The RELEVANT Podcast

Latest Episodes:

IMPACT Conversation Series — David Meltzer & Mark Batterson Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of our IMPACT Conversation Series, entrepreneur David Meltzer shares how losing everything led him to redefine success through faith, gratitude and purpose. Then, pastor and author Mark Batterson unpacks the message behind his new bookGradually Then Suddenly — why breakthroughs happen slowly, then all at once. Hosted by Cameron Strang and presented by World Vision, these conversations explore what it really means to make an impact through business, ministry and everyday faith.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Introduction with Cameron Strang

01:18 — World Vision partnership + mission spotlight

02:30 — David Meltzer joins the conversation

04:00 — Losing everything and redefining success

07:10 — Rebuilding faith, gratitude, and purpose

10:45 — How business can be a tool for impact

14:20 — The balance between ambition and surrender

18:05 — Closing thoughts from Cameron

21:25 — Introduction to Mark Batterson

21:40 — “Gradually Then Suddenly”: the meaning behind the title

23:00 — The myth of overnight success

24:20 — Why faith often moves at the speed of a seed

25:55 — Persistence: the bridge between failure and breakthrough

28:30 — Discerning when to persist and when to pivot

30:50 — How to stay faithful in the “gradually” seasons

32:45 — Encouragement for those still waiting for their “suddenly”

35:40 — Final reflections from Mark Batterson

36:54 — Cameron Strang outro + next episode tease

Episode 1272: The NBA Gambling Scandal, Daniel Caesar’s Faith Journey & What Happens After We Die Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

This week the crew breaks down the NBA’s shocking gambling scandal, Daniel Caesar’s unexpected faith journey, and what actually happens after we die. Plus, Jelly Roll launches a free rehab center, Emily questions if Florida makes the cut for the New Earth and Jesse warns us about smart beds gone rogue.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:15 The NBA Gambling Scandal → Chauncey Billups, the mafia & a Walter White theory

15:00 RELEVANT Buzz: Daniel Caesar’s Faith Journey & New Album

22:00 Jelly Roll’s Free Rehab Center

24:00 Faith Charting Again on Prime Video + Hollywood vs. Christian Storytelling

27:00 “What Happens When We Die?” — Cameron Breaks Down Heaven, The Good Place & the Bible’s Timeline

35:00 Afterlife Debate → New Earth, Time & Purpose in Eternity

45:00 SLICES: Smart Beds Gone Wild & The Robot Uprising

New video episodes of The RELEVANT Podcast drop every Tuesday on the RELEVANT Podcast Youtube channel!

Episode 1271: What Real Faith Looks Like (and Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?) Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

After reflecting on their recent conversation with viral creator Jimmy Darts, the crew dives into what living out real faith actually looks like — not just believing the right things, but showing compassion and generosity in everyday life. Then they tackle the big October question: should Christians celebrate Halloween, or skip the costumes altogether?

In RELEVANT Buzz, they unpack Mel Gibson’s questionable new Resurrection of the Christ casting, AI’s takeover of the internet, and Miley Cyrus’ surprising thoughts on sobriety. Plus, in Slices, wild stories about speeding tickets, Switzerland’s $100K fines, and self-driving cars gone rogue.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Cameron’s New Setup

05:44 A Serious Discussion About Facial Hair

10:23 Reflecting on Our ‘Impact Series’ Conversation With Jimmy Darts

16:28 Showing Compassion in Everyday Life

18:32 Shaming for Generosity: A New Approach

18:56 RELEVANT Buzz

19:07 Mel Gibson Recast Jesus

24:28 The Internet Is Now 50% AI-Generated Content

32:06 Why Miley Cyrus Got Sober

35:26 SLICES

35:38 Don’t Get a Ticket in Switzerland

41:57 But Can You Ticket a Robot?

45:31 Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

59:10 ASK THE CAST

01:00:10 What Would Your 16-Year-Old Self Think of You Now?

01:02:16 What Cringey Christian Thing Do You Secretly Still Love?

01:06:29 What’s an Unexpected Hill You’ll Die On?

IMPACT Conversation Series: Jimmy Darts Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

We believe every follower of Jesus is called to make a difference — and in this special bonus series, we’re sitting down with creators, leaders and dreamers who are doing just that.

In this episode, we kick things off with Jimmy Darts — GoFundMe’s top creator, known for surprising strangers with life-changing generosity. His videos have reached hundreds of millions, but behind it all is a simple mission: to show the world what God’s love looks like in action.

The RELEVANT Podcast IMPACT Series is presented by World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization serving children and communities around the globe. Learn more at worldvision.org/RELEVANT.

New episodes drop here throughout the fall. Make sure to watch on YouTube!

Episode 1270: Pastor Chris Durso on the State of the Church — ‘People Don’t Want Hype—They Want Jesus’ Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Pastor Chris Durso joins us to talk about the shifting landscape of modern Christianity — why flashy churches are losing their influence, how Gen Z is reshaping faith communities, and what authenticity really looks like in a post-celebrity-pastor era.

Plus, the crew breaks down the biggest stories at the intersection of faith and culture, including Chandler Moore’s lawsuit against Maverick City Music's CEO, Project Pat's stunning salvation moment at a Memphis concert, the Taco Bell Ultra Marathon and the viral “Jericho dating strategy” at ORU. (FYI, it's glorious.)

Chapters:

05:00 – RELEVANT BUZZ Returns: The Maverick City Music lawsuit explained

12:20 – Project Pat leads a prayer of repentance in Memphis

15:15 – SLICES: The Taco Bell Ultra Marathon (why would anyone do this?)

22:30 – ORU freshmen attempt a “Jericho dating” stunt

27:00 – GUEST: Pastor Chris Durso joins the show

28:00 – Launching Good Company Church in NYC

32:00 – Why the showmanship era of church is over

35:30 – How COVID changed what people want from faith

38:40 – The danger of “celebrity Christianity”

41:00 – Building an honest, mature church culture

44:00 – Navigating politics and social issues from the pulpit

46:00 – Faith and the NBA: behind the scenes with team chaplains

⸻

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Find The RELEVANT Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

📺 Watch full video episodes every Tuesday on YouTube.

Episode 1269: Fabio Meets a Goose, SNL Meets Christian Movies, and Bad Youth Group Names! Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

It’s only our second-ever video episode, and things already get weird. (What's new?) The crew dives into the wildest stories this week — unpacking whether Instagram is really “not listening,” the lady who will name your baby for the low, low price of $30,000, and Emily uncovers the faith-filled backstory of SNL’s James Austin Johnson (spoiler: he started in Christian movies). Plus, we relive the legendary Fabio goose incident, cringe youth group names and a lot more!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Video Podcast Transition

03:04 Audience Reactions and Expectations

05:58 Fabio's Roller Coaster Incident

08:59 Randy Johnson's Bird Incident

11:34 Celebrity Comparisons and Humor

14:40 Local Legends and Mount Trashmore

15:54 The Golden Era of Morning Radio

19:54 SLICES

24:48 The Business of Naming Babies

31:27 A New Mom Is a Gaming Superhero

33:13 Instagram's Controversial Listening Claims

34:33 Exploring Social Media Manipulation

39:15 An SNL Cast Member's Christian Movie Past

44:19 ASK THE CAST

Episode 1268: It's Our First Video Podcast! Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

This week, we try a bunch of new things that may (or may not) live on, but we want you to check it out and tell us what you think about the new format. We have some big announcements about the new video era of the show at the beginning, and then Slices is back! Jesse brings some vital squirrel news, Derek brings the dystopian future of drone surveillance, and Emily brings a heart check about sharing our faith that spurs an unexpected conversation. At the end of the show, we have Ask the Cast, and definitely connect with us on Instagram @RELEVANTpodcast or YouTube to tell us what you think about the new format!

Episode 1267: Matthew McConaughey Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Today we're joined by actor Matthew McConaughey for a fascinating conversation about faith, prayer and cynicism. Plus, this week Slices is back! Jesse brings the Aquatic Conspiracy and Crimes beat, and Emily brings some surprising vintage media news. And at the end of the show, we have a hilarious round of 'One Has to Go'!

Episode 1266: Lecrae Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Today we're joined by Christian hip-hop icon Lecrae. He just released his 10th album, Reconstruction, and we talk about legacy, impact and the future of Christian hip-hop. Plus, Derek tells us all about his new album that's releasing next week — and took 6 years to make. In RELEVANT Buzz, we dive into the crazy 1st concert being hosted at the Vatican, a surprising study about which generation attends church the most, the tough job market facing twentysomethings, and Carrie Underwood leading worship at her local church. And at the end the show, we have a hilarious edition of 'One Has to Go!'

Episode 1265: Issue 117 Revealed Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

Today, instead of a guest interview, we give you the first look at the new digital issue of RELEVANT! It features a stacked line-up, and we can't wait for you to hear about it. Plus, we have RELEVANT Buzz, covering the bold faith of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' star Gavin Casalegno, a new job that will pay you for scrolling social media all day, and the movie theater that had a Catholic bishop blessing people with holy water before they watched the new 'Conjuring' horror film. Plus, we have 'One Has to Go' and a lot more!

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