The RELEVANT Podcast

In our Christmas episode, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor and Emily Brown dive into a packed RELEVANT Buzz, including NFL players putting faith into action in unexpected ways, a Christian animated film debuting near the top of the box office, Timothée Chalamet unexpectedly singing Kirk Franklin and a spontaneous worship moment from Justin Bieber that caught the internet’s attention.The crew also tackles one of the most important questions of the season: what actually makes a perfect Christmas day? From wake-up times and breakfast spreads to family expectations, church plans and evening traditions, they attempt—somewhat successfully—to agree on a Christmas schedule everyone can enjoy.Plus, it’s an Ask the Cast: Christmas Edition, with listener questions about end-of-year burnout, holiday boundaries and when it’s officially time to stop saying “Merry Christmas.”Highlights:1:00 – Emily’s Quilt Room Setup4:00 – RELEVANT BUZZ4:30 – Baltimore Ravens Wash Kids Feet8:20 – David Hits No. 2 at the Box Office11:30 – Is Avatar Still Impressive?14:30 – Timothée Chalamet Sings Kirk Franklin24:30 – Justin Bieber’s Worship Moment25:45 – Designing the Perfect Christmas Day36:12 – SLICES: The 6-7 Meme Gets Real 44:05 – The World's Largest Gingerbread Home Alone House46:05 – ASK THE CAST: Christmas EditionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final episode of the RELEVANT Podcast Impact Conversations series, we sit down with two influential voices using their platforms to point toward something deeper.First, New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson shares how his faith was shaped long before the NFL spotlight. From a season-ending injury at Ohio State that led him to Jesus to helping spark faith gatherings across campus, Henderson talks about spiritual leadership, obedience over outcomes, and what it looks like to follow Christ inside high-pressure locker rooms. His story is also featured in the new docuseries Redemption, now streaming on Prime Video via The Wonder Project.Then, Lecrae, one of the most influential figures in Christian hip-hop, joins the conversation following the release of his 10th album, Reconstruction. He reflects on misunderstanding, therapy, deconstruction and why he believes Christian hip-hop is entering a new era without categories. Lecrae also opens up about legacy, leadership, and his role as a bridge between faith and culture.This episode is presented by World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization working to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice worldwide.Chapters:01:15 – Why TreVeyon Henderson uses his NFL platform for faith02:01 – Growing up with football as a lifeline04:24 – When faith became real during a season-ending injury06:40 – Sleep paralysis, spiritual warfare and healing through prayer08:28 – Faith leadership inside Ohio State football11:33 – Carrying faith into the NFL locker room12:58 – Spiritual disciplines and the “secret place”16:21 – Why faith is rising among professional athletes18:56 – Why Henderson highlighted persecuted Christians in Nigeria22:45 – Lecrae on why Reconstruction is different24:53 – Transparency vs vulnerability in creative work26:08 – Therapy, confidence and owning your voice29:25 – Why Lecrae chose the word “Reconstruction”30:46 – Leadership, loneliness and stewardship33:01 – The future of Christian hip-hop34:41 – Lecrae on legacy and being a bridge between faith and culture44:17 – How Reconstruction invites people back to faithAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rian Johnson’s new Knives Out film, 'Wake Up Dead Man,' is sparking conversations few mainstream movies ever touch — faith, forgiveness, power and what it actually means to follow Jesus in a polarized world.In this episode, we talk with the filmmaker about growing up in the Church, walking away from faith and why Christ’s teachings — especially “love your enemy” — still shape the stories he wants to tell. Johnson opens up about wrestling with the us-versus-them mentality, the corrupting pull of power and influence, and why he wanted to portray Christian belief with empathy rather than caricature.Plus, the RELEVANT crew debates the best Christmas movie of all time in a chaotic bracket showdown, reacts to surprising year-end culture stories and discusses new research suggesting adolescence doesn’t actually end until age 32.HIGHLIGHTS:01:40 – Why 'Wake Up Dead Man' Feels Like a Gospel Story04:00 – Serving vs. Fighting: Faith and the Culture War06:45 – Why Culture Is More Open to Spiritual Conversations09:20 – Is Wake Up Dead Man the Best Knives Out Movie?12:10 – Is Rian Johnson Done With Faith?13:10 – Christianity vs. Church Culture20:15 – RELEVANT Buzz22:00 – Forrest Frank Breaks Into Google’s “Hum to Search” List26:30 – Theo Von and Morgan Wallen’s Bible Study Revealed32:00 – Rian Johnson on Growing Up Evangelical34:00 – “Arms Wide Open vs. Fists Up” Faith Explained39:00 — SLICES39:20 – New Research Says Adolescence Lasts Until Age 3245:15 – AI Reality TV Is Here (Unfortunately)47:30 – Christmas Movie Bracket ChallengeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Andy Mineo joins us for a hilarious and surprisingly vulnerable conversation about reinvention, perfectionism, leaving Reach Records, making his first album in four years and why he almost drove himself crazy trying to get it right. Plus, the cast dives into:– Brandon Lake dominating Billboard’s year-end charts– The ER vs The Pitt IP controversy– Ticketmaster’s takedown– TreVeyon Henderson spotlighting persecuted Christians on the field– A chaotic game of “One Has to Go” that reveals way too much (about Andy)CHAPTERS:1:20 – '90s nostalgia, ER and the IP drama behind The Pitt10:25 – RELEVANT Buzz: Brandon Lake ruled 202515:45 – Olivia Dean takes on Ticketmaster19:50 – TreVeyon Henderson highlights persecuted Christians in Nigeria21:50 – Andy Mineo joins the show22:20 – Why his new album took four years23:40 – Perfectionism, analysis paralysis and moving faster27:10 – More new music is already loading28:35 – Andy & Marty’s 15-year friendship origin story32:05 – “One Has to Go” with Andy41:55 – Parenting, nostalgia and movies that don’t hit the same44:15 – 80s/90s PG movies were NOT PGRemember, you can watch the episode video on YouTube!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Two former Bachelor stars. Two very different, but impactful, post-show paths. One episode about what it really looks like to use your platform well. In this new installment of The RELEVANT Podcast: Impact Conversations, Emily Brown and Cameron Strang sit down with Madi Prewett Troutt and Ben Higgins to talk about life after reality TV, spiritual growth, calling, purpose, and how to steward influence in a way that actually matters. First, Emily talks with Madi Prewett Troutt, who has spent the last five years immersed in ministry—preaching, writing, podcasting, discipling young women, and building a life rooted deeply in Scripture and the local church. She opens up about spiritual transformation, accountability, confession, motherhood, leadership, and learning to stay true to her convictions even when it’s costly. Then Cameron sits down with Ben Higgins, who—after his time on The Bachelor—built Generous Coffee, launched multiple businesses, stepped into a major faith-centered role at iHeartRadio, and wrote a book on connection. Ben shares candidly about anxiety, purpose, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and using business as a vehicle for generosity and Kingdom impact. If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your calling, use your platform responsibly, walk in integrity, or navigate fame and faith in a digital age—this episode is rich, honest, and deeply encouraging. Presented by World Vision.HIGHLIGHTS:01:50 — Madi Prewett Troutt02:13 — Madi on how her life has changed since The Bachelor04:57 — Moving from motivational speaking to biblical teaching07:11 — How moving and finding a new church shaped her spiritual growth09:57 — How Madi discerns what God is calling her to speak into12:21 — Choosing conviction over comfort16:53 — Breaking secret sin cycles and finding freedom22:14 — Protecting peace and setting boundaries on social media28:23 — Why Madi launched her podcast and how God led the timing33:37 — Learning patience when God says “wait”38:21 — Ben Higgins41:28 — Life/work balance as a new dad43:30 — What Ben does for work now45:49 — How his role at iHeartRadio is expanding into faith initiatives50:39 — Rethinking conferences, creativity, and reaching the disconnected52:29 — Mike Foster’s coaching 56:03 — Restaurant ventures, investing and avoiding AI-replaceable spaces59:16 — Why his new book is about connection (not fame)1:02:11 — Feeling like an outsider and the moment everything changed1:04:47 — How vulnerability unexpectedly connected him with millions1:07:21 — Did The Bachelor change him?1:10:06 — A friend’s advice that shifted his entire approach to fameAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy