Jonathan David & Melissa Helser Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Lifelines for the “Highs” and “Lows” of Life | Jonathan Helser at Studio Church Greenville Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the podcast, Jonathan shares about the “What” and the “Why” of the Cageless Birds’ heart for discipleship. This message is beautifully full of personal stories, scriptural insight, practical keys and spiritual practices for walking with (and staying with) Jesus for the long haul. It can be hard to describe what Jesus does on our campus during the schools and retreats that we host, but our prayer is that as you listen you’ll catch our passion for what God is doing. We truly believe that discipleship can change the world!This message was originally recorded in 2025 at Studio Church in Greenville, SCThe mission of the Cageless Birds is to respond to the commission of Jesus and make disciples of all nations. As a ministry, we fulfill this by running discipleship programs and retreats focused on spiritual formation, by leading worship and writing songs for people to encounter the heart of God and remember who they truly are, and by creating resources to build up the body of Christ. If you are interested in learning more about the Cageless Birds, please go to https://cagelessbirds.comIf you’d like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through our ministry, go to https://www.cagelessbirds.com/donateConnect with Cageless Birds :Shop to support the Cageless Birds | https://shop.cagelessbirds.comFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/cagelessbirds/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cagelessbirds/

Keys to Overcoming Anxiety with Jason Vallotton | Jonathan and Melissa Helser Podcast Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

18 Inch Journey Men apps are still open! Apply here - http://18inchjourney.com

In this episode, Jonathan Helser and Jason Vallotton discuss overcoming anxiety with vulnerability. Jonathan shares about the breakthroughs he has found over the last 10 years learning to own where his heart really is, the gift of his tears and the power of in living in the paradox that in showing our weakness there is strength.

Jason Vallotton is a pastor and counselor in Redding, CA. He is a longtime friend of Jonathan and Melissa who has substantially contributed to the 18 Inch Journey discipleship school and to the Cageless Birds community.

Visit https://www.braveco.org for all of Jason's resources!

Listen to the BraveCo Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BraveCo/featured Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/braveco-podcast/id1572203259 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bj3alprsYm2RCMQBUcSA3?si=QO4bhHxETNSA6XkTD9dUrA

If you are interested in learning more about the Cageless Birds, please go to https://cagelessbirds.com

We have also created resources for discipleship and tools for stewarding your life with the Lord at https://engagingcultivate.com

If you’d like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through our ministry, go to https://www.cagelessbirds.com/donate

Connect with Cageless Birds :

Shop to support the Cageless Birds | https://shop.cagelessbirds.com

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/cagelessbirds/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cagelessbirds/

Becoming the Songs We Are Singing | Jonathan and Melissa Helser Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Watch the official live video for Cathedral (Extended): https://youtu.be/eaV9BgMS_ho

Listen to Cathedral wherever you stream music: https://ffm.to/cathedral

In this podcast, Jonathan & Melissa share about the process of becoming the songs we are singing from the journey of writing their new song “Cathedral.” This is a conversation about the discipleship that takes places in songwriting and in giving your heart to cultivate a life of worship.

Learn more about the Cageless Birds at https://www.cagelessbirds.com

Learn more about the 18 Inch Journey at https://www.18inchjourney.com

If you’d like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through our ministry, go to https://www.cagelessbirds.com/donate

Connect with Cageless Birds:

Shop to support the Cageless Birds | https://shop.cagelessbirds.com

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/@cagelessbirds

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cagelessbirds/

Staying with God when Life is Hard | Jonathan and Melissa Helser Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Jonathan and Melissa sit down for a conversation about the importance of building strong foundations with Jesus in order to withstand the inevitable storms of life. They each share personal stories from their lives as well as keys, practices, and questions that have helped them stay with God when life is hard. Whether your foundations are new, worn down, or cracked and broken, we hope this conversation inspires you to let the Master Builder come and do what only He can do: Secure, strengthen, and heal the support system of your life.This episode was inspired by the latest book release from the Cageless Birds: FOUNDATIONS 01. Foundations exists to help you establish a friendship with God strong enough to build your life on, whether you are in the beginning stages of your walk with the Lord, or you are needing to look back before moving forward. You can get a copy of the book at https://shop.cagelessbirds.com/products/foundations-01Learn more about the Cageless Birds at https://www.cagelessbirds.comLearn more about the 18 Inch Journey at https://www.18inchjourney.comIf you’d like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through our ministry, go to https://www.cagelessbirds.com/donateConnect with Cageless Birds:Shop to support the Cageless Birds | https://shop.cagelessbirds.com

Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@Cageless-BirdsFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/@cagelessbirdsInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/cagelessbirds/

Embracing Reflection and the Heartbeat of Sing Winter Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jonathan & Melissa Helser and Chris Miller un-pack some of the stories behind our new Christmas album, Sing Winter. While the conversation revolves around this album, the heart of what they share is so much deeper than simply song stories. The purpose of this record is to embrace every part of the holidays and the winter season; the joy and the sadness, the pain and the relief. Jonathan & Melissa share beautiful stories from their lives and open up places where they have been meet by Emmanuel, God With Us.

Through the laughter and the tears in this episode, we hope you find a deeper meaning behind Sing Winter, as well as the inspiration to live the season you are in to the fullest, letting God meet you in every moment.

It is in embracing every part of life that we know we are truly alive. Our prayer is that your winter season will sing, and that you will feel enveloped in the hope that Jesus brings. May you cherish moments that become sacred memories, and may you feel deeply met as you unapologetically honor the reverence, sorrow, and joy of life. Merry Christmas from the Cageless Birds 🕊️

Listen to Sing Winter Here: https://lnk.to/SingWinter

To learn more about our ministry:

www.cagelessbirds.com

www.jonathanhelser.com

www.18inchjourney.com

The Gift of Sadness, Nostalgia & Practices for Winter Seasons | Jonathan & Melissa Helser Dec 21, 2024

Show notes

This episode is a special conversation between Jonathan & Melissa Helser and Chris Miller. They dive into what it means to live in the full range of emotions during winter seasons. They talk about how “Sadness is required to truly experience Joy” and what it means to share our feelings with the close people around us as well as talking about practices to stay centered in hard seasons. We hope that this conversation gives you new tools for any season you are in and tools for engaging with the seasons your friends or family are in.

This conversation was inspired by the release of our new album Sing Winter. We have created a nostalgic winter album to honor the hope and the tenderness of the season. May you cherish moments that become sacred memories, and may you feel deeply met as you unapologetically honor the reverence, sorrow, and joy of life. It is in embracing every part of life that we know we are truly alive. Our prayer is that your winter season will sing, and that you will feel enveloped in the hope that Jesus brings. Merry Christmas from the Cageless Birds 🕊️

Listen to Sing Winter Here: https://lnk.to/SingWinter

To learn more about our ministry:

www.cagelessbirds.com

www.jonathanhelser.com

www.18inchjourney.com

Worship for the Long-Haul Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jonathan shares about living a life of wholehearted worship and becoming a lover of God for the long-haul. King David cultivated a well-worn path of honest worship with the Lord throughout His whole life. Our dream is that you would be 80 years old, still clinging to Jesus, astonished at who He is. This podcast is full of stories and reflections from Jonathan about being steadfast, honest, and passionate in the lifelong pursuit of God’s presence.

The introduction to this podcast was recorded at David’s Tent in the United Kingdom, where our team leads worship every single August. To learn more about David’s Tent UK and get tickets for 2025, you can head to: www.davidstent.net

The 18 Inch Journey: Phase One is our 65-day discipleship school of the heart dedicated to helping adults ages 20-30 have a thriving relationship with Jesus in every area of life. Male applications for Phase One are still open! To learn more and apply, you can visit: www.18inchjourney.com

To support our 18 Inch Journey Campus Campaign, go to: www.cagelessbirds.com/donate

To learn more about our ministry:

www.cagelessbirds.com

www.jonathanhelser.com

www.18inchjourney.com

What is The God Story? with Adam Cox Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with his longtime friend, Adam Cox. They reflect on their decades of friendship, and how Adam's passion for helping people encounter the unfailing love of God has impacted our community, and schools (The 18 Inch Journey).

Adam's first book, "The God Story," (co-authored by Alain Emerson) is a compelling and creative retelling of the biblical story to help you move from familiar to fascinated. It is out now and available wherever books are sold!

Get "The God Story" here:

https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/the-god-story/?utm_source=cagelessbirds&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=the-god-story

If you'd like to learn more about our ministry, go to:

https://www.18inchjourney.com

https://cagelessbirds.com

https://jonathanhelser.com

Discipleship Can Change the World May 31, 2024

Show notes

This episode was captured live at a recent 18 Inch Journey Fundraiser where Jonathan and Melissa shared on our vision for discipleship, the history and mission of the 18 Inch Journey, and how discipleship can transform the hearts of men and women.

Learn more at: https://www.18inchjourney.com

If you’d like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through our ministry, go to https://www.cagelessbirds.com/donate

Thank you!

Beautiful Jesus - Q&R with Melissa Helser Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

This episode is a special conversation between Melissa Helser and Chris Miller. Melissa shares about her song, Beautiful Jesus, and a worship moment from the 2023 18 Inch Journey that was recently shared on the Cageless Birds YouTube channel. She reflects on the season of her life during which that song was first written as well as what it’s like to lead worship within the context of our discipleship schools.

At the end of this podcast, we play the full worship moment that Melissa is referencing, so please stick around to the end and enjoy this song and spontaneous worship moment!

You can also watch the moment on our YouTube channel at:

https://youtu.be/ScIzMcvCdQc?si=FsjrZH3qqjji8EgZ

To learn more about our ministry, go to www.jonathanhelser.com, www.18inchjourney.com, or www.cagelessbirds.com.

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