Bigger Than Belief

WCCO
  • 5.0 (119)
  • Religion
  • Updated Weekly

Bigger Than Belief is a weekly podcast exploring faith, belief, and religion – all through the stories of believers. With an emphasis on understanding belief through personal experience, we aim to create a conversation about faith that is fair, honest, and easy to understand - regardless of what you do (or don't) believe. We'll also take a journalistic approach to concepts and questions that are difficult to understand, while helping to make sense of current events impacting believers in our communities.

  1. 4d ago

    From Comfort to Calling: Paul Hurckman on What Happens When You say “Yes”

    “What happens when faith moves beyond something we believe and becomes something we actually live? This week on Bigger Than Belief, Paul Hurckman, executive director of Venture, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, courage, service, family, and the uncomfortable places where belief becomes action. Paul shares the story of the decision that changed his life: saying no to a cross-country bike trip — and living with that regret for years. Eventually, he learned to say yes to the unconventional, a journey that took him to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and ultimately into leadership at Venture, a faith-based justice organization working in some of the world's most unsafe, unreached, and under resourced communities. We talk about the realities of refugee care, human trafficking, women's health and church planting, and why Paul believes the Gospel requires both proclaiming hope and responding to urgent human needs. But this conversation isn't only about global missions. Paul gets candid about the tension between doing meaningful work around the world and being present for his wife, his five children and his neighbors. He talks about resisting the temptation to be the "hero" of his own story, the importance of listening to your neighbors, and why sometimes faith asks us to step away from comfort. And in a particularly honest moment, Paul discusses what happens when he turns on the news and sees faith used to justify competing worldviews — and how those moments of doubt send him back to the foundations of what he believes. From seven marathons on seven continents to the simple act of helping a neighbor move a couch, this is a conversation about what it means to live a faith that shows up.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 13

    The Day I Gave Up—and Got My Life Back – Nick Hanson’s Story of Finding Sobriety

    For years, alcohol was simply part of life for Nick Hanson. What started as normal social drinking in college slowly became something much darker—an addiction that consumed his thoughts, relationships, and sense of self. On this week’s Episode of Bigger Than Belief, Nick shares his journey through more than two decades of alcohol use, the devastating impact addiction had on his life, and the moment he finally admitted he couldn't overcome it alone. What began as a search for sobriety ultimately became a deeper journey of faith, purpose, and personal transformation. Today, Nick is over three years sober, a published author, a father of three, and an advocate for others seeking recovery. His story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far someone has fallen, hope remains—and life on the other side can be better than they ever imagined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 6

    Feed My Starving Children CEO JJ Slag on Keeping Faith in a Hungry World

    Every 10 seconds, a child dies from hunger-related causes. JJ Slag, CEO of Feed My Starving Children, has spent the last two years traveling the world, meeting children whose lives are being transformed by something as simple as a nutritious meal. But this conversation goes far beyond global hunger - it's about faith that costs something, leading one of the world's largest Christian humanitarian organizations, raising children while carrying enormous responsibility, wrestling with doubt, and why some of the greatest heroes of faith may be people whose names we'll never know. Whether you're a person of faith or simply searching for purpose, this episode is a reminder that compassion isn't just something we believe, it's something we do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 30

    Sig Muller on Dying, Coming Back to Life and Being The World's Best

    One moment, Sig Muller was laughing with lifelong friends at a backyard barbecue. The next, his heart stopped. After suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, Sig was clinically dead for nearly 10 minutes. Thanks to quick-thinking friends, CPR, and an AED, he survived with less than a one percent chance of making a full recovery. But surviving wasn't the greatest miracle. In this episode of Bigger Than Belief, Sig shares how facing death transformed the way he thinks about faith, purpose, gratitude, and the time we've all been given. From the friends who refused to give up on him to the simple question that now guides every day—"Am I spending my 5% on the right things?"—this conversation is an inspiring reminder that every day is a gift. Whether you're walking through a difficult season, questioning your purpose, or simply wondering what really matters, Sig's story offers hope, perspective, and encouragement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 23

    Finding family through service, and learning more about the Karen population in Minnesota

    Jesse Phenow thought he was volunteering to help a refugee family. Instead, he became part of their family. In this episode, Jesse shares how one college volunteer opportunity grew into lifelong friendships, living with a refugee family in St. Paul, humanitarian work in war-torn Myanmar, and ultimately founding The Urban Village to serve Karenni youth in St. Paul. Along the way, he reflects on violence, faith, empathy, and why following Jesus often begins with one simple decision: moving toward people instead of away from them. This is a conversation about compassion, courage, and discovering that the people we think we're serving often end up changing us the most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 16

    How DeVentri Jordan helps top athletes train their body – and their spirit

    From carrying frozen kettlebells into church basements to training future NBA and NFL stars, DeVentri Jordan's journey is anything but ordinary. As the founder of Game Face Training, one of the nation's premier sports performance programs, DeVentri has helped countless athletes reach the highest levels of competition. But behind the success is a story marked by loss, hardship, fatherlessness, business setbacks, and a faith that ultimately changed everything. In this powerful episode of Bigger Than Belief, DeVentri shares how the death of his mother, the loss of his brother, and years of chasing success forced him to ask one life-changing question: "Where did you last leave God?" Together, we explore the connection between physical discipline and spiritual growth, what it means to be "gracefully broken," and why some of the strongest athletes in the world are struggling silently behind the scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 9

    How the Reel Hope Project is Finding Forever Families for Foster Kids Across America

    For Kaycee Stanley, adoption isn’t just a cause—it’s a calling. What started as a dream to change the narrative around foster care grew into a nonprofit with a national reach - that has created hundreds of videos connecting waiting children with adoptive families across the country. On this episode, Kaycee opens up about the challenges of launching a faith-based organization, the resistance she faced in launching Reel Hope, and the remarkable ways she has seen God provide every step of the journey. She also shares the deeply personal story of adopting her own son through foster care and why she believes family remains the greatest need in a child's life. From faith and calling to foster care and adoption, this conversation is a moving reminder that one act of obedience can change countless lives. Learn more about The Reel Hope Project at thereelhopeproject.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 2

    Evangelist Nick Hall: “Gen Z is Driving America’s Spiritual Revival”

    It started as a college assignment and a simple dream - "put Jesus at the pulse of a generation". It has since grown into a global movement reaching millions of people across the planet.   On this week’s Bigger Than Belief Nick Hall shares the remarkable story behind Pulse Evangelism, why he believes Gen Z is leading a spiritual awakening, and what it looks like to bring hope into a culture marked by division, loneliness, and uncertainty. He also shares how he views the role of the Church during moments of crisis, why authentic faith matters more than influence, and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact right where they are. Whether you're a lifelong believer, spiritually curious, or simply searching for purpose, this conversation offers an honest look at faith, leadership, and the power of one life surrendered to something bigger than itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Trailer

5
out of 5
119 Ratings

About

Bigger Than Belief is a weekly podcast exploring faith, belief, and religion – all through the stories of believers. With an emphasis on understanding belief through personal experience, we aim to create a conversation about faith that is fair, honest, and easy to understand - regardless of what you do (or don't) believe. We'll also take a journalistic approach to concepts and questions that are difficult to understand, while helping to make sense of current events impacting believers in our communities.

Information

  • Creator
    WCCO
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Copyright
    © CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Portions Recorded.
  • Show Website
    Bigger Than Belief