Best Josh Lester Podcasts (2026)

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Seeing the New Thing | Josh Lester 45:19

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6d ago45:19

45:19

God often begins something new quietly. Those who are tuned in through prayer and fasting recognize it—others miss it. Tune in to this week's episode at Zion, where Pastor Josh explains how fasting provides us with a fresh restart, perspective, and vision for the new year in 2026.By Zion

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Episode #311 - Gender Mobility with Prof. Susan Hylen 48:36

4d ago48:36

48:36

In this episode, we're joined again by Professor Hylen for part two of our conversation on gender. Prof. Hylen is Almar H. Shatford Professor of New Testament and the Director of the Women, Theology, and Ministry Program at Candler School of Theology of Emory University. She is the most recent volume, Gender Mobility: Seven Ideas about Gender in th…

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Episode #310 - Women in the New Testament with Prof. Susan Hylen 46:51

11d ago46:51

46:51

In this episode, we're joined by Professor Susan Hylen, who is Almar H. Shatford Professor of New Testament and the Director of the Women, Theology, and Ministry Program at Candler School of Theology of Emory University. She is the author of Women in the New Testament World (Oxford University Press) and Finding Phoebe: What New Testament Women Were…

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21 Days of Prayer and Fasting | Brandon Block 46:47

13d ago46:47

46:47

Pastor Brandon lays out biblical fasting as we call a 21-day fast for the people of Zion. Listen to hear details, how you can join in, and simply be inspired.By Zion

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Identity Handed Down | Brandon Block 35:07

18d ago35:07

35:07

Pastor Brandon explores the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, where the Jewish people were looking for a Messiah to restore their identity as a people. This baby Jesus, the unlikely Messiah, not only brought identity to the Jewish people but also extended it to the world. Tune in to this week's episode at Zion for more. . .…

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Episode #309 - Our Favorite Christmas Movies 1:01:49

18d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

In this episode, we talk about our favorite Christmas movies. We give some nods to Christmas classics as well as more than a few surprises. Listen and see if your favorites end up on each of our top five Christmas films lists! Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Rev. Daniel P…

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Mary and Miracles | Brandon Block 40:20

25d ago40:20

40:20

As we continue the gospel of Luke and the Christmas season, Pastor Brandon examines Luke chapter one, where an angel visits Mary and delivers to her beautiful and heavy news, the miracle of Jesus. Tune in to this episode at Zion for more. . .By Zion

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Episode #308 - C. S. Lewis & The Bible with Dr. Leslie Baynes 1:01:19

25d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Leslie Baynes, associate professor in the Department of Cultures, Languages, and Religions at Missouri State University and the author of the book that we're discussing in this episode, Between Interpretation and Imagination: C. S. Lewis and the Bible (published by Eerdmans). Over the course of our conversation,…

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463: Cyril Derreumaux—In the Flow 1:27:54

26d ago1:27:54

1:27:54

Mike sits down with adventurer, endurance athlete, and motivational speaker Cyril Derreumaux, a man who has spent an unusual amount of time alone with his thoughts—and the open ocean. Cyril talks Mike through his two 70-plus-day solo treks across both the Atlantic and the Pacific in a kayak. Mike and Cyril explore risk, resilience, and the fine lin…

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Episode #307 - From Dropout to Doctorate with Dr. Terence Lester 1:09:44

1M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Terence Lester, who is a minister, speaker, community activist, author, and founder of Love Beyond Walls, a not-for-profit organization focused on poverty awareness and community mobilization. He also serves as the director of public policy and social change and as a professor at Simmons College of Kentucky (HBC…

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Episode 0503 - Phil Rosenzweig 2:36:19

1M ago2:36:19

2:36:19

On this episode, Dan Wallach talks with Phil Rosenzweig, who is an award-winning author and one of the world's foremost experts on the T202 Hassan Triplefolder baseball card set, about his book One Splendid Season. Follow MBH on facebook, bluesky, twitter, and instagram @shoelesspodcast and sign up for the email newsletter at shoelesspodcast.substa…

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462: Del Bigtree—An Inconvenient Study 1:39:34

1M ago1:39:34

1:39:34

On this eye-opening episode, Mike welcomes filmmaker and television veteran Del Bigtree of The HighWire to discuss his newest documentary, An Inconvenient Study—a film that investigates what happened to the most thorough childhood vaccinated vs. unvaccinated study ever done. They discuss how Del convinced a doctor at one of the most prestigious hea…

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God With Us | Brandon Block 14:04

1M ago14:04

14:04

A special sermon from our Christmas At Zion service, where Pastor Brandon gives us the opportunity to look at the coming of Jesus the way Joseph did—receiving the King into their world. Tune in to this week's episode at Zion for more. . .By Zion

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Episode #306 - Debriefing SBL 2025 1:16:54

1M ago1:16:54

1:16:54

In this episode, we debrief our time in Boston at SBL 2025. We discuss some of our highlights from the conferences, including our favorite papers and panels, and we took the mics around the book stalls for some impromptu interviews with (in order of appearance): Dr. Eva Puschautz, Prof. James McGrath, Dr. Andy Judd, Dr. Chris Fresch, Kent Hendricks…

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461: Danny Combs—TACT, The Future of Workforce 1:28:24

1M ago1:28:24

1:28:24

Mike sits down with Danny Combs, founder of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), a program that teaches people with autism skilled trades ranging from welding to woodworking to IT. With equal parts heart and hard data, Danny walks Mike through how TACT is helping fill critical labor shortages while giving thousands of gifted, detail-driven …

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Gospel of Luke: Believe It When I See It | Brandon Block 44:37

1M ago44:37

44:37

Kicking off the gospel of Luke this Christmas season, we look at the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, whose child, John the Baptist, brings restoration and healing as the precursor to Jesus. God chooses ordinary people to make a difference in lives for his great plan. Tune in to this episode at Zion for more. . .…

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Episode #305 - Medieval Virtues and Vices with Dr. Grace Hamman 1:00:29

2M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Grace Hamman, who is an independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing, and is the author of Jesus through Medieval Eyes as well as the book that we’re discussing in this episode, Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life (published by Zondervan). Over the cour…

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460: Ryan Fink and Ty Frackiewicz—Can AI Build My House? 1:09:04

2M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Mike sits down with the two innovative minds behind Digs — an app that's helping to streamline the home-building process. It's a candid look at what happens when tech guys wander into the world of lumber, drywall, and delayed inspections—and try to fix it. If you've ever wondered whether artificial intelligence can actually help build a house, or a…

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The Kingdom of God is Like: Gifts and Gratitude | Brandon Block 42:56

2M ago42:56

42:56

In the series on Jesus' parables, Pastor Brandon explores the parable of the minas as it pertains to the Kingdom of God. When we become filled with gratitude for the things that God has given us, it moves us to action, and that action produces a great reward. Tune in to this episode at Zion for more. . .…

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Episode #304 - Political Polarization with Tim Dixon 1:15:33

2M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

In this episode, we're joined by Tim Dixon, who is the co-founder of More in Common, an organization that works to build stronger and more inclusive democratic societies that are resilient to the threats of populism and division. In our conversation, we discuss political polarization and perceptions of "the other side's" willingness to perpetuate v…

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459: Steven Grayhm—Sheepdog 1:33:53

2M ago1:33:53

1:33:53

Mike meets actor, writer, and director Steven Grayhm, whose award-winning film Sheepdog is about to hit theaters. Steven breaks down how a three-hour ride with a tow truck driver led him on a 14-year odyssey to get to the truth about veteran post-traumatic stress. It's a conversation about grit, service, sacrifice, and the complicated realities fac…

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God’s plan for Kingdom Giving | Brandon Block 56:37

2M ago56:37

56:37

Pastor Brandon continues, "The Kingdom of God is Like" series with a deep dive into biblical giving. Zion is a house of healing, and you’ll never have healing in your finances until you do it with God. Tune in to this week's episode at Zion for more. . .By Zion

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Episode #303 - Rereading Revelation with Professor Greg Carey 48:44

2M ago48:44

48:44

In this episode, we're joined by Professor Greg Carey, who is Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theology Seminary and Moravian Theological Seminary, and the author of the book that we’re discussing in this episode: Rereading Revelation: Theology, Ethics, and Resistance (published by Eerdmans). In our conversation we talk about the meaning of …

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Episode 0502 - Ed Wheatley 3:11:03

2M ago3:11:03

3:11:03

On this episode, Dan Wallach talks with Ed Wheatley, who is the vice president of the St. Louis chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research, an award-winning author of multiple baseball books, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and a St. Louis Cardinals historian. Follow MBH on facebook, bluesky, twitter, and instagram @shoelesspodcast and …

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458: Johnny Joey Jones—Mind Your Wake 1:30:05

2M ago1:30:05

1:30:05

In honor of Veterans Day, Mike speaks with co-host of The Big Weekend Show Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny Joey Jones, who served eight years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in Iraq and Afghanistan—where he lost both legs in the line of duty. These days, he's on a mission to highlight those who serve, from American warfighters to f…

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The Kingdom of God is Like: A Man With A Vineyard | Brandon Block 44:11

2M ago44:11

44:11

As Pastor Brandon looks at the parable in Luke 13, he dives deeper into the nature of the kingdom of God in God’s plan for production, according to His life-giving salvation. The grace of God is powerful, even in growing a fruitful life. Tune in to this week's episode for more. . .By Zion

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The Kingdom of God is Like: Forgiveness| Brandon Block 39:43

2M ago39:43

39:43

As we continue in our series on the parables, Pastor Brandon looks into the unmerciful servant and gives us insight on the nature of forgiveness in the kingdom of God. Tune into this week's episode at Zion for more. . .By Zion

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Episode #302 - The Fourth Synoptic Gospel with Professor Mark Goodacre 57:31

2M ago57:31

57:31

In this episode we're joined by Professor Mark Goodacre, who is Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Duke University and the author of The Fourth Synoptic Gospel: John’s Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (published by Eerdmans). In this episode we discuss Prof. Goodacre's thesis that John knew and used each of the Synoptic Gospels…

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457: Alex Epstein—Did Bill Gates Change His Mind 49:37

2M ago49:37

49:37

Mike joins author and energy expert Alex Epstein to discuss Bill Gates' surprising new stance on climate change, the growing clash between "human-centric" and "anti-impact" environmentalism, and how the AI revolution is reshaping global energy demands. They also explore what this shift means for philanthropy, fossil fuels, and the future workforce …

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Episode #301 - Scared by the Bible with Professor Brandon Grafius 56:43

2M ago56:43

56:43

In this episode we're joined by Professor Brandon Grafius, who is academic dean and professor of biblical studies at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, and he’s the author of several works on religion and horror, including the book that we’re excited to talk about in this episode, Scared by the Bible: The Roots of Horror in Scrip…

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456: Gavin de Becker—Forbidden Facts 2:14:35

3M ago2:14:35

2:14:35

Security expert, author, and entrepreneur Gavin de Becker joins us to discuss his newest book, Forbidden Facts: Government Deceit & Suppression About Brain Damage from Childhood Vaccines—a hard-hitting investigation into how government agencies and industry cover up evidence and manipulate public belief. We also discuss the attempted assassination …

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The Kingdom of God is Like: Sowing Seeds| Josh Lester 57:58

3M ago57:58

57:58

As we continue the series on Jesus's parables called "The Kingdom of God is Like", Pastor Josh highlights the importance of internalizing God's word in our hearts, not just in our minds. When we allow God's truth to take root within us, we are compelled to act on His teachings rather than merely knowing them. As believers, it is essential for us to…

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Episode #300 - Celebrating 300 Episodes 1:56:35

3M ago1:56:35

1:56:35

In this episode, we're celebrating our 300th episode, which means that this episode is full of listener comments and questions, our responses to those questions, several examples of bloopers over the past two years, new music for the next 100 episodes, some exciting announcements and updates from the team, and the names of the winners of our nine b…

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455: Philip Diehl—Flying Over the Hump 1:52:26

3M ago1:52:26

1:52:26

Mike chats with Philip Diehl, the 35th Director of the U.S. Mint and the man behind the most successful coin program in American history—the 50 State Quarters. They talk about the surprising history of the U.S. dollar coin, how a coin gets designed and approved, and the unexpected reason why the mikeroweWORKS Trades Coin—a symbol of American skill …

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The Kingdom of God is Like: Audacious Prayer| Brandon Block 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

As we kick off a series on Jesus’s parables called, "The Kingdom of God is Like", Pastor Brandon dives into Jesus’s instruction on prayer when Jesus gives the answer to the test upfront, encouraging followers to pray and never give up. Tune into this weeks episode at Zion for more. . .By Zion

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True Faith Lived Out | Brandon Block 50:58

3M ago50:58

50:58

In the final chapter of Hebrews, we tie together faith and obedience in the ancient paths that led to Christ's fulfillment. The power of God is available for every believer to live out their faith in action through the things they do. Tune in to this week's episode at Zion for more. . .By Zion

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Episode #299 - The Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine with Dr. John Anthony Dunne 1:00:32

3M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

In this episode, we celebrate the release of our very own Dr. John Anthony Dunne’s new book on wine in the Bible as we conclude our series on alcohol in the Bible and Jewish/Christian traditions. As we talk about the topic of wine and beer in the Bible, John shares many stories with us about his interests in wine and beer, his family background and…

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454: Amie Ichikawa—You Can't Bring a Vagina to a Penis Fight 1:21:16

3M ago1:21:16

1:21:16

Mike sits down with Amie Ichikawa—former inmate, prison reform advocate, and founder of Woman II Woman, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of incarcerated women. Amie shares her firsthand experience in the California prison system, the disturbing reality of fully intact men being housed in women's prisons, and the silenc…