This week on the Granger Smith Podcast, Granger sits down with Joshua Gunderson, a former Air Force fighter pilot with an incredible story—from flying F-22 Raptors to patrolling the skies over Alaska and the Middle East. They swap memories about meeting on a USO tour in Anchorage, the wild moments that followed (including a close call with a massive earthquake), and what it’s really like pulling nine G’s at twice the speed of sound.

But it’s more than just “Top Gun” stories. Joshua opens up about the realities of military life: the pressure, the split-second decisions, and how faith, family, and near-miraculous moments shaped his journey both in and out of the cockpit. Granger and Joshua dive deep into life’s big questions, wrestling with the problem of evil, the meaning of legacy, and how faith can hold up—even when life throws the unthinkable your way.

They get honest about loss, gratitude, and what it means to live with purpose—especially for the next generation. Whether you’re into aviation, military stories, or just a good, heartfelt conversation about life, you won’t want to miss this episode.

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On this episode, Granger sits down with pastor and author David Platt for a deep, honest conversation about something every believer wrestles with: How do you actually hear the voice of God? David unpacks why the Bible is unlike any other book, how it’s not just a rulebook but a personal love letter from God, and how reading it transforms the way we live, pray, and relate to others.

They dive into practical steps for making Bible reading more than a checkbox—how to meditate on Scripture, memorize it, apply it, pray it, and share it with others. David shares stories from his own life (including how his “taste buds” for God’s Word have changed over the years), and Granger opens up about the struggles we all face with consistency and distraction.

Whether you’re a brand-new Christian or you’ve been in church all your life, this episode will encourage you to rethink your approach to God’s Word, pursue real intimacy with Jesus, and experience the life you were created for. Plus, there’s a powerful challenge at the end about leaving a legacy of faith—one day and one verse at a time.

Plus, check out David's new book How To Read The Bible.

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In this powerful episode, Granger Smith sits down with Emeal “E.Z.” Zwayne, president of Living Waters, to unpack a riveting testimony of redemption—from a violent youth in gang life to becoming a leading voice in evangelism. E.Z. reflects on his deep admiration for Ray Comfort (his now father-in-law), their Middle Eastern backgrounds, and the unifying power of the gospel.

The conversation shifts into his passion for purity and spiritual warfare as he introduces his book Fight Like a Man. With striking biblical insight, E.Z. offers men a tactical, grace-filled strategy for battling pornography, summed up in the memorable acrostic “NOPE: Not One Peek Even.” Through the “Six Cs” framework—Creation, Cross, Crisis, Crown, Crowd, and Christ—he calls men to fight with eternal purpose and deep love for God, family, and the church.

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In this compelling episode, Granger Smith sits down with apologist and author Greg Koukl (Tactics, Street Smarts) for an in-depth conversation about faith, fame, and how asking the right questions can open hearts and minds to truth. Greg shares his journey from cultural rebellion in the 1960s to a conviction of Christ’s truth in 1973—not through arguments, but through persistent love. The two discuss how to navigate hard questions like “Are you saying I’m going to hell?” with clarity and grace, and why the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just belief—it’s history. This episode is packed with wisdom on how to speak truth without religious jargon, how to live humbly in the spotlight, and how to engage skeptics by simply asking, “What do you mean by that?”

Whether you’re a believer seeking confidence in conversations, or a skeptic exploring deeper questions, this episode offers clarity, authenticity, and a path forward.

Support Greg’s ministry by visiting https://www.str.org

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This week singer-songwriter Ben Fuller shares his powerful journey from a broken upbringing in Vermont to finding redemption in Jesus Christ. Raised on a dairy farm without faith, Ben turns to alcohol and drugs to cope with deep emotional wounds. After losing his best friend to an overdose, he pursues music and moves to Nashville, where early success at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge deepens his struggles. Everything changes when a family invites him to church, leading to a radical encounter with Jesus in 2019. Ben is baptized and immediately leaves behind his addictions and old lifestyle. Since then, his music and life center on proclaiming the Gospel. He tours with major Christian artists, finds accountability through a Christ-centered community, and commits to regular Bible reading and prayer. In their conversation, Granger encourages Ben to stay rooted in Scripture, reminding him that storms will come but Christ remains steady. Ben now lives with the simple prayer: "Here I am, Lord. Send me," faithfully using his voice — and his life — to point others to Jesus.

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This week Granger Smith and Travis Hunt reflect on when they teamed up on a faith-driven mission to help believers in the Middle East create worship music in their own languages and styles. It all began with a simple offer—“Consider me a coin in your pocket.” Despite never working together before, they flew overseas with basic recording gear, a translator, and a deep trust in God.

In safe houses, local musicians—some speaking no English—recorded heartfelt songs. Lyrics were carefully translated and checked for biblical truth. In one moving moment, a singer grieving his son stepped away. Granger, who had also lost a child, wordlessly comforted him. The man returned and finished the song.

Amid tension, spiritual opposition, and the constant call to prayer, worship rose—raw, real, and in native tongues. And through it all, their quiet mantra remained: “To the King.”

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This week Granger interviews Tony Wood about the doctrines of grace, human depravity, and God’s sovereignty in salvation. Tony emphasizes that salvation is entirely the work of God—humans are spiritually dead and unable to seek Him without divine intervention. He explains how this challenges modern views of autonomy, particularly in American culture, and often stirs discomfort around the idea of God’s control over all things, including evil and salvation.

Despite the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, Tony affirms that Scripture teaches both. He shares his personal journey from thinking he chose God to realizing that God had chosen him, seeing this truth consistently throughout the biblical narrative—from creation to Christ to the birth of the Church.

This theological shift profoundly changed Tony’s preaching. Instead of crafting messages around felt needs or cultural trends, he now practices expositional preaching—teaching the Bible verse by verse and letting Scripture shape the message. Granger and Tony agree that true church health begins in the pulpit, where God’s Word—not style, music, or production—must remain central. They encourage believers to seek churches that faithfully and deeply preach the Bible.

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This week Granger and AntMan discuss whether Christians should celebrate Easter, ultimately affirming it as a time to honor Christ’s resurrection—something believers should reflect on daily, not just annually.

They share personal Easter memories and explore traditions like eggs and bunnies. AntMan explains that eggs were preserved during Lent and later decorated, even gifted by King Edward I. The Easter bunny, originally a hare, became linked to spring, but ties to paganism are historically weak.

Granger reads from Exodus 12, connecting the first Passover to Jesus as the spotless Lamb. They emphasize that Easter isn’t about pagan roots or cultural symbols, but about God’s redemption through Christ.

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This week Alex Duke offers insights on how to recognize a healthy church.

Alex explains how his love for storytelling began in childhood, finding comfort in movies after his parents' divorce. This passion led him to create Storms in the Desert, a podcast exploring the slow, steady growth of churches over time.

The discussion contrasts deep, lasting faithfulness with the rapid, flashy growth many associate with modern churches.

Alex also reflects on his megachurch background, recognizing their impact while highlighting the powerful influence of smaller, faithful congregations.

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