The Matthew West Podcast

"Christmas is not just a love story with red and green coats... Christmas has to do with the birth of Christ." - Karen KingsburyJoin Matthew West for a special LIVE episode of the podcast featuring the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Karen Kingsbury! Recorded in front of a studio audience in Franklin, TN during Come Home For Christmas, this conversation goes deep into the heart of storytelling, faith, and the miraculous way God uses fiction to reveal the ultimate Truth. Let’s go to the Story House!

My guest today is my good friend Karen Kingsbury, who joined us for a live episode taping during our Come Home For Christmas weekend. We talk about her latest movie, “The Christmas Ring,” and the art of storytelling.

Dadvice: Because of Bethlehem

"Christmas is not just a love story with red and green coats... Christmas has to do with the birth of Christ." - Karen KingsburyJoin Matthew West for a special LIVE episode of the podcast featuring the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Karen Kingsbury! Recorded in front of a studio audience in Franklin, TN during Come Home For Christmas, this conversation goes deep into the heart of storytelling, faith, and the miraculous way God uses fiction to reveal the ultimate Truth. Let’s go to the Story House!

Is there a spiritual awakening happening right now? Join Matthew in the Story House for an incredible conversation with worship leader and songwriter Josh Baldwin.You know Josh from massive anthems like "Stand in Your Love," "Evidence," and the viral hit "Made for More," but today he’s sharing a side of his artistry you might not have seen before. Josh opens up about his new EP, Full Grown Man, and the journey of embracing his country/Americana roots after years of feeling like he had to fit a specific "worship leader" mold.

Dadvice: God Is Good

Dadvice: What's on the menu

Are you reading the Bible all wrong? Many of us treat scripture like a "highlight reel," picking out a few favorite verses while ignoring the difficult or "boring" parts of the Old Testament. But what if you are missing the most important part of the story? I sit down with Zach Windahl, author of The Bible Study and The Bible Simplified, in this new episode. Lets go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Have A Do Something Thanksgiving

Give A Gobble LIVE

Dadvice: Thanksgiving Everyday

It’s another episode with the Wests! Matthew is joined by his wife, Emily, for a hilarious and honest debate over their true wedding song—a 22-year-old argument about Marc Cohn's "True Companion." But the fun and games quickly turn to a deep and powerful conversation about the realities of parenting in 2025. Let's go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Apple Of His Eye

"God has called us to be the light of the world... to live our lives unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ."In this special solo episode, Matthew West shares a message that will challenge and inspire you: God has you exactly where you are for a reason. Forget "spiritually playing dead." This is a rallying cry to live boldly for Jesus in your everyday life.Instead of a typical interview, Matthew shares incredible and inspiring stories from you, the listeners, highlighting the real-world ways people are living "Unashamed." From a NICU nurse singing Jesus over babies to a student who "fought and won" to start a Christian club at her school, this episode is a powerful reminder that your platform is right where you are.Get Your "Unashamed" Merch: https://shop.matthewwest.com/

Dadvice: Knocked down but not out

Today I’m joined by Amber Smith, wife of Granger Smith. Amber shares their story of navigating the unspeakable tragedy of losing her 3-year-old son, River, and how that "bathroom floor" moment of ultimate grief and despair became the very place God met her.If you are walking through a storm or know someone who is, this conversation is a powerful reminder that you are not alone and your story is not over. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Sidelines

On today’s episode, I sit down with young author Caroline Shankle for a powerful and honest conversation about navigating the challenging "mean girl" years of high school and how those struggles prepared her for facing bigger giants in life. At just 22 years old, Caroline has poured her heart into her new 100-day devotional, "The Lion and the Bear: A Guide for Facing Your Giants," offering encouragement from her own journey of faith..This episode is a must-watch for any teenager, parent, or anyone who has ever felt overlooked, unseen, or battled with bullies. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Stay In The Game

At nine years old, John O'Leary was burned on 100% of his body and given no chance to survive. Today, his miraculous story is the inspiration behind the major motion picture "Soul on Fire," releasing in theaters on October 10th.Matthew West sits down with the incredible John O'Leary for a conversation about his journey of overcoming the impossible. John shares how God took his greatest liabilities and turned them into his greatest assets, and how a life that the world saw as broken has become a powerful testament to God's redemptive power. This is a story that proves when the world sees something impossible, God says, "Watch me work."This conversation is a profound reminder that God is with us in our darkest moments and that every storm eventually runs out of rain.🔥 SEE THE MOVIE! "Soul on Fire" is in theaters nationwide on October 10th! Get your tickets now: https://www.soulonfiremovie.com/

Dadvice: Head Gear

On today’s episode of the podcast, Matthew sits down with his pastor, Kevin Queen of Cross Point Church, for an incredibly honest and practical conversation about the struggles and triumphs of faith. Pastor Kevin shares his powerful testimony and what led him to become the leader of a thriving church. He provides a simple, transformative framework for anyone looking to deepen their prayer life and hear God's voice more clearly, even in the middle of life's biggest storms. Let's go to the Story House!

Dadvice: All Day Long

On today’s episode of the podcast, my wife Emily and I recap summer 2025. From the pinnacle of performing at Carnegie Hall to the hilarious nightmare of being stranded overnight in LaGuardia airport. Emily also shares a powerful and timely word about the importance of gratitude and how leaning into thankfulness has been her anchor through a season of worry and change. Let’s go to the Story House!

Don't Stop Praying For America

Dadvice: Storyteller Evangelism

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I am joined by my friend and world-class photographer, Hannah Corwin. She shares the incredible story behind her stunning book, "But God," and a testimony of learning to trust God's timing, even when it meant waiting 10 years for a dream to come true. Let's go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Lessons from the Oz

In one of the most inspiring and motivating conversations yet, I sit down with Dabo Swinney, the two-time national champion head coach of the Clemson Tigers. Coach Swinney shares the powerful testimony and unshakable faith that have guided him from a difficult childhood to the pinnacle of college football. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Back to School (Pt. 2)

Megan Woods joins me to share her powerful testimony of faith through fear, and how she learned to trust God when her biggest fear was coming true. This is a story about surrendering your dreams to God and discovering the incredible plans He has in store. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Back to School

How do you want to be remembered? In this deeply personal and reflective conversation, my wife Emily and I sit down to recap our summer and discuss the ultimate "why" behind everything we do. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: With God all things are possible

“Is this God’s plan or His punishment?” It’s a question many have wrestled with. On the podcast, my friend Rob Roozeboom—founder of RiseFest and author of Broken Still Chosen—shares his raw journey with muscular dystrophy, years of anger toward God, and the moment God met him in his deepest pain to transform his heart. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Praise the Lord continually 

What if the most difficult parts of your story are the exact qualifications God wants to use for your calling? New York Times best-selling author and world-renowned speaker Rory Vaden joins me for a conversation that will completely reframe how you see your past. He reveals how looking at your past pain, setbacks, and tragedies is the fastest way to find your unique, God-given purpose. Let’s go to the Story House!Follow Rory Vaden on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and his website here. Get Rory Vaden's Bestselling Audiobook Wealthy and Well-Known for FREE! Visit: freebrandaudiobook.com/west

Dadvice: Turn and Run

What happens when you trade the traditional college path for a six-month mission trip around the world? I sit down with a very special guest—my oldest daughter, Lulu West—for an incredible conversation about her life-changing YWAM (Youth With A Mission) experience. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Stand Up For Jesus

He’s the artist whose song "Counting My Blessings" has become a global anthem of gratitude. Seph Schlueter joins me to share the incredible stories behind his music and the powerful "God moments" that have defined his journey. Let’s go to the Story House! 

Dadvice: On His Mind

What if one of the world's most positive people admitted he's "naturally negative"? Best-selling author and top motivational speaker Jon Gordon joins me for an incredibly honest and practical conversation about how to transform your mindset.Jon, who coaches championship teams like the LA Rams and Clemson, reveals his personal struggle with negativity and anxiety and the ultimatum from his wife that changed everything. He shares the powerful, daily habits he uses to cultivate a positive life, anchored by his deep faith in Jesus. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Don’t Stop Praying for Texas

How does a high school dropout who sang backup for local rappers end up with a #1 Christian song called "Desperate"? Jamie MacDonald shares one of the most powerful and honest testimonies you will ever hear. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on her incredible journey, from a troubled childhood and years of struggling with drugs and alcohol, to the moment at age 21 when she hit "low enough" and cried out to God to rescue her. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Happy 4th of July!

Country music star and Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan shares an incredibly raw, honest, and ultimately hope-filled conversation with me about his journey. He opens up about how that painful season taught him that "sometimes our pain is for other people" and how God can bring purpose from our deepest valleys. This is a story about faith, family, and the amazing truth that even when we don't understand His plan, God's work is getting done through us. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: Summer of Service

What happens when you have to let go? My wife Emily and I sit down for a deeply personal conversation about parenting young adults and the challenge of surrendering control. Let’s go to the Story House!

Dadvice: My Why