Unapologetic from SBU

It's hoops season! In this episode of the Unapologetic Podcast, hosts Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard engage in a lively discussion with basketball coaches Matt Bollant and Tomas Brock. They share personal basketball memories, coaching journeys, and the importance of building a strong team culture. The conversation delves into the challenges of recruiting at the Division II level and the bala...

In this episode, we explore the rich history of speech and debate at Southwest Baptist University, the significance of debate in personal and professional growth, and the exciting developments within the university's forensics program. Dr. Clint Wooderson, Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and coach for SBU Forensics, joins Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard to talk about the upcoming ye...

Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard dig into some updates from events across SBU, including encouraging enrollment numbers for the Fall 2026 semester with growth across almost every campus. They also spend some time talking about the Department of Education's new Compact for Academic Excellence and its implications for SBU and higher education overall.  Key Topics Campus updates and recent events...

In this episode, Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard welcome Minh Dinh, associate director of club sports, and pickleball player Annie Sparks to talk about the introduction of club pickleball at SBU. Minh and Annie share their journeys to SBU, and we also learn more about the growth of club sports on campus and plans for the future. Keywords pickleball, college sports, club sports, student leader...

  In this episode, David Mathis of Desiring God joins Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard to share his journey from college to ministry, explore the concept of Christian hedonism, and discuss his recent writings on the glory of Christ and leadership. Listeners will gain insights into biblical joy, spiritual disciplines, and the importance of delighting in God. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podc...

Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard work through ways that AI is impacting education, including at SBU. They talk about the challenges that the technology presents and ways to mitigate those challenges in the classroom. They also reflect on Jonathon's chapel message highlighting the theme of the year, "Rooted and Ready," and preview upcoming events on campus. Keywords AI in education, Christian f...

Jonathon Woodyard and Brandt Merritt look ahead to the fall semester with a number of events on the calendar, including Homecoming, the Great SBU Campout, visit events, and more. They also discuss a recent headline about the University of Michigan dropping letter grades for new students, and what this says about mental health among college students.  Key Topics Upcoming campus events including Wel...

The Unapologetic Podcast is back for Year 3 of insights and interviews and important updates about Southwest Baptist University. And big news - Jonathon Woodyard is stepping into the interim president seat after Dr. Rick Melson's selection as the next president of Moody Bible Institute. Jonathon and Brandt Merritt discuss this major transition in the life of SBU, as well as recap their summers tha...

Join Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard as we explore the impactful work of Dr. Matt Kimbrough, division chair and faculty member in the Courts Redford Division of Christian Ministry. Discover his journey from student to professor, the innovative programs at Redford, and how they are preparing students for ministry and church leadership in a changing world. As an SBU alum, Dr. Kimbrough shares h...

Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard look back on some of the highlights from the Spring 2026 semester at SBU, including chapel speakers, student life events and the spring Board of Trustees meeting. They then spend some time discussing Paul's letter to the Romans, as Jonathon plans to introduce a yearlong study of the book during the 2026-2027 school year. The study would then culminate in a stud...

  Join Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard as they explore senior Ben Stelken's journey from a non-Christian background to a committed follower of Christ, his leadership on campus, and his plans for the future in physical therapy. This episode offers insights into faith development, student leadership, and balancing athletics with academics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and icebreaker 07:07 Ben's...

Next Gen leader Shane Pruitt of the North American Mission Board joins Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard in an engaging conversation about how to address current cultural challenges and the lies that Christians are prone to believe in today's age. They recap Shane's visit to SBU and his conversations with students, while also discussing current books that they are reading. You won't want to mis...

Jonathon Woodyard returns to the podcast after a stint of military commitments as an Army chaplain, joining Brandt Merritt to talk about recent and upcoming campus events. They spend some time recapping Jonathon's time in military service and some perspectives on the beginning of the U.S. conflict with Iran. They also discuss the SEC basketball championship game between Mizzou and Kentucky.  Chapt...

In the second of two episodes focused on healthcare in Southwest Missouri, Mike Calhoun of Citizens Memorial Hospital joins Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard to talk about the ways CMH is working to address the needs of the region. An alum of SBU, Calhoun gives an in-depth look at the hospital's expansion, workforce development strategies, and the impacts on community well-being. He also shares...

Vice President of Advancement Leon Wirth joins Brandt Merritt to preview SBU's upcoming giving day, SBUnited 2026 on Thursday, March 12. They highlight significant momentum in giving trends to SBU's Annual Scholarship Fund and overall giving, including increased dollars and increased donors. They also give an update on capital campaign planning connected to SBU's campus master plan, and share posi...

Jessica Atchison and Aaron Tribby of Mercy Springfield join Brandt Merritt on SBU's Springfield Campus to talk about the state of healthcare in Southwest Missouri. Mercy and SBU have a long partnership of working together to train healthcare professionals in the region, dating back to the 1980s. Jessica and Aaron share more about the ways they are trying to develop a sustainable workforce to meet...

Andy Naselli joins host Brandt Merritt to discuss predestination, anxiety, and the importance of biblical worldview in understanding God's sovereignty and human response. He emphasizes the significance of theological clarity for Christian living and ministry, especially for college students navigating complex topics. Naselli is a professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary and Lead Pastor of Chris...

In this episode of the Unapologetic Podcast, Brandt Merritt hosts Tyler Wilkins, a pastor from Kansas City and an SBU alumnus. They discuss Tyler's journey from being a student at SBU to his current role as a senior pastor at Fellowship KC. The conversation covers Tyler's experiences at SBU, his path to pastoral ministry, the importance of discipleship and apologetics in today's culture, and his r...

In this episode of the Unapologetic podcast, host Brandt Merritt speaks with Dr. Mike Methvin, the superintendent of Bolivar schools. They discuss Dr. Methvin's journey in education, the challenges facing K-12 education, and the importance of recruiting and retaining quality educators. The conversation also covers innovative programs for college and career pathways, ongoing construction projects i...

50 EPISODES!  Jonathon Woodyard and Brandt Merritt celebrate their milestone by welcoming Daniel Darling to the podcast to talk about his new book "In Defense of Christian Patriotism" as well as major issues that Christians should pay attention to in 2026. These include 1) The midterm elections; 2) The increase in church attendance among Gen Z; and 3) The impact of artificial intelligence (AI).  T...

In this episode of the Unapologetic Podcast, hosts Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard discuss Jonathon's experience with SBU students at CrossCon, a large conference for young adults focused on worship and missions. They also introduce the upcoming SBU Ignite Conference on the Bolivar campus, aimed at shaping SBU students' faith and practice. The conversation shifts to Jonathan Edwards' resoluti...

It's been an amazing semester at SBU! In this episode, Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard reflect on the highlights of the Fall 2025 semester, discussing the successful Welcome Week, enrollment growth in various programs, and the importance of community engagement. They share insights into new traditions and initiatives, particularly during the Christmas season, and look ahead to exciting plans...

Jonathon Woodyard and Brandt Merritt dig into the different models of Christian higher education, from student ministry opportunities at large public universities to closed enrollment private Christian schools. They also talk through some of the pros and cons of different approaches, and ways that the integration of faith in learning takes place. The conversation highlights the diversity of Christ...

In this conversation, Jonathon Woodyard and Brandt Merritt discuss the intersection of faith and work, emphasizing the importance of viewing all aspects of life through a Christian lens. They reflect on personal holiday experiences before diving into the theology of work, exploring how Christians can integrate their faith into their vocations and ways that Southwest Baptist University strives to d...

SBU's Director of Development, Brad Sullard, joins Brandt Merritt and Jonathon Woodyard to talk about his ministry career that led him back to SBU in his current role. His work consists of engaging with alumni and donors, but not just to get them to give back to the university. He spends a lot of his time listening and building connections to strengthen affections for SBU and share the amazing thi...