Provoke & Inspire Podcast

Why is it that Christians often set out to build missional connections with their community, only to do so for years and never end up sharing the gospel? How does this keep happening? What does the bible say about this topic? David and Ben tackle this topic from years of ministry experience, and shed light on why this paradigm seems to exist, and how it can be avoided. ---------------------- Ben h...

How do we navigate ambition as Christians? Is it worldy - or Godly? Ben talks with YouTube personality, cultural commentator, and author Ruslan KD about preaching the gospel using social media, the potential pitfalls of doing so, and his book, "Godly Ambition." Click HERE to order now on Amazon. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the...

Is it possible to idolize our own families at the expense of our faith? What is the real root cause behind the constant restlessness and anxiety modern Christians feel? How should a generation dealing with severe "church hurt" respond to the flaws of the modern church?  Author, pastor, and theologian Gary Thomas joins Ben to answer these questions and more as they unpack his book, The Li...

How do we reach loved ones who have walked away from Jesus, or simply have never chosen to follow him at all? How do we see them as God does? What can we do? In this episode, Ben David, and Chad address these crucial questions, drawing from anecdotal accounts of people in their own lives, as well as the countless people they meet on the road of ministry, who grapple with this severely challenging...

Have you ever tried to share your faith with a friend, family member, or coworker, only to watch them immediately put up a wall? In a culture where the very name of Jesus is often tied to negative baggage, harsh judgment, or dead religion, how do we break through the noise to share the true gospel? In this episode, Ben breaks down a core principle learned through years of global mission work with...

Is there truth to "staying in your lane" regarding what God has called you to do? How do we navigate Gen-Z's view of spirituality? How do we know whether or not we will fall into sin again when we are in heaven? Author, apologist, and theologian Dr. William Lane Craig joins Ben on the podcast to answer these questions and more. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and u...

Can social media, YouTube, and online content truly disciple followers of Jesus - or are we trading real spiritual formation for sound bites and algorithms? Ben sits down with YouTuber Allen Parr to wrestle with the future of discipleship in a digital age, the role of the local church, online influence, and how believers can pursue transformation in a world addicted to distraction. ---------------...

Have we all, as the author of Hebrews writes, "entertained angels" without knowing it? How do we think about the spiritual realm without granting it too much attention or power? Ben, David and Chad dive into this mysterious topic, using scripture to guide as they explore stories and concepts about the actions of the unseen beings all around us. ---------------------- Ben has completely r...

Is AI a threat to us as image-bearers of God? As we become to depend more and more on machines, what will happen to our daily lives? Are we slowly rotting and atrophying our brains by using ChatGPT? Ben welcomes back Oxford Professor, author, and speaker Dr. John Lennox to the Provoke & Inspire podcast again to talk about the advent of AI and the concerns it presents us with, not only socially...

Is the existence of aliens a threat to our faith? What do we make of this potentially real phenomenon as followers of Jesus?  Ben, David and Luke weigh in as the U.S. Department of War's publishes a second release of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena files.  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis...

Most young people never step foot inside of a church, but how do we engage those who do? Is the church supposed to be a place not only for worship and communion, but evangelism too? Social media fitness influencer Ben Polson joins the P&I podcast to share his journey from atheism, to ending up at a church service, and the profound moments he experienced there.  Follow Ben on IG @ben.polson ---...

When it comes to church, how do you know if it’s time to leave or time to finally commit? What’s the difference between healthy discernment and consumer Christianity? Have we turned church into another product built around our preferences?  Ben and Luke wrestle with one of the biggest tensions facing Christians today: how to find a healthy church without approaching faith like a consumer. They exp...

How do you actually live out your faith at work without becoming weird, silent, or compromised?  Bradley McCoy shares practical wisdom from over two decades at Target Corporate on bringing your authentic faith into the workplace with boldness, compassion, and integrity.  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture...

What does it actually mean to be successful in God’s eyes? In a world obsessed with identity, achievement, and self-definition, how do we stop chasing significance in the wrong places and discover who we really are in Christ? ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis —a must-read guide for anyone longin...

Can secular success satisfy the human soul? Why do even atheists struggle to escape questions of meaning and morality? And is our deepest need actually not happiness… but forgiveness? Ben talks to author, speaker, and Christian apologist Greg Koukl. Greg reflects on his viral appearance alongside Steven Bartlett, Alex O'Connor, and Dr K, unpacking the deeper spiritual tensions underneath toda...

Is there such a thing as ordinary life for a Christian? Is ordinary life the sign of a compromised faith? How do we find the abundant life promised us by Jesus? The regulars weigh in on living faithfully for Jesus through the highs and lows that the day to day brings. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in...

We often go years without sharing our faith with neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family members - why is that? How can something so important never be talked about? Ben and David discuss this strange phenomenon that seems to permeate the lives of believers everywhere - our ability to omit the most important part of our life, and somehow never think twice about it. What does that say about us?...

Have people really experienced glimpses of heaven? How about hell? What do we do with the thousands of accounts given from those who have died, and come back to life, and who experienced something glorious, or horrifying in between? Are these accounts biblical?  Ben talks with author and pastor John Burke about his extensive research and findings in the world of Near Death Experiences (NDE's)...

Christians seem to be either angry and protesting, or silent, when it comes to hot button issues - including the LGBTQ+ discussion. How do we navigate the middle ground of giving measured, grace-filled answers, filled with conviction and clarity? The regulars respond to a clip of apologist and pastor Cliff Knechtle, appearing on Logan Paul's 'Impaulsive' podcast, which gives a bluep...

Has worship music become corrupted - the Christian music scene as well? How does God bring a person from the brink of destruction and hating him, to a place of influence in the church, and glorifying him? Ben speaks with singer, songwriter, and worship leader Stephen McWhirter about his story, how to reclaim worship that reflects intimacy with Jesus, and his new book, Radically Restored: How Knowi...

ATTENTION! If you’re in Minneapolis, don’t miss the No Longer Music Send Off Show, Saturday, 4/25, 630 PM at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Don’t miss this chance to see a truly incredible, and inspiring stage depiction of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, tailored for a secular audience. See you there!  Click HERE for more info! ————————————————————— How do we reclaim the depth we so desp...

Has progressive Christianity taken irreversible root in the modern church? How do you talk to somebody who has embraced its tenants?  Ben is joined again by author and podcaster Alisa Childers for a discussion on defending and upholding traditional Christian belief in a modern world that increasingly departs from it.  Check out Alisa's latest book HERE ---------------------- Ben has completel...

How do we love people where they are at in their faith journey - no matter where they are at?  The guys react to a viral moment of actor Shia LaBeouf leading someone in prayer on a secular podcast, and ask how Jesus would approach this type of person? ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis —a must-re...

How do we come to understand that God is all we truly have in this life? How do we navigate hardship without losing faith, and instead let it forge us? Ben is joined by YouTube apologist and cultural commentator Jon McCray for a candid discussion on suffering, meaning, and purpose in life. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World:...

Is the internet a blessing or a curse? What is near-perpetual screen time actually doing to our brains, and societies?  Ben, Luke and Chad discuss the ramifications of our so called "connectedness" via the world wide web, how it is affecting them spiritually, and what we can do to reclaim the attention it's stealing from us. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and upda...