The RELEVANT Podcast

This week we talk to pop-folk singer/songwriter Regina Spektor. She tells us about her latest album, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, and what it was like growing up in Russia. Author Jonathan Merritt also joins us to talk about "10 Things That Defined the Last Decade" (which he wrote about in the current issue of RELEVANT). Plus, a pastor encounters a ninja, Jesse tries to wrap his head around modern art, and we discover a real-life mermaid. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to Leigh Nash of legendary pop/rock band Sixpence None The Richer. After a breakup in 2004, the band is back with a new full-length album called Lost In Transition. We also talk to international evangelist Luis Palau about his friendship with someone who's been in the news recently, Pope Francis. Plus, Cameron's White House robe, Tyler's cephalophobia and a Wal-mart deer hunt. Of course. A big thanks to our sponsor, The Bible Series, an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from Scripture for a whole new generation. Own The Bible On Blu-ray & DVD April 2! For more information, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

Today (March 22) is World Water Day, so on this week's show we talk to Charity: Water founder and CEO Scott Harrison. Scott is doing some significant things to fight the world water crisis, and he gives us some practical steps to engage the issue and help bring relief. We also introduce you to a great new indie/folk band, Mount Moriah. Plus, Jesse returns as an "older, wiser and more-mature" dad (not really), Cameron recounts his best birthday ever and the crew debates the awesomeness of going to space. A big thanks to our sponsor, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to one of our favorite artists, Jon Foreman. You might recognize him from a couple of different bands, Fiction Family and Switchfoot. Well Fiction Family has some great new music out so we decided to talk to Jon and get the scoop on the band's new album, Fiction Family Reunion. We also talk to Kay Warren (wife of Rick Warren) about her HIV and AIDS Initiative. She's doing some significant things so you'll definitely want to check this out. And of course, we get the play-by-play of Cameron's altercation with Dwight Howard during last week's Magic/Lakers game in Orlando. Dwight may have won the game, but we're pretty sure Cameron won the night.  A big thanks to our sponsor, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to author and pastor (not to mention Justin Bieber buddy) Judah Smith. He has a new book out called Jesus Is ___, and it's one of the most talked-about books this year. We also spotlight singer/songwriter, Sandra McCracken. She's performed on the podcast before (with her husband, Derek Webb), but this week we talk to her about her new album, Desire Like Dynamite. Other "highlights" include Jesse's preparations for having a baby, stopping a Dunkin Donuts drive-through mugger and compelling infomercials. A big thanks to the sponsor of this week's show, Warby Parker. Warby offers an easy way to buy fashion-forward prescription glasses and sunglasses online for only $95—and as part of our partnership, they're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners free expedited 2-day shipping on your purchase! To get your free in-home try-on and the shipping discount, visit WarbyParker.com and enter the promo code "RELEVANT" during your final check-out. Listen for more info on the show. We love Warby. Download the podcast MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to Joel Houston of Hillsong United about the band's new album, Zion. The album debuted at #1 on the iTunes charts this past week, so if you haven't picked it up yet, you definitely need to get on your game! We also bring in our editors to take a look inside the very special 10-year anniversary issue of RELEVANT. The issue features Tony Hale of Arrested Development and Veep, along with numerous others like The Lumineers, Rick Warren, Mark Burnett & Roma Downey, Michael Gungor and Jon Foreman. Oh, and we listen to some singing goats, so you also have that to look forward to! A big thanks to our sponsor, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to one of 2012's true break-out bands, The Lumineers. They played at The Grammys (and were nominated for two awards), have a newly minted platinum record and are in the new issue of RELEVANT. Yeah, they're kind of a big deal. Also in the show, break out the formalwear because it's time to walk the red carpet and find out who takes home the year's most coveted "award" celebrating non-celebrity reality TV shows —an Oskarz.biz trophy. We actually don't have any trophies to give the winners, but we do have Jon Acuff, who serves as this year's Master of Ceremonies. It's a segment you won't want to miss. A big thanks to the sponsor of this week's show, Warby Parker. Warby offers an easy way to buy fashion-forward prescription glasses and sunglasses online for only $95! As part of our partnership, they're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners free expedited 2-day shipping on your purchase! To get your free in-home try-on and the shipping discount, visit WarbyParker.com and enter the promo code "RELEVANT" during your final check-out. Listen for more info on the show. We love Warby. Download the podcast MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week, The City Harmonic stops by our studio to perform a few of its best songs. You'll hear two of the songs on the actual episode, but you can watch videos of all three performances below and over at our YouTube channel. And it's the moment you've all been waiting for (or at least a handful of you): The 3rd Annual Oskarz.biz Nomination Ceremony. Jesse unveils all the categories and nominees, but it's up to you to go vote for your favorites. We'll announce the winners on next week's show. Plus, Cameron goes on a political rant, we create a new "Dance Party" and we read your best Apple feedback. A big thanks to the sponsor of Jesse's line, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to one of our favorite indie-rock bands, Local Natives. The L.A. band has just released its second album, Hummingbird, and it's one you need to check out. We also talk to musician and actress Caitlin Crosby about her organization, "The Giving Keys," aimed at getting people out of homelessness through the power of recycled keys. Plus, Cameron scares the neighborhood hoodlums, we unpack the future of 3-D printers and then dissect the quality of your mixtapes. A big thanks to the sponsor of Jesse's line, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we introduce you to a fresh voice in the hop-hop world, outspoken M.C. Propaganda. Prop brings an uncompromising message mixed with some sick beats, and yes, we're big fans. We also talk to author (and former pastor of Mars Hill) Shane Hipps about his new book and thoughts on Christianity and religion. We round out the episode with some discussion about Mark Driscoll's controversial political tweet (and Shaun King's equally divisive reply), Cameron's first mixtape to Maya, and our favorite David Caruso one-liners (you guys killed it this week). Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we introduce you to THE band to know in 2013: The Lone Bellow. The trio makes self-described "Brooklyn country music" and has just released their emotionally captivating self-titled debut (that cracked the top 15 on iTunes). We also talk to Eugene Cho, pastor of Quest Church and founder of One Day's Wages, a movement seeking to alleviate extreme global poverty. Also, we deal with Lance Armstrong, drop some David Caruso wisdom, and do our best to implement your suggestions for making the show more enjoyable. Oh, and don't miss our favorite listener-submitted Yolo/Bolo pictures below! A big thanks to the sponsor of Jesse's line, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or add our RSS feed to any other podcast aggregator.

This week we talk to the one and only Ben Folds of legendary rock band Ben Folds Five. After an 11-year hiatus, the band is back with a great new record and perspective on music and touring. Also, our longtime British podcast correspondent, Lloyd Kinsley, joins us in-studio for a game of royal proportion. And if that wasn't enough, we get another listener on the phone, break down Arnold Schwarzenegger's career options and develop a new marketing tagline for bolo ties. Download the show MP3 here, or subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or any other podcast aggregator.

This week, one of our favorite new bands, Sugar & the Hi Lows, comes by and performs live in our studio. Last year saw the band release its self-titled debut as well as a Christmas EP, and if you're into new music with an old sound, you will love Sugar & The Hi Lows. Also this week, we bring in our editors to talk about the brand new issue of RELEVANT, featuring a compelling look at the epidemic of suicide, the return of Five Iron Frenzy and a recap of the year of the Christian athlete. Plus, we get a couple of listeners on the phone to talk about their podcast-inspired YouTube song, "The Ukulele and the Slide Whistle." A big thanks to the sponsor of Jesse's line, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, or subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or any other podcast aggregator.

This week we bring you some of our favorite podcast moments from 2012! It's a special episode showcasing the year's best interviews and live performances, featuring John Tesh, Lecrae, Rick Warren, Gungor, Bob Goff, Feist and many others. And of course, it wouldn't be a best-of podcast without a compilation of wisdom nuggets from the one and only Jesse Carey! From all of us here, thanks for listening and making 2012 such a great year. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday and we'll see you back in two weeks to kick of 2013! Download the show MP3 here, or subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or any other podcast aggregator.

On this week's podcast, one of our longtime favorite bands, Lovedrug, stops by the studio to perform a couple of songs from their latest album, Wild Blood. Be sure to check out the videos of their performance below. Plus, the legendary duo of Jesse Carey and Adam Smith joins us IN STUDIO for the entire podcast! This might be the equivalent of a white-elephant gift to some of you, and to others, the greatest gift you've ever received. Whatever it is, it's almost 2 hours long and a whole lot of fun, so sit back and enjoy! A big thanks to the sponsor of Jesse's line, Audible.com, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet. They're giving all RELEVANT Podcast listeners a free audiobook! To get yours, click here. Download the show MP3 here, or subscribe to the RELEVANT Podcast via iTunes or any other podcast aggregator.