Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

Latest Episodes:

Episode 205: Surviving Religion 101: Michael Kruger Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

As fall approaches and students return to school, many will embark on their college journey for the first time. College life presents more than just an academic transition. It introduces new relationships, social experiences, and newfound freedom that can pose challenges to one's spiritual life. Unfortunately, colleges are not typically known for fostering a strong relationship with Christ or providing guidance for standing firm in the Christian faith.

Join Jonathan in a conversation with Dr. Michael Kruger as they explore the difficulties of maintaining a Christian faith in college. Together, they delve into general apologetics questions such as the origins and authenticity of the Bible. They also discuss the significance of staying connected to the body of Christ during college and empowering parents to equip their children for the academic culture of doubt and disbelief.

Dr. Kruger is the President, and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary. His latest book, Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College, offers valuable insights.

In this episode, we aim to encourage you to anticipate the challenges that may arise during your college journey or for parents to prepare their children. Discover how to approach these challenges with grace, respect, and a strong defense of our hope in Christ.

Read Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College when you purchase your copy now.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 204: Candid Favorites: Understanding Progressive Christianity: Alisa Childers Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

This month, as we celebrate reaching the milestone of 200 episodes of Candid, our podcast producers are taking a moment to reflect on their most beloved episodes. This week, the team shines a spotlight on Jonathan's captivating interview with Alisa Childers. Alisa, widely known as the author of the popular apologetics blog AlisaChilders.com and the host of The Alisa Childers Podcast, may also be familiar to you as a former member of the Christian band Zoe Girl.

In this thought-provoking episode, Alisa opens up about her faith journey, starting from her childhood faith in Christ, through a period of deconstruction where she questioned and examined her beliefs, and ultimately arriving at a reconstruction of a solid, Biblically grounded faith in Christ. This conversation is not only enlightening but also serves as a valuable resource for those seeking comprehensive answers about the Christian faith. To go deeper, Alisa's book, Another Gospel, provides a helpful guide for unpacking and understanding Progressive Christianity.

Join us now for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at this Candid Conversation. Prepare to be enlightened, educated, and encouraged as Alisa shares her insights, offering a fresh perspective on faith.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

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For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 203: Candid Favorites: Consumed By Hate, Redeemed By Love: Thomas Tarrants Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

This month, in celebration of reaching 200 episodes of Candid, our podcast producers are discussing their most cherished episodes! This week, the team delves into Jonathan's remarkable interview with Thomas Tarrants.

Thomas, a former white supremacist and prominent member of the Ku Klux Klan, was once notoriously known as the "most dangerous man in Mississippi." However, in this captivating episode, he joins Jonathan to recount his extraordinary journey from a life defined by violence and hate to one characterized by radical love, all inspired by the transformative power of Jesus Christ's grace and mercy.

Listen now to gain an exclusive, behind-the-scenes perspective on this Candid Conversation that left a lasting impact.

Get Your Copy of Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love

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Episode 202: Candid Favorites: "God's Got This!" Worshiping God Through Difficult Times: Julie Chapman Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

As we continue to celebrate 200 episodes, our podcast producers are sharing their favorite episodes. This week you’ll hear the podcast team talk about Jonathan's interview with Julie Chapman, a three-time cancer and brain tumor survivor. Her optimism, determination to point others to the light and Truth of Jesus, and unwavering faith will inspire and encourage you to dive deeper into your relationship with Christ—especially in difficult times. Learn how to draw near to God in worship, even when the road ahead seems dark, uncertain, or impossible.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 201: Candid Favorites: Transgender to Transformed: Laura Perry Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

This month, in celebration of 200 episodes of Candid, our podcast producers are talking about their favorite episodes!

This week the team talks about Jonathan's interview with Laura Perry. From transgender to transformed, Laura's story is an inspiring and life-changing testimony of the power of Jesus Christ to heal and redeem. Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at this Candid Conversation.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 200: Celebrating With Candid Favorites Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

200 episodes! Candid Conversations just hit 200 episodes and we want to celebrate this milestone with you.

In this episode, Jonathan and our listeners share their encouraging words on how Candid Conversations has changed them and encouraged them in their spiritual walk with Christ. Over the next month, the Candid production team will share our favorite episodes and will provide insight into how Candid is produced. It's a fun glimpse into the back end of a podcast and how it impacts our team long before it reaches our listeners.

Thank you for listening to and sharing Candid Conversations! We have exciting new episodes airing in July with guests you won't want to miss!

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 199: How 20 Minutes Can Impact Your Child's Spirituality: Tyler Van Halteren May 30, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Candid, Jonathan welcomes Tyler Van Halteren, a man with a deep-rooted commitment to enriching the lives of children and youth through the power of Christian faith and storytelling. Tyler, a Master's Divinity graduate from the Master's Seminary, has dedicated most of his life to sharing the teachings of Christ and the wisdom of the Bible through storytelling.

From serving as an Associate Pastor at Gorrie Bible Fellowship in his home country of Canada, to teaching at Phnom Penh Bible School in Cambodia, Tyler's journey has been one of service and exploration. But it was the profound impact of 20-minute bedtime stories on his own son that sparked an innovative idea in him - why not blend the charm of bedtime stories with enduring lessons from the Bible?

Taking up this challenge, Tyler founded Lithos Kids in 2020. His venture was no less than a mission to transform the world through biblically faithful and beautifully illustrated children's books. The launch of his first book, 'Little Pilgrim's Big Journey', on Kickstarter was a resounding success, exceeding its funding goal by 500%. It quickly became a treasured children's book and Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, Volume 2 was released shortly after and Little Pilgrims Big Journey, Volume 3 is releasing soon.

Now, as a father and an author, he continues his mission from southern Ontario, Canada, where he resides with his growing family.

Join us as we dive into this inspiring journey with Tyler, discussing the importance of spiritual mentorship, the creative process behind his illustrated books, and his vision for instilling Christian values in young minds.

This is an episode you don't want to miss, especially if you're a parent, an educator, or anyone interested in spiritual growth and innovative approaches to faith-based education. Be sure to tune in!

Books by Tyler Van Halteren:

Little Pilgrim's Big Journey Volume 1

Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, Volume 2

Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, Voume 3, Pre-Order

Kingdom of God Storybook Bible

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 198: Caring for the Vulnerable: Jessica Mathisen May 23, 2023

Show notes

Hearing about the pressing need for compassionate arms and welcoming homes to accommodate vulnerable children in foster care is heart-wrenching. There are over 11,500 children in foster care in Georgia alone, with a staggering 391,000 nationwide. As believers, how do we help care for the vulnerable?

May marks National Foster Care Month, and to honor this, Jonathan is joined by author and Bible teacher Jessica Mathisen. Propelled by the desire to expand her own family, Jessica answered the call to become a foster mom. She and her husband have provided a loving home for six foster children and she has written two books, Praying for Your Foster Children and Fostering Prayer: A 40 Day Guide For Foster Parents, to help guide foster parents in prayer. In this meaningful discussion, Jonathan and Jessica delve into what it truly takes to foster children - and no, you don't have to be a "super" Christian to make a difference!

We invite you to tune into this enlightening episode. Jessica shares her journey and provides valuable advice for prospective foster parents. She encourages the church community to support foster families in their congregations. Finally, she explores the theme of trusting in the Lord with the unknown aspects of our future - yes, even when it comes to expanding our families.

To follow Jessica's journey:

Visit Jessica's Blog

To read Jessica's books:

Praying for your Foster Children: A 30 Day Guide

Overwhelming Hope: How the Spirit Brings Peace to Our Storms

Already Chosen: Loving Your Life in the Midst of Longing

Proverbs 31: A Life of Truth and Grace

Choosing Contentment: A Four Week Guide to Dropping Comparison and Embracing Gratitude

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 197: Can God Really Change Me?: Jonathan Youssef May 16, 2023

Show notes

Do you find it difficult to change? Do certain habits, behavioral patterns, and sins tempt you daily, leaving you longing to resist but feeling powerless?

What does it mean to truly be sanctified? Can people really change? In this new reflection, Jonathan Youssef reveals the hope that is found in sanctification and rejoices in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - which was not only a historical event but also our hope that change is possible.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 196: The Blessing of Persevering Through Trials: Jonathan Youssef (Reprise) May 09, 2023

Show notes

We all face difficulties. Why? What is the purpose of trials? How should we view them as followers of Christ? How do we keep going when things seem unbearable? In this episode, Jonathan Youssef unpacks wisdom from James 1 about how we are to handle trials and the blessing we receive when we persevere.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions