The Be Unbound Podcast

A three-year-old prayed for a car. Her dad quietly prayed she would stop.

Then the phone rang.

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle a deceptively simple question: what does prayer do? They share stories from their own prayer lives, from a World Series prayer over the Cardinals to a child's faith that put her father to shame, and they ask what prayer is doing in us as well as for us.

The conversation starts with the most familiar answer: prayer builds faith and deepens our relationship with God. But it also reshapes...

Your coworker may be difficult. They're still made in the image of God.

What do you do when you can't just walk away?

In this episode, Jonathan and David share stories from their first jobs, from a pizza shop to an auto parts store, and ask how Christians should deal with difficult coworkers. The answer starts with a foundation that doesn't depend on whether anyone else shares your beliefs: every person you work with is made in the image of God. That means they deserve respect, they reflect something of God that only they can...

Why do some of our most meaningful experiences come from the things we would never have chosen for ourselves?

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the uncomfortable truth that hardship may be essential to a rich and meaningful life. From exhausting physical challenges to seasons of suffering we never asked for, they consider how effort, endurance, and difficulty shape us in ways that comfort and convenience cannot. But what happens when the hardship doesn't have a clear finish line and we have no idea how much longer we have to endure?

So how do...

The camera can issue the ticket. But who gets to ask whether it was right?

And is it ever okay for a Christian to cut one down?

In this episode, Jonathan and David take on one of the most talked-about surveillance technologies in the news: Flock cameras. These AI-powered cameras can read license plates, identify faces, and even issue tickets automatically, with no officer ever reviewing the footage.

The conversation starts close to home, on a construction-heavy stretch of I-81 where photo-enforced cameras raised millions of dollars in a matter of weeks. Jonathan...

AI can turn a three-hour task into thirty seconds.

It can also raise questions that are much bigger than productivity.

In this episode, Jonathan and David wrestle with the strange tension surrounding artificial intelligence: the technology is extraordinarily powerful, genuinely useful, and increasingly capable; and yet the people building it are warning us about the dangers of letting it develop faster than our ability to understand and control it.

This conversation digs into a much-discussed AI incident and what happens when the dramatic headline is separated from what actually happened. The story raises...

Are we winning or losing?

In this episode, Jonathan and David reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and use it as a starting point for a much bigger question: are we winning or losing? As they look at the changes that have happened over the past 25 years, they wrestle with the reality that progress and loss can exist at the same time. Some things have clearly improved, while other things have deteriorated. And when we zoom out far enough, it can be difficult to know exactly how to measure whether we're moving forward.

The conversation...

What if failure isn't something you need to avoid at all costs?

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore what it really means to say that “failure is an option.” In a culture where failure can feel like the end of the road, they argue that failure is often necessary for growth, learning, and meaningful progress. Trying something new means you may not get it right—and if we're unwilling to fail, we can end up unwilling to try anything that actually matters.

But there's an important distinction: failure is an option, but it's not an exc...

What does courage actually look like?

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore what courage looks like in everyday life and argue that courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the willingness to do what is right despite fear, discomfort, doubt, laziness, or uncertainty. Courage is accepting responsibility for what God has placed in front of you, even when you know it will cost you something.

The conversation begins with a few very different stories of courage, from Jonathan confronting a mysterious intruder in his home (which turns out to be a helium balloon) to...

Responsibility is one of those words that seems simple until you actually stop to consider what it means. We often think of responsibility as doing your job, owning your mistakes, taking care of your possessions, or accepting the consequences of your actions. But responsibility goes much deeper than simply making sure you do what you're supposed to do. At its heart, responsibility means being willing to respond—to respond to the people, circumstances, opportunities, and gifts that God has placed in your life.

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore what it really means to take responsibility an...

Is taking a Sabbath really necessary? In a culture that increasingly treats rest as something we do when we have time—or as a chance to escape our responsibilities—the idea of setting aside an entire day to rest can feel almost impossible. Even Christians can easily reduce the Sabbath to simply going to church, taking things a little easier, or avoiding burnout. But Scripture presents something much more significant.

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the question, “Is taking a Sabbath really necessary?” and challenge the tendency to treat Sabbath rest as an optio...

Death is one of the few certainties every person will face, yet it's also one of the subjects our culture works hardest to avoid. We spend enormous amounts of time trying to extend life, preserve youth, and push thoughts of death out of our minds. But what if avoiding death also means missing one of life's greatest teachers?

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the question, "How does death teach us how to live?" Prompted by the funeral of an ordinary woman whose faithful life quietly transformed countless others, they examine the profound lessons that death...

Who are you? It's a deceptively simple question, but our culture increasingly encourages us to answer it by choosing an identity for ourselves. We can define ourselves by our interests, careers, political beliefs, communities, sexual orientation, accomplishments, or even our ideas about who we think we should be. But what happens when those ideas become so closely tied to our identity that challenging an idea feels like challenging us personally?

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the question, “Are your ideas your identity?” and argue that the answer is no. They unpack how the pressure to dete...

What are you focused on?

It's a simple question, but the answer reveals a lot about how we measure success. In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the difference between the things that are easy to measure and the things that actually matter. From grades and test scores to salaries, job titles, and professional achievements, many of the metrics our culture celebrates are visible, quantifiable, and straightforward. But are they the best indicators of a life well lived?

Drawing from experiences in education, business, and leadership, Jonathan argues that focusing exclusively on measurable outcomes can...

Can you actually live at peace in a world that never seems to slow down?

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle one of the most universal questions of modern life: Is it possible to live with genuine peace and less stress? Rather than defining peace as the absence of conflict, uncertainty, or difficulty, they challenge listeners to consider a much deeper, biblical understanding of what peace really means.

The conversation explores why so much of our anxiety comes from a desire to control what was never ours to control in the first place. Whether...

What does it actually mean to "touch grass?"

In this episode, Jonathan and David take a phrase that's often used as an internet joke and turn it into a serious conversation about one of the defining challenges of modern life: how do we remain grounded in reality when so much of our lives are lived through screens?

While technology has created incredible opportunities, they argue that it's easy for digital life to slowly replace real life. Without realizing it, we can spend more time-consuming experiences than actually having them, becoming spectators instead of participants.

As Independence Day approaches, Jonathan and David tackle a thoughtful question:

As Christians, should we celebrate our country?

At first glance, the answer seems complicated. Scripture reminds believers that their ultimate citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, not in any earthly nation. So where does patriotism fit into a Christian worldview?

In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the difference between celebrating a country and worshiping it. They argue that gratitude for the place God has put us is not a distraction from worship—it can actually be an expression of it. Ju...

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle a question that feels increasingly urgent: Why should we have hope?

After a season of speaking at conventions around the country, Jonathan noticed something surprising. Again and again, people told him that his message felt hopeful. Not because he was ignoring problems, but because he was speaking about them in a way that left room for redemption. That reaction revealed something deeper: many Christians are surrounded by messages that clearly diagnose what’s wrong with the world but rarely explain why we should believe things can be redeemed.

Th...

How do you pursue excellence without becoming trapped by perfectionism?

It’s a question that comes up for almost anyone who cares deeply about doing good work, growing in their skills, or honoring God with their efforts. In this episode, Jonathan and David explore the often-confused line between excellence and perfectionism—and why confusing the two can lead to frustration, insecurity, and paralysis.

The conversation begins with a simple observation: excellence and perfectionism may look similar from the outside, but they come from very different places. Excellence is the commitment to do the best you can...

How do you know if you're actually prepared for what's next?

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle that anxiety head-on and offer a surprising answer:

You don't know if you're prepared—because you don't know what's coming.

Rather than chasing complete certainty, they argue that true preparation has less to do with mastering every possible scenario and more to do with developing the qualities that help you adapt when life inevitably surprises you. After all, many of the events that end up defining our lives—both good and bad—are things we never...

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle a question that many young people quietly wrestle with:

How specialized do you need to be to succeed?

In a world dominated by social media, highlight reels, and stories of elite performers, it’s easy to believe that success belongs only to people who discovered their calling at age four and devoted every waking hour to mastering a single skill. Jonathan argues that this perception is largely driven by our fascination with anomalies—the rare individuals whose extraordinary specialization captures public attention.

Using examples ranging from figh...

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle a question submitted by a listener that quickly opens into a much bigger conversation:

Is a career supposed to look like a ladder—or more like a jungle gym?

For generations, work was often viewed as a straightforward climb: pick a path, move upward, and build stability over time. But in today’s world of rapid technological change, shifting industries, AI, entrepreneurship, and endless opportunities, that model no longer feels realistic for many people.

Instead, Jonathan argues that modern careers look much more like a jungle gym—...

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle a question almost everyone wrestles with:

Is balance actually possible?

Rather than offering quick tips or life hacks, they challenge the assumption itself—arguing that what most people call “balance” is often unrealistic and unhelpful.

Life doesn’t operate in perfect equilibrium. Instead, it moves through seasons—times where certain responsibilities require more attention, energy, and focus than others.

The real issue isn’t how to perfectly divide your time.

It’s how to faithfully prioritize what matters most in the season you’re in—with...

In this episode, Jonathan and David reflect on a powerful theme coming out of Capstone: what it really means to be made in the image of God—and why that truth is foundational to everything.

Jonathan unpacks how this single idea shapes identity, relationships, purpose, and even how we respond to frustration, conflict, and evil in the world.

Rather than treating it as abstract theology, the conversation brings it into everyday life—from dealing with difficult people to navigating broken systems and relationships.

At the core is a simple but demanding challenge:

If...

In this episode, Jonathan and David sit down with speaker and author Todd Wilson for a deeply practical and refreshing conversation about family, priorities, and what it really means to spend your life well.

With decades of experience speaking to parents and raising a large family of his own, Todd brings a perspective that cuts through noise and ambition with a simple but powerful reminder:

You can succeed in everything that doesn’t matter—and fail in what does.

Through stories, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, he challenges the tendency to prioritize work, ministry, or a...

In this Q&A episode, Jonathan and David tackle a wide range of listener questions—from how to trust God when your plans change, to staying motivated, building discipline, and leading others well.

They challenge the common idea of “balance,” arguing that life is often seasonal and requires full commitment rather than perfect equilibrium. Instead of clinging tightly to personal plans, they encourage an “open hand” approach—holding everything loosely and trusting God’s direction, even when it’s different than expected.

The conversation also explores a powerful shift in thinking: mov...

In this episode, Jonathan and David tackle a difficult but necessary topic: pornography and its overwhelming impact—especially among young men in the Christian community.

Drawing from personal experience, pastoral conversations, and biblical truth, they move beyond simply stating that pornography is wrong and instead focus on what it actually takes to pursue freedom.

They address the realities of addiction, the role of shame and isolation, and the practical and spiritual disciplines required to break the cycle. Most importantly, they point listeners back to the core truth of the Go...

In this episode, Jonathan and David revisit David’s recent marathon. What initially looks like a missed goal becomes a powerful conversation about failure, growth, and redefining success.

David set out to complete his first marathon in 4 hours and 20 minutes. He finished in 5 hours and 15 minutes.

By the numbers, that’s a failure.

But is it really?

Through honest reflection, they unpack what actually happened—from unexpected heat and physical setbacks to gaps in training—and why falling short didn’t mean falling apart.

Instead, it revealed something deeper:

Failu...

There’s a moment most people recognize, even if they don’t talk about it.

You look at everything in front of you—the responsibilities, the expectations, the people depending on you—and your first honest thought is:

“I don’t have the energy for this.”

Not later. Not after rest. Right now.

In this episode, Jonathan and David sit down with Abbie Halberstadt to explore what it looks like to live faithfully in that exact space—not after the struggle is...

In last week's episode we talked about the gap between what we say we value and how we actually live—and how isolation often keeps that gap hidden.

This week’s episode moves one step further.

It’s not just that community helps close that gap—it’s often the only place where it becomes visible in the first place.

We’re not designed to navigate life alone.

We need people who:

Not just...

If you ask most Christian men what they value most, the answers usually sound familiar:

Faith.

Family.

Purpose.

Integrity.

But if you look at something more revealing, like their calendars, their spending, their habits, or the people they spend the most time with, you might get a different picture.

In this episode, Jonathan and David sit down with Jeff Pinkleton to talk about something that’s both incredibly common and rarely discussed openly: the internal struggles many men carry and the is...

Most people think they’re making thoughtful, intentional decisions about their lives.

But what if many of those decisions are actually being driven by ideas you’ve never consciously examined?

In this episode, Jonathan and David pick up on themes from last week’s conversation and explore one of the most powerful hidden forces shaping our lives: the invisible assumptions behind how we measure success.

Why do so many life decisions revolve around career, income, and opportunity? Why does the question “What do you want to do with your life?” almost always get answered w...

If you’ve ever felt the tension between “real life” and “spiritual life,” you know what I mean.

There’s the theology. The big ideas. The books. The podcasts. The Sunday conversations.

And then there’s:

How are those two worlds supposed to connect?

In this episode, Nathan Rittenhouse from the Thinking Out Loud podcast joins us for a conversation about what it actually looks like to live out your faith i...

If you’ve been paying attention to headlines lately — whether political scandals, abuse of power stories, financial corruption, or sexual sin in ministry — you know the pattern. Leaders rise. Influence grows. Power increases. And then, sometimes suddenly, everything collapses.

Why does this keep happening?

We don’t think it’s because Christianity “doesn’t work.” And we don’t think it’s because leadership is inherently evil. Trent Emmack joins us for a discussion as we wrestle with this tough reality: We are still sinful people. And power multiplies whatever is already there.

What We Talk About<...

It takes millions of people, endless infrastructure, and staggering coordination to create something as ordinary as a laptop. And yet all it takes is a careless move and less than a second to destroy it. Creation is slow, difficult, and fragile. Destruction is fast, easy, and tempting.

So today, we ask an uncomfortable question: Is the work you’re doing an act of creation or an act of destruction?

Young adults are so often told that meaningful work must be glamorous, set-apart, or visibly heroic, but that idea misses how God actually works in the wo...

For an embarrassingly long time, one of us (Jonathan) believed that the solution to feeling overwhelmed was simple: just get a completely free day. No schedule. No obligations. Nothing planned. Surely that would feel restful, right?

Except it didn’t.

In this conversation, we unpack why those long-imagined “free days” so often leave us dissatisfied, and why a little bit of discipline often leads to far more joy, meaning, and memorable experiences than total freedom ever does.

Since it’s January and everyone is talking about habits, routines, and New Year’s resolutions, we decided...

This episode started the way some of our favorite conversations do: by accident.

Right before we hit record, David made a bold claim: everyone should be a runner. We hadn’t talked it through, we hadn’t outlined it, and we hadn’t even agreed on it. So naturally, we decided to hit record and see where the conversation went.

We talk about why physical discomfort matters, why distance running in particular teaches patience and mental endurance, and how doing hard things on purpose shapes the way we handle everything else. From goal-setting and planning to com...

Welcome to 2026! This episode is special for us—not just because it’s our first episode of the new year, but because we get to kick things off with a conversation we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

We’re joined by Andrew Pudewa, and if you’ve ever heard him teach, you know that when Andrew starts talking about education, language, and the human mind, you lean in. This conversation ranges widely from AI and education, to reading and writing, to entertainment, creativity, and what it actually means to live a full human life in a...

As we wrap up 2025 and head into the new year, we're sharing one of our most talked-about conversations from the past year. Because if anything, it feels even more relevant now than when we first recorded it.

In this episode, we dig into a growing crisis in higher education: students who are increasingly disengaged, underprepared, and incentivized to outsource their thinking to AI. We talk through a sobering article by a longtime philosophy professor describing today’s “average” college classroom, alongside reporting that shows just how widespread AI cheating has become, even at Ivy League schools.

But...

Since this episode is airing on Christmas Eve, we’re doing what we hope you’re doing too—slowing down, stepping away from the usual rhythm, and spending time with family. While we take a short break from recording, we wanted to bring back one of the most downloaded and most talked-about conversations from the past year.

This episode started, quite honestly, because Jonathan heard the word “adulting” one too many times. What followed was a wide-ranging, honest, and surprisingly deep conversation between the two of us and our friend Trent Emmack about responsibility, purpose, young adulthood, and why ou...

This week, as the Christmas season is here and we take a short break to be with family and friends, we wanted to bring you one of our favorite and most meaningful conversations from the Be Unbound archive. This episode features bestselling author and speaker Andy Andrews—someone whose thinking has deeply shaped both of us and the way we approach teaching at Unbound.

Andy joined us earlier this year to talk about something that sounds simple but is surprisingly challenging: how we think. He shares his remarkable story—from living under a pier after losing his pare...