Dr. Tyler Johnson, Chief Impact Officer of Come Near, joins Crosswalk Talk to unpack He Gets Us’s latest Super Bowl ad titled “More.” He explains what this year’s spot is about, why He Gets Us invests in one of the most-watched advertising stages in the world, and how the campaign strives to raise the public conversation about Jesus in culturally relatable ways.

Their focus is on connecting with spiritually curious people — not preaching at them — using creative messaging that invites questions and steps toward faith. Dr. Johnson also explains how He Gets Us works with partners like The Bible Project to help curious visitors explore the gospel after watching the ad.

Highlights

• What the He Gets Us “More” Super Bowl ad is about — challenging cultural materialism and inviting reflection

• Why He Gets Us continues to run high-visibility ads during the Super Bowl

• What Come Near is and how it aims to introduce people to the authentic Jesus

• The strategic role of the He Gets Us website as a gateway to deeper discipleship resources

• How partnerships with organizations like The Bible Project support ongoing spiritual journeys

• How the ad is designed to spark curiosity rather than deliver a full theological argument

Resources Mentioned

Come Near – Organization behind He Gets Us

• Official Website: https://comenear.com/

• He Gets Us Campaign: https://hegetsus.com/

The Bible Project – Creative partner providing Bible resources

• Official Website: https://bibleproject.com/

• YouTube Channel:

Biblical Reference Mentioned

• Romans 12:1–2 (Phillips Translation concept referenced in ad strategy)

Join the Conversation

Dr. Johnson’s insight shows He Gets Us isn’t just an ad campaign — it’s a cultural conversation starter about faith, meaning, and what we pursue most. After hearing about it, what line from the “More” ad stands out to you? How has your understanding of spiritual longing vs. material “more” evolved?

Share your thoughts with #CrosswalkTalk #HeGetsUs #MoreAd #ComeNear — and if this episode encouraged you, subscribe and leave a review so others seeking thoughtful faith conversations can find it too. Visit LifeAudio.com for dozens of other faith-centered podcasts.

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Former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson joins Crosswalk Talk for a wide-ranging conversation on why faith is more visible than ever in sports -- and what’s driving that cultural shift. Watson reflects on pressure, perspective and how athletes are using today’s platforms to speak openly about Jesus, from college campuses to the NFL. He also shares how his own playing career, including winning a Super Bowl, shaped his understanding of identity, success and faith. Plus, Watson explains Sports Spectrum’s partnership with Compassion International.

Connect with Benjamin:

Website: https://benjaminswatson.com/

Instagram: benjaminswatson/

Podcast: The Just Life

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Award-winning hip-hop artist, author, and preacher Trip Lee joins Crosswalk Talk to share the heart behind For Your Glory, his first explicitly worship-centered EP releasing February 13. Known as a pioneer in Christian hip hop, Trip explains why now was the right moment to step into congregational worship music — without abandoning the genre that shaped his ministry.

In this conversation, Trip opens up about how chronic illness has deeply influenced his theology, songwriting, and dependence on God, and why worship must make space for honesty, lament, and hope. He also introduces Brag Worship, a collective focused on broadening what worship can sound like while staying rooted in Scripture and the greatness of God.

Highlights

• Why For Your Glory is Trip Lee’s first fully worship-focused project

• How “bragging on God” reshapes hip hop’s boast-driven culture

• The biblical foundation behind Brag Worship (Jeremiah 9, Psalms, Colossians 3)

• How chronic illness shaped lyrics rooted in weakness, trust, and perseverance

• Why worship music should reflect diverse cultures and expressions

• Collaborations with Naomi Raine, Jonathan Traylor, and others

• How preaching, pastoring, and rapping inform one another

• The importance of excellence in Christian art — especially for young listeners

• Why worship songs should invite participation, not performance

Resources Mentioned

Trip Lee — Rapper, Author, Preacher

• Instagram

• YouTube::

Music Projects

• For Your Glory (EP) — Worship project releasing February 13

  • Pre-save / Listen: 

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Veteran actor and producer Stelio Savante joins Crosswalk Talk to discuss his role in the true-life family film Hazel’s Heart — streaming now on Angel Studios and available on video-on-demand platforms. Based on the remarkable survival story of Hazel Miner in 1920 North Dakota, the movie highlights sacrifice, courage, and hope against the odds. Savante also reflects on his career arc, including Sarah’s Oil and his defining role in The Chosen, and shares his thoughts on why faith-centered storytelling resonates deeply with audiences today.

Highlights

• What Hazel’s Heart is about and why Stelio was drawn to this true-story drama

• His role as William Miner, father to Hazel, and what it meant to portray strength and regret

• Behind-the-scenes fun fact: much of the blizzard environment was created in an abandoned Kmart with visual effects

• How playing antagonistic and complex roles (like in Sarah’s Oil) adds depth to his work

• Why faith and family films are growing — better artistry + greater audience hunger for hope

• His journey from early roles in Law & Order: SVU and Ugly Betty to playing Moses in The Chosen

• What makes The Chosen connect on a personal level with viewers worldwide — perspective and humanity

• Lessons from Hazel’s Heart: making wise choices under pressure and giving hope to others

Resources:

Stelio Savante – Actor & Producer

• IMDb Profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767445/

Featured Films & Series

• Hazel’s Heart (2025) – True-life survival film based on Hazel Miner’s story

  • Official Film Info (Angel Studios):

  • VOD/Rental Info (Apple TV/Prime/YouTube): 

• The Chosen – Biblical drama series where Savante portrays Moses

 

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Actor Bailey Chase sits down to talk about his role in the post-apocalyptic Angel Studios series Homestead — a story of survival, leadership, and hope after a nuclear detonation near Los Angeles. Bailey reflects on what drew him to the project, how moving home to North Carolina deepened his faith, and why this role — and life beyond Hollywood — resonates with him personally. Along the way, he also shares glimpses into his career, his character’s journey, and his long-term creative goals.

Highlights

• Why Bailey said “yes” to Homestead and how divine timing played a role

• Moving out of Hollywood and reconnecting with family and faith in North Carolina

• The deep character arc of Jeff Eriksson — hard-nosed, authentic, and growing

• Bailey’s acting roots: from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Longmire

• How life shifts — slower pace, church community, family priorities — reshaped his perspective

• His latest creative ambition: developing a new Angel Studios series based on Chronicles of Kings

• Football days at Duke and how that competitive drive carried into acting

Resources Mentioned

Bailey Chase – Actor most recently seen in Homestead

• IMDb Profile:

• Instagram (verified): 

Featured Film & Series

Homestead (2024) — Post-apocalyptic drama starring Bailey Chase

 

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Director Richie Johns joins us to discuss his new film Still Hope and why he chose to confront the reality of human trafficking through storytelling. He explains how the movie draws from true events and focuses not only on the crime itself, but also on recovery, forgiveness and the long road toward healing.

Johns also talks about The Promised Land, his faith-based comedy series that brings the story of Moses and the Exodus to life for a new generation. He shares how faith shapes both projects, even though they differ greatly in tone and audience. The conversation explores how film can raise awareness, inspire compassion, and point people toward meaningful action and hope.

Highlights

• Why Richie took on Still Hope and what makes its recovery story unique

• How true survivor stories shaped the film’s narrative

• The theme of forgiveness as freedom

• The story’s setting and why it matters: trafficking can happen in everyday America

• Why Still Hope was designed as a tool for awareness and action

• Behind the scenes on The Promised Land, a faith-based comedy about Exodus

• How humor and scripture combine to reach new audiences

• Richie’s journey from assistant directing to filmmaking with a missional focus

Resources Mentioned

Richie Johns – Filmmaker, Director & Producer

• Instagram

Films & Series

• Still Hope – Feature film on human trafficking depicting rescue and restorative journey

  • Official Website:

• The Promised Land – Faith-based comedy series about Exodus 

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Grammy-nominated gospel artist Jamie MacDonald joins Crosswalk Talk to share the story behind her highly anticipated self-titled album Jamie MacDonald releasing January 23. From years of background vocals in Nashville to singing in prison ministry and finding hope in her own brokenness, Jamie unpacks how her faith journey shaped her sound, her message, and the heart behind her music.

Highlights

• Jamie’s mixed emotions and sense of accomplishment as her first major album arrives

• How years of background vocals shaped her musical path

• The role of faith, family healing, and reconnecting with her father

• Turning points: church camp, hitting rock bottom, and meeting God at age 21

• Transformative ministry in prisons and how it influences her music today

• Her distinctive sound: soulful, choir-inspired, and gospel-rooted

• Stories behind key songs like “My Family” and themes of restoration

• What she hopes listeners take away from Jamie MacDonald

• Her unique aesthetic and personal style

• A preview of her first headline tour with Taylor Hill

Resources Mentioned

Jamie MacDonald – Gospel artist and songwriter

• Official Website: jamiemacdonaldmusic.com

• Instagram

• Spotify Artist Profile: 

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Joel Courtney and Masey McLain discuss why they were drawn to Soul on Fire, a true story they say is saturated with hope, resilience, and the power of personal choice. The film follows John O’Leary, who survives a devastating burn accident as a child in 1987 and later grows into a man whose life points others toward what it means to truly live, a journey the actors say reflects the heart of the gospel.

As believers themselves, Joel and Macy reflect on how this story reshaped their understanding of resilience, vulnerability, and the gospel—revealing a hope that isn’t naïve, but hard-won and deeply rooted in faith.

Highlights

• Why telling true stories of hope and overcoming matters now more than ever

• The idea of agency: choosing life, joy, and freedom one decision at a time

• How John’s journey mirrors biblical resilience, including parallels to Job

• A powerful picture of the gospel: being fully known and fully loved

• What it was like meeting the real-life John and Beth and how it shaped the performances

• The promise of restoration—what’s been stolen can be replenished, resurrected, and rebuilt

• Why hope isn’t automatic… but it is always available

Join the Conversation

What part of this story resonated with you most—choosing hope, embracing vulnerability, or seeing restoration firsthand? How has faith helped shape your own resilience through hard seasons?

Share your thoughts with a review!

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Resources Mentioned

• Joel Courtney – Actor known for Soul on Fire and Super 8

  • IMDb

  • Official Instagram

• Masey McLain – Actress featured as Beth O’Leary in Soul on Fire

• • IMDb:

  • Official Instagram:

• Soul on Fire (2025) – Official film page with cast and details

• John O’Leary – The real-life inspiration for Soul on Fire (author & speaker)

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Family discipleship, Christian parenting, and teaching toddlers about Jesus are at the heart of this conversation with pastor, author, and podcaster Adam Griffin, lead pastor of Eastside Community Church and co-host of The Family Discipleship Podcast. Adam shares the vision behind his new children’s board book, What Will You Teach Me?, and why the earliest lessons—colors, numbers, animals, and music—can all point children back to God.

This episode explores how parents can integrate faith into everyday learning, why discipleship doesn’t require seminary training, and how spiritual formation begins long before children can read or speak.

Highlights

• Why most Christian kids’ books miss an opportunity for deeper discipleship

• How everyday lessons like math, science, and language reveal God’s design

• The inspiration behind What Will You Teach Me?

• Why this board book is designed for babies through age four

• How repetition helps children learn truth through story and visuals

• What “family discipleship” really means—and why it’s often overcomplicated

• Bridging the gap between spiritual and secular education

• Why discipleship deserves the same priority as academics

• How parents can lead spiritually without being experts

• Adam’s vision for future family discipleship resources

Join the Conversation

How do you naturally incorporate faith into everyday learning moments with your kids?

Join the conversation and share your thoughts using #LifeAudio.

Resources & Links

• 📘 What Will You Teach Me? by Adam Griffin (B&H Publishing)

• 🎙️ The Family Discipleship Podcast

• 📘 Family Discipleship by Adam Griffin & Matt Chandler

• 📖 Deuteronomy 6:4–9

• 📖 Matthew 28:19–20

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Adoption stories, Christian identity, and healing from trauma take center stage as singer, speaker, and author Camey Joy shares her powerful testimony of being born with a cleft lip and palate in the mountains of Guatemala and finding a forever family through adoption. Her journey—from near death to divine intervention, faith, and redemption—reveals how God transforms deep wounds into lasting purpose.

In this episode, Camey reflects on her memoir Beautifully Scarred, her faith-filled adoption story, and how being “chosen twice” shaped her understanding of identity, belonging, and God’s relentless love.

Highlights

• Camey Joy Joy’s miraculous survival after being born with a cleft lip and palate in Guatemala

• The divine intervention that led her from the mountains to an orphanage

• Being adopted into a loving family and navigating identity as an adoptee

• What it means to be “chosen twice”—by God and by family

• How faith reframed pain, scars, and unanswered questions

• Why adoption is both beautiful and layered

• The heart behind her book Beautifully Scarred

• Camey's vision for the story to become a film

• How Scripture, especially Psalm 139, shaped her healing journey

• The purpose behind her 5-day YouVersion devotional

Join the Conversation

What does it mean to you to be chosen—by God, by family, or by faith?

Share your thoughts and story using #LifeAudio.

Resources & Links

• 📘 Beautifully Scarred — Camey Joy

• 📖 Psalm 139:13–18

• 📱 Beautifully Scarred 5-Day Devotional on YouVersion

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