What happens when the cultural stories we’ve been fed our whole lives meet the brutal reality of death and loss? How is suffering the ultimate "red pill" that reveals which story you’re really trusting

In this conversation with Dr. Michael Keller we explore his coming-to-faith story, the cultural lies we all breathe in every day, the night his father, Timothy Keller, died clinging to the creeds and psalms, why the gospel is the only story that can carry both our grief and our joy without breaking and … and much more.

Michael Keller is the founding and senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church–Lincoln Square and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition. He also serves as a fellow for The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

In a world of over-medication, social media highlights, and avoided pain, how does embracing biblical lament reframe mental health and affliction from isolation to communal healing? Why do we dismiss suffering when Scripture's Psalms invite us to shout, grieve, and find hope through honest disconnection with God Himself?

John Swinton is a Scottish theologian, Professor at the University of Aberdeen, founder of the Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability, exploring the intersections of theology, mental health, and inclusive faith communities.

Search "John Swinton Upside Down People" to find the full episode on Spotify. Apple PodcastYoutube

Why do we need raw, untamed prayers instead of polite, polished ones — and what happens when the Psalms finally give us permission to scream “How long, O Lord?” from the depths of our heart?

In this conversation with Chad Bird we explore why the Psalms are the most honest prayer book the church has ever had, how Jesus has been walking through the Old Testament, the danger of turning Scripture into a rulebook, the healing power of lament in a toxic-positivity culture, and why seeing Christ in the Old Testament is the antidote to both pride and despair … and much more.

Chad Bird is a theologian and author who has spent his life helping modern Christians find Christ in the first two-thirds of their Bibles. He is a Scholar in Residence at 1517 and has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew.

To find out more about Chad - @chadbird

or grab a copy of his recent book "Untamed Prayers" - https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419268-untamed-prayers?_pos=1&_sid=9d007ab47&_ss=r

Prof. Nancy Pearcey is a bestselling author, former agnostic, and America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual, celebrated for books like Love Thy Body and The Toxic War on Masculinity.

In an age where masculinity is labeled "toxic," fatherhood dismissed as optional, and Christian men scapegoated for societal collapse, what does the latest sociological data actually reveal about faith, family, and human flourishing? Why do stable marriages, loving dads, and thriving kids cluster around faithful Christian men—contrary to cultural narratives?

Join us as we unpack these provocative findings with Prof. Pearcey and explore how biblical truth dismantles modern myths about gender, marriage, and the family.

Discover why Christian men lead in marital stability and paternal investment, the hidden history of the nuclear family, how Darwinism and industrialism fractured fatherhood, the data debunking "toxic masculinity," the redemptive power of Scripture in restoring men’s roles, the cultural cost of father absence, and much more...

To find out more about Professor Pearcey or her work visit - ⁠www.nancypearcey.com

In an age of doubt, deconstruction, and shallow gospel presentations, how does a biblical understanding of hell, salvation, and eternity reframe our faith from mere escapism to an intimate relationship with a holy God? Why do we reduce heaven to perks and hell to punishment, missing the heartbeat of Scripture of knowing God Himself?

Matthew Tingblad is a speaker with Sightline Ministry (formerly Josh McDowell Ministry) , apologist, and author of Why Did God Do That?, tackling the toughest questions about God's goodness in a broken world.

Search "Matthew Tingblad Upside Down People" to find the full episode on Spotify. Apple PodcastYoutube

In this profound conversation, Steve Midgley invites us to move beyond helplessness in trauma's wake by discovering refuge in Christ and embracing the transformative practice of lament. He encourages the church to cultivate corporate expressions of lament, drawing on the Psalms to find words for the pain and cultivate deeper communal bonds amid suffering. What does it look like to stand in awe of God together and learn to love people when they are vulnerable and suffering?

Steve Midgley is a pastor, former psychiatrist, and author committed to bridging biblical truths with mental health realities through his compassionate ministry and writing.

Dale Meredith, a pastor at Red Door Community Church in Perth Western Australia, brings her raw and honest reflections on navigating some of life’s deepest pain while clinging to the beauty of Jesus. Our cultural temptation is to shy away from grief and cling to control, so how do we process suffering without losing faith? Why do we struggle to sit in the discomfort of lament, and what does it mean to truly surrender to the wildness of God? Join us as we dive into a heartfelt conversation with Dale, exploring how the gospel reshapes our approach to pain, community, and the pursuit of Jesus’ way.

Tune in to hear about the transformative power of lament, the freedom found in embracing God’s mystery, the pitfalls of consumerist church culture, the beauty of incarnation in community, the courage to stay committed through hardship, and much more...

In this compelling conversation, Steve Midgley urges us to confront trauma with the compassionate wisdom of Scripture, guiding the church to listen deeply and avoid simplistic solutions. He calls for a sensitive engagement with suffering, rooted in biblical narratives like Joseph’s betrayal and the cross of Christ, to foster healing through presence and understanding. What does it mean to truly walk with the broken and reflect Jesus’ heart in a trauma-shaped world?

Steve Midgley is a pastor, former psychiatrist, and author committed to bridging biblical truths with mental health realities through his compassionate ministry and writing.

Dr. Danielle Treweek is a post-doctoral theological scholar, author, and speaker whose work, including her book Single Ever After, explores the profound significance of singleness, sexuality, and relationships through a biblical lens.

In a world where marriage is often seen as the ultimate goal, how can singleness be embraced as purposeful and dignified? Why do we struggle with feelings of isolation, rejection, or unfulfilled desires, and how does the gospel offer hope and meaning in these tensions? Join us as we dive into these vital questions with Dr. Treweek, unpacking how a biblical worldview reshapes our understanding of singleness and community.

Tune in to explore why singleness has intrinsic value, the pitfalls of cultural assumptions about relationships, how the church can better love and include single Christians, the transformative power of God’s sovereignty in our circumstances, and the beauty of living as brothers and sisters in Christ, pointing toward eternity.

Find out more about Dani or grab a copy of her book - https://www.danielletreweek.com/

In the wake of a shocking public tragedy like the assassination of Charlie Kirk, how does evil expose the fault lines in our society, and what role can Christianity play in navigating the chaos? Why are we witnessing a surge in young people turning to faith amid cultural polarisation, and how does the gospel offer hope in an age of anxiety, rage, and crisis? Join us as we dive into these urgent questions with Stephen McAlpine and examine how we can respond with courage, forgiveness, and non-anxious presence in turbulent times.

Listen in to discover the cultural ripple effects of high-profile violence, the pitfalls of polarised politics and social media silos, why forgiveness stands as a countercultural force, the unseen spiritual battles behind societal evil, the transformative power of a biblical worldview in fostering dialogue, and much more...

Stephen McAlpine is an author, pastor and cultural commentator known for his insights on faith, media, and the intersection of politics and Christianity in a divided world.

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