Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

Marriage. It is a blessing from God but it can also be difficult and complicated. We get married because we believe marriage is a good thing that will bless our lives. But much of the time, marriage morphs into something we didn’t intend it to be. When it does, we need something sturdier than romance and deeper than shared interest and mutual attraction. Jonathan welcomes Dr. Paul David Trip to Ca...

Dating can be difficult and can lead to so many questions. One question Jonathan Youssef often receives from his young adult group is, "Can I, as a Christian, date a non-Christian?" Recognizing the struggle behind this question, Jonathan's answer provides Biblical wisdom and insight that will help believers understand what is most important in their dating relationships and, ultimately, their marr...

How does one search and find the "right one"?  Relationships and online dating have changed in the pandemic, so how should a believer approach dating and address the longing for a Christian marriage? What role does the church play in helping believers build godly relationships?   Join Jonathan Youssef as he sits down with Deepak Reju. Deepak is the Associate Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church i...

The Equality Act is on the political horizon, already passed in the House and on its way to the Senate. What is it, and why should we care? As Christians, what does this mean for religious liberty? Can LGBTQ protections and religious liberties coexist? In today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes John Stonestreet, President of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, an organization committed to equipp...

There are many unknowns right now. Among them is the long term effect of the COVID crisis on both the economy and our personal finances. Jonathan Youssef welcomes David Nicholas to Candid to help explain what we are facing financially, as well as how we should frame it in light of Scripture. David also offers some practical counsel like the best way to prepare for the months ahead and how to use y...

We all hoped the pandemic would be over by last Easter. Instead, it has continued for a year with devastating effects. Today, things are slowly opening up and people are wondering what the new normal will look like. Join Jonathan as he reflects on the last year and gives insight into a new normal ushered in by Christ and His Resurrection. Take a few minutes to listen to this short reflection and t...

Progressive Christianity. Deconstruction. We are hearing these terms more regularly as some Christian leaders walk away from Biblical orthodoxy. What is the impact of redefining the Christian faith? In today’s episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef welcomes Alisa Childers whose book, Another Gospel , is a helpful guide to unpacking and understanding Progressive Christianity.   Alisa is...

Jonathan welcomes Sir Brian Souter to Candid Conversations. Sir Brian is one of the UK’s most successful businessmen and generous philanthropists. He is the founder of the Stagecoach Group of bus and rail operators, his investments company Souter Holdings Ltd, and the Souter Charitable Trust. In 2011, he was knighted by the Queen of England for his efforts in the transport and voluntary sector.  ...

Worship. Thousands of songs, playlists on Spotify, and countless books have been written on the subject. It’s a topic churches wrestle with, but what is true worship? Are there different types of worship? Would it surprise you to know it’s more than music and a "me-and-Jesus" moment? Jonathan welcomes Matt Merker, a leader in corporate worship. You may know him from songs like, “He Will Hold Me Fa...

Do people in your workplace know that you are a Christian? Are you concerned about the backlash you might face for your faith in Christ?   In today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes Mark Allaby, a corporate leader living in Australia. Mark shares how, while serving on the board for a secular business, his involvement with a Christian organization turned into a scandal that landed him on front page news...

It's difficult and heart breaking to process the news of confirmed allegations of personal impropriety by Ravi Zacharias. Apologist David Robertson joins Jonathan Youssef for a respectful conversation on the importance of grieving this report, what it means for Christian leaders to be held accountable, whether or not scandal discredits previous teachings, and what we can learn, if anything, from t...

Jonathan welcomes his dad, Dr. Michael Youssef, back to Candid Conversations for a special episode discussing his newest book, Hope for this Present Crisis .  Historic times, a global pandemic, economic crisis, political and social unrest, and cultural deviation from Biblical principles; all of these can lead us to disillusion and despair. During this candid conversation, Dr. Youssef encourages us...

So many difficult things have happened in the last year and the challenges keep coming. It’s not surprising that the stress of a worldwide pandemic, economic lockdown, and national unrest have stirred up negative emotions, including anger.  Join Jonathan Youssef and Bruce Lowe as they discuss anger in the lockdown. What is root of this anger our hearts? Where does it sprout from? And how should we...

Restoration. Have you taken the time to meditate on how the Lord is restoring you? It's easy to focus on the negative around us. However, it's far more edifying to seek out the ways the Lord is working good out of even the worst circumstances. Join Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes Ashley Poptodorova to Candid Conversations. Ashley has an incredible testimony of restoration from a childhood of abuse...

Join Jonathan for part two of an eye-opening two-part conversation with Monica Cline. For over a decade, Monica worked in HIV prevention education, comprehensive sex education as a Title X family planning Training Manager, and as a volunteer educator for Planned Parenthood. In part one of this conversation (Episode 75), Monica shares the truth behind comprehensive sex education and the disturbing...

Join Jonathan for an eye-opening two-part conversation with Monica Cline. For over a decade, Monica worked in HIV prevention education, comprehensive sex education as a Title X family planning Training Manager, and as a volunteer educator for Planned Parenthood. During this time, she came to learn that serving the marginalized meant meeting them where they are and then leaving them there. A combin...

A new wave of political unrest has left Christians wondering, "How should we engage in politics?" Erick Erickson joins Jonathan Youssef to discuss politics and faith and reveals where Christians should place their focus during this tumultuous time for our nation. Erick Erickson is a conservative, evangelical, author and runs a political blog The Resurgent as well a weekly radio host on Atlanta’s W...

Have you ever wondered what God's call is for your life?  Do you think about what He created you to do?  Do you wrestle and ask if you are in the center of His will? These are questions we all wrestle with periodically. If you are in that place now or know someone who is, today's podcast is for you. Jonathan welcomes Clay Kirkland back to Candid Conversations. Clay is a life coach who served for 1...

Dave Jensen grew up in a Christian home but he didn't follow Christ. As a young man, he went down every dead end road available in an attempt to find meaning and satisfaction in life. By 28 years old, he had pursued every road and found the end of all of them to be horrific. He was in great despair until someone explained who Jesus was and what Jesus did. Although he had heard it many times before...

2021 is here and we have no idea what it holds. Regardless of what is to come, we can trust the One who holds our future in His hands. In this personal reflection, Jonathan reminds us of the importance of focusing on Christ and why sharing His comfort can be life-changing for both us and those God places in our lives. The entire Candid Conversations' team wishes you a Happy New Year filled with th...

Relax and have a little fun by joining Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes his wife, Lindsey, to Candid Conversations . In this special Christmas episode, they share a little bit about how Christmas was for each of them growing up and how they plan to celebrate it as a family in the future. To wrap things up, they play a short round of This or That: Christmas edition. From the entire team at Candid Co...

Can we say that God is good all the time regardless our circumstances? Is God still good and worthy of praise when we are in the valley? This week, we wrap up our conversations with the Apostles' worship team. Today, Aimee Miller joins Jonathan Youssef for a Candid Conversation to introduce her song,  "God Be Praised," the final song in the Apostles Worship series. Aimee is a singer-songwriter hai...

David in Psalm 24 asks the question "Who is the King of Glory?" The response is, “The Lord  strong and mighty...lift up your heads.” Our Lord is strong and powerful.   Today, Seth Rice joins Jonathan Youssef for a Candid Conversation that takes a deep look into Psalm 24. It is the inspiration behind the new Apostles' worship song "Come and Lift Your Head Up" - included on the newest Apostles Worsh...

We don’t often think of suffering as a path that leads to praise. However, the Psalmist writes in Psalm 126 that “those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.” In Nehemiah 8:10, Ezra writes: “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Jonathan Youssef welcomes Jeremy and Lauren Ezell to Candid Conversations. Both are accomplished musicians, song writers, and worship leaders.  They sit down wit...

Join Jonathan this Thanksgiving week as he reflects on how to embrace gratitude during a difficult season. In this episode, Jonathan will share insight from Philippians 4, an anecdote to anxiety and worry. This year has forced us to live in the hard places. Take a few minutes to exchange your anxiety for the peace of God as, together, we give Him thanks for His spiritual and physical provision thi...