The Pulpit and Porch

This week on The Pulpit & Porch , we pick up right where we left off with Jodi Ramey , and this time, her sister Bethany Wilson pulls up a chair to join the conversation. If Part One was the story, Part Two is the soul. At the heart of their story is a simple family phrase, “Not quit.” More than a motto, “not quit” has become their family’s reminder that the story isn’t over yet. Whether you’r...

Some stories break your heart. Some inspire you. Some do both at the same time. In this first part of our conversation with Jodi Ramey, you’ll hear a story of faith that’s been tested in ways most of us can’t imagine. A mother, wife, daughter, and grandmother, Jodi has walked through more loss than most will face in a lifetime, yet her faith in Jesus hasn’t just survived…it’s deepened. From family...

This week on The Pulpit & Porch , we’re sitting down with Pastor Jeremy Burden from First Christian Church in Bristol, VA. Jeremy’s journey hasn’t been easy, he was kicked out of three churches as a young man, nearly lost his way in another ministry, and faced countless setbacks. Yet through it all, God and faithful mentors stayed with him, believing in a calling bigger than his mistakes. In t...

The past month has been full of stories. Some inspiring, some heartbreaking, and some that caught us completely off guard. From powerful conversations with Kyle Goff, Robert Bess, Hayley Wherry, and Kim Weitkamp… to headlines of tragedy and division… to even the shared hope of a no-hitter at a Dodgers game, every story points us somewhere. This week, Tony and Robert pull it all together. What do t...

Some people tell stories to pass the time… but Kim Weitkamp tells stories that stop time. She’s one of the most sought-after storytellers in the world, a keynote speaker and consultant for Fortune 500 companies, and a festival headliner who knows how to make audiences laugh, cry, and see their own story in a new light. In this episode, Kim joins us on the porch to talk about the power of story, no...

In today’s episode of The Pulpit & Porch, Tony and Robert pull up a couple of chairs to talk about a tension that’s all too real in our culture: Are we chasing our calling, or are we chasing clout? From social media platforms to the pulpit, the temptation to seek influence, recognition, and applause is everywhere. But what happens when clout overshadows calling? How do we discern the differenc...

In this episode of The Pulpit & Porch Podcast , Tony and Robert sit down with former Navy SEAL and pastor Robert Bess for a conversation that blends grit, faith, and leadership. From his years as a radioman on Navy ships to a covert mission during the Cold War, Robert shares powerful lessons learned from military service and BUD/S training that continue to shape his life today. But his story d...

This week on The Pulpit & Porch , Tony and Robert welcome Haley Wherry, Regional Director of First Priority, a ministry working inside Tri-Cities middle and high schools to connect students to Christ. From navigating the complexities of public school systems to equipping student leaders, Haley shares how God is opening doors in places many believe are closed to faith. We talk about building pa...

We’re back on the porch with Kyle Goff, CEO of the YMCA in Sparta, TN and White County Commissioner, to wrap up our conversation on what it really means to lead with faith, serve with heart, and keep your head (and soul) above water in leadership. In this second half, we talk community leadership in real life, the wins and wounds that come with it, navigating criticism in a small town, and staying...

Grab a glass of sweet tea and pull up a rocking chair — because today we’re diving deep into what  real leadership  looks like when the spotlight’s off and the pressure’s on. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Kyle Goff, CEO of the YMCA of Sparta, TN, County Commissioner, and lifelong community leader, joins us to talk about how leadership is more than a title. We cover everything from leadi...

Can you stream your favorite shows without letting them stream into your soul? This week on The Pulpit & Porch Podcast , Tony and Robert talk about the tension between faith and entertainment, and how to navigate Netflix, Hulu, TikTok, and all the rest without losing your spiritual footing. We’ll unpack: Why discernment beats legalism every time The difference between “harmless fun” and “heart...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Andrew Carrier, we shift from the story to the strength. We talk about what it means to grow through pain, lead with consistency, and live out your values — even on the hardest days. Andrew shares why a simple weed growing through a pole became a symbol of hope, how he kept showing up with joy (even on chemo days), and what it really means to lead well in ordinar...

In Part 1 of our conversation with Andrew Carrier, we walk through the raw and powerful story of what it’s like to face a cancer diagnosis head-on and choose to fight. Andrew takes us back to the moment everything changed, the emotions that followed, and the decision to keep showing up every single day, for his family, his coworkers, and himself. It’s a conversation about grit, gratitude, and fait...

In part two of our conversation on leadership and loneliness, we shift from weight to worth. What makes it all meaningful? How do you lead without losing your soul? And what fruit makes the sacrifice worth it? Tony and Robert share stories, mistakes, and some honest truths about calling, pressure, and the unexpected joy that comes from leading well, even when it’s hard. If you’ve ever questioned w...

Leadership sounds noble, but it can feel heavy, isolating, and unseen. In this episode, Tony and Robert dive into the often unspoken reality of loneliness in leadership. Why does it feel so isolating? Who carries the weight with us? And what do you do when you can’t share the full story with anyone? It’s an honest and heartfelt conversation about the cost of carrying the mantle, and how to keep go...

What do ranch dressing, folding laundry, and theological debates all have in common? They’re all on the table in this laugh-out-loud episode of The Pulpit & Porch . This week, Robert and Tony are joined by their wives, Amanda and Melissa, for an epic round of hot takes, strong opinions, and the hilarious (and sometimes serious) hills we’re all willing to die on. From petty preferences to deep...

Summer might be laid-back, but ministry never really stops. In Part 2, we dive into the hard stuff: burnout, identity, and how to stay grounded when attendance drops and motivation dips. What does summer reveal about our leadership? How do we lead well when the room is half full? And how do we balance rest without feeling like we’re slacking? It’s honest, practical, and just the conversation we al...

Summer doesn’t have to be a slump. In this episode, we kick off a two-part convo about how churches can actually win the summer, not just survive it. From finding unexpected opportunities to embracing flexibility, we unpack what makes summer ministry unique (and maybe even fun?). Why is summer a chance to cut the fluff and focus on what really matters? How can churches slow down and show up well?...

We sat down to talk about summer in the church… but ended up spending an hour reliving our favorite summer movies, TV shows, and guilty pleasure rewatches instead. From childhood classics to hot takes on overrated franchises, this episode is pure front porch nostalgia and laughs. Kick off your summer with a smile, and maybe a new movie for your watchlist. Listen now on your favorite podcast app! #...

We’re back on the porch for Part Two of our conversation on what we’re learning in this season, and it gets even more personal. In this episode, Tony and Robert dive into what it means to lead from a place of weakness, why slowing down is harder (and more important) than it sounds, and how God often teaches us through tension, not clarity. If you’ve ever felt stuck, tired, or unsure , this one’s f...

Pull up a chair and pour some sweet tea . This week, it’s just Robert and Tony on the porch. No guest, no script… just a real conversation about the life lessons, leadership shifts, and faith discoveries we’ve been sitting with lately. From navigating uncertainty to reevaluating identity, Part One of this two-part series dives into the raw, unfiltered stuff we’re wrestling with , and how a Christi...

Join us on  The Pulpit & Porch Podcast  as we sit down with award-winning author and master storyteller Steven James to talk about his newly re-released book  A Heart Exposed . We explore what it means to pray honestly, live vulnerably, and let go of polished faith for something far more real. It’s a raw, rich conversation you don’t want to miss. Grab some sweet tea and join us on the porch. L...

This week on  The Pulpit & Porch , we welcomed comedian, magician, and speaker Matt Fore (www.mattfore.com) for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and inspiring. Matt shares how he uses humor and sleight of hand to point people toward faith, the art of storytelling on stage, and the surprising parallels between magic tricks and the wonders of God’s work. Pull up a chair, grab your fav...

What happens when you unplug from TV, movies, and media for 40 days, and intentionally turn your attention toward Jesus? In this special episode, Tony sits down with Robert for an honest conversation about his Lent experience. What started as a simple media fast became a deeply personal journey of self-awareness, spiritual growth, and a surprising look at the noise we live with every day. Whether...

This week, we slide off the sermon notes and into the batter’s box. It’s a shorter, special episode where we’re talking  just baseball . From childhood memories to current obsessions, we cover our favorite teams, moments, and what baseball means to us. And yes—Robert pitches a  truly wild  idea for a rule change that just might change the game forever (or at least start an argument or two). No the...