Abuse. Molestation. Same-sex attraction. Mental health crises. What if our hardest questions, secret struggles, and biggest doubts aren’t meant to stay secrets but can lead us closer to God’s heart? Brenna Blain is a contemporary theologian and the author of “Can I Say That?” She joins Patrick on the pod today to share her own journey of wrestling …

As the dust begins to settle one month after the 2024 election, many have started to analyze what Donald Trump’s decisive victory says about the current state of the country. Today, Patrick and Keith are teaming up to break down a few of their favorite takes on it all, namely a piece from Ross Douthat of The New York Times. They discuss the resurge…

“Backslider.” A catch-all too often used to describe those within the faith who ask hard questions. But why doesn’t the church have a more positive category for its members who begin to question their faith? Is the solution really to just come up with the right answers and shut them down? Or is there something deeper happening? Today’s podcast gues…

For many Christians, fitting into the current cultural moment just feels…hard! From 40 million people having left the church in the last 25 years to less than half of U.S. adults identifying as Protestants or church attendees, one thing is clear: Christians are outsiders. But is that such a bad thing? Should we fear missing out, or consider it a jo…

In what might be the biggest comeback in American politics, Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States this week, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in a decisive victory. On today’s episode, we’re doing our best to break it down from a Christian perspective. First, Keith and Patrick share who they voted for, and whether o…

We’ve all heard the stats: Anxiety, depression, and loneliness are on the rise. Yet, therapies, medications, and other techniques for alleviating mental afflictions abound. What are we missing? Alan Noble, author of “On Getting Out of Bed,” joins us today to first normalize mental anguish as an everyday experience for the majority of people. His bo…

Sensational worship, but lacking in theological depth. Unnecessary titles. Too much politics in the pulpit. There are many misconceptions about the black church, and today’s guest is here to address them. Dr. Anthony Bradley is an author, a Professor of Religious Studies, and a Research Fellow at the Acton Institute. He joins Keith to set the recor…

Which came first: your political beliefs or the Bible’s stance on political issues? Too often, many Christians start with a political position and then go to the Bible seeking justification for their predetermined beliefs. But how can we truly know what the Bible says on specific political issues? And how involved should Christians be when it comes…

We’re officially less than a month out from Election Day 2024. In the last several weeks, we’ve had a number of Christians reach out asking a variety of questions: “Can I really support Donald Trump?” “Should I vote for Kamala Harris?” “Should I just vote for a third party, or is that throwing away my vote altogether?” We’ve been asking ourselves t…

How can we glorify God and bless others when we’re stretched to capacity? Are we really supposed to change the world when there’s work to be done, the house needs cleaning, and the kids are screaming? Today’s guest, Drew Dyck, is here to let us all in on a little secret: God doesn’t expect you to do everything! He wants you to be faithful, not famo…

Follower of Jesus. Leading scientist. Is it possible for those to describe the same person? Dr. Francis Collins joins us today to prove that he’s both. As the former director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Collins is a polarizing figure inside and outside the church. He starts by explaining how he approaches apparent conflicts between sc…

Everybody’s (still) talking about anxiety. We now know more about it, we’re more medicated for it, but it seems to be getting worse. Is there something about anxiety that we’re all missing? Steve Cuss, author, pastor, podcaster, and former chaplain, talks about anxiety in a way that few do. Today, he’s here to share some anxiety “secrets” from his …

Where were you on the morning of September 11, 2001? If you were old enough, you likely remember that day in great detail. Today, on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Keith and Patrick are sharing their own memories from that day, recounting the facts of this tragic event, and reflecting on how much the world has changed…

It’s finally football season! We’re kicking it off by sitting down with Mizzou head football coach, Eliah Drinkwitz. (M-I-Z, anyone?) Keith and Coach Drinkwitz start by tackling some deep questions about his success, whether or not he believes it’s the product of hard work or luck, and how he’s able to stay humble. He shares his story: how he grew …

Stuck. That’s how many conservative, evangelical Christians feel when election season comes around. Does anybody really want to be on “Team Lesser Evil” anyway? Is there another way to vote? Today, Nancy French, New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and author of “Ghosted,” joins Keith to share her story and offer advice for conservative Christian…

In recent years, there’s been a definitive uptick in tribalism, extremism, and extremist violence. But is the same true inside the church itself? Former counterterrorism official, Elizabeth Neumann, is back on the pod today to provide a fascinating look into the process of radicalization that has crept into evangelicalism. She starts by discussing …

“If today’s church were more like the early church, we wouldn’t have all of these problems.” Ever heard people talk like this? Many Christians today assume that the earliest Christ followers were zealous converts who were much more devoted to their faith than typical, modern-day church-goers. But today’s guest, Nadya Williams, is here to explain ho…

Are healthy disagreements even possible in today’s culture? John Inazu, author of “Learning to Disagree,” joins Patrick on the pod this week to share how his life experiences as a lawyer and religion professor have helped him learn to disagree well. He gives examples of some of the worst disagreements he’s seen, explains why the idea of fairness is…

Most Christians agree that they must be culturally engaged. But there’s less agreement on how affecting cultural change is best accomplished. Which approach do you take? Maybe you’re like an advisor who wants to make gradual strides from the top down. Or maybe you’re more like a prophet who isn’t afraid to call out injustice and demand immediate ch…

If you watched the Republican National Convention, you noticed several things that seemed… out of place. A Hindu prayer. Hulk Hogan. And a platform that’s strayed from conventional conservative values, including traditional marriage and the sanctity of life. It’s clear: The “new” Republican party is here. And its “Trumpublican” values seem to have …

On July 13, 2024, former President Donald Trump was almost assassinated at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. While it’s not our place to weigh in on many aspects of this horrific attack, we do want to focus on the church: How should Christians respond? On today’s episode, Keith and Patrick issue a call for Christians to think carefully and clearly, …

Life is hard. God is good. Let’s dance. That’s the mantra (and the book title) of today’s podcast guest, Brant Hansen. Brant is an award-winning author and radio show host whose life provides a tangible example of the joy often missing in Christianity today. But his joy doesn’t stem from ignorance or a life free of trauma. Hear him explain to Keith…

According to recent polls, 70%+ of Americans don’t want Donald Trump or Joe Biden running for President. So, how did we get here? This week, Keith and Patrick join up to discuss golf handicaps--uhh, wait, we mean the first Presidential debate of 2024. They dissect the ways that TV and social media have changed how we judge debates and made them far…

When you hear about someone in prison, what typically goes through your head? Maybe it’s, “Good, I’m sure they deserve it,” or maybe it’s more, “What if they’re unfairly there?” Or, maybe you make no assumptions at all. Which is the correct Christian perspective on criminal justice? That’s what we’re discussing today when Matt Martens joins Patrick…

Fewer Americans are getting married today than ever in our nation’s history. But why? And is it really that big of a deal? Today, Keith sits down with Brad Wilcox, Professor of Sociology and author of “Get Married,” to learn why society should care about preserving our country’s most fundamental institution. Brad shares some of the reasons that peo…

Is it appropriate to talk politics from the pulpit? Today, Keith sits down with pastor and author Chris Butler to discuss. Chris pastors a church in Chicago, cohosts the Church Politics podcast, and is a leader in the AND Campaign, which empowers Christians to practice politics faithfully. Hear Chris detail the differences between black and white c…

The 2024 election is fast approaching and many Christians are still left wondering whose policies best represent the Bible’s teachings. Today, we’re talking to theologian and author of “The Bible and the Ballot,” Tremper Longman, to learn how Christians can vote in a way that best reflects biblical values. First, Tremper tells us why he decided to …

Thankless. Exhausting. Lonely. That’s how many Millennial women view the prospect of motherhood. And the statistics bear this out: The global fertility rate is steadily dropping. So, how did we get here? Today, Keith is joined by Vox senior reporter, Rachel Cohen, to discuss. Hear Rachel share insights from her recent article, “How Millennials Lear…

How does a liberal living in one of the deepest blue counties in the country converse with her conservative, Mexican immigrant parents who voted for Donald Trump twice? We find out today when Monica Guzman joins us on the pod! Monica is on the national leadership team of Braver Angels, a “depolarization organization” designed to reduce partisan ani…

If you grew up in the U.S., you’ve probably believed (and maybe you still do!) that advantage should be earned through ability and effort. You get ahead in this world based on your accomplishments. Right? Well, not so fast. What if this foundational American axiom is all a myth? Daniel Markovits, a professor at Yale and author of “The Meritocracy T…

If your faith was affected by the Left Behind series, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Not really, but can we talk about how many Americans have been impacted by the teachings of dispensationalism? That’s what happens today when Daniel Hummel, author of “The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism,” joins Keith on the pod! First, Daniel br…

What’s happening to Gen Z? Since 2010, this generation has seen a 150% increase in depression. One in four teen girls reports experiencing a major depressive disorder in the last year. 37% of college students report feeling anxious “all the time.” New research shows that social media is no longer just a correlation to this problem, but the root cau…

There’s no doubt that abortion will take center stage in this year’s election. From Roe v. Wade’s overturning to IVF controversies to Trump’s recent abortion stance to surprising state laws surrounding the issue, abortion is all over the news right now and Josh Brahm joins us this week to discuss. But he’s not the stereotypical pro-lifer. In fact, …

Have you ever wished you could get inside the head of a Christian going through a deconstruction journey? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re joined by Abigail Favale, a Professor of Women’s Studies and author of “Into the Deep: An Unlikely Catholic Conversion,” to hear how she went from an evangelical upbringing to postmodern femini…

Did you know that 40% of American children are born to unmarried parents? Contrast that with the 1960s when this overall rate was less than 10%. So, why such a dramatic increase? And what impact is this having on our society? Melissa Kearney, author of the controversial book, “The Two-Parent Privilege,” joins the podcast today to weigh in. Listen a…

Donald Trump. Christ is King. Candace Owens. Antisemitism. Buckle up! On this episode, we’re examining all sorts of current events to prove that commingling politics and faith compromises the Church’s witness. First, Keith and Patrick discuss the Trump-endorsed “God Bless the USA” Bible and how this mashup conflates our citizenship in heaven with o…

Sports used to unify us. But today? Politics has checked into the game. And in many ways, introducing controversial topics into the sports world has benched more frequent conversations surrounding faith. Today’s guest, Jason Romano, knows a thing or two about this after working for 17 years as a content creator and producer at ESPN. He joins Keith …

The Gospel is more political than you may think. But how do we guard against our political ideologies turning into partisan idolatry? Today’s guest, Joshua Butler, joins Patrick to discuss further insights from his recent book, The Party Crasher: How Jesus Disrupts Politics as Usual and Redeems Our Partisan Divide. Hear him introduce four political…

Pledging allegiance to the American flag. Singing the national anthem. Voting. Being patriotic. Is there a place for these things in the Christian life? Buckle up because this one will probably offend everyone in some way (including Patrick!). In this episode, we welcome Preston Sprinkle back on the podcast to discuss his newest book, “Exiles: The …

Have you noticed this trend? People spend about 90% of their time diagnosing today’s problems and only 10% focusing on (typically weak) solutions. This is true of Christians, too. Why are we more known for what we’re against rather than what we’re for? Today, Keith and Patrick dissect this trend and confess how this podcast has even taken part. The…

Do you view your faith through the prism of politics? Or do you view politics through the prism of your faith? Today’s guest, Tim Alberta, believes that too many American evangelicals have lost their way, striving for political gains over furthering the Gospel. On this episode, he shares insights with Keith from his latest book, The Kingdom, The Po…

Keith Simon and Russell Moore discusses the shift in the pro-life movement, the challenges of the post-Christian right, controversy and change in his own life, the fracturing in the church, the loss of trust in the church, the importance of repentance and a credible Christian voice, the perception of Christian nationalism in politics, and the issue…

Incentives motivate human behavior. Incentives can be external or internal. The Bible uses incentives to encourage obedience to God. Incentives are everywhere and shape decisions in many areas of life. While incentives can solve problems, they sometimes have unintended effects or corrupt motivations. God offers incentives for those who love him lik…

In this conversation, Keith Simon interviews Julie Slattery, the president of Authentic Intimacy, about navigating issues of sexuality and faith. They discuss the silence and polarity around sexuality in both culture and the church, the spiritual aspect of sex, the differences between sex inside and outside of marriage, and the misconceptions surro…

In this conversation, Nicholas Kristof discusses his experiences in dangerous situations, his views on religion and faith, and the importance of respecting different perspectives. He explores the decline of Christianity's cultural influence, the dangers of echo chambers, and the impact of economic factors on communities. Kristof also addresses the …

In this conversation, Patrick and Justin Whitmel Earley explore the role of discipleship and healthy spiritual practices in addressing problems and shaping personal and family life. It emphasizes the importance of forming habits to overcome fear and irritability in parenting and highlights the influence of parents' habits on their children. The imp…

Patrick and Keith discuss the ongoing debate between evangelicals on how to engage politics and culture. Should Christian punch right and coddle left? Should Christians have No Enemies To The Right? Or is there a different and more faithful way of engaging with politics as a Christian? They make observations on the arguments and explore how Christi…

Philip Yancey's story is a compelling journey of faith, doubt, and grace. Raised in a toxic, fundamentalist church, he grew disillusioned, seeing God misrepresented. His faith hung on by a thread in college, where he became a campus rebel, a heretic in the eyes of many. But Yancey didn't abandon his faith; instead, he deconstructed it to rebuild so…

End Times, the mark of the beast, and the Antichrist. Oh, my! Were these your takeaways from reading Revelation? You’re not alone! Today’s guest, Scot McKnight, author of Revelation for the Rest of Us, also grew up viewing this book as a prediction of End Times events. But what’s wrong with reading Revelation as a predictive prophecy? What’s the re…

A city on a hill. The light of the world. The hope of nations. Are these about Jesus or America? These ideas might come from the Bible, but politicians love to apply them to our country. Why? And is there a problem with doing that? Today, Patrick speaks with Kaitlyn Scheiss, author of The Bible and the Ballot: How Scripture Has Been Used And Abused…