The RELEVANT Podcast

Zachary Levi — Chuck, Shazam, and now host of the new docu-drama David: King of Israel — joins us to talk about why the story of David is the one he keeps coming back to. It's a story of someone who's broken, who makes terrible decisions, and who somehow still gets called a man after God's own heart. Levi explains what sets this show apart from all the other David content out there right now and why he thinks everyone needs to hear this story again.

Also in this episode: We've been hearing a lot about revival — from the SEU outpouring to Asbury to rising Bible sales. But does the data actually back that up? We talked to Ryan Burge, a pastor, researcher and political analyst who's spent 20 years studying church trends, and his answer might surprise you. Plus, Gen Z is quietly bringing physical media back, why AI in the operating room is already causing problems, and Jesse drops a statistic about cats and birds that is either shocking or deeply unpopular depending on whether you own a cat.

And it's the spring edition of One Has to Go!

TIMESTAMPS

0:45 — Cameron stress-eating popcorn at the Magic game and them losing because of it 

5:45 — RELEVANT Buzz 

7:00 — Zach Levi on David: King of Israel

11:15 — DVDs and physical media are making a comeback, thanks to Gen Z 

19:00 — Is revival actually happening in America? Researcher Ryan Burge on the data 

28:15 — SLICES: Jesse's very unpopular take on cats and birds 

36:05 — Derek: AI in the operating room and why we need to pump the brakes 

41:00 — ONE HAS TO GO: Spring Edition 

This week, Elevation Worship's Chris Brown tells us why the band took an extra year off from releasing music — and what their new album ‘So Be It’ sounds like on the other side of that pause. We also hear from Portland Trail Blazers chaplain Mike Tatlock, who talked to us during NBA All-Star Weekend to share what he's seeing behind the scenes: more players showing up to chapel, more genuine conversations about faith, and a tangible spiritual shift across pro sports.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we dig into a new report revealing the alcohol industry has lost $830 billion in the last four years — largely because Gen Z just isn't drinking. Plus, the cast gets real about dealing with hateful internet comments, the Celebrity All-Star Game gets a much-needed fix, and we settle the TGIF sitcom debate once and for all. Oh, and a man at a Nashville Waffle House ordered a hash brown bowl and got bear-sprayed, tased and zip-tied instead. You know, a typical RELEVANT Podcast.

HIGHLIGHTS

01:07 — Jesse Got Roasted on YouTube and It's Eating Him Alive

08:10 — Hate Follows: Why Do People Follow Content That Triggers Them?

10:03 — Golden Rule the Comments Section

12:57 — RELEVANT Buzz: Is A Faith Revival Happening in Pro Sports?

15:12 — NBA Chaplain Mike Tatlock 

18:10 — Derek on How Christian Hip Hop Maybe Helped Fuel the Movement

19:31 — What Chaplains Are Seeing Behind the Scenes

23:23 — Jesse's Celebrity All-Star Game Fix: Danny DeVito & Tom Cruise

26:46 — The Worst National Anthems of All Time

31:26 — Gen Z Is Killing the Alcohol Industry — $830 Billion Lost

35:09 — Elevation Worship's Chris Brown on Their New Album So Be It

36:45 — Interview Clip: Why They Took Time Off for the First Time in a Decade

38:08 — SLICES: Buffalo Wild Wings Sued Over "Boneless Wings"

42:10 — A Man Got Bear-Sprayed, Tased & Zip-Tied at Waffle House Over Hash Browns

44:42 — ASK THE CAST: Has Jesse Ever Been Pranked?

45:24 — Jesse's Most Diabolical College Pranks (Alarm Clocks, Air Horns & Peanut Butter)

48:45 — Cameron Put Squirrels in a Guy's Room

49:48 — Dream Guests: The RELEVANT Mount Rushmore

50:31 — Which Cast Member Would You Want to Be Stranded With?

51:05 — Do Your Families Listen to the Podcast?

51:30 — Favorite TGIF Era Sitcom 

53:22 — If You Could Go Back to 2003 and Tell Yourself One Thing

This week, Zach Williams from indie-folk band The Lone Bellow joins the show to talk about their new album — including the wild story of how their van was broken into, all their recordings were stolen, and their fans raised enough money to help them start over.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we show you the ongoing worship outpouring happening at Southeastern University in Florida, where students have been in nonstop prayer, worship and confession for the last week (we talk to the campus pastor). We also break down the viral claim that Christian hip hop is the #1 rap subgenre on Spotify — and why it's not actually true. 

Plus, a worship pastor goes viral on American Idol, Kevin Durant gets exposed for burner accounts during All-Star Weekend, and a guy who lost a golf bet is now 23 days into eating nothing but Wendy's chili. At the end of the show, we've got Ask the Cast and Jesse and Emily confess to the one question they both regret asking in an interview.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Jesse's Super Bowl Spreader Event

05:46 — RELEVANT Buzz: The SEU Outpouring

18:49 — Kevin Durant's Burner Account 

22:06 — Is Christian Hip Hop Really Huge on Spotify?

24:44 — Worship Pastor Goes Viral on American Idol

29:26 — RELEVANT Recommends: The Lone Bellow 

34:49 — SLICES: The Wendy's Chili Bet

41:31 — AI Is Bad at Medical Advice

45:57 — ASK THE CAST: Embarrassing TikTok Purchases & Weird Google Searches

This week, actor Milo Ventimiglia — known for 'This Is Us,' 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Heroes' — tells us why he chose to star in a new Christian movie, playing real-life worship artist Tim Timmons, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer over 20 years ago and is still defying the odds today. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, the crew recaps the Super Bowl — including the incredible story of Seahawks coach Mike McDonald, who followed God's calling to leave the corporate world to take an unpaid internship in coaching. And now 12 years later, it's led to a Super Bowl championship. We also dig into a new study revealing that Gen Z is statistically dumber than their parents (and why that's significant). Plus, Jesse forces the crew to watch the Carman movie trailer, and at the end of the show, we have Ask the Cast! And of course Jesse and Derek have some strong thoughts on Ring cameras and drones.

Highlights:

01:28 — The Olympics and Derek's New Drone

04:59 — Ring Cameras Have Ruined Jesse's Hypothetical Heist

06:18 — The Dark Knight Predicted the Ring Camera Era

09:20 — Apple Is Buying Tech That Can Hear Your Silent Speech

16:29 — RELEVANT BUZZ

19:31 — Coach Mike McDonald: From Accountant to Super Bowl Champion

23:04 — New Study: Gen Z Is Scoring Lower on IQ Tests Than Their Parents

24:40 — The Lost Art of Daydreaming & Why Boredom Matters

30:09 — Milo Ventimiglia on ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’

33:24 — Jesse Makes the Crew Watch the Carman Movie Trailer (Live Reaction)

37:47 — SLICES

38:11 — Man Cited for Juggling Fire on a Unicycle in a Crosswalk

41:11 — Man Breaks Into Little Caesars After Hours & Starts Selling Pizzas

43:09 — ASK THE CAST

44:05 — What Belief Have You Changed Your Mind On?

45:46 — Boundaries You Didn't Know You Could Set

46:40 — What Today Would Shock Yourself 10 Years Ago?

47:18 — Podcast Voice vs. Real Voice

49:48 — Who Has the Worst Music Taste on the Crew?

51:04 — Why Jesse Is a Terrible Texter

52:55 — NBA All-Star Weekend: Does Anyone Care?

53:59 — Outro & YouTube Growth Update

This week, legendary Christian rapper Trip Lee tells us about his unexpected move into worship music with his new album. Before that, the crew swaps stories from last week's historic winter storm—Emily survived three days without power in freezing temps and Jesse narrowly avoided going to a fun Orlando Magic game with Cameron.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we break down Jelly Roll's powerful Grammy acceptance moment, plus the youngest Grammy winner at just eight years old. We also dive into new research showing the vast majority of people want authentic faith representation in TV and movies, and then Emily previews two interesting new shows: Jury Duty Season 2's unexpected premise and Neighbors, HBO and A24's reality series about strangers forced to live together.

Plus, Jesse announces his new podcast Target Intelligence: Psyop and Derek plugs his brand-new show, You Can't Say That in Church. Jesse of course brings his most rewatched video of the week: a Medieval Combat League warrior armed with a real axe who keeps targeting opponents from behind with hilarious headshots. Then in SLICES we cover Miami's iguana apocalypse—dinosaurs falling from trees as residents collect them by the armload (and definitely aren't disposing of them properly).

And to close it out, it's Super Bowl week, so we're playing a special edition of "One Has to Go" covering everything from iconic Super Bowl commercials and halftime show moments to game-day snacks and controversial performances. Spoiler: mozzarella sticks do not survive Jesse's hot take.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro & Winter Storm Survival Stories

07:43 — RELEVANT Buzz

08:00 — Jelly Roll's Powerful Grammy Acceptance Speech

11:27 — Eight-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Grammy Winner in History

12:33 — New Study: 92% of Viewers Want Authentic Faith in TV & Movies

16:37 — Jury Duty Season 2 Preview: Hot Sauce Company Chaos

18:00 — Neighbors: HBO and A24's New Reality Series

24:00 — Medieval Combat League Axe Warrior Goes Viral

31:09 — Trip Lee

32:00 — Why Trip Lee Made a Worship Album After Years in Hip-Hop

35:00 — Trip Lee on Being a Teaching Pastor and Collaborating With Worship Leaders

37:00 — SLICES: Miami's Iguana Apocalypse

43:30 — Super Bowl Edition: "One Has to Go" Game

45:53 — Iconic Super Bowl Commercials (Doritos, Tide, QR Code)

46:21 — Controversial Super Bowl Ads (GoDaddy, Carl's Jr., Axe)

47:04 — Super Bowl Snacks Face-Off (Doritos, Lay's, Pringles)

47:30 — Soda Showdown (Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew)

48:00 — Jesse's Mozzarella Stick Hot Take Sparks Chaos

49:31 — Halftime Show Showdown (Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé)

50:01 — Most Controversial Halftime Moments (Nipplegate, Dancing Sharks)

50:52 — Halftime Props (JLo's Pole, Usher's Skates, Dr. Dre's Lowrider)

This week, we talk to ‘Mercy’ star Chris Pratt about how faith shapes his life and career. He opens up about navigating public narratives, using his platform with purpose and why he believes being open about faith matters more than ever.

In RELEVANT Buzz, the crew dives into Jelly Roll’s moving moment on 'Star Search,' why Gen Z is intentionally disconnecting from their phones and whether music is actually getting sadder. Plus, stories about AI fatigue, bizarre license plate drama, a ketchup packet felony and a guy trying to create a new nation in Texas. And at the end of the show, don't miss the Best Game Ever!

Highlights:

01:00 Storm prep anxiety and riding it out

03:27 The man who tried to start his own country in Texas

06:56 The confidence of mediocre white men

18:23 RELEVANT Buzz 

18:53 Jelly Roll’s Gospel moment on Star Search

21:58 Study finds popular music is getting sadder

24:36 Gen Z intentionally disconnecting from phones

30:10 Chris Pratt 

36:40 SLICES 

38:38 Mr. Potato Head license plate controversy

39:34 Florida man charged over ketchup packet

45:14 “Best Game Ever” 

This week, we sit down with Chelsea Smith to talk about dating wisely, building a resilient marriage and navigating seasons when love feels harder than usual. She shares practical advice for singles, couples and anyone wondering if what they’re experiencing is normal.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we unpack the rise of political independents among Gen Z and millennials, Brandon Lake’s Good Morning America moment and why Christian hip-hop is showing up at Rolling Loud.

Plus, the crew debates whether it’s easier to bowl a perfect game or hit a hole-in-one for a million dollars, discusses illegal monkeys in St. Louis and breaks down Gen Z’s newest solution to burnout: a “retirement home” in Malaysia.

Highlights:

06:30 – Million-dollar question: perfect bowling game or hole-in-one?

16:05 – RELEVANT Buzz

16:15 – Christian hip-hop at Rolling Loud

18:10 – Brandon Lake on Good Morning America (and the Maury joke)

20:45 – Gallup: Gen Z and millennials are going independent

31:40 – Chelsea Smith on dating

33:55 – What every healthy marriage needs

35:30 – Advice for couples in hard seasons

37:55 – Our new partnership with 316 Financial + Reset Series

42:25 – Slices

42:45 – St. Louis offers amnesty for illegal monkey owners

47:05 – A Gen Z “retirement home” opens in Malaysia

To learn more about 316 Financial's $100 offer for RELEVANT listeners, check out https://www.Bank316.com/RELEVANT!

In this episode of The RELEVANT Podcast, we break down a surprisingly faith-heavy week in pop culture.

In RELEVANT Buzz, Khloé Kardashian opens up in depth about her faith and prayer life, Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin shares why he’s returning to faith after growing up as a pastor’s kid. Then we discuss news at the other end of the spectrum: Bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey stepping away from ministry after confessing to an eight-year extramarital affair and Christian pop singer Stacie Orrico’s lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse by her former manager. We wrap things on an up-note, highlighting Daniel Caesar’s spiritually charged Tiny Desk performance.

Plus, the crew reacts to DMX’s posthumous ordination, Jesse spirals over the murder math of NCIS, shares a wild Lamar Odom encounter and we play another round of ‘Overrated, Underrated or Just Right.’

Highlights:

03:00 Jesse’s NCIS take and the Navy murder math spiral

14:15 RELEVANT Buzz begins

17:05 Khloé Kardashian opens up about her Christian faith

28:15 Caleb McLaughlin talks faith, deconstruction and returning to God

31:55 Philip Yancey steps away from ministry after affair confession

34:35 Stacie Orrico files lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse

37:50 Daniel Caesar’s Tiny Desk and his spiritual journey

39:20 Slices: Lottery odds website exposes Powerball math

44:10 DMX to be posthumously recognized as a minister

46:05 Game: Overrated, Underrated or Just Right (Part 2)

47:15 Mayonnaise, squats and Chris Hemsworth

49:00 Pet fish, LaCroix and Philip Yancey books

50:00 Air fryers, motorcycles and voice notes

This week, we tackle the biggest faith questions young adults are asking right now (according to the recent Passion Conference) — from evidence for God’s existence and the tension between free will and predestination, to suffering, salvation and thoughts on hell. It’s an honest conversation about doubt, belief and why curiosity might be essential to spiritual growth.

From there, Emily sits down with CITIZENS frontman Zach Bolen to talk about the band’s new album Museum, being in the Christian music bubble while feeling like an outsider and why art doesn’t need to explain itself to be meaningful. 

Plus, Jesse has some thoughts over the increasingly unhinged Guinness World Records, from pigs on skateboards to LEGO-related pain tolerance, and the crew plays a round of “Overrated, Underrated or Just Right,” covering reboots, word-of-the-year culture and more!

Highlights:

3:10 New Year check-in

4:20 The Crown

5:25 Why New Year’s TV is terrible

9:55 Fireworks gone wrong

14:15 RELEVANT BUZZ

17:05 The top faith questions young adults are asking at the Passion Conference

31:00 Awards season highlights

38:30 Zach Bolen of CITIZENS

42:10 Faith, deconstruction, and the Nashville bubble

46:20 Curiosity as a spiritual discipline

50:10 SLICES

50:14 Guinness World Records need a reboot

56:20 OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, OR JUST RIGHT?

We wrap up 2025 and kick off 2026 by catching up on everything from post-holiday chaos to the optimism that comes with starting a new year. Along the way, we touch on Justin Bieber’s recent reflections on faith, how people in 1998 predicted 2025, and surprising new archeological evidence that Noah's Ark was real. 

From there, the episode takes a turn into full chaos as Jesse introduces his own idea for the “Patriot Games”: teams of Americans competing using everyday life skills, jury duty-style. The episode then wraps with the cast predicting the trends of 2026 — all delivered with the usual mix of humor, honesty and side-tracking that makes the show what it is.

Highlights:

05:10 — Spring-free trampolines and modern parenting stress

07:40 — Childhood injuries, backyard chaos and growing up feral

12:30 — The unspoken pressure of being “the capable adult”

13:33 — SLICES: Noah’s Ark evidence

25:03 — 1998 predicts 2025

31:53 — Justin Bieber’s faith posts

30:45 — WHAT'S JESSE THINKING? Jesse introduces his Patriot Games concept

43:20 — IN OR OUT? Predicting 2026