Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

At 34 years old, Paul Reeves was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer.  He was a healthy and active husband, father, and worship leader who never expected to have a life-threatening illness.   What happened after Paul's diagnosis will remind you that some of our greatest blessings come through our fiercest trials.   In this episode of Candid Conversations, Paul sits down with Jonathan to discuss...

A Global Pandemic. Racial violence. Protesting. Upheaval. Where is God in the midst of this? What does it look like as a Christian to live in these unprecedented times in America? Are these trying times a sign of God's judgment?   Join Jonathan as he welcomes R.T. Kendall back to Candid Conversations. Dr. Kendall is a Christian writer, speaker, and teacher who pastored Westminster Chapel in London...

You cast your vote. Your civic duty is done. Now what do you do?   Join Jonathan as he discusses the role of fear and faith in our lives post-election. In this episode of Candid Conversations, he reflects on the reminder we have in Scripture to cast off anxiety while prayerfully trusting in the Lord for our future.   Take a few minutes to listen and then share this episode with a friend who is str...

The pursuit of Truth and uncompromising integrity are the foundation of good journalism. Why, then, are Christians hesitant to pursue a career in mainstream media? Join Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes Jane Robelot to Candid to discuss how her Christian faith intersects with her successful career in broadcast journalism. Jane is an award-winning journalist and local news anchor, former CBS morning...

Jonathan welcomes Connie Musselman and Jeannie Brostrand to Candid Conversations to answer your parenting questions. Together, they give invaluable insight  into raising children who love God and follow Christ.   Together, they have more than 50 years of experience nurturing the hearts of children at home, in the church, and in our schools.  Connie currently serves as the Director of Children’s mi...

In the past few years, we have seen the rise of the public debate around gender and transgender. What makes a man a man and a woman a woman? Is this a new debate or an ancient one?   Jonathan Youssef welcomes Claire and Rob Smith from Sydney, Australia to Candid Conversations. Rob Smith lectures in theology, ethics, and music ministry at Sydney Missionary & Bible College. He also serves as the Ass...

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 58), 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...

Jonathan welcomes his father, Dr. Michael Youssef, back to Candid Conversations to discuss his new book, Treasure that Lasts: Trading Privilege, Pleasure, and Power for What Really Matters .   Daily, we are surrounded by the temptation to glorify ourselves. We post carefully curated selfies on Instagram, chase money and pleasure, and live the "image is everything" lifestyle. We've created a cultur...

It's all too common to forget God's design for marriage and instead focus on daily challenges.  In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef reminds listeners that through marriage, we reflect the beautiful union Christ has with His church.   Take a moment to be reminded that you are are wholly and dearly loved by God and remember the incredible and eternal purpose He has for your mar...

Join Jonathan for part two of a “candid conversation” with Mac Powell. In this part of the conversation, Mac opens up about trials he and his family have faced over the past year – and how they have found strength in their faith in God and encouragement from their church family.  If you are struggling with issues you never thought you would face and aren’t sure why, you will definitely want to lis...

Join Jonathan for the first of a two-part “candid conversation” with Mac Powell. Mac is an award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and musician who formed the Christian rock band Third Day with guitarist Mark Lee.  Mac has written and produced some of the most prolific modern worship songs of our time.   In this first part of the conversation, Mac shares his background, offers insight into con...

Jonathan welcomes Eric Metaxas to Candid Conversations to discuss the importance of bringing the Gospel into politics without politics becoming an idol.   Eric Metaxas is a popular author, speaker, and conservative radio host. He has also written humor, children's books, and scripts for VeggieTales. He is the founder and host of the NYC-based event series, "Socrates in the City: Conversations on t...

Jonathan shares a Biblical reflection from the book of James on who our real enemies are and how we can understand them in light of the Gospel.  Take a deeper look at how the world, our flesh, and the devil work against us and how we can claim the promises of God and have daily victory over these enemies of our soul. To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LT...

Jonathan welcomes Rosaria Butterfield to Candid Conversations to discuss building up the church to live like the family of God to provide a powerful Christian witness to your neighbors.   Rosaria is a former tenured professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University. She was converted to Christ in 1999 in what she describes as a train wreck.  In her late twenties, allured by feminist...

Jonathan welcomes Dr. Tony Evans to Candid Conversations to discuss the Church's role in fighting racism, the importance of living out our identity in Christ, and his plan to unite churches to overcome racial barriers in our communities. Tony Evans is the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. He is also a renowned speaker, author, and has a widely syndicated radio and telev...

Some celebrities are celebrating abortion as a stepping stone to a better life for women. Today's Candid Conversations guest has a very different perspective to share.  At just 20 years old, Bree Tuttle had an abortion and suffered through physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional scarring. Bree joins Jonathan Youssef today to share the truth she wishes she'd known before her abortion.   Bree is...

Dr. Bruce A. Lowe from Reformed Theological Seminary joins Jonathan to take a deep dive into the topic of sin. Together, they discuss several aspects of sin, including: • What is sin and who defines it? • Why is the topic of sin taboo in the church of all places? • How do I address the problem of sin in my life? • Why is isolation dangerous? • What role does community play in breaking habitual sin...

As stress and isolation grow, how can we combat rising anxiety without normalizing it? Clay Kirkland offers unique insight and help from his personal struggle with anxiety and years of providing spiritual direction for thousands of young adults while leading one of the largest campus ministries in the United States.  In this episode of Candid, Clay unpacks his own personal struggle with anxiety an...

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel. Not just forgiveness but total forgiveness. A forgiveness that completely sets us free from the wages of sin and death. Not only are we totally forgiven but the Lord asks us to totally forgive others, too. Without giving and receiving forgiveness, we live a life of bondage. Join Jonathan and Dr. R.T. Kendall as they discuss the importance of forgiveness a...

Join Jonathan as he reflects on the past year with Candid and shares a special Summer announcement. To ask Jonathan a question or to connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org...

Jonathan welcomes Horst Schulze to Candid Conversations - the man who defined the luxury hotel experience through his long tenure as President of The Ritz Carlton Hotels.  He then went on to define what ultraluxury meant as the Founder of the Capella Hotel Group.   His worldly success is remarkable, but what is most notable about Horst Schulze is his love for our Lord and how that overflows into h...

Technology has helped believers stay connected during quarantine, with local churches streaming Sunday services and small groups connecting online. But once churches are fully re-opened and believers can meet in person, what is the role of online church services?  In this episode of Candid, Dr. Chase Kuhn joins Jonathan Youssef to discuss the role of the digital church, as well as the Biblical mod...

We all face difficulties.  Why? What is the purpose of trials? How should we view them as followers of Christ? How do we keep going when things seem unbearable? In this episode, Jonathan Youssef unpacks wisdom from James 1 about how we are to handle trials and the blessing we receive when we persevere. To ask Jonathan a question or to connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid...

No matter who you are, Mo Isom Aiken is going to challenge and encourage you in your relationship with Christ. She is a powerful witness to the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice to cover and deliver us from all sin. In part 2 of this candid two-part conversation, Mo shares the practical steps she took to walk free of sexual impurity and pornography--and she offers wisdom and free resources to help g...