Shows / Provoke & Inspire Podcast
Provoke & Inspire Podcast
Provoke & Inspire is a weekly podcast featuring four artists, ministry leaders, and passionate followers of Jesus (Ben, David, Luke, and Chad) with decades of front-line experience and the stories to back it up! Every week they discuss how Jesus might respond to current events and issues facing the church today.
Episodes
Provoke & Inspire Podcast629: Dr. Peter Kreeft - 10 Lies Our Culture Tells Us
Ben speaks with author, speaker, and professor of philosophy at Boston College, Dr. Peter Kreeft. Drawing from his now-famous commencement address at the…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast628: How Would Jesus Respond to ICE in Minnesota?
The regulars breakdown the current crisis in Minneapolis, Minnesota with ICE agents clashing against protesters, and the tragic death of Renee Good. How can we…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Do You Actually Believe God Likes You? | Jackie Hill Perry
Jackie Hill Perry gets radically honest about striving, identity, and why Christian ambition so often masquerades as holiness. She reflects on stepping away…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast627: Should I Quit TV? (The Hidden Impact of What You Watch)
As Christians, we say we follow Christ, yet we don’t always pause to ask how that commitment informs what we watch. If we've become too cavalier with what we…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Why Are Christians Addicted to Performance? | Mark DeJesus
Author and mental health therapist Mark DeJesus reflects on his journey from a performance-driven, “superhero” version of Christianity toward a healthier faith…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast626: The Lie We Believe Every January
The new year invites reflection, forecasting, and goal-setting. But what if the deeper issue is not your planning. What if it’s your posture? In this solo…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Is Death the Key to True Life? | Josh Porter
Why does a resistance to self denial seem to be so intrinsically baked into us? How can we overcome this, and actually succeed in considering others as more…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast625: New Years' Goals That Actually Honor Jesus
New Year's resolutions are often self-centered, with the resolution peaking right around the end of January - but not beyond it. How do we persevere into…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Why Do We Write Songs for Charts, Instead of God? | Rita Springer
Worship leader Rita Springer pushes back on performance-driven, industry-shaped Christian music and asks a deeper question: who are we actually ministering to…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast624: Have We Let Christmas Lose It's Meaning?
Are traditions inherently wrong, in that they lead us to stagnation and a going through the motions - or are they a powerful, grounding force for good? Merry…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Can You Love Someone You’re Certain Is Wrong? | AJ Swoboda
AJ Swoboda unpacks the heart of his book Rooting for Rivals, challenging Christians to hold deep convictions without losing love for the people they disagree…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast623: Lukas Ruegger (Deflate) on Surviving the Awkward Truth of YouTube
Lukas Ruegger is an apologist, expert in cross-cultural ministry to Muslims, and founder of the YouTube channel, Deflate. Last but not least, he is a longtime…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast622: The Masculinity Crisis No One Wants To Face
Is the crisis of masculinity not just a cultural issue, but a discipleship issue? In this conversation the guys reflect on why young men are struggling, and…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moment: Has the Seeker-Sensitive Church Made Us Biblically Illiterate? | Landon MacDonald
What if Christians approached Scripture with the same passion fans bring to their favorite series? Ben and pastor Landon MacDonald explore why biblical…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast621: Josh Nadeau (Sword and Pencil) on the Lie That Is Ruining Your Faith
Is the often mundane, everyday life of many Christians secretly hiding incredible joy, insightful, and splendor? If so, how can we learn to see it? Josh…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast620: David Shares a Serious Health Scare, and What He’s Learning As He Goes Through It
As the title suggests, David shares a health update, and the regulars discuss what it means to walk through difficult circumstances, remaining hopeful in…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Is Anxiety a Brain Problem, Or a Spiritual One? | Dr. Caroline Leaf
Ben is joined by Dr. Caroline Leaf as she shares insights on how to overcome stress, worry, and more in her newest book, "Help In A Hurry". Listen to the full…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast619: Brandon McGuire (Daily Dose of Wisdom) on Why We Avoid God
What if the deepest objections to God aren’t solved by arguments, but by encountering a Person? And what if the very doubts we think disqualify us are actually…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Are We Saving Strangers and Losing Our Own Kids? | Sonny Sandoval (P.O.D.)
Ever tried to be the perfect Christian while falling apart inside? Ben talks with grammy award-nominated frontman Sonny Sandoval of the nu metal group P.O.D…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast618: This Gratitude Fact Will Change Your Life
Is gratitude truly consummated, and fully effective only when directed toward God? Why is it the one thing that’s often missing from our lives, and how do we…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast617: Do Christians Have "Good Old Days"?
Are we supposed to look to the past? Are we guilty of often being stuck in it? How do we live in the moment, with gratitude for the things that were, and hope…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Have We Confused Voting With Following Jesus? | nobigdyl.
Ben talks with Dove award-winning rapper and poet nobigdyl. about the trap of letting politics do our discipleship. What does it actually mean to follow Jesus…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast616: Sexual Addiction Expert: Managing Lust Doesn’t Work! Your Unwanted Behavior Is Trying to Tell You Something | Jay Stringer
Have you struggled with unwanted behaviors in your life, or know somebody who does? Are we making things worse by the way in which we try to stop? Ben welcomes…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast615: Gambling Is Everywhere. What Would Jesus Say About It?
Gambling might be the most overlooked crisis in our culture today. It’s everywhere, it’s exploding, and it’s destroying lives in ways many of us have barely…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Can You Be Ambitious Without Losing Your Soul? | Ruslan KD
What if your future self is begging you to wake up? Ben talks to Ruslan KD about the consequences of coasting, the habits that build real character, and why…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast614: Has The Church Forgotten Justice? | Skye Jethani
In this conversation, Ben reconnects with author and speaker Skye Jethani to discuss his latest book, “What If Jesus Was Serious About Justice?” and the deeper…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast613: You’re Missing Gospel Moments Every Day - Here’s Why
A middle-aged woman working for DoorDash approached the home of a pastor, who ends up praying for her - which goes viral after being caught on a doorbell…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Dr. William Lane Craig | Can You Want God and Still Not Find Him?
What does real hope look like, and how can people see it in you? In this conversation with renowned philosopher and theologian Dr. William Lane Craig, Ben…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast612: THIS Is Why You Never Give Up on Someone
The regulars come together LIVE IN-PERSON for a special episode as they recall the past ten years of podcasting, 600+ episodes, Chad's new connection to the…
- Provoke & Inspire Podcast
P&I Moments: Is Social Media Ministry Legit? | Isaac David (Daily Disciple)
Why are so few Christians reaching people outside the church online? Isaac David of Daily Disciple dives into what real digital evangelism could look like—and…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast611: What MrBeast Teaches Us About Meaning, Success, and God
What does the dissatisfaction of the world's biggest YouTuber tell us about the nature of fame? Is there anything at the top of the mountain? Ben goes solo to…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Is Engaging Culture Dangerous or Essential? | Jon McCray (Whaddoyoumeme?)
How do we learn to ask good questions? How do we meet people where they are really at? Jon McCray weighs in on these questions, and shares some of the…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast610: Coach RAC (The Savannah Bananas) | How God Broke My Pride
Ben is joined by Robert Anthony Cruz of the exhibition baseball team, The Savannah Bananas. Coach RAC shares his story of coming to faith, his time in the…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast609: Forrest Frank Vs. The Industry: The Slippery Slope of Money and Faith
Should we be accepting awards that come from glory and acclaim that's meant for Jesus? How do we navigate the Christian music industry as it is today?…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Does Church Really Matter? | Jennie Allen
Is unity in the church truly possible in this day and age? Did Jennie Allen momentarily achieve it through the online, record-breaking, Gather 25 event earlier…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast608: The Secret Power of Asking Great Questions | J.R. Briggs
How do we learn to ask better questions? Can better questions improve our lives, relationships, and efficacy as Christians? In this episode, Ben talks to…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast607: Why Are 42% of Pastors Quitting?
A recent study dives into the dire situations that nearly half of pastors seem to find themselves in. How did we get here? Is it possible that we are requiring…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Is Atheism Turning People Back to God? | Justin Brierley
Why is it that no matter what we do, we never seem to get rid of our religiosity as a society? Is it possible the New Atheism movement actually helped…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast606: Do We Love Like Jesus? | Jackie Hill Perry
Ben is joined by author, speaker, and hip-hop artist Jackie Hill Perry in discussing the incredible advantages, as well as the dangers, of doing ministry on a…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast605: Feeling Stuck? This Could Change Everything
Ben goes solo for a monopod on the life of John the Baptist, and how we can use it as a blueprint for successful lives of our own. ---------------------- Ben…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: The #1 Reason Evangelism is NOT Working | Matt Chandler
What do we do to reach people now that we have exited the Billy Graham role? What approach works now? Ben and Aaron sit down with Pastor Matt Chandler of The…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast604: The Hidden Root of Today’s Mental Health Crisis | Mark DeJesus
How do we relate to love? How do we become disconnected from it, and could that be one of the main roots of the psychological epidemic we see all around us in…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast603: The Point Isn't Preaching, It's People Meeting Jesus
"The goal is not to preach the gospel, but for people to meet Jesus." It might sound semantic, or like a play on words, but therein lies a critical distinction…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: What's God's Solution to Vanity, Image, and Self-Consciousness? | Sam Allberry
Author and Speaker Sam Allberry shares his perspective on how self-consciousness and self-adjustment to our own images, began in the garden of Eden, and…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast602: Why Self-Help Always Fails in the End | Josh Porter
Author, speaker, pastor, and former frontman of the band Showbread, Josh Porter, once again joins the P&I podcast, this time to talk about his new book, How to…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast601: Responding Like Jesus to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
After the shocking and tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, is revival coming? Is it possible that if we're not careful, this could trigger a different kind…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: The REAL Cause of Our Mental Health Crisis | Jacob Coyne
Influencer Jacob Coyne sheds light on why our culture is seeing such rampant anxiety, depression, and psychological disorders. Listen to the full episode…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast600: Charlie Kirk and the Power of Words
How do we even begin to grieve what happened to Charlie Kirk, not to mention the scores of tragedies unfolding in the world around us? How do we navigate our…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast599: Is Modern Worship Broken? | Rita Springer
Rita Springer is a Dove Award winning artist and worship leader. To date she has released 12 studio albums, with the latest being, "Fed By Ravens" (2024). She…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast598: How to Spot (or Avoid Becoming) an Ungodly Leader
What is healthy leadership? When is it time to stay, or time to leave? Are there specific characteristics to look for in a leader, and how do we know whether…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Art Isn't Dead, But Here's Why It's Dying | Andy Crouch
Andy Crouch, author of The Techwise family shares how we are in desperate need of being embedded into a relational world, and what has happened to art in our…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast597: Are You Willing to Learn From Enemies? | AJ Swoboda
What if Christians were known as the most humble and teachable people in the world? How would that change the way others see us? Why do we struggle so much…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast596: Should Christians Be Partying More Than Anyone?
We often have a reputation as Christians of being dull, lifeless, and boring. Do we deserve it? Is the truth that we should have more reason to party than…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Why Don't Christians Look Happier? | Elijah Lamb
Is pushing morality really the way to win people to Jesus? How can we expect to do so if we ourselves are joyless - and how can Christians still be sad? All…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast595: How to Keep Faith Real When the Hype Fades | Pastor Jimmy Seibert
How do we return to a simple faith of knowing God intimately, simply, and living in such a way that requires full reliance on him? Ben talks with pastor and…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast594: Bitterness is Killing You (Here’s the Cure)
The regulars cover the topic of an Australian man who forgave, and even befriended, the killer of his children, through the power of his own faith. Is…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: Is the Dream You're Chasing Really God's Will? | Mattie Montgomery
Mattie Montgomery, pastor and former vocalist of the band For Today, discusses his path from the stages of festivals and clubs to the stage of a church in…
Provoke & Inspire Podcast593: The Surprising Purpose of Prayer (and Why We Forget)
Has prayer ever felt pointless to you? Or if not that, at least a boring religious exercise...even one done in futility? Ben and David explore this topic with…
Provoke & Inspire PodcastP&I Moments: William Lane Craig | Is Suffering the BEST Christian Apologetic?
How do we deal with those who fall into the category of extreme apathy - those espousing something you could call "Apatheism"? How do you approach suffering…