Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

A former white-supremacist and Klansman, once infamously called the "most dangerous man in Mississippi," sits with Jonathan and retells his incredible journey from a life of violence and hate to a life of radical love fueled by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.   In high-school, Thomas was enticed by extremist ideology and became involved in the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He was shot an...

Do you know the #1 question young people worldwide are asking about the Christian faith? Why are only youth in the West asking about suffering? Do you feel equipped to answer questions about Christianity? Join Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes David Robertson to Candid Conversations. David is an experienced minister and gifted apologist who can explain complex theological Truth in a simple and engag...

How do you forgive when you feel deeply wronged and wounded?  Is it important to ask for forgiveness when we have wronged someone else? On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan Youssef unpacks the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 and reveals how giving and receiving forgiveness are intertwined.   After you listen to this episode, you may have your own questions. We would love to hear...

Your best friend just lost their job. Your co-worker is sick in the ICU. Your neighbor just lost their spouse. You want to help, but you don't want to say or do the wrong thing. Today's Candid Conversations guest, Stan Carder, is here to help.   For over 40 years, Stan has walked through fierce personal trials and has, in turn, walked countless others through difficult times. From a small rural ch...

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...

The question that weighs heavily on so many hearts and minds is, "How do I pray for and reach my unsaved loved ones for Christ?" On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan Youssef unpacks this question and provides Biblical insight into why we pray, the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, as well as the blessing we have in bearing witness to and praying for our unsaved lo...

We’ve heard and seen a lot about the hardship and devastation people are facing who are desperate to flee Taliban in Afghanistan. It is utterly heartbreaking. Among those in danger are Christians who will face persecution and possibly death for their faith.   It is hard to comprehend what they are facing. Today, you will hear a powerful testimony of a Christian couple caught in similar circumstanc...

Fall is right around the corner and students are back in school. Many are heading to College for the first time. These students will be faced with so much more than the next step in their education. They will navigate new relationships, new social experiences, and a new found freedom that can be a challenge to the spiritual lives of many students. College is not known for encouraging students to g...

Fall is just around the corner. Leaves are changing. Grills are being fired up. That can only mean one thing. It’s time for football! This week's Candid Conversations guest is a fan favorite around here—Coach Mark Richt. Coach Richt played football at Miami and coached at some of the top football schools in the Southeast, including Florida State, the University of Georgia, and the University of Mi...

Last week we started an in-depth conversation with Laura Perry about her path from transgender to transformed. If you missed it, I encourage you to go back and listen to the first part of this conversation when Laura and I discussed the wounds of her past and her gradual physical transformation from female to male. Though all her outward physical dreams were coming true, she was spiritually empty...

You may have heard of the term gender dysphoria. If you haven’t, it is the psychological distress endured by a person because of a perceived mismatch between a person’s biological sex and their gender identity.   What causes gender dysphoria and what lies behind the desire to be a different gender? How should Christians view gender and how can we share the Truth in love with those struggling with...

Celebrate with Jonathan and Lindsey Youssef as Jonathan shares the good news of the arrival of their daughter, Eva Adair Youssef. Please join us in prayer for Jonathan, Lindsey, Isaac (Eva’s older brother!), and Eva as they adjust to life as a family of four. Welcome to the Candid Conversations family, Eva! To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Cand...

Called the best preacher in the family by her father, the late Billy Graham, Anne speaks with wisdom and authority from years spent studying God’s Word. Her aim is clear and evident in both her life and this conversation: to call people into a personal relationship with God through His word. To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid Facebook: htt...

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...

On this week's episode the tables are turned! Jonathan Youssef is a guest on Crosswalk with Gino Geraci on KRKS-FM in Denver. In this interview, Jonathan gives insight into his unique family history, his ministry time in Australia , and his passion to intentionally pursue the next generation for Christ through Candid Conversations. To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, v...

It's time to celebrate! Candid Conversations just hit 100 episodes and we want to celebrate this milestone with you. In this episode, Jonathan, listeners, and previous guests share their encouraging words on how Candid Conversations has changed them and encouraged them in their spiritual walk with Christ.   Thank you for listening to and sharing Candid Conversations - here's to 100 more episodes!...

Join Jonathan as he reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15.  In this third part of a three-part reflection, Jonathan looks at the older brother who remained in his Father's house. Listen and  reflect on the lavish grace and forgiveness of God the Father and the gentle reminder of God's continuing grace, forgiveness, and provision for those who remain in His care. To ask Jonat...

Join Jonathan as he reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15.  In this second part of a three-part reflection, Jonathan looks at the prodigal son who left home.   Listen and receive insight into how this parable provides unique insight into our relationship with God and those around us.  Don't miss this opportunity to understand our depravity and the incredible redemption offer...

Join Jonathan as he reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15.  In this first part of a three -part reflection, he describes the father's joy when his son repents and turns back to him.   Jonathan then shares how the father in this story is a beautiful mirror image of God, the Father. Join him as he unpacks God's heart towards His children and receive a reminder of God's unrelen...

Father’s Day is a great time to reflect on the incredible blessing a loving and godly father is to his children.  However, not everyone has had a great or godly father. No matter your relationship with your earthly father, your Heavenly Father can use this episode of Candid to reframe fatherhood for you. Join Jonathan as he welcomes a couple of members of the pastoral staff of The Church of the Ap...

Jonathan has a heartfelt conversation with Dee Barnes about how God saved her and redeemed her sexuality as she pursued a relationship with Christ.  Her transparent testimony of transformation through the power of God's Word has compelled her to lead others struggling with sexual and relational issues to the freedom only possible in Christ. Dee Barnes is the founder of His Wonderful Works , a mini...

Last week, Jonathan introduced Matt Lucas. If you haven’t listened to part 1 of his testimony, we would suggest you listen to it first and then come join us for this part of the conversation – look for episode 93 of Candid Conversations. In today’s conversation, Matt is candid about losing his son, Caleb, five years ago. Caleb was in college when he tragically passed away from a fatal drug interac...

His father is a Gold medal Olympian and NBA All-Star. He is married to the woman of his dreams, has three beautiful children, and enjoys a successful career in film. He has worked with some of the greatest media innovators of our time and he has seven Emmy awards under his belt.  Matthew Lucas has lived an incredible life filled with awe inspiring highs, but he has also endured heart-breaking lows...

Gino Geraci lives a radically transformed life in Christ and you don’t want to miss a minute of his testimony.   Gino Geraci is a senior pastor emeritus, seasoned police chaplain, and former FBI chaplain. He has ministered to first responders, victims, and families facing tragedy at Ground Zero on 911 and after the shootings at Columbine High School and the Aurora Theatre in Colorado. He is also t...

We love receiving your questions at Candid Conversations. We want to help you navigate the hard questions of the Christian faith. We all have questions about Christianity, so let’s dive in and answer them together. On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan takes a few minutes to unpack answers to your recent questions, including:  Why would God create us knowing we would fall and suffer? How could a...