The Downline Podcast: Gospel Driven Discipleship

Latest Episodes:

Wildflowers Don't Hustle (And Neither Should You) Feat. Ruth Chou Simons Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

What can wildflowers teach us about faith? Author and artist Ruth Chou Simons joins Jamie Trussell to explore how these resilient blooms model trust, rest, and unhurried living. Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, Ruth reveals how embracing dormancy, dependency, and God's timing can transform the way we live.

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

The Flourishing Life You're Missing with Dr. Jonathan Pennington Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

New Testament professor Dr. Jonathan Pennington reveals why the Sermon on the Mount isn't impossible standards but Jesus' philosophy for the good life. He shows how Jesus dialogues with Greek philosophy while offering a different path to human flourishing through relationship with God. Discover how biblical flourishing differs from secular philosophy and why Jesus appeals to self-interest rather than demanding duty.

Dr. Pennington teaches at Southern Seminary and pastors in Louisville. Author of "The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing" and "Jesus the Great Philosopher."

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

Part 2: Beyond 'Happily Ever After' with Dr. Greg Smalley Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Greg Smalley from Focus on the Family continues dismantling marriage myths, tackling why "all you need is love" creates manipulation instead of intimacy. He explains the crucial difference between needs and desires in marriage and why making only your spouse responsible for meeting your needs sets them up for failure.

Learn how Jesus modeled self-care after pouring out to others, why your differences aren't problems but God's design, and how to break destructive conflict patterns using the reactive cycle assessment at reactivecycle.com.

Purchase Downline's Core Curriculum here

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

Part 1: Beyond 'Happily Ever After' with Dr. Greg Smalley Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

We welcome Dr. Greg Smalley from Focus on the Family to discuss what creates healthy, lasting marriages. Greg addresses common misconceptions about marriage and explains why viewing it as a journey of growth rather than a destination changes everything. Learn why individual wholeness is essential before building a strong partnership and how both spouses need to be healthy to give meaningfully to each other.

Part one of a two-part series. Greg Smalley has authored multiple books on marriage, has earned his doctorate in psychology, and continues to work for couples in private practice. Part 2 releases next week.

Purchase Downline's Core Curriculum here

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

Making Sense of Spiritual Attacks Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Jamie and Dr. Sam Storms tackle spiritual warfare head-on. They explore the authority believers have in Christ, address common misconceptions, and expose where pop culture gets spiritual battles wrong.

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

Intentional Parenting for Families feat. Trillia Newbell Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Author, and speaker Trillia Newbell has spent years encouraging families through her writing and speaking ministry. But she never imagined she'd be writing children's books; until she discovered the magic of translating life's biggest truths for the smallest hearts. In this conversation Trillia shares how genuine curiosity transformed her family dinners, why asking the right questions matters more than having all the answers, and the beautiful chaos of parenting with intention.

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

How a New Generation is Embracing Belief feat. Justin Brierley Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

The culture war narrative says faith is dying. The data says something completely different. In this episode, Jamie and Justin Brierley reveal the spiritual comeback that's rewriting the rules of belief in America. Hear the stories behind the statistics and find out why even hardened atheists are starting to ask bigger questions about God.

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

The Art of Bible Reading (Jen Wilkin on First John) Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Join Jamie as he sits down with renowned Bible teacher and author Jen Wilkin to explore the book of First John. In this conversation, Jen breaks down the three crucial tests John gives believers: the test of truth (doctrine), the test of love, and the test of obedience.

Find Jen's resources at jenwilkin.net, including her study "Abide" covering First, Second, and Third John.

Purchase Downline's Core Curriculum here

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

Jesus, Decisions, and the Ryder Cup feat. Kyle Porter Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Former CBS Sports golf writer and founder of Normal Sport, Kyle Porter joins the Downline podcast ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black to discuss his journey from corporate insurance to covering professional golf's biggest moments. Porter reveals how personal tragedy shaped his public faith and career decisions, plus insider insights on Team USA's chances against Europe.

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com

Ministry in the Dark Spaces with Tim Johnson Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Pastor Tim Johnson of The Avenue Church, explores Samuel's story of faithful leadership when everything falls apart. Samuel anointed kings while his own sons failed, interceded for people who rejected him, and remained faithful through Israel's darkest transition. Here we learn why trusting God matters more than understanding His plans.

Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit downlineministries.com to learn more about our mission of discipleship.

To support the work of Downline Ministries, donate here

To advertise with The Downline Podcast, email lauren@downlineministries.com