Staircase to Nowhere: A Ministry and Culture Podcast

The boys are sorta back! We'd love to hear from you! Send us your questions and thoughts to staircasepod@gmail.com

In this bonus episode of Staircase to Nowhere , the hosts talk about parsonages, church-owned housing, and living where you minister . Drawing from personal experience, they explore the benefits and challenges of church-provided housing and ask whether churches should still be investing in homes today. staircasepod@gmail.com

In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the hosts discuss church buildings, affordable housing, and the housing crisis—asking whether churches should use their land to help meet community housing needs. The conversation explores zoning laws, gentrification, sacred space, and the risks and responsibilities of churches building or hosting affordable housing.  staircasepod@gmail.com Video: Can Churc...

It’s our 2025 WRAPPED episode! We look back on the year with top personal ministry moments, favorite books, and the podcasts/creators we spent the most time with. Then we zoom out to bigger ministry + culture trends we noticed (Bible engagement, Gen Z in church, pastor/worship influencer culture), a few major cultural flashpoints from the year, and we finish with goals and predictions for 2026. We...

“Take our country back” is a rallying cry among conservative Christians as Christian nationalism gains popularity. Noah’s roommate Michael returns to the show to discuss from history and the New Testament why building a theocracy is not the point of Jesus’ Kingdom which is not of this world. Doug Wilson interview referenced Book referenced: Political Worship by Bernd Wannenwetsch EMAIL US: stairca...

The boys reflect on their time in youth ministry—what worked, what burned out, and why so many youth pastors only last two years. With help from S ustainable Youth Ministry , they unpack systems, parent engagement, and how to build something that lasts. Plus: camp pranks, merch drops, and the magic of a well-timed bedtime prayer. Share your questions and thoughts: staircasepod@gmail.com

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on Noah and learn about his role as Director of Local Outreach and Student Discipleship! We talk through the path that got him here, what the job actually looks like, and some of the challenges that come with full-time ministry in the local church. We also reflect on what “success” in ministry really means, especially in contexts where resources are limited a...

After a short paternity leave (generously offered by the Staircase to Nowhere HR department), the boys are back on the mic — and they brought a couple of babies with them. In this episode, David introduces his newborn son Samuel Neel (not named after Sam... allegedly), and Sam announces his own exciting news: baby Carroll is on the way! Welcome back to your ministry and culture podcast. It’s good...

In this episode of 'Staircase to Nowhere,' hosts Noah, Sam, and David explore the themes presented in Jonathan Haidt's book 'The Anxious Generation,' discussing the impact of social media on Gen Z's mental health and the importance of unsupervised play in childhood development. They engage with listener emails, addressing the role of Christians in culture and the need...

On this bonus episode, Noah and David banter their way around Taylor University. There is little (arguably zero) substance in this episode, but we hope it entertains some of you.  staircasepod@gmail.com

This week on Staircase to Nowhere , we shine the spotlight on our guy David—hall director, mentor, and all-around residential life legend. Recorded in-person from Upland, Indiana (yes, real eye contact was made), we dive into the highs and holy tensions of life in campus ministry. Daved shares what it’s like walking with college guys through late-night questions, crowded dorm life, and the sacred...

On this episode of Staircase to Nowhere , we dive into the big questions about work, career, and calling. What does it really mean to find your "calling," and how does faith shape our search for meaningful work? Join David, Sam, Noah, and special guest Kaitlin Neel—who works in calling and career services at Taylor University—as they unpack the tension between employment and spiritual pu...

It’s a full mailbag episode this week on Staircase to Nowhere ! The guys answer listener questions about everything from secular music in church to the growing wave of biblical streaming shows. They reflect on how churches communicate their values, how Christian media fits into discipleship, and why Sunday mornings should stay rooted in worship. Along the way, there’s storytelling, some honest opi...

Would you date a chatbot? In this episode, we talk AI girlfriends, boyfriends, and the weird world of digital companionship. What does it mean to love—or be loved by—something not real? And how should Christians think about connection in a world that’s increasingly artificial? We would love to hear from you! staircasepod@gmail.com She is in Love with ChatGPT

In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere , the crew dives into how conversations have become the new currency of credibility in today’s culture. From podcasts to Twitch streams, we explore why people are increasingly turning to casual dialogue instead of traditional news or institutions to shape their beliefs. What does that mean for ministry, discipleship, and the way we engage a digital-first wor...

This week on Staircase to Nowhere , we're diving into the world of Christian art and exploring how creativity and faith intersect. What makes art "Christian"? How can creative expression serve as a form of worship or ministry?.. Whether you're an artist, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about how faith influences creativity, God is calling you to put beautiful things into t...

Welcome to season 3! This week, Staircase to Nowhere crew—Noah, David, and Sam—take a deep dive into social media's evolving role in our lives and ministries. Is it a tool for connection and outreach, or is it a digital dark alley filled with distractions, temptations, and anxiety? The team shares personal stories, research on social media’s impact, and whether we should rethink their online...

The whole Staircase Fam is together in Louisville for our STN Retreat! David, Kaitlin, Sam, Erika, Noah, and Rebekah all look back over the major themes of season 2 and look ahead to a new year of Staircase to Nowhere ministry and culture fun! staircasepod@gmail.com

In a special in-person episode, Noah gives David and Sam some books and shares why they would be interested in them. Read along with us: Heroic Fraternities by Anthony Bradley Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker The Coming Revolution in Church Economics by Mark DeYmaz (please excuse our sketchy audio) staircasepod@gmail.com

The Staircase boys put into practice their conversations on interpretation and context in an attempt to answer a hard text of the Bible, when God calls Israel to “completely destroy” and “devote to destruction” the people in the promised land. Is this genocide? How should Christians understand this text? What does it tell us about God? (please excuse our sketchy audio) Email us at staircasepod@gma...

In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere , we continue our Texting Series with a focus on the importance of context in biblical interpretation. We discuss how understanding the background and surrounding information of Scripture can prevent misinterpretations and lead to a more accurate reading. Our conversation includes real-life stories that emphasize how context shapes meaning, both in everyday...

In this lively conversation, the hosts dive into biblical interpretation , exploring whether the Bible should be read literally, figuratively, or somewhere in between. From dissecting Old Testament narratives to decoding Jesus’ parables, this episode tackles the complexity of engaging with scripture thoughtfully. The trio explores questions like: Are some Bible verses metaphors? How should we inte...

On today’s show, we respond to some pressing listener questions!.. If you have any thoughts our question we would love to hear them. Send us an email or enroll in one of Taylor’s undergrad programs and ask David directly. staircasepod@gmail.com

Welcome to Texting!.. Join us for a new series dedicated to how do we approach reading the Bible! What do we do with the tough passages, and how do we know what to believe? Join Noah, David, and Sam as they discuss their earliest Bible memories, the challenges of understanding ancient texts, and the tools we use to interpret Scripture. We dive into some big questions about the Bible’s purpose and...

In this episode, Noah, Sam, and David are joined by longtime listener, Tre, to discuss his diverse faith journey that ultimately led him to non denominational church leadership today. The group discusses working across denominations, the pressure of ministry hustle culture, and how to pursue unity despite theological differences. If you have questions or want to get ahold of us, you can reach us a...