Under the Hood

In the captivating Season 4 finale of the Under the Hood podcast, Pastor Joe & Kirsten sit down with Josh and Sara Johnson, an inspiring couple called to an unexpected ministry as marriage missionaries in Northwest Arkansas. Seventeen years into their own marriage, they reached a turning point: Josh realized the "kingdom" he thought he was building was actually a prison, while Sara found herself t...

Buckle up as Pastor Joe and Kirsten "pop the hood" on an episode packed with milestones, memories, and deep reflections. After marveling at the impressive efficiency of Bentonville High School’s recent graduation, the duo takes a hilarious trip down memory lane to revisit their own ceremonies—including Pastor Joe’s, which was incredibly memorable for all the wrong reasons. The conversation then sh...

In today's episode, we’re popping the hood on life’s biggest transitions and celebrations! We kick things off by putting our very own UTH producer, Abbey, in the hot seat as Pastor Joe and Kirsten grill her on the highs and lows of her five-year anniversary with NewLife. From there, the conversation turns personal as Joe and Kirsten navigate the bittersweet shift into the "Empty Nest" phase; Joe’s...

We’re kicking things off with a dose of heart-warming nostalgia as Pastor Joe shares a special moment with his son, Brock—even if it does lead to one of those classic stories Kirsten has heard once or twice before! From there, Pastor Joe and Kirsten lean into the deep end, revisiting last week’s sermon to explore the radical truth that God consistently chooses ordinary people to accomplish extraor...

Get ready for a mix of laughs and deep reflection as Pastor Joe and Kirsten recap the Pasta & Pie Auction. Pastor Joe defends the questionable smell of his "whipped cream beard" as a small price to pay for the students, prompting a nostalgic trip down memory lane about his own Christ in Youth (CIY) experiences—including a "crush" whose name is long lost to history. The conversation takes a serious...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten are quite literally airing some "dirty laundry" from the Williams’ household this past weekend. Between a mysterious disappearance of a favorite top and a rogue tube of lipstick, things got a little grumpy behind closed doors. The tension eases as Kirsten grills Joe on that "two novels" bombshell from last week, leading to a surprising reveal about a guilty pleasure they both...

Buckle up, because this week we’re kicking things off with a revelation no one saw coming! If the Williamses hadn’t answered the call to ministry, they wouldn’t be behind a pulpit—they’d be chasing...tornadoes?! Pastor Joe takes us back to his college days with a harrowing story involving a "doozy" of a storm. Next, Kirsten checks in on Pastor Joe’s transition to the new Thursday Night Service rou...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten begin with an Easter recap! Pastor Joe points out what he believes is a fundamental difference between men and women when it comes to expecting company! Next, they pivot into a powerful shift, inspired by the Holy Spirit during Easter week. Pastor Joe then reviews the 3 critical questions from his Easter message. They also dive into key ideas from a conversation on The Sean Ry...

Pastor Joe and Kirsten are back from a "last hoorah" vacation with their graduating senior, Brock. They rehash some harrowing travel tales...if Diet Coke drama can be considered "harrowing!" The conversation then takes a global turn as the duo dives into a lively exploration of Easter traditions from around the world. Along the way, Joe recounts the nerves of preaching his very first Easter sermon...

This week on Under the Hood, things get hilariously real as Pastor Joe and Kirsten dive into a marital spat sparked by Joe’s relentless optimism—and the clever gift Kirsten bought just to keep from crying. Once the dust settles, the duo pivots to the cutting room floor, sharing powerful insights on generosity that Joe couldn't fit into last Sunday’s sermon. Centered around the wisdom of Proverbs 3...

From fast food feuds to life-altering grace, this week’s episode of Under the Hood covers the full spectrum. After a quick (we promise!) final word on the Great Chicken Biscuit Debate, Pastor Joe and Kirsten dive into the powerful conclusion of our Hope and a Future series to discuss a wonderfully surprising outcome. Things get personal as Pastor Joe unpacks a moving story of a time they received...

Is there a "right" way to eat a chicken biscuit? This week, Pastor Joe and Kirsten kick things off with a high-stakes culinary debate that proves even the simplest breakfast can spark a lively disagreement. But once the crumbs settle, the conversation shifts from the drive-thru to the soul as they "pop the hood" on last week’s moving sermon regarding Christlike Compassion. Pastor Joe reflects on t...

Pull up a chair for an episode that moves from a lighthearted pizza parlor date to the front lines of global ministry. Before diving into the deep end with NewLife Go Partners Tommy and Shiny, Pastor Joe and Kirsten share an intimate Valentine’s conversation that's both relatable and hilarious. The tone shifts quickly as Tommy and Shiny reveal the staggering impact of their ministry's work in Indi...

Buckle up for a journey that spans from the sunny central valley of California to the vibrant heart of India as Pastor Joe and Kirsten sit down with Go Partners Tommy and Shiny. This episode of Under the Hood kicks off with a nostalgic trip down memory lane, as all four dive into their shared history as Ozark Christian College alumni before unpacking the incredible path God paved to bring Tommy an...

This episode kicks off with a hilarious play-by-play of Pastor Joe’s sermon-turned-funeral for his beloved Chiefs. From the story behind Kirsten’s black veil—originally purchased for the Queen’s passing—to the literal sour grapes Pastor Joe tossed into the crowd to commemorate his Super Bowl sorrow, no detail of the mourning bit is left behind. The duo also dives into the cultural zeitgeist, break...

Pastor Joe kicks things off by spilling a "delicious" secret about Kirsten that’s definitely not diet-friendly, but oh-so-satisfying. Moving from the kitchen to the awards stage, the duo dives into Jelly Roll’s viral Grammy acceptance speech. While Pastor Joe offers a gentle warning about the dangers of sourcing your theology from hit singles, he also issues a challenge to long-time believers, inc...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten discuss not just surviving the snowstorm but thriving, with homemade soups, warm fires, and couch cuddles. Then they move on to where the Hope and a Future series is headed this weekend. Pastor Joe is so fired up to answer three pivotal questions for the NewLife family that he nearly delivers his entire Sunday sermon! Finally, they conclude with a discussion of the upcoming tr...

After an unplanned week off, Pastor Joe and Kirsten return to the mics—though they can’t quite seem to agree on why they were gone. As they settle back in, the duo prepares for an impending snowstorm and takes a moment to clear up the confusion surrounding a "big reveal." The conversation shifts from local updates to the future of the church as they discuss the heart behind the new Young Adults Mi...

Happy 2026! Join Pastor Joe and Kirsten as they "pop the hood" on a brand-new year. From nostalgic Y2K memories and the unwelcome transition to empty-nesting to a deep reflection on the end of the 59-week His Words series, this episode is packed with heart. We’re looking back at what we’ve learned and leaning into a fresh vision with the new Hope and a Future series. Stick around for a quick cat u...

In this powerful conclusion to their conversation with Pastor Elisha, Pastor Joe and Kirsten take us from the relatable busyness of the holidays to the front lines of faith in India. Pastor Elisha shares the origin story of Grace Ministries and the reality of facing organized persecution. With his daily preaching schedule, Pastor Elisha models his ministry after Jesus' by 'preaching and feeding.'...

Join Pastor Joe and Kirsten as they sit down with Pastor Elisha from Grace Ministries, a dedicated NewLife GO Partner! You'll be deeply moved as Pastor Elisha shares the incredible, generations-spanning story of his family's faith journey in India, where the dominant religion is Hinduism. In this first part, you'll hear the powerful testimony of Pastor Elisha's father, who was the first Christian...

Pastor Joe and Kirsten kick off the post-Thanksgiving season with a relatable, hilarious discussion about gifts. Kirsten shares that her love language is gifts, while Pastor Joe candidly confesses that gift-giving is a major "growth area" for him. From there, they pivot to some neighborhood breaking news—a spontaneous report on the local cat drama! The conversation then takes a deeper turn as Past...

Overland Missions' Hannah Tynes is back in the studio with Pastor Joe and Kirsten, and her story is more challenging than ever. Hannah shatters the myth that the younger generation is the church of "tomorrow," powerfully demonstrating that God will use anyone who is fully surrendered to build His Kingdom—no matter their age. Get ready to be fueled by her infectious optimism and encouraged to move...

Pastor Joe and Kirsten sit down with NewLife GO Partner Hannah Tynes of Overland Missions, a young woman who sacrificially laid down her life as a teenager to answer God's call in Zambia. Hannah's powerful story of witnessing Christ transform the darkest corners of the world makes Pastor Joe ask the central question: "Why does it shock us when people go all out for God?" Plus, the episode kicks of...

NewLife GO Partner, Matt Rule of Crossover Global, returns to the studio with Pastor Joe and Kirsten to continue sharing his powerful journey! Matt dives deeper into the practical realities and spiritual rewards of serving in the Middle East. Get ready for more inspiring, firsthand accounts of life on the mission field as Crossover Global works to see unreached peoples know Christ. Let's pop the h...