The RELEVANT Podcast (Subscriber Edition)

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 shifts the music industry

20:43 — RELEVANT Buzz: e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder gives it all away and becomes a priest

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

34:02 — Moses limited series on Prime Video

37:43 — RELEVANT Recommends: Brooke Ligertwood talks about 'Eat'

45:00 — Slices: Kamikaze dolphins 

47:45 — Editorial Question of the Week

50:55 — Outro

Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes joins the show to talk about her new special and how a joke-writing class at her church kicked off her stand-up career. Also, Christian UFO researcher Timothy Alberino comes on to make sense of the Pentagon's newly declassified UFO files. The cast walks through why aliens, demons and military tech are three different conversations most people are lumping into one, where the Nephilim theory in Genesis 6 fits in and why none of this should rattle anyone's theology. 

In RELEVANT Buzz, we also break down the 'American Idol' finale, where all three finalists this season are outspoken Christians. Plus, comedian Jay Pharoah's conversation with Tamron Hall about the insane experience he had while committing to read through the Bible.

In Slices, Derek tells us about a black bear in Gatlinburg that clawed its way into a bakery for some cinnamon rolls, and Jesse tells us about a CPR instructor that went into cardiac arrest and was saved by the students he was teaching CPR to.

"One Has to Go" closes things out with 2000s R&B, sequels better than the original, phone-era nostalgia, all-time athletes.

Then it's the return of the Editorial Question of the Week: Is it OK to turn down a friend's wedding party invitation just because you know it's going to be expensive? Drop your answer in the comments or @ us — we'll read our favorites on next week's episode.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro and Jesse's jury duty dream 
05:30 — RELEVANT Buzz: American Idol's all-Christian finale 
13:42 — RELEVANT Buzz: The Pentagon UFO files 
15:30 — RELEVANT Recommends: Timothy Alberino on UFOs and Christian theology 34:14 — RELEVANT Buzz: Jay Pharoah and the Celebrity Evangelist 
37:53 — RELEVANT Recommends: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes on Ugly Baby and clean comedy 
44:45 — Slices: Gatlinburg bear vs. Olga's Yodel Cinnamon Rolls 
48:04 — Slices: EMT instructor Karl Arps saved by his own students 
49:22 — Editorial Question of the Week debuts: Wedding party economics 
52:14 — "One Has to Go": 2000s R&B, sequels, phone-era nostalgia, athletes
57:36 — Outro

It’s episode 1300! In RELEVANT Buzz, we talk about Hulu’s new Christian college dating series that you need to hear to believe. We also talk about WNBA star Sophie Cunningham's recent faith declaration, Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu’s faithful pregame ritual and a new Bible movie about Daniel that’s releasing this fall.

In Slices, a Wisconsin solid waste facility has an unusual speed limit, a Harvard scientist helps build China’s AI supercomputer, and the crew finds a Guinness World Record worth actually pursuing.

The show ends with One Has to Go, and be warned there’s a lot of frisbee golf and male ponytail talk.

Highlights:

00:00 — Frisbee golf and ponytail culture 

14:23 — RELEVANT Buzz: Hulu's "Ring by Spring Break" Christian college dating show 

26:28 — Sophie Cunningham gets baptized 

28:17 — Ayo Dosunmu’s pregame Bible routine 

28:56 — "Daniel: The Fiery Furnace" is releasing on 9/11 

31:54 — Slices: An odd speed limit at a Wisconsin recycling facility 

40:45 — A Harvard scientist defects to China after prison 

43:28 — A new world record for solving a Rubik's Cube in free fall 

47:21 — One Has to Go: Old Testament epics / 90s sitcoms / Wes Anderson / boy bands / NFL fan bases / late-night snacks

This week we're joined by Hulvey, who just dropped his final album on Reach Records. He tells us why he turned down a Kanye West collab and the reason behind his new song.

In RELEVANT Buzz, Theo Von gets surprisingly vulnerable on his podcast about being stuck in destructive cycles. A new study finds that 60% of Gen Z has gone no contact with friends or family. We get into why. And we dig up Mr. T's lost 1984 album, "Mr. T's Commandments," which was co-written by a young Ice-T and includes songs about honoring your parents and listening to the Bible. It's nuts.

There's NBA playoff rivalries, unexpected gifts, insane 80s movies, insurance fraud, bees escaping. It's a packed, crazy episode!

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Magic vs Pistons and the Angel Reese love triangle

03:50 — Jesse pitches Over the Top as the greatest sports drama ever made

12:30 — Sudden Death: Van Damme plays goalie in the Stanley Cup finals

15:20 — The Taco Bell hat and the Pistons shorts gift exchange

19:14 — RELEVANT Buzz: Theo Von's vulnerable moment 28:55 — 60% of Gen Z is going no contact

32:55 — Mr. T and Ice-T's 1984 Ten Commandments

36:30 — RELEVANT Recommends: Hulvey on his final Reach album and turning down Kanye

43:00 — Slices: Operation Bear Claw

46:35 — A million bees escape on a Knoxville highway

48:30 — Would You Rather

The week, we’re joined by one of the funniest comedians going right now — Derrick Stroup, who has a fantastic new special on Netflix. He tells us how he got his start in comedy and why keeping things clean is an intentional choice.

In RELEVANT Buzz, we dive into a new Gallup study that reveals 50% more young men say religion is very important to them than did just a few years ago. There’s a lot to unpack — including why young women are going the opposite direction. We then share a clip that went viral this week of Charlie Puth breaking down his favorite gospel song and why he “loves everything Church.” Then we check out RAYE’s incredible new single “Joy,” and her faith-filled album, ‘This Music May Contain Hope.’ 

In Slices, a guy in California got caught running a nationwide LEGO scam that you won’t believe. And a 91-year-old Ohio grandma  ignored her wellness checks because … she was locked in on a video game. Then Would You Rather closes it out: Horse-sized ducks, finger guns, a raccoon with a grudge.

Highlights:

04:38 — RELEVANT Buzz: 42% of young men say their faith is very important 

09:03 — Charlie Puth's gospel moment on the Terrell Show 

17:51 — RAYE's new album and her faith story 

29:59 — RELEVANT Recommends: Derrick Stroup on his Netflix special "Nostalgic"

38:05 — Slices: The Lego pasta heist 

42:44 — Slices: 91-year-old grandma blows off her wellness check to keep gaming

45:05 — Would You Rather

This week, we sit down with former Hillsong-ers Aodhan King and Benjamin William Hastings, who just announced a joint worship album dropping next month. They tell us about it — and also tell the unhinged story of how they met 15 years ago. (Lesson: Need pants? You might meet a new friend.)

In RELEVANT Buzz, this week Lecrae became the first Christian rapper on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts (apologies to Marla) and we tell you about M.I.A.'s new faith-rooted album  inspired by the Book of Revelation and the Ark of the Covenant. (Yes, we play *that* Indiana Jones scene.)

In Slices, the heroic Artemis crew had a very relatable problem during the mission, and a chimp clan in Uganda is apparently in a full civil war.

"One Has to Go" hits youth group bands, cereals, comedy movies, Disney Channel shows, sports movies, reality TV and worship era anthems. Jesse was sweating at one point.

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Magic game recap, documentary tangents 

16:27 — RELEVANT Buzz: Lecrae's Tiny Desk debut 

21:37 — M.I.A. announces MI7 

31:42 — Benjamin William Hastings & Aodhan King 

39:45 — Slices: Artemis & Microsoft Outlook in space 

43:25 — Chimp clan civil war 

47:00 — One Has to Go: Youth group icons / Cereals / Comedy movies / Disney Channel shows / Sports movies / Christian music / Worship anthems / Bible figures

This week, Cameron, Derek, Emily and Marty cover a ton: American Idol's Songs of Faith Night, which was way more Jesus-heavy this year than last, British Christian rapper DC3 making MOBO Awards history, and the story of Forrest Frank's new indie band having to ditch their name days before releasing their debut album.

In RELEVANT Recommends, we talk to Madison Ryann Ward — an amazing, soulful singer (and former D1 volleyball player) who walked away from Rick Rubin's label after rededicating her life to Christ, and is now showing up everywhere and absolutely thriving. 

In Slices, we cover a guy who’s selling a compass that only points to the Olive Garden in Times Square, and the story of 12 tons of stolen Kit Kat bars giving some pretty great April Fool's fodder.

At the end of the episode, we have a great edition of One Has to Go!

Highlights:

00:00 — Intro / Derek Minor's new single "Up" 

07:35 — RELEVANT Buzz: American Idol Songs of Faith Night 

15:00 — RELEVANT Buzz: DC3 wins two MOBO Awards 

17:30 — RELEVANT Buzz: Forrest Frank's new band 

24:50 — RELEVANT Recommends: Madison Ryann Ward 

33:00 — Slices: Compass pointing to the Olive Garden in Times Square 

35:15 — Slices: Someone stole 12 tons of Kit Kat bars 

38:30 — One Has to Go: Holidays / Florida animals / Blockbuster night / MTV cartoons / Sports video games 

49:00 — Outro

Cameron, Jesse, Derek and Emily are all back together for a packed episode. In RELEVANT Recommends, we highlight Indie Tribe's new album, Who Do You Say I Am? and caught up with the guys at SXSW to talk about the making of the project and what it says about who they are as a group.

In RELEVANT Buzz: Alabama's basketball team has been quietly building a faith culture all season that's worth knowing about. Then, as Stephen Colbert is wrapping up the Late Show, his next move is pretty unexpected: writing a Lord of the Rings movie with Peter Jackson. And then we highlight an unexpected connection between SNL's newest cast member and Orlando-based Christian rapper Caleb Gordon. For real.

Plus we cover NCAA tournament drama, late night legends ranked, and the high school celebrity alumni rabbit hole (yes, DJ Khaled, Joey Fatone and Wayne Brady went to school together). In Slices: googly eyes are scientifically proven to deter seagulls (and lions), and the world record Big Mac guy has opinions on the Big Arch. And at the end of the show it's One Has to Go: pop icons, board games, classic Comedy Central, sneaker culture and more. We said it was packed.

0:00 — Intro / Derek's back, everybody's been sick

4:00 — The podcast economy is in trouble

11:30 — Mike Lindell gets served mid-interview

19:58 — RELEVANT Buzz

20:30 — NCAA Tournament buzzer beater & Dan Hurley headbutts a ref

23:30 — Alabama basketball's faith culture and Bible study movement

25:45 — Stephen Colbert leaving Late Show; late night legends ranked

27:25 — Colbert is co-writing a Lord of the Rings movie (Shadows of the Past)

33:00 — Unexpected celebrity connections: Snoop & Cameron Diaz, Dr. Phillips HS alumni

34:50 — SNL's Cam Patterson and Christian rapper Caleb Gordon went to school together

39:05 — Slices: Googly eyes deter seagulls (and lions in Botswana)

41:35 — Slices: The Big Mac world record holder reviews the Big Arch

44:42 — RELEVANT Recommends: Indie Tribe's Who Do You Say I Am?

47:37 — Derek on writing albums in lockdown camps

53:00 — One Has to Go: pop icons, comedians, board games, sneakers, Nickelodeon, MTV