Moral decline and "hook-up" culture - debunked??  Parenting is hard, God doesn't want us to live in fear, and what on earth happened to the Iowa State Fair butter cow?!?  It's the end of western civilization as we know it!  This week on the podcast!

Duck Dynasty conquers America while Franklin Graham runs into trouble in Iceland.  And then a lively discussion with Doug TenNapel (part 2) about the adventures of an outspoken Christian in a business that isn't at all fond of outspoken Christians.  Are hillbillies the only ones allowed to believe in Jesus on TV? Can a famous evangelist's son actually hold to historical Christian teaching?  In Iceland?  What about a celebrated graphic novelist in Hollywood?  All this and more on the podcast this week!

Singer/songwriter Sara Groves and her husband Troy join Phil and Skye on the podcast this week to talk about Sara's career, her thoughts about worship music and Christian radio, the church they just bought, and the one song she wishes she never wrote!  Plus, Phil tries to play a really out-of-tune ukulele!

Censored hymns and Muslims writing books about Jesus - followed by part 1 of a 2-part interview with Christian comic artist, animator and creator of the classic video games Earthworm Jim and The Neverhood, Doug TenNapel.

Skye is back in  town!  We hear about his travels out west, then the group careens wildly through this week's stories about Christian movies, heaven, the end times, evangelistic atheists and, of course, gay rights.  Buckle up for the ride!

It's bring your daughter to work day!  Well, not really - but Phil does anyway.  His 16 year-old daughter Sydney has just released an album of thoughtful, acoustic songs, and she visits the podcast to talk about it and play a few live!  (Check out Sydney Vischer on iTunes or SydneyVischerMusic on Facebook to see the whole album.)

Join Phil this week for an indepth interview with a personal hero - groundbreaking Christian singer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker Steve Taylor.  From "I Want to Be a Clone" to the Newsboys and Sixpense, to Blue Like Jazz the movie, Steve has pushed the Christian narrative in new and amazing directions for nearly 30 years.  Don't miss the conversation!

Phil's brother Rob joins him on vacation for a discussion of Rob's new book on Martin Luther KIng Jr., as well as lively discussion about atheist monuments, DOMA, the Supreme Court and the ever-perplexing concept of religious freedom!

Skye goes on a cruise, Phil has an MRI, the Supreme Court ruffles some feathers and former Senator Rick Santorum - America's newest Christian movie mogul?!?  Just another week on the Phil Vischer Podcast ...

Alien-searching super telescopes?  Man of Steel sponsored sermons?  And what's a Christian to do when their faith is lumped in with "crazy religion?"  Phil and Skye both have colds and Christian is out of town, but thought-provoking conversation still manages to occur.  More or less.

Listeners chime in about the Boy Scouts leading to a deeper conversation about homosexuality and the church, Jennifer Lopez's new TV show, plus five supposedly "compelling" reasons marriage wasn't supposed to monogamous. (And we finally find out what became of Skye's runaway car!)

Is the Pope spouting heresy?  Should churches boot the Boy Scouts?  And special guest anthropologist Brian Howell talks about his new book on the peculiar anthropological phenomenon known as the "short term missions trip."  (We aren't kidding.)  Check it all out on this week's Phil Vischer Podcast!

Happy Birthday to the podcast!  To celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Phil Vischer Podcast, Skye makes some funny voices, Phil gripes about celebrities and their ridiculous houses, and the gang covers the big news from the Boy Scouts as well as a surprisingly deep conversation about living the Christian life.  Happy Birthday!

Skye returns from Switzerland with stories of fondue, then the gang jumps into a lively discussion of recent comments by Stephen Hawking and a new book claiming historical reports of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire were largely fabricated.  Fun, fun, fun!

Phil has a brain burp in Dallas, Justin Beiber runs amok in Dubai, and special guest Pete Leonard roasts the world's best coffee - as a ministry!  Only on the Phil Vischer Podcast!

Is theater a form of religion?  What does modern theater (Book of Mormon, et al) say about what we believe, and how can a Christian respond?  And as if that isn't fascinating enough, the gang then jumps into a discussion of how some demographers are predicting falling birthrates across the modern world will result in A) economic catastrophe, and B) the decline of secularism!  Hoo boy!

Christian takes over the show!  Acting on a listener suggestion, she invites Skye's wife Amanda and Phil's wife Lisa to join her and dish on their husbands.  Phil's and Skye's ears are burning!

After a lively discussion of The Book of Mormon and the ever-increasing crassness of American culture, Phil and the gang are joined by Christianity Today editor Mark Galli to discuss his feature story on near-death experiences and their recent popularity in publishing!

Mark Galli is the editor of Christianity Today. He is the author of Chaos and Grace and God Wins.

Monkeys and puppies and the end of Western Civilization!  Phil overreacts yet again to the week's news, followed by a scintillating discussion about Stephen Colbert, great apes, and the war against religious faith.

The gang's all back together!  Phil talks about the movies yet again, before a lively discussion about the state of marriage, family life, and the future of western civilization. What fun!

With Christian away on vacation, Phil and Skye talk about THE BIBLE (the TV series) and all forms of changing marriage, both same-sex and... Jedi?

Stuck in Disney World without Skye or Christian (poor Phil!), Phil goes solo with an extended excerpt from his recent comedy show dealing with, appropriately, Disney World and everyone's favorite Easter candy, marshmallow peeps!

A pope!  A pope!  We've got a new pope!  What does it mean to three Protestants with a podcast?  We're not sure, but we talk about it anyway.  Then Skye takes us through his thoughts on the Gospel - what it is and what it isn't, and how we sometimes get it completely wrong.

An Italian apparel company is granted a trademark to the word "Jesus," Mark Burnett's "The Bible" miniseries takes the History Channel by storm, and an impassioned plea for the death of "Christian music" gets Phil all riled up.  All that, plus Skye walks out halfway through Phil's wrap-up song!  It's a crazy week on the Phil Vischer Podcast!

Join Phil, Skye and Christian as they discuss the Harlem Shake and the decline of Western Civilization, plus a fascinating journey through gender issues in the Oscars, Sesame Street and beyond!

A theme song sung by Yoda, then... church for atheists?  And what do Tim Tebow, the Boy Scouts and Southern Baptists all have in common?  Cap it all off with a wrap-up song that goes a little better than last week's!

It's a potluck podcast!  Skye talks about his "top secret" meeting in Washington DC and his trip to the Naval Academy before the gang takes a whirlwind tour through Christian rollerskating, fruitcake in the Ozarks, Valentine's Day, Pope news and TV preachers.  Phil wraps it up with his worst summary song ever. Seriously.

Phil and Skye talk about Super Bowl commercials and pastors behaving poorly in Applebee's.  Then they're joined by author/researcher David Kinnaman for a fascinating discussion about Christians and their views on religious freedom in America.  Finally, Phil summarizes with a song.  It doesn't go so well.

This week's podcast discusses a new opera about the last days of, um, Walt Disney, plus the surprising number of Americans who believe God influences the outcomes of sporting events, an atheist mom in Texas asks Christians to keep their religion to themselves, and, what's this - a prominent gay rights activist and Chick-fil-A have become best friends?!?  Is it a sign of the apocalypse?!?

Phil starts off the podcast by recounting his recent trip to a children's ministry conference, and singing a song he wrote for the occasion. The crew talks about a viral news story featuring Pat Robertson, before bringing in this week's guest - Phil's mom! Scottie May has her Ph.D in Christian Education, and teaches in the Christian formation ministry department at Wheaton College where she specializes in children's ministry. They discuss VBS, how to creatively engage children, attention spans, and how to be more reflective in worship. 

Scottie May is an associate professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College. She has her Ph.D in Christian Education from Trinitey Evangelical Divinity School. Scottie's area of interest and expertise is children's ministry, and she has co-authored 3 books.

Phil announces the launch of the all new JellyTelly, and the crew discusses the Golden Globes, euthanasia and gun control. They talk about Louie Giglio's invitation to pray at President Obama's inauguration, why he withdrew from the event, and then the gay rights movement. Are Christians becoming an oppressed minority?

In this week's Phil Vischer Podcast, Skye introduces his new book Futureville. They discuss the current conflict between Hobby Lobby and the new contraception mandate, which leads to a conversation about the role of government and civil disobedience. They talk about the "controversy" around the Neil Patrick Harris ad for the Super Bowl, and then a petition to designate the Roman Catholic Church a hate group. The podcast ends with a discussion about whether or not our churches, Christian radio, and Christian entertainment have become too "family friendly" and paint an unrealistic portrait of faith.

In this week's Phil Vischer Podcast, Phil, Skye and Christian discuss the fiscal cliff and the current political environment in the US. This leads to a conversation about the end times and interpreting the Scriptures based on our cultural context. Everyone gives their predictions for what will happen in 2013 - some of which are more serious than others! They end with a conversation on the Gospel and how we can engage with it more.

In the first Phil Vischer Podcast of 2013, Rob Vischer joins the crew to discuss Catholicism, the new "Queen James Bible" and the Boy Scouts. They also discuss the political tensions within the Catholic Church, and the changing tones of some Catholic and some Evangelical groups toward homosexuality.

In a special episode, Phil discusses the events in Connecticut last week in the light of Christmas next week, and explains how the tragedy illuminates what even Christians have lost from the Christian narrative, and from Christmas itself.

The product placement bell gets a name on this week’s Phil Vischer Podcast, and Phil, Skye and Christian explain how they all know each other! Plus: atheist comic strips and a new Christian “sexy” t-shirt company?! AND Phil debuts a new segment called “Phil has a bone to pick!” ...all of this and more on the podcast!

**SPOILER: This podcast contains a discussion of Santa Claus, and therefore may not be appropriate for children.** This week’s podcast opens up with a discussion of pink legos, and whether or not churches should encourage belief in Santa Claus. Then Phil and the gang talk about consumerism vs. consuming, and how many churches have a tendency to commodify the Gospel.

Phil, Skye and Christian discuss the latest from Pat Robertson and recent lashback about his show from Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones (who became a Seventh-Day Adventist!). Plus Phil reviews of Rise of the Guardians and the gang talks about criticism surrounding VeggieTales teaching morality more than Christianity.

The phenomenon of Black Friday! Has Thanksgiving been "erased" by modern media? And why has Santa Claus become the spokesman for Christmas? Phil, Skye and Christian answer these questions AND discuss a TED talk entitled "The Demise of Guys" about media's effect on the development of men. 

Happy Anniversary! James Bond is 50, and so are the Rolling Stones! A conversation about whether or not the gang should address politics on the podcast turns into a thoughtful discussion about the relationship between Christians and democracy surrounding abortion and other issues. This week on the podcast!

A throwback podcast! Recorded over the summer with filmmaker Darren Wilson, founder of Wanderlust Productions, the gang discusses old news items - from a Lady Gaga incident to Skye's interview with President Obama’s spiritual advisor! PLUS Darren shares some of his supernatural experiences that have inspired his documentary films.

Phil and Skye discuss the perils of career sports, Phil reveals his choice to direct Star Wars 7, and after a conversation about Hurricane Sandy, Phil and Skye debunk the idea that natural disasters are God’s punishment on mankind. PLUS Billy Graham removes Mormonism from his list of cults?!

This week's podcast kicks off with a discussion on dragons, followed by Skye's take on Halloween! Can it be used for good? AND other news predicts satellite-driven mega-churches are the future of the church... Can it be true? Listen to find out!

Skye shares his thoughts after returning from the Global Church Forum and then the guys answer listener questions - ranging from religion vs. relationship to science vs. creation! PLUS a discussion around a recent Pew study that says America is less than 50% Protestant Christian for the first time in history. This week on the podcast!

Phil hosts the podcast by himself this week with special guest singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson! They discuss the path of Andrew's career, as well as his latest album, Light for the Lost Boy, his novels, and his online storytelling community The Rabbit Room.

BusinessWeek names the 50 best cities in the America! How does a city garner the title? And what's all the fuss about stay-at-home dads? The crew discusses this and more before Phil interviews film producer Todd Komarnicki of acclaimed Elf fame about his experience as a Christian in Hollywood. This week on the podcast!

Phil and Skye share conference experiences, singer-songwriters wear spacesuits, and What's in the Bible becomes a best-seller! AND the latest photos from the Hubble Telescope set off another discussion on faith, science, and atheism! Whoopee!

Free Speech + Faith = Riots? Will Science eliminate God? These questions PLUS a conversation about the portrayal Christians in Hollywood and the history of Christian art... this week on the podcast!

Phil and Skye invite author Amy Black on the show to discuss her new book, Honoring God in Red or Blue! Before diving into the history of Christianity and Politics in the US, the crew shares their thoughts on Paranorman, the Real Life of Timothy Green, and more! This week on the podcast!

Phil and the gang discuss a new book that suggests finding “the one thing” you are meant to do or “the one person” you are supposed to marry! Then they move on to the historical belief some Christians hold that America has a special covenant with God! After discussing "the one" and American History, Dr. John Walton, an Old Testament scholar and professor at Wheaton College, joins the crew to talk about his books The Bible Story Handbook and The Lost World of Genesis One.

The show gets off to a Reggae-tastic start with a special appearance. Then the crew discusses a follow up question to the podcast with Rob Vischer – do we live in a country with freedom from religion rather than freedom of religion? This leads into a conversation about the often antagonistic relationships between atheists and Christians, and why Christians often don’t show grace to those who do not share their beliefs. Phil asks Skye about Heaven and whether or not we will “go to Heaven” or if Heaven will come to Earth.

Can worship be addicting? The gang discusses why we need both corporate worship and individual communion. How do different cultures define vices and virtues? Brandon O'Brien joins the show to talk about our contextual biases in reading scripture - the subject of his upcoming book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes.

This week’s podcast opens up with a special guest – Sunday School Lady from What’s in the Bible? – talking about the end of the Olympics. Phil, Skye and Christian talk about Bill Gates’ initiative to invent the toilet of the future, the search for other intelligent life in space, and about the new billboards from the American Atheists for the upcoming political conventions.

Live this week from Arnold’s Park, Iowa! Phil’s brother, Rob, joins the crew at the Bible conference their grandfather founded. Rob and the gang discuss Chick-Fil-A, Wheaton College's lawsuit against the federal government, and anti-Sharia laws being debated across the country. 

How does our society associate brands with personal identity? After discussing Chick-Fil-A and dreaming about Epcot, guest Scott Olson, CEO of International Teams, joins the crew to talk about the changing face of world missions and social justice.

After Phil’s trip to the International Christian Retail Show, the gang discusses the current state of Christian retail. Moving on to current events, they touch on the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado and NCAA punishments for Penn State. Lastly, the crew responds to listeners' questions about dreams and calling!

Listen to Phil’s first solo podcast – a monologue on the origins of the universe. Phil explains his lifelong interest in the interpretation Genesis 1 and creation.

What is the difference between following our dreams and God's dreams? Why do so many Christians fear insignificance? And how does that affect our idolatry of dreams? The gang discusses these questions and Phil responds to criticism about his ukulele in this episode of podcast! Don't miss it!

Phil and Skye talk about drive-in movies and young America’s fading love affair with cars. Phil is perplexed with PETA and they have a rich conversation around science and faith. This one is not to be missed!

Phil Vischer, Skye Jethani and Christian Taylor talk about Christian tomatoes, TV theme songs and gender roles in movies.

Phil Vischer and Skye Jethani talk about The Avengers and movie making, discuss religious protest art and how to relate to atheists, and why it is important to read the Bible as more than just a guide for morality.