Get to Know our Co-Host Rick Costa - Questioning Church and Inclusivity in Faith

Ever wonder why two people who have such differing opinions about one very important subject like the function of the Church and faith in society work together so well? In this episode, we take some time to get to know our co-host Rick Costa and maybe understand a little bit better why it all works! 

Rick talks openly about his journey that led him to become 'Pastor Rick' - a title he initially resisted. Join us as we share our thoughts on topics such as why people are leaving  Churches, scandals of sexual abuse by priests, and the disturbing trend of evangelical churches exploiting faith for financial gain. 

We then discuss inclusivity in churches and the importance of fostering a welcoming environment free from judgment. Rick, who reads from the Bible and prays for others in his daily online service, emphasizes a genuine relationship with God that isn't transactional. He believes it's essential to find a church that aligns with your beliefs and values and offers a sense of community and friendship. So, come along for this insightful conversation, learning a little bit more about Rick Costa, as we question the norms and explore what it means to have an authentic and respectful relationship when you work with people who you may not necessarily agree with 100%. 

Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page.

Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481
Editing by Team A-J
Host, Carmen Lezeth


DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

Transcript

Carmen Lezeth: 0:00

Hi everyone, welcome to All About the Joy. This is the podcast version. We're doing a little interview today and a little chit chat with Rick Costa. I just realized, rick hi, how are you, hello, hello, how are you?

Carmen Lezeth: 0:13

Nice to always have you here. I realized the other day that you know we haven't taken some time to kind of get to know you as the co-host of All About the Joy. So I thought we'd do a little few minutes kind of just chit chatting about that and why our relationship kind of works. And then the other thing I wanted to talk to you about too is some of the topics you've been talking about on your live stream, because I thought it was interesting. So welcome to the show, rick.

Rick Costa: 0:43

Thank you, I feel welcome. Thank you yeah.

Carmen Lezeth: 0:46

So why don't you tell people how we met?

Rick Costa: 0:50

So this wonderful app that no longer exists called Apps. That was just an amazing, positive experience of being so sarcastic right now. Yeah, we just came across each other on there, but I think the one video I saw was when you were with three other women and you guys were talking about men and I was like, oh, this is amazing. This conversation is awesome. I'm learning stuff right now. And I was like that's when I was like, oh, I like these people.

Carmen Lezeth: 1:21

Oh, that's so funny. I don't remember who that was, but that price sounds like me, whatever. Oh, that's hilarious. Yeah, and when I first ran into or started getting to know people on Apps and anyone who listens to me or is on our show knows that I hate that app with every fiber of my being, and I say it every time, just to be clear Part of it is because it was just a very toxic place. But there were pearls, there were people, and you're one of those people, rick, that I thought were pretty cool, even though you and I do not believe in the same things, and that's what I want to talk about, so, rickcostedcom. So when I first met Rick, I thought he was a pastor, because everyone called you Pastor, rick.

Rick Costa: 2:08

Oh, I mean, so how did that come about? So it was on Periscope.

Carmen Lezeth: 2:13

Another app. Wait, wait, yes, yes, periscope is another app, right.

Rick Costa: 2:17

Periscope was pretty big back in the day. Actually, I think the second year I was out it became like the number one app and that's when it really kind of pulled in. Everybody was on that thing. But, funny enough, people have called me that like slipping, sort of Like, oh, pastor, I mean Rick, they've done that for forever. Even my own pastor has done that in front of the church and I'm like, hmm, what's that about?

Carmen Lezeth: 2:44

Yeah, but why you should tell people why.

Rick Costa: 2:47

Because I am super hardcore into the Bible and Jesus.

Carmen Lezeth: 2:53

OK when you're being a little humble, let me intervene. It's not just that you're super hardcore into the Bible, but that is part of it. But you also have a daily service show that you do on let me see if I got this right Sunday through Friday at 3. Pm Pacific and six pm Eastern, and it's about half an hour 45 minutes and you do a Bible reading, you do a Song that you all sing together. You have regular people that come on the show.

Carmen Lezeth: 3:30

You read the Bible and then you have, like some games that you do that I try to once in a while come and visit and I always Kind of into being when the games are going on because I think they're fun and you do a lot of praying for other people and stuff like that. So you've been doing this for Eight years now, every day's gobbledy. You have not missed a day which you're very proud about that and I'm all like we doing this podcast because we taking off Thanksgiving. I have no interest whatsoever in doing that, but Congratulations to you. But the reason why I bring that up is because I think that's why people were calling you also pasturic is because you are providing a Religious service or sermon, or I don't want to speak for you, but why don't you tell people what you call it?

Rick Costa: 4:16

I mean that's what people just naturally started doing. And then it got to the point where it happened so much when I was like, okay, I guess this is happening, so I'm just gonna let it happen. And I even changed my name on periscope to pastor Rick Costa. I was like we're just gonna go with it, that's what it is. And I mean I'm serving the the purpose of one. You know I do. What do I do? That's different and not really much, you know I. There's like a little sermon, you know. But there's the worst it's a church service. It's literally a church service, for yeah, it's online.

Rick Costa: 4:49

So, yeah, we just kind of went with it and everybody was calling me that and I was like, all right, I Guess I accept it. You know, I didn't. I fought that. For the longest I was like mm-hmm, no, no, don't put that on me, don't put that on me. But then I was like, all right, all right.

Carmen Lezeth: 5:05

What? What's the big deal? I mean, if I mean I don't know what the okay, so let's just talk about we don't have to go down why you are or not called pastor Rick and I understand you have a lot of humility issues and being some. I Say that respectfully but, being someone who grew up in the Catholic Church, I went to school for 12 years, from first grade to 12th grade went to Catholic school. My mom for you know the years that I had her up until it was 11 1 1 1 was Catholic. We lived in the archdiocese, so there was a lot of this around me growing up. The difference was is that my mom made it very, very clear to us that you know there were things about the Catholic Church specifically that we didn't have to adhere to. So like, for example, my mom. I remember vividly I came home when they started having the priest have face-to-face confession. I don't know what you know about Catholicism because your services I grew up in Catholicism.

Rick Costa: 6:07

Oh you did was. I was a hardcore Catholic oh okay. I prayed a rosary every day. Oh yes, oh goodness. Okay, I was a altar boy.

Carmen Lezeth: 6:15

Oh, were you oh everything, yeah remember when they switched from going into the confessional into Going face-to-face to the priest the first time I did communion, because I was in Catholic school as well as regular public school.

Rick Costa: 6:28

I cried. I don't remember what he said. I came out of the room and I'm like I just wanted to leave. They're like what did he tell you to do? You got to say however many prayers, I don't remember what he said. Well, you go up there and you fake it. You can't just leave. I was literally crying because I was like this is weird to me. Why am I telling a human my thoughts? Can God not hear me? Like what? This doesn't make sense to me.

Carmen Lezeth: 6:50

I never thought that was a little bit different. I just didn't want to be in a room by myself with a priest or with anybody, and and you know I was a little kid but I remember my mom being very dismissive about Confessional and I think it's probably kind of in line with what you're talking about. She was just like go in, say you sword your mother, say you did baby and don't, don't worry about it, and then just sit there and pretend you're praying and don't. You know it's kind of that thing and I was really young. But I remember the impression was Because I don't remember what she said exactly, you know I'd be lying if I said I remember but the impression was your relationship is between you and God.

Carmen Lezeth: 7:31

We're just here because we're part of the archdiocese and it's a good school, you know. I mean, I kind of always understood that, and also you know Just the people around me. So yeah, so we, we have that background as a common thing. But I also think you're pretty cool. You don't push religion on other people. You, you know, as everyone has seen the show, you're a big Marvel fan and a Star Trek fan and and so we kind of connected on that end too, and we've had some heated conversations about issues and I don't think I changed your mind, but I feel like I made you think about something.

Carmen Lezeth: 8:16

Yes and I like that. You know what I mean and I've come on your show and I've enjoyed the you, how do you say the community of praying for people? I love that part. I don't usually chime in. I chime in during the game. I say hi. I do say hi, you know, but I do love that People are asking worshiping together. I do think there is something beautiful about that, no matter what church it is.

Rick Costa: 8:48

Yeah, yeah, I agree, I definitely think there's something to it. When you do it together, you know, yes, you can do it yourself, and that's awesome. But when you're doing it in a community, it's just different. Somehow. It's I don't know, it's powerful, it's just different.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:02

I absolutely believe in God. I don't believe in the Bible. That's where you and I kind of have a difference of opinion or faith or whatever we're calling it. But I respect it. I respect your viewpoint. But I love going to like a Baptist church or whatever, just for the sheer community of it, of worshiping with people, and also the music is just. So there is a spiritual I don't even know what to call it. There is something that happens when you're with other people who are that intense about praying. You can't help but become part of that. I'm gonna call it joy. I'm sorry.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:44

Yeah yeah, there is something really beautiful and powerful about it. So, yeah, I'm not against it.

Rick Costa: 9:52

Yeah, community aspect is definitely a big attraction, I would say, for sure you know.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:58

And you have a pretty decent following, and what I'm so grateful for is so many of the people that follow you on your show come to All About the Joy, which is so lovely of them to stop by, and they've become part of our regular people and I kind of love that. I think it's so cool, so thank you for bringing your crew with us.

Rick Costa: 10:19

Yeah, not like I'm begging them, they're just like oh, rick's gonna be over here, let's join.

Carmen Lezeth: 10:23

Yeah, okay. So I have a question, though, because I the reason why we're doing this is because I wanted to have this conversation with you. Now, I don't remember everyone's names, but you have a group, two other people that you do a show with. Why don't you talk about that? And then I'll ask you the question about the subject matter you were talking about recently.

Rick Costa: 10:43

Yeah, so there's Jason Wallace and also Catholic. But then he started going to another church and the pastors challenged him to read the Bible every day and he saw me and he goes. You know what? I could go online and read the Bible, so he started doing that and then it just started a snowball of him broadcasting all the time, and now I think you got more people watching him than me. So, yeah, he was there from almost the very beginning and then Sue, who we call Mama Sue.

Rick Costa: 11:18

She's been Christian for a long time too, and, yeah, we asked her one day would she join us, and she goes oh, I'd love to, and so, yeah, so we do a monthly broadcast together if we're all available.

Carmen Lezeth: 11:27

A monthly. I thought it was weekly.

Rick Costa: 11:29

Yeah, it's monthly.

Carmen Lezeth: 11:31

It's monthly and the subject matter that you guys are talking about intrigued me. I haven't been able to watch a show because I think it's on a Saturday or something right, yeah, usually Saturdays yeah. But you were talking about and I'm so sorry to do this You're okay talking about it though right, yeah, yeah, you're one on that, yeah. So the subject matter is why are people no longer going to church? Is that correct? Am I putting that correctly?

Rick Costa: 11:58

So basically, it started with a Facebook post where I asked the question, and this was like from two or three years ago why do you think people don't go to church? And boy did the comments flow. People had lots to say.

Carmen Lezeth: 12:12

And so my question is what are some of the reasons or what are you learning through this conversation? Because if people really want to know about it, they should probably go. I want to promote Mama Sue and what's his name? Jason Wallace's, wallace Jason Wallace's show as well. I want to be nice to them in kind, and you can find out more information about them on RickCostacom.

Rick Costa: 12:34

You can find out more about the schedule there. Jesusdiditorg is specifically for the whole ministry.

Carmen Lezeth: 12:39

I am so sorry and I never promote his show on my show, but I will today. I'm so sorry, jesusdiditorg. What's RickCostacom?

Rick Costa: 12:49

Oh, that's just personal, that's just me yeah.

Carmen Lezeth: 12:52

Okay, so I'm sorry, but if people go to RickCostacom can they find JesusDidItorg.

Rick Costa: 12:59

If they click on the link for my book, it takes you to JesusDidItorg. Yeah, I'm not.

Carmen Lezeth: 13:03

I am so sorry, I did not know this, so yeah that's fine. You maybe want to put a button there.

Rick Costa: 13:08

Yeah, I was just thinking do I even have one?

Carmen Lezeth: 13:15

So yeah, so my apologies, jesus did it. Org. I always say, rick, cost of that, come, because people are starting to know you. That's like your brand, your name. So yeah, I think after tonight you gonna put a little button somewhere, right.

Rick Costa: 13:28

I need to if it's not.

Carmen Lezeth: 13:31

But okay. So what have you learned in your conversations? Biggest reasons or biggest surprises?

Rick Costa: 13:38

I think the biggest, biggest thing that just keeps coming up over and over and over again through all the different types of comments is people have been hurt. We call it church hurt, quote, quote. Um, yeah, people just been hurt in church and it's like Church is not a place where you get hurt. Church is a place where you're supposed to get help and healed and have hope. And the fact that people get hurt it's like what are y'all thinking about?

Carmen Lezeth: 14:03

You get more specific. What do you mean by like, like? Are there some specific examples Like? What does that mean?

Rick Costa: 14:10

Some people are real sensitive. Some of them, you know they're just too sensitive. Like the pastor didn't say hi to me, like sometimes is that done?

Carmen Lezeth: 14:19

Well, that's ridiculous.

Rick Costa: 14:20

It is ridiculous, I mean.

Carmen Lezeth: 14:21

I know some people who have left the church because of the hypocrisy, yes, of what priests have done in the Catholic. You know, church to Alter boys, to young people, that you, I mean, that's in the news, you can Google it, that's not. And I know people who are like you know what? It's not even that the act happened, it's that. Then you know, the Pope or the bishops have just moved people on. You know, I mean, and not really dealt with that and I, you know I have other reasons why I don't go to church, but that to me is a big one.

Rick Costa: 14:54

There's a yeah. Yeah, you can't sweep that under the rug. Yeah there's no way. There's no way. And, like you know, just like Any sex offender, you know you get on the registry and if they move into your neighborhood you can get an email. Somebody just you know right, shouldn't be a secret. You know you want to be. You know I feel bad for them, yeah, because it's embarrassing. But I mean you want to be safe if you got kids, especially so.

Carmen Lezeth: 15:16

Wait, wait. Who do you feel bad for?

Rick Costa: 15:19

Like I know somebody that there was a situation and they were accused he, yeah, but the girl was totally pretending to be older and it was just a big mess and so there's no doubt.

Carmen Lezeth: 15:33

I mean, this has nothing to do with the church. I've known men who were accused as well, and I find it hard to believe. But you know that that's a whole other conversation, when people are taking advantage of the fact that we will believe you. We want to believe you and we will do whatever we need to do to protect you. You know so that's a tough one, but let's get back to the check. What else have you learned? So I don't want to hear the stupid stuff which you know. The priest didn't say hi to me. Oh, whoever.

Rick Costa: 16:07

We need to talk to see definitely comes up. People say all their hypocrites are hypocrites and like well, join in, because I'm sure you probably got some hypocrisy you too. Nobody's perfect, I mean there's just. There's an expression to say well, if you want to join the perfect church as soon as you get there ain't gonna be perfect no more, because you ain't perfect either. None of us are, you know. So that's kind of a dumb reason, not me, not dumb. But Anyway, there's a million churches.

Carmen Lezeth: 16:31

Okay, how about the? Okay? Here's my reasoning, and this isn't specifically to the Catholic Church. But what about all of this evangelical Wealth? That, I think, is, I mean, I think, one of things that bothers me. I went to Catholic school and the nuns were sisters of charity and let me tell you, there was no doubt about it, they were sisters of charity. We didn't have nothing. They didn't have nothing, definitely sisters of poverty or whatever their thing was, and I remember that. You know, but I feel, like some of these churches, I'm shook by the tithing and then, and I'm okay, I'm okay investing in something you believe in, but if he's driving a Rolls Royce, I'm just saying I don't think that's what Jesus would have thought when you're fucking got food.

Rick Costa: 17:24

Yeah, that's definitely one of the big ones too is they're like oh, they just want money, they just want money to do, and I'm, and I care it, I understand it. And that was a funny thing on Periscope again the first time I was on and because it was a so many more people over there, they'd see me be like, oh, here's another money hungry preacher. And I'm like, excuse me everybody, can you tell this person how many times I have ever asked for money? Right, they're like you never asked for money.

Rick Costa: 17:48

Right back then. I definitely did never. Never asked for money. Um, I don't know, I don't get paid to do this. No, I'm gonna pay check noise, but I'm gonna go into my head either I just do it because I want to do it. But, um, yeah, I definitely understand that. I mean, if you're sitting there broke and the past is like you gotta give blah, blah, blah, I'm like I gotta pay my rent. What are you talking about? I gotta get what well and he told me.

Carmen Lezeth: 18:08

When they tie the Amount of money you get to the miracles and the blessings, I'm like that's your first clue that that is a bad place to be churching, as I call it. If someone cuz, cuz, your relationship with God is your relationship with God and it doesn't matter how much money you give To whoever is pretending because at that point you're pretending, I'm sorry, you know. I mean like if you're doing a quick pro quo, like if you give me 10% of your salary and then I will give you a blessing, that's a red flag right there.

Rick Costa: 18:42

Yeah, and I've heard horror stories too. Like I'm a person that's pretty well known, we'll say the name. But some good, some, some brother guys. Brother went to his service and he said to the preacher he's like, hey, my mom's got cancer. It's not looking good. And he said, oh, buy this $50. Oh, my god oil, pour it all over her and she will be healed. She died a month later.

Carmen Lezeth: 19:07

Of course she did. So that's there.

Rick Costa: 19:10

I'm sure I'm not trying to be funny, but come on that stuff, like that dad, just is disgusting and it makes all of us look bad, like what are you doing?

Carmen Lezeth: 19:18

stop, and you do know that there are more churches like that than not, right? I mean, that's the problem.

Rick Costa: 19:24

I don't know every church, so I don't know.

Carmen Lezeth: 19:26

Well, okay, I'm sorry, Let me talk about Catholic churches. Like, every time I go into a Catholic church, like even here in Santa Monica, which is this big church right down the street here, very well-known, very famous tour guides go by, whatever, and you know, even when you walk in there, the opulence. I mean it's beautiful, right, Because these are the old churches, the old cathedrals, whatever, and all that has to be, you know, up capped or whatever, and if you go to church, that tithing thing comes around three times. Okay, here's the thing about Catholic church. In case black people be listening, who are not Catholic, Catholic church is maybe 40 minutes. You're not there all day. It is our father, we sing a song, it's the same. You know. Sermon, whatever. I mean, I haven't been to church in a long time and every time I step in it's like I was just there yesterday.

Rick Costa: 20:17

Because it's exactly the same exact thing Every time.

Carmen Lezeth: 20:19

So in 40 minutes, when that basket comes around three or four times that's a lot of pressure. You know what I mean and I'm not saying you shouldn't invest in things that you believe in, but it's like nonprofits to me. If you want to invest money to a nonprofit, you need to research it, find out how much money is going to the administrative costs which are valid. You can't have a nonprofit without the administrative staff working to do the stuff. But you want to make sure that ratio is 80% administrative and then 20% to the actual thing you're supporting. And I don't think churches have that. But you can do research on some churches before you give money to them.

Rick Costa: 21:03

Yeah, and listen, if I didn't give it to you the first time, what makes you think two or three and four, five more times? If I'm broke, I'm still going to be broke. Don't be that time you pass this thing around. Okay, like, what is the point of that? I know that's.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:17

You know what. That was so good, rick, that was funny. No, but it is true. But I remember thinking like that's changed, because I don't remember getting that basket. So many times when I was going. I thought it came around once right before you gave, when you shook each other's hands. I forget what that thing is, you know what I mean. Yeah, you know what I mean Kind of the peace or whatever.

Rick Costa: 21:37

Peace, be with you, peace be with you, right?

Carmen Lezeth: 21:39

So that offering would come by before or after that, I never remember, but it was always like one time, but yeah.

Rick Costa: 21:44

Yeah, yeah, me too. When I was a little kid I was just once, so yeah.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:48

Why would you say that people should go back to the church, whether it be online or physically? What would be your best argument?

Rick Costa: 21:59

Well, I mean, there's so many first of all, so you got to kind of find one that you kind of like.

Carmen Lezeth: 22:05

What do you mean? Oh, so many.

Rick Costa: 22:07

Oh, in America.

Carmen Lezeth: 22:07

In.

Rick Costa: 22:07

Americans In every street corner. I mean maybe not that many, but there's a lot, there's a lot. So you got to, you got to search a little bit and I always say ask your friends. You surely must have some friends that go to church. Why do you like it? What's good about it, what you don't you like about it? Da da da. And then do some searching, don't just go to one. You're like I'll give up, like no, because again the whole sense of community thing is awesome. You make friends there. Maybe that friend might help you one day when you need to help. Sitting at home watching TV, ain't nobody going to help you.

Carmen Lezeth: 22:40

So you wouldn't say you should only look at churches in your neighborhood. You would say you might want to look online or look at other places. What about inclusivity? How about that Like, how does your sermon or what you do I don't know what the right word is. I was going to say manifest, but that's not right. How do you deal with maybe someone who's gay, somebody who's transgender issues that are? You know, maybe somebody is very politically inclined or something, or whatever it is. How does your teaching deal with that? Or your service specifically?

Rick Costa: 23:21

Yeah, so I mean, to me, the focus should always be on the person of Jesus, like, if you're not. I even have a shirt that I used to have a shirt that said if you're not talking about Jesus, you're not talking about Jesus. People are like huh, because it's like that's the thing we're here to talk about. That's what we're gathered around rallying around him, not agendas. Not my sin is worse than yours or better than what, I don't care. That's your issue. That's between you and God. Don't judge somebody else because they sin different than you.

Carmen Lezeth: 23:52

So you would okay. I just want to clarify something. Are you saying that somebody who's transgender or gay is sinning?

Rick Costa: 24:00

That's not my issue. That's between you and God.

Carmen Lezeth: 24:03

Okay, Well that's what I want to be clear, because, as I said that, then you started talking about sinning, and I just want to be clear that that's not your issue, your issue.

Rick Costa: 24:10

The church loves judging, judging, judging everything, and they're big for that, unfortunately. And that turns off people. I'll never forget. I was on Periscope and it's actually happened in real life too. Somebody came on and they're like, oh, you're a Christian. I was like, yeah, and he goes. Oh, so you hate me? Huh. I was like, huh, what?

Carmen Lezeth: 24:27

do you?

Rick Costa: 24:27

mean, I don't even know you. What are you talking about? Well, I'm gay, so by default you hate me. I was like I don't even know you. How can I hate you? I don't know the first thing about you. I was like why? And again, church hurt. They've been hurt before, so automatically all Christians must hate you know, blah, blah, and that kills me. I had a real life encounter too with somebody who visited from Florida, stayed with family, but the family was a little bit judgy too and I made the effort. He loved to go to movies. I went to the movies with him and we hung out and we went to the restura and the day before he left and it was fighting so hard not to cry when he said it he was thank you, rick, because you're the only one that didn't make me feel like an outcast or a weirdo or, you know, like I was a leprous person or something. Oh man, I'll try so hard not to cry when he said that because that hurt me so bad. I'm like are you serious, even your own family?

Carmen Lezeth: 25:16

So, yeah, I mean To your whole, your whole service or your and I don't want to speak to you, but I want to clarify. You don't care if someone is gay or transgender, or black or white, or Jewish or whatever. Well, I doubt somebody who's Jewish would come to your service. Well, we don't know Somebody never know.

Carmen Lezeth: 25:37

You know, convert or something and believe that Jesus is a different, because they believe in Jesus. But he's just a prophet for those of you who don't know. But you don't care where someone's coming from, because you don't judge them. They're accepted into your service because, unlike a lot of other churches, they're not gonna you're not gonna try to change them because that's not what you're there to talk about.

Rick Costa: 26:02

What you believe, which is, yes, not my job to change nobody. I'm working on me, okay, and got time to work on you, I gotta fix me. So, yeah, I accept anybody and everybody, because we all got issues, you know, and if it's something you got to deal with between you and God, do it. But I got my own issues. I ain't trying to fix nobody. I don't have the power to fix anybody or change anybody. I can't change anybody.

Carmen Lezeth: 26:24

Right, so what? So? Why are you the person who has the expertise, let's say, or the like? Why are you someone I should come and listen to Preach about Jesus or the Bible?

Rick Costa: 26:41

Well, I mean, as far as my background, I Became a what I am now type of Christian, 12 years old, voraciously into the Bible like I could not get enough and it's my life completely turned around. When I did that I was gonna kill myself at 12 and it was just those into so much stuff, just garbage. But, um, yeah, I've been into this since I was 12 and I've never stopped and I've dealt with all kinds of people and, you know, prayed for so many people, help people.

Carmen Lezeth: 27:16

Um, and you do it like in Spanish we say like Anna, right, like you do it from because you have to do it. You've read the Bible how many times now?

Rick Costa: 27:26

I'm not even sure.

Carmen Lezeth: 27:27

Well, I heard you say the day was like the third time Maybe.

Rick Costa: 27:30

well, online, yes, online, starting in Periscope. We've read it. This is the third time, I think, now going, but me personally, I'm not even sure anymore. It's because I read it every year. I do a one-year Bible plan, so it's been a bunch times.

Carmen Lezeth: 27:45

Yeah, it's Periscope still around because all of you talk about it so much. I just want to be clever. People gonna be like looking up Periscope. So Periscope was an app they all used in the past. It was part of Twitter back in the day right. It was huge and it was huge and there was really bad parts of it, but really good good parts of it.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:04

This is where most of these people became friends, and then Periscope got shut down and then people went over to a place called Haps for a minute. So I just want people not to get confused, because you keep saying you all talk about Periscope. I don't realize how much.

Rick Costa: 28:20

It was. It was huge. That's where we got our start, like it was nothing to get 2,000 people on our broadcast like and everybody talking and you try to keep up With all the comments. So yeah, it was, it was a big thing.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:31

So yeah, um, is there anything that you would want to add to our conversation today that might inspire people who have decided not to Be religious or be but still have faith? Like, is there something Last words or something you want to tell me last words? That way, I just want to move on to another topic.

Rick Costa: 29:00

There's anything else you want to say to someone who might be a little intrigued, inspired, but yeah, there's a verse in the Bible that says if you seek him with all your heart, you will find him. And I 100% believe that. And people say, like well, what if there's somebody on a island and they never heard of nothing about Jesus or Bible? And I'm like I still stick with that verse if you seek him with all your heart, you will find him. God will find a way.

Carmen Lezeth: 29:26

Okay, but what if people don't know Jesus?

Rick Costa: 29:30

I Hope you want to find out something about him, just in case, in case. In case this really is his universe that he created, it might be in your best interest to, just in case, find out a little bit of something you know.

Carmen Lezeth: 29:46

No, I really appreciate you doing this because I think it'll be really helpful for people. People ask me all the time Like I don't understand, like why are you have him as your coat? Like because he's okay, he's cool, he's not crazy, totally lowest, we do get along yeah. And and I I have no issues with anyone who is pursuing what they believe in their heart and soul and I think the biggest problem, and especially in the United States right now, is this inability to be okay with somebody who's different than we are.

Rick Costa: 30:26

Right, and I think that's a big thing about me too, and the people say all the time that I'm very open to listen to anybody, to hear anybody, to hear different opinions. I'm not scared to hear somebody's different thoughts, you know. So, yeah, and I'm going to treat you. You're all human, I'll treat you just as good as you treat me. You know, probably better sometimes, but yeah, Well, I appreciate you for doing this.

Carmen Lezeth: 30:49

I want to tell people again it is JesusDidItorg. Sorry that I was saying RickCostacom, but as of tonight he's going to set up a button just to keep.

Rick Costa: 31:01

You should do that anyways, because it might even be on there, I can't remember.

Carmen Lezeth: 31:05

But yeah, because I was always saying that you know it means other people and and look at, just so people are aware. I don't promote Rick's show on my show because I don't want to push people away who are not religious. And you know, I mean, like this show is all about the joy and we do specific topics, we have guests on or whatever. So and Rick knows that. But it's not because I'm avoiding what he does. I respect what he does. I try to visit his broadcast at least once or twice a week to be supportive and I believe in who Rick is as a person. So I don't want people to get it twisted. I may not believe exactly what he does, but I know that he is and I say this respectfully one of the good people.

Rick Costa: 31:53

You know? I mean, I was just thinking like if anybody on the Christian side is saying the same thing like, well, why do you hang out with Carmen? Because she's good people.

Carmen Lezeth: 32:00

That's right, we're good people.

Rick Costa: 32:03

I just checked my website, by the way, and there is a link to Jesus that did it at work.

Carmen Lezeth: 32:10

Oh, okay, good, good. So I wanted to see. I mean again thank you so much for for letting me kind of go through this and kind of talk to you. I think it's an important part of it.

Rick Costa: 32:20

I mean you, let me interview you about your book. So it's only fair.

Carmen Lezeth: 32:26

Like how you like to slip that all in there.

Rick Costa: 32:28

No called canela on Amazon.

Carmen Lezeth: 32:31

But actually, you know, what's so interesting is I am writing a second book and I'm now trying to carve out time Because I think if you really want to do something, you need to do it. You need to stop talking about it, you need to just do it.

Carmen Lezeth: 32:42

But it is hard, right, when you're so busy and just ridiculously off I don't know on so many things, but so glad you were here. I'm going to shut this down and thank you again and I appreciate you so much and I love that you're part of all about the joy. I don't think I would have the broadcast without you because you've got to have, but it's true, you got to have the ability to talk with somebody that gets you and that you can argue with and have. I don't think we've really had a lot of arguments, but we disagree on a lot of stuff, but when it comes to, like Loki and, you know, thor, things that really really matter, yeah, but I appreciate you so much and we definitely want to say what time and day do does all about the joy?

Rick Costa: 33:34

come on, can't forget to say that.

Carmen Lezeth: 33:36

But they know. No, I'm just kidding.

Carmen Lezeth: 33:37

So Thursday night, 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. You can visit us on All About the Joy on the live stream on Thursday night, 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. You can always catch the podcast it posts by Monday morning at 6am on the east coast. And yeah, we will catch you all next time. So thank you for stopping by and remember it's always All About the Joy, see ya. Thank you, rick. Bye, thank you, bye-bye. Thanks for stopping by. All About the Joy. Be better and stay beautiful folks. Have a sweet day.