Provoke & Inspire Podcast

Latest Episodes:

634: Is the Modern Family Making Us Lonely? (And Is It Even Biblical?) Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

What if the loneliness we feel isn’t because we’re weak, but because we’re trying to live in a system that was never meant to work?
Ben reflects on a clip of comedian Trevor Noah about family, and the modern myth of independence, asking whether we’ve traded God’s design for community in exchange for a version of it that’s quietly exhausting us.

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Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.
Don’t wait—get your copy today!
Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.
For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com

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633: Jesus Promised Rest, So Why Are You Still Exhausted? | Tim Ross Feb 12, 2026

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Why did Jesus call peace a gift, and why do so few Christians actually feel it? What’s the difference between being a peacekeeper and a peacemaker?

Ben talks with Tim Ross of The Basement podcast, and they ask: What kind of peace did Jesus promise? Why are so many believers anxious, angry, or exhausted?
Preorder Tim's new book, The Missing Peace: How to be Held Together When You're Falling Apart HERE

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David Pierce
Chad Johnson
Luke Greenwood

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632: How to Avoid Rock Bottom, and Recover If You Hit It Feb 10, 2026

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From ministry success and identity confusion to burnout, failure, and suicidal ideation, this episode traces the slow erosion of intimacy with Jesus and the cost of trying to rebuild life on self-made identity.
Ben and Chad explore repentance, vulnerability, accountability, and the kind of hope that isn’t tethered to outcomes or success - all through the lens of Chad's personal story.

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David Pierce
Chad Johnson
Luke Greenwood

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P&I Moments: Why Does Victory Feel Hollow? | Coach RAC Feb 06, 2026

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Why do people who look like they have it together still feel empty? What are we hiding that’s actually hurting us? And why does joy seem to show up only after confession, honesty, and real community? RobertAnthony Cruz (Coach RAC) of the Savannah Bananas reflects on what happens when things kept in the dark are finally brought into the light, and why healing follows every time.

Listen to the full episode here
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iTunes

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David Pierce
Chad Johnson
Luke Greenwood

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631: Why Do Churches Hide Sin? Bethel, Shawn Bolz, and Cover-Up Culture Feb 03, 2026

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When does protecting leaders or institutions become enabling harm? And what happens to faith when silence replaces transparency?
The regulars examine the recent Shawn Bolz controversy and Bethel Church’s response to ask harder questions about accountability, public leadership, and institutional self-preservation.

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David Pierce
Chad Johnson
Luke Greenwood

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P&I Moments: Why Do So Many Leaders Break the People They Lead? | J.R. Briggs Jan 30, 2026

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What if leadership isn’t about influence, platform, or control, but about bearing pain, building trust, and carrying hope for others? Who pays the price when leaders avoid suffering? Author J.R. Briggs reframes leadership as responsibility, not status.

Listen to the full episode here
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Luke Greenwood

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630: ICE in Minneapolis — Why People Say Christians Don’t Care Jan 27, 2026

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How do we have a Jesus-perspective in a situation with so many grey areas? How do we react when protestors show up to disrupt our church services?

The regulars again weigh in on the situation in Minneapolis, where ICE agents contend with protestors in the controversial enforcement of immigration law in Minnesota, and across the country.

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Luke Greenwood

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P&I Moments: Has the Church Misunderstood Justice All Along? | Skye Jethani Jan 23, 2026

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Author Skye Jethani unpacks how a 100-year-old divide in the American church still shapes our thinking today. Why did the gospel and justice get separated? How did faith become so politically tribal and binary?

Listen to the full episode here
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629: Dr. Peter Kreeft - 10 Lies Our Culture Tells Us Jan 22, 2026

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Ben speaks with author, speaker, and professor of philosophy at Boston College, Dr. Peter Kreeft.

Drawing from his now-famous commencement address at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, exposing the “ten lies” of modern culture, Dr. Kreeft reflects on identity, freedom, creativity, and the consequences of a world that has tried to live without God.

With his characteristic blend of sharp logic, humor, and humility, he challenges the assumptions of secular humanism while making a compelling case for common sense, rationality, and the enduring power of the Christian worldview.

Learn more about Dr. Peter Kreeft HERE

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David Pierce
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628: How Would Jesus Respond to ICE in Minnesota? Jan 20, 2026

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The regulars breakdown the current crisis in Minneapolis, Minnesota with ICE agents clashing against protesters, and the tragic death of Renee Good.
How can we possibly respond like Jesus in this situation? Why is it so hard to remain rational, and avoid polarization in the midst of political turmoil?

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Ben Pierce
David Pierce
Chad Johnson
Luke Greenwood

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