Provoke & Inspire Podcast

What does the dissatisfaction of the world's biggest YouTuber tell us about the nature of fame? Is there anything at the top of the mountain?  Ben goes solo to speak into MrBeast's interview on Diary Of a CEO earlier this year. ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis —a must-read guide for a...

How do we learn to ask good questions? How do we meet people where they are really at? Jon McCray weighs in on these questions, and shares some of the beginnings of his YouTube channel, Whaddoyoumeme? Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS. ---------------------- Do you ever struggle to share y...

Ben is joined by Robert Anthony Cruz of the exhibition baseball team, The Savannah Bananas. Coach RAC shares his story of coming to faith, his time in the MiLB, and how he was catapulted to stardom through his popular coaching videos.  Follow Coach RAC on IG HERE Visit his website HERE ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reac...

Should we be accepting awards that come from glory and acclaim that's meant for Jesus? How do we navigate the Christian music industry as it is today? Christian pop singer Forrest Frank decided against attending the 56th annual Dove Awards ceremony, sparking controversy and an equally controversial response from southern Hip-Hop star Jelly Roll. ---------------------- Ben has completely revis...

Is unity in the church truly possible in this day and age? Did Jennie Allen momentarily achieve it through the online, record-breaking, Gather 25 event earlier this year?  Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS. ---------------------- Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won&...

How do we learn to ask better questions? Can better questions improve our lives, relationships, and efficacy as Christians? In this episode, Ben talks to speaker, author, and teacher J.R. Briggs.  Dr. Briggs is the founder of Kairos Partnerships, an organization that walks alongside leaders through leadership coaching and spiritual direction. Check out his new book, The Art of Asking Better Questi...

A recent study dives into the dire situations that nearly half of pastors seem to find themselves in. How did we get here? Is it possible that we are requiring far too much from those leading our churches from the pulpit? ---------------------- 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...

Why is it that no matter what we do, we never seem to get rid of our religiosity as a society? Is it possible the New Atheism movement actually helped Christianity, rather than harm it? Ben and Luke are joined by apologist Justin Brierley - host of the Unbelievable? podcast. Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE t...

Ben is joined by author, speaker, and hip-hop artist Jackie Hill Perry in discussing the incredible advantages, as well as the dangers, of doing ministry on a large scale. How do we keep from despising big platforms? Do we insist that God can only use small things? How do we keep our hearts in the right place on this topic? Follow Jackie Hill Perry on IG HERE . ---------------------- Ben has compl...

Ben goes solo for a monopod on the life of John the Baptist, and how we can use it as a blueprint for successful lives of our own. ---------------------- 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 with real-world insights and pract...

What do we do to reach people now that we have exited the Billy Graham role? What approach works now? Ben and Aaron sit down with Pastor Matt Chandler of The Village Church to talk about this and much more. Listen to the full episode here Spotify iTunes --------------------- Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS. ---------------------- Do you ever struggle to s...

How do we relate to love? How do we become disconnected from it, and could that be one of the main roots of the psychological epidemic we see all around us in our world? How do we navigate mental health issues as Christians? Ben is joined by YouTuber, author, and speaker Mark DeJesus for a profound conversation on all things mental health in the life of a follower of Jesus. Check out Mark on YouTu...

"The goal is not to preach the gospel, but for people to meet Jesus." It might sound semantic, or like a play on words, but therein lies a critical distinction that highlights a trap so many believers seem to fall into.  Ben and Luke explore this distinction in this critical episode.  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular Wo...

Author and Speaker Sam Allberry shares his perspective on how self-consciousness and self-adjustment to our own images, began in the garden of Eden, and continues to plague us to this day. David shares his experience of meeting old couples in restaurants who turn out to be the old friends he'd gone to see. Listen to the full episode here: Spotify Apple ---------------------- Do you ever strug...

Author, speaker, pastor, and former frontman of the band Showbread, Josh Porter, once again joins the P&I podcast, this time to talk about his new book, How to Die: Chaos, Mortality, and the Scandal of Christian Discipleship. Josh's wisdom, depth, and insight present fresh perspectives on timeless subjects - this is an episode you can't miss! Find out more about Josh Porter HERE Chec...

After the shocking and tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, is revival coming? Is it possible that if we're not careful, this could trigger a different kind of revival, one closer to a surge of Christian nationalism? How would Jesus respond to all of this, and how can we take up his call to truly love our enemies? ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful boo...

Influencer Jacob Coyne sheds light on why our culture is seeing such rampant anxiety, depression, and psychological disorders. Listen to the full episode: Spotify Apple ---------------------- 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. Pac...

How do we even begin to grieve what happened to Charlie Kirk, not to mention the scores of tragedies unfolding in the world around us? How do we navigate our own personal responsibilities when it comes to what we say, and how we say it; how do we handle humor and jokes as Christians? All of this and more on EPISODE SIX HUNDRED of Provoke & Inspire.  We can't thank you enough for the suppo...

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Rita Springer is a Dove Award winning artist and worship leader. To date she has released 12 studio albums, with the latest being, "Fed By Ravens" (2024). She joins Ben as they attempt to diagnose what exactly has gone amiss with the current worship scene, and how we might fix the parts that need restoration.  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful boo...

What is healthy leadership? When is it time to stay, or time to leave? Are there specific characteristics to look for in a leader, and how do we know whether we are supposed to be part of a team or to lead one?  The regulars explore the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy leadership in ministry, and David shares a story of skin failure and Vicodin.  ---------------------- Ben has completely revised...

Andy Crouch, author of The Techwise family shares how we are in desperate need of being embedded into a relational world, and what has happened to art in our modern world. Listen to the full episode: Spotify Apple ---------------------- 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 t...

What if Christians were known as the most humble and teachable people in the world? How would that change the way others see us? Why do we struggle so much with being wrong, admitting failure, and learning from those we disagree with, even our enemies? In this episode, Ben talks with author and professor AJ Swoboda about his powerful new book,  A Teachable Spirit: Learning from Strangers, Enemies,...

We often have a reputation as Christians of being dull, lifeless, and boring. Do we deserve it? Is the truth that we should have more reason to party than anyone on earth? More reason to celebrate and be joyful? ---------------------- 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 tho...

Is pushing morality really the way to win people to Jesus? How can we expect to do so if we ourselves are joyless - and how can Christians still be sad? All this and more from speaker and social media influencer Elijah Lamb Listen to the full episode: Spotify Apple ---------------------- Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Cri...