Austin Gardner sits down with Stephen Underwood and Haley Thomas to discuss the vital work of Black Flag International and the Black Flag Innocence Foundation. Haley shares her journey from 7.5 years in the Navy as a K9 handler in Bahrain and San Diego to her transition into the civilian sector through the SkillBridge program.The Mission:The conversation dives deep into the mission of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation: combating child trafficking. We explore how professional expertise in high-end security is being used to bring...
2026-05-0547 min
Followed By MercyWhy the Worst Thing That Can Happen is Actually the BestSend us Fan Mail"I grew up stirring the mash... that kid grew up and is getting to preach the gospel today."In this concluding session of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner and Pastor Rickey Howard dive deep into what it means to truly "change your story." Rickey opens up about his heritage—from a moonshining family to a life of legalism and "goofball" mistakes—to the radical freedom of living under the "umbrella of grace."If you’ve ever felt like you’ve wasted too much time or that your past is too "bro...
2026-05-0436 min
Followed By MercyBreaking the Cycle: Lies, Bitterness, and the "I AM"Untitled EpisodeSend us Fan Mail"Our God is I AM... and the I AM lives today and helps you right where you are."Pastor Ricky Howard joins Austin Gardner for the second installment of his incredible journey from trauma to trust. In this episode, Ricky gets honest about the anger and bitterness that grew from his past and how it began to poison his relationships.We often hold onto our pain so long that it starts to feel like our name. Austin and Ricky explore how to let go of that false identity and...
2026-05-0134 min
Followed By MercyThe Loved Love: Why "Regular People" Are God's Greatest ToolSend us Fan MailHow do you break a cycle of trauma that has claimed the lives and freedom of so many your age? Pastor Ricky Howard joins Austin Gardner to discuss the "survivor's guilt" and the overwhelming mercy that pulled him out of a life of instability.Ricky shares how he lost his entire freshman year of high school because he lacked the family structure to stay afloat. But in the midst of that "lost year," God was using "regular people"—not war heroes or wealthy businessmen, but simple church volunteers—to show him a di...
2026-04-3035 min
Followed By MercyIs Your Child Safe? The Reality of Trafficking in Our Backyards | Followed by MercySend us Fan Mail"Ignoring it will not make it go away."In this powerful episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with Stephen Underwood of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation to discuss the dark reality of child sex trafficking happening right in our own communities.This isn't just a global issue; it’s a "backyard" issue. Stephen shares the tactical and heart-wrenching work his team of veterans and former law enforcement officers do to investigate, rescue, and provide after-action resources for victims.In th...
2026-04-2827 min
Followed By MercyRadical Mercy: Why Protecting the Vulnerable is a Spiritual MandateUntitled EpisodeSend us Fan Mail"What does a suicide bombing in Tal Afar, Iraq, have to do with the safety of your grandchildren in Georgia? Everything.Join Austin Gardner and special guest Stephen Underwood (Black Flag Innocence Foundation) for a raw look at the reality of child sex trafficking in America. This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about the spiritual and physical mandate to be ‘sheepdogs’ for those who cannot protect themselves.Key Highlights:The PTSD Cure: Why ‘getting outside of ourselves’ and focusing on others is the ultimate...
2026-04-2425 min
Followed By MercyThe Front Lines of Grace: Fighting Child Trafficking and Veteran SuicideSend us Fan MailWhat happens when a missionary kid becomes a Special Operations soldier—and then uses those skills to rescue children from the darkest places on earth?In this powerful episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner is joined by long-time friend and mentee, Stephen Underwood. Stephen’s journey is nothing short of miraculous: from the mission fields of Peru to long-range surveillance in the Iraq War, and now to the helm of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation.In this episode, Austin and Stephen discuss:The...
2026-04-2224 min
Followed By MercyChewing the Fat: Austin Gardner & Rickey Howard on Seeing God’s GoodnessSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Austin Gardner welcomes Pastor Rickey Howard to "chew the fat" and share a story that will change your perspective on what God can do. Rickey is the pastor of Solid Rock Baptist Church in St. George, Utah, but his life hasn't always looked this way.From the oil fields to the pulpit, Rickey and Austin discuss the "complete 180" that happens when grace takes root. They dive into the importance of family in the ministry, the challenges of starting a church from scratch, and why Rickey says his wife...
2026-04-2145 min
Followed By MercyWhy Human Love Fails (And How to Live from God’s Fullness)Send us Fan MailHave you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely alone? Have you ever been loved by others, yet still felt unlovable?In this deep-dive session, Austin Gardner (50+ years of pastoral experience) tackles the root cause of why marriages, friendships, and even our relationship with God can feel so unstable. The problem isn’t a lack of effort—it’s a misunderstanding of what Love actually is.The "Empty Cup" vs. The "Fountain"Most human love is transactional: "I love you if you make me feel s...
2026-04-1915 min
Followed By MercyWhy You’re Exhausted: The Secret to Resting in Your Identity in ChristSend us Fan MailAre you tired of trying to "become" a better Christian? What if the biggest struggle in your life isn't your lack of discipline or your battle with sin, but your effort to achieve an identity you already have?In this final session of our series, Austin Gardner (50+ years of ministry experience) breaks down the theology of rest. Using Hebrews 4:10 and Ephesians 2:6, Austin explains that spiritual rest isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about stopping the attempt to earn God’s favor.In this video, you’ll discover:The "F...
2026-04-1812 minFollowed By MercyMade Righteous: Why Your Identity is a Gift, Not an Achievement | W. Austin GardnerSend us Fan Mail"Jesus became what you were, so you could become what He is."Are you tired of waking up and feeling like you need to "fix" yourself before God can accept you? In this episode, Austin Gardner tackles the deepest trap in the Christian life: the belief that righteousness is something we achieve through our behavior.Inside this conversation:The Bank Account Exchange: Why righteousness is a transfer of funds, not a paycheck you earned.The Distorted Mirror: Why your feelings...
2026-04-1715 min
Followed By MercyAbiding in the Vine: Why Your Christian Life is Not an Achievement | W. Austin GardnerSend us Fan Mail"Have you ever seen a branch sweating?"In this incredibly personal message, Austin Gardner confesses how he spent years turning "abiding" into just another rule to follow. Now, after 50+ years of ministry and a battle with Stage 4 cancer, he’s seeing the simplicity of Jesus’ words in John 15:5 in a brand-new light.What we’re digging into today:The Struggle Trap: Why we think we need to "help" God produce results.Abiding Defined: It’s not a work; it’s a connecti...
2026-04-1615 min
Followed By MercyThe One Includes the Many: Why Your Spiritual Location Matters Most | Austin GardnerSend us Fan Mail"What if the message of being 'In Christ' has been there the whole time?"In this session, Austin Gardner (with 50+ years of ministry experience) walks us through the "One Includes the Many" principle. From the loins of Abraham to the blood on the doorposts in Egypt, God has always dealt with humanity through a representative.Inside this episode:The Ark Logic: Why the question wasn't "Can you swim?" but "Are you in the boat?"The David Principle: Why Israel won...
2026-04-1513 min
Followed By MercyThou Art With Me: Why You Never Walk Alone (Even in the Valley)Send us Fan MailHave you ever felt like you’re walking the "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," entirely on your own?In this session, Austin Gardner dives deep into one of the most beautiful truths in Scripture: Psalm 23:4—"Thou art with me."Drawing from over 50 years of ministry, missionary work in Peru, and his personal battles with Stage 4 cancer and COVID, Austin explains why our relationship with God isn't a performance-based contract, but a blood-bought covenant.What you’ll learn in this message:The Shepherd’s Perspe...
2026-04-1430 min
Followed By MercyIdentity Termination: Why God Didn't Fix the Old YouSend us Fan MailStop trying to improve something that God has already ended.Most people think salvation is just a second chance or a clean slate. But in this episode, Austin Gardner reveals a much deeper, more shocking truth: You were included in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection before you even knew it.Using the metaphor of a bankrupt company, Austin explains that the cross isn't about "behavior management"—it’s about Identity Termination. The old you didn't just get a makeover; the old you died. Now, your life is "hi...
2026-04-1214 min
Followed By MercyTwo Humanities: Understanding Your Location in ChristSend us Fan MailHave you ever felt like something about you was broken before you even chose anything?In this powerful teaching, Austin Gardner explores the two "planes" of humanity: Being In Adam and being In Christ. Drawing from his personal journey with a genetic cancer diagnosis and 50 years of global ministry, Austin explains that sin isn't just something you do—it's a condition you were born into.But there is good news. Just as you didn't choose to be in Adam, you have been included in the vi...
2026-04-1115 min
Followed By MercyThe Airplane Principle: Why Your Effort Doesn't Move the PlaneSend us Fan MailHave you ever paid for something you didn't even know you were paying for?In this episode, Austin Gardner dives into one of the "strangest" passages in the Bible—Hebrews 7—to reveal a life-changing truth: In Christ, you were there.Using the "Airplane Principle" from his days as a missionary in Peru, Austin explains that your identity isn't something you achieve through behavior; it’s something you receive through location. Just as Levi was "in the loins of Abraham" when he paid tithes, you were "in Christ" when He died a...
2026-04-1018 min
Followed By MercyStop Trying to Be the Hero: Understanding Representative WarfareSend us Fan MailWe spend our whole lives trying to be David—trying to be the hero of our own stories. But after 50 years of ministry and a battle with Stage 4 cancer, Austin Gardner has realized that the pressure is off.In this episode of the DNA of Grace series, we look at 1 Samuel 17 and Romans 5 to see that Jesus is the real David who fought the battle we couldn't win. Learn why "Together" is the most important word in your Bible and how to finally rest in a victory that is already yours....
2026-04-0916 min
Followed By MercyMoving from Doing to Done: A Casual Chat on Our New IdentitySend us Fan MailIn this "unplugged" episode, Austin Gardner invites you into his home during a quiet Easter break to discuss the heart of the New Covenant. If you’ve felt like you’re clocking in as an employee rather than resting as a child, this episode is your permission to stop the striving. From the "City of Refuge" to becoming "partakers of the divine nature," discover why your identity is a gift to be worn, not a goal to be reached.Check out waustingardner.com Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTu...
2026-04-0811 min
Followed By MercyFinding Home in the Cities of RefugeSend us Fan MailNames reveal nature, purpose, and function. Today, Austin Gardner explores the six cities of refuge to show that they aren't just geography—they are a promise. From "Shechem" (the shoulder that carries your burden) to "Golan" (the place where the outsider becomes family), see the Gospel in a whole new light.Pre-order/Launch Info: "DNA of Grace" officially drops April 3rd! Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
2026-04-0310 min
Followed By MercyThe Map of Mercy: What 6 Ancient Cities Reveal About Your IdentitySend us Fan MailIn the Hebrew language, names are never random. They reveal nature, purpose, and function. Today, Austin Gardner invites you to "flee for refuge" as we explore the six ancient cities established in Israel.If you’ve been walking through life feeling like a "Mara" (bitterness), it’s time to discover the identity God has set apart for you. Austin walks through the Hebrew roots of the Cities of Refuge to show how God provides a holy place where burdens are lifted, unions are restored, and outsiders become family.Key...
2026-04-0215 minFollowed By MercyUntitled EpisodeWalk Worthy: Shifting from Victim to Victory in Christ | Ephesians 4:1-6Send us Fan MailAre you a prisoner of your circumstances or a prisoner of Jesus Christ? In this study of Ephesians 4:1-6, W. Austin Gardner explores the "Therefore" of the Christian life. Learn why "walking worthy" isn't about earning your salvation, but living out the identity God has already given you. Discover how to protect biblical unity, trade insecurity for humility, and stop playing the victim card. It’s time to act like who you are: a child of the King.Detailed Content Breakdown & Show NotesTh...
2026-04-0226 minFollowed By MercyFrom Panic to Peace: Discovering the "Daddy" Heart of GodSend us Fan MailWhat do you do when the doctor uses the word "palliative" and your nights are filled with panic instead of peace? For W. Austin Gardner, the answer wasn't found in a performance-based religion, but in the first two words of a familiar Psalm.In this moving and transparent session, Austin recounts his harrowing journey through Stage 4 cancer and a 21-day battle on a COVID ventilator. He reveals how the Lord replaced his "panic attacks with presence" by deconstructing the caricature of God many of us grew up with....
2026-03-3134 minFollowed By MercyThe Shoney’s Intervention: MRIs, Mercy Seats, and a 52-Year Masterclass in GraceSend us Fan MailWhat happens when your best friends stage an intervention at a Shoney’s to tell you that you’re being too mean to your fiancée? For W. Austin Gardner, that conversation 52 years ago was the start of a lifetime spent learning that "man-ing up" has everything to do with tenderness and nothing to do with toughness.In this candid and soul-stirring session, Austin pulls back the curtain on his 52-year marriage to Betty, his ongoing battle with stage four cancer, and the hard-won wisdom of raising a family in the spotl...
2026-03-3052 min