Staircase to Nowhere: A Ministry and Culture Podcast

This week on Staircase to Nowhere, we shine the spotlight on our guy David—hall director, mentor, and all-around residential life legend. Recorded in-person from Upland, Indiana (yes, real eye contact was made), we dive into the highs and holy tensions of life in campus ministry.

Daved shares what it’s like walking with college guys through late-night questions, crowded dorm life, and the sacred chaos of discipleship in close quarters. We talk housing crises, spiritual formation, and the art of making a residence hall feel like home. If you’ve ever wondered what ministry looks like when it’s lived out across shared bathrooms and basement rooms, this one's for you.

Got questions or comments? Hit us up at [email protected]

On this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, we dive into the big questions about work, career, and calling. What does it really mean to find your "calling," and how does faith shape our search for meaningful work? Join David, Sam, Noah, and special guest Kaitlin Neel—who works in calling and career services at Taylor University—as they unpack the tension between employment and spiritual purpose. 

Whether you're navigating a job transition, exploring your passions, or just wondering how your work fits into God's bigger story, this episode is for you. 

Connect with us: [email protected]

Books mentioned:

Garden City

Designing Your Life

It’s a full mailbag episode this week on Staircase to Nowhere! The guys answer listener questions about everything from secular music in church to the growing wave of biblical streaming shows.

They reflect on how churches communicate their values, how Christian media fits into discipleship, and why Sunday mornings should stay rooted in worship. Along the way, there’s storytelling, some honest opinions, and of course — a little banter.

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No Small Endeavor (Pod Sam Mentioned)

Would you date a chatbot? In this episode, we talk AI girlfriends, boyfriends, and the weird world of digital companionship. What does it mean to love—or be loved by—something not real? And how should Christians think about connection in a world that’s increasingly artificial?

We would love to hear from you! [email protected]

She is in Love with ChatGPT

In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the crew dives into how conversations have become the new currency of credibility in today’s culture. From podcasts to Twitch streams, we explore why people are increasingly turning to casual dialogue instead of traditional news or institutions to shape their beliefs. What does that mean for ministry, discipleship, and the way we engage a digital-first world? Also—yes, we talk over each other a lot. That’s kind of the point.

Send us your thoughts and questions! [email protected]

Conversations are the new unit of culture 

Deep Discipleship

Center-Set Church

This week on Staircase to Nowhere, we're diving into the world of Christian art and exploring how creativity and faith intersect. What makes art "Christian"? How can creative expression serve as a form of worship or ministry?.. Whether you're an artist, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about how faith influences creativity, God is calling you to put beautiful things into the world for His glory!

 Got a topic you'd like us to explore? Send your questions and ideas to:

[email protected]

Gaither's Pond Fishtales

Culture Making by Andy Crouch

Why Work? Dorothy Sayers

Welcome to season 3! This week, Staircase to Nowhere crew—Noah, David, and Sam—take a deep dive into social media's evolving role in our lives and ministries. Is it a tool for connection and outreach, or is it a digital dark alley filled with distractions, temptations, and anxiety? The team shares personal stories, research on social media’s impact, and whether we should rethink their online presence altogether.

[email protected]

Connect with us

The Anxious Generation 

The whole Staircase Fam is together in Louisville for our STN Retreat! David, Kaitlin, Sam, Erika, Noah, and Rebekah all look back over the major themes of season 2 and look ahead to a new year of Staircase to Nowhere ministry and culture fun!

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In a special in-person episode, Noah gives David and Sam some books and shares why they would be interested in them. Read along with us:

Heroic Fraternities by Anthony Bradley
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
The Coming Revolution in Church Economics by Mark DeYmaz

(please excuse our sketchy audio)

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The Staircase boys put into practice their conversations on interpretation and context in an attempt to answer a hard text of the Bible, when God calls Israel to “completely destroy” and “devote to destruction” the people in the promised land. Is this genocide? How should Christians understand this text? What does it tell us about God?

(please excuse our sketchy audio)

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