Today's Conversation

By National Association of EvangelicalsReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Today's Conversation episodes

June 15Doug Beacham | Spiritual Revival and the Transforming Work of the Holy Spirit
What happens when the Holy Spirit moves in our communities?Doug Beacham, a longtime leader in the Pentecostal tradition,reflects on the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work through holiness, sanctification and renewal. Pointing to moments like the Azusa Street Revival and the Memphis Miracle, he highlights how the Spirit brings spiritual renewal, fosters racial unity and expands the Church’s mission.
Together, NAE President Walter Kim and Doug Beacham, presiding bishop of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), also explore the ongoing need for reconciliation and unity within the Body of Christ.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
What defines Pentecostal holiness traditions;
How Pentecostalism brings both intentionality and intensity to faith;
Why the American church continues to struggle with division; and
How true revival not only stirs hearts but reshapes communities.
This episode invites Christians to remember that true hope endures even in a divided culture, calling us to live with patience, faith and confidence that the Holy Spirit is still at work.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Doug Beacham on YouTube
For further study see  Isaiah 53, Acts, Romans 5–6, 1 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 3:17–18
Books written by Doug Beacham
“Black and White Race in American Denominations,” by A.G. Miller in Evangelicals magazine
Prayer, Repentance & Hope for America, NAE podcast with Lisa Fields
Theology of Race, NAE podcast with Walter Kim
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Cahoots Communications.
56 min
May 15George Yancey | Faith and Identity Politics in America
What shapes your identity more — your faith or your politics? In this episode, sociologist George Yancey explores how Americansengage in public life today and why that engagement often feels louder, sharper and more polarized than in previous decades.
George Yancey, professor of sociology at Baylor University, distinguishes public engagement from political engagement, noting that evangelicals have long contributed to the common good through volunteering, giving, mentoring and building institutions, even if those efforts receive less attention than politics.
Together, NAE President Walter Kim and George Yancey examine how recent cultural and political dynamics have amplified partisan voices and intensified the pressures shaping Christian public witness.They also point toward a better way forward: a kingdom-centered identity marked by humility, curiosityand a deeper sense of belonging in Christ.
You‘ll hear:
How today’s tensions are less about “Christian nationalism” and more about identity politics on both the right and left;
Why political tribalism is so powerful in this moment; and
How the Church can offer deeper belonging and a more faithful witness.
As polarization grows, this episode invites Christians to re-center their identity — and engage public life with truth, love and concern for every neighbor.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with George Yancey on YouTube
For further study see Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 10, John 4, Galatians 3
“It’s Not ‘Christian Nationalism.’ It’s Conservative Identity Politics.” by George Yancey in Christianity Today
Books written by George Yancey
What Is Christian Nationalism Anyway?, episode of NAE Difficult Conversations podcast
Nationalism vs. Patriotism: What’s the Difference?, NAE podcast with Paul Miller
“How to Live Well With Enemies,” by Luke Bretherton in Evangelicals magazine
“A Christian’s Place in Political Parties,” Q&A with Cherie Harder in Evangelicals magazine
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.
43 min
April 15Lisa Fields | Prayer, Repentance & Hope for America
Faith has shaped our nation’s moral imagination in profound and sometimes complicated ways. Christians are called to reflect honestly on both the Church’s failures and the broken places in our own lives. Christian apologist Lisa Fields explores how prayer and lament help believers engage these realities, particularly as we mark our nation’s 250th anniversary.

Lisa Fields is a speaker, author and film producer whose work sits at the intersection of faith, history and culture. Her documentaries include Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, created with Our Daily Bread and featured on PBS, and Unspoken, which explores the Christian heritage of Africa and people of African descent.

You will hear Walter and Lisa discuss:

How prayer, lament and repentance have shaped key moments in America’s spiritual and moral history;
How these practices help believers confront painful truths and form a faithful moral conscience; and
How younger believers’ questions about race, justice and history invite honest, gospel-rooted engagement.

This conversation invites us to embody an incarnational witness of humility, healing and peace as we discern where God is calling us toward deeper integrity and gospel-shaped hope in our communities.

Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you like the podcast?

Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.

Resources:

Full conversation with Lisa Fields on YouTube
For further study, see Jeremiah 29, Hebrew 13:3, 1 Peter 3, Romans 2
Lisa Fields’ books
Jude 3 Project
Unspoken
Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom
From Deconstruction to Reconstruction, NAE podcast with Lisa Fields
Christianity and the Making of Early America, NAE podcast with Dr. Mark Noll
46 min
March 15Tim Schultz | The Genius of Religious Freedom
America’s founders crafted a bold and countercultural vision of religious freedom. In this conversation, NAE President Walter Kim and religious freedom expert Tim Schultz explore why those ideas were so revolutionary then — and what they demand of us now as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Tim Schultz has helped shape more than 20 state religious freedom laws and is a trusted bipartisan advisor in Washington, D.C. He offers practical guidance for strengthening civic virtue, promoting healthy pluralism, and safeguarding the future of religious freedom in America.
You’ll also hear Walter and Tim discuss:
How Christians throughout history have defended freedom for others;
How Scripture — from Eden to the prodigal son — forms a vision of non–coercive faith;
Why parental rights, gender policy debates and civic virtue are reshaping the religious freedom landscape; and
What ordinary believers can do to strengthen religious freedom and civic life.
This conversation encourages believers to step into this moment with humility, courage and neighbor–love— championing a religious freedom that reflects the heart of God.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Tim Schultz on YouTube
For further study, see Genesis 2–3, Matthew 19:16–22, Luke 15:11–32, Romans 1:24–28, Philemon
1st Amendment Partnership
Protecting Religious Freedom and Liberty of Conscience, section of NAE’s “For the Health of the Nation”
For the Health of the Nation, RightNow Media + NAE small group curriculum
Christianity and the Making of Early America, NAE podcast with Dr. Mark Noll
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.
45 min
February 15Aaron Griffith | How Revival Shaped America's Evangelical Story
What began as a series of revival movements seeking to renew stagnant expressions of Christianity eventually gave rise to American evangelicalism. As historian Aaron Griffith notes, these renewal efforts not only shaped many evangelical denominations of the 18th and 19th centuries but continue to define evangelical identity today.
In this episode of Today’s Conversation podcast, Aaron Griffith and NAE President Walter Kim explore how historical forces and social dynamics influenced denominational development, public life and the Church’s witness.
You'll also hear Walter and Aaron discuss:
How a common thread of renewal shaped America’s evangelical story;
The varied expressions of revival across regions and theological traditions;
The significant influence of race and class on American evangelicalism and its public witness; and
How remembering our denominational roots can help us discern where God may be calling the Church to renewal today.

Listen in for a compelling, historically grounded reflection on how God has worked through revival, complexity and diversity to shape the faith of our nation.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
For further study, see 1 Corinthians 12 and Zechariah 4
“God's Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America” by Dr. Aaron Griffith
“The Civil War as a Theological Crisis” by Dr. Mark Noll
NAE Denominational & Network Diagram
Christianity and the Making of Early America, NAE podcast with Dr. Mark Noll
Evangelicals — Shared Faith in Broad Diversity, NAE statement
What Is An Evangelical?, NAE webpage
49 min
January 15Mark Noll | Christianity and the Making of Early America
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, historian Dr. Mark Noll — one of the leading scholars of American Christianity — joins NAE President Walter Kim to examine the religious roots of early America. Their conversation explores a story marked by profound conviction and courage, and by contradiction.
The pilgrims and Puritans brought a deep desire to honor God, build community and seek liberty. These values shaped our nation’s moral foundation, and they still matter today. Dr. Mark Noll and Walter Kim move beyond simplistic narratives about early America to uncover a richer and more honest account of faith’s influence on American life.
In this conversation, they discuss:
What first drew Dr. Noll to the study of American religious history;
Biblical examples that model the importance of telling complex, faithful stories;
The connection between the pilgrims, the Puritans, the founding fathers and early understandings of religious liberty; and
What lessons from America’s founding era can help guide the Church today.
This conversation invites believers to engage America’s past with honesty, humility and hope.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Dr. Mark Noll on YouTube
For further study, see Romans 13 and 1 Samuel
Books written by Mark Noll
“Evangelical: What’s in a Name?”, by Mark Noll in Evangelicals magazine
What Is An Evangelical?, NAE webpage
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by NAE Chaplaincy.
49 min
December 15, 2025Laura Story | Worship in Seasons of Suffering
In seasons of disruption, loss or uncertainty, how do Christians hold onto beauty, hope and faith? Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter and worship leader Laura Story joins NAE President Walter Kim for a heartfelt conversation on learning to trust God when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Drawing from her family’s journey with disability, her ministry at Perimeter Church in Atlanta and her years of writing songs that have walked millions through sorrow and joy, Laura reflects on what it means to follow Jesus when the path feels unpredictable. She shares how worship can serve as a soundtrack for real life — not only celebrating God in seasons of victory, but sustaining believers through grief, confusion and change.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why stepping out in faith can feel like a “free fall” — and why it isn’t;
Practical ways worship leaders and churches can walk alongside people in seasons of grief;
How God is both our Savior and our Sustainer; and
The surprising ways God’s goodness can shine even in the most painful and confusing chapters of life.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Laura Story on YouTube
For further study, please see 2 Corinthians 4, Psalm 13, Ruth 1–4, John 9
Laura Story Music
“So Long, Normal: Living and Loving the Free Fall of Faith” by Laura Story
“When God Doesn’t Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can’t Live Without” by Laura Story
At the Heart of Justice, NAE podcast with Gary Haugen
A Global Vision for Human Flourishing, NAE podcast with Byron Johnson
Behind Christian Music, NAE podcast with David Crowder and Eddie Carswell
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by NAE Chaplaincy.
47 min
November 15, 2025Gary Haugen | At the Heart of Justice
In a world marked by injustice, violence and overwhelming need, how can Christians bring lasting hope — without burning out? Gary Haugen, founder and CEO of International Justice Mission, shares powerful lessons from decades confronting global injustice — on staying spiritually grounded, finding joy amid darkness and cultivating resilience that endures.
In this theologically rich conversation with NAE President Walter Kim, Gary reflects on how a biblical vision of justice — rooted in love and expressed through both personal compassion and systemic reform — has shaped his life and IJM’s mission.
In their conversation, you’ll hear:
How a life-changing investigation after the Rwandan genocide led Gary to found International Justice Mission;
The role of the Church to call rulers to protect the vulnerable;
Practical ways believers can join God’s work of justice both locally and globally; and
What gives Gary enduring hope for the future of the Church — and the work of justice.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Gary Haugen on YouTube
Rest and Resisting the Pace of Pharoah, NAE podcast with Sheila Wise Rowe
Justice, Rest and Rhythms of Flourishing, NAE podcast with Mike Kelsey
International Justice Mission
“Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World,” by Gary Haugen
“The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence,” by Gary Haugen
“Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian,” by Gary Haugen
Show Notes: https://www.nae.org/gary-haugen-ijm-justice-violence-hope-joy/
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Every Woman’s Bible.
42 min
October 15, 2025Mike Kelsey | Justice, Rest and Rhythms of Flourishing
How can Christians pursue justice, lead with integrity and stay spiritually grounded in a divided and demanding world? In this honest and theologically rich episode, Pastor Mike Kelsey of McLean Bible Church shares how staying rooted in the character of God helps him navigate polarization, burnout and the challenges of leadership.
For Mike Kelsey, pursuing justice isn’t an optional add-on — it’s an essential expression of discipleship based on God’s character. In this conversation with NAE President Walter Kim, Mike offers an honest reflection on what it’s been like to pastor through the cultural upheaval of recent years, and about the pressure that comes from trying to meet countless expectations. True rest, he says, doesn’t come from striving or disengaging, but from being deeply centered on seeking God’s approval above all else.
You’ll also hear Mike and Walter discuss:
How practicing intentional Sabbath rhythms and setting boundaries with social media creates space for renewal and clarity;
The influence of the Black Church tradition on Mike Kelsey’s understanding of justice;
How McLean Bible Church is pursuing gospel-centered justice through foster care, disability ministry and racial equity; and
Practical wisdom for navigating justice fatigue, ministry burnout and deep cultural division.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Mike Kelsey on YouTube
For further study, read Isaiah 32, Jeremiah 9, Matthew 11 and 2 Corinthians 5
Rest and Resisting the Pace of Pharaoh, NAE Podcast with Sheila Wise Rowe
McLean Bible Church
Jill’s House
“At McLean Bible, Mike Kelsey Is Reimagining the Multiethnic Church,” by Kate Shellnutt in Christianity Today
Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Tyndale’s Go Bible.
46 min
September 15, 2025Carrie Sheffield | Mental Health, Healing and Forgiveness
Carrie Sheffield, author of “Motorhome Prophecies,” joins Today’s Conversation to share her remarkable journey from a childhood marked by spiritual and psychological abuse to a renewed faith in Jesus Christ. In this honest and powerful episode, Carrie reflects on how forgiveness became central to her healing — and why she believes there is lasting hope for mental health through Christ.
In this episode, Carrie Sheffield recounts her upbringing under the influence of a father who claimed Mormon prophetic authority, enforced fear-based teachings and subjected the family to instability and trauma. After leaving faith behind for over a decade, her pursuit of truth — through science, philosophy and deep soul-searching — ultimately led her to God. Her story is a moving testimony of hope, healing and forgiveness.
In her conversation with NAE President Walter Kim, they discuss:
Understanding how the brain’s ability to change offers hope for overcoming mental health challenges;
How Carrie experienced personal healing through prayer and deliverance ministries;
A call to action for the Church to actively engage in addressing mental health with truth; and
How forgiveness is not just a theological idea but a lived reality that brings freedom, healing and redemption.
Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.
Do you like the podcast?
Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.
Resources
Full conversation with Carrie Sheffield on YouTube
For reflection, see Psalm 34:18, Ephesians 4:32 and John 10:10
“Motorhome Prophecies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness,” by Carrie Sheffield
“Called to Forgive,” by Anthony B. Thompson
Harvard Human Flourishing Program
Healing Church Hurt edition of the NAE magazine
Exploring Soul Care, NAE podcast with Dr. Curt Thompson
52 min

About Today's Conversation

From the publisher's feed

Today’s Conversation is the podcast of the National Association of Evangelicals. Host Walter Kim, NAE president, talks with leading thinkers, theologians, activists, culture-makers and more, with the goal of helping evangelicals foster thriving communities and navigate complexity with biblical clarity.