Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

Our malls display it. Our shows advise it. Our commercials glorify it. Our news justifies it. Our universities disseminate it. Have you guessed it? Every aspect of our culture proclaims that what matters in life is our feelings—our guide in this world is our pleasure—and anything that would deny us our freedom to "follow our truth" should be dismantled. Under such pressure and persecution, and wit...

Costi Hinn is a voice of clarity in a world filled with prosperity gospel confusion. Formerly surrounded by the opulence and excesses of the Word of Faith movement, he left it all for an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ based on the Truth of His Word.  Today, Costi serves as the Teaching Pastor at Shepherd’s House Bible Church in Chandler, Arizona. He is currently completing his doctorate...

As Christians, if we want to live transformed lives, we must first treasure our Redeemer. When we do, we'll have the wisdom to discern what to prioritize and understand the importance of letting go of our disappointments and failures so that we might gain something greater.  With this in mind, Jonathan shares some practical tips in this Biblical reflection to help you grow in your delight of the L...

We all wrestle with questions of purpose, calling, and how to align with God’s will for our lives. The age-old adage says, 'A calling is given to the called by a Caller.' But what does that mean? How do we identify our purpose? And most importantly, how do we teach these values to young adults who are on the brink of life-defining decisions? Jonathan's guest for today's candid conversation is Erin...

We are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. History. It’s called dechurching and it impacts more people than the First and Second Great Awakening and every revival in our country combined...but in the opposite direction.  Very little study had been done on dechurching until Jim Davis and Michael Graham commissioned the largest and most comprehensive study of dechu...

A topic that comes up almost weekly in our Candid planning meetings is Biblical discipleship – the importance of being discipled in Christ by mature believers and the importance of discipling others as you mature in the faith.  Today’s conversation on growing in the Christian faith is with Thomas Tarrants – a guest we couldn’t wait to have back on the podcast. He is an author and the President Eme...

Are you part of the sandwich generation - caring for your children and aging parents?  If so, we hope you caught part 1 of this two-part conversation with Dr. Bill Davis on how to care for your aging loved ones. If you haven’t, take time to listen to both of these episodes.  In the first half of the conversation, we discussed honoring your parents in their older years. In this half of the conversa...

How do you honor your aging loved ones' desires when they need care and still keep them safe? How do you balance caring for your aging parents, caring for your spouse and children, and holding down a full-time job? What does honoring your parents look like as you grow older?  Dr. Bill Davis joins Jonathan on Candid today to answer these pressing questions. Dr. Davis has been at the forefront of ex...

As a young adult pastor, Jonathan Youssef often hears the question, " Can I, as a Christian, date a non-Christian ?" In this episode of Candid, Jonathan shares Biblical wisdom and insight as he answers this heartfelt question. 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-Chr...

Jonathan welcomes a special guest to Candid Conversations this week – Melissa Kruger. She is an author, speaker, the Vice President of Discipleship Programming for The Gospel Coalition, and a woman with a heart to help others uncover their true identity in Christ. She has a knack for connecting with women right where they are, with wisdom deeply rooted in the truths of the Bible.  Melissa has dedi...

As fall approaches and students return to school, many will embark on their college journey for the first time. College life presents more than just an academic transition. It introduces new relationships, social experiences, and newfound freedom that can pose challenges to one's spiritual life. Unfortunately, colleges are not typically known for fostering a strong relationship with Christ or prov...

This month, as we celebrate reaching the milestone of 200 episodes of Candid, our podcast producers are taking a moment to reflect on their most beloved episodes. This week, the team shines a spotlight on Jonathan's captivating interview with Alisa Childers. Alisa, widely known as the author of the popular apologetics blog AlisaChilders.com and the host of The Alisa Childers Podcast , may also be...

This month, in celebration of reaching 200 episodes of Candid, our podcast producers are discussing their most cherished episodes! This week, the team delves into Jonathan's remarkable interview with Thomas Tarrants.  Thomas, a former white supremacist and prominent member of the Ku Klux Klan, was once notoriously known as the "most dangerous man in Mississippi." However, in this captivating episo...

As we continue to celebrate 200 episodes, our podcast producers are sharing their favorite episodes. This week you’ll hear the podcast team talk about Jonathan's interview with Julie Chapman, a three-time cancer and brain tumor survivor. Her optimism, determination to point others to the light and Truth of Jesus, and unwavering faith will inspire and encourage you to dive deeper into your relation...

This month, in celebration of 200 episodes of Candid, our podcast producers are talking about their favorite episodes!   This week the team talks about Jonathan's interview with Laura Perry. From transgender to transformed, Laura's story is an inspiring and life-changing testimony of the power of Jesus Christ to heal and redeem. Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at this Candid Conversation....

200 episodes!  Candid Conversations just hit 200 episodes and we want to celebrate this milestone with you. In this episode, Jonathan and our listeners share their encouraging words on how Candid Conversations has changed them and encouraged them in their spiritual walk with Christ.  Over the next month, the Candid production team will share our favorite episodes and will provide insight into how...

In this episode of Candid, Jonathan welcomes Tyler Van Halteren, a man with a deep-rooted commitment to enriching the lives of children and youth through the power of Christian faith and storytelling. Tyler, a Master's Divinity graduate from the Master's Seminary, has dedicated most of his life to sharing the teachings of Christ and the wisdom of the Bible through storytelling. From serving as an...

Hearing about the pressing need for compassionate arms and welcoming homes to accommodate vulnerable children in foster care is heart-wrenching. There are over 11,500 children in foster care in Georgia alone, with a staggering 391,000 nationwide. As believers, how do we help care for the vulnerable?  May marks National Foster Care Month, and to honor this, Jonathan is joined by author and Bible te...

Do you find it difficult to change? Do certain habits, behavioral patterns, and sins tempt you daily, leaving you longing to resist but feeling powerless? What does it mean to truly be sanctified?  Can people really change?  In this new reflection, Jonathan Youssef reveals the hope that is found in sanctification and rejoices in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - which was not only a historical ev...

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 connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid Fa...

As believers in Christ, we are called to run the race of faith with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. But what does it mean to have spiritual endurance, and how can we cultivate this quality in our lives? In this episode, Jonathan Youssef explores the biblical concept of endurance, drawing on examples from Scripture to demonstrate how endurance...

It's easy to lose focus on what’s important when you are constantly surrounded by messages that distract you from the best God has for you. The lens you look through can shift your focus and, ultimately, lead to a distorted perspective in life. In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef encourages you to reflect on what has captured your attention lately and shares how to refocus on...

What would you do if you were told you had two years to live? Join Jonathan for this powerful episode as he welcomes guest Sarah Pattison, a current cancer survivor, a passionately inspiring blogger , and her husband, part owner and operator of the paper company "The Happy Envelope.” Sarah shares with listeners her story of the challenge of starting her own company as a young mom, and she delves i...

Are you struggling to understand God's plan in the midst of infertility and the pain of waiting? Join Jonathan for this insightful podcast episode as he talks with Kara Duncan, author of "Love Always Wins: One Couple's Story of Infertility, Adoption, and a Faithful God," about navigating the journey of infertility while keeping faith in God. Despite the challenges and pain of waiting, Kara shares...

In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan welcomes author and teacher Nancy Guthrie who highlights the advantages of examining the Scriptures through the lens of holistic Biblical theology. By shifting our focus from ourselves to God when studying the Bible, we can experience the text in a more profound and accurate way. Nancy draws from her personal experiences, including her work in publ...