The SkyePod — Episode: Mail Bag
Host: Skye Jethani
Guest/Producer: Mike Strehlo
Date: April 10, 2026

Overview

In this “Mail Bag” episode of The SkyePod, host Skye Jethani and producer Mike Strehlo respond to listener questions covering three main themes: interpreting the John 13 foot washing passage (and its common use as a servant leadership text), whether Holy Post Media is falling into the “evangelical industrial complex” it critiques, and how Christians should think about capitalism. The discussion is candid, theologically layered, and laced with Skye’s characteristic humor and candor. The pair intentionally unpack nuance around spirituality, power, and institutional integrity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Real Meaning of John 13 and “Servant Leadership”

Initial Listener Question:
How should John 13 (Jesus washing the disciples’ feet) be interpreted, especially since “servant leadership” is so often taught from it? Why does Skye seem to push back on that framing?

Skye’s Response

• Servant Leadership is Misapplied:

  • The concept of “servant leadership” as we know it was popularized only recently (Robert Greenleaf, 1970), not as an eternal Christian teaching.
  • Quote: “We think this idea of servant leadership is eternal… it actually dates back to a guy named Greenleaf…” (01:33)

• Real Focus: Humiliation, Not Leadership

  • The passage centers on humiliation, not leadership tips.
  • Jesus’ act wasn’t to model how to be a good leader but to radically deconstruct pride, both for his disciples and later for the wider community.
  • Quote: “I think the story is way more about humiliation than leadership.” (02:24)

• The Disciples’ Horror, Not Admiration

  • The disciples are horrified, not inspired, by Jesus’ act.
  • In modern churches, leaders doing menial tasks are celebrated; in John 13 it’s subversive and shaming.
  • Quote: “In our culture today, when powerful people do menial tasks, they are celebrated for it. Nobody is celebrating Jesus for washing feet.” (04:55)

• Foreshadowing of the Cross

  • John 13 (foot washing) foreshadows John 19, where Jesus is paraded, humiliated, and rejected as king—a direct challenge to followers who want power and respect over humiliation.
  • Quote: “What Jesus is doing is deconstructing the pride and ego of his disciples by himself taking on this humiliating posture…” (03:41)

• Practical, Modern Application

  • True faithfulness is found in risking humiliation and reduced platforms for the sake of integrity, not just performing humility for applause.
  • Example: Henri Nouwen leaving Harvard for an obscure ministry role.
  • Quote: “The true application is when you accept things that people are going to ridicule you for, not celebrate you.” (10:36)

Notable Quotes

• “If you don’t let me wash your feet, you can have no place with me.” (Jesus to Peter, explained at 02:24)
• “That’s a John 13 kind of application.” (10:39)

Timestamps

• [01:32] Question intro / Skye unpacks servant leadership origins
• [02:24] “Way more about humiliation…”—Skye explains biblical/historical context
• [04:54] Dissonance between ancient vs. modern perception of humble acts
• [06:00–08:10] John 13 foreshadowing John 19; “humiliated Messiah” segment
• [08:54–10:43] Application in today’s world; Henri Nouwen example

2. Is Holy Post Becoming Part of the “Evangelical Industrial Complex”?

Listener Concern:
As Holy Post grows, how do they avoid becoming what they critique—the so-called “evangelical industrial complex”?

Skye’s Explanation and Defense

• Origin and Meaning of “Evangelical Industrial Complex”

  • Skye coined the phrase in 2012 to describe how evangelical institutions grant authority and platforms based on audience size, not character or wisdom.
  • Quote: “It grants authority to people based on the size of their platform rather than the maturity of their faith.” (12:52)

• Holy Post’s Business Model Contrasts

  • Advertising Model: Focused on maximizing audience size with popular content—potentially compromising message.
  • Holy Post’s Approach: Relies mostly on small subscription revenue (Holy Post Plus), which allows focus on depth, not mass appeal.
  • Quote: “The vast majority of the revenue that sustains our work is coming from people who are willing to pay five or ten bucks for a premium subscription.” (18:08)

• Editorial Freedom From Donor Pressure:

  • Deliberate choice to avoid large donors (and not become a nonprofit), which could steer editorial content.
  • Quote: “By avoiding major donors, we keep our editorial independence and freedom.” (21:40)

• Why Not Make All Content Free or Go Nonprofit?

  • Each approach has pitfalls: free/advertising = forced broad/reductive content, nonprofit = beholden to big donors.
  • Subscription model provides balance—modest, accountable growth, and stability.

• Transparency, Accountability, and Reflection:

  • Internal culture is open, self-critical, and aware of vulnerability to group drift.
  • Quote: “We want to grow... but more importantly than that, how do we stay focused, faithful to who we are?” (24:33)

• Reflections on Church Voices and Money:

  • True church transparency is often stifled by donation dependence.
  • Quote: “It’s all about the economic model. The reason you’re not having these conversations at your church is because you would lose too much donor dollars.” (24:58)

Notable Quotes

• “We have chosen the economic model we have to avoid the pitfalls of the evangelical industrial complex and to maintain our editorial independence.” (26:10)
• “And so send your feedback and your critiques—and maybe be nice sometimes.” (26:45)

Timestamps

• [11:51] Question intro—“Complex” origin
• [12:52] Skye’s definition/rationale for the term
• [18:08] How business model preserves independence
• [21:40] Why not nonprofit/large donors?
• [23:13] Hard choices about paywall, free content, internal checks
• [24:58] “Follow the money” ethos; church comparison
• [26:40] Remaining open to critique, process of self-correction

3. Christian Critiques of Capitalism

Listener Question:
“With mounting Christian critiques of capitalism—how should we think about it? Should it be rejected, reformed, or just held loosely?”

Brief Opening Answer (episode cuts before full response):

• Growing Trend: It’s now common to critique “late-stage capitalism,” not just among Christian leftists but in broader society as well.
• Legitimate Critiques: Skye affirms many criticisms of how wealth and power operate in the system.
• Note: The remainder of Skye’s response is behind the subscription paywall.

Notable Quotes

• “I love this question! …It’s just in vogue right now to critique capitalism.” (28:08)

Timestamps

• [27:40] Listener question read and intro
• [28:08] Skye’s opener and affirmation of the topic
• … (Episode cuts to paid content)

Memorable Moments

• Skye’s Relatable Humor:
  • “Why do you hate servant leadership?” (01:32, Mike in jest)
• Vulnerable Commentary on Reputation:
  • “It’s the willingness to crucify my reputation… to accept a smaller platform…” (09:29)
• Honesty About Internal Debates:
  • “There was a big internal debate on what to do with [content] behind the paywall.” (23:16)
• Direct Challenge to Listeners:
  • “Follow the money, look at where it’s coming from and where it’s going and who’s holding the purse strings…” (25:23)

Conclusion

This mailbag episode exemplifies The SkyePod’s depth and integrity. Skye and Mike move past easy answers to confront the costs of following Jesus, structural pitfalls in Christian ministry, the complicated ethics of money, and the pain of unpopular faithfulness. Thoughtful, honest, and frequently self-critical, the conversation is essential both for church leaders and any Christian wrestling with genuine discipleship in an age of platforms, power, and public performance.

Full episodes and bonus content: Visit holypost.com/skyepod for Holy Post Plus.