Staircase to Nowhere

David Neel, Sam Carroll & Noah Nemni
  • 5.0 (7)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Join three friends—David, Noah, and Sam—as they navigate what it means to follow Jesus and live on His mission in American culture today. Each brings a unique perspective: David lives on a college campus, Noah works in a church with youth and local outreach, Sam serves homeless youth and young adults. Together, they question the ministry methods they grew up with, wrestle with faith in today's world, and seek to honor God in their time. Email: staircasepod@gmail.com

  1. FEB 2

    BONUS: We’re Pro-Parsonage

    In this bonus episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the hosts talk about parsonages, church-owned housing, and living where you minister. Drawing from personal experience, they explore the benefits and challenges of church-provided housing and ask whether churches should still be investing in homes today. staircasepod@gmail.com

    20 min

  2. JAN 26

    Can Churches Help Solve the Housing Crisis?

    In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the hosts discuss church buildings, affordable housing, and the housing crisis—asking whether churches should use their land to help meet community housing needs. The conversation explores zoning laws, gentrification, sacred space, and the risks and responsibilities of churches building or hosting affordable housing.  staircasepod@gmail.com Video: Can Churches End the Housing Crisis? (YIGBY)

    44 min

  3. JAN 13

    2025 WRAPPED

    It’s our 2025 WRAPPED episode! We look back on the year with top personal ministry moments, favorite books, and the podcasts/creators we spent the most time with. Then we zoom out to bigger ministry + culture trends we noticed (Bible engagement, Gen Z in church, pastor/worship influencer culture), a few major cultural flashpoints from the year, and we finish with goals and predictions for 2026. We would love to hear from you! staircasepod@gmail.com Books mentioned: The Wood Between the Worlds The Grapes of Wrath White Flight Leadership and Self-Deception Why We’re Polarized Abundance Podcasts mentioned: Working It Out with Mike Birbiglia Theology in the Raw (feat: Nijay Gupta) The Resilient Pastor Podcast The Ezra Klein Show (NYT) Johnny Harris James Humphrey

    59 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Is Christian Nationalism a Bad Thing?

    “Take our country back” is a rallying cry among conservative Christians as Christian nationalism gains popularity. Noah’s roommate Michael returns to the show to discuss from history and the New Testament why building a theocracy is not the point of Jesus’ Kingdom which is not of this world. Doug Wilson interview referenced Book referenced: Political Worship by Bernd Wannenwetsch EMAIL US: staircasepod@gmail.com

    1h 3m

  5. 10/19/2025

    A Youth Ministry Post-Mortem

    The boys reflect on their time in youth ministry—what worked, what burned out, and why so many youth pastors only last two years. With help from Sustainable Youth Ministry, they unpack systems, parent engagement, and how to build something that lasts. Plus: camp pranks, merch drops, and the magic of a well-timed bedtime prayer. Share your questions and thoughts: staircasepod@gmail.com

    36 min

  6. 09/21/2025

    Noah Nemni: Director of Local Outreach and Student Discipleship

    In this episode, we turn the spotlight on Noah and learn about his role as Director of Local Outreach and Student Discipleship! We talk through the path that got him here, what the job actually looks like, and some of the challenges that come with full-time ministry in the local church. We also reflect on what “success” in ministry really means, especially in contexts where resources are limited and results are hard to measure. Email us: staircasepod@gmail.com

    50 min

  7. 09/14/2025

    We Back Babies!

    After a short paternity leave (generously offered by the Staircase to Nowhere HR department), the boys are back on the mic — and they brought a couple of babies with them. In this episode, David introduces his newborn son Samuel Neel (not named after Sam... allegedly), and Sam announces his own exciting news: baby Carroll is on the way! Welcome back to your ministry and culture podcast. It’s good to be here. Email us your thoughts & questions: staircasepod@gmail.com

    20 min

  8. 06/08/2025

    Navigating the Anxious Generation

    In this episode of 'Staircase to Nowhere,' hosts Noah, Sam, and David explore the themes presented in Jonathan Haidt's book 'The Anxious Generation,' discussing the impact of social media on Gen Z's mental health and the importance of unsupervised play in childhood development. They engage with listener emails, addressing the role of Christians in culture and the need for community support in implementing reforms for healthier childhood experiences. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of managing personal technology use as parents and encourages real-life engagement over online presence. Contact: staircasepod@gmail.com Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Hosts and Podcast 02:11 Discussion on 'The Anxious Generation' Book 08:02 Engagement with Listener Emails 10:41 Navigating Social Media as Christians 20:14 The Impact of Technology on Childhood 24:39 Historical Context of Parenting and Safety Concerns 25:07 The Illusion of Safety and Freedom 29:00 Childhood Independence: A Lost Art 30:05 The Importance of Free Play 35:07 Understanding Gen Z's Challenges 38:11 Community Commitment to Change 45:11 Practical Steps for Parents and Educators

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Join three friends—David, Noah, and Sam—as they navigate what it means to follow Jesus and live on His mission in American culture today. Each brings a unique perspective: David lives on a college campus, Noah works in a church with youth and local outreach, Sam serves homeless youth and young adults. Together, they question the ministry methods they grew up with, wrestle with faith in today's world, and seek to honor God in their time. Email: staircasepod@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    David Neel, Sam Carroll & Noah Nemni
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Staircase to Nowhere
  • Show Website
    Staircase to Nowhere