The RELEVANT Podcast

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-in4:20 The Crown5:25 Why New Year’s TV is terrible9:55 Fireworks gone wrong14:15 RELEVANT BUZZ17:05 The top faith questions young adults are asking at the Passion Conference31:00 Awards season highlights38:30 Zach Bolen of CITIZENS42:10 Faith, deconstruction, and the Nashville bubble46:20 Curiosity as a spiritual discipline50:10 SLICES50:14 Guinness World Records need a reboot56:20 OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, OR JUST RIGHT?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 stress07:40 — Childhood injuries, backyard chaos and growing up feral12:30 — The unspoken pressure of being “the capable adult”13:33 — SLICES: Noah’s Ark evidence25:03 — 1998 predicts 202531:53 — Justin Bieber’s faith posts30:45 — WHAT'S JESSE THINKING? Jesse introduces his Patriot Games concept43:20 — IN OR OUT? Predicting 2026 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Setup4:00 – RELEVANT BUZZ4:30 – Baltimore Ravens Wash Kids Feet8:20 – David Hits No. 2 at the Box Office11:30 – Is Avatar Still Impressive?14:30 – Timothée Chalamet Sings Kirk Franklin24:30 – Justin Bieber’s Worship Moment25:45 – Designing the Perfect Christmas Day36:12 – SLICES: The 6-7 Meme Gets Real 44:05 – The World's Largest Gingerbread Home Alone House46:05 – ASK THE CAST: Christmas EditionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 faith02:01 – Growing up with football as a lifeline04:24 – When faith became real during a season-ending injury06:40 – Sleep paralysis, spiritual warfare and healing through prayer08:28 – Faith leadership inside Ohio State football11:33 – Carrying faith into the NFL locker room12:58 – Spiritual disciplines and the “secret place”16:21 – Why faith is rising among professional athletes18:56 – Why Henderson highlighted persecuted Christians in Nigeria22:45 – Lecrae on why Reconstruction is different24:53 – Transparency vs vulnerability in creative work26:08 – Therapy, confidence and owning your voice29:25 – Why Lecrae chose the word “Reconstruction”30:46 – Leadership, loneliness and stewardship33:01 – The future of Christian hip-hop34:41 – Lecrae on legacy and being a bridge between faith and culture44:17 – How Reconstruction invites people back to faithAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Story04:00 – Serving vs. Fighting: Faith and the Culture War06:45 – Why Culture Is More Open to Spiritual Conversations09:20 – Is Wake Up Dead Man the Best Knives Out Movie?12:10 – Is Rian Johnson Done With Faith?13:10 – Christianity vs. Church Culture20:15 – RELEVANT Buzz22:00 – Forrest Frank Breaks Into Google’s “Hum to Search” List26:30 – Theo Von and Morgan Wallen’s Bible Study Revealed32:00 – Rian Johnson on Growing Up Evangelical34:00 – “Arms Wide Open vs. Fists Up” Faith Explained39:00 — SLICES39:20 – New Research Says Adolescence Lasts Until Age 3245:15 – AI Reality TV Is Here (Unfortunately)47:30 – Christmas Movie Bracket ChallengeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy