Deeper Roots Podcast

Send us Fan MailNew York is popping off after a game night, and not in a good way. We start by talking through the postgame chaos and why sports fandom can never be a free pass to act violent, especially when regular people are just trying to get home safe. Then we get into the basketball side, too: how a team blows a huge lead, what coaching should do to stop a run, and why “slow the game down” is basically wisdom for life.From there, a viral headline takes us somewhere deeper: a trillionaire story and the question behind it. Does God want Christians to be extremely wealthy? Is wealth a blessing, a byproduct of wisdom, or sometimes a trap that makes faith unnecessary? We push back on prosperity gospel thinking, talk about biblical examples of rich believers, and keep coming back to motive and stewardship. Money can fund real help for real people, but it can also reveal what we worship when nobody is watching.We wrap with two moments that hit close to home: a scary pool-day accident where a kid’s tooth gets knocked out and a dentist puts it back in within the time window, plus a proud dad update about a daughter’s graduation and major scholarships. If you care about faith and finances, Christian stewardship, and real-life stories that make you rethink what matters, this one is for you.Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who debates money and faith, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What do you think: is it okay to be rich and Christian?Support the show

Send us Fan MailOne minute we’re breaking down the NBA Finals and the wild way a series can flip from “it’s over” to “we’ve got a game,” and the next we’re confessing the modern struggle of streaming services. If you’ve ever searched three apps for one game, debated a free trial, or felt the pull of “I’m not paying for one more subscription,” you’ll feel seen. We even talk about the nostalgia of cable and why having too many options somehow makes it harder to relax.From there, the conversation gets unexpectedly personal and practical: why returning stuff feels impossible, how “red button” budget resets work in real households, and why our wives deserve awards for actually sending things back. Then we shift to the power of shared energy with sports like the World Cup and hockey, where watching with people makes the moment feel bigger than the scoreboard.The deeper turn lands with church life. We celebrate a birthday, then debate PDA in church and where the line is between healthy affection and distracting everybody around you. Finally, we tackle a question Christians are asking more and more: what do mega churches and giga churches mean for discipleship and spiritual health? We dig into spectators vs ministers, authenticity vs cookie-cutter ministry, and why local impact matters more than raw attendance numbers. If you care about church growth, Christian leadership, and building something real, this one’s for you.Subscribe for more conversations like this, share it with a friend who loves church culture talks, and leave a review with your take: are giga churches a sign of health, or a warning light?Support the show

Send us Fan MailNew York can barely handle the Knicks making the finals, and we start right there with the kind of sports talk that feels like the whole city is holding its breath. But that chaos quickly turns into a different kind of intensity when we read listener feedback and move into a topic that makes a lot of Christians nervous: the Trinity.A comment we received pushed us to ask whether any analogy for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is actually helpful or whether every attempt risks misleading people. We agree that all analogies fail if they pretend to “solve” God, yet we also wrestle with the real-life problem of teaching kids, discipling new believers, and having honest conversations at home. We keep coming back to a theme we can’t shake: there’s mystery in God, but there’s also an invitation to know him, to search, and to love God with our minds.From there we go deeper into why the Trinity matters for daily Christian living and why salvation cannot be reduced to “how little do I need to know to get to heaven.” We talk about the Father’s will, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit’s presence, plus how “heresy” gets used too casually while real relationships hang in the balance. We push for fruit, humility, and love for the brethren, because arguing is not the same as edifying.If this conversation hits a nerve, share it with a friend who loves theology or avoids it, then subscribe and leave a review. Where do you land on Trinity analogies, and how do you handle doctrinal disagreement with people you love?Support the show

Send us Fan MailAuthority is easy to claim and hard to prove, especially online and sometimes even in the church. We start with real-life catchup (playoffs takes, wild “new pandemic” rumors, Mother’s Day stories, and a surprisingly deep pickleball arc), then pivot into a question that matters for every Christian trying to find a healthy church: what actually qualifies someone to lead God’s people?A viral debate about Dr. Cheyenne Bryant’s credentials opens the door to our bigger conversation about pastoral credentials, seminary, and whether a degree should be required for ministry. We talk candidly about how formal education can help with theology, history, and research, but also how it can’t manufacture fruit, spiritual maturity, or a genuine relationship with Jesus. The thread that keeps coming up is accountability: covering, mentorship, governance, and the New Testament pattern of being recognized and sent by the body, not self-appointed.From there we tackle prophecy, the office of prophet versus prophetic moments, and why “God told me” language should be handled with reverence and humility. We explore testing words, making room for growth with correction, and why the five-fold ministry (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher) protects the church from imbalance. We also challenge celebrity church culture and the pressure to get everything from one voice, when God designed the church to function as a body with many gifts working together.If you care about church leadership, spiritual authority, sound doctrine, and Spirit-led community, this one will stretch you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us what you think in the comments or fan mail.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe moment somebody says “aliens,” a lot of people either panic or laugh and keep scrolling. We did neither. We took the question seriously enough to ask what it would mean for Christian theology, spiritual warfare, and the unseen realm, but we also kept our feet on the ground: what do we actually know, what’s speculation, and why doesn’t any of this dethrone God’s authority?Before we got there, we shared real life updates that hit home: prom season as a parenting moment, the shock of college costs, and a powerful scholarship testimony that reframes rejection, prayer, and persistence. We also talked wedding prep, community, and a wild content-creation story that turned a simple post into a free suit deal, plus the honest tension of wants vs needs when you’re trying to celebrate well without losing wisdom.Then a listener’s fan mail sets the direction for the heart of the conversation: does every Bible passage reveal God’s character and point to Jesus, or are some texts simply examples, warnings, and consequences? We unpack descriptive vs prescriptive passages, why context matters, and how the full counsel of Scripture leads toward Christ without forcing the same takeaway from every verse. From there we move into leadership and parenting pressure: guilt, patience, self-control, stewardship, and learning to trust that God gives the increase when the people you love make choices you can’t control.If this helped you think with more clarity and peace, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. Then send us your question through fan mail so we can keep the conversation going.Support the show

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Send us Fan MailWe just watched the halftime show, and we have some thoughts. But that's not the only topic we hit today. RJ shares his fears about parenting, Pastor Jason speaks on boldness, and of course there is a little foolishness. Support the show

Send us Fan MailCouldn't record because we've been in a winter hurricane. But, we are back at the table for a good yap session to catch up on everything pertaining to life and godliness. Support the show

Send us Fan MailAnother week of life and foolishness with your hosts Chris, RJ, Pastor Jason, and Zay. We give our reactions to the Druski church skit and discuss the standard for churches and church leadership. Then we get into the question -- would you let your best friend marry your wife if you pass?Support the show

Send us Fan Mail1st episode of the new year and we found out that Isaiah held back things from us. We tackle anxiety, luxury cars and the importance of men having vision in this episode. We want you to be apart of our community too, send us a text and let us know your thoughts, feelings, or hot takes.Support the show

Send us Fan MailY'all be setting New Year goals? Half the pod does not apparently. Hear our thoughts on goal setting, bible study habits, and if we would do a Power Slap Competition. (Zay would not, but what he would do is crazy!) This episode has everything from Jesus physically fighting people to RJ bullying Pastor Jason. Support the show

Send us Fan MailIsaiah HEAVLIY disagrees with everyone on the pod! But why? This week, we tackle the rise of AI worship music and whether or not it is spiritually okay. We also take a look at Pastor Jason's Spotify Wrapped, and his number one was a shocker. And did y'all hear what Yolanda Adams said about God being genderless?! This week's pod is full of controversial takes, like, are we going to hell because we celebrate Christmas!?Don't forget you can always text the pod with any questions or topics you want us to coverSupport the show

Send us Fan MailThis is a full YAP session. We hit so many topics from Sports to fatherhood to Elon Musk. This is just for bros talking about anything that comes to mind. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWe back with the foolishness, fun and faith!Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcasting from McDonald's, life on Mars, and we also discussed how people have responded to the passing of Charlie Kirk. This is our last episode of Season 1 of the podcast, but don't worry, more content is coming in Season two, and it's not just audio!Support the show

Send us Fan MailCan God use me if I feel unworthy? How do i know God is telling me to do _____. Chris, RJ, Pastor Jason and Zay dive into these questionsSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail18+ MATURE CONVERSATION. In this episode, we get candid about a healthy, godly sex life and the dangers of selfish desires. This conversation may be uncomfortable for some, but why is that? Shouldn't we be comfortable talking about sex & God?Support the show

Send us Fan MailIs it okay to use my experiences to determine my future? We tackle this question in this episode. And we share some fun complaints about being married. But the best part of this episode was our conversation walking in our purpose even when we don't know what it specifically looks like. Support the show

Send us Fan MailHow much money is to much money to make as a church leader? Or do we not really care? Join in on the coversation by texting the pod. • How much emotional support do men need• Whether Christians should make money from their gifts• The difference between having wealth and being controlled by wealth• How marketing expertise can effectively serve ministry purposes• The importance of being part of a church community before offering critiqueSupport the show

Send us Fan MailThe mic was still on after our episode last week and a powerful conversation came up. The last church worship night really impacted us. Listen as we share our takaways. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail"God didn't do it." Answering a listener's question about supporting someone who has been deeply traumatized by church leadership.• Separating the individual hurt from the church as an institution• Supporting someone with church hurt• Church leaders face unique challenges and burdens often unseen by most• Finding identity in Christ rather than ministry roles or recognition• Serving without seeking acknowledgment in a social media-driven world• Waiting for God's timing instead of forcing open doorsText the pod with your questions or comments - we want to hear from you and start these conversations!Support the show

Send us Fan MailOur Hosts Chris, RJ, Pastor Jason, and Zay discuss what's better, wellness or religion. Is manifestation and prayer the same thing? Real-life experiences and testimonies demonstrate how humility and trust in God leads to true spiritual fulfillment and navigating life's challenges.Support the show

Send us Fan MailAre we going to play Uno in Vegas? In this episode, the guys discuss how looking to cultural figures for Godly examples is a dangerous way to live a Christ-centered life. They also discuss the basketball top 100 player list, Justin Biebers new album, and a reflection on Amos 7. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe crew delves into everything from creepy collectible toys to spiritual discernment in today’s culture. This conversation sparks a deeper reflection on spiritual sensitivity, Bible study, and what we allow into our homes.Support the show

Send us Fan MailRJ tells us the story about his altercation and how that scary moment reminded him of the Psalms. The crew debates whether it’s time to let our wives join us on the pod. We reflect on Father’s Day and the ongoing struggle of maintaining the Biblical mandate of Fatherhood. Support the show

Send us Fan MailIsaiah opens up about a real-time challenge with forgiveness. The crew discusses Michael Tait’s confession, GloRilla’s gospel award win, and the complicated world of celebrity Christian culture. Then they dive deep into how to live a quiet life and how to kill your personal ambitions.Did Isaiah get into a fight, living a quiet life and are celebrity christians weird?!Support the show

Send us Fan MailRJ reveals the name of his newborn—and yes, it’s inspired by The Matrix. Isaiah opens up about his marriage clip going viral. The crew also unpacks one of the most profound truths in Scripture: God is love. What does that actually mean for how we live, love, and grow spiritually?Support the show

Send us Fan MailSurprise! We hit record after Episode 3 and kept the convo going. Spoiler: half the pod has never seen Jurassic Park, the other half hasn't made it through a single Mission: Impossible... and none of us are caught up on John Wick. Also WE ARE NOT BOYS!Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat do NBA draft conspiracies, defending the faith, and holding each other accountable have in common? This episode.In Ep. 3, we kick things off debating the Dallas Mavericks’ draft miracle and whether the NBA lottery was rigged. But it quickly turns toward the real stuff—like how equipped the average Christian is to defend their faith, and what it looks like to pursue accountability in marriage, ministry, and community.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWe get real about how faith shows up in our everyday decisions—from what we watch and listen to, to how we raise our kids and set personal boundaries.⏱️ Timestamps + Highlights00:00 – Cold Open Everyone agrees: if we get canceled, it’s RJ’s fault.Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, and branding in the NBA.04:00 – NewsNew American PopeChicago hot dogs and Catholic historyCan Christians explore other religions without fear?08:00 – Parenting & Indoctrination Parenting styles, raising children with spiritual awareness, and how much exposure is too much.12:00 – The Sinners Movie & Christian Movie Filters How our media choices change after marriage and kids.31:00 – Letting Go of Music & Personal Convictions Our music tasted changed as we got closer to God35:00 – Conviction ≠ Legalism Holy Spirit’s voice vs copying other people’s convictions.41:00 – Sanctification is a Process The guys unpack how sanctification happens in stages—from teenage years to adulthood—and how the Holy Spirit confirms identity.43:00 – Hoop Confessions & Accountability Isaiah shares a funny moment about cussing on the court and how his fiancé's presence convicted him.47:00 – Closing  “Responsibility brings the best out of men. And the Holy Spirit will always convict you in a personal, loving way.”Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this debut episode of the Deeper Roots podcast, we discuss our motivations for starting the podcast, our journeys, and the concept of 'deeper roots' in spiritual life and community. We also explore the power of unified effort and sacrifice through a playful debate on whether a hundred men could defeat one gorilla.00:00 Introduction and Soda Talk00:26 Welcome to the Deeper Roots Podcast01:01 Meet the Hosts01:32 The Meaning of Deeper Roots02:17 RJ's Perspective on Deeper Roots03:30 Jason's Perspective on Deeper Roots05:26 Isaiah's Perspective on Deeper Roots08:09 How the Podcast Came to Be08:13 Chris's Journey to Podcasting09:29 RJ's Journey to Podcasting13:33 Pastor Jason's Vision for the Podcast15:39 Isaiah's Vision for Church Content17:35 The Importance of Community25:26 Consistency in Faith and Leadership27:03 The Importance of Vulnerability and Community32:40 Emotional Expression in Biblical Context34:30 Redefining Manhood Through Scripture38:00 The Value of Brotherhood and Mentorship45:06 The Power of Collective Wisdom50:08 Concluding Thoughts and ReflectionsSupport the show