The RELEVANT Podcast

RELEVANT Magazine
  • 4.6 (2.9K)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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 1285: Chelsea Smith on Dating, Marriage and What Actually Makes Love Last

    2D AGO

    Episode 1285: Chelsea Smith on Dating, Marriage and What Actually Makes Love Last

    This week, we sit down with Chelsea Smith to talk about dating wisely, building a resilient marriage and navigating seasons when love feels harder than usual. She shares practical advice for singles, couples and anyone wondering if what they’re experiencing is normal. In RELEVANT Buzz, we unpack the rise of political independents among Gen Z and millennials, Brandon Lake’s Good Morning America moment and why Christian hip-hop is showing up at Rolling Loud. Plus, the crew debates whether it’s easier to bowl a perfect game or hit a hole-in-one for a million dollars, discusses illegal monkeys in St. Louis and breaks down Gen Z’s newest solution to burnout: a “retirement home” in Malaysia. Highlights: 06:30 – Million-dollar question: perfect bowling game or hole-in-one? 16:05 – RELEVANT Buzz 16:15 – Christian hip-hop at Rolling Loud 18:10 – Brandon Lake on Good Morning America (and the Maury joke) 20:45 – Gallup: Gen Z and millennials are going independent 31:40 – Chelsea Smith on dating 33:55 – What every healthy marriage needs 35:30 – Advice for couples in hard seasons 37:55 – Our new partnership with 316 Financial + Reset Series 42:25 – Slices 42:45 – St. Louis offers amnesty for illegal monkey owners 47:05 – A Gen Z “retirement home” opens in Malaysia To learn more about 316 Financial's $100 offer for RELEVANT listeners, check out https://www.Bank316.com/RELEVANT! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    50 min
  2. Episode 1284: Khloé Kardashian Talks Faith, A ‘Stranger Things’ Star Does Too, and Philip Yancey’s Scandal

    JAN 13

    Episode 1284: Khloé Kardashian Talks Faith, A ‘Stranger Things’ Star Does Too, and Philip Yancey’s Scandal

    In this episode of The RELEVANT Podcast, we break down a surprisingly faith-heavy week in pop culture. In RELEVANT Buzz, Khloé Kardashian opens up in depth about her faith and prayer life, Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin shares why he’s returning to faith after growing up as a pastor’s kid. Then we discuss news at the other end of the spectrum: Bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey stepping away from ministry after confessing to an eight-year extramarital affair and Christian pop singer Stacie Orrico’s lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse by her former manager. We wrap things on an up-note, highlighting Daniel Caesar’s spiritually charged Tiny Desk performance. Plus, the crew reacts to DMX’s posthumous ordination, Jesse spirals over the murder math of NCIS, shares a wild Lamar Odom encounter and we play another round of ‘Overrated, Underrated or Just Right.’ Highlights: 03:00 Jesse’s NCIS take and the Navy murder math spiral 14:15 RELEVANT Buzz begins 17:05 Khloé Kardashian opens up about her Christian faith 28:15 Caleb McLaughlin talks faith, deconstruction and returning to God 31:55 Philip Yancey steps away from ministry after affair confession 34:35 Stacie Orrico files lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse 37:50 Daniel Caesar’s Tiny Desk and his spiritual journey 39:20 Slices: Lottery odds website exposes Powerball math 44:10 DMX to be posthumously recognized as a minister 46:05 Game: Overrated, Underrated or Just Right (Part 2) 47:15 Mayonnaise, squats and Chris Hemsworth 49:00 Pet fish, LaCroix and Philip Yancey books 50:00 Air fryers, motorcycles and voice notes Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    54 min
  3. Episode 1283: The Top Young Adult Faith Questions, Weird Guinness Records & CITIZENS Frontman Zach Bolen

    JAN 6

    Episode 1283: The Top Young Adult Faith Questions, Weird Guinness Records & CITIZENS Frontman Zach Bolen

    This week, we tackle the biggest faith questions young adults are asking right now (according to the recent Passion Conference) — from evidence for God’s existence and the tension between free will and predestination, to suffering, salvation and thoughts on hell. It’s an honest conversation about doubt, belief and why curiosity might be essential to spiritual growth. From there, Emily sits down with CITIZENS frontman Zach Bolen to talk about the band’s new album Museum, being in the Christian music bubble while feeling like an outsider and why art doesn’t need to explain itself to be meaningful.  Plus, Jesse has some thoughts over the increasingly unhinged Guinness World Records, from pigs on skateboards to LEGO-related pain tolerance, and the crew plays a round of “Overrated, Underrated or Just Right,” covering reboots, word-of-the-year culture and more! Highlights: 3:10 New Year check-in 4:20 The Crown 5:25 Why New Year’s TV is terrible 9:55 Fireworks gone wrong 14:15 RELEVANT BUZZ 17:05 The top faith questions young adults are asking at the Passion Conference 31:00 Awards season highlights 38:30 Zach Bolen of CITIZENS 42:10 Faith, deconstruction, and the Nashville bubble 46:20 Curiosity as a spiritual discipline 50:10 SLICES 50:14 Guinness World Records need a reboot 56:20 OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, OR JUST RIGHT? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 3m
  4. Episode 1282: Our New Year Episode — Bieber’s Faith, Jesse’s Patriot Games and Very Accurate 2026 Predictions!

    12/30/2025

    Episode 1282: Our New Year Episode — Bieber’s Faith, Jesse’s Patriot Games and Very Accurate 2026 Predictions!

    We wrap up 2025 and kick off 2026 by catching up on everything from post-holiday chaos to the optimism that comes with starting a new year. Along the way, we touch on Justin Bieber’s recent reflections on faith, how people in 1998 predicted 2025, and surprising new archeological evidence that Noah's Ark was real.  From there, the episode takes a turn into full chaos as Jesse introduces his own idea for the “Patriot Games”: teams of Americans competing using everyday life skills, jury duty-style. The episode then wraps with the cast predicting the trends of 2026 — all delivered with the usual mix of humor, honesty and side-tracking that makes the show what it is. Highlights: 05:10 — Spring-free trampolines and modern parenting stress 07:40 — Childhood injuries, backyard chaos and growing up feral 12:30 — The unspoken pressure of being “the capable adult” 13:33 — SLICES: Noah’s Ark evidence 25:03 — 1998 predicts 2025 31:53 — Justin Bieber’s faith posts 30:45 — WHAT'S JESSE THINKING? Jesse introduces his Patriot Games concept 43:20 — IN OR OUT? Predicting 2026  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    53 min
  5. Episode 1281: Our Christmas Episode! Why Does December Feel So Unhinged?

    12/23/2025

    Episode 1281: Our Christmas Episode! Why Does December Feel So Unhinged?

    In our Christmas episode, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor and Emily Brown dive into a packed RELEVANT Buzz, including NFL players putting faith into action in unexpected ways, a Christian animated film debuting near the top of the box office, Timothée Chalamet unexpectedly singing Kirk Franklin and a spontaneous worship moment from Justin Bieber that caught the internet’s attention. The crew also tackles one of the most important questions of the season: what actually makes a perfect Christmas day? From wake-up times and breakfast spreads to family expectations, church plans and evening traditions, they attempt—somewhat successfully—to agree on a Christmas schedule everyone can enjoy. Plus, it’s an Ask the Cast: Christmas Edition, with listener questions about end-of-year burnout, holiday boundaries and when it’s officially time to stop saying “Merry Christmas.” Highlights: 1:00 – Emily’s Quilt Room Setup 4:00 – RELEVANT BUZZ 4:30 – Baltimore Ravens Wash Kids Feet 8:20 – David Hits No. 2 at the Box Office 11:30 – Is Avatar Still Impressive? 14:30 – Timothée Chalamet Sings Kirk Franklin 24:30 – Justin Bieber’s Worship Moment 25:45 – Designing the Perfect Christmas Day 36:12 – SLICES: The 6-7 Meme Gets Real  44:05 – The World's Largest Gingerbread Home Alone House 46:05 – ASK THE CAST: Christmas Edition Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    53 min
  6. Impact Conversations: TreVeyon Henderson on Faith & the NFL and Lecrae on Reconstruction & Legacy

    12/18/2025

    Impact Conversations: TreVeyon Henderson on Faith & the NFL and Lecrae on Reconstruction & Legacy

    In the final episode of the RELEVANT Podcast Impact Conversations series, we sit down with two influential voices using their platforms to point toward something deeper. First, New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson shares how his faith was shaped long before the NFL spotlight. From a season-ending injury at Ohio State that led him to Jesus to helping spark faith gatherings across campus, Henderson talks about spiritual leadership, obedience over outcomes, and what it looks like to follow Christ inside high-pressure locker rooms. His story is also featured in the new docuseries Redemption, now streaming on Prime Video via The Wonder Project. Then, Lecrae, one of the most influential figures in Christian hip-hop, joins the conversation following the release of his 10th album, Reconstruction. He reflects on misunderstanding, therapy, deconstruction and why he believes Christian hip-hop is entering a new era without categories. Lecrae also opens up about legacy, leadership, and his role as a bridge between faith and culture. This episode is presented by World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization working to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice worldwide. Chapters: 01:15 – Why TreVeyon Henderson uses his NFL platform for faith 02:01 – Growing up with football as a lifeline 04:24 – When faith became real during a season-ending injury 06:40 – Sleep paralysis, spiritual warfare and healing through prayer 08:28 – Faith leadership inside Ohio State football 11:33 – Carrying faith into the NFL locker room 12:58 – Spiritual disciplines and the “secret place” 16:21 – Why faith is rising among professional athletes 18:56 – Why Henderson highlighted persecuted Christians in Nigeria 22:45 – Lecrae on why Reconstruction is different 24:53 – Transparency vs vulnerability in creative work 26:08 – Therapy, confidence and owning your voice 29:25 – Why Lecrae chose the word “Reconstruction” 30:46 – Leadership, loneliness and stewardship 33:01 – The future of Christian hip-hop 34:41 – Lecrae on legacy and being a bridge between faith and culture 44:17 – How Reconstruction invites people back to faith Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    47 min
  7. Episode 1280: Director Rian Johnson on Faith, Doubt and the Christian Themes in ‘Knives Out’

    12/16/2025

    Episode 1280: Director Rian Johnson on Faith, Doubt and the Christian Themes in ‘Knives Out’

    Rian Johnson’s new Knives Out film, 'Wake Up Dead Man,' is sparking conversations few mainstream movies ever touch — faith, forgiveness, power and what it actually means to follow Jesus in a polarized world. In this episode, we talk with the filmmaker about growing up in the Church, walking away from faith and why Christ’s teachings — especially “love your enemy” — still shape the stories he wants to tell. Johnson opens up about wrestling with the us-versus-them mentality, the corrupting pull of power and influence, and why he wanted to portray Christian belief with empathy rather than caricature. Plus, the RELEVANT crew debates the best Christmas movie of all time in a chaotic bracket showdown, reacts to surprising year-end culture stories and discusses new research suggesting adolescence doesn’t actually end until age 32. HIGHLIGHTS: 01:40 – Why 'Wake Up Dead Man' Feels Like a Gospel Story 04:00 – Serving vs. Fighting: Faith and the Culture War 06:45 – Why Culture Is More Open to Spiritual Conversations 09:20 – Is Wake Up Dead Man the Best Knives Out Movie? 12:10 – Is Rian Johnson Done With Faith? 13:10 – Christianity vs. Church Culture 20:15 – RELEVANT Buzz 22:00 – Forrest Frank Breaks Into Google’s “Hum to Search” List 26:30 – Theo Von and Morgan Wallen’s Bible Study Revealed 32:00 – Rian Johnson on Growing Up Evangelical 34:00 – “Arms Wide Open vs. Fists Up” Faith Explained 39:00 — SLICES 39:20 – New Research Says Adolescence Lasts Until Age 32 45:15 – AI Reality TV Is Here (Unfortunately) 47:30 – Christmas Movie Bracket Challenge Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 1m
  8. Episode 1279: Andy Mineo

    12/09/2025

    Episode 1279: Andy Mineo

    This week, Andy Mineo joins us for a hilarious and surprisingly vulnerable conversation about reinvention, perfectionism, leaving Reach Records, making his first album in four years and why he almost drove himself crazy trying to get it right. Plus, the cast dives into: – Brandon Lake dominating Billboard’s year-end charts – The ER vs The Pitt IP controversy – Ticketmaster’s takedown – TreVeyon Henderson spotlighting persecuted Christians on the field – A chaotic game of “One Has to Go” that reveals way too much (about Andy) CHAPTERS: 1:20 – '90s nostalgia, ER and the IP drama behind The Pitt 10:25 – RELEVANT Buzz: Brandon Lake ruled 2025 15:45 – Olivia Dean takes on Ticketmaster 19:50 – TreVeyon Henderson highlights persecuted Christians in Nigeria 21:50 – Andy Mineo joins the show 22:20 – Why his new album took four years 23:40 – Perfectionism, analysis paralysis and moving faster 27:10 – More new music is already loading 28:35 – Andy & Marty’s 15-year friendship origin story 32:05 – “One Has to Go” with Andy 41:55 – Parenting, nostalgia and movies that don’t hit the same 44:15 – 80s/90s PG movies were NOT PG Remember, you can watch the episode video on YouTube! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    55 min
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out of 5
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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!

Information

  • Creator
    RELEVANT Magazine
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    799
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © RELEVANT Magazine
  • Show Website
    The RELEVANT Podcast

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