Episode 1274: Why Gen Z Women Are Leaving the Church: Sociologist Ashley LaLonde Explains
Christian researcher, sociologist and Hamilton actress Ashley LaLonde joins The RELEVANT Podcast to unpack new data revealing why more Gen Z women are walking away from church. She explains how purity culture, politics and the lack of space for single or career-focused women are reshaping faith for a generation. It's a must-listen conversation! Plus, we have RELEVANT Buzz and Slices1:00 – The Crew Debates Big Napkin: Jesse exposes the “decorative napkin industrial complex.”6:30 – The Dollar Tree Uprising: The cast demands rebranding to “$1.25 Tree.”8:00 – Smooth Pivot Attempt: Cameron tries to move from napkins to faith and culture.9:00 – RELEVANT Buzz: This week’s headlines at the intersection of faith and culture9:15 – Frankie Muniz Finds God: The Malcolm in the Middle star’s surprising faith story12:00 – Christian Music Chart Update: Josiah Queen, Phil Wickham, and the rise of worship on Billboard’s Hot 10015:45 – Hip-Hop’s Chart Collapse: No rap songs in the Top 40 for the first time in 35 years16:00 – Derek’s Deep Dive: Why hip-hop lost its cultural soul — from gatekeepers to gentrification25:00 – Special Guest: Ashley LaLonde (Barna Group / Hamilton) joins to talk about the new Barna study on Gen Z women and faith26:45 – Why Gen Z Women Are Leaving the Church: Ashley explains the data — 38% now religiously unaffiliated27:30 – The Purity Culture Fallout: How sexual shame and rigid gender roles alienated a generation28:10 – Politics and the Pulpit: How Christian nationalism and partisanship push women away29:20 – The Marriage Idol: Are churches overvaluing family and under-serving single women?30:45 – Solidarity and Inclusion: Why many young women leave in support of LGBTQ friends31:50 – Social Capital Shift: Why church is still “advantageous” for men but costly for women socially32:40 – A New Kind of Spiritual Hunger: How disengaged women are still deeply curious about faith34:10 – The Marriage Question: How this trend could reshape Christian dating and marriage rates35:00 – Ashley’s Challenge to the Church: How to re-engage single women and rethink discipleship36:10 – The Urban Divide: Are cities different from suburbs? Ashley offers insight38:00 – The Fallout of Scandal: How church abuse crises have eroded trust among women39:15 – Reckoning with Failure: Ashley calls the Church to repent for how it’s treated women40:00 – Ashley’s Story: From Harvard to Hamilton to Barna Group — how faith shaped her calling42:45 – Perseverance and Purpose: Six years of rejection before booking Hamilton43:40 – From Broadway to Research: How she now combines creativity, sociology and ministry44:30 – The cast reacts — “That was the most insightful segment we’ve ever done.”45:00 – SLICES: • Jesse’s “Aggressive Research Monkeys on the Loose” story • Derek’s real-life 'Suits' case — the fake lawyer who won 26 casesWatch the full video episode on RELEVANT's YouTube channel!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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IMPACT Conversation Series — David Meltzer & Mark Batterson
In this episode of our IMPACT Conversation Series, entrepreneur David Meltzer shares how losing everything led him to redefine success through faith, gratitude and purpose. Then, pastor and author Mark Batterson unpacks the message behind his new bookGradually Then Suddenly — why breakthroughs happen slowly, then all at once. Hosted by Cameron Strang and presented by World Vision, these conversations explore what it really means to make an impact through business, ministry and everyday faith.CHAPTERS:00:00 — Introduction with Cameron Strang01:18 — World Vision partnership + mission spotlight02:30 — David Meltzer joins the conversation04:00 — Losing everything and redefining success07:10 — Rebuilding faith, gratitude, and purpose10:45 — How business can be a tool for impact14:20 — The balance between ambition and surrender18:05 — Closing thoughts from Cameron21:25 — Introduction to Mark Batterson21:40 — “Gradually Then Suddenly”: the meaning behind the title23:00 — The myth of overnight success24:20 — Why faith often moves at the speed of a seed25:55 — Persistence: the bridge between failure and breakthrough28:30 — Discerning when to persist and when to pivot30:50 — How to stay faithful in the “gradually” seasons32:45 — Encouragement for those still waiting for their “suddenly”35:40 — Final reflections from Mark Batterson36:54 — Cameron Strang outro + next episode teaseAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 1272: The NBA Gambling Scandal, Daniel Caesar’s Faith Journey & What Happens After We Die
This week the crew breaks down the NBA’s shocking gambling scandal, Daniel Caesar’s unexpected faith journey, and what actually happens after we die. Plus, Jelly Roll launches a free rehab center, Emily questions if Florida makes the cut for the New Earth and Jesse warns us about smart beds gone rogue.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro 01:15 The NBA Gambling Scandal → Chauncey Billups, the mafia & a Walter White theory15:00 RELEVANT Buzz: Daniel Caesar’s Faith Journey & New Album22:00 Jelly Roll’s Free Rehab Center24:00 Faith Charting Again on Prime Video + Hollywood vs. Christian Storytelling27:00 “What Happens When We Die?” — Cameron Breaks Down Heaven, The Good Place & the Bible’s Timeline35:00 Afterlife Debate → New Earth, Time & Purpose in Eternity45:00 SLICES: Smart Beds Gone Wild & The Robot UprisingNew video episodes of The RELEVANT Podcast drop every Tuesday on the RELEVANT Podcast Youtube channel!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 1271: What Real Faith Looks Like (and Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?)
After reflecting on their recent conversation with viral creator Jimmy Darts, the crew dives into what living out real faith actually looks like — not just believing the right things, but showing compassion and generosity in everyday life. Then they tackle the big October question: should Christians celebrate Halloween, or skip the costumes altogether?In RELEVANT Buzz, they unpack Mel Gibson’s questionable new Resurrection of the Christ casting, AI’s takeover of the internet, and Miley Cyrus’ surprising thoughts on sobriety. Plus, in Slices, wild stories about speeding tickets, Switzerland’s $100K fines, and self-driving cars gone rogue.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Cameron’s New Setup05:44 A Serious Discussion About Facial Hair10:23 Reflecting on Our ‘Impact Series’ Conversation With Jimmy Darts16:28 Showing Compassion in Everyday Life18:32 Shaming for Generosity: A New Approach18:56 RELEVANT Buzz19:07 Mel Gibson Recast Jesus24:28 The Internet Is Now 50% AI-Generated Content32:06 Why Miley Cyrus Got Sober35:26 SLICES35:38 Don’t Get a Ticket in Switzerland41:57 But Can You Ticket a Robot?45:31 Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?59:10 ASK THE CAST01:00:10 What Would Your 16-Year-Old Self Think of You Now?01:02:16 What Cringey Christian Thing Do You Secretly Still Love?01:06:29 What’s an Unexpected Hill You’ll Die On?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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IMPACT Conversation Series: Jimmy Darts
We believe every follower of Jesus is called to make a difference — and in this special bonus series, we’re sitting down with creators, leaders and dreamers who are doing just that.In this episode, we kick things off with Jimmy Darts — GoFundMe’s top creator, known for surprising strangers with life-changing generosity. His videos have reached hundreds of millions, but behind it all is a simple mission: to show the world what God’s love looks like in action.The RELEVANT Podcast IMPACT Series is presented by World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization serving children and communities around the globe. Learn more at worldvision.org/RELEVANT.New episodes drop here throughout the fall. Make sure to watch on YouTube!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Since 2005, the show from RELEVANT magazine covering faith, culture and everything in-between! Every Tuesday, Cameron Strang, Jesse Carey, Derek Minor, Emily Brown and Marty bring buzzworthy news for thought-provoking and hilarious conversations!
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