The RELEVANT Podcast (Subscriber Edition)

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 

In our Christmas episode, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor and Emily Brown dive into a packed RELEVANT Buzz, including NFL players putting faith into action in unexpected ways, a Christian animated film debuting near the top of the box office, Timothée Chalamet unexpectedly singing Kirk Franklin and a spontaneous worship moment from Justin Bieber that caught the internet’s attention.

The crew also tackles one of the most important questions of the season: what actually makes a perfect Christmas day? From wake-up times and breakfast spreads to family expectations, church plans and evening traditions, they attempt—somewhat successfully—to agree on a Christmas schedule everyone can enjoy.

Plus, it’s an Ask the Cast: Christmas Edition, with listener questions about end-of-year burnout, holiday boundaries and when it’s officially time to stop saying “Merry Christmas.”

Highlights:

1:00 – Emily’s Quilt Room Setup

4:00 – RELEVANT BUZZ

4:30 – Baltimore Ravens Wash Kids Feet

8:20 – David Hits No. 2 at the Box Office

11:30 – Is Avatar Still Impressive?

14:30 – Timothée Chalamet Sings Kirk Franklin

24:30 – Justin Bieber’s Worship Moment

25:45 – Designing the Perfect Christmas Day

36:12 – SLICES: The 6-7 Meme Gets Real 

44:05 – The World's Largest Gingerbread Home Alone House

46:05 – ASK THE CAST: Christmas Edition

In the final episode of the RELEVANT Podcast Impact Conversations series, we sit down with two influential voices using their platforms to point toward something deeper.

First, New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson shares how his faith was shaped long before the NFL spotlight. From a season-ending injury at Ohio State that led him to Jesus to helping spark faith gatherings across campus, Henderson talks about spiritual leadership, obedience over outcomes, and what it looks like to follow Christ inside high-pressure locker rooms. His story is also featured in the new docuseries Redemption, now streaming on Prime Video via The Wonder Project.

Then, Lecrae, one of the most influential figures in Christian hip-hop, joins the conversation following the release of his 10th album, Reconstruction. He reflects on misunderstanding, therapy, deconstruction and why he believes Christian hip-hop is entering a new era without categories. Lecrae also opens up about legacy, leadership, and his role as a bridge between faith and culture.

This episode is presented by World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization working to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice worldwide.

Chapters:

01:15 – Why TreVeyon Henderson uses his NFL platform for faith
02:01 – Growing up with football as a lifeline
04:24 – When faith became real during a season-ending injury
06:40 – Sleep paralysis, spiritual warfare and healing through prayer
08:28 – Faith leadership inside Ohio State football
11:33 – Carrying faith into the NFL locker room
12:58 – Spiritual disciplines and the “secret place”
16:21 – Why faith is rising among professional athletes
18:56 – Why Henderson highlighted persecuted Christians in Nigeria
22:45 – Lecrae on why Reconstruction is different
24:53 – Transparency vs vulnerability in creative work
26:08 – Therapy, confidence and owning your voice
29:25 – Why Lecrae chose the word “Reconstruction”
30:46 – Leadership, loneliness and stewardship
33:01 – The future of Christian hip-hop
34:41 – Lecrae on legacy and being a bridge between faith and culture
44:17 – How Reconstruction invites people back to faith

Rian Johnson’s new Knives Out film, 'Wake Up Dead Man,' is sparking conversations few mainstream movies ever touch — faith, forgiveness, power and what it actually means to follow Jesus in a polarized world.

In this episode, we talk with the filmmaker about growing up in the Church, walking away from faith and why Christ’s teachings — especially “love your enemy” — still shape the stories he wants to tell. Johnson opens up about wrestling with the us-versus-them mentality, the corrupting pull of power and influence, and why he wanted to portray Christian belief with empathy rather than caricature.

Plus, the RELEVANT crew debates the best Christmas movie of all time in a chaotic bracket showdown, reacts to surprising year-end culture stories and discusses new research suggesting adolescence doesn’t actually end until age 32.

HIGHLIGHTS:

01:40 – Why 'Wake Up Dead Man' Feels Like a Gospel Story
04:00 – Serving vs. Fighting: Faith and the Culture War
06:45 – Why Culture Is More Open to Spiritual Conversations
09:20 – Is Wake Up Dead Man the Best Knives Out Movie?
12:10 – Is Rian Johnson Done With Faith?
13:10 – Christianity vs. Church Culture
20:15 – RELEVANT Buzz
22:00 – Forrest Frank Breaks Into Google’s “Hum to Search” List
26:30 – Theo Von and Morgan Wallen’s Bible Study Revealed
32:00 – Rian Johnson on Growing Up Evangelical
34:00 – “Arms Wide Open vs. Fists Up” Faith Explained
39:00 — SLICES
39:20 – New Research Says Adolescence Lasts Until Age 32
45:15 – AI Reality TV Is Here (Unfortunately)
47:30 – Christmas Movie Bracket Challenge

This week, Andy Mineo joins us for a hilarious and surprisingly vulnerable conversation about reinvention, perfectionism, leaving Reach Records, making his first album in four years and why he almost drove himself crazy trying to get it right. Plus, the cast dives into:

– Brandon Lake dominating Billboard’s year-end charts

– The ER vs The Pitt IP controversy

– Ticketmaster’s takedown

– TreVeyon Henderson spotlighting persecuted Christians on the field

– A chaotic game of “One Has to Go” that reveals way too much (about Andy)

HIGHLIGHTS:

1:20 – '90s nostalgia, ER and the IP drama behind The Pitt

10:25 – RELEVANT Buzz: Brandon Lake ruled 2025

15:45 – Olivia Dean takes on Ticketmaster

19:50 – TreVeyon Henderson highlights persecuted Christians in Nigeria

21:50 – Andy Mineo joins the show

22:20 – Why his new album took four years

23:40 – Perfectionism, analysis paralysis and moving faster

27:10 – More new music is already loading

28:35 – Andy & Marty’s 15-year friendship origin story

32:05 – “One Has to Go” with Andy

41:55 – Parenting, nostalgia and movies that don’t hit the same

44:15 – 80s/90s PG movies were NOT PG

Remember you can watch the video episode on YouTube!

Two former Bachelor stars. Two very different, but impactful, post-show paths. One episode about what it really looks like to use your platform well.

In this new installment of The RELEVANT Podcast: Impact Conversations, Emily Brown and Cameron Strang sit down with Madi Prewett Trout and Ben Higgins to talk about life after reality TV, spiritual growth, calling, purpose, and how to steward influence in a way that actually matters.  

First, Emily talks with Madi Prewett Trout, who has spent the last five years immersed in ministry—preaching, writing, podcasting, discipling young women, and building a life rooted deeply in Scripture and the local church. She opens up about spiritual transformation, accountability, confession, motherhood, leadership, and learning to stay true to her convictions even when it’s costly.

Then Cameron sits down with Ben Higgins, who—after his time on The Bachelor—built Generous Coffee, launched multiple businesses, stepped into a major faith-centered role at iHeartRadio, and wrote a book on connection. Ben shares candidly about anxiety, purpose, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and using business as a vehicle for generosity and Kingdom impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your calling, use your platform responsibly, walk in integrity, or navigate fame and faith in a digital age—this episode is rich, honest, and deeply encouraging.

Presented by World Vision.

Highlights:

01:50 — Madi Prewett Trout

02:13 — Madi on how her life has changed since The Bachelor

04:57 — Moving from motivational speaking to biblical teaching

07:11 — How moving and finding a new church shaped her spiritual growth

09:57 — How Madi discerns what God is calling her to speak into

12:21 — Choosing conviction over comfort

16:53 — Breaking secret sin cycles and finding freedom

22:14 — Protecting peace and setting boundaries on social media

28:23 — Why Madi launched her podcast and how God led the timing

33:37 — Learning patience when God says “wait”

38:21 — Ben Higgins

41:28 — Life/work balance as a new dad

43:30 — What Ben does for work now

45:49 — How his role at iHeartRadio is expanding into faith initiatives

50:39 — Rethinking conferences, creativity, and reaching the disconnected

52:29 — Mike Foster’s coaching 

56:03 — Restaurant ventures, investing and avoiding AI-replaceable spaces

59:16 — Why his new book is about connection (not fame)

1:02:11 — Feeling like an outsider and the moment everything changed

1:04:47 — How vulnerability unexpectedly connected him with millions

1:07:21 — Did The Bachelor change him?

1:10:06 — A friend’s advice that shifted his entire approach to fame

Rend Collective’s Chris Llewellyn joins us to talk about the band’s new Christmas album Christmas in Belfast, the Irish traditions behind it, and what it’s like building a life between Ireland and Nashville.

We also break down the biggest stories in faith and culture, including NF’s record-setting Billboard debut, the wild rise of AI-generated music, and Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson’s faith-forward breakout. Plus, the crew swaps celebrity-encounter stories and brings Chris into a special holiday round of “One Has to Go.”

CHAPTERS:

02:00 – Jesse spots an SNL cast member at the airport

06:30 – Marty’s celebrity encounters at LAX

08:30 – Cameron’s wild Kanye West airport story

09:40 – RELEVANT Buzz 

09:55 – NF’s massive Billboard debut

12:00 – AI music platform Suno is creating 7 million songs a day

14:20 – Is AI killing creativity? The crew debates

19:10 – Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson’s record-breaking game & public faith

24:10 – Chris Llewellyn of Rend Collective

24:40 – The story behind Christmas in Belfast

26:40 – Irish Christmas traditions & late-night candlelit services

27:50 – Gaelic football, Welsh kickers & Jesse’s confusion

29:55 – Chris on moving from Ireland to Nashville

31:00 – How Irish political history shaped his view of division

32:15 – Holiday Edition of “One Has to Go” with Chris

35:35 – Marty’s trauma with board games

36:10 – Brunch vs. naps: the debate

38:00 – Emily vs. “crisp evenings”

39:00 – Snoopy, Peanuts, and Christmas ornament chaos

40:45 – Group prayer handholding horrors

43:30 – Emily’s tiny tabletop Christmas tree revelation

In this episode of Impact Conversations, we sit down with Tara-Leigh Cobble, creator of The Bible Recap — one of the most influential Bible-reading podcasts in the world. Tara-Leigh shares how The Bible Recap started, how she built a global Bible-reading community and what she’s learned about Scripture, calling and obedience along the way. If you’re trying to understand the Bible or want to stay consistent in your Bible reading plan, this conversation is for you.

We also feature a bonus interview with Christian financial expert Art Rainer, who breaks down how to approach money, generosity and financial stress from a biblical perspective. If you’re looking for Christian financial advice, how to give when money is tight or how to steward your resources well, you’ll want to hear this.

Presented by World Vision.

CHAPTERS:

02:37 — Tara-Leigh Cobble: How The Bible Recap Started

06:04 — Building the podcast with a $99 mic

08:45 — When the calling gets costly

10:55 — The story that kept her going

14:43 — Leadership, discernment and calling

16:49 — Feeling unqualified but called

21:09 — Advice for taking your first step

23:17 — Bonus Interview: Art Rainer

26:13 — Money is a tool, not a goal

28:10 — How to be generous when money is tight

33:31 — Giving, debt and proportional generosity

37:00 — Creative ways to be generous without money