The RELEVANT Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: RELEVANT Magazine

Since 2005, the weekly show from RELEVANT magazine covering faith, culture and everything in-between! Each week, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor, Emily Brown and Marty bring buzzworthy news and amazing guests for thought-provoking and hilarious conversations!

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Episode 1312: Bear Grylls Takes Jesus Into the Wild, Spider-Man Breaks Every Record and Our Lolla Recap
Episode 1312: Bear Grylls Takes Jesus Into the Wild, Spider-Man Breaks Every Record and Our Lolla Recap episode artwork
Today at 10:00 AM

This week, adventurer Bear Grylls joins us to tell us about The Chosen in the Wild, his new Prime Video series debuting Sunday. He takes the cast into Utah canyons and the Great Basin Desert, and tells us what Jonathan Roumie is actually like off camera.

We also have Emily’s recap of a memorable Lollapalooza this past weekend, Spider-Man: Brand New Day making U.S. box office history, and movie theaters having a record-setting comeback. We also get into the professor who found a way to catch students using AI on exams, and Arizona State announcing a...


Episode 1311: Tim Tebow and Kirk Cousins on Human Trafficking, Plus Grace Runkle and Dr. Phil's UFO Thoughts
Episode 1311: Tim Tebow and Kirk Cousins on Human Trafficking, Plus Grace Runkle and Dr. Phil's UFO Thoughts episode artwork
07/28/2026

This week we're joined by Tim Tebow and Kirk Cousins, two of the most recognizable quarterbacks in the game who have both spent years on the same fight. We talk about World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which is this week — Tebow on what opened his eyes to the scale of it, Cousins on how his faith turned into two decades of advocacy.

In RELEVANT Buzz, new research from the Billy Graham Center Research Institute found that 48% of Gen Z adults say Christians' support of Trump has made them less likely to go to church. 

In...


Episode 1310: Elevation Rhythm, Plus Baker Mayfield's Faith & Sylvester Stallone on Skipping Church
Episode 1310: Elevation Rhythm, Plus Baker Mayfield's Faith & Sylvester Stallone on Skipping Church episode artwork
07/21/2026

This week, we're joined by Davide Mutendji of Elevation Rhythm, whose new album WASHED just dropped. He tells us about the heart behind the project and how Drake became a surprising inspiration for the worship group.

In RELEVANT Buzz, the trailer for ‘I Play Rocky’ arrived, and it sent us down a rabbit hole into Sylvester Stallone's faith journey — including a conversation where he calls out Christians who think they can skip church. (Rocky would never!) We also dig into a new study finding only one in three young adults are dating even though nearly all of them w...


Episode 1309: KB, Emma Myers and the First Christian Song to Top a Billion Streams
Episode 1309: KB, Emma Myers and the First Christian Song to Top a Billion Streams episode artwork
07/14/2026

This week, we're joined by rapper, apparel label owner and pastor KB, whose new album 'This Cannot Be Sold' is out this week. He talks about why he refuses to package Jesus for marketability and what staying loyal to Christ over politics and tribalism actually costs.

In RELEVANT Buzz, ‘Wednesday’ star Emma Myers opens up about turning to God in the hardest season of her life, Lecrae admits he spent years treating John Piper's words like Scripture, and the crew unpacks what the Reformed era of Christian hip-hop got right and wrong. Plus, the first Christian song to t...


Episode 1308: Tori Kelly, Messi's Blessed Boots and Gen Z's Church Problem
Episode 1308: Tori Kelly, Messi's Blessed Boots and Gen Z's Church Problem episode artwork
07/07/2026

This week, three-time Grammy winner Tori Kelly joins us to talk about her new album 'God Must Really Love Me,' written just weeks after she became a first-time mom. She tells us how it’s changed her approach to songwriting and her view of God.

In RELEVANT Buzz, new research finds while Gen Z is the most church-engaged generation, it’s also the least likely to pray. What? We also take a lap around the World Cup's faith stories, and Forrest Frank now has the largest arena tour in the country.

In Slices, Jesse tell...


Episode 1307: Elevation Worship's Tiffany Hudson, Plus Rapper Parris Chariz
Episode 1307: Elevation Worship's Tiffany Hudson, Plus Rapper Parris Chariz episode artwork
06/30/2026

This is the perfect episode for summer vacation season. First, Tiffany Hudson from Elevation Worship joins us to tell us about her new solo album ‘When You're in the Room,’ and the importance of “vertical” lyrics in worship music. Then rapper Parris Chariz joins us for the second half of the show. We talk about his new album ‘The World Is Watching,’ basketball and his unusual path to seminary.

In Slices, Jesse gives us a look at his vision for the future of politics in America (it looks a lot like jury duty), and Derek takes us to the front...


Sondae and Jesus Image’s Jessica Koulianos
Sondae and Jesus Image’s Jessica Koulianos episode artwork
06/23/2026

This week — after the crew discusses summer vacations, cruise classes and the Jersey Shore — we talk to Jessica Koulianos, co-founder of Jesus Image, about what it actually looks like to go deeper with God instead of just consuming more church content.

In RELEVANT Buzz, Team USA has turned the World Cup into a faith story, and we get into Steven Spielberg's new film ‘Disclosure Day’ and the surprising amount of room it gives to faith. 

In RELEVANT Recommends, we talk to Christian R&B artist Sondae, whose new album is a must-listen.

In Slices, s...


Episode 1305: Andy Mineo & Wordsplayed on Magic and Bird 2, How CHH Has Changed and Derek’s Net Worth
Episode 1305: Andy Mineo & Wordsplayed on Magic and Bird 2, How CHH Has Changed and Derek’s Net Worth episode artwork
06/16/2026

Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed are back as Magic and Bird, and tell us all about the sequel to their 2017 cult classic album. We also get into the state of Christian hip-hop, why nobody is vetted anymore, and spend a genuinely uncomfortable amount of time guessing Derek Minor's net worth to his face.

In RELEVANT Buzz, the SBC voted to ban women from the pulpit and it wasn't close. Victory Boyd forgave Travis Scott and ended up in the studio with him. And Pharrell started his Christian rap era with a Voices of Fire song called "The One."<...


Philip Anthony Mitchell on the Gospel's Urgency, Plus Derek Breaks Christian Hip-Hop — Ep. 1304
Philip Anthony Mitchell on the Gospel's Urgency, Plus Derek Breaks Christian Hip-Hop — Ep. 1304 episode artwork
06/09/2026

This week 2819 Church pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell joins us, the Atlanta preacher whose sermon clips have taken over your feed. He tells us why he buried his old church after losing everything during COVID and why he believes the church is running out of time to wake up.

Before that convo, the guys recap a week off the grid in Montana that turned into a grown-man sleepover built around 80s action movies. We also get into how one offhand comment on Derek's "You Can't Say That in Church" podcast set off a week-long Christian hip-hop firestorm, and...


Episode 1303: Johnnyswim, Plus Scottie Scheffler's Faith & Some Mel Gibson ‘Resurrection’ News
Episode 1303: Johnnyswim, Plus Scottie Scheffler's Faith & Some Mel Gibson ‘Resurrection’ News episode artwork
05/26/2026

This week, Johnnyswim joins us to give an exclusive look at three major projects they’re about to release. The duo has had a very busy couple of years, and surprisingly it’s not been all about music. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, we bring the recent update on Mel Gibson's The Resurrection of the Christ and get some inspiration from PGA great Scottie Scheffler. In Slices, a Cybertruck owner tests his freedom by driving straight down a boat ramp into a lake because Elon said it could float, and Joey Chestnut got into some legal trouble after a recen...


Episode 1302: Brooke Ligertwood, the Two Kinds of Churches Actually Growing & What Drake Says About the State of Music
Episode 1302: Brooke Ligertwood, the Two Kinds of Churches Actually Growing & What Drake Says About the State of Music episode artwork
05/20/2026

This week, we talk to Brooke Ligertwood about her new album ‘Eat,’ which is unlike anything she's put out before. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, we break down new data that highlights where the Church has actually been growing over the last decade — and where it hasn’t. We also tell the story of the e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder who gave away his fortune and is becoming a priest. Plus we have a look at the new Moses limited series on Prime Video starring Sir Ben Kingsley. (It’s impressive.)

In Slices, Jesse has some thoughts about kamik...


Episode 1301: Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes + Christian UFO Expert Timothy Alberino
Episode 1301: Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes + Christian UFO Expert Timothy Alberino episode artwork
05/12/2026

Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes joins the show to talk about her new special "Ugly Baby" and how a joke-writing class at her church kicked off her stand-up career. Then Christian UFO researcher Timothy Alberino comes on to make sense of the Pentagon's newly declassified UFO files. The cast walks through why aliens, demons and military tech are three different conversations most people are lumping into one, where the Nephilim theory in Genesis 6 fits in and why none of this should rattle anyone's theology. Alberino's book "Birthright" is worth a read if this rabbit hole calls to you.

In...


Episode 1300: Hulu’s Christian College Dating Show, Sophie Cunningham’s Baptism and Lots of Frisbee Golf
Episode 1300: Hulu’s Christian College Dating Show, Sophie Cunningham’s Baptism and Lots of Frisbee Golf episode artwork
05/05/2026

It’s episode 1300! In RELEVANT Buzz, we talk about Hulu’s new Christian college dating series that you need to hear to believe. We also talk about WNBA star Sophie Cunningham's recent faith declaration, Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu’s faithful pregame ritual and a new Bible movie about Daniel that’s releasing this fall.

In Slices, a Wisconsin solid waste facility has an unusual speed limit, a Harvard scientist helps build China’s AI supercomputer, and the crew finds a Guinness World Record worth actually pursuing.

The show ends with One Has to Go, and be warned...


Episode 1299: Hulvey on Turning Down Kanye, Theo Von's Surprising Vulnerability & Mr. T + Ice-T's Album
Episode 1299: Hulvey on Turning Down Kanye, Theo Von's Surprising Vulnerability & Mr. T + Ice-T's Album episode artwork
04/29/2026

This week we're joined by Hulvey, who just dropped his final album on Reach Records. He tells us why he turned down a Kanye West collab and the reason behind his new season.

In RELEVANT Buzz, Theo Von gets surprisingly vulnerable on his podcast about being stuck in destructive cycles. A new study finds that 60% of Gen Z has gone no contact with friends or family. We get into why. 

There's NBA playoff rivalries, unexpected gifts, insane 80s movies, insurance fraud, bees escaping. It's a packed, crazy episode!

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Magic vs...


Episode 1298: Comedian Derrick Stroup, Charlie Puth's Gospel Moment & RAYE's Faith Turn
Episode 1298: Comedian Derrick Stroup, Charlie Puth's Gospel Moment & RAYE's Faith Turn episode artwork
04/21/2026

The week, we’re joined by one of the funniest comedians going right now — Derrick Stroup, who has a fantastic new special on Netflix. He tells us how he got his start in comedy and why keeping things clean is an intentional choice.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we dive into a new Gallup study that reveals 50% more young men say religion is very important to them than did just a few years ago. There’s a lot to unpack — including why young women are going the opposite direction. We then share a clip that went viral this week of Charl...


Episode 1297: Aodhan King & Benjamin William Hastings Made a Worship Album in 10 Days, Plus Lecrae and M.I.A.
Episode 1297: Aodhan King & Benjamin William Hastings Made a Worship Album in 10 Days, Plus Lecrae and M.I.A. episode artwork
04/16/2026

This week, we sit down with former Hillsong-ers Aodhan King and Benjamin William Hastings, who just announced a joint worship album dropping next month. They tell us about it — and also tell the unhinged story of how they met 15 years ago. (Lesson: Need pants? You might meet a new friend.)

In RELEVANT Buzz, this week Lecrae became the first Christian rapper on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts (apologies to Marla) and we tell you about M.I.A.'s new faith-rooted album inspired by the Book of Revelation and the Ark of the Covenant. (Yes, we play *that* Ind...


Episode 1296: Madison Ryann Ward, American Idol Goes Full Worship & DC3's Historic Win
Episode 1296: Madison Ryann Ward, American Idol Goes Full Worship & DC3's Historic Win episode artwork
04/07/2026

This week, Cameron, Derek, Emily and Marty cover a ton: American Idol's Songs of Faith Night, which was way more Jesus-heavy this year than last, British Christian rapper DC3 making MOBO Awards history, and the story of Forrest Frank's new indie band having to ditch their name days before releasing their debut album.

In RELEVANT Recommends, we talk to Madison Ryann Ward — an amazing, soulful singer (and former D1 volleyball player) who walked away from Rick Rubin's label after rededicating her life to Christ, and is now showing up everywhere and absolutely thriving. 

In Slices, we...


Indie Tribe, Colbert's LotR Movie, Alabama's Faith & SNL's Christian Rap Connection | Ep. 1295
Indie Tribe, Colbert's LotR Movie, Alabama's Faith & SNL's Christian Rap Connection | Ep. 1295 episode artwork
03/31/2026

Cameron, Jesse, Derek and Emily are all back together for a packed episode. In RELEVANT Recommends, we highlight Indie Tribe's new album, Who Do You Say I Am? and caught up with the guys at SXSW to talk about the making of the project and what it says about who they are as a group.

In RELEVANT Buzz: Alabama's basketball team has been quietly building a faith culture all season that's worth knowing about. Then, as Stephen Colbert is wrapping up the Late Show, his next move is pretty unexpected: writing a Lord of the Rings movie w...


Episode 1294: Pat Barrett, Vince Gilligan and the March Madness Mascot Bracket
Episode 1294: Pat Barrett, Vince Gilligan and the March Madness Mascot Bracket episode artwork
03/26/2026

Worship leader Pat Barrett — known for "Good Good Father" and "Build My Life" — joins Cameron, Jesse and Emily to talk about his new live album 'Break Open,' why he sat on the title track for nearly a decade, and his late-in-life obsession with surfing (including an upcoming trip to Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch). He also gets honest about how his thinking on songwriting vs. worship leading has shifted, because of course we ask awkward questions.

Also, Emily brings RELEVANT Buzz fresh from South by Southwest, where she sat in on a panel with Vince Gilligan — creator of Bre...


Episode 1293: Ryan Gosling on 'Project Hail Mary,' a Christian Oscar Nod & the NFL Star Turning Missionary
Episode 1293: Ryan Gosling on 'Project Hail Mary,' a Christian Oscar Nod & the NFL Star Turning Missionary episode artwork
03/23/2026

Ryan Gosling joins the RELEVANT Podcast to talk about his new sci-fi film Project Hail Mary — what made him fall in love with this story and why this one might be a "core memory" film for a generation. 

Before that, Emily reports from SXSW to break down the week's biggest faith-and-culture stories: a Christian animated short film made by two Pixar animators and 200 volunteers (including musician Josh Garrels) got nominated for an Oscar. Also Christian apologist Wesley Huff went on the popular podcast 'Diary of a CEO' and told Stephen Bartlett to his face he's going to hel...


Episode 1292: Colony House, Papa Roach Gets Saved, Iranian Christians, and Kyle Idleman on the Real Jesus
Episode 1292: Colony House, Papa Roach Gets Saved, Iranian Christians, and Kyle Idleman on the Real Jesus episode artwork
03/10/2026

Colony House is back with a new album, and they sat down with Emily to reflect on 10 years of making music and what they want the next decade to look like. 

In RELEVANT Buzz: Papa Roach lead singer Jacoby Shaddix shares his powerful faith journey — from foxhole prayer, to sobriety and a faith that sounds like the real thing. We also bring a story flying under the radar: nearly a million Christians are living inside Iran right now, and we hear directly from believers on the ground to get their thoughts on the war and religious freedom. 


Episode 1291: Zachary Levi on His New David Docu-Drama, and Is Revival Actually Happening in America?
Episode 1291: Zachary Levi on His New David Docu-Drama, and Is Revival Actually Happening in America? episode artwork
03/03/2026

Zachary Levi — Chuck, Shazam, and now host of the new docu-drama David: King of Israel — joins us to talk about why the story of David is the one he keeps coming back to. It's a story of someone who's broken, who makes terrible decisions, and who somehow still gets called a man after God's own heart. Levi explains what sets this show apart from all the other David content out there right now and why he thinks everyone needs to hear this story again.

Also in this episode: We've been hearing a lot about revival — from the SEU ou...


Episode 1290: Elevation Worship's Chris Brown, Plus the Faith Revival in Pro Sports
Episode 1290: Elevation Worship's Chris Brown, Plus the Faith Revival in Pro Sports episode artwork
02/24/2026

This week, Elevation Worship's Chris Brown tells us why the band took an extra year off from releasing music — and what their new album ‘So Be It’ sounds like on the other side of that pause. We also hear from Portland Trail Blazers chaplain Mike Tatlock, who talked to us during NBA All-Star Weekend to share what he's seeing behind the scenes: more players showing up to chapel, more genuine conversations about faith, and a tangible spiritual shift across pro sports.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we dig into a new report revealing the alcohol industry has lost $830 billion in the...


Episode 1289: The Lone Bellow, Plus the Pastor of the SEU Outpouring
Episode 1289: The Lone Bellow, Plus the Pastor of the SEU Outpouring episode artwork
02/17/2026

This week, Zach Williams from indie-folk band The Lone Bellow joins the show to talk about their new album — including the wild story of how their van was broken into, all their recordings were stolen, and their fans raised enough money to help them start over.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we show you the ongoing worship outpouring happening at Southeastern University in Florida, where students have been in nonstop prayer, worship and confession for the last week (we talk to the campus pastor). We also break down the viral claim that Christian hip hop is the #1 rap subgenre on...


Episode 1288: Milo Ventimiglia Tells Us Why He's Starring in a Christian Movie, our Super Bowl Recap & Is Gen Z Getting Dumber?
Episode 1288: Milo Ventimiglia Tells Us Why He's Starring in a Christian Movie, our Super Bowl Recap & Is Gen Z Getting Dumber? episode artwork
02/10/2026

This week, actor Milo Ventimiglia — known for 'This Is Us,' 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Heroes' — tells us why he chose to star in a new Christian movie, playing real-life worship artist Tim Timmons, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer over 20 years ago and is still defying the odds today. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, the crew recaps the Super Bowl — including the incredible story of Seahawks coach Mike McDonald, who followed God's calling to leave the corporate world to take an unpaid internship in coaching. And now 12 years later, it's led to a Super Bowl championship. We also dig into a...


Episode 1287: Trip Lee's Worship Pivot, Jelly Roll's Grammy Sermon & Free Iguanas in Miami
Episode 1287: Trip Lee's Worship Pivot, Jelly Roll's Grammy Sermon & Free Iguanas in Miami episode artwork
02/03/2026

This week, legendary Christian rapper Trip Lee tells us about his unexpected move into worship music with his new album. Before that, the crew swaps stories from last week's historic winter storm—Emily survived three days without power in freezing temps and Jesse narrowly avoided going to a fun Orlando Magic game with Cameron.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we break down Jelly Roll's powerful Grammy acceptance moment, plus the youngest Grammy winner at just eight years old. We also dive into new research showing the vast majority of people want authentic faith representation in TV and movies, and th...


Episode 1286: Chris Pratt on Faith, Fame and Finding Purpose Beyond Hollywood
Episode 1286: Chris Pratt on Faith, Fame and Finding Purpose Beyond Hollywood episode artwork
01/27/2026

This week, we talk to ‘Mercy’ star Chris Pratt about how faith shapes his life and career. He opens up about navigating public narratives, using his platform with purpose and why he believes being open about faith matters more than ever.

In RELEVANT Buzz, the crew dives into Jelly Roll’s moving moment on 'Star Search,' why Gen Z is intentionally disconnecting from their phones and whether music is actually getting sadder. Plus, stories about AI fatigue, bizarre license plate drama, a ketchup packet felony and a guy trying to create a new nation in Texas. And at...


Episode 1285: Chelsea Smith on Dating, Marriage and What Actually Makes Love Last
Episode 1285: Chelsea Smith on Dating, Marriage and What Actually Makes Love Last episode artwork
01/20/2026

This week, we sit down with Chelsea Smith to talk about dating wisely, building a resilient marriage and navigating seasons when love feels harder than usual. She shares practical advice for singles, couples and anyone wondering if what they’re experiencing is normal.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we unpack the rise of political independents among Gen Z and millennials, Brandon Lake’s Good Morning America moment and why Christian hip-hop is showing up at Rolling Loud.

Plus, the crew debates whether it’s easier to bowl a perfect game or hit a hole-in-one for a million dollars, di...


Episode 1284: Khloé Kardashian Talks Faith, A ‘Stranger Things’ Star Does Too, and Philip Yancey’s Scandal
Episode 1284: Khloé Kardashian Talks Faith, A ‘Stranger Things’ Star Does Too, and Philip Yancey’s Scandal episode artwork
01/13/2026

In this episode of The RELEVANT Podcast, we break down a surprisingly faith-heavy week in pop culture.

In RELEVANT Buzz, Khloé Kardashian opens up in depth about her faith and prayer life, Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin shares why he’s returning to faith after growing up as a pastor’s kid. Then we discuss news at the other end of the spectrum: Bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey stepping away from ministry after confessing to an eight-year extramarital affair and Christian pop singer Stacie Orrico’s lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse by her former manager. We wrap things...


Episode 1283: The Top Young Adult Faith Questions, Weird Guinness Records & CITIZENS Frontman Zach Bolen
Episode 1283: The Top Young Adult Faith Questions, Weird Guinness Records & CITIZENS Frontman Zach Bolen episode artwork
01/06/2026

This week, we tackle the biggest faith questions young adults are asking right now (according to the recent Passion Conference) — from evidence for God’s existence and the tension between free will and predestination, to suffering, salvation and thoughts on hell. It’s an honest conversation about doubt, belief and why curiosity might be essential to spiritual growth.

From there, Emily sits down with CITIZENS frontman Zach Bolen to talk about the band’s new album Museum, being in the Christian music bubble while feeling like an outsider and why art doesn’t need to explain itself to be mean...


Episode 1282: Our New Year Episode — Bieber’s Faith, Jesse’s Patriot Games and Very Accurate 2026 Predictions!
Episode 1282: Our New Year Episode — Bieber’s Faith, Jesse’s Patriot Games and Very Accurate 2026 Predictions! episode artwork
12/30/2025

We wrap up 2025 and kick off 2026 by catching up on everything from post-holiday chaos to the optimism that comes with starting a new year. Along the way, we touch on Justin Bieber’s recent reflections on faith, how people in 1998 predicted 2025, and surprising new archeological evidence that Noah's Ark was real. 

From there, the episode takes a turn into full chaos as Jesse introduces his own idea for the “Patriot Games”: teams of Americans competing using everyday life skills, jury duty-style. The episode then wraps with the cast predicting the trends of 2026 — all delivered with the usual mix of hu...


Episode 1281: Our Christmas Episode! Why Does December Feel So Unhinged?
Episode 1281: Our Christmas Episode! Why Does December Feel So Unhinged? episode artwork
12/23/2025

In our Christmas episode, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor and Emily Brown dive into a packed RELEVANT Buzz, including NFL players putting faith into action in unexpected ways, a Christian animated film debuting near the top of the box office, Timothée Chalamet unexpectedly singing Kirk Franklin and a spontaneous worship moment from Justin Bieber that caught the internet’s attention.

The crew also tackles one of the most important questions of the season: what actually makes a perfect Christmas day? From wake-up times and breakfast spreads to family expectations, church plans and evening traditions, they att...


Impact Conversations: TreVeyon Henderson on Faith & the NFL and Lecrae on Reconstruction & Legacy
Impact Conversations: TreVeyon Henderson on Faith & the NFL and Lecrae on Reconstruction & Legacy episode artwork
12/18/2025

In the final episode of the RELEVANT Podcast Impact Conversations series, we sit down with two influential voices using their platforms to point toward something deeper.

First, New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson shares how his faith was shaped long before the NFL spotlight. From a season-ending injury at Ohio State that led him to Jesus to helping spark faith gatherings across campus, Henderson talks about spiritual leadership, obedience over outcomes, and what it looks like to follow Christ inside high-pressure locker rooms. His story is also featured in the new docuseries Redemption, now streaming...


Episode 1280: Director Rian Johnson on Faith, Doubt and the Christian Themes in ‘Knives Out’
Episode 1280: Director Rian Johnson on Faith, Doubt and the Christian Themes in ‘Knives Out’ episode artwork
12/16/2025

Rian Johnson’s new Knives Out film, 'Wake Up Dead Man,' is sparking conversations few mainstream movies ever touch — faith, forgiveness, power and what it actually means to follow Jesus in a polarized world.

In this episode, we talk with the filmmaker about growing up in the Church, walking away from faith and why Christ’s teachings — especially “love your enemy” — still shape the stories he wants to tell. Johnson opens up about wrestling with the us-versus-them mentality, the corrupting pull of power and influence, and why he wanted to portray Christian belief with empathy rather than caricatur...


Episode 1279: Andy Mineo
Episode 1279: Andy Mineo episode artwork
12/09/2025

This week, Andy Mineo joins us for a hilarious and surprisingly vulnerable conversation about reinvention, perfectionism, leaving Reach Records, making his first album in four years and why he almost drove himself crazy trying to get it right. Plus, the cast dives into:

– Brandon Lake dominating Billboard’s year-end charts

– The ER vs The Pitt IP controversy

– Ticketmaster’s takedown

– TreVeyon Henderson spotlighting persecuted Christians on the field

– A chaotic game of “One Has to Go” that reveals way too much (about Andy)


CHAPTERS:


1...


Impact Conversation Series: Madi Prewett Troutt and Ben Higgins
Impact Conversation Series: Madi Prewett Troutt and Ben Higgins episode artwork
12/04/2025

Two former Bachelor stars. Two very different, but impactful, post-show paths. One episode about what it really looks like to use your platform well.

In this new installment of The RELEVANT Podcast: Impact Conversations, Emily Brown and Cameron Strang sit down with Madi Prewett Troutt and Ben Higgins to talk about life after reality TV, spiritual growth, calling, purpose, and how to steward influence in a way that actually matters.

First, Emily talks with Madi Prewett Troutt, who has spent the last five years immersed in ministry—preaching, writing, podcasting, discipling young women, and building a...


Episode 1278: Rend Collective's Chris Llewellyn
Episode 1278: Rend Collective's Chris Llewellyn episode artwork
12/02/2025

Chris Llewellyn from Irish folk worship band Rend Collective joins us to talk about the band’s new album 'Christmas in Belfast,' the surprising Irish traditions behind it and what it’s like navigating life between Ireland and Nashville.

We also break down the biggest stories in faith and culture, including NF’s record-setting Billboard debut, the wild rise of AI-generated music, and Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson’s faith-forward breakout. Plus, the crew swaps celebrity-encounter stories and brings Chris into a special holiday round of “One Has to Go.”

CHAPTERS:

02:00 – Jesse spots an SNL cast me...


Impact Conversation Series: Tara-Leigh Cobble and Art Rainer
Impact Conversation Series: Tara-Leigh Cobble and Art Rainer episode artwork
12/01/2025

On this episode of our Impact Conversations series, we sit down with Tara-Leigh Cobble, creator of The Bible Recap — one of the most influential Bible-reading podcasts in the world. Tara-Leigh shares how The Bible Recap started, how she built a global Bible-reading community and what she’s learned about Scripture, calling and obedience along the way. If you’re trying to understand the Bible or want to stay consistent in your Bible reading plan, this conversation is for you.

We also feature a bonus interview with Christian financial expert Art Rainer, who breaks down how to approach money, gener...


Episode 1277: Can We Trust Anything Online Anymore? A Christian Look at AI, Social Media and All Those Rigged Charts
Episode 1277: Can We Trust Anything Online Anymore? A Christian Look at AI, Social Media and All Those Rigged Charts episode artwork
11/25/2025

This week on The RELEVANT Podcast, we dive into the strange new digital reality Christians are wrestling with — from AI artists topping the Christian charts to foreign troll farms shaping what we see online, even in faith spaces. Throughout the show, we keep asking one big question: can we trust anything online anymore?

Plus, we talk Kristen Bell’s surprise appearance on a Fox News Bible podcast (and her feelings about that), Nate Bargatze’s real-life theme park, weird holiday debates, outlawed pickleball, Thanksgiving pizza and a lot more. It’s a holiday-week hangout episode with Cameron, Jesse an...


Episode 1276: Passion's Kristian Stanfill on Sobriety, Freedom and His Most Honest Album Yet
Episode 1276: Passion's Kristian Stanfill on Sobriety, Freedom and His Most Honest Album Yet episode artwork
11/18/2025

Worship leader and Passion artist Kristian Stanfill joins us to talk about the long road from addiction to five years of sobriety, the moment everything changed and how his new album 'Come to Jesus' was born from real healing and real joy.

Cameron, Jesse, Derek and Emily also bring RELEVANT Buzz, our weekly breakdown of the latest at the intersection of faith and culture — and of course, we close the show with Slices, where the crew dives into the funniest, weirdest and most unexpected stories the internet has to offer.

Show Highlights


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