Since March of 2019, Simpson College senior and basketball player Jeremiah Chandler has hosted a Christian podcast called “Finding Common Ground.” This show ranges between 15 and 20 minutes can be found on Youtube or Soundcloud. 

It started as a business plan project for the College Entrepreneur’s Organization. Chandler was lost for ideas until his roommate suggested a podcast over a topic he’s passionate about. 

“For me [my passion] was my faith,” Chandler said.

Chandler acted on that passion and created a safe place where he can share his faith and relate it to prevalent issues in the world. 

“Our society is very polarizing,” Chandler said. “This is a place where people can hear about what’s going on in the world, but also what the Bible says about it.” 

Chandler wants this to be a platform that he can use to create a middle ground for people of all backgrounds, races, genders and religions to hear God’s perspective on life.

Senior Thomas Mussig, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader and RLC intern, finds the show as a way to get even more connected in his faith while relating to Jeremiah. 

“Jeremiah is extremely intelligent with the way he thinks critically, connects with his audience and articulates his messages,” Mussig said. “‘Finding Common Ground’ offers valuable insight from someone I can relate with. It gives me the ability to learn about various topics from interpreting scripture, connecting current events to the Bible and even advanced discussions such as apologetics.”

Through 11 episodes, the topics have ranged from the purpose in life, racism, faith in hard times and more. In the episode called “Overcoming Racism,” Chandler finds common ground by realizing that everyone is the same on the inside, no matter the skin color. 

There have been several acts of racism in the 2020-21 school year that have affected students of color, including Chandler. 

“We are all made in the image of God and in his likeness,” Chandler said. “We all have a certain value and worth because we are created by him. We all fall short of the glory of God, no one is perfect, no one is righteous. Coming together for the need of our savior is the message I’ve been preaching.”

Chandler believes that there is a way for everyone to be unified, through God. One way that he unifies his listeners is through scripture. Chandler uses stories, parables and verses from the Bible to back up his viewpoints on the world.

In fact, the overarching verse that he uses for “Finding Common Ground” is 1 Corinthians 9:22, “’When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

The ultimate goal for Chandler isn’t to get famous or to grow his brand, it’s to base his life and podcast off of that verse. 

“It’s the perfect podcast to listen to while folding clothes or cooking, I encourage everyone to listen,” Mussig said.

Chandler also recently launched his website to promote the show and sell merchandise, the website is findingcommongroundjc.org. In the future, Chandler is looking to expand the podcast into video form.

Story updated on Sept. 19 for a misspelled name.