Next Up with Grant Skeldon

There is a quiet shift happening right now. The next generation isn't looking to just check religious boxes or live out a lifeless, mechanical faith; they're hungry for real authenticity, a true fear of God, and a genuine return to biblical holiness. But with this openness to the Holy Spirit comes an undeniable reality: young leaders are up against a very intense, modern spiritual battle. In this...

Grant sits down with authors, teachers, and great friends Chichi and Tracy Onyekanne to tackle a topic that many next gen leaders and pastors completely avoid: end-times prophecy and eschatology. For a generation that has seen end-times teaching either overhyped with timeline dates or totally ignored out of fear, Chichi and Tracy want to offer a refreshing, biblical approach. They break down the b...

In this episode of Next Up, Grant sits down with pastor Jonny Ardavanis to break down a massive shift happening in ministry: the next generation isn't looking for entertainment they are hungry for truth. Jonny shares his personal journey from wanting to avoid ministry entirely to embracing a rigorous, 10-chapter-a-day Scripture reading plan that radically transformed his life, his walk, and his pr...

Why are so many young leaders burning out, exhausted, and frankly, a little miserable? In this episode, Grant sits down with pastor, mentor, and author Ray Ortlund to uncover why next-gen Christians so easily fall into the trap of a grim, transactional "pay-as-you-go" faith. Ray breaks down why living with gusto and having a saintly blast isn't a compromise on holiness, but biblical wisdom from Ec...

In this episode, Grant sits down with pastor and author Matt Chandler to unpack a massive shift happening in youth culture and what it really looks like to lead with prophetic clarity today. Fresh off an incredible move of God at his church, Matt shares why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are craving raw confession and holy transcendence over more comfortable, "cool" churches. They dive into the reality of mo...

In this episode, Grant sits down with pastor and author Tyler Staton to tackle a massive tension facing the next generation of leaders: the desire for worldly influence versus the call to a more private hiddenness and prayer. When you're young, you want to change the world, but it is easy to overestimate our own capacity and underestimate the slow, humble work of God. Tyler opens up about his batt...

We've all heard the lie that leadership is lonely, but does it have to be? In this episode, Grant sits down with author and visionary Jennie Allen to dismantle the myth that ministry requires isolation. As a generation of leaders often thrust into influence early, many of us have traded deep personal connection for artificial digital content. Jennie shares why the Western experiment of independenc...

In this week's episode, Grant sits down with legendary author and marriage expert Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (author of Love and Respect) to dive into the messy, but necessary work of resolving conflict in relationships. After 52 years of marriage, Emerson has realized that even the most influential leaders often default to teenager behavior the moment they walk through their front door. They break dow...

In this conversation, Grant Skeldon sits down with author and speaker Riley Kehoe to discuss a topic that often feels like a four-letter word in Christian dating culture: waiting. For many in the next generation, the advice to, "just work on yourself," can feel like a platitude. But Riley challenges this perspective, sharing how a radical year of singleness let her become a God-sustained vessel of...

In this second installment of the Dating Challenge 2-part series, Grant is joined by friends JJ and Kait Tomlin, the powerhouse couple behind the Heart of Dating ministry. Kait, a dating coach and author, and JJ, a dating counselor, share their own unconventional story; from meeting on a Zoom call during the covid pandemic to navigating a long-distance relationship built on character over chemistr...

In the first half of a 2-part series on Dr. Henry Cloud's Dating Challenge, Grant sits down with Alec and Maddie Bevere for a raw, funny, and deeply practical look at what it means to steward your dating life for the sake of the Kingdom. For a generation of leaders often stuck in the waiting trap—hoping God will drop a spouse on their doorstep while they stay passive—Alec and Maddie's story is a m...

In this episode of NextUp, Grant sits down with world-renowned psychologist and author Dr. Henry Cloud to dismantle the confusion surrounding modern Christian dating. For a generation that grew up in the shadow of the "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" movement, many young leaders find themselves stuck in a cycle of waiting on God, ditching faith in Him in the process. Dr. Cloud shares why he moved from be...

Are we just talking about the next generation, or are we actually giving them the keys? In this episode, Grant sits down with his longtime friend and the founder of Pulse, Nick Hall, for a high-stakes conversation about what it looks like to be a missionary maker in today's culture. Nick is known for his unique ability to spot young leaders in their teens and put them on the world's biggest stages...

Are you building a platform, or are you being formed by the Presence? In this episode of NextUp, Grant sits down with Pastor Derwin Gray for a raw, high-stakes conversation about the Platform Gospel and the subtle idolatry that often creeps into next gen leadership. Derwin—who walked away from the fame of the NFL to follow Jesus—shares how many young leaders today are inadvertently using Jesus to...

We've all been there—wondering if we're actually called to the pulpit or if we're just good at talking. In this episode, Grant sits down with friend Faith Cho for a raw conversation on what it looks like to find your voice without losing your soul to the platform of online comparison and vainglory. Faith opens up about her first time preaching at 17 and the hard lesson she learned along the way: b...

Most of us spend our twenties feeling a massive amount of pressure to be someone or change the world, but we often end up feeling more crushed than crushing it. In this conversation, Grant sits down with his friend and Pastor of Way Noah Herrin to talk about what it actually looks like to lead well in your twenties and how to move from chasing a platform to being formed by the presence of God. Noa...

In this episode, our own Grant Skeldon sits down with Grant & Madi Troutt for a raw conversation on what it looks like to follow Jesus when the world—and even the church—is obsessed with platform. Are we using God as a stepping stone to build our own influence, or is He truly our cornerstone? Grant and Madi open up about their whirlwind of transition moving to Nashville and the counter-cultural rh...

What happens when you reach the peak of cultural influence and realize it's actually a cage? To start off this new season of NextUp, podcaster and former OnlyFans star Nala Ray joins the conversation to pull back the curtain on the platform world. From navigating the relentless microscope of social media to finding a deeper identity in Christ, Nala shares with us the raw reality of leaving behind...

Many leaders want to read the Bible more, but often don't know where to start. It can feel intimidating, confusing, or just dry, causing a relationship with Scripture to feel more like a task than a transformation. In this interview,  Grant sits down with Zach Windahl , the creator of The Bible Study, to talk about his story of going from a faith crisis to helping hundreds of thousands of people f...

In this episode, Grant chats with Ian Simkins about the sneaky trap of workaholism—especially for young leaders hustling in ministry or chasing impact. They dive into signs like constant exhaustion, ditching hobbies, and why even "good" busyness can pull us from God's easy yoke. If you're building something big but feeling burned out, this convo will hit home and point you toward real rest and rhy...

In this episode, Grant sits down with counselor and author Debra Fileta to dive into something that hits close to home for many—how to spot your limits before burnout sneaks up and derails everything. They talk about shifting old belief systems, drawing from Jesus' own rhythms for soul care, and practical steps to stay rooted without just grinding through. If you're a young leader feeling the pull...

In this episode, Grant sits down with Aro co-founder Joey Odom to talk about why we're so addicted to our devices and, more importantly, what we can actually do about it. Joey shares some mind-blowing insights into how our phones have become adult security blankets, keeping us from the real, meaningful connections we were made for. Grant and Joey get practical with four simple habits you can start...

In this episode, Grant sits down with pastor Reward Sibanda, who brought a powerful and challenging perspective that every Western leader needs to hear. He talks about why we've redefined one of the most foundational disciplines of our faith and what we've lost in the process. Reward cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what fasting is really about: consecration. It's not about earning...

In this episode, Grant sits down with Jennifer Barnett, Executive Director of Freedom Prayer. Jennifer provides a clear definition of Freedom Prayer as a personal ministry focused on identifying and resolving barriers that hinder a mature relationship with God, such as wounding, sin, ungodly beliefs, and entanglements. Drawing from her own experience overcoming crippling anxiety in her early years...

In this powerful episode, Grant sits down with author and spiritual strategist Tailah Scroggins to unpack the subtle ways New Age spirituality is seeping into the church today—and how Christian leaders can respond with wisdom and discernment. From understanding the dangers behind the Enneagram, yoga, and manifestation to the importance of deepening intimacy with Jesus, Grant and Tailah dive into p...