Fearless Questions

If you are one of the many people who grimace when conversations turn political, I think you’ll enjoy getting the chance to hear a level-headed conversation on politics from someone who has actually served our country from the view of the White House. Michael Wear is the founder of Public Square Strategies LLC and a

Today’s guest on the podcast is Carolyn Custis James.   Carolyn is a widely respected author and speaker who has a special gift for bringing to life the context and message of Bible stories that often slip through the cracks.  I first heard of Carolyn when I was sharing a conversation with author Sarah Bessey

Hope you enjoy listening-in today to my friend Wayne Jacobsen as we talk a little about his newest book Beyond Sundays. When nearly half of Americans who consider themselves people of faith only operate outside of the institutional church…it’s worth talking about why.   I think you’ll find that Wayne offers tremendous insights to the

Our first podcast conversation of 2018 is a bit unique in that I’d like to introduce you to a professor that has really challenged my thinking in how we read the Bible (especially the book of Genesis).  I’ve been stretched by Dr. John Walton’s books and as you listen along today, I hope that your

Today on the Fearless Questions podcast we have the chance to talk with our friend Carlos Whittaker.  Carlos is a popular speaker, writer, musical artist, and People’s Choice Award winner who you will really enjoy getting to know. Carlos has just released a new book called Kill The Spider that dives into the difference between

Today, from the far side of the Atlantic Ocean, we are welcoming in Justin Brierley.  Justin is the Senior Editor of Premier Christianity Magazine in the United Kingdom and also host of the globally successful radio show and podcast called ‘Unbelievable?’. In my conversation with Justin, we spend significant time talking about his experience of

If someone said that you should be ‘On Fire for Jesus’, what would that make you feel like?  For some, it’s a call to full commitment of their faith and offering their entire life for a higher purpose…for others, it sounds like a misplaced and offensive religious call to martyrdom.  It’s a phrase that gets

In a world where there are thousands of orphaned and at-risk children, it can sometimes seem that institutional orphan care is the only practical solution available in less wealthy nations, but for John McCollum, there seemed to be a better way. Somewhere on the journey of adoption (they adopted their first child from Vietnam) and

Sometimes you hear an incredible story and wonder to yourself if the people who lived it are really so incredible as it first seemed.  Then there are those rare times when you actually get to meet those same people and find yourself even more impressed than before.  Not because they are so grandiose, but because

Today on the Fearless Questions podcast we have the wonderful opportunity to catch-up with Paula Faris.  Paula is well-known for her roles as a weekend anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America and also as a co-host on ABC’s daytime program The View.  She’s won multiple Emmy Awards, interviewed innumerable national leaders and celebrities, and has

Chasing after a fresh word from God, Kent Dobson found himself climbing Mount Sinai in the chilled early-morning Egyptian air.  Did he hear from God?  Perhaps…but not in the way he had hoped.  What did happen is that he was literally bitten by a camel. Kent is a scholar, former pastor, author, and Israeli tour

“You simply can’t hate people into loving each other.” When I read those words, I knew I wanted to hear more from the woman who wrote them in a recent article detailing her experience of trying to stand in the gap between a clash of protesting Neo-Nazis and Anti-Fascists in Portland, OR.  Just a week

When you sell over 25 million books…without meaning to…well…that’s a story that I want to hear more about.  But even more than the story…I want to hear what’s in the heart and life of the guy who has walked that journey.  That’s exactly what we have the opportunity to do today as William Paul Young

What comes to mind for you when I say the word ‘Prostitute’? A woman walking the city streets? Dirty hotel rooms? Perhaps a more glamorous version…like Julia Roberts in the 1990 film Pretty Woman? What if I told you that a prostitute is actually a victim of the sex trafficking industry? Because they are. Perhaps

Rob Bell… Over the past few weeks I’ve been reminded of how polarizing that name is for many people…and it’s made me really sad. Not sad because so many people have disagreed with some of his theological observations over the past few years…that’s to be expected with anybody…but it’s the vitriol and hatred with which

My friends…you are in for a special conversation today as we welcome in our new friend Anna LeBaron.  Anna is a speaker and social media strategist who has just recently released a new book called The Polygamist’s Daughter.  Her memoir is simply stunning.  In it, Anna shares her life story of growing-up in the world of

Have you ever lived through a set of circumstances that seemed amazing and deeply meaningful for you personally, but left you completely unable to explain those moments away without thinking that a higher power was involved? If so, you aren’t alone. Today on the podcast I’m talking with Dr. Scott Kolbaba who has been practicing

Some of you (more than I wish) are much like me in that you hear and see issues of race relations all around us in society, but aren’t quite sure how to engage.  You believe in equality…and you have some sense (though limited experience) that things have not always been equal for all…but the conversation seems

You are in for a treat today!  If you haven’t already read Sarah Bessey’s books  (Jesus Feminist / Out of Sorts) or heard her speaking somewhere around the world, then you are a little late to the party, but it’s still a party, so come on in! Sarah is a deep thinker who has an

I’m so happy to be able to introduce you to my friend Ali Berrett today.  Ali is an incredible artist working from the quaint village of Eynsham which is nestled in-between the outskirts of the Cotswolds and Oxford, U.K.. If you’ve ever wanted to sit down over a cup of tea and hear a lovely

Today’s episode is a bit different.  It’s only Me on the microphone today talking about Men and friends.  In a recent article published in the Boston Globe, author Billy Baker shares research revealing that according to Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general of the United States, the most prevalent health issue in the country is not

Out of the early days of Christian music and coffee in the 1980’s, Brian Zahnd became the pastor of (what would become) a megachurch in St. Joseph, Missouri.  Everything was going great…good marriage and a church that was big and still growing….a Pastor’s dream.  But while everything seemed perfect, Brian began to feel a gnawing

Have you ever known someone who has faced bankruptcy?  If you have, did you know that there is a 60-70% chance that it started with a financial crisis rooted in healthcare expenses…AND that approximately 70% of those people actually HAD insurance when the crisis started. I can hear it now….Jeff…Why are you talking about bankruptcy

Is calling yourself a Christian the same thing as being a follower of Jesus?  This is a provocative question posed to us today as we get to hear from someone who has lived out the realities associated with this question around the world. From speaking in the towns (and even mosques) of Lebanon, meeting with

Today’s conversation is a gift my friends!  I hope it is a gift for you…but I KNOW it was a gift for me! Dr. Peter Enns is a Scholar, Theologian, Writer, and Speaker with a profound ability to articulate deep perspective on faith and theology in a common language that makes sense to our lived

When it comes to success there is usually talent involved…But to achieve greatness, there has to be real heart behind the scene that is fueling the engine. Today we have the unique opportunity to share a conversation with basketball legend Clark Kellogg as he shares some of the lessons he’s learned along the way in

I hope that you all get a chance to head over to the Fearless Questions Podcast today and listen-in to a conversation with my new friend Shannan Martin. Shannan is the author of ‘Falling Free…Rescued From the Life I Always Wanted’.  It’s a beautiful story of the journey Shannan and her husband Cory have walked from

Today on the podcast I sit down to share with you a few thoughts that emerged for me out of this past weekend of Presidential Inaugurations and Protest Marches.  It’s just me sharing some of my thoughts and heart on who the real enemy of our soul is and encouragement not to submit to dualistic

Just a couple of months ago I was chatting with you about some of the best ways to engage in healthy and meaningful spiritual conversations with others. One of the books that we referenced in that late October discussion on the blog was The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist…Or: the Dreadful Consequences of Bad Arguments  Today

What do Waffles, Spiritual Direction and Greensboro, North Carolina have in common?  The answer, of course, is John Freeman! John is the Executive Director of Grace Discipleship…an awesome non-profit ministry helping connect weary souls with the Gospel of Grace.  They do this by providing space for people to discover how to live out the deeper

Tune in this week to hear New York Times best-selling author Jeff Goins drop in and flip-the-script as he spends a few minutes asking Jeff Blackburn the questions and finding out a little more of the story behind the ministry of Fearless Questions. You’ll hear what motivated Jeff to sell everything and move his family

Have you ever wondered what it feels like for God to speak to you? How do we even know it’s Him? What about those people who feel like God is inviting them away from the part of the church that primarily meets on Sunday mornings around the world…is that o.k.?  Is it possible to love

Are you staying warm today my friends? I hope so. And I also hope that as the Christmas season settles in over you and your family that you are able to take a deep breath and remember that God continues to accomplish His purposes in the world in spite of all the deep struggles and pain

Ok…here’s a little update for you all who follow the blog:  It’s finally here!    Welcome to the new Fearless Questions Podcast…a place where we follow our questions to freedom!  This is another new way that we are trying to provide safe space for conversations about faith and life.  A place where we will hear from people