The RELEVANT Podcast

Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes joins the show to talk about her new special "Ugly Baby" and how a joke-writing class at her church kicked off her stand-up career. Then Christian UFO researcher Timothy Alberino comes on to make sense of the Pentagon's newly declassified UFO files. The cast walks through why aliens, demons and military tech are three different conversations most people are lumping into one, where the Nephilim theory in Genesis 6 fits in and why none of this should rattle anyone's theology. Alberino's book "Birthright" is worth a read if this rabbit hole calls to you.
In RELEVANT Buzz, we also break down the American Idol finale, where all three finalists this season (Jordan McCullough, Hannah Harper and Keyla Richardson) are outspoken Christians. Plus comedian Jay Pharoah's conversation with Tamron Hall about the insane experience he had while committing to read through the Bible last year.
In Slices, Derek tells us about a black bear in Gatlinburg that clawed its way into a bakery for some cinnamon rolls, and Jesse tells us about a CPR instructor that went into cardiac arrest and was saved by the students he was teaching CPR to.
"One Has to Go" closes things out with 2000s R&B, sequels better than the original, phone-era nostalgia, all-time athletes.
Then it's the debut of the Editorial Question of the Week: Is it OK to turn down a friend's wedding party invitation just because you know it's going to be expensive? Drop your answer in the comments or @ us — we'll read our favorites on next week's episode.

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It’s episode 1300! In RELEVANT Buzz, we talk about Hulu’s new Christian college dating series that you need to hear to believe. We also talk about WNBA star Sophie Cunningham's recent faith declaration, Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu’s faithful pregame ritual and a new Bible movie about Daniel that’s releasing this fall.
In Slices, a Wisconsin solid waste facility has an unusual speed limit, a Harvard scientist helps build China’s AI supercomputer, and the crew finds a Guinness World Record worth actually pursuing.
The show ends with One Has to Go, and be warned there’s a lot of frisbee golf and male ponytail talk.
Highlights:
00:00 — Frisbee golf and ponytail culture 
14:23 — RELEVANT Buzz: Hulu's "Ring by Spring Break" Christian college dating show 
26:28 — Sophie Cunningham gets baptized 
28:17 — Ayo Dosunmu’s pregame Bible routine 
28:56 — "Daniel: The Fiery Furnace" is releasing on 9/11 
31:54 — Slices: An odd speed limit at a Wisconsin recycling facility 
40:45 — A Harvard scientist defects to China after prison 
43:28 — A new world record for solving a Rubik's Cube in free fall 
47:21 — One Has to Go: Old Testament epics / 90s sitcoms / Wes Anderson / boy bands / NFL fan bases / late-night snacks

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This week we're joined by Hulvey, who just dropped his final album on Reach Records. He tells us why he turned down a Kanye West collab and the reason behind his new season.
In RELEVANT Buzz, Theo Von gets surprisingly vulnerable on his podcast about being stuck in destructive cycles. A new study finds that 60% of Gen Z has gone no contact with friends or family. We get into why. 
There's NBA playoff rivalries, unexpected gifts, insane 80s movies, insurance fraud, bees escaping. It's a packed, crazy episode!
Highlights:
00:00 — Intro / Magic vs Pistons and the Angel Reese love triangle
03:50 — Jesse pitches Over the Top as the greatest sports drama ever made
12:30 — Sudden Death: Van Damme plays goalie in the Stanley Cup finals
15:20 — The Taco Bell hat and the Pistons shorts gift exchange
19:14 — RELEVANT Buzz: Theo Von's vulnerable moment 28:55 — 60% of Gen Z is going no contact
32:55 — Mr. T and Ice-T's 1984 Ten Commandments
36:30 — RELEVANT Recommends: Hulvey on his final Reach album and turning down Kanye
43:00 — Slices: Operation Bear Claw
46:35 — A million bees escape on a Knoxville highway
48:30 — Would You Rather

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The week, we’re joined by one of the funniest comedians going right now — Derrick Stroup, who has a fantastic new special on Netflix. He tells us how he got his start in comedy and why keeping things clean is an intentional choice.
In RELEVANT Buzz, we dive into a new Gallup study that reveals 50% more young men say religion is very important to them than did just a few years ago. There’s a lot to unpack — including why young women are going the opposite direction. We then share a clip that went viral this week of Charlie Puth breaking down his favorite gospel song and why he “loves everything Church.” Then we check out RAYE’s incredible new single “Joy,” and her faith-filled album, ‘This Music May Contain Hope.’ 
In Slices, a guy in California got caught running a nationwide LEGO scam that you won’t believe. And a 91-year-old Ohio grandma ignored her wellness checks because … she was locked in on a video game. Then Would You Rather closes it out: Horse-sized ducks, finger guns, a raccoon with a grudge.
Highlights:
04:38 — RELEVANT Buzz: 42% of young men say their faith is very important 
09:03 — Charlie Puth's gospel moment on the Terrell Show 
17:51 — RAYE's new album and her faith story 
29:59 — RELEVANT Recommends: Derrick Stroup on his Netflix special "Nostalgic"
38:05 — Slices: The Lego pasta heist 
42:44 — Slices: 91-year-old grandma blows off her wellness check to keep gaming
45:05 — Would You Rather

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This week, we sit down with former Hillsong-ers Aodhan King and Benjamin William Hastings, who just announced a joint worship album dropping next month. They tell us about it — and also tell the unhinged story of how they met 15 years ago. (Lesson: Need pants? You might meet a new friend.)
In RELEVANT Buzz, this week Lecrae became the first Christian rapper on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts (apologies to Marla) and we tell you about M.I.A.'s new faith-rooted album inspired by the Book of Revelation and the Ark of the Covenant. (Yes, we play *that* Indiana Jones scene.)
In Slices, the heroic Artemis crew had a very relatable problem during the mission, and a chimp clan in Uganda is apparently in a full civil war.
"One Has to Go" hits youth group bands, cereals, comedy movies, Disney Channel shows, sports movies, reality TV and worship era anthems. Jesse was sweating at one point.
Highlights:
00:00 — Intro / Magic game recap, documentary tangents 
16:27 — RELEVANT Buzz: Lecrae's Tiny Desk debut 
21:37 — M.I.A. announces MI7 
31:42 — Benjamin William Hastings & Aodhan King 
39:45 — Slices: Artemis & Microsoft Outlook in space 
43:25 — Chimp clan civil war 
47:00 — One Has to Go: Youth group icons / Cereals / Comedy movies / Disney Channel shows / Sports movies / Christian music / Worship anthems / Bible figures

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