The RELEVANT Podcast

This week we're joined by Tim Tebow and Kirk Cousins, two of the most recognizable quarterbacks in the game who have both spent years on the same fight. We talk about World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which is this week — Tebow on what opened his eyes to the scale of it, Cousins on how his faith turned into two decades of advocacy.

In RELEVANT Buzz, new research from the Billy Graham Center Research Institute found that 48% of Gen Z adults say Christians' support of Trump has made them less likely to go to church. 

In RELEVANT Recommends we spotlight Grace Runkle, who is about as inspired by Elevation Worship as she is by Japanese House.

In Slices, the White House asked Dr. Phil to review the UFO files and gauge how the public would take the news, and he came away infuriated. And a woman in New York is suing McDonald's over fries that were too hot, which is either a legitimate grievance or the end of hot food as we know it.

Then it's your worst Christian breakup lines. Brother in Christ. Personal Eve. Unequal yokes. Then a quick round of "One Has to Go" gets into golden retrievers, communion bread and Sunday naps. 

Then it's this week’s Question of the Week: what's your go-to struggle meal? Drop your answer in the comments or @ us, we're reading them on next week's episode.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / episode rundown

02:40 — Black people love hibachi and Jesse's ban from the Mongolian barbecue buffet

08:46 — RELEVANT Buzz: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with Tim Tebow

11:50 — Kirk Cousins on faith and advocacy

14:05 — Cameras off, FaceTime etiquette and the unk defense

17:48 — Cookout has the worst menu in fast food

21:21 — RELEVANT Buzz: 48% of Gen Z avoids church because of Christian support for Trump

24:50 — RELEVANT Recommends: Grace Runkle

26:57 — Slices: Dr. Phil, the UFO files and soft disclosure

38:33 — The McDonald's hot fries lawsuit

41:45 — Your Feedback: Worst Christian breakup lines

45:50 — "One Has to Go"

49:34 — Question of the Week: What’s your go-to struggle meal?

52:55 — Outro

This week, we're joined by Davide Mutendji of Elevation Rhythm, whose new album WASHED just dropped. He tells us about the heart behind the project and how Drake became a surprising inspiration for the worship group.

In RELEVANT Buzz, the trailer for ‘I Play Rocky’ arrived, and it sent us down a rabbit hole into Sylvester Stallone's faith journey — including a conversation where he calls out Christians who think they can skip church. (Rocky would never!) We also dig into a new study finding only one in three young adults are dating even though nearly all of them want to get married (the reasons are bleak). And with the new season of ‘Quarterback’ out on Netflix, we look at Baker Mayfield's road from college wild child to a real-deal faith story.

In Slices, a school district in New York is putting a humanoid robot named in classrooms, and Jesse loves it. And Derek shows us the clip of the grandpa getting flipped by a bison this week. Plus we settle once and for all whether Medusa is in ‘The Odyssey.’

Then in feedback we have your rent-free reality TV moments, and we ask this week’s Question of the Week: what's the worst Christian breakup line of all time? Drop your answer in the comments — we're reading our favorites next week.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Emily reviews The Odyssey

07:41 — RELEVANT Buzz: ‘I Play Rocky’ & Stallone's church call-out

26:14 — Why two-thirds of young adults aren't dating

33:32 — ‘Quarterback’ & Baker Mayfield's faith journey

41:25 — Davide Mutendji of Elevation Rhythm

50:04 — Slices: The robot teacher coming to New York classrooms

53:08 — Grandpa vs. bison

58:08 — Your feedback: Reality TV moments living rent-free

This week, we're joined by rapper, apparel label owner and pastor KB, whose new album 'This Cannot Be Sold' is out this week. He talks about why he refuses to package Jesus for marketability and what staying loyal to Christ over politics and tribalism actually costs.

In RELEVANT Buzz, ‘Wednesday’ star Emma Myers opens up about turning to God in the hardest season of her life, Lecrae admits he spent years treating John Piper's words like Scripture, and the crew unpacks what the Reformed era of Christian hip-hop got right and wrong. Plus, the first Christian song to top a billion streams on Spotify: you will not guess it in a million years.

In Slices, Jesse investigates the disappearance of Pickles, a diaper-wearing mascot beloved by a Miami pickleball community. And Derek has news about the fresh ingredients Taco Bell is pulling off the menu, for a reason involving explosive diaherrea.

Then your feedback closes it out: Monopoly trash talk, a three-minute breath hold, Team Canada horseshoes confidence and more.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro and Can Christopher Nolan be trusted with The Odyssey? 

22:48 — RELEVANT Buzz: Emma Myers opens up about finding God 

31:25 — Lecrae says he made John Piper an idol. Derek was there for that era 

39:32 — The first Christian song to a billion Spotify streams (you won't guess it) 

46:04 — RELEVANT Conversation: KB on why Jesus isn't for sale 

54:11 — Slices: Jesse on Pickles, the missing pickleball mascot 

59:27 — Derek's bad news for Taco Bell fans 

1:02:54 — Your feedback: competitions you're convinced you'd win 

1:05:41 — Next week's question: reality TV moments living rent-free in your head

This week, three-time Grammy winner Tori Kelly joins us to talk about her new album 'God Must Really Love Me,' written just weeks after she became a first-time mom. She tells us how it’s changed her approach to songwriting and her view of God.

In RELEVANT Buzz, new research finds while Gen Z is the most church-engaged generation, it’s also the least likely to pray. What? We also take a lap around the World Cup's faith stories, and Forrest Frank now has the largest arena tour in the country.

In Slices, Jesse tells us about a man who stole Smokey Bear signs and got arrested in the most humiliating way possible, and Derek has a Maryland guy who might have accidentally redefined Double Jeopardy.

Plus, a report from 11 days of adventure in Alaska, a geography fact-off that spirals into pyramid conspiracies, and your feedback on childhood things that were secretly insane.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro: Thriving for 11 days in Alaska (unlike the Into the Wild guy) 

22:11 — The great Alaska fact-off: rainforests vs. secret pyramids 

24:18 — RELEVANT Buzz: Faith all over the World Cup — including Messi's blessed boots 

34:28 — Gen Z is in church, so why aren't they praying? 

39:45 — Forrest Frank has a top 5 tour in America 

41:00 — Tori Kelly on new motherhood and 'God Must Really Love Me' 

50:02 — Slices: The Smokey Bear sign heist 

57:16 — The worst possible time to call the police 

59:52 — Your feedback: Childhood things that were secretly insane 

1:02:32 — This week's question: What could you win a competition in? 

This is the perfect episode for summer vacation season. First, Tiffany Hudson from Elevation Worship joins us to tell us about her new solo album ‘When You're in the Room,’ and the importance of “vertical” lyrics in worship music. Then rapper Parris Chariz joins us for the second half of the show. We talk about his new album ‘The World Is Watching,’ basketball and his unusual path to seminary.

In Slices, Jesse gives us a look at his vision for the future of politics in America (it looks a lot like jury duty), and Derek takes us to the frontlines of a DoorDash robot crashing a SWAT standoff and refusing to leave.

Then One Has to Go closes it out: croissants on trial, mashed potatoes with no defenders, and an unprovoked shot at the Eiffel Tower.

Highlights:

03:01 — Slices: the Long Island town that elected a mayor who didn't want the job 

17:52 — Slices: a DoorDash robot crashes a SWAT standoff and refuses to leave 

23:00 — RELEVANT Conversation: Tiffany Hudson on her solo album When You're in the Room 

30:15 — RELEVANT Conversation: Parris Chariz on The World Is Watching, basketball and seminary 

42:38 — One Has to Go: Paris things, Detroit things, comfort foods and more 

51:35 — Outro

This week — after the crew discusses summer vacations, cruise classes and the Jersey Shore — we talk to Jessica Koulianos, co-founder of Jesus Image, about what it actually looks like to go deeper with God instead of just consuming more church content.

In RELEVANT Buzz, Team USA has turned the World Cup into a faith story, and we get into Steven Spielberg's new film ‘Disclosure Day’ and the surprising amount of room it gives to faith. 

In RELEVANT Recommends, we talk to Christian R&B artist Sondae, whose new album is a must-listen.

In Slices, scientists are trying to find Noah’s Ark, and a pastor preached for 96 hours straight to chase a Guinness World Record. Then your feedback closes it out with the things everyone loves that you just don't get: matcha that tastes like grass, smash burgers, Hey Dudes and yes, we get distracted by your unusual usernames.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro: Alaska cruises, classes and Jesse's classy Jersey Shore vacation

14:03 — RELEVANT Buzz: Team USA's faith goes viral at the World Cup

21:55 — ‘Disclosure Day’ and what aliens would do to Christian belief

30:31 — RELEVANT Recommends: Sondae on his vulnerable new album 'Boy'

36:23 — RELEVANT Conversation: Jessica Koulianos on real intimacy with Jesus

50:33 — Slices: Drilling for Noah's Ark near Mount Ararat

55:29 — The pastor who preached for 96 hours

59:02 — Your Feedback: Things everyone loves that you just don't get

1:07:14 — Outro

Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed are back as Magic and Bird, and tell us all about the sequel to their 2017 cult classic album. We also get into the state of Christian hip-hop, why nobody is vetted anymore, and spend a genuinely uncomfortable amount of time guessing Derek Minor's net worth to his face.

In RELEVANT Buzz, the SBC voted to ban women from the pulpit and it wasn't close. Victory Boyd forgave Travis Scott and ended up in the studio with him. And Pharrell started his Christian rap era with a Voices of Fire song called "The One."

In Slices, someone claimed a religious exemption from using AI at work, and Derek has decided it might be the greatest finesse in history. 

We also stop to mark World Refugee Day with an eye-opening conversation from the frontlines of Sudan about the world’s largest humanitarian crisis happening there. 

Then One Has to Go closes it out: a suspiciously cheap dollar slice, Rambo in 2026, and the case against Shaq.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Derek’s frustrating tech updates 

10:42 — RELEVANT Buzz: Victory Boyd & Travis Scott go from lawsuit to collaborating

14:08 — The SBC votes to ban women in the pulpit 

17:23 — Pharrell's "The One" with Voices of Fire 

20:38 — World Refugee Day: the crisis in Sudan with World Vision’s Grace Mavhezha 

25:13 — Slices: A religious exemption to not use AI at work? 

29:36 — RELEVANT Conversation: Andy Mineo & Wordsplayed on Magic and Bird 2 

36:24 — The state of Christian hip-hop 

40:16 — Putting Derek Minor's net worth on blast 

51:51 — The five-week album rollout and why nothing breaks through anymore 

56:24 — One Has to Go

1:07:40 — Outro

This week 2819 Church pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell joins us, the Atlanta preacher whose sermon clips have taken over your feed. He tells us why he buried his old church after losing everything during COVID and why he believes the church is running out of time to wake up.

Before that convo, the guys recap a week off the grid in Montana that turned into a grown-man sleepover built around 80s action movies. We also get into how one offhand comment on Derek's "You Can't Say That in Church" podcast set off a week-long Christian hip-hop firestorm, and the unbelievable fake commercial made in response.

In Slices, dozens of mystery people keep climbing out of New York City manholes and nobody knows why. And a cop ticketed a woman for texting on her phone, even though she had a very convincing reason why she wasn’t guilty. 

Then your feedback about hills you’re willing to die on closes it out!

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro and Montana recap: the trip turns into a grown-man sleepover 

03:10 — 80s action movies and their 45-minute dialogue-free montages 

14:50 — How Derek broke Christian hip-hop

23:33 — Derek's petty clout commercial 

29:52 — Slices: NYC manhole mystery people 

38:00 — The cop who ticketed a woman with no right hand 

47:44 — RELEVANT Conversation: Philip Anthony Mitchell of 2819 Church 

57:44 — Your Feedback: Hills you'll die on 

This week, Johnnyswim joins us to give an exclusive look at three major projects they’re about to release. The duo has had a very busy couple of years, and surprisingly it’s not been all about music. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, we bring the recent update on Mel Gibson's The Resurrection of the Christ and get some inspiration from PGA great Scottie Scheffler. In Slices, a Cybertruck owner tests his freedom by driving straight down a boat ramp into a lake because Elon said it could float, and Joey Chestnut got into some legal trouble after a recent eating contest win. Jesse has the latest.

Then we have your feedback on movies you saw way too young, and this week’s Question of the Week: What's a hill you'll absolutely die on that most people think is ridiculous? Drop your answer in the comments on YouTube or answer on our stories!

Highlights: 

00:00 — Intro and Emily's flu game show 

05:21 — Montana trip prep and the case for a basketball hoop 

07:30 — Pool basketball is just rugby in the water 

10:50 — Cameron's diving board vs. the insurance inspector 

13:08 — When America was a proper country: wood-paneled wagons 

14:44 — The factory-installed van bar (and mandatory roof ladder) 

17:24 — Emily wants to mod her Nissan Rogue 

19:43 — Pre-Slices slice: A Cybertruck goes for a swim 

28:53 — RELEVANT Buzz: Mel Gibson's ‘Resurrection’ movie announces a delay

33:39 — Scottie Scheffler’s faith

38:25 — Johnnyswim's year of musicals, movies and a surprise worship album 

48:45 — Slices: Joey Chestnut's bologna arrest 

51:00 — Question of the Week: movies that scarred you / the new question 

57:51 — Outro

This week, we talk to Brooke Ligertwood about her new album ‘Eat,’ which is unlike anything she's put out before. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, we break down new data that highlights where the Church has actually been growing over the last decade — and where it hasn’t. We also tell the story of the e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder who gave away his fortune and is becoming a priest. Plus we have a look at the new Moses limited series on Prime Video starring Sir Ben Kingsley. (It’s impressive.)

In Slices, Jesse has some thoughts about kamikaze dolphins, and the cast of course opens the show with thoughts on the new Drake albums, which leads to a fascinating conversation about what’s been wrong with the music industry and our thoughts on where things are going. 

This week’s Question of the Week is based on the ‘Thief In the Night’ post we had this week: What's a movie or show you watched way too young that you now realize was completely inappropriate (and your parents probably had no idea)? Drop your answer in the comments on YouTube or reply on our Stories on social — we're reading our favorites on next week's episode.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Drake drops three albums and burns down his Universal deal

20:43 — RELEVANT Buzz: Elf Cosmetics founder becomes a Catholic priest

24:11 — RELEVANT Buzz: The only churches actually growing (Pew data)

34:02 — RELEVANT Buzz: Moses limited series on Prime Video

37:43 — RELEVANT Recommends: Brooke Ligertwood, Eat

45:00 — Slices: Kamikaze dolphins and the beluga whale that defected

47:45 — Editorial Question of the Week

50:55 — Outro