The RELEVANT Podcast

This week we talk to actor Michael K. Williams about his role in shows like The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, and we also get him to open up about his life outside of acting and what he hopes his legacy will be. We also bring back an old podcaster from Australia, introduce a new segment and officially debut our first video podcast extract (bonus: we’re releasing 3 of them today!).

This week we talk to Christine Caine about her new book, “Unstoppable.” Plus, we spotlight the band From Indian Lakes, introduce a new segment, discover a creative - yet harmless - way to get back at your enemies, and hear the most disturbing snake story ever.

This week we talk to journalist and bestselling author Philip Yancey about his new book, Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News?. Plus, we go inside the new issue of RELEVANT (featuring Michael K. Williams, Jeff Bridges, Alt-J, Jesus Culture and more), discover some interesting facts about one of our cast members and learn the meaning of last year’s forgotten words.

Bring in the New Year with the entire podcast crew as we all come together in our brand new studio for one of the most fun (and chaotic) episodes we’ve ever recorded. While this is unlike typical episodes (you’ll notice the absence of a featured guest), we wanted to start 2015 off in style. So grab your favorite beverage, throw a log on the fire, jump in the car for a long drive and enjoy listening to what happens when all 7 podcasters find themselves under the same roof. Spoiler alert: prepare to laugh. A lot.

This week we bring you our favorite interviews and performances from this past year. Interview guests include Carl Lentz, NT Wright, Pete Holmes, Propaganda, the guys from Radiolab and Scott Harrison. And in-studio performance guests include Brady Toops, Ellie Holcomb, Jon Guerra, Gungor, John Mark McMillan and Us and Our Daughters. We also have two special treats for you at the end of the episode, so make sure you listen through to the end! It's been a great year for the podcast and we're so thankful for our family of listeners who download these episodes every week, interact with us on Twitter, send us fan mail (and incredible amounts of candy) and call in to participate in various games and other fun segments. We'll be off next week, but come the first week in January, we're back with the full cast, together under one roof in our new studio! We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and we'll talk to you again after the New Year.

This week we talk to LA rapper, Propaganda. Prop has been a vocal advocate for racial reconciliation, especially in light of the events in Ferguson and NYC, and he shares some important things we all need to hear. We also recount some of our favorite podcast moments from the past year, Chad gets a visit from the fire marshal, Jesse gets “eaten alive” and we learn about a monkey running wild through Tampa...again.

This week we talk to author and speaker, Louie Giglio, about his new book, Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope. We also critique the world’s most famous Christmas song (it’s not what you think), discuss some unnecessary tech advancements, start planning our podcast Christmas party and share our heavy-hearted thoughts about Ferguson.

This week we introduce you to R&B/Hip-Hop artist, Swoope, and spotlight his fantastic new album, Sinema. We also talk to Kohl Crecelius of Krochet Kids about the work they’re doing to create sustainable change and empowerment through the production of their items. Looking for Christmas gift ideas? Check them out! Plus, we bring you an update from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Jesse airs a grievance and we catch you up on some interesting new Kickstarter campaigns.

This week we spotlight the pop/rock band, Neon Trees, and talk with them about their fun, catchy new album, “Pop Psychology.” Plus we talk to author Eric Metaxas about his new book, “Miracles,” provide you with some Black Friday survival tips, share with you our Christmas list, discover the purpose of the cumberbun and create new ways to call someone “large and in charge.”

This week we talk to pastor, activist and author Eugene Cho about his new book, “Overrated.” If you want to change the world but don’t know where to start, you need to hear what Eugene has to say. Plus, Jon Guerra stops by our studio to play a couple of songs from his new EP, Shauna gives us her Thanksgiving tips and Jesse wrestles with the idea of being eaten alive by an anaconda.

This week we talk to Trip Lee about his new hip-hop album, “Rise.” (Haven’t heard it yet? Check out this free 4-song sampler on The Drop). Plus, we fill you in on our Nik Wallenda weekend plans, recap some great racquetball moments, introduce a new segment and respond to your Rob Bell comments from last week.

This week we talk to husband and wife duo, Rob & Kristen Bell. The popular (and sometimes controversial) author and his wife have written a new book on marriage called “The Zimzum of Love,” and they have a lot of good advice for our listeners. We also spotlight one of our favorite new indie bands, Colony House, catch you up on the week’s news and entertainment and meet an interesting new podcast character, Jesse’s neighbor.

This week we talk to one of the most prolific songwriters and worship leaders of our day, Chris Tomlin. Of course we talk to him about his upcoming album, but you won’t believe some of the OTHER questions we ask him! We also talk to author and theologian, Peter Enns about his new book, “The Bible Tells Me So,” and we relive some classic church lock-in memories.

On a very special episode of this podcast, we spotlight what’s new and good in the worlds of music and film, as we feature an interview with one of our favorite new bands, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and an interview with Will Bakke, Director and co-writer of the hilarious new film, Believe Me. Unfortunately, we also spend time talking about some not-so-great filmmaking, as we give you our recap of the legendary Nic Cage’s disastrous film reboot of Left Behind. We laughed. We cried. Sometimes at the same time. But we went and saw the movie so you wouldn’t have to, and you can thank us for that both now and later!

On this week's podcast we talk to one of the most creative rock n’ roll bands in the world, OK Go. There’s no doubt you’ve seen one of their ridiculous music videos, and this week we give you the chance to hear from the band on what makes them tick. We also get one of our Canadian listeners on the phone to play a TV-themed game, debate the new U2 album and much more.