The Downline Podcast: Gospel Driven Discipleship

We're taking a two-week break, but while we're away, enjoy a few of our top-rated episodes. We'll be back with brand new content in the New Year! Join Jamie as he sits down with renowned Bible teacher and author Jen Wilkin to explore the book of First John. In this conversation, Jen breaks down the three crucial tests John gives believers: the test of truth (doctrine), the test of love...

Parenting often swings between sacred and chaotic, but Justin Earley believes those everyday moments are shaping us far more than we realize. In this episode, Jamie and Justin explore how the unnoticed rhythms of a household—bedtime routines, rushed mornings, shared meals, even the way we handle phones—form the spiritual life of both parents and children. Purchase Downline's Core Curriculum he...

Is the 10% tithe ( the practice of giving 10% of one's income ) a biblical command today? Dr. Tom Schreiner makes the case that it's not; and shares his understanding of what the New Testament teaches about giving. Tom also tackles tough practical questions: Should you give to parachurch organizations over your local church? What if you don't trust how your church uses money? Can you f...

What if Christians could predict cultural shifts before they happen; and prepare the church to meet them with the gospel? Jamie sits down with Collin Hansen from the Gospel Coalition to explore "cultural climatology"; the art of reading cultural trends and anticipating what's coming next. From the collapse of Christendom to the rise of AI-driven relationships, Collin unpacks how massiv...

Anger feels justified. Natural. Even holy. But what if it's stealing more from you than you realize? Jamie and Brant Hansen tackle this controversial question, dismantling common assumptions about an emotion we've all felt but rarely understand. They explore what happens when we stop justifying our anger and start experiencing the transformative power of grace and forgiveness; in our relat...

What can wildflowers teach us about faith? Author and artist Ruth Chou Simons joins Jamie Trussell to explore how these resilient blooms model trust, rest, and unhurried living. Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, Ruth reveals how embracing dormancy, dependency, and God's timing can transform the way we live. Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss a...

New Testament professor Dr. Jonathan Pennington reveals why the Sermon on the Mount isn't impossible standards but Jesus' philosophy for the good life. He shows how Jesus dialogues with Greek philosophy while offering a different path to human flourishing through relationship with God. Discover how biblical flourishing differs from secular philosophy and why Jesus appeals to self-interest...

Dr. Greg Smalley from Focus on the Family continues dismantling marriage myths, tackling why "all you need is love" creates manipulation instead of intimacy. He explains the crucial difference between needs and desires in marriage and why making only your spouse responsible for meeting your needs sets them up for failure. Learn how Jesus modeled self-care after pouring out to others, why y...

We welcome Dr. Greg Smalley from Focus on the Family to discuss what creates healthy, lasting marriages. Greg addresses common misconceptions about marriage and explains why viewing it as a journey of growth rather than a destination changes everything. Learn why individual wholeness is essential before building a strong partnership and how both spouses need to be healthy to give meaningfully to e...

Jamie and Dr. Sam Storms tackle spiritual warfare head-on. They explore the authority believers have in Christ, address common misconceptions, and expose where pop culture gets spiritual battles wrong. Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit  downlineministries.com  to learn more about our mission of discipleship. To support t...

Author, and speaker Trillia Newbell has spent years encouraging families through her writing and speaking ministry. But she never imagined she'd be writing children's books; until she discovered the magic of translating life's biggest truths for the smallest hearts. In this conversation Trillia shares how genuine curiosity transformed her family dinners, why asking the right questions...

The culture war narrative says faith is dying. The data says something completely different. In this episode, Jamie and Justin Brierley reveal the spiritual comeback that's rewriting the rules of belief in America. Hear the stories behind the statistics and find out why even hardened atheists are starting to ask bigger questions about God. Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subs...

Join Jamie as he sits down with renowned Bible teacher and author Jen Wilkin to explore the book of First John. In this conversation, Jen breaks down the three crucial tests John gives believers: the test of truth (doctrine), the test of love, and the test of obedience. Find Jen's resources at jenwilkin.net , including her study "Abide" covering First, Second, and Third John. Purchase...

Former CBS Sports golf writer and founder of Normal Sport, Kyle Porter joins the Downline podcast ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black to discuss his journey from corporate insurance to covering professional golf's biggest moments. Porter reveals how personal tragedy shaped his public faith and career decisions, plus insider insights on Team USA's chances against Europe. Tune in t...

Pastor Tim Johnson of The Avenue Church, explores Samuel's story of faithful leadership when everything falls apart. Samuel anointed kings while his own sons failed, interceded for people who rejected him, and remained faithful through Israel's darkest transition. Here we learn why trusting God matters more than understanding His plans. Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Sub...

What if we've created a false distinction between missions abroad and our day-to-day mission at home? In this episode, Joey Shaw challenges the Western church's approach to missions, arguing that we've separated "missions" from "mission." Joey's solution isn't to stop sending missionaries, but to stop pretending that cross-cultural ministry is fundamentally diff...

What if the most confrontational book in the New Testament is exactly what the church needs right now? Pastor Jason Cook discovered that James doesn't just comfort the afflicted; it afflicts the comfortable, and he's here to tell you why that's exactly what we need. Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an episode, leave a review, and visit  downline...

Welcome to Season 2! Host Dr. Jamie Trussell kicks off with guests Trevin Wax (NAMB, Keller Center Fellow) and Dr. Thomas West (Senior Pastor, Nashville First Baptist) discussing their new book  " The Gospel Way Catechism. " Drawing from Tim Keller's call for "counter-catechesis," this resource presents biblical truth in direct response to today's dominant cultural narrativ...

Get ready for Season 2 of the Downline Podcast: fresh narratives, new voices, and your favorite guests are back.

This summer, we're hitting pause on new episodes to gear up for an exciting fall season! Every other week, we'll be featuring fan-favorite episodes you may have missed. New episodes return this August! Joined again this week by Trevin Wax, Jamie and Trevin discuss the importance of gender and why Christians cannot capitulate to the cultural chaos of our day. This conversation is helpful fo...

This summer, we're hitting pause on new episodes to gear up for an exciting fall season! Every other week, we'll be featuring fan-favorite episodes you may have missed. New episodes return this August! In this episode Jamie is joined by returning guest, Downline founder and president, Dr. Kennon Vaughan to discuss "The Killer D's" - five strategies the enemy uses to undermine b...

This summer, we're hitting pause on new episodes to gear up for an exciting fall season! Every other week, we'll be featuring fan-favorite episodes you may have missed. New episodes return this August! Jamie is joined by Dr. Russell Moore, Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and former President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, to explore the complex intersection of fait...

This summer, we're hitting pause on new episodes to gear up for an exciting fall season! Every other week, we'll be featuring fan-favorite episodes you may have missed. New episodes return this August! Memphis native Shad Berry, a seasoned business leader and community mentor, opens up about his winding journey through family business, nonprofit leadership, and personal transformation. Thr...

Season 1 of The Downline Podcast is officially in the books. Time to talk about what comes next, with some gratitude thrown in along the way. New episodes, new guests, new stories—all in the works while you catch up on what you might have missed. New episodes of The Downline Podcast won't be released until August 2025 Tune in to The Downline Podcast now to hear more! Subscribe to never miss an...

Jamie welcomes Pastor Garrett Kell from Del Rey Baptist Church to tackle pressing questions Christians face today: Why Church Membership Matters  - Using passages from Hebrews, Garrett explains why committed membership in a local church is biblically essential, not optional. Christ's Atonement  - An exploration of whether Jesus died for everyone and what that means for salvation. Making Sense...