The Pulpit and Porch

Higher Ministries
  • 4.8 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

The Pulpit & Porch is a podcast about real conversations at the intersection of faith, life, and leadership. Hosted by Tony Marr and Robert Kell, we invite you to pull up a chair, grab some sweet tea, and join us on the front porch, where stories are told, wisdom is shared, and no topic is off-limits. Each episode features honest dialogue with guests from all walks of life: entrepreneurs, pastors, artists, coaches, and everyday people making an impact. It’s about purpose. It’s about truth. It’s about learning to lead and live well. Always grounded in the Christian faith. Never stuck in a box.

  1. 2d ago

    Why You No Longer Know What's True w/ Terry Mattingly

    Who decides what becomes news? Why does it feel like half the country is living in a completely different reality than the other half? And what if the greatest influence on your faith isn't your church... but your phone? In this episode of The Pulpit & Porch, Tony Marr sits down with veteran religion journalist Terry Mattingly, founder of GetReligion, creator of Rational Sheep, syndicated columnist, professor, and one of America's foremost voices on journalism and religion. Together, they explore how the modern media landscape has changed, why objective journalism is disappearing, how algorithms quietly shape our beliefs, and why Christians need to become more discerning consumers of media. This conversation goes far beyond politics. It's about attention, discipleship, truth, and learning to recognize the stories that are quietly shaping our lives. Whether you're interested in journalism, culture, media, faith, technology, or simply understanding why our society feels so divided, this is a conversation you won't soon forget. Why journalism has fundamentally changedThe collapse of objective newsHow social media algorithms shape what you believeWhat Terry calls "Religion Ghosts" and why they matterWhy Hollywood tells stories the Church can't ignoreSmartphones and screen cultureThe future of journalismHow Christians can become wiser media consumersWhy truth requires humilityTerry's unforgettable stories interviewing Mother Teresa, Bono, Denzel Washington, and more If this conversation encourages you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who values thoughtful conversations about faith and culture. CONNECT WITH TERRY Rational Sheep: https://tmattingly.substack.com tmatt.net

  2. Aug 11

    Most People Get Grace Completely Wrong w/ David Mullins

    What if you've believed the wrong thing about God's love your entire life? For years, Pastor David Mullins has preached about grace, but in this conversation, he shares why grace isn't something we earn, deserve, or achieve. It's something we spend a lifetime discovering. In this deeply thoughtful episode of The Pulpit & Porch, Tony Marr sits down with David Mullins, Senior Pastor of Colonial Heights Christian Church in Kingsport, Tennessee, to explore the quiet story behind a life in ministry. Together they discuss growing up in rural Indiana, the influence of family, the unexpected death of David's brother Rich Mullins, serving Native American communities, leadership, church transitions, calling, and why so many Christians still struggle to believe they are loved by God. Rather than focusing on ministry accomplishments, this conversation uncovers the deeper story of grace that has shaped David's entire life. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, someone wrestling with faith, or simply wondering if God could really love someone like you, this conversation is for you. In this episode: • Growing up in rural Indiana and the family that shaped David's faith • The influence of his parents, Bruce Montgomery, and Rich Mullins • The professor who told him he would never last in ministry • Following God's calling into Native American ministry • Leadership, church transitions, and difficult decisions • Why grace became the defining message of his life • What David believes breaks God's heart today • The one thing he hopes every person understands about God's love. If this conversation encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Connect with David Mullins Colonial Heights Christian Church Website:https://www.chcckpt.org Watch sermons:https://www.youtube.com/@ColonialHeightsChristianChurch

  3. Aug 4

    He Spent 20 Years in Addiction. What He Found Changed Everything. w/ Jason Frazier

    Jason Frazier spent nearly twenty years chasing something he couldn't quite name. On the surface, it looked like addiction. But underneath the drugs, prison sentences, and broken relationships was something much deeper: a longing to belong. In this powerful conversation, Jason shares the story behind Surrender House Ministries, but more importantly, he shares the story behind the man who built it. From a childhood shaped by sports and ministry... to losing his identity after college... to twenty years trapped in addiction... to a drug-induced psychosis that nearly cost him everything... Jason's journey is ultimately one of redemption, restoration, and discovering that the acceptance he had spent his life searching for had been pursuing him all along. This isn't just a conversation about recovery. It's about identity. Belonging. Grace. And the God who never stopped writing the story. If you've ever wondered whether your worst chapter gets the final word, this episode is for you. Connect with Jason & Surrender House Ministries Websitehttps://www.surrenderhouseministries.com Emailsurrender24@gmail.com

  4. Jul 28

    The Stories That Made the Storyteller w/ Tim Lowry

    Long before Tim Lowry became one of America's most respected storytellers, he was simply a curious young boy discovering the power of stories. In this episode of The Pulpit & Porch Podcast, Tony Marr sits down with Tim Lowry for a conversation that goes far beyond storytelling techniques. Together they explore the experiences, relationships, moments of faith, and life-changing events that shaped the man behind the microphone. From childhood wonder to finding purpose, from calling to legacy, Tim reflects on the journey that ultimately led him to become one of the nation's most beloved storytellers. Along the way, you'll discover that this conversation isn't really about Tim. It's about the stories that shape all of us. If you've ever wondered how your own experiences, struggles, relationships, and moments of faith fit together into a larger story, this episode will encourage you to see your life through a new lens. Topics include: • Tim Lowry's life story • Faith and purpose • Storytelling • Christian leadership • Personal growth • Identity • Calling • Legacy • Discovering meaning in your own story About The Pulpit & Porch Every life tells a story. On The Pulpit & Porch, we sit down with remarkable people to uncover the experiences, struggles, faith, and defining moments that shaped who they became. These aren't just interviews; they're conversations that invite you to discover the deeper story beneath your own.

  5. Jul 21

    The World Cup Isn't Really About Soccer w/ Jono Dorsey

    The World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet, but what if it isn't really about soccer? In this episode of The Pulpit & Porch, Tony Marr is joined by lifelong soccer fan Jono Dorsey for a conversation that goes far beyond goals, brackets, and championships. Together they explore what this year's World Cup revealed about humanity, community, national identity, hospitality, and the universal longing to belong. From small American towns embracing visiting national teams to fans discovering that people are often very different from the stereotypes they've heard, this conversation asks a deeper question: What if sports reveal something true about who we are? Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or someone who's never watched a match, this episode is ultimately about people, not just the beautiful game. Topics include: The global impact of the World CupWhy billions of people careHospitality and communityNational identityShared experiencesThe role of sports in bringing people togetherCan sports change how we see one another? If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves meaningful conversations. #WorldCup #Soccer #TheBeautifulGame #ThePulpitAndPorch #Humanity #Community #Sports #Storytelling #Culture #Podcast

  6. Jul 14

    Stop talking about Gen Z. Start Listening. w/ Ethan Kidwell

    Every generation has its stereotypes. But what if we stopped talking about Gen Z and actually started listening to them? In this episode of The Pulpit & Porch, Tony Marr and Robert Kell sit down with Ethan Kidwell, a college student, construction worker, basketball coach, and one of the funniest storytellers you’ll ever meet, for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to be 19 years old today. From faith and friendships to work, purpose, social media, hilarious life experiences (including Ethan’s unforgettable Temu adventures), and what older generations often misunderstand about young adults, this conversation is thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly encouraging. Whether you’re raising teenagers, mentoring young adults, or simply trying to better understand the next generation, we think you’ll find yourself laughing, learning, and maybe seeing Gen Z in a whole new light. Topics Include: Growing up in today’s cultureFaith as a young adultPurpose and responsibilityWork ethicFunny life storiesBridging the generation gapIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a little more hope for the next generation. #ThePulpitAndPorch #GenZ #EthanKidwell #Faith #Purpose #ChristianPodcast #Leadership #YoungAdults #Storytelling #Mentorship

  7. Jul 7

    The Dark Doesn’t Win w/ Peter Colter

    Every person has a story. Some chapters are filled with joy. Others are marked by pain, addiction, loss, failure, and the difficult road back. In this episode of The Pulpit & Porch, Tony sits down with author and screenwriter Peter Colter for an honest conversation about storytelling, addiction, recovery, faith, and redemption. Peter shares how some of the darkest moments of his life ultimately shaped the stories he tells today, and why the stories we believe about ourselves have the power to either keep us trapped or set us free. Whether you’re a writer, a person of faith, someone in recovery, or simply someone who loves meaningful conversations, this episode will challenge the way you think about your own story. Topics Include:• Addiction and recovery• Faith and redemption• Storytelling and creativity• Horror writing and human nature• Finding hope after brokenness• Why our stories matter If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that no chapter has to be the final chapter. #ThePulpitAndPorch #PeterColter #Storytelling #Faith #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Redemption #ChristianPodcast #Hope #Authors

  8. Jun 30

    The Episode We Never Planned (And Maybe Needed)

    Sometimes the best conversations are the ones you never planned. After both of our scheduled guests unexpectedly had to cancel, Robert and Tony decided to do something we’ve never done before: sit down without an outline, without a script, and simply have a conversation. From hilarious stories and unexpected questions to reflections on friendship, life, faith, and everything in between, this episode reminds us that some of the best moments happen when life doesn’t go according to plan. So pull up a chair and join us for one of the most authentic conversations we’ve had on The Pulpit & Porch. If you’ve been with us from the beginning or you’re just discovering the show, we think you’ll enjoy getting to know us a little better. #ThePulpitAndPorch #Podcast #Friendship #Faith #LifeConversations #ChristianPodcast #Storytelling #PersonalGrowth

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Pulpit & Porch is a podcast about real conversations at the intersection of faith, life, and leadership. Hosted by Tony Marr and Robert Kell, we invite you to pull up a chair, grab some sweet tea, and join us on the front porch, where stories are told, wisdom is shared, and no topic is off-limits. Each episode features honest dialogue with guests from all walks of life: entrepreneurs, pastors, artists, coaches, and everyday people making an impact. It’s about purpose. It’s about truth. It’s about learning to lead and live well. Always grounded in the Christian faith. Never stuck in a box.

Information

  • Creator
    Higher Ministries
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    172
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Higher Ministries
  • Show Website
    The Pulpit and Porch