John Branyan's Comedy Sojourn Podcast

Welcome to the table, Pkarlgh.  Our family participated in a huge fundraiser for our local Christian school--and we were very encouraged! Many hands make for light work... It's great to be part of a functioning community! Then:  If you're hearing us talk about this well-oiled machine and wishing your community was as Perfect as ours, let us remind you that we are very critical of parachurch organizations!  We really need to make some clarifications about WHY we focus on the Bad Stuff in the culture...  (Someone wrote to us and said, "I'm struggling to find a church that I can trust. I don't understand the different denominations, but I know you guys disagree with most of them...")  Keep this in mind at all times: God will not hold you accountable for things you DON'T understand; he holds you accountable for obeying what you DO understand. Later: Let's talk about the problem with popular Christian worship leaders. (But don't let fear of heretical music keep you from going to church!)&n

Hi, Neighbor!  John and Luke called an "audible" at church last week and switched up the communion prep system.  Who's going to be mad about that?  (Well, some people might.)  If you start taking responsibility and making decisions then you will deal with some pushback. But, overall, you will be a HUGE ASSET to a healthy church (or soccer program).  Leaders take initiative! Later:  Luke shares his fail-proof system for aspiring conversationalists. If you're wondering, "How does Luke always have something interesting to say???" be prepared to take notes! Email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com 

Hey, Neighbor! We thought we uploaded this episode ON TIME, but technical difficulties occurred...Better late than never!  

It's snowy in Indiana--but the Peaches broke a power pole back when the roads were basically clear.  Luke did a show with Dave Dugan, and John did a show in Wisconsin (Wa-Keh-Shaw). Were these "good" events or "bad" ones? It totally depends on your perspective!  Any single event could be both good and bad, or both challenging and successful at the same time. John still gets rushes of adrenaline when he's going on stage. Luke and his brother-in-law struggle to sleep immediately after a performance.  But is that the same thing as stage fright or "nervousness?"  The difference between "Excitement" and "anxiety" is simply whether you're looking forward to it or not.  Later: Most people in the audience do not want the speaker to fail. They're on your side!  But even the pros get sweaty while managing their adrenaline.  It's normal!  Can we learn to thank God regardless of whether we are feeling wide awake or ready to curl up and rest? Finally:  Let's beat a dead horse..

Hey, Neighbor, we're recording on Superbowl Sunday...  not to be confused with Tuesdays with Taylor... (By the way, are you the Master of your own Sea?) Then: Not only do Christians like to identify as "Sinners," but we like to sanitize the behavior of the Unbelievers. We want to give them the benefit of the doubt--even though they are Lost. Later: We tried to raise Luke's bloodpressure with the story of a grumpy patient complaining about her stay at the hospital.  But he is pretty unflappable.    Do you know what the medical community does with particularly uncooperative patients? Finally: Let's talk about the idol of People Pleasing.  What IS the difference between having a "servant's heart" and being a people-pleaser? Contact the comedian's family: nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

We have an extra guest at the table today, Neighbor!  Also, John's sons-in-law created a video game character who is almost indescribably ugly.  But we try anyway. Either way--let's get down to business...  Transformers and electronic tablets are for Christians/Saints--not for Sinners. Boy, this is a controversial topic in our community right now.  Is it wise to refer to Christians as "Sinners saved by grace?"   The Peaches really feels encouraged, because she was called a "she-devil" several times.  What inspired that kind of vitriol? It was the suggestion (no--insistence) that being a Saint who struggles with sin is very different from continuing to identify with your sin by calling yourself a "sinner."   Saying "I am a sinner" is an identity statement.  One person told us, "I was a sinner, I am a sinner, and it's what I ALWAYS WILL BE."   Yuck.  That comes from unthoughtful church culture--not from God's Word.  The power of the Gospel is

Hey, Neighbor.  Our beloved YouTube show, Starving Comics, is coming to an end.  (Or, it has already come to an end--since you're listening after the end.)  We hope you're thoroughly confused. Or at least angry. If you're sad, we can definitely give you a different emotion to experience...   By the way, make note of the fact that Kevin James has a new comedy special, but John doesn't want to say anything else about it.  Then: Lots of comedians struggle with needing validation from strangers. But that's not really John's temptation.  For the Peaches, taking a picture with Elijah Wood is actually VOMITOUS. Later: What does any of this have to do with a hoarder who keeps bottles of human waste near her fridge? People need to have their conscience trained...but nobody is willing to tell them when they're GROSS. Email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com. 

We are pretty cold over here, Neighbor! Wrap up in your fleece blanket, and you'll fit right in...Luke wants to talk about CHURCH DISCIPLINE today. Let's see if this topic is as controversial as the last one he picked... Plus, the Peaches went to an MLK service at an urban church. (What a trip!)  Can we weave these two things together? Later:  Luke shares a post from a woman who is outraged that she was excommunicated.  Everybody likes the idea of church discipline, as long as it goes one way... The same way everyone loves to talk about "conquering" and fighting for political power--as long as it's in the context of an MLK service and not being applied by a white "Christian Nationalist." Finally:  John talked with a guy this week who wants to help thousands of people "make decisions for Christ." But--he doesn't want to have an awkward conversation with his own kids.  Contact the Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com 

Welcome to the table, Neighbor! The kids are playing in the background, and the PodNinja is feeling more talkative than usual... To kick things off, John shares why he hopes he gets invited to host the Golden Globes.  Next:   he Church love to retreat.  Most Christians think they are leaving a "neutral ground" in the middle of the battle field, but that's not how it works!  When we step back, it leaves a vacuum that "sucks" the anti-religious Nut Jobs into our old spot that we were too cowardly to stand in.  Later:  There's a campground near our home that is "rebranding."  (Their words.) They are moving away from a family-style nature...and now, they will be "catering to the LGBT, Adults-Only crowd." (Their words again.)  Yes, really!  You must be 18 just to walk out on the disc golf course. Finally, the Pod Ninja (known for his powerful silence) actually brought a topic of discussion!  There are some theologically-questionable things on Reddit.  Did

Hey, Neighbor! The Podcast Ninja had a run-in with a power tool that might leave you feeling a bit light headed.  Then, John shares his New Year's Message for young people... don't promise stuff if you don't really mean it. Words matter, and "semantics" matter. Which brings us to another point:  AMERICANS ARE SHOCKINGLY ILLITERATE.  (We bring statistics!)  Why does John hate audiobooks so much? Also: The Podcast Ninja reads an amazing book review from Amazon that will make you laugh if you understand the words. Thanks for listening! Email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

Hey, Neighbor! This episode was supposed to air on Christmas Day...   but OOPS! Enjoy this late gift, from us. --The Comedian's Family

Hey, Neighbor. This is PART TWO of the conversation with Juan DeVevo regarding the parable of the sower.  (You know, some people are going to reject the Gospel no matter how we present it. So what do we make of that reality?!) We humans love to take credit for our own goodness.  But--taking God's glory for ourselves is literally the worst sin we can commit.  Meanwhile, we like to give our neighbors the benefit of the doubt. But when we assume they are a pretty good, charitable person, that is still judging their heart! (Plus: why did a U.S. President snub Juan?) Later: -Celebrities are still strangers, even when they profess to be Christians.  -"What's up with Jesus having to DIE on the CROSS?!"  -Most church people will let absolutely anyone teach the kids' Sunday School class -AND, more complaints about Ken Ham...  (lol)   Follow Juan on tour at castingcrowns.com.  Email the Comedian at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

We're puzzling at the table today!  John hurt himself AGAIN. (No surprise.) And we have some news we have been (unintentionally) keeping from you, Neighbor, but the Peaches is too sick to share... Later: John was un-invited from a show for a charity organization, because his blog doesn't support gay people.  But do we really want to work for non-profit Do-Gooders who deny the importance of Christ?  It's time to cancel the people who think they're HELPING the poor, without Jesus.  Those self-righteous God-deniers are doing far more damage than John's (truthful) blog post. Contact the Comedian's Family... Email nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

The Comedian (John Branyan) and the Musician (Juan DeVevo) are at it again.  Do you ever hurt yourself while doing manly things?... The two swap stories about injuries, going all the way back to elementary school! Then, MEMES! Let's recap the happenings on social media this month, including the stupidest hot takes about religion.   Why would a PASTOR share a picture of Kat Von D in lingerie?  Answer: people post very stupid hot takes on social media...   Later:  John and Juan unpack the parable of the Sower.  It's actually kind of depressing when you think about it: there's an awful lot of opportunity for seeds to be lost.  Who's in and who's out? Does God love everybody equally? Email the comedian at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com . Catch up with Juan's little band by looking at his tour schedule: castingcrowns.com. 

Welcome to the kitchen table, Neighbor! First:  We discuss what has come to be labeled "Spanking Gate." The Peaches was encouraged to hear the Wilson's response to all the controversy.  Their Family Interventions sound very similar in seriousness to the Branyan Family Meetings! Then:  There's nothing like being accused of child abuse from people whose parenting solutions are found in prescription bottles. "Please don't help your child learn to control her own emotions...just control her emotions for her, using drugs!" Later: Luke found a question from a single mom on the internet: should she marry the kind man who provides for her and her son?  Or should she wait for someone who cuts his hair more often? Finally: The Peaches shares a juicy parenting anecdote, for the Internet mobs to find in another 10-15 years. The 10-year-old was made to participate in a group hug, and he was disciplined when he refused.  Please send your comments to nextdoor@johnbranyan.com 

Hello, Neighbor.   We apologize for any unseriousness you've gotten from our podcast in the past.  We do our best to be VERY serious in this episode...  Recently there have been several emails (and a text message!) asking for more in-depth advice about Real Life Stuff--especially parenting. We do our best to expand on the principles that guide our parenting decisions, while also reminding everyone that each kid/family is different. Have you ever been so angry that you would have hurled yourself into traffic, just to (somehow) spite the other person?  The Peaches has! And so has her young child.  As God reveals more to us about our own sin natures, we're better able to share those truths with our kids... Email the Comedian at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com.  Stay serious, everyone!

Here we are again, Neighbor... We're still causing a bit of a stir with our belief that it's difficult to talk about timelines when dealing with the creative behavior of a Timeless God. Is it unChristian to study theoretical physics and explore the impact of Einstein's Theory of Relativity on the biblical narrative?  Should we have the exact same understanding of Scripture the Ancient's had--as if we don't own telescopes now? If so--we are guilty as charged.But if you like to image what mass and gravity and velocity could have been doing at the moment God said "let there be light," you might actually LIKE this conversation...Ignore the part at the end where The Peaches says cooky things about Jesus reversing the curse and conquering death. Obviously, that has nothing to do with the Bible's teaching about death/sin, and women shouldn't be trying to understand this stuff.  Email us if you'd like to set the whole family straight:  Nextdoor@johnbranyan.com Disclaimer:  we believe the

Hi, Neighbor! We want to apologize for the quality of our last episode.  It was actually a GREAT conversation, if you were able to decipher it. Today, let's talk a little more about creation!   In essentials, unity. In opinions, liberty. And in everything, love. That's all well and good, isn't it?  But WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS? Most Christians don't care (on the surface) how old the earth is... but we DO care about making sure our kids understand "the essentials."  So, if we're being told we MUST read Genesis a particular way in order to raise Christian kids, that will pique our interest.   Most mothers are willing to write "24-hours" into their Bibles, if that's what it takes.  People are concerned with what affects their DAILY LIFE.  In general, they're not impacted by whether God used millions of years to prepare the earth for humans, except that they're being told their kids will leave the faith if they DON'T teach Young Earth Creationism. La

This episode was recorded over video chat, and that's why it sounds like we're interrupting each other constantly.  (Particularly the audio tracks for Juan and Peaches seem to have gotten smashed together during the recording, rather than a nice, smooth, back-and-forth.) Please forgive the weird delays and places where Juan (and Brian) are not even audible, for some reason. We could hear them just fine in real life!Anyway, we just got back from the FLF Conference, and we want to stress that Ken Ham and the Answers in Genesis people are BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.  (This is not a salvation issue.)  We want to be charitable to the Young Earth Creationists--we just wish they would return the favor. The real battle throughout human history has been:  will we respect God's Word or Man's Word???  We totally agree with Ken Ham about that.  But WHICH of the words in his hour-long talk were God's Words?  Let's discuss: -24-hour days of creation -describing an act of God in human

Hey, Neighbor! We have a great idea for a scavenger hunt! For years, we've prided ourselves on being the Most Obscure and Hard-To-Find podcast on the internet. The FLF app is now called "PubTV." Sorry we didn't tell you sooner.  But you can always listen to The Comedian Next Door on a website somewhere.  Go find it! (But don't share the link with your friends. That would spoil the hunt for them.) We know you've been waiting all week for this episode, Pkarlgh.   Today we're talking about the display/campaign that was launched in our Podunk Library.  "EVERY READER DESERVES A CHANCE TO SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN A BOOK!"  (Oh, and don't forget to "trust teachers and librarians."  They're definitely not using vague, emotionally-charged catch phrases to push a political agenda.)  Follow the Meme Policeman on social media! Also, email the Comedian at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com. We'll see you THIS WEEKEND at The Ark for the FLF CONFERENCE.