Ryan Bethea – Faith, Storytelling, and Spiritual Warfare

Ryan Bethea has a gift for taking on the conversations most people shy away from. A producer, writer, and host, he’s behind The Exorcist Files—a chart-topping podcast exploring true stories of demonic deliverance—and the creative agency Assembly 72.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Jake Oswald, Ryan opens up about:

• How The Exorcist Files went from a Facebook post to an iHeartRadio hit
• Why timing and persistence matter in creative projects
• The surprising ways Protestants and Catholics agree on spiritual warfare
• What he’s learned from working with Father Carlos Martins
• His personal wrestling with church history, miracles, and Marian apparitions
• Why humility and perseverance are non-negotiables in media and faith
• Practical advice for anyone starting a podcast today
• The power of confession, forgiveness, and remembering that “you will die one day”

Ryan’s stories move from Vatican offices to mobile podcast studios, from Hollywood pitches to deeply personal lessons of faith. Whether you’re a creator, a skeptic, or a believer wrestling with big questions, this episode will leave you thinking about the unseen world—and the stories worth telling.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Introducing Ryan Bethea

1:00 – The surprising origin of The Exorcist Files

5:00 – Launching Assembly 72 and the art of brand storytelling

10:00 – Rejection, timing, and what makes a producer

13:00 – Why ecumenical conversations resonate today

16:00 – Wrestling with church history and Catholic traditions

21:00 – Miracles, apparitions, and spiritual surprises

28:00 – Relics, reminders, and spiritual warfare stories

34:00 – The rise of occult fascination and cultural warfare

39:00 – How Ryan experiences spiritual opposition personally

41:00 – Lessons learned: patience, skill, and private preparation

45:00 – The challenge of forgiving yourself

48:00 – Is it too late to start a podcast? Ryan’s practical advice

51:00 – Daily guiding principles: mortality, trust, and what the tide may bring

Kyle Negrete – Living as an Adventure Capitalist

What does it mean to live a life fully awake, fully present, and fully alive? In this inspiring conversation, Kyle Negrete — entrepreneur, founder of mental health startup Kinship, and managing director of Harpeth Group — joins Jake Oswald to share his journey from Wall Street banker to what he calls an “adventure capitalist.”

Kyle opens up about:

• Leaving a comfortable career in New York to spend two years in Haiti
• How solitude and hardship helped him discover who he truly was
• Why character and integrity matter more than fame, money, or talent
• What it means to “emerge” from the sidelines of your own story
• Stepping into a new season of kingship, responsibility, and service
• The mindset shifts behind building one of the most connected networks in the world
• How joy, generosity, and presence can transform every relationship

Kyle’s story is one of courage, hunger, and becoming the kind of person who builds longer tables instead of higher walls. Whether you’re wrestling with doubt, longing for deeper purpose, or simply looking for the next step in your own journey, this episode will challenge and encourage you to live a more integrated life.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Introduction to Kyle: entrepreneur, connector, “adventure capitalist”

2:00 – What adventure capitalism means as a life philosophy

4:00 – From Wall Street to Haiti: leaving comfort for calling

6:00 – Facing the inner critic and the power of solitude

9:00 – Two years of open-heart surgery: integrity, character, and collapse

14:00 – Hunger that exceeds comfort: emerging from the brush

18:00 – Current season: systems, control, and stepping into kingship

22:00 – “When you know who you are, you can give it away”

26:00 – Student, warrior, king, sage: the progression of a life

32:00 – David, Jonathan, and the power of true friendship

37:00 – Covering in battle: leadership and the shield of faith

42:00 – Building one of the most connected networks in the world

46:00 – The ministry of presence: attention as the rarest generosity

50:00 – Joy vs. happiness: finding an inside-out life

58:00 – Final question: Kyle’s prayer over the last decade

1:00:00 – Closing prayer and how to connect with Kyle

Ever feel like there’s a book inside you — but you don’t know where to start? In this powerful conversation, Aaron Alba, a storyteller, consultant, and leader at Streamline Books, joins Jake Oswald to talk about:

• Why writing isn’t just for writers — it’s for everyone
• How to know if you’re called to write
• What to do if you feel like your platform is “too small”
• The real legacy behind every book

Aaron also shares how Streamline helps everyday leaders turn stories into lasting impact through ghostwriting, design, publishing, and speaker coaching. Whether you're sitting on a book idea or simply wondering if your story matters — this episode is for you.

🔗 Learn more about Streamline Books: https://shareyourstory.com/

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED

• Love Does by Bob Goff
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Why your story matters more than you think

1:45 – Who comes to Streamline to write books

4:00 – Common fears and hesitations authors have

6:00 – What makes someone a “called” storyteller

8:30 – What to do when you're compelled to write

10:45 – Why storytelling is a divine human purpose

13:00 – How the ghostwriting and publishing process works

16:00 – Public speaking and platform building with Streamline

18:00 – Aaron’s background with StoryBrand

21:00 – Common mistakes authors and consultants make

23:00 – Who owns your story? (IP rights and AI ghostwriting)

28:00 – Author stories: Secret Service hero, SEC football official

33:00 – Why you don’t need a big platform to make a big impact

36:00 – Aaron’s upcoming books on manhood and failure

42:00 – A listener’s dream book idea — and what to do with it

49:00 – “Tomorrow isn’t promised.” Aaron’s story of loss and purpose

51:00 – Final encouragement: Just write the book.

In this episode of Faith at Work, we dive deep into the future of AI, ethics, space exploration, and the enduring value of love and human dignity with Dr. Brian Green, Director of Technology Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University.

BOOKS MENTIONED

"Space Ethics" by Brian Green: https://a.co/d/dHVCS8b

"Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies" by Brian Green: https://a.co/d/7LP1MmN

"The God of Tech" by Ryan Collins: https://a.co/d/3pOviwz

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - The world without love is a hellish place

01:50 - Meet Brian Green: Tech ethicist with Vatican ties

04:00 - Ethics born in the Marshall Islands

06:20 - How startups struggle ethically

08:30 - Inside the Markkula Center’s work with tech companies

09:50 - Space Ethics 101: Who owns the moon?

13:00 - The Kessler Syndrome and the risk of orbital debris

16:30 - Will the Outer Space Treaty hold?

18:15 - Why Mars isn’t as exciting as we think

20:00 - Future industries and jobs in space

22:20 - Bootcamps and the road to working in aerospace

24:45 - Spirit-led innovation and divine inspiration in science

27:30 - Teaching ethics while living your faith

31:30 - Can love coexist with economic systems?

38:30 - Why evangelism and ethics matter now more than ever

44:00 - Can AI replace human connection?

50:30 - Valuing humans beyond productivity

55:00 - A hopeful vision for the future of faith and tech

In this thought-provoking episode of Faith@Work, we explore the intersection of faith and artificial intelligence with two pioneering Christian voices in technology: Professor Nigel Crook, AI and Robotics expert at Oxford Brookes University and author of "Rise of the Moral Machines," and Ryan Collins, CEO of Bethel School of Technology and author of "The God of Tech."

They tackle fascinating questions about AI morality, human creativity, and our spiritual uniqueness in an age of advancing technology. From AI "winters" to quantum computing's spiritual implications, our guests offer biblical perspective on key technological questions.

Discover why both experts believe technology should be a tool pointing to Jesus as the ultimate solution, and how Christians can engage with innovation without fear. Whether you're a technologist, a person of faith, or simply curious about the future, this conversation offers fresh insights on spirituality and innovation working together.

SUBSCRIBE for more insights from Christian leaders at the forefront of technology.

BOOKS MENTIONED:

"Rise of the Moral Machines" by Nigel Crook: https://a.co/d/8oxRl5f

"The God of Tech" by Ryan Collins: https://a.co/d/3pOviwz

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction

00:41 - Nigel's background in AI & robotics

04:49 - Ryan's work with Bethel Tech

12:02 - AI winters and the current AI boom

17:35 - AI morality and data challenges

30:52 - AGI vs. current AI capabilities

37:35 - The trolley problem and real-world AI ethics

41:55 - Spirituality as the true singularity

48:33 - Quantum computing and faith

54:34 - Human creativity vs. AI generation

56:34 - The core messages of their books

In this exclusive interview, Scott Wozniak, CEO of Swoz Consulting, shares his extraordinary journey from child actor to customer experience expert. Scott reveals how his unconventional career path through theater, ministry, and eventually to Chick-fil-A shaped his unique approach to leadership and building customer loyalty.

Scott opens up about:

• His early career as a child actor and why he walked away from it

• The moment he discovered his passion for strategic leadership

• How working at Chick-fil-A transformed his understanding of purpose and customer experience

• His powerful "three circles" framework for finding your sweet spot in life and career

• The importance of accountability partnerships and annual life planning

• His ambitious goal to live to 126 and still contribute meaningfully

• His insights on emerging global markets, particularly India's growing influence

• How to "play the long game" in both business and personal development

Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or someone searching for purpose in your career, Scott's wisdom on creating raving fans, building strategic systems, and living with intentionality will inspire you to take your life and business to the next level.

Connect with Scott:

Website | https://swozconsulting.com/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwozniak/

Twitter | @ScottEWozniak

Books mentioned:

• Make Your Brand Legendary by Scott Wozniak: https://a.co/d/fTDsmjT

• 100 Million Dollar Offers by Alex Hormozi: https://a.co/d/6IW4XLT

• Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaić: https://a.co/d/0zxs3tP

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

1:45 - Scott's journey from theater to leadership

9:00 - Working with Chick-fil-A and finding purpose

13:45 - The three circles framework for finding your path

26:15 - Testing new career paths without jumping off a cliff

39:10 - Playing the long game in business and life

42:45 - Practices for maintaining balance as a leader

47:50 - Creating effective accountability partnerships

56:35 - Scott's areas of interest: sales psychology, health science, and India

1:09:00 - Book recommendations

Tune in as we explore the latest AI developments from a Christian perspective, featuring insights and wisdom from Ryan Collins, author and CEO of Bethel School of Technology, and Nathanael Coffing, CTO of Servant.io! Whether you're in tech or just curious about how AI intersects with faith, our inaugural episode promises rich insights and thoughtful discussion.