The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: The Two Words That Changed Everything: From the Crucifixion to the Commission

   What really happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday — and what did Jesus say when it was all over? In this episode, Adam Hamilton opens up the cutting room floor from his Easter sermon, sharing the details that didn't make it into the pulpit but are too important to miss. Drawing from Matthew's gospel, Adam walks through the remarkable events surrounding the first Easter with the curiosity and depth the story deserves. The curtain that changed everythingWhen Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. But what did that actually mean? Adam unpacks two powerful interpretations — one pointing to God's grief, the other to a barrier between humanity and God being removed forever — and why it matters for how we understand the cross today. The courage of Joseph of ArimatheaA wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council who had been a secret follower of Jesus, Joseph dared to ask Pontius Pilate for Jesus' body. Adam explores what all four gospels tell us about this remarkable man — and what his story says about faith, courage, and the cost of speaking up. What happened on Holy SaturdayIt's the day nobody talks about. Jesus is in the tomb. The disciples are in hiding. But the religious leaders are doing everything they can to keep Jesus there — sealing the tomb, posting guards, trying to contain the uncontainable. Adam reflects on the powerful irony of that day and what it means for us when we feel like hope is sealed away. The cover-up nobody could pull offWhen the resurrection happened, the guards fled. The religious leaders bribed them to spread a different story. Adam traces how Matthew, writing 50 years later, addresses the rumors that were still circulating — and why the evidence for the resurrection is more compelling than the alternatives. Therefore, goAfter everything — the crucifixion, the burial, the resurrection — Jesus appears to his disciples and speaks two words that changed the direction of history. Adam unpacks the Great Commission and what it means to live as people who are not just Easter people, but sent people. This episode also weaves in a timely reflection on how the Easter story speaks to our complicated world — drawing a surprising line from the ancient Magi to the people of modern-day Iran — and what it means to apply Jesus' teachings when the news feels heavy and the answers aren't simple. Whether you're a lifelong Christian, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you into the full Easter story and challenges you to consider what those two words mean for your life today.

   April 09, 2026·56min
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   Number 2: "I Don't Fear Death At All": How to Face the Second Half of Life Without Fear

   What does it look like to age without fear? In this deeply personal conversation, Adam Hamilton sits down with Alan and Kay Kimes—married for 64 years and still radiating joy at 86 years old. They share the honest truth about navigating every decade from their 50s to their 80s, from empty nesting to discovering deeper faith, from launching second careers to serving others in meaningful ways. If you've ever worried about getting older, losing your memory, or facing death, this conversation will shift your perspective. Alan and Kay reveal how they've transformed fear into purpose, worry into prayer, and aging into what they call "aging out well." Their secret? Taking life one day at a time, keeping romance alive, and never stopping their service to others. Whether you're in your 30s wondering what's ahead, navigating midlife transitions, or already in your golden years, you'll find practical wisdom and infectious hope in this episode. Discover why the 60s might be the best decade for spiritual growth, how serving others becomes the antidote to fear, and what it means to wake up every morning thrilled to have another day. This isn't just another conversation about aging—it's a masterclass in living fully, loving deeply, and facing the future without fear.

   February 04, 2026·31min
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   Number 3: Do You Believe in Everyday Miracles?

   What if a simple Google ad could lead you to save a stranger's life? In this powerful episode, Adam Hamilton sits down with Jeff Reisinger, a Church of the Resurrection member who became a living liver donor, and Dr. Sean Kumer, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Kansas Health System, to explore the remarkable journey of organ donation—from that first unexpected popup ad to the moment two families were forever changed. Jeff's story begins with an unusual series of "coincidences": a persistent advertisement, a Christmas Eve phone call, and a match with another Jeff whose son shares his own son's name. But as you'll hear, these weren't coincidences at all—they were part of something much bigger. In this episode, you'll discover:- How living liver donation works and why your liver regenerates after donation - The difference between kidney and liver donation, and what recovery looks like - Why there are over 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the US - How faith can lead to radical acts of selfless love - Practical steps you can take to become a living donor This isn't just a medical story. It's a profound exploration of what it means to love your neighbor in the most tangible way possible. Whether you're considering becoming a donor, curious about the medical process, or simply looking for an inspiring story of faith in action, this episode will move you. Resources mentioned:- University of Kansas Health System Transplant Center: (913) 588-6183 - HRSA (Health Resources & Services Administration): hrsa.gov - Gift of Life donation awareness This episode could save lives. If you know someone who might be interested in organ donation—or anyone who needs hope that extraordinary goodness still exists in this world—please share this with them.

   November 24, 2025·49min
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   Number 4: Beyond Left vs. Right: How to Read the News in Polarized Times

   In a world where news feels overwhelming and every headline seems designed to trigger an emotional response, how do we stay informed without losing our peace—or our ability to love people we disagree with? Critical Thinking as Spiritual Practice Adam explains why Jesus's command to love God with our minds is more relevant than ever. When Jesus said we should love God with heart, soul, and mind, he used the Greek word "dianoia"—which can be translated as "critical thinking." This isn't just intellectual exercise; it's a spiritual discipline that helps us guard our hearts from hatred while engaging thoughtfully with the world around us. Whether it's evaluating news sources or listening to a friend share gossip, critical thinking asks us to slow down and seek the whole truth before responding. The Manipulation Machine: Understanding Modern News News has fundamentally changed from Adam's childhood, when it aired at specific times and aimed for balance. Today's 24/7 news cycle combined with social media algorithms has created what Adam calls a "manipulation machine"—headlines designed as clickbait, stories that confirm our existing biases, and coverage that prioritizes emotional reaction over comprehensive understanding. Adam shares his own struggle with news addiction, describing the unhealthy pattern of "doom scrolling" before bed and checking multiple news apps throughout the day. The first step toward healthier news consumption is recognizing how we're being manipulated. Multiple Sources, Multiple Perspectives Adam's practical approach includes subscribing to news sources across the political spectrum—New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. When a story triggers a strong emotional response, he intentionally seeks out how it's being covered from different angles. This isn't about moral relativism or saying all perspectives are equally valid; it's about gathering enough information to form thoughtful conclusions rather than reactive ones. Adam notes that often the most salacious headline is followed by a much more mundane story, and taking time to read beyond the headline changes everything. From Information to Transformation: Guarding Your Heart Perhaps the most powerful insight Adam shares is about the danger of allowing news consumption to lead to hatred. He references Holocaust survivor Sonia Walorski, who said "I will not hate" even after losing her family to the Nazis. Adam emphasizes that Christians can take strong stands against injustice and wrong actions while still loving the people on the other side. This requires intentional work—trying to understand others' motivations, being curious about their perspectives, and remembering that we're called to "agape" love, which means wishing the best for others even when we disagree with them. Pause and Think Before You Post Adam shares a vulnerable story about posting too quickly after a public figure's assassination, having to revisit his words after feedback from a respected church member. His key advice: slow down. Wait before posting on social media. Do more fact-checking. Try to understand the other perspective. This discipline of pausing creates space for wisdom instead of reaction, for love instead of hatred, for truth instead of propaganda. In a culture that rewards instant responses, choosing to slow down is a countercultural—and deeply Christian—practice.

   November 19, 2025·38min
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   Number 5: Why Church? The Surprising Science Behind Faith Community

   Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most pressing questions facing modern spirituality: Do we really need church? With trademark honesty, Adam acknowledges the hurt and disillusionment many people feel about organized religion... and then makes a compelling, research-backed case for why faith community might be exactly what we're missing. Drawing from his own journey from teenage atheist to pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the country, Adam shares both hard data and heartfelt stories that reveal the transformative power of showing up, belonging, and being carried by others when life gets hard. Insights from This Episode: Church attendance could add 7 years to your life. Multiple Harvard studies show that people who attend religious services at least weekly live significantly longer... with mortality rates 25-35% lower over 10-15 years. Adam breaks down why this isn't just about faith, but about the social capital, support systems, and “stretcher bearers” we all desperately need. Mental health and faith community are deeply connected. The American Psychiatric Association reports that 6 in 10 Americans say faith supports their mental wellness, and those actively involved in faith communities show 20-30% lower rates of depression and up to six times lower rates of suicide. In an age of increasing isolation, these numbers tell a story we can't afford to ignore. Churches are volunteer engines that power communities. Here's a stat that might surprise you: 58% of people actively involved in church also volunteer in other community organizations. Adam explores why researchers are raising alarms about what happens to our communities if church attendance continues to decline... where will the volunteers come from? You don't have to claim the worst examples of Christianity. When people say, "I'm a follower of Jesus, not a Christian," Adam pushes back with wisdom: If you let the Christians who get it wrong claim the title while you abandon it, then those are the only Christians people will know. Be the different kind of Christian the world needs to see. If you've ever wondered whether church is worth it, or if you've been hurt by church and aren't sure you can go back, this episode offers a fresh perspective that doesn't require you to check your brain at the door. Adam invites both skeptics and longtime believers into an honest conversation about why gathering together still matters, backed by science and lived experience. Whether you're spiritual but not religious, nominally religious but not active, or somewhere in between, this episode might just change how you think about community, belonging, and what it means to truly thrive.

   November 05, 2025·18min
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