The Speakeasy

President of Christian Emergency Alliance Andy Coleman joins Blake to discuss what it means to live as ordinary Christians in unusual times. Andy shares global stories of persecution and spiritual resilience, offering insight into how believers—whether new to the faith or seasoned—can stay grounded amid cultural pressure and spiritual opposition. They explore the hesitation many Christians feel in...

Anger management coach for Christian moms and podcaster Elizabeth joins Blake to discuss challenges of managing anger as mothers. Elizabeth shares her personal journey, revealing how the stress of motherhood led to moments of intense rage and the profound impact it had on her family. They explore the importance of self-care and spiritual grounding in overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the ne...

Founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Anne Beiler joins Blake to share the powerful story behind the brand so many grew up loving. Anne reflects on her upbringing in an Amish Mennonite community, where faith, family, and simplicity shaped her early view that life was good and God was harsh. She vulnerably recounts how this belief was challenged through deep personal loss, abuse, and suffering, ultima...

Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, author, and mom Clare Morrell joins Blake to discuss her book The Tech Exit and the challenges of parenting in a tech-saturated world. Clare shares her motivation for writing the book, rooted in her background in child protection and tech policy, and emphasizes the need for a countercultural approach to screen use. She encourages parents to reject the...

Podcaster, homemaker, and mom Leslie Burris joins Blake to talk about the power of maintaining peace as a mom, especially in a culture filled with anxiety, judgment, and polarized views. She shares her personal journey of moving from perfectionism and fear-driven living to embracing grace, flexibility, and emotional resilience. The conversation dives into topics like homeschooling, mental health,...

Author Rebecca Medina Stewart joins Blake to share her journey of healing from trauma and rediscovering the true nature of God. A former journalist and sexual assault survivor, Rebecca opens up about years of depression, unhealthy coping, and distorted beliefs about God rooted in early church experiences. She describes how hitting rock bottom became the catalyst for surrendering her life to Christ...

In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode, Blake and Jeremy unpack a multi-year journey through uncertainty, major life transitions, and learning to trust God in the in-between. They open up about navigating the emotional roller coaster of a business acquisition that felt dead more than once, the upheaval of leaving jobs, church, and school, and the loneliness and pruning that followed. Through it...

Singer, songwriter, pastor, and author Tauren Wells joins Blake to explore what true, lasting happiness looks like through a biblical lens. They unpack the idea that spiritual happiness is the anchor that gives meaning to every other kind of joy—whether vocational, relational, or even found in everyday moments like cleaning the house. The conversation centers around the foundational truth that spi...

Speaker, author, independent media personality and American patriot April Chapman joins Blake for a powerful conversation about bold faith in a shifting culture. They discuss the pressure many Christians feel to stay silent, especially when biblical convictions clash with cultural norms. April shares her experiences navigating cancel culture, the dangers of emotionalism in the church, and the impo...

Author and speaker Jordan Raynor joins Blake to discuss his new book, Five Mere Christians . Jordan shares how the book highlights five believers who, without being pastors or full-time missionaries, profoundly impacted the world through their work, showing how all vocations can be sacred when done for God's glory. He explains why traditional biographies often fall flat and how he aimed to create...

Co-creator of The Science Dilemma Allan Pereira joins Blake to dive into navigating challenging conversations with children, particularly concerning faith and science, amidst today's internet culture. They discuss parental fears of not having all the answers, emphasizing the importance of personal research and trusting God's guidance. They explore the complexities of discussing faith and life's di...

Project 21 Ambassador KJ McKenzie joins Blake to dive deep into concerns about societal influences on family values and education. They express worry over how media and education are altering traditional family structures, often in ways that conflict with their religious beliefs. They highlight challenges such as the promotion of gender ideology in schools and the pressure on parents to conform to...

Christian teacher, artist, and blogger Amy Senter joins Blake to discuss the importance of biblical literacy and how a strong foundation in Scripture shapes our understanding of God. They discuss the balance between knowing about God and truly knowing Him, emphasizing the transformative power of personal engagement with the Bible. Amy shares practical insights on how theology isn't just for schola...

Wife, mom, and conservative Christian Amy Main joins Blake to discuss the tension between community and echo chambers, as well as the importance of standing firm in biblical truth despite cultural opposition. They explore the distinction between safe spaces for growth and the dangers of unchecked ideological diversity, emphasizing the necessity of shared values and foundational truths. Amy shares...

Author and teacher Alli Patterson joins Blake to discuss the themes of loneliness, friendship, and the importance of healthy relational boundaries. Alli shares insights from her new book, The Blueprint of Belonging , which explores how Jesus modeled relationships and how those patterns can help us navigate our own connections. She breaks down five key relationship "buckets" that define access and...

Author, apologist, and evangelist Lee Strobel joins Blake to discuss his journey from atheism to faith, driven by his wife's conversion and his quest to disprove Christianity, leading to his acceptance of Jesus after thorough historical and scientific investigation. They explore the compelling evidence for Christianity, including the disciples' willingness to die for their beliefs and extra-biblic...

Political, social, and media commentator Mark Meckler joins Blake to discuss the intersection of politics, faith, and media influence, highlighting the guest's perspective on government accountability and the role of the press. They discuss the lack of productivity among federal workers and the consequences of inefficiency, while also acknowledging the human side of job losses. The conversation th...

Best-selling author James Finke joins Blake to discuss apologetics and how wrestling with doubt led him to a deeper faith. James shares his journey from a nominal religious upbringing to a life-changing encounter with scripture during a period of intense anxiety. He recalls how a panic attack drove him to open his Bible to Luke 12:22, a moment that transformed his understanding of God's presence....

Financial expert, best-selling author, and YouTuber George Kamel from Ramsey Solutions joins Blake to discuss faith, finances, and breaking free from debt. He shares his personal journey from financial struggle to becoming debt-free and emphasizes the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset rooted in biblical principles. The discussion explores how cultural financial...

Executive Director of National Center's Free Enterprise Project Stefan Padfield joins Blake to dive into the complexities of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and how its implementation has evolved, particularly since 2020. They explore how DEI shifted from preventing workplace discrimination to actively enforcing race and gender-based hiring and promotion policies, often leading to unintende...

Associate Director at Pure Desire Ashley Jameson joins Blake to discuss the often-overlooked topic of women and pornography, addressing the shame, struggles, and lack of support many women face in Christian communities. Ashley shares her personal journey of discovering her husband's addiction, her own struggles with sex and love addiction, and the challenges of finding real help within the church....

The creator of M is for Mama Abbie Halberstadt joins Blake to discuss countercultural motherhood, biblical parenting, and embracing the challenges of life. A mother of 10, homeschooler, and content creator, Abbie shares insights from her books, including Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad , emphasizing the importance of perseverance and faith in motherhood. She recounts her journey into blogging, i...

In today's solo episode, Blake spends some time recapping the first week of Trump's presidency. She reflects on the stark contrast between Trump's energy and Biden's presidency, emphasizing how active and engaged Trump appeared on Inauguration Day. She shares emotional reactions to the event, highlighting moments like J.D. Vance's swearing-in and addressing fears surrounding alleged prophecies. Ot...

CEO and Co-founder of the Hallow app Alex Jones joins Blake to discuss his journey from atheism to creating a guided prayer and meditation app rooted in Christian spirituality. He shares how his personal encounter with meditation led him to discover the deeper spiritual traditions within Christianity, such as contemplative prayer and meditation on scripture. Inspired by his own profound experience...

Author Jodi LaRae Cunningham joins Blake to discuss the complex topic of estrangement. Jodi shares her personal journey, particularly her experiences of being estranged from her children and how she sought healing through counseling and faith. The conversation explores the nuances of estrangement, emphasizing that it can range from complete cutoff to emotional distance within relationships. They d...