The RELEVANT Podcast

This week — after the crew discusses summer vacations, cruise classes and the Jersey Shore — we talk to Jessica Koulianos, co-founder of Jesus Image, about what it actually looks like to go deeper with God instead of just consuming more church content.In RELEVANT Buzz, Team USA has turned the World Cup into a faith story, and we get into Steven Spielberg's new film ‘Disclosure Day’ and the surprising amount of room it gives to faith. In RELEVANT Recommends, we talk to Christian R&B artist Sondae, whose new album is a must-listen.In Slices, scientists are trying to find Noah’s Ark, and a pastor preached for 96 hours straight to chase a Guinness World Record. Then your feedback closes it out with the things everyone loves that you just don't get: matcha that tastes like grass, smash burgers, Hey Dudes and yes, we get distracted by your unusual usernames.Highlights:00:00 — Intro: Alaska cruises, classes and Jesse's classy Jersey Shore vacation14:03 — RELEVANT Buzz: Team USA's faith goes viral at the World Cup21:55 — ‘Disclosure Day’ and what aliens would do to Christian belief30:31 — RELEVANT Recommends: Sondae on his vulnerable new album 'Boy'36:23 — RELEVANT Conversation: Jessica Koulianos on real intimacy with Jesus50:33 — Slices: Drilling for Noah's Ark near Mount Ararat55:29 — The pastor who preached for 96 hours59:02 — Your Feedback: Things everyone loves that you just don't get1:07:14 — OutroAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, actor Milo Ventimiglia — known for 'This Is Us,' 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Heroes' — tells us why he chose to star in a new Christian movie, playing real-life worship artist Tim Timmons, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer over 20 years ago and is still defying the odds today. In RELEVANT Buzz, the crew recaps the Super Bowl — including the incredible story of Seahawks coach Mike McDonald, who followed God's calling to leave the corporate world to take an unpaid internship in coaching. And now 12 years later, it's led to a Super Bowl championship. We also dig into a new study revealing that Gen Z is statistically dumber than their parents (and why that's significant). Plus, Jesse forces the crew to watch the Carman movie trailer, and at the end of the show, we have Ask the Cast! And of course Jesse and Derek have some strong thoughts on Ring cameras and drones.Highlights:01:28 — The Olympics and Derek's New Drone04:59 — Ring Cameras Have Ruined Jesse's Hypothetical Heist06:18 — The Dark Knight Predicted the Ring Camera Era09:20 — Apple Is Buying Tech That Can Hear Your Silent Speech16:29 — RELEVANT BUZZ19:31 — Coach Mike McDonald: From Accountant to Super Bowl Champion23:04 — New Study: Gen Z Is Scoring Lower on IQ Tests Than Their Parents24:40 — The Lost Art of Daydreaming & Why Boredom Matters30:09 — Milo Ventimiglia on ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’33:24 — Jesse Makes the Crew Watch the Carman Movie Trailer (Live Reaction)37:47 — SLICES38:11 — Man Cited for Juggling Fire on a Unicycle in a Crosswalk41:11 — Man Breaks Into Little Caesars After Hours & Starts Selling Pizzas43:09 — ASK THE CAST44:05 — What Belief Have You Changed Your Mind On?45:46 — Boundaries You Didn't Know You Could Set46:40 — What Today Would Shock Yourself 10 Years Ago?47:18 — Podcast Voice vs. Real Voice49:48 — Who Has the Worst Music Taste on the Crew?51:04 — Why Jesse Is a Terrible Texter52:55 — NBA All-Star Weekend: Does Anyone Care?53:59 — Outro & YouTube Growth UpdateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we talk to ‘Mercy’ star Chris Pratt about how faith shapes his life and career. He opens up about navigating public narratives, using his platform with purpose and why he believes being open about faith matters more than ever.In RELEVANT Buzz, the crew dives into Jelly Roll’s moving moment on 'Star Search,' why Gen Z is intentionally disconnecting from their phones and whether music is actually getting sadder. Plus, stories about AI fatigue, bizarre license plate drama, a ketchup packet felony and a guy trying to create a new nation in Texas. And at the end of the show, don't miss the Best Game Ever!Highlights:01:00 Storm prep anxiety and riding it out03:27 The man who tried to start his own country in Texas06:56 The confidence of mediocre white men18:23 RELEVANT Buzz 18:53 Jelly Roll’s Gospel moment on Star Search21:58 Study finds popular music is getting sadder24:36 Gen Z intentionally disconnecting from phones30:10 Chris Pratt 36:40 SLICES 38:38 Mr. Potato Head license plate controversy39:34 Florida man charged over ketchup packet45:14 “Best Game Ever” Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The RELEVANT Podcast, we break down a surprisingly faith-heavy week in pop culture.In RELEVANT Buzz, Khloé Kardashian opens up in depth about her faith and prayer life, Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin shares why he’s returning to faith after growing up as a pastor’s kid. Then we discuss news at the other end of the spectrum: Bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey stepping away from ministry after confessing to an eight-year extramarital affair and Christian pop singer Stacie Orrico’s lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse by her former manager. We wrap things on an up-note, highlighting Daniel Caesar’s spiritually charged Tiny Desk performance.Plus, the crew reacts to DMX’s posthumous ordination, Jesse spirals over the murder math of NCIS, shares a wild Lamar Odom encounter and we play another round of ‘Overrated, Underrated or Just Right.’Highlights:03:00 Jesse’s NCIS take and the Navy murder math spiral14:15 RELEVANT Buzz begins17:05 Khloé Kardashian opens up about her Christian faith28:15 Caleb McLaughlin talks faith, deconstruction and returning to God31:55 Philip Yancey steps away from ministry after affair confession34:35 Stacie Orrico files lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse37:50 Daniel Caesar’s Tiny Desk and his spiritual journey39:20 Slices: Lottery odds website exposes Powerball math44:10 DMX to be posthumously recognized as a minister46:05 Game: Overrated, Underrated or Just Right (Part 2)47:15 Mayonnaise, squats and Chris Hemsworth49:00 Pet fish, LaCroix and Philip Yancey books50:00 Air fryers, motorcycles and voice notesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We wrap up 2025 and kick off 2026 by catching up on everything from post-holiday chaos to the optimism that comes with starting a new year. Along the way, we touch on Justin Bieber’s recent reflections on faith, how people in 1998 predicted 2025, and surprising new archeological evidence that Noah's Ark was real. From there, the episode takes a turn into full chaos as Jesse introduces his own idea for the “Patriot Games”: teams of Americans competing using everyday life skills, jury duty-style. The episode then wraps with the cast predicting the trends of 2026 — all delivered with the usual mix of humor, honesty and side-tracking that makes the show what it is.Highlights:05:10 — Spring-free trampolines and modern parenting stress07:40 — Childhood injuries, backyard chaos and growing up feral12:30 — The unspoken pressure of being “the capable adult”13:33 — SLICES: Noah’s Ark evidence25:03 — 1998 predicts 202531:53 — Justin Bieber’s faith posts30:45 — WHAT'S JESSE THINKING? Jesse introduces his Patriot Games concept43:20 — IN OR OUT? Predicting 2026 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy