Hearts Open to the Word
Podcast Intelligence Profile

Hearts Open to the Word

Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe

Active · Publishes weekly

Key Metrics

Episodes
311
In catalog
Apple Rating
No rating data
Apple rating count unavailable
Cadence
Weekly
~every 6 days
Avg Length
17m
Per episode
Latest
Apr 05, 2026
Active

About the Show

Rev. Dr. Charissa Howe brings vibrant energy and deep theological insight to her preaching ministry. A Presbyterian pastor of a vibrant Pittsburgh congregation and the former Director of Chaplaincy at an urban county jail, she weaves together academic wisdom with real-world pastoral experience. Her engaging style combines thoughtful biblical interpretation with practical applications for daily life. Drawing from her diverse background in both institutional and congregational ministry, she offers fresh perspectives that challenge and inspire listeners to deeper faith and action.

Partnership & Audience Signals

Established Catalog

311 episodes — long track record

Production & Distribution

Active Since
Jun 12, 2016
Consistency
62%
Format
Episodic
Hosting
anchor.fm

Recent Episodes

Back to Galilee

Apr 05, 2026 19m

On Easter morning, the empty tomb isn't the final destination—it’s the starting line. In this Easter message, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores the world-shaking events of Matthew 28:1–10 and the…

Those Who Remain

Apr 03, 2026 11m

When confronted with the terrifying realities of the world, our deeply human instinct is to either scatter into isolation or draw our swords to fight. Yet, the cross calls us to an entirely different…

Palm Sunday: A Storm's Brewing

Mar 29, 2026 19m

Does it feel like you're living in a brewing storm right now? We are caught in a clash of temperatures—between the profound hope of seeing "real church work" happen and the exhausting, terrifying…

Dropping Our Stones in a Hostile World

Mar 23, 2026 20m

Is a heavy stone of judgment or a deep resentment weighing you down? In a world filled with hostility, cancel culture, and sharp disagreements, it’s incredibly tempting to grip our stones tightly and…

Refusing to Strip the Vines

Mar 17, 2026 17m

If you grew up in Sunday School, you might picture Jesus blessing the children as a sweet, sentimental moment. But in the first-century world, children occupied one of the absolute lowest rungs of…

Together the Impossible is Possible

Mar 08, 2026 17m

It has been a heavy week. When we are confronted with horrifying headlines, global crises, and the escalating realities of war, our first human instinct is often to retreat, pull the covers over our…

Make Yourself At Home

Mar 01, 2026 16m

What does it really mean when we invite someone in and say, "Make yourself at home"? Is it a sterile, performative greeting where we guard the decorative towels and point out the drink coasters, or…

The Scrappy Underdog

Feb 22, 2026 17m

We often treat our faith and our institutions like a perfectly manicured lawn—exhausting ourselves to keep everything orderly, respectable, and predictable. But what happens when the wine runs out…

Filling the Sanctuary

Feb 19, 2026 9m

On this Ash Wednesday, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe reflects on the Parable of the Great Dinner in Luke 14:15–24. When the comfortable and secure make excuses to avoid the feast, the host doesn't…

The Terror of Transformation

Feb 16, 2026 15m

We often think of "mountaintop experiences" as spiritual highs, but in Scripture, they are usually terrifying. On this Transfiguration Sunday, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores Matthew 17:1–9,…

Salt, Light, and the Fast that Feeds

Feb 08, 2026 19m

We often curate our spiritual lives like a social media feed—cropping out the mess to present a picture of perfect piety. But God isn't scrolling for likes; God is looking for justice. In this sermon…

Time Out

Feb 02, 2026 18m

Micah 6:8 is often treated as a comforting quote for a cross-stitch sampler, but in its original context, it is the dramatic verdict of a cosmic lawsuit where God pleads a case against humanity…

Casting Nets in Deep Darkness

Jan 30, 2026 15m

When the headlines are heavy and the world feels overwhelming, it is validating to remember that even Jesus needed to withdraw after receiving bad news. But his retreat in Matthew 4:12–23 was not an…

How Long Must We Sing this Song?

Jan 19, 2026 17m

When we are stuck in the "miry bog" of life's crises, patience feels impossible and the old songs of hope can feel worn out. Exploring Psalm 40:1–11 , this sermon challenges us to stop fighting the…

Giving up on fitting in

Jan 11, 2026 18m

"Those who would support the terrorization of anyone — especially the terrorization of the vulnerable and those who stand with the vulnerable — Those who would support that terror in the name of…

S2026E1 Why wouldn't God say it like that?

Jan 04, 2026 17m

We often miss God's voice because we expect it to sound a certain way—like a choir of angels or a clear, burning bush. But the story of Epiphany challenges our desire for a "correct" revelation by…

Incarnate

Dec 25, 2025 14m

In a world dominated by the displacing decrees of emperors, fear often feels like the loudest voice in the room. Yet, the narratives of **Luke 2:1–20** and **John 1:1–14** reveal that God bypasses…

What Kind of New Thing?

Dec 07, 2025 18m

When we are exhausted, God’s "new thing" can feel like a threat. Drawing on Matthew 11:1–11 and Isaiah 43:19–21, we see that hope is not a guarantee of easy outcomes, but the realization of God’s…

Do Not Fear

Nov 30, 2025 17m

We embark on Advent in the realm of real, present anxiety, shaped by the historical context of Herod’s time. The central divine command guiding this journey is “Do not fear!”This episode delves into…

Christ the King Sunday: Canceling the Subscription to Chaos

Nov 24, 2025 15m

Are you ready to cancel your subscription to adulthood? When the world feels overwhelmed by chaos, global instability, and the feeling of a "crumbling empire," it's easy to succumb to exhaustion and…

Market Reports

Benchmark this show against its category and language peers.

Similar Podcasts

Comparable shows in the same category and language — useful for prospecting and competitive sets.

Profile compiled from public podcast metadata · Last refreshed June 15, 2026