Provoke & Inspire Podcast

From ministry success and identity confusion to burnout, failure, and suicidal ideation, this episode traces the slow erosion of intimacy with Jesus and the cost of trying to rebuild life on self-made identity. Ben and Chad explore repentance, vulnerability, accountability, and the kind of hope that isn’t tethered to outcomes or success - all through the lens of Chad's personal story. ----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message

Why do people who look like they have it together still feel empty? What are we hiding that’s actually hurting us? And why does joy seem to show up only after confession, honesty, and real community? RobertAnthony Cruz (Coach RAC) of the Savannah Bananas reflects on what happens when things kept in the dark are finally brought into the light, and why healing follows every time.Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@ste

When does protecting leaders or institutions become enabling harm? And what happens to faith when silence replaces transparency? The regulars examine the recent Shawn Bolz controversy and Bethel Church’s response to ask harder questions about accountability, public leadership, and institutional self-preservation.----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and storie

What if leadership isn’t about influence, platform, or control, but about bearing pain, building trust, and carrying hope for others? Who pays the price when leaders avoid suffering? Author J.R. Briggs reframes leadership as responsibility, not status.Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your

How do we have a Jesus-perspective in a situation with so many grey areas? How do we react when protestors show up to disrupt our church services? The regulars again weigh in on the situation in Minneapolis, where ICE agents contend with protestors in the controversial enforcement of immigration law in Minnesota, and across the country. ----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provo

Author Skye Jethani unpacks how a 100-year-old divide in the American church still shapes our thinking today. Why did the gospel and justice get separated? How did faith become so politically tribal and binary?Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Cli

Ben speaks with author, speaker, and professor of philosophy at Boston College, Dr. Peter Kreeft.Drawing from his now-famous commencement address at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, exposing the “ten lies” of modern culture, Dr. Kreeft reflects on identity, freedom, creativity, and the consequences of a world that has tried to live without God. With his characteristic blend of sharp logic, humor, and humility, he challenges the assumptions of secular humanism while making a compelling case for common sense, rationality, and the enduring power of the Christian worldview.Learn more about Dr. Peter Kreeft HERE----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it

What does it look like to have God’s heart for the immigrant and also for the ICE agent? Is it important to react quickly when people are in danger, or does speed usually sabotage wisdom?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 possibly respond like Jesus in this situation?----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message

Jackie Hill Perry gets radically honest about striving, identity, and why Christian ambition so often masquerades as holiness. She reflects on stepping away from platforms, embracing ordinary faithfulness, and confronting the subtle belief that being a wife, mother, or hidden servant is somehow “not enough.” Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news

As Christians, should we have guidelines which dictate the kinds of things we allow ourselves to watch as Christians? If so, how do we determine what those guidelines are?If we've become too cavalier with what we do watch, what do we do to get things back to the way they should be? ----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox f

Author and mental health therapist Mark DeJesus reflects on his journey from a performance-driven, “superhero” version of Christianity toward a healthier faith rooted in receiving the Father’s love. He explains why grief, anxiety, and weakness are not spiritual failures, but places where deeper connection with God is formed.Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE

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 episode, Ben shares how David's health scare made James 4:13–17 feel painfully real, and why “arrogant self-sufficiency” is often the sin beneath our confident plans----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles,

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 important than ourselves; how do we accept the invitation to come and die? Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, Dav

New Year's resolutions are often self-centered, with the resolution peaking right around January - but not beyond it. How do we persevere into fruitfulness with these decisions, but also choose things which honor God in the first place? ----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to

Worship leader Rita Springer pushes back on performance-driven, industry-shaped Christian music and asks a deeper question: who are we actually ministering to on Sunday morning, and what does it mean to be near the brokenhearted? Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David

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 Christmas from all of us at Provoke & Inspire! Christ the savior is born.----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow

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 with most. Drawing from Scripture, the story of Daniel in exile, and A.W. Tozer’s idea of “gentle dogmatism,”Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories d

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 Steiger missionary, and Ben sits down with him to discuss the start of his channel, time spent with Alex O' Connor, how we can reach people in the demographic of the Middle East for the gospel, and how YouTube and social media fit into the bigger picture.----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.

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 why recovering a Jesus-centered vision of identity matters more than swinging the cultural pendulum of what it means to be a man.----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox fro

What if Christians approached Scripture with the same passion fans bring to their favorite series?Ben and pastor Landon MacDonald explore why biblical engagement is collapsing, how the seeker-sensitive era shaped our assumptions, and what it looks like to rediscover a living, Spirit-led relationship with the BibleListen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive