The RELEVANT Podcast

RELEVANT Magazine

Since 2005, the show from RELEVANT magazine covering faith, culture and everything in-between! Every Tuesday, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor, Emily Brown and Marty bring buzzworthy news for thought-provoking and hilarious conversations!

  1. Episode 1302: Brooke Ligertwood, the Two Kinds of Churches Actually Growing & What Drake Says About the State of Music

    8 HR AGO

    Episode 1302: Brooke Ligertwood, the Two Kinds of Churches Actually Growing & What Drake Says About the State of Music

    This week, we talk to Brooke Ligertwood about her new album ‘Eat,’ which is unlike anything she's put out before.  In RELEVANT Buzz, we break down new data that highlights where the Church has actually been growing over the last decade — and where it hasn’t. We also tell the story of the e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder who gave away his fortune and is becoming a priest. Plus we have a look at the new Moses limited series on Prime Video starring Sir Ben Kingsley. (It’s impressive.) In Slices, Jesse has some thoughts about kamikaze dolphins, and the cast of course opens the show with thoughts on the new Drake albums, which leads to a fascinating conversation about what’s been wrong with the music industry and our thoughts on where things are going.  This week’s Question of the Week is based on the ‘Thief In the Night’ post we had this week: What's a movie or show you watched way too young that you now realize was completely inappropriate (and your parents probably had no idea)? Drop your answer in the comments on YouTube or reply on our Stories on social — we're reading our favorites on next week's episode. Highlights: 00:00 — Intro / Drake drops three albums and burns down his Universal deal 20:43 — RELEVANT Buzz: Elf Cosmetics founder becomes a Catholic priest 24:11 — RELEVANT Buzz: The only churches actually growing (Pew data) 34:02 — RELEVANT Buzz: Moses limited series on Prime Video 37:43 — RELEVANT Recommends: Brooke Ligertwood, Eat 45:00 — Slices: Kamikaze dolphins and the beluga whale that defected 47:45 — Editorial Question of the Week 50:55 — Outro Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    51 min
  2. Episode 1301: Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes + Christian UFO Expert Timothy Alberino

    12 MAY

    Episode 1301: Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes + Christian UFO Expert Timothy Alberino

    Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes joins the show to talk about her new special "Ugly Baby" and how a joke-writing class at her church kicked off her stand-up career. Then Christian UFO researcher Timothy Alberino comes on to make sense of the Pentagon's newly declassified UFO files. The cast walks through why aliens, demons and military tech are three different conversations most people are lumping into one, where the Nephilim theory in Genesis 6 fits in and why none of this should rattle anyone's theology. Alberino's book "Birthright" is worth a read if this rabbit hole calls to you. In RELEVANT Buzz, we also break down the American Idol finale, where all three finalists this season (Jordan McCullough, Hannah Harper and Keyla Richardson) are outspoken Christians. Plus comedian Jay Pharoah's conversation with Tamron Hall about the insane experience he had while committing to read through the Bible last year. In Slices, Derek tells us about a black bear in Gatlinburg that clawed its way into a bakery for some cinnamon rolls, and Jesse tells us about a CPR instructor that went into cardiac arrest and was saved by the students he was teaching CPR to. "One Has to Go" closes things out with 2000s R&B, sequels better than the original, phone-era nostalgia, all-time athletes. Then it's the debut of the Editorial Question of the Week: Is it OK to turn down a friend's wedding party invitation just because you know it's going to be expensive? Drop your answer in the comments or @ us — we'll read our favorites on next week's episode. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    59 min
  3. Episode 1298: Comedian Derrick Stroup, Charlie Puth's Gospel Moment & RAYE's Faith Turn

    21 APR

    Episode 1298: Comedian Derrick Stroup, Charlie Puth's Gospel Moment & RAYE's Faith Turn

    The week, we’re joined by one of the funniest comedians going right now — Derrick Stroup, who has a fantastic new special on Netflix. He tells us how he got his start in comedy and why keeping things clean is an intentional choice. In RELEVANT Buzz, we dive into a new Gallup study that reveals 50% more young men say religion is very important to them than did just a few years ago. There’s a lot to unpack — including why young women are going the opposite direction. We then share a clip that went viral this week of Charlie Puth breaking down his favorite gospel song and why he “loves everything Church.” Then we check out RAYE’s incredible new single “Joy,” and her faith-filled album, ‘This Music May Contain Hope.’  In Slices, a guy in California got caught running a nationwide LEGO scam that you won’t believe. And a 91-year-old Ohio grandma ignored her wellness checks because … she was locked in on a video game. Then Would You Rather closes it out: Horse-sized ducks, finger guns, a raccoon with a grudge. Highlights: 04:38 — RELEVANT Buzz: 42% of young men say their faith is very important  09:03 — Charlie Puth's gospel moment on the Terrell Show  17:51 — RAYE's new album and her faith story  29:59 — RELEVANT Recommends: Derrick Stroup on his Netflix special "Nostalgic" 38:05 — Slices: The Lego pasta heist  42:44 — Slices: 91-year-old grandma blows off her wellness check to keep gaming 45:05 — Would You Rather Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    51 min
  4. Episode 1297: Aodhan King & Benjamin William Hastings Made a Worship Album in 10 Days, Plus Lecrae and M.I.A.

    16 APR

    Episode 1297: Aodhan King & Benjamin William Hastings Made a Worship Album in 10 Days, Plus Lecrae and M.I.A.

    This week, we sit down with former Hillsong-ers Aodhan King and Benjamin William Hastings, who just announced a joint worship album dropping next month. They tell us about it — and also tell the unhinged story of how they met 15 years ago. (Lesson: Need pants? You might meet a new friend.) In RELEVANT Buzz, this week Lecrae became the first Christian rapper on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts (apologies to Marla) and we tell you about M.I.A.'s new faith-rooted album inspired by the Book of Revelation and the Ark of the Covenant. (Yes, we play *that* Indiana Jones scene.) In Slices, the heroic Artemis crew had a very relatable problem during the mission, and a chimp clan in Uganda is apparently in a full civil war. "One Has to Go" hits youth group bands, cereals, comedy movies, Disney Channel shows, sports movies, reality TV and worship era anthems. Jesse was sweating at one point. Highlights: 00:00 — Intro / Magic game recap, documentary tangents  16:27 — RELEVANT Buzz: Lecrae's Tiny Desk debut  21:37 — M.I.A. announces MI7  31:42 — Benjamin William Hastings & Aodhan King  39:45 — Slices: Artemis & Microsoft Outlook in space  43:25 — Chimp clan civil war  47:00 — One Has to Go: Youth group icons / Cereals / Comedy movies / Disney Channel shows / Sports movies / Christian music / Worship anthems / Bible figures Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    59 min
  5. Episode 1296: Madison Ryann Ward, American Idol Goes Full Worship & DC3's Historic Win

    7 APR

    Episode 1296: Madison Ryann Ward, American Idol Goes Full Worship & DC3's Historic Win

    This week, Cameron, Derek, Emily and Marty cover a ton: American Idol's Songs of Faith Night, which was way more Jesus-heavy this year than last, British Christian rapper DC3 making MOBO Awards history, and the story of Forrest Frank's new indie band having to ditch their name days before releasing their debut album. In RELEVANT Recommends, we talk to Madison Ryann Ward — an amazing, soulful singer (and former D1 volleyball player) who walked away from Rick Rubin's label after rededicating her life to Christ, and is now showing up everywhere and absolutely thriving.  In Slices, we cover a guy who’s selling a compass that only points to the Olive Garden in Times Square, and the story of 12 tons of stolen Kit Kat bars giving some pretty great April Fool's fodder. At the end of the episode, we have a great edition of One Has to Go! Highlights: 00:00 — Intro / Derek Minor's new single "Up"  07:35 — RELEVANT Buzz: American Idol Songs of Faith Night  15:00 — RELEVANT Buzz: DC3 wins two MOBO Awards  17:30 — RELEVANT Buzz: Forrest Frank's new band  24:50 — RELEVANT Recommends: Madison Ryann Ward  33:00 — Slices: Compass pointing to the Olive Garden in Times Square  35:15 — Slices: Someone stole 12 tons of Kit Kat bars  38:30 — One Has to Go: Holidays / Florida animals / Blockbuster night / MTV cartoons / Sports video games  49:00 — Outro Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    50 min
  6. Indie Tribe, Colbert's LotR Movie, Alabama's Faith & SNL's Christian Rap Connection | Ep. 1295

    31 MAR

    Indie Tribe, Colbert's LotR Movie, Alabama's Faith & SNL's Christian Rap Connection | Ep. 1295

    Cameron, Jesse, Derek and Emily are all back together for a packed episode. In RELEVANT Recommends, we highlight Indie Tribe's new album, Who Do You Say I Am? and caught up with the guys at SXSW to talk about the making of the project and what it says about who they are as a group. In RELEVANT Buzz: Alabama's basketball team has been quietly building a faith culture all season that's worth knowing about. Then, as Stephen Colbert is wrapping up the Late Show, his next move is pretty unexpected: writing a Lord of the Rings movie with Peter Jackson. And then we highlight an unexpected connection between SNL's newest cast member and Orlando-based Christian rapper Caleb Gordon. For real. Plus we cover NCAA tournament drama, late night legends ranked, and the high school celebrity alumni rabbit hole (yes, DJ Khaled, Joey Fatone and Wayne Brady went to school together). In Slices: googly eyes are scientifically proven to deter seagulls (and lions), and the world record Big Mac guy has opinions on the Big Arch. And at the end of the show it's One Has to Go: pop icons, board games, classic Comedy Central, sneaker culture and more. We said it was packed. 0:00 — Intro / Derek's back, everybody's been sick 4:00 — The podcast economy is in trouble 11:30 — Mike Lindell gets served mid-interview 19:58 — RELEVANT Buzz 20:30 — NCAA Tournament buzzer beater & Dan Hurley headbutts a ref 23:30 — Alabama basketball's faith culture and Bible study movement 25:45 — Stephen Colbert leaving Late Show; late night legends ranked 27:25 — Colbert is co-writing a Lord of the Rings movie (Shadows of the Past) 33:00 — Unexpected celebrity connections: Snoop & Cameron Diaz, Dr. Phillips HS alumni 34:50 — SNL's Cam Patterson and Christian rapper Caleb Gordon went to school together 39:05 — Slices: Googly eyes deter seagulls (and lions in Botswana) 41:35 — Slices: The Big Mac world record holder reviews the Big Arch 44:42 — RELEVANT Recommends: Indie Tribe's Who Do You Say I Am? 47:37 — Derek on writing albums in lockdown camps 53:00 — One Has to Go: pop icons, comedians, board games, sneakers, Nickelodeon, MTV Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    58 min

About

Since 2005, the show from RELEVANT magazine covering faith, culture and everything in-between! Every Tuesday, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor, Emily Brown and Marty bring buzzworthy news for thought-provoking and hilarious conversations!

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