Becoming Something with Jonathan Pokluda

In this episode a listener calls in asking about the difference between drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and smoking weed as a Christian — and JP, Kathy, and Nate don’t hold back. They dig into what the Bible actually says, the difference between legalism and liberty, and why “become holy as he is holy” is the only rule that really matters. This one will make you think!

This week we sit down with Gregg Tipton — former NFL quarterback turned college campus minister — to talk about what it looks like to chase greatness for something bigger than yourself. Gregg shares how losing his starting job, getting cut from the Cardinals, and later walking through his wife’s terminal cancer all became the moments God used most. If you’ve ever wondered whether the hard chapters of your story are being wasted, this one is for you!

This week we sit down with Gregg Tipton — former NFL quarterback turned college campus minister — to talk about what it looks like to chase greatness for something bigger than yourself. Gregg shares how losing his starting job, getting cut from the Cardinals, and later walking through his wife’s terminal cancer all became the moments God used most. If you’ve ever wondered whether the hard chapters of your story are being wasted, this one is for you!

In this episode a listener calls in asking how to navigate Halloween as a Christian — and JP, Kathy, and Nate have a lot to say about it. They talk about the origins of the holiday, where to draw the line, horror movies, costumes, and why JP thinks turning your lights off on October 31st might be missing the biggest evangelism opportunity of the year. This one’s timely — share it with a friend before the 31st!

This week we sit down with Kyleigh, who grew up devout Mormon in East Texas and spent years believing she had to earn her way to heaven and the moment everything changed for her and she gave her life to Christ. It was an eye-opening and insightful conversation that we think will be very helpful to you as you engage with people from the LDS church.

In this episode, a listener calls in with a question a lot of Christians wrestle with — what's the difference between God testing us and Satan tempting us, and how do you tell them apart? JP, Kathy, and Nate dive deep into spiritual warfare, demonic oppression vs. possession, whether demons can influence your dreams, and why JP spent a lot of his life blaming God for Satan's work. This one is packed — don't miss it!

You have been asking for it, here it is! In this episode JP, Kathy, and Nate answer a listener's question about navigating the chaos of new parenthood — and they have a lot to say! They talk about trusting God with your kids, consistent discipline, keeping your family in church even when it's hard, and why every interruption is actually an invitation. If you're a new parent, expecting, or just trying to figure out how to raise kids who love Jesus, this one's for you!

This week we sit down with author and podcaster Annie F. Downs to talk about her new book, Don't Let That Hold You Back, stepping into the dreams God has placed in your heart, and why the enemy works overtime to keep you from them. Annie opens up about her engagement, choosing not to have kids, and what it means to finish your name well. Pick up her new book wherever books are sold — you're going to love it! https://a.co/d/06ofEkVN

This week we sit down with Brian Guan, a content creator from New York City who went viral for going around pretending to be a Christian — and ended up actually becoming one. Just 12 days into his faith, Brian joins us live to talk about what happened when an experiment became real, the convictions he's already wrestling with, and what it looks like to follow Jesus when you're starting from scratch. This one is refreshing, honest, and a whole lot of fun!

This week we sit down with country music artist turned pastor and author Granger Smith to talk about his new book Poison the Well — and the question he asks almost every single day: are you actually a Christian, or have you just checked the box? Granger shares how his own faith unraveled and was rebuilt from the ground up, why he's passionate about sharing the gospel with Christians, and what it really means to follow Jesus beyond an altar call. Pick up Poison the Well wherever books are sold! https://a.co/d/0hQWM5I7

In this episode, a listener calls in with a question a lot of single Christians are quietly asking — am I supposed to be spending this season preparing for marriage, or is that missing the point entirely? JP, Kathy, and Nate unpack what it actually looks like to embrace singleness as a daughter of God rather than just a waiting room for a relationship. If you're single and trying to figure out what this season is for, this one's for you!

This week we sit down with Kelsey, who grew up deep in the mountains of Montana with no electricity, no running water, and a father convinced the world was ending. From polygamy and mountain lions to a serial killer staying in their cabin, Kelsey's story is one of the wildest you'll ever hear. JP and the crew don't see eye to eye with Kelsey on everything when it comes to faith — but that's exactly what makes this conversation worth having. Come for the crazy story, stay for the honest and gracious dialogue!

In this episode JP, Kathy, and Nate get honest about where the next generation is headed and what the church needs to do about it. They dig into phone addiction, the hunger for real community, and why revival might already be happening right in front of us. Don't miss this one!

This week we sit down with worship artist Cory Asbury — live from the tour bus — to talk about his journey through church hurt, online criticism, and what it looks like to come out the other side still singing. Cory opens up about the story behind "Reckless Love," his new song Prodigal God, and why he's done being cautious with his faith. If you've ever felt beaten up by the church or beaten down by the noise of social media, this episode is for you!

This week we sit down with Christian artist Forrest Frank — live from the tour bus — to talk about what it looks like to steward massive success while keeping your heart fully surrendered to God. Forrest opens up about eight years of grinding before his breakthrough, how he stopped sneaking Jesus into his music and started giving him every breath, and why the surrendered life is available to everyone — not just the people in the arena. This one will leave you fired up!

This week we sit down with John Olinger — former global brand director for Kobe Bryant at Nike and author of Worthy Wins — to talk about what it looks like to point your life toward what actually matters most. John opens up about losing both parents, a season of unexpected career upheaval, and how God used every chapter of his story to prepare him for something he never saw coming. If you've ever wondered whether your past experiences are being wasted, this episode is for you!

This week we sit down with author and educator Jon Eckert to talk about his new book The Happiness Crisis and why the pursuit of happiness is actually keeping people from finding it. Jon breaks down how adversity, belonging, and curiosity are the real building blocks of a joyful life — and why Gen Z may be the generation that finally gets it right. Send this one to every parent, teacher, and young adult in your life, and grab a copy of The Happiness Crisis wherever books are sold! https://a.co/d/08kTjIow

In this episode we sit down with Josh Rutledge from Liberty University to talk about what spiritual formation actually looks like in the college years — and why the decisions you make at 19 can shape who you are for decades. JP opens up about his own first nine days of college and the fork in the road that followed, and Josh shares why this generation of students may be more spiritually hungry than any before them. If you're in college, heading there, or wish you could go back and do it differently, this one's for you!

This week JP, Nate and Kathy sit down with Christian Huff, husband of Sadie Robertson, to talk about what it really looks like to lead your family through fear, anger, and hard seasons. Christian opens up about a terrifying medical scare with his daughter, wrestling with anger toward God, and what it means to step into spiritual strength as a husband and father. If you've ever found yourself blaming God for the enemy's work, this one is for you!

This week JP and Kathy sit down with therapist and author Trey Tucker to talk about the two traps most young men fall into — chasing achievement to outrun insecurity, or staying passive to avoid failing at all. Trey shares wisdom from his book Tough Enough on building a "team," getting comfortable with silence, and using what God gave you for others instead of yourself. He also tells the wild, true story of going undercover overseas to help rescue women from sex trafficking. Pick up Tough Enough and pass this one along to the men in your life who need to hear it.