Best Jonathan Youssef Podcasts (2025)

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From Feminism to Faith: Understanding the Gender Identity Crisis: feat. Dr. Katie McCoy | Episode 302 57:28

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7d ago57:28

57:28

In a culture where identity has become fluid, how can Christians respond with Biblical Truth with both conviction and compassion? In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef sits down with Dr. Katie McCoy, author of To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond. Together they unpack one of the most p…

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Psychoanalysis Under Occupation: Practicing Resistance in Palestine (Episode 44) 37:39

6d ago37:39

37:39

"Psychoanalysis Under Occupation: Practicing Resistance in Palestine" examines the profound concept of sumud—psychological resilience and defiance—within the context of Palestinian life under occupation and settler colonialism. This episode explores psychoanalytic frameworks that illuminate the complex psychological expressions of both individual a…

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Spiritual Resilience: Leading Faithful Lives in a Changing World: feat. Michael Keller | Episode 301 26:08

14d ago26:08

26:08

What happens when faith collides with a world changing faster than ever? In this episode, Michael Keller and Jonathan Youssef wrestle honestly with AI, digital isolation, and the fractured search for meaning, offering real hope and practical wisdom for anyone longing for true connection and honest community with grace at the center. Jonathan and M…

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The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims with Khaled Beydoun (Episode 43) 34:12

20d ago34:12

34:12

By Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR)

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Faith Under Fire: Biblical Truths and Modern Challenges: feat. Michael Keller | Episode 300 19:52

20d ago19:52

19:52

By Michael Keller, Jonathan Youssef

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Identity, Discipleship, and Costly Faith in Christ: feat. Sam Allberry | Episode 299 25:10

28d ago25:10

25:10

Discover how union with Christ transforms our identity, reshapes our approach to discipleship, and calls every believer to costly faith. Pastor and author Sam Allberry joins Jonathan Youssef to share candid insights on navigating same-sex attraction, authentic holiness, and the challenges facing today's church. Whether wrestling with faith or longi…

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How Do We Stop Scrolling Ourselves to Death? feat: Ivan Mesa and Brett McCracken, Episode 298 22:38

1M ago22:38

22:38

What if the habits shaping your daily scroll are quietly shaping your soul, and your church, for the next generation? In Part 2 of our conversation with Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa, editors of Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age, we take a deeper look into the ways digital technology forms our hearts, relationships, and…

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Muhammad Ali with Jonathan Hafetz ( Episode 42) 52:20

1M ago52:20

52:20

Muhammad Ali is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all-time and one of the most important figures of the 20th century. In addition to his long and celebrated career as a boxer and three-time heavyweight champion of the world, Ali changed the conversation about race, religion, and politics in America. Ali’s refusal to be inducted i…

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Why Are We Scrolling Ourselves to Death?: feat: Ivan Mesa and Brett McCracken, Episode 297 21:24

1M ago21:24

21:24

Are we scrolling ourselves numb while our souls quietly starve? On this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef talks with Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa, editors of Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age, about how digital overload is quietly shaping who we are—often more deeply than we realize. Dive in as they rev…

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A Tool of Faith Formation for Our Secular Age: feat. Trevin Wax | Episode 296 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

Are you equipped to stand firm in the Christian faith in today’s ever-changing culture? Jonathan Youssef welcomes Trevin Wax, co-author of The Gospel Way Catechism, to discuss the importance of Christian catechism as a tool for spiritual formation in today’s world. Trevin is a vice president at the North American Mission Board (NAMB), a visiting pr…

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A Legacy of Ministry and Global Training: feat. Jonathan Youssef on 2 Pastors Unplugged | Episode 295 24:55

2M ago24:55

24:55

This special episode re-airs Jonathan Youssef’s engaging visit with Rick Probst on 2 Pastors Unplugged. Jonathan—shaped by a legacy of ministry and global training—digs deep into what makes preaching truly life-changing, drawing from experiences that span Atlanta to Sydney. Hear how opening God’s Word becomes more than a message; it’s an invitation…

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Hostile Homelands—The New Alliance Between India and Israel (Episode 41) 52:38

2M ago52:38

52:38

In this episode, we speak with award-winning investigative journalist Azad Essa about his research on the evolving relationship between India and Israel. Our conversation explores the historical development and contemporary significance of this alliance, particularly in light of recent events in Gaza. Essa discusses how, despite growing grassroots …

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How Do I Raise Children Who Will Follow Christ? feat. Jonathan Youssef | Episode 294 7:07

2M ago7:07

7:07

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of raising children to stand firm in their Christian faith because the culture pushes back at every turn? You’re not alone. Today, countless parents, teachers, and mentors are searching for hope-filled answers and practical, Biblical guidance for the next generation. In this episode of Candid Conversatio…

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How Can I Be More Like Jesus? feat. Dave Hubbard | Episode 293 38:02

2M ago38:02

38:02

Welcome back to Candid Conversations! After a refreshing sabbatical, Jonathan Youssef returns with a brand-new episode to kick off this new season of Candid, diving into one of the Bible's most powerful stories of transformation, Simon Peter. Jonathan is joined by author and Candid listener favorite, Dave Hubbard. His new book, “You Are, You Will B…

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Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism, (Episode 40) 53:59

2M ago53:59

53:59

In this episode, Sahar Aziz is in dicussion with Dr. Audrey Truschke and Dr. Dheepa Sundaram about the new groundbreaking report published by CSRR entitled Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism, which is available for download at csrr.rutgers.edu Audrey Truschke is a Professor of History and Director of Asian Studies at …

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One State Reality: What is Palestine Israel (Episode 39) 43:23

3M ago43:23

43:23

In this episode, Professors Nathan J. Brown and Shibley Telhami, leading experts on the region and U.S. foreign policy toward Israel, offer a thoughtful examination of the current situation in Israel-Palestine. Our guests provide nuanced analysis of how decades of unsuccessful peace negotiations have transformed the political landscape. The convers…

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The War Economy of the Fragmented Healthcare System in Syria (Episode 38) 42:48

3M ago42:48

42:48

In this episode, regional experts of the Middle East share their knowledge about Syria's healthcare system and how it has been affected by years of conflict. Based on research from the book "Everybody's War: Politics of Aid in the Syria Crisis," (published by Oxford University Press), our guests provide thoughtful analysis of several important issu…

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Innocent Until Proven Muslim with Maha Hilal (Episode 37) 24:48

4M ago24:48

24:48

Host Sahar Aziz is in conversation with scholar and organizer Dr. Maha Hilal as she unpacks two decades of the War on Terror and its devastating impact on Muslim communities. This eye-opening episode, based on Dr. Hilal's book Innocent Until Proven Muslim: Islamophobia, the War on Terror, and the Muslim Experience Since 9/11, explores how governmen…

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How to Prepare for the Harvest w/Pastor Joe Kerrigan | Episode 292 42:17

4M ago42:17

42:17

A man lands in Dublin for a job interview. That night, in a hotel room, Jesus appears to him in a vision. The next morning, he stands weeping at a church gate, waiting for someone to explain what just happened. That’s not fiction. It's just one of the stories Pastor Joe Kerrigan shares in this unforgettable episode of Candid Conversations. From del…

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Sabbath as a Day of Delight w/Dr. Bill Davis | Episode 291 39:55

4M ago39:55

39:55

Jonathan welcomes Dr. Bill Davis of Covenant College back to Candid Conversations to explore the rich Biblical basis, spiritual significance, and transformative power of Sabbath rest, both personally, as a family, and as a faith community. Dr. Davis shares insightful, real‑world practices from raising children to enjoy delight-filled Sundays, to in…

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U.S. Military Aid to Israel During a Genocide in Gaza with Josh Paul ( Episode 36) 51:58

4M ago51:58

51:58

Sahar Aziz speaks with Josh Paul about the law, politics, and policies surrounding the United States decades long military aid to Israel and specifically how such aid makes the U.S. complicit in Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza since October 2023. Josh Paul resigned from the State Department due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration’…

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Reaching A Generation Hungry for Truth w/Dave Jensen | Episode 290 37:34

5M ago37:34

37:34

“There has never been a better time to evangelize the next generation.” That’s a bold statement, but one Dave Jensen stands behind with passion, clarity, and decades of ministry experience. In this energizing episode, Australian evangelist Dave Jensen returns to Candid Conversations to share why now, yes, right now, might be the most wide-open mome…

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From Fine to Free w/Joy Chapman | Episode 289 35:26

5M ago35:26

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What happens when we stop pretending we’re fine and start getting honest with God? Jonathan Youssef sits down with Joy Chapman, West Coast Development Director for Leading The Way, to hear her powerful story of transformation. From a childhood faith shaped by Scripture to life-altering experiences of loss, fear, and forgiveness, Joy shares how God …

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Global Islamophobia and the Rise of Populism with Audrey Truschke and Ivan Kalmar (Episode 35) 48:09

5M ago48:09

48:09

Dr. Audrey Truschke and Professor Ivan Kalmar analyze the alarming global surge in Islamophobic violence and discriminatory policies, particularly in Eastern Europe and South Asia. Our guests explore how economic and political insecurities have fueled dangerous scapegoating of Muslim citizens and refugees, transforming vulnerable religious minoriti…

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Why Vacation Bible School Might Be the Most Important Week of the Year: Zack Carden | Episode 288 28:23

5M ago28:23

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What do Listerine strips, backyard barbecues, and cartoon characters have to do with kids meeting Jesus? More than you might think. In this lively and insightful episode of Candid Conversations, host Jonathan Youssef welcomes back Zack Carden—pastor, storyteller, and creator of Grey Bobby Ministries—to explore the incredible opportunity churches ha…

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Where is Your Security?: Jonathan Youssef | Episode 287 8:27

5M ago8:27

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Are you searching for something solid to hold onto when life feels uncertain? In a world where finances fluctuate, relationships disappoint, and the future seems unpredictable, we all crave a sense of security. But what if the things we cling to can’t truly keep us safe? In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef explores the univers…

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Carceral Apartheid with Brittany Friedman (Episode 34) 42:58

5M ago42:58

42:58

Prisons are a microcosm of how carceral apartheid operates as a larger governing strategy to decimate political targets and foster deceit, disinformation, and division in society. White supremacy within the institutional conditions in US prisons produces a power dynamic of racist intent in the prison system that culminates in what Professor Brittan…

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Where is God in a World Filled with Evil?: Collin Hansen | Episode 286 33:45

6M ago33:45

33:45

If God is good and all-powerful, why does evil persist? In this thought-provoking episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef sits down with Collin Hansen to tackle one of the most challenging questions people of faith will wrestle with. Drawing from his new book Where Is God In a World with So Much Evil?, Collin explores the age-old struggle…

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Apologetics for a Changing Culture: Sean McDowell | Episode 285 - part 2 28:36

6M ago28:36

28:36

Are you tired of faith conversations that feel more like a battle than a dialogue? What if defending what you believe could open doors instead of building walls? In this episode of Candid Conversations, Dr. Sean McDowell, author, professor, and leading Christian apologist, joins Jonathan Youssef to tackle the most challenging questions facing belie…

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ICC Investigation of Biden Administration Officials for Aiding Israeli War Crimes with Sarah Leah Whitson (Episode 33) 43:04

6M ago43:04

43:04

In January of 2025, the human rights organization, Democracy in the Arab World Now (DAWN), made a formal request with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate former U.S. officials President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for their accessorial roles in aiding and abetting, as well as…

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Why Are Bible Sales Up?: Sean McDowell |Episode 285 - part 1 28:49

6M ago28:49

28:49

Why are Bible sales experiencing a surprising 22% surge? Is Western culture becoming spiritually curious again? In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef welcomes Dr. Sean McDowell—author, speaker, and Biola University professor—to unpack this unexpected trend. Sean shares insights from his years of engaging the next generation on m…

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What Happens After Easter: Jonathan Youssef | Episode 284 11:08

6M ago11:08

11:08

Easter Sunday may be over, but the Resurrection story is just beginning. In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef reflects on John 21 and what Jesus’ post-Resurrection moments reveal about how we are meant to live today. If you’ve ever felt spiritually stuck, disqualified from ministry, or unsure of what to do now that the Easter c…

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Race and Empire: Legal Theory Within, Through and Across National Borders with Asli Bali (Episode 32) 32:11

6M ago32:11

32:11

In the Global South, the possibility of a post-imperial reality self-determined by former subjects of the empire has been undermined by the dominant Western narrative that centers “humanitarian initiatives, politics of counterterrorism, and migration control”. Host Sahar Aziz will speak with expert, advocate and Law Professor Dr. Asli U. Bali to de…

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Teaching Little Hearts Big Truths About Easter: John Greco | Episode 283 25:40

7M ago25:40

25:40

Do you struggle as a parent to help your children grasp the profound significance of Easter while swimming against a tide of pastel eggs and jelly bean overload? In this episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef talks with John Greco, whose new children's book, The Easter Lamb, was born from his parenting challenge to explain to his three y…

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Post-Colonial Legality and Human Rights with Abdullahi An-Naim (Episode 31) 33:04

7M ago33:04

33:04

Autonomy and self-determination for all individuals cannot be realized and sustained unless true within every person. Enslavement and dehumanization remain true of citizens of imperial nations so long as they remain true for colonized peoples. This week’s episode explores the contradictions between stated commitments to human rights and actions in …

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How to Live Authentically for Christ with Jinger & Jeremy Vuolo | Episode 282 - part 2 23:41

7M ago23:41

23:41

What happens when our desire to be liked becomes a barrier to real community? In part two, Jonathan Youssef continues his conversation with Jeremy and Jinger Vuolo, delving deeper into the profound struggles behind people-pleasing and how God’s Truth sets us free. Jinger shares powerful stories of real-life moments that challenged her desire to app…

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The Weight of People Pleasing with Jinger & Jeremy Vuolo | Episode 282 - part 1 23:38

7M ago23:38

23:38

What happens when you realize much of your life has been shaped by the need to meet others' expectations? In this enlightening episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef welcomes Jeremy and Jinger Vuolo back to the program as they dive into the suffocating world of people-pleasing. Jinger, known from TLC's "Nineteen Kids and Counting," revea…

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Race, Women and the Global War on Terror with Sherene Razack (Episode 30) 41:01

7M ago41:01

41:01

This episode of the Race and Rights podcast features Professor Sherene Razack discuss how racialized Muslim bodies and gender are constructed by global white supremacy that produces and sustains networks, affinities and ideas in the so-called Global War on Terror. Sherene Razack is a Distinguished Professor and the Penny Kanner Endowed Chair in Wom…

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Truth in a Post-Truth World: Why It Still Matters: Jonathan Youssef | Episode 281 8:15

7M ago8:15

8:15

In a culture that is increasingly more comfortable with phrases like "my truth" and "your truth," Jonathan Youssef explores the concept of objective truth and why it matters in our everyday lives. This episode examines the logical problems with a "post-truth" mentality and presents compelling evidence for why Christianity's truth claims deserve tho…

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Syria and Seismic Shifts in Middle East Politics with Bassam Haddad (Episode 29) 1:07:48

8M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Syria's complex history and politics led to the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad on December 8, 2024 – as unexpected as the Arab Spring revolutions that gripped the Middle East thirteen years earlier. Located at the center of regional competition, the nation of Syria will continue to experience foreign intervention from its neighbors, as well as the Un…

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Waking the Sleeping Church: Dr. Michael Youssef on God's Final Call| Episode 280 25:05

8M ago25:05

25:05

Is the church asleep while the world crumbles? What if Jesus' ancient warnings to the church are more relevant now than ever? Jonathan Youssef sits down with his father, renowned Bible teacher Dr. Michael Youssef, for an unfiltered conversation about spiritual complacency in critical times. As they explore the insights from Dr. Youssef's new book, …

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The Two Faces of American Freedom with Aziz Rana (Episode 28) 32:26

8M ago32:26

32:26

Let’s take stock of the American experience within the global history of colonialism – specifically by examining the intertwined relationship in U.S. constitutional practice between internal accounts of freedom and external projects of power and expansion. This episode reinterprets American political traditions from the colonial period to modern ti…

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Dru Hammer: Scandal, Forgiveness, and a Calling Greater Than Wealth - Episode 279 | Part 2 23:36

8M ago23:36

23:36

In this powerful conclusion of our conversation with Dru Hammer, she openly shares about walking through public trials, finding healing after a public divorce, and how God turned her pain into purpose through the Hammered Heart Foundation. Episode Highlights: Dru's candid discussion about navigating the controversy surrounding her son, Armie Hammer…

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Ministering to the Famous and Forgotten: The Bold Faith of Dru Hammer - Episode 279 | PT 1 30:59

8M ago30:59

30:59

In this powerful first installment, Jonathan Youssef sits down with Dru Hammer to discuss her remarkable faith journey, from her roots in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to becoming part of one of America's most prominent families. Episode Highlights: Dru shares the story of her parents' conversion to Christianity when she was five years old and how it transforme…

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What the Western Church Can Learn from the Eastern Church: Tara Shinja (Episode 278) 48:39

9M ago48:39

48:39

What happens when deep cultural roots meet the life-changing power of the Gospel? Tara Shinja knows firsthand. Raised between two distinct cultures, Tara’s journey is a powerful testimony of God’s transforming grace and the strength it takes to stand firm in the Christian faith. In this episode, Tara shares her family’s story of radical transformat…

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Islamophobia, Race and Global Politics with Nazia Kazi (Episode 27) 26:54

9M ago26:54

26:54

This week’s episode offers a powerful introduction to the scope of Islamophobia in the United States. The legacy of Barack Obama and the mainstream media’s typically negative portrayals of Muslims offer incisive examples into the vast impact of Islamophobia – connected to the long history of racism – both within the borders of the United States, an…

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Why the Next 25 years Will Change the Global Church Forever: Dr. Richard Pratt (Episode 277) 58:28

9M ago58:28

58:28

Jonathan Youssef welcomes Dr. Richard L. Pratt Jr., president and co-founder of Third Millennium Ministries, to Candid Conversations. Dr. Pratt, an esteemed Old Testament scholar and global evangelist, shares his transformative journey from a dramatic conversion during the Jesus Movement to founding a ministry that provides seminary-level Biblical …

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Hate Crimes, Terrorism and the Framing of White Supremacist Violence with Shirin Sinnar (Episode 26) 28:39

9M ago28:39

28:39

In the face of pervasive racial violence in American society, the effort to address and subdue white supremacist extremism has been underserved by the framing of “hate crimes,” and the movement to re-frame these events as domestic terrorism, as these terms do not meet the heavy task of eliminating the perpetuation of institutional oppression. Host …

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Three Truths to Help You Weather the Storms of Life: Jonathan Youssef Episode 276 9:32

9M ago9:32

9:32

Life’s storms are inevitable—whether you’re in one now, just coming out, or about to face one. The real question is: how do you navigate them with unshakable faith? In this episode, Jonathan Youssef shares three powerful biblical truths that will strengthen and encourage you when trials come. Drawing from the dramatic shipwreck of the Apostle Paul …

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A New Year to Know God and Grow Spiritually: Jonathan Youssef:Episode 275 7:56

9M ago7:56

7:56

As you move through this new year, are you merely setting Christian-sounding goals or truly seeking God daily with a heart of worship? In this special episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan reflects on the importance of pursuing godliness above all else. Drawing from 1 Timothy 4:8, listeners will be reminded that physical and worldly disciplines…