Goin’ Up Yonder

In this episode of Higher Valleys, Spencer and Jelani open with the beautiful chaos of home renovation. Spencer shares how living among half-unpacked boxes and a house that needs a full electrical and plumbing overhaul is teaching him patience, presence, and the art of slowing down. Jelani relates with his own delayed housewarming stories, framing it all as a reminder that life moves in seasons and pivots we can’t always control .

From there, the conversation expands to bigger questions about faith and the future. They break down a sudden wave of rapture predictions and the internet’s obsession with conspiracy theories, exploring how fear of a bleak future drives people to look for certainty in the wildest places .

The dialogue then dives deep into spirituality and history:

• Building a direct, personal connection to God without gatekeepers or institutions.
• How Christianity spread through colonization and the lingering impact of worshipping a white, blue-eyed Jesus.
• The tension between the beauty of faith and the ways religion has been used for control and division .

They also address today’s charged political climate—processing the public assassination of Charlie Kirk, the rise of coded language and online extremism, and the uncomfortable parallels to their own experiences, like an airsoft bachelor-party encounter that felt more like militia training than weekend fun .

Together, they explore:

• The serenity that comes from accepting change and slowing down.
• Why conspiracy theories thrive when the future feels uncertain.
• How religion can inspire love while being weaponized for power.
• The danger of political polarization and algorithm-driven echo chambers.

Quotes

“Life is just a series of pivots - this house is teaching me to slow down and trust the process.” – SPENCER 

“You don’t need anyone to get in the way of your connection to God - that’s your inherent right.” – SPENCER 

“When Europeans first came to Africa, they said ‘pray’ - and when we opened our eyes, we had the Bible and they had the land.” – JELANI 

“The algorithm mirrors your projections back to you until it feels like reality - that’s real mind control.” – JELANI 

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