Episode 1294: Pat Barrett, Vince Gilligan and the March Madness Mascot Bracket

Worship leader Pat Barrett — known for "Good Good Father" and "Build My Life" — joins Cameron, Jesse and Emily to talk about his new live album 'Break Open,' why he sat on the title track for nearly a decade, and his late-in-life obsession with surfing (including an upcoming trip to Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch). He also gets honest about how his thinking on songwriting vs. worship leading has shifted, because of course we ask awkward questions. Also, Emily brings RELEVANT Buzz fresh from South by Southwest, where she sat in on a panel with Vince Gilligan — creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul — who said he thinks he owes the world something better than anti-heroes. Plus: High Point University's Cinderella March Madness run, and the faith story behind Chase Johnston's #99 jersey that everyone's been talking about. And to close it out — Pat helps the crew run the Sweet 16 mascots through a no-stats, vibes-only bracket challenge to crown the real national champion. Based solely on mascots, not teams. One with a mustache may or may not have won. Highlights: 0:00 – Why last week's episode was late 2:30 – Starlink satellites 9:30 – Driving gloves 17:50 – RELEVANT Buzz: High Point University's Chase Johnston's #99 story 27:00 – Emily's South by Southwest panel with Vince Gilligan 31:45 – The Lost arc, the Sawyer problem, and what Vince Gilligan owes culture 36:00 – Pat Barrett joins the show 38:30 – Recording 'Break Open' live in a sweaty tent 40:40 – Why the title song sat unreleased for nearly 10 years 42:50 – Songwriting vs. worship leading — what's actually better? 45:20 – Pat's surfing obsession 48:15 – The March Madness Mascot Bracket Challenge