Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

*This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we welcome RobertAnthony Cruz , known to many as Coach RAC. RobertAnthony is a professional baseball player with the Savannah Bananas , a former minor league athlete, and a mentor to thousands of young people through sports camps and social media. But beyond the flips on the field and the packed stadiums, Coach R...

This week, we speak with Nathan Davis Jr. , an actor, singer, and songwriter whose career has taken him from church choirs to television screens and viral music platforms. But behind the success is a deeply personal story of loss and faith. After losing his little brother to suicide and enduring a season of overwhelming grief, Nathan found himself at a breaking point, until a quiet, honest cry to...

This week, we’re joined by beloved television host, actress, songwriter, and author Kathie Lee Gifford . Kathie Lee shares her deeply personal faith journey, emphasizing that she is not a “churchy person” but a “relationship person.” She advocates for understanding the Scriptures deeply, going beyond surface-level readings, and ultimately seeking to bring Jews and Chr...

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast , where we do a deep dive on misunderstood women in the Bible with author, podcaster, and speaker Mary DeMuth. Many of us grew up hearing the stories of women like Bathsheba, Tamar, and the Woman at the Well, often presented in a simplified—and sometimes judgmental—light. But what if the Sunday School les...

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners. This week, we’ll hear from Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) , Ed bridged the hearing and deaf worlds for his parents, fostering immense empathy but also hardship. Later, following his parents’ deaths, he faced a tidal wave of despair and...

This week, we’re joined by author and speaker John O’Leary . John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating house fire that doctors said he would not survive. Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, John’s life became a testimony to hope rising fr...

What if the struggles in your marriage aren’t just about today, but about untold stories from long ago? In this episode of “Jesus Listens,” Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Steve Call explore how past wounds, unspoken patterns, and even everyday tones of contempt shape our relationships more than we realize. The themes discussed are found in their new book “The Deep-Rooted Marriage...

This week, we’re thrilled to be celebrating our 500th podcast episode with actor Sarah Drew , known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Everwood . Sarah shares how her faith shaped her career from a pastor’s kid who found joy in acting to eventually navigating the pressures of Hollywood. She discusses the rewarding challenge of developing her Grey’s Anatomy character, April...

*This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we hear from Stephen McWhirter , a songwriter and worship leader whose early life was marked by deep trauma, addiction, and a shattered view of God shaped by his father’s hypocrisy and abuse. After years of rebellion and anger toward faith, Steven encountered Jesus in an unexpected moment that transformed e...

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast , where we do a deep dive on the book of Philippians with Nate Pickowicz, the pastor of Harvest Bible Church. Nate walks us through the context of Philippians, and the life of the author—the apostle Paul—revealing how when we turn to God in the middle of our fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, we can find joy...

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners. This week, in celebration of Super Bowl Sunday , we’ll hear from Tim Green , a former NFL player, bestselling author, and commentator. Tim, who now speaks with the assistance of technology due to a diagnosis of ALS , reflects on a life marked by ambition, the identity-shaking diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disease,...

Our first guest is Jeremy Rosado , who traced a path from New York City dreams to the bright lights of American Idol and The Voice . But the biggest spotlight in his life wasn’t a stage—it was the decision to lay down his music career for a season to become a father to his niece. Jeremy shares how choosing fatherhood over fame became a pivotal act of faith, and how God used the quiet,...

On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer , we’re joined by beloved authors/speakers who coined the term “Godwink”—SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Godwinks are the little gifts left on our doorstep, the personal connection moments in which God lets us know we’re not alone. SQuire and Louise share about the latest title in their collection, Godwinks for Mom...

This week, we sit down with Chris Blair , the owner of the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville , a place known not just for great music, but for the spirit of generosity that lives within its walls. Chris came to Nashville chasing a dream, but what began as a pursuit of music slowly became a calling to create space for others—space where stories are honored, community is formed, and giving back...

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast , inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop...

This week, we hear from retired Washington D.C. police sergeant and pastor Dale Sutherland , who shares how his faith carried him through dangerous undercover work, false accusations, and ultimately inspired him to launch a ministry that brings hope to families in crisis. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Haley Scully , who has spent nearly fifteen years with Hope for the Heart , equippi...

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast , where we do a deep dive on the book of Proverbs with author Sherri Hughes-Gragg. Sherri walks us through the wisdom and compassion of God that are on full display in Proverbs, how short scripture passages like these can serve as a touchpoint to bring us back to God, and what it truly means to love our neighbors as...

In the foothills of Appalachia, Jordan Smith , a young boy from Harlan, Kentucky, found his voice in the hymns of a small country church. Years later, that voice would capture the nation’s heart when Jordan Smith won NBC’s The Voice in 2015. In our conversation, Jordan reflects on how hymns shaped his journey and how prayer and Scripture continue to anchor him through every season of l...

This week, we welcome Ben Higgins back to the show—entrepreneur, author, and former star of The Bachelor who has turned public fame into a platform for authentic connection. Ben shares why true connection can’t be found through screens or status, but through honest conversation and shared life with others.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Nashville singer-songwriter Ja...

“Passion is what we can't stop doing despite not having any accolades or open doors.” Get ready for a real and raw conversation on Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer as Heather Thompson Day shares her journey with Susie McEntire-Eaton. Discover how to find God's delight in our attempts, even in failure.   Guest’s Links Heather’s YouTube: @ heatherthompsonday1 Heather&rsq...

This week, we welcome a music legend whose voice has become synonymous with the sounds of the season. At just twelve years old, Brenda Lee recorded “ Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree .” She shares memories of recording in Nashville alongside country greats, her deep respect for the team behind every hit, and the enduring value of kindness in a competitive industry.  Later i...

This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.   On today’s episode, we talk with two guests who have navigated both the heights of success and the depths of personal struggle, learning a profound truth: finding hope isn’t just for the good times. Candace Cameron Bure , the beloved actress and author, shares how she rooted her identity not in Hollywood fam...

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we hear from author, podcaster, and entrepreneur Theresa Bruno . After experiencing a profound loss that threatened to plunge her into complete despair, Theresa shares how through raw honesty and unwavering prayer, she discovered the strength to not only keep going, but to find hope amidst the wreckage.  Next...

Welcome to a new monthly bonus series of the Jesus Calling Podcast , where we focus on specific books of scripture with an expert guest. This month, we’re doing a deep dive on the book of Luke with pastor and author Rob Morgan. Rob walks us through Luke’s vision for the gospel and the eyewitness accounts that it’s formed out of. He shares what we can learn from Zechariah and Eliz...

This week, we’ll hear from Melissa Ferguson , a mother of five whose love for stories and the countryside has inspired her creative life. From her family’s Tennessee farmhouse by the mountains, she writes heartwarming romantic comedies for television and children’s books. Melissa reflects on the lessons she’s learned from farm life, family rhythms, and faith—and why a...