The Don’t Knock It Podcast

Chris Ramirez
  • 4.8 (18)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Don’t Knock It Podcast encourages its listeners to embrace the common phrase “don’t knock it til you’ve tried it”, when presented with biblical truth. In other words, don’t refuse to try, consider, or accept biblical Christianity without first “tasting” and “seeing” that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). The Don’t Knock It Podcast will address common misconceptions about Jesus and Christianity, in hopes to prepare the hearts of those who hear the calling, or the knock, of Jesus Himself (Rev. 3:20). Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/subscribe

  1. 68. From Spotlight to Surrender: How Trials, Community, and Scripture Form a Real Worshipper

    12/07/2025

    68. From Spotlight to Surrender: How Trials, Community, and Scripture Form a Real Worshipper

    In this episode of The Don’t Knock It Podcast, I am joined by my sister in Christ, Marleya Shai, for a wonderful conversation about worship. Before Marleya drew her first breath, her story was already confronting one of Christianity’s boldest claims: God intervenes, God heals, God saves. Her mother—unsaved, fearful, facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis for her unborn daughter—turned to Jesus as a last resort and the Lord answered in a way she couldn’t ignore. This episode is about the biblical truth that God’s mercy precedes our understanding, invites repentance, and reorients a whole family’s future. Marleya shares how God used early exposure to church, a miracle surrounding her birth, and years of worship ministry to plant seeds of faith long before she truly understood the gospel. But as she grew, the gap between appearing spiritually mature and actually knowing the Lord became undeniable — especially once she entered a youth ministry where her reputation no longer matched her reality. What unfolds in this conversation is a testimony of conviction, humility, and rediscovery. Marleya describes the moment a youth pastor’s simple questions exposed years of superficial Christianity. That “never again” embarrassment initially drove her to pursue Bible knowledge for the wrong reasons — reputation, approval, self-confidence — until the Lord dismantled that pride and replaced it with genuine love for His Word. She also shares how God formed her through discernment, trials, loss, fasting, worship, and community, slowly shifting her from “performing” ministry to delighting in the God she serves. Today, as a worship leader, she talks plainly about the temptations of spotlight, the dangers of pride, her battles with perfectionism, and why worship must always be a response to who God is, not a platform for who we want to be. This is a conversation about: ​Growing up in church but not yet in Christ​The danger of knowing all the right answers without a right heart​How God uses embarrassment, challenge, and discipleship to expose false confidence​Why worship is fundamentally a response to God’s character and creativity​The ongoing fight against pride and platform in worship ministry​How trials, community, and the peace of God awakened genuine faith​The lifelong difference between knowing about God and knowing HimIf you’ve ever struggled with the gap between reputation and reality, head knowledge and heart transformation, ministry performance and personal devotion, this episode will hit close to home — and offer hope. Links & Resources: Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    39 min
  2. 67. The Scriptural Truth That Confronts Every Modern Lie About Identity

    11/29/2025

    67. The Scriptural Truth That Confronts Every Modern Lie About Identity

    In this solo sermon episode, I walk through one of the most foundational, and most misunderstood, doctrines in the Christian faith: the Image of God. Not as an abstract theological concept, but as a truth spoken into real people, real suffering, and real identity confusion. Before Israel ever heard the Ten Commandments, built the tabernacle, or stepped foot into the Promised Land, they heard God say something that shattered the worldview Egypt had drilled into them: “You are My image. You belong to Me. Your worth isn’t in what you produce.” This sermon episode explores that moment—how a nation of former slaves learned to see themselves not through Pharaoh’s eyes but through God’s, and how that same truth confronts the lies we still believe about ourselves today. TAKEAWAYS FOR LISTENERS You are not defined by productivity, performance, or comparison—your identity is bestowed by God. Your daily work carries divine purpose because you are called to cultivate, steward, and create. Your limits are gifts that remind you you’re human—and free you from pretending to be God. Christ came not only to save sinners but to restore the fractured image within us. The church is meant to be a living display of renewed humanity in a broken world. Links & Resources Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    1h 4m
  3. 66. Letting God Carry What You Can’t—Friendship, Body Image, and Discipleship with Nico Ridino

    11/22/2025

    66. Letting God Carry What You Can’t—Friendship, Body Image, and Discipleship with Nico Ridino

    In this conversation, I welcome my former student and longtime podcast supporter Nico Ridino, whose story moves from atheism, isolation, and self-destruction into a hard-earned, faithful walk with Jesus. Nico’s testimony isn’t a dramatic moment of supernatural intervention — it’s the slow, painful breaking of pride, a near-suicidal night at 14, and God’s quiet persistence in the middle of depression, family crisis, and identity confusion. This episode explores what it means to grow up spiritually in an environment where expectations are high, support is inconsistent, and friendships feel shallow — and how God uses consequences, community, and His Word to shape young men into disciples. Nico shares his move from confident middle-school atheism to the first honest prayer he ever prayed — in a hospital stairwell while fearing he might lose his brother. At 14, alone in a kitchen at 3 AM with enough insulin to take his own life, Nico considered ending everything. Instead, God met him through a dusty Bible opened “accidentally” to Psalm 23 — a moment that pushed him to begin seeking God for real. Nico also reflects on the challenges of living as a young believer in a small Christian school with complex social dynamics, lukewarm faith, and limited friendships. Towards the end of the conversation, I revisit a moment under the chapel tent with Nico when I hugged him, shared Matthew 11, and told him, “Set your burdens at the foot of the cross — they’re not yours to carry.” This became one of the most formative spiritual moments in Nico’s life. SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT Psalm 23 — The turning point of Nico’s story. Matthew 11:28–30 — The passage I spoke over Nico during our chapel moment. TAKEAWAYS FOR LISTENERS ​God often works slowly, quietly, and painfully before He works visibly.​Your darkest moment is not evidence that God has abandoned you — it may be the very place He meets you.​Young believers need space to make mistakes, community to come back to, and older voices who know when to speak and when to stay silent.​Bearing burdens is part of love, but giving them to Christ is part of faith. Links & Resources: Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    32 min
  4. 65. Saved but Stuck: Confession, Community, and the Influence of a Shepherd with Joshua Camper

    11/09/2025

    65. Saved but Stuck: Confession, Community, and the Influence of a Shepherd with Joshua Camper

    In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with my brother and co-laborer in Christ, Joshua Camper, to hear the story behind the name that’s been mentioned in several previous episodes. Both Dario and Jonathan shared how God used Joshua to shape their faith—and now it’s time to hear the story of the man behind those testimonies. Joshua opens up about his early years—being raised by his grandmother while his parents battled addiction, growing up around both religion and brokenness, and even discovering Jesus for the first time in a Mormon church classroom. He talks about the tension of being told all his life that he’d one day be a pastor, while also wrestling with identity, sin, and shame. We also unpack what Joshua calls being “saved but stuck”—the experience of knowing Jesus, feeling conviction, but still being caught in cycles of sin and shame. Josh shares how the Lord met him in that place, how hours spent weeping over Scripture transformed his heart, and how God used his pain to minister to others. Our conversation then moves into fatherhood, marriage, and biblical manhood—how the gospel redefines what it means to lead, to love, and to live as redeemed men in our homes. From being a young college athlete with a surprise pregnancy to a husband and father now shepherding his family in faith, Josh’s story is a testimony of grace upon grace. Themes Covered: ​How God can plant truth even in unexpected places​Being saved but stuck — the tension between conviction and confession​How shame isolates believers and how community heals​Fatherhood as a reflection of God’s character​Marriage as a living picture of the gospel​Why redemption isn’t just a one-time event—it’s a lifelong transformation Quote from the Episode: “Shame recognizes shame. People don’t wake up wanting to walk in shackles—but they believe the lie that no one will receive them. That’s why I command people to be unashamed, because when you confess, healing begins.” — Joshua Camper Listen if you’ve ever felt: ​Like you love Jesus but can’t break old patterns​Ashamed of your past but unsure how to confess​Called by God but unqualified​Or just need a reminder that grace isn’t just for salvation—it’s for sanctification too. Scripture Highlights: John 8:32 — “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” James 5:16 — “Confess your faults one to another, that you may be healed.” 1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” Links & Resources: Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    31 min
  5. 64. What Forgiveness Looks Like After the Unthinkable with Harmoni Shelley

    10/15/2025

    64. What Forgiveness Looks Like After the Unthinkable with Harmoni Shelley

    This episode contains discussion about a suicide attempt and the impact it had on a family. Listener discretion is advised. If this topic feels too heavy, we encourage you to pause or listen later with a parent or trusted adult. Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling, you can always reach out to a trusted adult or dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Today’s episode is ultimately about God’s hope and redemption—even in our darkest moments. I’m joined by one of my former students, Harmoni Shelley, a current senior at Hillcrest Christian School, who courageously shares her family’s story of pain, healing, and faith. At just ten years old, Harmoni experienced one of the most traumatic moments imaginable—a suicide attempt by her father—and yet, through it, she discovered the living reality of God’s grace and presence. What began as confusion and anger became a journey toward forgiveness, compassion, and deep faith. Harmoni walks us through how God used what once felt like a story of shame and despair to reveal Himself as Savior, Healer, and Father. Together, we talk about: ​How God saved her father’s life in a miraculous way​What forgiveness and emotional healing look like over time​How her family has grown closer through transparency and grace​The hope she now carries into her future as she prepares to graduate and step into adulthood This conversation reminds us that even when life feels beyond repair, God is still writing stories of restoration. 🎧 Listen to the Extended Cut (Spotify Exclusive): Subscribers get access to the full, uncut version of this conversation—where we go deeper into how Harmoni’s character has changed throughout high school, what it means to be a “pick me” girl, and how the Lord could transform young girls who are stuck in that particular identity. Links & Resources: Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    30 min
  6. 63. Not Just a Dad, But a Disciple: How Fatherhood Became My Calling

    10/05/2025

    63. Not Just a Dad, But a Disciple: How Fatherhood Became My Calling

    In this solo episode, I open up about what it truly means to be a present father—and how one moment in the hospital recovery room changed everything for me. From the first day of my daughter’s life, God gave me a deep sense of calling and freedom: the freedom to be there, to show up, and to love consistently in a world that often celebrates absence. This episode is personal, raw, and reflective—part story, part conviction. I talk about how fatherhood reshaped my priorities, exposed my pride, and taught me that real strength comes from presence, not perfection. If you’ve ever wrestled with what it means to be a faithful dad, or you’re longing to break cycles of absence and lead your family with grace and conviction, this one’s for you. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: ​The defining moment in the hospital recovery room that changed everything​What it means to walk in the freedom of being a present father​How fatherhood became a daily act of discipleship and surrender​Why presence matters more than performance Stay Tuned for the Extended Cut: In the next exclusive extended episode, I’ll be diving into Christian nationalism, Charlie Kirk, and the importance of Christian testimony—and how all of it ties back to living faithfully as a believer in today’s culture. Links & Resources: ​Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts​Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    38 min
  7. 62. Youth Group, Worship Team & Reformed Theology: A Journey with Jonathan Maccarone

    09/23/2025

    62. Youth Group, Worship Team & Reformed Theology: A Journey with Jonathan Maccarone

    In this episode, I sit down with my friend Jonathan Maccarone to hear how the Lord captured his heart in the most unexpected way—through a youth group that, at first glance, wasn’t appealing at all. What drew him in wasn’t the games or the retreats, but the depth of Scripture in the lives of the students and the mentorship of his youth pastor, Joshua Camper. Jonathan shares how picking up the cajon eventually led him to the drums, giving him his first opportunity to serve on the worship team. Along the way, he also talks about how being introduced to reformed theology challenged him to think deeply about God’s Word and reshaped his walk with Christ. If you’ve ever doubted whether God can use simple things like retreats, youth leaders, or even a cajon to transform a life, Jonathan’s story will remind you of the power of Scripture and the faithfulness of God. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: ​How an unappealing youth group and its retreats became the place God drew Jonathan in​The mentorship of Pastor Joshua Camper and the role it played in his spiritual growth​How playing the cajon and drums became an on-ramp to worship ministry​The introduction of reformed theology into his journey of faith Links & Resources: ​Follow The Don’t Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts​Support the show for exclusive extended cuts and bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify ➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/

    39 min
  8. 61. Hospitality, Humility & the Unexpected Life of a Young Christian Husband with Dario Gomez

    09/02/2025

    61. Hospitality, Humility & the Unexpected Life of a Young Christian Husband with Dario Gomez

    In this encouraging conversation, I sit down with my friend Dario Gomez to talk about his journey of following Jesus as a young believer. From his high school days—where he faithfully and boldly invited his peers to youth group—to navigating the responsibilities of marriage at just 20 years old, Dario’s story is one marked by humility, courage, and God’s grace. We discuss the challenges he’s faced in balancing school, work, and home life, and how making difficult decisions in those areas has shaped both his character and his faith. Along the way, we explore the gift of hospitality that seems to overflow naturally from his life and how the Lord continues to use him to serve others. Whether you’re a student, newly married, or simply trying to discern God’s will in the midst of everyday decisions, Dario’s story will inspire you to be faithful right where you are. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: ​How Dario lived out his faith as a teenager and invited peers to encounter Jesus​The joys and challenges of getting married young​Lessons learned from juggling school, work, and family responsibilities​The role of humility and hospitality in shaping his walk with Christ​Why small, faithful decisions can have a big kingdom impact Links & Resources: • Follow The Don't Knock It Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts • Support the show for exclusive bonus episodes: Subscribe on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/subscribe

    50 min
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About

The Don’t Knock It Podcast encourages its listeners to embrace the common phrase “don’t knock it til you’ve tried it”, when presented with biblical truth. In other words, don’t refuse to try, consider, or accept biblical Christianity without first “tasting” and “seeing” that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). The Don’t Knock It Podcast will address common misconceptions about Jesus and Christianity, in hopes to prepare the hearts of those who hear the calling, or the knock, of Jesus Himself (Rev. 3:20). Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontknockit/subscribe

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