Provoke & Inspire Podcast

The new year invites reflection, forecasting, and goal-setting. But what if the deeper issue is not your planning. What if it’s your posture? In this solo episode, Ben shares how David's health scare made James 4:13–17 feel painfully real, and why “arrogant self-sufficiency” is often the sin beneath our confident plans ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful...

Why does a resistance to self denial seem to be so intrinsically baked into us? How can we overcome this, and actually succeed in considering others as more important than ourselves; how do we accept the invitation to come and die? Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a C...

New Year's resolutions are often self-centered, with the resolution peaking right around the end of January - but not beyond it. How do we persevere into fruitfulness with these decisions, but also choose things which honor God in the first place?  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis —a must-...

Worship leader Rita Springer pushes back on performance-driven, industry-shaped Christian music and asks a deeper question: who are we actually ministering to on Sunday morning, and what does it mean to be near the brokenhearted?  Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Cu...

Are traditions inherently wrong, in that they lead us to stagnation and a going through the motions - or are they a powerful, grounding force for good?  Merry Christmas from all of us at Provoke & Inspire! Christ the savior is born. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis —a must-read guide for an...

AJ Swoboda unpacks the heart of his book Rooting for Rivals , challenging Christians to hold deep convictions without losing love for the people they disagree with most. Drawing from Scripture, the story of Daniel in exile, and A.W. Tozer’s idea of “gentle dogmatism,” Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jes...

Lukas Ruegger is an apologist, expert in cross-cultural ministry to Muslims, and founder of the YouTube channel, Deflate.  Last but not least, he is a longtime Steiger missionary, and Ben sits down with him to discuss the start of his channel, time spent with Alex O' Connor, how we can reach people in the demographic of the Middle East for the gospel, and how YouTube and social media fit into...

Is the crisis of masculinity not just a cultural issue, but a discipleship issue? In this conversation the guys reflect on why young men are struggling, and why recovering a Jesus-centered vision of identity matters more than swinging the cultural pendulum of what it means to be a man. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reac...

What if Christians approached Scripture with the same passion fans bring to their favorite series? Ben and pastor Landon MacDonald explore why biblical engagement is collapsing, how the seeker-sensitive era shaped our assumptions, and what it looks like to rediscover a living, Spirit-led relationship with the Bible Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes ---------------------- Ben has compl...

Is the often mundane, everyday life of many Christians secretly hiding incredible joy, insightful, and splendor? If so, how can we learn to see it? Josh Nadeau, the artist behind Sword and Pencil - a voice followed by more than 100,000 people on Instagram - joins us for a powerful conversation about his new book Room for Good Things to Run Wild.  Check out Josh's book HERE -------------------...

As the title suggests, David shares a health update, and the regulars discuss what it means to walk through difficult circumstances, remaining hopeful in prayer. ---------------------- 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 longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed wit...

Ben is joined by Dr. Caroline Leaf as she shares insights on how to overcome stress, worry, and more in her newest book, "Help In A Hurry". Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes ---------------------- 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 longing to reach those who may neve...

What if the deepest objections to God aren’t solved by arguments, but by encountering a Person? And what if the very doubts we think disqualify us are actually the doorway to discovering who Jesus really is?  Ben talks with YouTuber, apologist, and cultural commentator Brandon McGuire of Daily Dose Of Wisdom on overcoming doubt, and the true hope of the gospel. ---------------------- Ben has compl...

Ever tried to be the perfect Christian while falling apart inside? Ben talks with grammy award-nominated frontman Sonny Sandoval of the nu metal group P.O.D. about ditching the act, choosing your kids over your platform, and why honest love speaks louder than ministry. Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won&a...

Is gratitude truly consummated, and fully effective only when directed toward God?  Why is it the one thing that’s often missing from our lives, and how do we cultivate it into what it should be? ---------------------- 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 longing to reach those who may never...

Are we supposed to look to the past? Are we guilty of often being stuck in it? How do we live in the moment, with gratitude for the things that were, and hope for the things that are yet to come?  Ben and David unpack a sobering clip of an interview between Ed Helms and Rainn Wilson, AKA Andy Bernard and Dwight Schrute of the acclaimed NBC series "The Office", where they talk about a lin...

Ben talks with Dove award-winning rapper and poet nobigdyl. about the trap of letting politics do our discipleship. What does it actually mean to follow Jesus in a culture war? And why does mercy matter more than tribal loyalty? Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church? Ben has complet...

Have you struggled with unwanted behaviors in your life, or know somebody who does? Are we making things worse by the way in which we try to stop? Ben welcomes back to the show Jay Stringer, who is a licensed mental health counselor, researcher, and speaker. Jay specializes in shedding light in areas of sexual brokenness, and why we do the things we do.  They talk about our epidemic of loneliness,...

Gambling might be the most overlooked crisis in our culture today. It’s everywhere, it’s exploding, and it’s destroying lives in ways many of us have barely begun to notice. In this episode, Ben, Chad, David, and Luke take an honest look at the rise of gambling, why young people are being swept into it, and what scripture actually says about the pursuit of quick money and risky thrills. ----------...

What if your future self is begging you to wake up? Ben talks to Ruslan KD about the consequences of coasting, the habits that build real character, and why rooting ambition in God — not hustle culture — is the only way to build a life that lasts. Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won't walk into a chur...

In this conversation, Ben reconnects with author and speaker Skye Jethani to discuss his latest book, “What If Jesus Was Serious About Justice?” and the deeper theological and historical reasons why American Christians often separate justice from faith. Check out Skye's book HERE ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reach...

A middle-aged woman working for DoorDash approached the home of a pastor, who ends up praying for her - which goes viral after being caught on a doorbell camera. The regulars respond to this emotionally moving clip, and explore the possibilities of what we could be overlooking as Christians in our day to day lives. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Je...

What does real hope look like, and how can people see it in you? In this conversation with renowned philosopher and theologian Dr. William Lane Craig, Ben explores how Christian hope stands out in a world marked by anxiety, doubt, and disbelief. From the hiddenness of God to the evolving objections to faith, Dr. Craig unpacks the deep logic, and lived beauty, of following Jesus with both reason an...

The regulars come together LIVE IN-PERSON for a special episode as they recall the past ten years of podcasting, 600+ episodes, Chad's new connection to the mission of Steiger, and as the title suggests - why you should never give up on someone.  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis —a must-re...

Why are so few Christians reaching people outside the church online? Isaac David of Daily Disciple dives into what real digital evangelism could look like—and whether the algorithm is helping, or hurting. Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church? Ben has completely revised and updated...