Are popular secular podcasters helping not only spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to audiences otherwise uninterested in religious conversation but also showing Christians how to stand strong in a hostile culture?
Earlier this week, the comedian Theodor Capitani von Kurnatowski III, better known as Theo Von, hosted WNBA star Sophie Cunningham on his podcast, “This Past Weekend.” The 46-year-old Louisianan got his start on MTV and has grown his reach by interviewing cultural influencers, including President Donald Trump.
Theo Von, who grew up in a house with Catholic and Baptist parents, has told his audience that he’s on a spiritual journey and curious about Christianity. Having battled addiction, he recently spoke of praying to God and expressing to Him, “I want a new story.”
Though his podcasts are often crass and uneven, that curiosity often causes him to broach the subject of Christianity with guests. He recently hosted Catholic Bishop Robert Barron, who also hosts a podcast. Bishop Barron’s show is called “Word on Fire.” Von seemed genuinely intrigued talking theology.
In Von’s conversation with Cunningham, who is a professing believer, the WNBA star responded to an inappropriate comment by Von by saying, “I’m going to bring you to church with me.”
Cunningham said she was raised Catholic but now considers herself a nondenominational Christian.
“I love Jesus,” she told him.
Cunningham went on to explain how her faith helps her weather the criticism and controversy she’s faced in a league dominated by radical ideologues.
“I rely a lot on my faith because of what I do for a living,” she told Von. “You get a lot of hate, you get a lot of praise. And I think that just like morally in my head, everything like it just keeps me stable and it keeps me to be who I am. I don’t care what people’s opinions are about me because I’m not living for their praise.”
During her time in the WNBA, Cunningham has been criticized for opposing sexually confused men competing in women’s sports, has been labeled a “MAGA Barbie,” and has said she’s been targeted for being a strong Christian.
“I am loud, I am confident, and I think being actually a woman of God, it’s allowed me to walk into rooms with my shoulders back,” she said.
Von confided in Cunningham that his own pursuit of God has been sporadic and erratic and that his inconsistency has frustrated him.
Smiling, Sophie assured him that what he’s struggling with is common, even for believers.
“I’m just going to say this and for other people listening, but there’s nothing that you can or can’t do that’s going to separate you from God’s love and grace and forgiveness,” Cunningham told Von. “That’s why Jesus came and died on the cross because He already knew everything you were going to do. [It’s] up to you now to educate yourself and read the Bible … How are you going to represent? You’re already forgiven.”
Von shared that a Christian friend regular urges the comedian to “Stay prayed up.”
“It’s almost like if you talk to somebody [regularly] you don’t have to catch up with them,” Von reflected.
“Well, that’s a thousand percent what it is,” Cunningham told him.
Christian radio and television have long served as an effective forum for preachers and teachers to evangelize those unfamiliar with the faith and disciple existing believers toward a deeper understanding of it and a closer relationship with Christ. Those platforms tend to be carefully and predictably programmed. The Lord has used Christian radio, especially, to help Focus on the Family reach and minister to hundreds of millions of people over the last half-century.
By contrast, podcasts are unpredictable and often uneven platforms for evangelism and discipleship. Yet, the Lord can and does use everything, anywhere, to proclaim His truth – even a podcast hosted by a comedian named Theodor Capitani von Kurnatowski III.
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