Provoke & Inspire Podcast

Sadly, one of the most ubiquitous things in the evangelical church today seems to be an attitude of irreverence toward  biblical and spiritual things. Jokes about prayer, being saved, and ironically even the Holy Spirit are prevalent virtually everywhere. What role do Christians play in confronting these things inside, and outside of the church? How do we react to irreverence in our own hearts? With the re-release of the Monty Python movie "Life of Brian", the regulars came together to ask, and attempt, to answer the questions above in this week's episode.----------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

British actor, comedian, and historically outspoken atheist Stephen Fry recently took to the stage for an event called "Letters Live." During this event, Fry gave a dramatic reading of a letter written by Nick Cave about ChatGPT and human creativity.In this episode the regulars weigh in with their opinions on the revolutionary tech that is ChatGPT, and attempt to answer the question of whether or not we are "fighting for the very soul of the world." To watch the specific video referenced in this episode, click HERE!----------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

It's increasingly apparent that while our society often has an openness toward spiritual things, this does not necessarily equal an openness toward the gospel, or any kind of definitive answers in regard to the topic.A prime example of this phenomenon is Stanford professor and neurobiologist Andrew Huberman. Andrew was asked about his faith in God during a recent interview with Lex Friedman, and the regulars discuss his responses in this episode. ----------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

We live in a time of extraordinary spiritual openness, yet find many people don't want to define who or what God is. What if you could guide someone from ambiguous spirituality to a personal relationship with Jesus? How would you navigate conversations with people who are spiritually open yet skeptical of religion?This is Provoke and Inspire's Quick Hit, where we recap full length conversations surrounding events happening in culture today, all while asking the question, “what would Jesus think, and what would he want me to do about it?”----------------------------------------------------Want to invite Ben to speak? Click HERE!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben on Instagram!Ben Pierce

Is it possible that a lack of gratitude in our lives signifies a dangerous underlying issue in regard to our view of reality, as well as our spiritual health?In light of last weeks' US holiday, Ben explores the application of thanksgiving as is described in Philippians 6, as well as the questions above in this P&I quick hit! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to invite Ben to speak? Click HERE!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben on Instagram!Ben Pierce

When the world attempts to answer the deepest questions of the human experience, what kind of answers does it produce? Are they sufficient? Do they come close to providing solutions?Now more than ever, the world is searching for answers. Actor and musician Nick Cave proves this through his online blog called "The Red Hand Files," where he attempts to answer questions sent by people from all over the world.  Ben, Luke, Chad, and David are together again in this special in-person edition of the podcast recorded live in Minneapolis, MN.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

Are there underlying reasons as to why people are leaving the church today? Especially young people? Ben and David come to you while on tour in Argentina, and discuss some of the spiritual and cultural reasons behind why this worldwide fallout is occurring, and how we can respond and take action as followers of Jesus.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

What are the marks of a successful life. True success; a life well lived?Ben gives a tribute to the life of Joanie - his beloved grandmother, and the last of his grandparents departed to be with Jesus.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben on Instagram!Ben Pierce

Recently, Christians on staff at The United States Pentagon supposedly opposed active exploration into U.F.O.'s and other extraterrestrial phenomenon, with the objection that the 'aliens' which might be discovered are not aliens at all, but demons.Are UFO's, including flying saucers and little green men actually fallen angels? Should we resist exploring these things, or should we follow the truth wherever it leads?The regulars dive into these things and more in this special in-person edition of the podcast recorded live in Minneapolis, MN.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

Famous tattoo influencer, Kat Von D, gave her life to Jesus, but just wait until you hear how Christians responded.This is Provoke and Inspire's Quick Hit, where we recap full length conversations surrounding events happening in culture today, all while asking the question, “what would Jesus think, and what would he want me to do about it?”-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben on Instagram!Ben Pierce

Kat Von D, the famous tattoo influencer and reality TV star, had a surprising encounter with criticism from Christians after posting her baptism online.How can we see people the way that God does? Why are we quick to look at the "speck" in someone's eye, when not acknowledging the "plank" in ours?  Join Ben, Chad, and David as they explore the dangers of judgmentalism, the importance of self-reflection, and the power of Jesus' words from Matthew 7. -------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

Tech-millionaire Bryan Johnson is trying to live forever. Is this a great idea, or the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone? Let's find out!This is Provoke and Inspire's Quick Hit, where we recap full length conversations surrounding events happening in culture today, all while asking the question, “what would Jesus think, and what would he want me to do about it?”-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben on Instagram!Ben Pierce

"Proverbs 20:5 says 'In the heart of every human being is a deep well, and the wise person draws it out.'" How can we create a space where people have the chance to explore faith, ask questions, and share their story?Ben and Aaron are joined by Nicky Gumbel, former Anglican priest and founder of Alpha, a multi-week course that creates a space where people come to discuss life’s big questions.-------------------------------------------------Join the Steiger Online Intensive Training!October 20th - October 21stClick HERE to register now!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben, Aaron, Luke, or David on Instagram!Ben PierceAaron PierceLuke GreenwoodDavid Pierce

Ben goes solo to look at the bizarre emergence and emphasis of Satanic and Demonic materials in mainstream pop culture, and to explore the question, "Are Demons Trendy?"-----------------------------------------------------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!Follow Ben on Instagram.Click here to join the Provoke & Inspire Community!

Freddie Mercury of the legendary rock band Queen once asked, "Who wants to Live Forever?" and the answer now seems to be: tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson does.Is mortality a defect? Are we able to eradicate it with science and technology? In this episode Ben, David and Chad discuss the man behind Blueprint, an extreme anti-aging project built on a conviction that death is something we are destined to defy.-------------------------------------------------Join the Steiger Online Intensive Training!October 20th - October 21stClick HERE to register now!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

With demon-themed material being released from artists such as Lil Nas-X, Sam Smith, and Doja Cat, it's obvious that Demons are trending in mainstream pop-culture. In this episode Ben, Luke and David try to answer the question of why demonic and satanic material seems to have become one of the next big things, and most importantly, how we as followers of Jesus should respond to it. -------------------------------------------------Join the Steiger Online Intensive Training!October 20th - October 21stClick HERE to register now!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

How can we have a spiritual conversation with the people around us? How can we engage people with things that are already pointing to God in and around them?Ben, Aaron, David, and Luke continue the conversation surrounding Aaron's new book, Not Beyond Reach, and talk about the KEY to being effective when reaching people in our lives who would not walk into a church. -------------------------------------------------Join the Steiger Online Intensive Training!October 20th - October 21stClick HERE to register now!To order your own copy of Not Beyond Reach, click here!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben, Aaron, Luke, or David on Instagram!Ben PierceAaron PierceLuke GreenwoodDavid Pierce

For this very special episode, Ben and Aaron are joined by best-selling author of the book The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel! Together, they talk about Strobel's upcoming book release, Is God Real: Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life, while also wrestling through the question, "If God is real, why is he so hidden?" -------------------------------------------------Join the Steiger Online Intensive Training!October 20th - October 21stClick HERE to register now!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

In this episode, Ben is joined by his brother Aaron, who is also the director of Steiger International to talk about his new book, Not Beyond Reach, and discuss why it's important to know the language of the post-Christian culture we live in today, and how we can be missionaries to our own cities.-------------------------------------------------To order your own copy of Not Beyond Reach, click here!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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow Ben or Aaron on Instagram!Ben PierceAaron Pierce

In this classic replay, the regulars explore the idea of whether everything that we decide to do is according to God's plan. How do we know whether we are following God's will, when the task at hand might seem foolish? Are we just being stupid, or is God doing something phenomenal through foolish means?-----------------------------------------------------------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.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood