
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


2026 Top 5 Podcasts - #5
Are fear and anxiety holding you back from sharing your faith? Does the thought of evangelism make you uneasy or leave you concerned about making others uncomfortable? The biggest barrier to evangelism, Mark Teasdale argues, is not lack of training or information—it’s fear.
Dr Mark Teasdale's Website
Book: Socially Awkward Evangelism
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Mark R. Teasdale (PhD, SMU 2010) is the President of United Theological Seminary and the former E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and an adjunct professor of evangelism at Emory University and the Methodist Theological Institute in Yangon, Myanmar. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church and served for 12 years in local churches. He is the author of several books and articles on evangelism, missiology, and Methodist studies, including Evangelism for Non-Evangelists, Participating in Abundant Life, and most recently Socially Awkward Evangelism.
RELATED LINKS:01:15 - Introducing Dr Mark Teasdale
03:30 - How Well Are We Sharing Jesus in a Dark World?
05:09 - ..."WE" is inconsistent across the global church
05:42 - ...recognize that the gospel is the supremely Good News
06:12 - ...inconsistent formation of Christians
06:25 - ...Book, Socially Awkward Evangelism, is focused on the western context
07:28 - ...struggling with formation and our claiming of just how good the gospel is
07:52 - ...followup question 1: evangelism outside of the western hemisphere
08:08 - ......much high priority and conviction
08:56 - ......even with freedom of religion in the west, it is socially uncomfortable
11:22 - ...followup question 2: what is the best global practice?
13:02 - ......there is not a single best practice because of distinct contexts
15:59 - ......relational engagements
18:11 - ...Organic Non-Western vs Planned Western Church Planting
19:03 - Why Feeling Anxious or Awkward in Sharing Jesus with Others
19:57 - ...seminarians are anxious in sharing their faith publicly
20:43 - ...wired to feel anxious
22:14 - ...allows us to act
23:23 - ...problem of anxiety
24:17 - ...cancel culture
24:58 - ...what is life about and what to believe
26:27 - Responding to Anxiety
29:15 - ...intellectual: understand the gospel better to articulate it
30:06 - ...emotional, social, physical: tools from behavioral psychology therapy
32:36 - ...build a new example of what evangelism looks like
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Lasting leadership does not begin with charisma or ambition but with surrender, stewardship, and servanthood.
Dr Margaret Diddams and Dr Shirley Mullen coauthored Tried and True: The Countercultural Virtues of Christian Leadership, which draws on John Wesley as a wise and surprisingly relevant leadership tutor for cultivating courage, humility, and hope for leadership that can last a lifetime.
Dr Margaret Diddams IVPress Page
Dr Shirley Mullen IVPress Page
Book: Tried and True
Dr Margaret Diddams Amazon Page
Dr Shirley Mullen Amazon Page
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Dr Margaret Diddams is an industrial-organizational psychologist, leadership consultant, educator, and editor of Christian Scholar’s Review, whose work explores how Christian faith shapes leadership, character, and human flourishing. Having served in higher-education leadership, including as provost of Wheaton College, and in the corporate world at Microsoft, she brings both scholarly depth and practical experience to the question of what faithful leadership requires in complex institutions. She is coauthor, with Shirley Mullen, of Tried and True: The Countercultural Virtues of Christian Leadership, which draws on John Wesley as a wise and surprisingly relevant leadership tutor for cultivating courage, humility, and hope for leadership that can last a lifetime.
Dr Shirley Mullen served for four decades in the world of Christian higher education, most recently for 15 years as the President of Houghton University. She has earned doctorates in both history and philosophy. In retirement, she has served on several boards, and continued her mentoring of young leaders, as well as speaking and writing. Her book, Claiming the Courageous Middle, came out from Baker Academic in 2024.
RELATED LINKS:00:39 - Introducing Dr Margaret Diddams & Dr Shirley Mullen
02:14 - Charisma is a Double-Edged Sword
04:16 - Two Major Ways to Motivate People
04:23 - ...authority
04:30 - ...influence
04:44 - ...good leaders do both
05:00 - Where Charisma Goes Wrong
05:19 - ...diffuse hope that is emotionally laden
07:12 - Charismatic Leaders Have Two Choices
07:17 - ...deliver on their promises
07:26 - ...instability and promise a different future
07:44 - Research on Charismatic Leaders
07:51 - ...the perception is better than actuality
08:29 - ...sense of entitlement
08:53 - ...fallenness in leaders
10:54 - Leaders Help People Flourish
11:25 - ...valuing people, not using them
11:56 - ...healthy leaders ensure that people under you are growing and developing
12:34 - ...leadership and calling set within God's kingdom purposes
13:59 - ...a healthy organization has growing people and growing leaders
14:52 - Takeaways from Dr Diddams and Dr Mullen
18:06 - Finding Dr Margaret Diddam and Dr Shirley Mullen: Amazon, LinkedIn
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Lasting leadership does not begin with charisma or ambition but with surrender, stewardship, and servanthood.
Dr Margaret Diddams and Dr Shirley Mullen coauthored Tried and True: The Countercultural Virtues of Christian Leadership, which draws on John Wesley as a wise and surprisingly relevant leadership tutor for cultivating courage, humility, and hope for leadership that can last a lifetime.
https://www.ivpress.com/margaret-diddams
https://www.ivpress.com/shirley-a-mullen
https://www.ivpress.com/tried-and-true
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Dr Margaret Diddams is an industrial-organizational psychologist, leadership consultant, educator, and editor of Christian Scholar’s Review, whose work explores how Christian faith shapes leadership, character, and human flourishing. Having served in higher-education leadership, including as provost of Wheaton College, and in the corporate world at Microsoft, she brings both scholarly depth and practical experience to the question of what faithful leadership requires in complex institutions. She is coauthor, with Shirley Mullen, of Tried and True: The Countercultural Virtues of Christian Leadership, which draws on John Wesley as a wise and surprisingly relevant leadership tutor for cultivating courage, humility, and hope for leadership that can last a lifetime.
Dr Shirley Mullen served for four decades in the world of Christian higher education, most recently for 15 years as the President of Houghton University. She has earned doctorates in both history and philosophy. In retirement, she has served on several boards, and continued her mentoring of young leaders, as well as speaking and writing. Her book, Claiming the Courageous Middle, came out from Baker Academic in 2024.
RELATED LINKS:00:37 - Introducing Dr Margaret Diddams and Dr Shirley Mullen
04:38 - Collaboration on their new book, Tried and True
06:34 - Relevancy of John Wesley's Leadership Style
08:07 - Mission and Organization Beyond John Wesley
09:35 - Healthy Organizations Need Healthy Leaders
10:27 - ...cultivate mission continually
11:37 - ...drift or unhealthiness when the leader look for affirmation
13:08 - ...healthy leaders have to care for themselves and their families
15:35 - Lasting Leadership Begins with Surrender, Stewardship, and Servanthood
16:27 - ...grounded in surrender to the Holy Spirit
16:42 - ...caretaker entrusted with a treasuer
17:10 - ...servant leadership
18:30 - Surrender in Everyday Leadership
19:08 - ...the opposite of surrender
19:28 - ...why am I leading?
20:00 - ...leading for a purpose
20:27 - ...we don't add to God's glory
20:59 - ...doing things FOR God vs time WITH God
21:23 - ...Lead in such a way that increases dependence on God
23:12 - Thinking Like a Steward
24:00 - ...past into the present into the future
24:52 - ...humility
25:37 - ...knowing when to let go
27:20 - ...freeing role of stewardship
28:11 - Living Out Biblical Servanthood
28:38 - ...what is the leader a servant to?
29:29 - ...servant to a larger mission and nurture the people
29:53 - ...passivity masquerading as empowerment
30:16 - ...focus on what needs to be done; give away the credit
30:52 - ...leadership is US
32:34 - ...servant-prophet
38:02 - Surrender, Stewardship, and Servanthood Work Together
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Every day we give and receive communication. But good communication doesn’t always come naturally. Strengthening our skills is vital not only for those who specialize in communication but for everyone who wants to have healthy relationships, love our neighbors, and shape the world around us for good.
In Authentic Communication, educators Tim Muehlhoff and Todd Lewis offer a wealth of resources from both communication studies and the Bible. This textbook unpacks the essential elements of communication and applies them to common challenges, offering a unique look at biblical principles of communication such as loving our enemies and blessing those who insult us.
Dr Tim Muehlhoff's website
Dr Tim Muehlhoff at Biola University
Dr Tim Muehlehoff on IVPress
Book: Authentic Communication, Christian Speech Engaging Culture
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Dr Tim Muehlhoff is a professor of communication at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola) in La Mirada, CA. He is the senior director of the Winsome Conviction Project that seeks to open lines of communication, not close them.
His newest book, Authentic Communication: Christian Speech Engaging Culture, written with Todd Lewis, blends biblical wisdom with communication research to help Christians become better listeners, wiser speakers, healthier peacemakers, and more faithful witnesses.
RELATED LINKS:00:38 - Introducing Dr Tim Muehlhoff
01:48 - Living Out Authentic Communication
02:22 - ...destructive conflict vs conflict that helps relationships grow
03:06 - ...compromise
03:55 - ...latent conflict
04:22 - ...setting ground rules
04:36 - ...it will take time
04:50 - Conflicts Within the Church
05:16 - ...expect conflict
06:06 - ...advancing Jesus' kingdom
06:39 - ...the danger of choosing not to engage in conflict
09:23 - Biblical Forgiveness & Communication
10:00 - ...authentic forgiveness
10:19 - ...giving up your right to get even
10:39 - ...not the same as reconciliation
13:12 - ...not forgiving is not an option
14:33 - Being persuasive without manipulation, marketing, and winning arguments
16:00 - ...the most persuasive thing is your reputation
16:45 - Christians Engaging in Popular Culture
17:29 - ...being part of the community
18:17 - ...help our enemies
19:43 - Communication Reflects Discipleship
20:15 - ...Jesus only overturned the tables once...
21:02 - ...but what did Jesus mostly do?
22:06 - A Few Habits to Incorporate Authentic Communication
22:27 - ...talk is cheap
23:14 - ...how you start a conversation
23:39 - ...believe the best about a person
24:02 - Finding Dr Muehlhoff - winsomeconviction .com
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Every day we give and receive communication. But good communication doesn’t always come naturally. Strengthening our skills is vital not only for those who specialize in communication but for everyone who wants to have healthy relationships, love our neighbors, and shape the world around us for good.
In Authentic Communication, educators Tim Muehlhoff and Todd Lewis offer a wealth of resources from both communication studies and the Bible. This textbook unpacks the essential elements of communication and applies them to common challenges, offering a unique look at biblical principles of communication such as loving our enemies and blessing those who insult us.
Dr Tim Muehlhoff's website
Dr Tim Muehlhoff at Biola University
Dr Tim Muehlehoff on IVPress
Book: Authentic Communication, Christian Speech Engaging Culture
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Dr Tim Muehlhoff is a professor of communication at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola) in La Mirada, CA. He is the senior director of the Winsome Conviction Project that seeks to open lines of communication, not close them.
His newest book, Authentic Communication: Christian Speech Engaging Culture, written with Todd Lewis, blends biblical wisdom with communication research to help Christians become better listeners, wiser speakers, healthier peacemakers, and more faithful witnesses.
RELATED LINKS:00:42 - Introducing Dr Tim Muehlhoff
03:06 - Communication is Harder than We Realize
03:25 - ...isolation, negative attitudes, stereotypes
03:56 - ...let people self-identify
04:48 - ...often we focus on ourselves and not on others
05:52 - Book: Authentic Communication, Christian Speech Engaging Culture
06:12 - ...monologue conversations
06:51 - ...authentic conversations
08:08 - ...agenda anxiety
09:11 - Perspective-Taking
09:22 - ...step into the other person's perspective and feelings
11:12 - ...walking with the person
12:15 - A Better Framework in an Argument Culture
13:01 - ...connectiveness makes conflict go easier
14:08 - ...we do not talk to each other
15:05 - Communication in Social Media
15:53 - ...do you really want to engage or just unload?
16:58 - ... what's the goal of posting?
17:20 - ...opportunity to be Christian communicators
17:46 - The Way We Communicate Reflects Our Spiritual Maturity
18:24 - ...responding in love and gentleness
18:50 - ...speaking in the right frame of mind and heart
19:39 - Communication Research Aligns with Scripture
22:04 - Encouragement When You May Have Not Communicated Authentically
22:34 - ...love wins
25:21 - ...start by hearing the other person's perspective
25:59 - Communicating More Like Christ
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
God invites you to love him with all of who you are for all time. How do we remain steadfast in our love and faith?
Dr Lina Abujamra is a pediatric ER doctor, now practicing telemedicine, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her bold faith and down-to-earth honesty, she’s passionate about helping people connect biblical truth to everyday life. Whether through teaching, writing, or podcasting, Lina brings hope to those wrestling with life’s hardest questions. When she’s not speaking or creating content, she’s providing medical and humanitarian aid in crisis zones like Lebanon and Uganda.
Dr Lina Abujamra's Website
Dr Lina Abujamra on IVPress
Book: All Your Life
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Lina Abujamra is a pediatric ER doctor, now practicing telemedicine, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her bold faith and down-to-earth honesty, she’s passionate about helping people connect biblical truth to everyday life. Whether through teaching, writing, or podcasting, Lina brings hope to those wrestling with life’s hardest questions. When she’s not speaking or creating content, she’s providing medical and humanitarian aid in crisis zones like Lebanon and Uganda.
RELATED LINKS:00:39 - Introducing Dr Lina Abujamra
01:38 - Questions and challenges that Gen Z Have About Faith
02:50 - ...Shift in the last five years - revival pockets
04:03 - ...social media is not spiritual formation
07:20 - Emotional Spiritual Experiences Are Not Enough
07:52 - ... conferences are a reset
11:26 - The Role of Discipleship
12:13 - ...to become more Christlike
13:05 - ...not an individual sport, but a group experience
15:07 - ...foundational practices
15:41 - ...the goal of a Christian life
20:32 - What Jesus Really Wants for His Disciples
20:45 - ...Matt 28
20:52 - ...John 15
20:56 - ...John 17
21:06 - ...vertical and horizontal elements
21:23 - ...spiritual giftedness
21:26 - ...your story
22:35 - ...must result in changed people
23:09 - Highlighting Chapters in Book: All Your Life
24:01 - ...does God have your heart?
25:35 - ...the calling
27:23 - ...emotions
29:25 - Helping Ourselves and Others to Love Jesus and Follow His All Our Lives
29:50 - ...desire to follow Jesus
30:17 - ...ask Jesus
31:42 - ...obedience
31:50 - ...practical aspects
32:22 - ...engage someone; mentorship
33:36 - Lina's Heart's Desire
34:35 - Getting in Touch with Dr Lina Abujamra
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
God invites you to love him with all of who you are. But what does that actually look like when following Jesus feels hard, and the questions you face are overwhelming?
Dr Lina Abujamra is a pediatric ER doctor, now practicing telemedicine, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her bold faith and down-to-earth honesty, she’s passionate about helping people connect biblical truth to everyday life. Whether through teaching, writing, or podcasting, Lina brings hope to those wrestling with life’s hardest questions. When she’s not speaking or creating content, she’s providing medical and humanitarian aid in crisis zones like Lebanon and Uganda.
Dr Lina Abujamra's Website
Dr Lina Abujamra on IVPress
Book: All Your Life
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Lina AbuJamra is a pediatric ER doctor, now practicing telemedicine, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her bold faith and down-to-earth honesty, she’s passionate about helping people connect biblical truth to everyday life. Whether through teaching, writing, or podcasting, Lina brings hope to those wrestling with life’s hardest questions. When she’s not speaking or creating content, she’s providing medical and humanitarian aid in crisis zones like Lebanon and Uganda.
RELATED LINKS:00:37 - Introducing Dr Lina Abujamra
06:30 - Book: All Your Life
07:04 - ...a resource for Gen Z
07:53 - ...encompass aspects of life in Gen Z age group
08:21 - ...deconstruction of Millennials
08:29 - ...compensation of Gen X's
08:55 - ...Gen Z's experiencing revival
09:13 - ...and when life doesn't turn out as expected
09:30 - ...everything that happens culturally should not be a surprise
10:13 - ...pour into the next generation to stand strong in faith
11:28 - Lina nearly loosing her faith
21:12 - Managing Disappointment with God
21:49 - ...in the trial
22:28 - ...community in the church
23:18 - ...non-negotiables
23:53 - ...warning and informing the next generation
25:02 - Life's disappointing moments are defining moments in our faith
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Dr Louis Markos' new book, My Apologetics Dinner Party, presents a method of talking about Christian faith that is not based primarily on propositional logic or the defense of truth claims (though these features do show up). Instead, he aims to clarify what Christians actually believe through a winsome and engrossing narrative in the tradition of Socratic dialogue.
Book: My Apologetics Dinner Party: A Real-Life Socratic Dialogue
Dr Markos' Bio
Dr Louis Markos at Houston Christian University
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Dr Markos Louis Markos is a professor of English and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University, where he holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities. He has written many books on topics including the intersection of the classics and Christian faith and apologetics. His most recent book is My Apologetics Dinner Party: A Real-Life Socratic Dialogue.
RELATED LINKS:00:37 - Introducing Dr Louis Markos
02:51 - Christian Apologetics in the Friendship Evangelism Model
04:29 - ...join my group first, see love and authenticity, accept Christ
04:53 - ...see lived out in community and want to be part of the community
05:21 - Book: My Apologetics Dinner Party: A Real-Life Socratic Dialog
06:13 - ...difference between apologetics and evangelism
07:00 - ...apologetics is pre-evangelism
07:56 - ...lays a foundation for the gospel
08:51 - What is the Socratic Method and Why is it Effective in Discussing Fatih?
09:30 - ...listen to the full question
10:01 - ...better definitions (what does it mean?)
11:15 - The Importance of a Meal
11:27 - ...open to sharing when eating
11:37 - ...little / separate dialogues
11:51 - ...hospitality
12:31 - What is the Goal of Inviting Someone to Dinner?
12:38 - ...get to know, respect, learn about the culture of a person
13:09 - ...prepare by reading John 3-4
14:05 - ...what struggles and desires does the person have?
15:30 - ...avoid "gotcha" moments
16:03 - ...you don't have to close the deal
17:25 - ...kronos vs chairos
18:11 - ...be the Chrisitan friend who can explain
19:23 - Interrogation or Conversation?
19:38 - ...let them come to the understanding themselves by encouraging
20:12 - ...draw them out and understand the references and contexts
22:07 - Common Questions that People Are Really Asking
24:46 - Difficult Questions on People's Minds
29:24 - Role-Play Exercise About the Virgin Birth
38:33 - Getting Started in Having an Apologetics Dinner Party
41:03 - Be Patient
43:34 - Finding Dr Louis Markos and His Work
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Many Christians experience vocational restlessness and anxiety, unsure or unaware how their faith can guide them in their workplaces. What would it look like for your church to affirm, equip, and commission your congregation to embrace a sense of calling and mission in their everyday labor?
In Dr Matt Rusten's new book, Pastoring for Monday, he helps you lead your church to form Christians who follow, represent, and commune with Christ amid their daily work. This book equips you to bridge the divide between the sacred and secular, transforming how your church disciples people for the workplace.
Dr Matt Rusten Bio
Book: Pastoring for Monday
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Dr Matt Rusten is president of Made to Flourish and editor in chief of Common Good magazine. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree in faith, work, economics, and vocation from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr Rusten regularly speaks and writes in the areas of faith, work, and economics. He has served in churches in North Dakota, the Chicago area, Kansas City, and Madison, Wisconsin.
RELATED LINKS:00:38 - Introducing Dr Matt Rusten
02:52 - Sunday-to-Monday Gap
03:46 - ...difficulty in integrating faith life and work life
04:34 - ...no affirmation from the church about work and profession
09:54 - Real-Life Experiences that Separate Spiritual Life and Work Life
10:41 - ...vocational restlessness
12:26 - ...vocational woundedness
13:49 - ...vocational disillusionment
17:11 - Work is Not Secondary, But Central to God's Mission
17:49 - ...pattern of work and rest
19:38 - ...work is a part of glorifying God in the world
20:12 - ...story of Joseph in Genesis
21:34 - Helping People Connect Sunday to Monday
22:05 - ...make disciples
22:27 - ...teaching disciples to obey what Jesus has commanded
22:36 - ...work will be where most people are following everything that Jesus commanded and the Gospel is applied
23:17 - ...in the Epistles, the topic of work comes up
24:51 - ...practice the presence of God in our work
28:51 - Discipleship & Mentorship to Be Effective at Work for God's Mission
29:10 - ...connect your story of work to God's story
34:54 - Ways to Bridge the Sunday-to-Monday Gap
38:13 - Contacting Dr Matt Rusten - madetoflourish.org
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
Are fear and anxiety holding you back from sharing your faith? Does the thought of evangelism make you uneasy or leave you concerned about making others uncomfortable? Dr Mark Teasdale shares insights and tools for sharing Jesus.
Dr Mark Teasdale's Website
Book: Socially Awkward Evangelism
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Mark R. Teasdale (PhD, SMU 2010) is the President of United Theological Seminary and the former E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and an adjunct professor of evangelism at Emory University and the Methodist Theological Institute in Yangon, Myanmar. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church and served for 12 years in local churches. He is the author of several books and articles on evangelism, missiology, and Methodist studies, including Evangelism for Non-Evangelists, Participating in Abundant Life, and most recently Socially Awkward Evangelism.
RELATED LINKS:02:14 - Encouragement and Advice for Those Who Say, "I want to share Jesus, but I can't."
02:47 - ..."I'm introverted and not gifted for evangelism."
03:57 - ......quiz: where are you personality-wise and how to engage in evangelism
07:29 - ..."My life isn't perfect."
11:43 - Sharing Jesus is Countercultural in Today's World
12:54 - ...not hostility, but indifference
13:22 - ...Is God is not necessary for morality?
15:04 - ...faith is irrelevant
15:20 - ...social anxiety & cancel culture
18:04 - Misconceptions about Evangelism
19:00 - ...that evangelism has to be confrontational
19:52 - ......overcoming the hurt from confrontational experiences
26:44 - Why Isn't Information Enough?
27:08 - ...psychological barrier
27:44 - ...spiritual formation
30:27 - Steps and Tools
30:39 - ...ivpress.com/socially-awkward-evangelism
32:49 - Evangelism Starts with Our Claiming Jesus as Good
33:08 - We are Beloved and Valuable to Jesus
33:47 - Finding Dr Mark Teasdale and his Books
DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?
Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com
From the publisher's feed