Apollos Watered Podcast

#265 | Are We Scrolling Ourselves to Death?: Unpacking the Perils of Digital Distraction with Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa

September 16, 2025

The episode delves into the compelling arguments presented in ‘Scrolling Ourselves to Death,’ where the authors contend that the uncritical acceptance of technology within church culture poses existential threats to genuine discipleship. By drawing parallels to Postman’s seminal work, the discussion emphasizes that the medium through which messages are conveyed inexorably alters the messages themselves. […]

Read More

#264 | Sanctifying Suburbia: How Suburbia is Shaping Your Faith with Brian J. Miller

September 9, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming engages in a thoughtful conversation with Brian J. Miller about his influential book, Sanctifying Suburbia. Together, they explore the complex relationship between evangelical faith and the cultural dynamics of suburban life, emphasizing how the environments we inhabit profoundly shape our beliefs and practices. Miller highlights that suburbs, often seen as mere backdrops, […]

Read More

#263 | Platforms to Pillars: How Do We Survive in a Platform Society? with Mark Sayers

September 2, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming and Mark Sayers do a cultural apologetic deep dive into one of the structures influencing church today and how we have become a platform society. They discuss Sayers’ book, “Platforms to Pillars,” which examines the evolving nature of leadership in the modern world. They start off their conversation with an eye-opening revelation […]

Read More

#262 | Revitalizing Leadership: The Impact of Joy and Maturity in Ministry with Marcus Warner, Pt. 2

August 26, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming and Marcus Warner delve into the intricate dimensions of Rare Leadership, underscoring that true leadership is predicated on emotional maturity and relational health. They contend that the prevailing paradigm of leadership, often characterized by charisma and performance metrics, must be supplanted by a model that prioritizes emotional resilience and relational integrity. Throughout […]

Read More

#261 | Revitalizing Leadership: The Impact of Joy and Maturity in Ministry with Marcus Warner, Pt. 1

July 30, 2025

The conversation between Travis Michael Fleming and Dr. Marcus Warner centers around the principles delineated in their book, “Rare Leadership,” which emphasizes the paramount importance of joy and maturity in effective leadership. They elucidate how the absence of joy leads to a toxic atmosphere in organizational settings, particularly within churches, resulting in high staff turnover […]

Read More

#260 | We Need Each Other: A Conversation with Jim Wilder on the Rediscovery of Relationships in the Christian Life, Pt. 2

July 23, 2025

In the final segment, the discussion shifts towards practical applications of these concepts within church leadership and congregational life. Wilder introduces the RARE leadership framework—remaining relational, acting like oneself, returning to joy, and enduring hardship—as a strategy for leaders to navigate the complexities of ministry. This framework serves as a guide for maintaining authenticity and […]

Read More

#259 | We Need Each Other: A Conversation with Jim Wilder on the Rediscovery of Relationships in the Christian Life, Pt. 1

July 8, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming and Jim Wilder discuss the intricacies of spiritual formation and how our relationships (i.e. attachments) affect how we live and what we believe. Together, they examine how our understanding of God, ourselves, and our interactions with others shapes our spiritual landscapes. Wilder invites us to reconsider the foundational elements of our faith, […]

Read More

#258 | Exploring the Depths of the Christian Imagination: A Conversation with Malcolm Guite, Pt. 2

July 1, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming and Malcolm Guite continue their conversation on the Christian imagination. They explore the historical context of imagination within Christian thought, tracing its evolution from the Enlightenment to the present day. They discuss how figures like Coleridge and Kant influenced our understanding of imagination, positing that imagination is a necessary faculty for discerning […]

Read More

#257 | Exploring the Depths of the Christian Imagination: A Conversation with Malcolm Guite, Pt. 1

June 24, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming and Malcolm Guite’s conversation offers a rich exploration of the Christian imagination and its pivotal role in spiritual life and cultural discourse. Guite reflects on his transformative experiences with poetry, particularly the impact of John Keats on his understanding of beauty and transcendence. He emphasizes the necessity of imagination in articulating the […]

Read More

#256 | From the Archives-Revisiting the Wisdom of C.S. Lewis for Imagination in Ministry, Pt 2

June 12, 2025

Travis Michael Fleming and Jerry Root delve into the inspiring legacy of C.S. Lewis, particularly as it pertains to the realm of evangelism. They discuss how Lewis, despite his scholarly acumen, possessed a unique ability to communicate complex theological concepts in an accessible manner, thereby inviting individuals from various backgrounds to engage with the Christian […]

Read More