Pastors Unfiltered

It’s the Christmas episode of Pastors Unfiltered, and the crew is back with one of their most fun and wide-ranging conversations of the year. In this episode, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Tony are joined by Venture staff members Rachel Winfield and Kehlani as they make bold (and sometimes hilarious) predictions for 2026. From blockbuster movies and music charts, to the economy, cryptocurrency, sports, and the future of Venture Church — nothing is off limits. Along the way, they talk about:

• What’s coming next for Venture Church in 2026
• Predictions for church growth, generosity, and serving
• Staff life, babies, marriages, and transitions
• Movies, music, Survivor, and Seattle sports
• The economy, AI, crypto, housing, and inflation
• Christmas reflections and looking ahead with faith

It’s lighthearted, honest, occasionally chaotic, and completely unfiltered — the perfect episode to close out the year. Merry Christmas from the Pastors Unfiltered team. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered
00:28 – Christmas episode introduction
01:10 – “Moral failures” and holiday confessions
01:52 – Switzerland coaster story
02:40 – Merry Christmas message to listeners
03:00 – Introducing predictions for 2026
03:28 – Introducing Rachel & Kehlani
04:35 – Nicknames, banter, and Josh facts
05:00 – Josh’s Christmas list reveal
06:12 – Biggest blockbuster movie predictions
07:28 – Hunger Games, Marvel, and movie debates
09:09 – Horror movies and movie habits
10:10 – Survivor predictions
11:03 – Survivor Season 50 discussion
12:48 – Transition to economy predictions
13:11 – AI, layoffs, and government spending
14:39 – National deficit and job market
15:12 – Crypto, gold, and silver predictions
16:25 – Gas prices, interest rates, and housing
17:37 – Political climate and midterms
19:07 – Childcare costs and paid leave
20:39 – Predictions for the church in 2026
21:17 – Venture Church growth and serving
22:20 – Radical generosity and service
23:13 – Giving goals and kids ministry vision
24:10 – Building expansion and future plans
25:11 – Staff prediction recap from last year
25:58 – New staff predictions for 2026
27:02 – Leadership additions and growth
28:05 – Dallas prediction moment
29:16 – Babies, marriages, and staff life
30:14 – Staff stability and transitions
31:25 – Music artist predictions for 2026
32:41 – Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and pop culture
34:03 – Country music era predictions
35:05 – Mariners over/under predictions
36:05 – Golf vs cowboy boots bet
37:23 – Seahawks, Sonics, and Seattle sports
38:18 – Kraken and NFL predictions
40:27 – Pop culture and hobbies discussion
42:09 – Chick-fil-A staff predictions
44:41 – Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua prediction
46:49 – Final thoughts and Christmas wrap-up
47:33 – Closing encouragement and sign-off

This week on Pastors Unfiltered, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Tony look back at their 2025 predictions and see just how right (and very wrong) they were. From movies, music, sports, and pop culture, to the economy, church growth, staff predictions, and even fashion trends, nothing is off-limits in this hilarious and wide-ranging episode. The guys unpack what actually happened in 2025, celebrate big wins at Venture Church, and reflect honestly on a year filled with transition, generosity, construction, and growth. Along the way, they also introduce their brand-new podcast studio, explain the stories behind some very questionable décor choices, and share candid moments about leadership, ministry, and what God has been doing behind the scenes at Venture. It’s funny, reflective, and completely unfiltered — the perfect year-end

episode. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered
00:27 – Introducing the new podcast studio
01:22 – Why this studio exists and how it came together
01:45 – Pastor Appreciation gifts and studio décor tour
02:36 – Aliens, Biggie Smalls, and questionable collectibles
03:41 – Autographed memorabilia and survivor memorabilia
04:34 – Dallas and Josh share their favorite studio items
06:00 – The tradition of yearly predictions
06:22 – Reviewing the 2025 prediction episodes
07:15 – Best Picture predictions and movie disappointments
08:57 – State of movies post-COVID
09:22 – Diddy predictions and what actually happened
11:21 – Economy predictions and interest rates
12:18 – Light rail and Seattle infrastructure hopes
12:56 – Stock market, Bitcoin, and gas prices
14:12 – Inflation, cereal prices, and Costco habits
15:57 – Venture staff dating predictions
16:52 – Josh chooses a football team
17:52 – Staff pregnancy predictions
19:05 – Staff transitions and ministry changes
20:06 – Will the Sonics return?
21:23 – Music artist of the year predictions
22:33 – Spotify and Billboard results
23:17 – Mariners season predictions and bets
24:29 – Country concert wager consequences
25:09 – Work, Sabbath, and leadership commentary
27:13 – UW men’s soccer championship
28:11 – Venture Church predictions for the year
29:10 – Attendance during construction season
30:10 – Building expansion updates
31:09 – Palouse campus transition
32:02 – Record-breaking year of giving
33:25 – Fashion predictions and trends
36:13 – Dick’s Drive-In predictions
38:01 – Wrapping up 2025 recap
39:04 – Preview of next episode with the gals
43:11 – Final thoughts and Christmas Eve invitation

This week on Pastors Unfiltered, Pastor Brandon sits down for a powerful one-on-one conversation with Hal Donaldson, the founder and president of Convoy of Hope, at their world headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. Hal shares the incredible story of how Convoy of Hope began — from a childhood marked by tragedy and poverty, to a life-changing interview with Mother Teresa, to loading groceries into a single pickup truck, all the way to becoming one of the largest relief organizations in the world. In this episode, you’ll hear: • How Convoy of Hope now feeds 639,000 children every day • The heart behind disaster relief, women’s empowerment, and agricultural programs • Stories of families and communities transformed around the world • Why personal health and spiritual obedience changed the direction of Hal’s life • How churches like Venture are making a global difference • Unfiltered conversations on leadership, priorities, sports, food, books, and family This is one of the most inspiring and eye-opening episodes we’ve ever shared. Whether you love global missions, leadership stories, or hearing how God can use one act of obedience to change the world — this episode will move you.

Welcome back to Pastors Unfiltered! This week, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Tony kick off the Christmas season with one of the funniest, most chaotic, and most heartfelt episodes yet. From office décor wars and thrift-store treasure hunts, to social media trolling, to Thanksgiving leftovers, to shocking sermon illustrations… nothing is off limits in this episode. The pastors also share updates about church life, Christmas events, Pastor Brandon’s upcoming shoulder surgery, and the top five things each of them wants for Christmas this year (some serious, some very not serious). Along the way, you’ll hear:
• A brand-new sponsor announcement
• Why PB’s office smells like a cigar lounge
• The “Josh Segment” update
• Thoughts on church culture, preaching, and online criticism
• Wild sermon stories (yes, including planters warts, bestiality, and threesomes)
• Christmas at Venture – decorations, services, and outreach
• The honest fears and hopes surrounding PB’s surgery
• Their dream Christmas wish lists It’s real, hilarious, unfiltered, and the perfect way to welcome the holiday season. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered
00:28 – Interior design roast + PB’s office reveal
01:17 – Claire approves PB’s thrifted office
01:40 – New sponsor: Master’s Touch Woodworking
02:36 – Tony guesses PB’s office style
03:31 – Danish modern vs. youth pastor décor
04:23 – PB’s revelation about himself
04:40 – The Planning Center sermon controversy
05:26 – Comment regrets + online critics
06:06 – Which preaching “tribe” was involved?
06:35 – When megachurch pastors fight online
06:54 – Tony admits he’s a sports troll
07:31 – Millennials vs. Gen X childhoods
08:20 – Stranger Things, spiritual darkness & Netflix
09:09 – PB’s shoulder surgery announcement
10:13 – Pain meds + preaching = disaster?
11:17 – More Josh Segment updates
12:21 – Josh is officially a shoe guy
13:01 – The “homeschooler fashion” roast
13:38 – Dallas enters the chat
14:12 – Christmas décor at Seattle campus
15:14 – Last year’s Christmas wish list
16:07 – Christmas events at both campuses
17:02 – New Year’s Sunday preaching assignments
18:09 – Chocolate theft in the office
18:56 – Women’s Brunch + Live Nativity prep
19:16 – Pastor Di’s incredible sermon report
20:16 – Women in ministry conversation
22:01 – Beth Moore is coming back
22:18 – Benny Hinn divorce news
23:11 – Gifts for the homeless through UGM
23:55 – Youth pastor travel roast
24:22 – Christmas gift #1: Coffee machine dreams
25:31 – PB’s flannel era + Sunday style
26:20 – Christmas gift #2: Leather bomber jacket
27:34 – Christmas gift #3: Get Tony hair
28:10 – The hairpiece discussion gets real
29:01 – How to reveal your new hair
29:40 – Christmas gift #4: Magic the Gathering haul
31:26 – Christmas gift #5: Golden Goose shoes
32:14 – PB still wants a giant Sasquatch
33:36 – Wish list turns into construction prayers
34:35 – Office space problems
35:22 – Christmas gift #6: Pastors Unfiltered neon sign
35:52 – Tony wants a vacuum and a new shower
36:56 – PB’s real wish: healing after surgery
38:16 – Jacket envy: The Canada Goose moment
39:10 – The surgery conversation gets deep
40:54 – PB is the surgeon’s “favorite patient”
42:20 – Surgery fears and prayers
43:28 – Stories from surgeon family members
44:24 – The “planter’s wart sermon” breakdown
46:20 – Jared Ming’s three-part sermon shocker
47:26 – When sermon illustrations go too far
48:48 – The infamous "F-word" forgiveness video
49:20 – Russell Johnson energy vs. PB energy
50:38 – Extrovert/introvert confessions
51:20 – Baby announcement shoutout
51:44 – Next episode preview
52:00 – Predictions episode coming soon
52:29 – Christmas Eve invite
53:19 – Encouragement to attend church & Advent plan
53:43 – Why multi-site ministry matters
54:35 – Five-star review plea + closing

Welcome back to Pastors Unfiltered! This week, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Tony sit down for a special Thanksgiving weekend episode filled with laughter, honesty, gratitude, and some of their most unfiltered conversations yet. They share the five serious things they’re most thankful for in 2025—faith, family, health, ministry, unity among pastors, and the incredible generosity of Venture Church. And of course… they also share five not-so-serious things they’re thankful for, including construction nightmares, Bigfoot merch, maple syrup handles, and a gas station clerk who really wants Tony to buy a car wash. Along the way they talk about:
• Pastoral unity across the Northwest
• Raising families that love Jesus
• The wild world of tipping culture
• Youth ministry tattoos they regret
• Why everyone thinks Tony is a “boomer”
• Joshua Single: Week 2 of the Bachelor Bio
• Black Friday deals, Legos, Seattle weather, and more It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and packed with the real conversations pastors have when the cameras are rolling and when they’re not. Thanks to the faithful 253 who listen every week — this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered
00:26 – Opening prayer + Thanksgiving greeting
01:08 – Gratitude for listeners during the holidays
01:48 – Brandon’s Lego Death Star project
03:01 – The largest Lego sets they’ve ever built
04:03 – Lego therapy & aging trends
05:04 – “Per Harvard” becomes the new disclaimer
05:53 – Joshua Single: Week 2 bio update
08:11 – Eligible bachelors at Venture
09:01 – Campus staff shoutouts
10:25 – Black Friday purchases
10:54 – Hanging TVs at the Dome
11:12 – Gen-X childhood & car repair
11:36 – Gratitude segment begins
12:38 – #1 Thankful for what God is doing in the Northwest
13:00 – Young adults bouncing between churches
14:01 – Why unity among churches matters
15:10 – Pastors across denominations working together
16:26 – Addiction, calling, and pastoral influence
17:46 – Shoutouts to Northwest pastors
18:20 – Elijah’s calling & future decisions
19:25 – #2 Thankful for health
20:20 – #3 Thankful for families that love Jesus
21:31 – Youth ministry memories and transitions
22:36 – #4 Tony’s surprising “gratitude”: Donald Trump
23:34 – Politics, war, and peace negotiations
24:23 – The evolution of Tony’s viewpoints
25:55 – Taylor Swift and accidental fandom
26:19 – #5 Thankful for generous, patient churches
27:04 – Massive giving year for Venture
27:27 – Seattle weather appreciation
28:07 – New staff adjusting to Washington weather
29:16 – Christian education & thankful for Kings Schools
30:10 – Bonus: Thankful for the “Faithful 253” listeners
31:19 – Funny Gratitudes Begin
31:19 – #1 Tony: Roosevelt gas station car-wash guy
32:20 – #1 Brandon: Cal Raleigh and Mariners grief
33:01 – #2 Tony: The tiny maple syrup handle
34:04 – #2 Brandon: All the Bigfoot gifts
35:12 – #3 Tony: Restaurant QR code rage & phone flashlights
36:08 – Tipping culture meltdown
37:06 – Youth ministry tips & tattoos
37:29 – #3 Brandon: 30-year Raiders seat contract
38:49 – Seahawks becoming the new Raiders
39:11 – #4 Tony: Donut people who say “I really shouldn’t…”
40:19 – #4 Brandon: Thankful for construction projects (but not really)
42:00 – Mukilteo bridge saga + mailbox incidents
42:38 – Parking enforcement & Miller the ticket man
43:45 – Speed cameras & expensive fines
44:16 – How Judah hacks parking permits
45:01 – Disabled parking confessions
45:58 – TikTok obsessions & the “Fate of Ophelia” dance
47:18 – Youth pastors and tattoos
48:02 – Ending banter
48:20 – Airplane jeans debate
49:18 – Holiday encouragement
50:09 – Looking ahead to 2026 predictions
50:51 – Closing

This week on Pastors Unfiltered, Pastor Tony is joined by special guest Christian Lembeck for one of the most real, hilarious, and heartfelt episodes yet — the Seattle Episode. From Magic: The Gathering decks and online Discord games… to life on Capitol Hill… to the challenges and beauty of doing ministry in one of the most complex cities in America, Tony and Christian talk about the highs, lows, tensions, joys, and calling of urban ministry. They open up about:

• What it’s really like raising families in Seattle
• The spiritual battle pastors face in the city
• Why God calls people into difficult places
• The growing movement of young, diverse churches in Seattle
• The importance of unity in the Church
• How everyday conversations become moments of ministry

This episode is honest, funny, and deeply encouraging — a reminder that God is working in cities and in people’s lives in powerful ways. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered
00:25 – Tony introduces Christian Lembeck
00:47 – Last episode recap and great feedback
01:05 – The “cool kid” podcast mic setup
01:25 – Meet Joshua: our single sound tech
01:45 – Josh reveals a fun fact
02:15 – The “Hallmark dog guy” moment
02:49 – A less serious episode ahead
03:00 – Tony’s new hobby: Magic the Gathering
03:40 – Christian reacts to Tony’s deck
04:19 – Tabletop Simulator & Discord gaming
05:25 – Magic otters, mana costs, and chaos
06:17 – “You’re a wizard, Harry”
06:50 – Harry Potter, spells, and old emails
07:14 – Discipleship or just board games?
07:30 – The Seattle Episode officially begins
08:12 – The reactions people give when they hear “I live in Seattle”
08:56 – Seattle’s beauty and brokenness
09:55 – Addiction, encampments, and real challenges
10:49 – The dignity of every human being
11:13 – Shifting into what we love about the city
12:00 – Living on Capitol Hill
12:19 – Seattle stereotypes & the reality
13:02 – Seattle media perception vs. reality
13:41 – Walkable community and neighborhood culture
14:19 – Restaurant stories and talking to strangers
15:13 – The “I’m a pastor” moment
16:21 – Conversations about cancer, grief, and prayer
17:29 – Meeting neighbors from all walks of life
18:04 – Loving the walkability and community
18:23 – Tony’s life in Roosevelt
19:04 – The joy (and chaos) of city life
19:24 – The harder side: hostility toward faith
20:06 – Why pastors choose the city anyway
20:26 – Loving people where they are
21:13 – The realities of danger and mental health crises
22:04 – Why choose Seattle?
23:08 – Tony’s “why we stay”
23:55 – The cost and calling of urban ministry
24:01 – Christian’s calling and conviction
24:27 – How the early church reached cities
25:41 – Why cities matter for the Gospel
26:18 – Cities as centers of influence
27:20 – Every human is looking for Jesus
27:47 – Calling to pray for the city
28:09 – Jeremiah 29 and living in exile
29:25 – Seeking the peace of the city
29:52 – Spiritual strongholds and prayer walks
30:11 – Fighting with spiritual weapons, not frustration
31:22 – The overlooked challenge of urban church planting
32:05 – The new wave of Seattle churches
32:26 – Shoutouts to pastors across the city
33:07 – Stories of grit and calling in Seattle
34:05 – Multiethnic, multigenerational church life
35:20 – The historic building on 65th
36:03 – A church merger story
36:50 – Heroes of the faith in the city
37:11 – Encouragement to believers outside Seattle
37:57 – The spiritual battle pastors face
38:19 – How other churches have supported the mission
38:38 – Top restaurant recommendations (the important stuff!)
40:36 – The best sandwiches and pasta in Seattle
41:22 – Best brunch in the city
41:48 – Final thank yous and encouragement
42:07 – Honoring long friendships and calling
42:54 – World Cup 2026 chaos + Trump jokes
43:14 – Closing remarks and reminders
44:00 – December 12th special guest announcement
44:15 – See you next week!
44:28 – The obligatory “win that” moment

This week on Pastors Unfiltered, Pastors Brandon and Tony sit down with Joshua Tallent, who teaches adult discipleship classes at Venture Church, for a deeper dive into Ephesians 3. Together they unpack Paul's vision of God's boundless love, the mystery of the gospel, and what it means for the church today. It's honest, practical, and rooted in real-life discipleship.

This week on Pastors Unfiltered, Pastors Brandon Beals and Tony Matar are joined by David Diaz, Worship Pastor at Venture Church, for a packed and hilarious conversation. From PB’s upcoming trip to the Green Bay Packers game, to David’s stories about the first-ever Venture Live Recording Night, this episode blends laughter, behind-the-scenes insight, and encouragement about what God is doing at Venture. David shares the story behind Venture Music’s songwriting retreat, how over 25 original songs were written, and how the team is preparing to release their first live worship album. The pastors also talk ministry life, travel quirks, auto-tuning in worship, and what it’s really like leading a growing church in the middle of a massive building project. This one’s got heart, humor, and a ton of energy — don’t miss it! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered 01:20 – Pastor Brandon’s trip to Nashville 03:00 – The Grand Ole Opry and country music 05:00 – Packers vs. Eagles and ministry travel stories 07:00 – Guest introduction: David Diaz is back! 08:30 – Taylor Swift, Turning Point, and random hot takes 10:00 – Venture turns 21 and the building expansion 12:00 – Behind-the-scenes of Venture’s renovation 13:00 – The story behind the Live Recording Night 15:00 – The call to write original worship music 16:00 – How Venture Music wrote 26 songs in one retreat 18:00 – Creating the first Venture Music album 19:00 – Building the songwriting team and hearing from God 21:00 – How each songwriter was chosen and called 22:30 – The future of Venture Music and upcoming releases 24:00 – Plans for the Venture United project 27:00 – Recording, mixing, and producing the first songs 28:00 – The debate over Auto-Tune in church worship 30:00 – Pastor Brandon’s “Lay down the guitar” story 32:00 – Saxophone stories and musical throwbacks 34:00 – Memories from 21 years of Venture Church 35:00 – Honoring past worship leaders and volunteers 37:00 – Wrapping up and what’s next for Venture Music 39:00 – Random closing chaos — AI videos, Sora, and Taylor Swift

Venture Church just turned 21!
In this special anniversary episode of Pastors Unfiltered, Pastors Tony Mattar and Morgan Butcher sit down with guest host John Plotner to look back at 21 years of Venture Church — the stories, challenges, and hilarious moments that shaped it all. From football injuries and youth ministry fails to moments of life change and deep gratitude, this episode is a reminder that ministry is messy, meaningful, and full of God’s grace.

This week on Pastors Unfiltered, Pastors Brandon and Tony dive into Ephesians 2 and talk about one of the hardest—but most important—truths in Scripture: who we are without Christ and who we become in Christ. From discussing the reality of sin, culture, and spiritual warfare to the hope that comes through Jesus, this episode is a powerful reminder that even when we were dead in our sins — “But God” changes everything. They also talk Mariners baseball, puppets in kids ministry, AI, church culture, and why absolute truth still matters in today’s world. Watch or listen for laughter, honesty, and deep biblical truth as the pastors unpack Paul’s words and challenge us to live like we’ve truly been made alive in Christ. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome to Pastors Unfiltered
1:30 – Mariners heartbreak and Seahawks talk
4:00 – Pastor Brandon’s “dog portrait” gift
6:00 – Church chaos and puppet appearances
10:15 – Kids ministry puppets and laughter
13:00 – New AI app “Sora” and deepfake craziness
16:20 – Diving into Ephesians 2: Made Alive in Christ
18:00 – What it means to be “dead in sin”
19:30 – Slaves to the world, the devil, and our flesh
21:20 – The influence of culture and social media
23:30 – Truth vs. relativism in today’s world
26:00 – The struggle between grace and our flesh
28:30 – Conviction, self-control, and spiritual maturity
30:40 – Paul’s brutal honesty about sin and judgment
33:00 – What “wrath” really means in Scripture
35:00 – The responsibility of pastors to teach truth
38:00 – Culture, compromise, and the Gospel
40:00 – Why preaching absolute truth still matters
44:00 – “But God” — the turning point of hope
46:00 – What’s next on Pastors Unfiltered