Unapologetic with Julia Jeffress Sadler

This unapologetic conversation is all about something so many of us need to hear: how to talk to your spouse. Your spouse is one of the most important people in your life, and how you talk to them matters. For this week’s episode of Unapologetic Conversations, Julia sat down with pastor and bestselling author Gary Thomas to do just that! All marriages go through seasons of struggle, but after raising three kids with his wife, Lisa, Gary knows a thing or two about doing the work to make your marriage the best it can be. During their conversion Julia and Gary talk about the different seasons of life and parenting, why couples are more likely to divorce during certain life stages, how to reconcile and overcome even the biggest of hurts, and the difference between married couples who simply stay together and those who cherish each other. Gary ends the conversation by sharing his no. 1 piece of marriage advice that all couples need to hear. Whatever season of marriage you’re currently in, or if you’re simply wanting to be married someday, this episode is a must-listen! Connect with Gary through his website or by reading his blog.

We’re back with our Unapologetic Conversations series, this week looking at how to talk to our kids! How do we help our kids realize and reach their God-given dreams? How can we encourage them in their passions (even if those passions may be different from our own plans for their lives)? Julia sits down with Bill Reeves—former CEO of KLOVE and current head of David C. Cook Publishing—to talk all about raising up this next generation! Bill has worked in Christian media for 35+ years, and is a father and grandfather. His best piece of advice for how to talk to our kids about their dreams: stop trying to write your kid’s story, instead help them read the story God has already written for their lives. Julia and Bill also discuss why Christians should be encouraged to step into the media and entertainment worlds, how the church can do a better job of pointing the next generation in this direction, and Bill’s best advice for kids and teens wanting to pursue the arts. If you’re a parent, or anyone hoping to impact the next generation for the Lord, don’t miss this conversation! Learn more about Bill and his work with David C. Cook on their website.

We’re continuing our Unapologetic Conversations series this week talking all about how to talk to your friends! Relationships matter, especially godly friendships, but so often we can disagree with our friends on things like parenting, politics, or lifestyle. That’s the case for Julia and her real-life friend, Ashley Abercrombie. During this candid conversation, Ashley and Julia—who land on opposite sides of the political spectrum—talk about how to stay friends with those who don’t believe the same as you do. Even though Julia and Ashley hold different views on many issues, these women do agree on the most important thing, and it has become the foundation of their friendship: that Jesus is their Savior and our job is to tell as many people as possible about him. Together these two women talk about it all, from Ashley’s story of recovery and redemption to how to keep the conversation open with those who don't agree with us. They end the episode by encouraging listeners to hold onto their convictions—talking with friends in a way that’s truthful and kind. It’s not always easy to stay friends with those who look at things differently than us, but it is possible—don’t miss this Unapologetic Conversation on how to do just that! Find out more about Ashley and her work on her website, or follow her on Instagram!

As we launch into spring, we’re also diving into a brand new series here at UNA called Unapologetic Conversations! This special series of episodes will highlight the people who matter most in each of our lives—from our spouse and kids to others who play important roles, individuals like therapists and friends all the way down to ourselves! Yep, what we say to ourselves does matter! For this first episode of Unapologetic Conversations, we’re featuring an interview Julia did with Heart of Dating’s Kait Tomlin, all about how to date, break up, and embrace your single years! How we talk to our boyfriend or girlfriend matters, and not just if that person turns out to be our future spouse! Together, Julia and Kait share their collective wisdom in this episode, on everything from attachment theory and saying goodbye to shame to why breaking up well is important and their encouragement for those who want to be married. Single, dating, or engaged, you’re not going to want to miss this relevant and practical conversation! Keep up with Kait through her Christian dating community, Heart of Dating, or follow her on Instagram!

For women especially, the years between ages 25 and 35 are filled with so many milestones, decisions, and ultimately, comparison. That’s exactly why author and podcast host Stephanie May Wilson has come to refer to these years as a woman’s “everything era,” the decade when it seems like everything is happening, all at once. On this week’s episode of Unapologetic, Stephanie joins Julia for a candid conversation that feels like you’re sitting in on a girl’s night between the two that’s packed with wisdom on how to navigate these pivotal years, from women who’ve done it themselves. Together Julia and Stephanie dive into their shared passions, talking about friendship, girls in ministry, being unique, and their motherhood journeys. Stephanie shares her testimony and talks about how a Bible verse written in lipstick ultimately led her to Christ. Plus, Julia opens up about struggling to fit the stereotypical Christian mold and how she chose to embrace her own way of following Jesus and doing ministry. If you’re a woman in her “everything era” specifically, you’re not going to want to miss out on the practical wisdom and encouragement of this episode! Stephanie’s newest book—Create A Life You Love—is available for preorder now! Listen to Stephanie’s podcast, Girls Night, or follow her on Instagram to keep up with her latest updates!

Over 40% of Americans believe we’re currently living in the end times. But what will actually happen when the world ends? For this week’s timely episode of Unapologetic, Julia sits down with an expert on end times biblical prophecy: her dad, Dr. Robert Jeffress! Dr. Jeffress has studied the events around Christ’s second coming for many years, and today he and Julia share that knowledge with listeners in a way that’s hopeful, impactful, and easy to understand. During their conversation, Julia asks Dr. Jeffress the questions we all want answers to, including: why do the end times matter, do we need to be scared of this time in history (answer: not if you’re a born-again Christian!), what does the timeline for the end of the world look like, and what role do the Jewish people play in these discussions. Dr. Jeffress answers each of these questions and more, lending us his invaluable knowledge of biblical prophecy to illustrate how Jesus’s second coming is really the whole point of Scripture. The episode ends on a hopeful note as Julia and Dr. Jeffress both encourage listeners to put their trust in the Lord and look to the future with a hope that’s secure in Christ. If you’ve ever wondered about the end of the world and how it might impact you, don’t miss this relevant episode! Dr. Robert Jeffress’s newest book—Are We Living in the End Times?—is available everywhere now! Connect with him at ptv.org or by listening to the Pathway to Victory podcast.

It’s easy to put control of our lives in God’s hands when life is going according to plan. We meet the spouse. We get the job. We have the kids. But what happens when life goes anything but according to plan? Pastor Michael McAfee knows the heartache of having his plans derailed. He and his wife, Lauren, walked through a seven-year period of waiting to be parents before welcoming their daughter, Zion, home. A few months later she was diagnosed with cancer (Zion is now celebrating four years of remission!). In the midst of all that uncertainty, Michael learned how to surrender ultimate control to God, no matter the outcome, and that’s the story he shares on today’s unforgettable episode of Unapologetic. Julia is a friend and fan of the McAfee’s, and also knows what it’s like to struggle through infertility and loss. During their honest and heartwarming conversation, Julia and Michael talk about everything from God’s purpose for suffering and working to surrender that control to Michael’s passion for leading trips through his role at Inspire Experiences and his advice on where to start when it comes to reading the Bible. Towards the end of their conversion the two also discuss how they’ve seen God’s Word prove to be living and active in their own lives. Whatever you’ve walked through or are currently walking through, this uplifting episode will encourage you that God is forever with you and for you. Michael and Lauren’s book—Beyond Our Control—is available everywhere now! Learn more about Inspire Experiences at inspire.organd follow Michael on Instagram!

Reading the Bible is hard. Especially those books like Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, can we just skip to the Gospels and Psalms already?! But reading the Bible—the entire Bible—can truly transform us from the inside out, if we let it. That’s what Tara-Leigh Cobble, host of the popular show, The Bible Recap, is here to tell us today: reading the Bible changed her life, and it can change yours too! Julia is thrilled to welcome Tara-Leigh to Unapologetic this week, and these two women who have so much in common don’t waste a second of this conversation! During the episode, Julia asks Tara-Leigh where The Bible Recap (which is getting close to 350 million downloads!) started, why reading the Bible in order can open up the story in new ways, what it means when we say the Bible is living and active, and the impact shared community can have on our daily time with God. Tara-Leigh also gets vulnerable—talking about how growing up in a Christian home led her to believe that she didn’t need to read the Bible that much and how all that changed when she truly fell in love with God’s Word. If you’ve ever wanted to read the entire Bible (or struggled to do so!), this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged and inspired to dive into Scripture anew! Listen to The Bible Recap wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Tara-Leigh on Instagram to stay up to date on her latest updates!

How do we hear the voice of God? Should we trust in signs? What’s the difference between the voice of God, our own thoughts and feelings, and the condemnation of the Enemy? On this week’s episode of Unapologetic, Julia sits down with popular podcaster and author, Rachael Groll, to answer all those questions and more! Since she first said yes to God at 15 years-old, Rachael has felt called to help others hear His voice more clearly, especially women. As everyone who’s met her knows, Julia has this same heart for women and girls living out their God-given callings, so suffice it to say, these two had a lot to talk about! During their open-hearted conversation, Julia and Rachael cover it all: everything from Rachael’s own story and how she’s encouraged her three daughters to lean into their callings to asking God for a sign and encouragement for when we fall short. Julia ends the episode by asking Rachael her best advice for discerning between the voice of God, our own thoughts and fears, and the voice of the enemy (hint: if that voice is full of condemnation rather than conviction, it’s probably not God). For anyone who wants to hear God better—this episode is for you! Rachael is the creator and host of the Hearing Jesus podcast. Learn more about her ministry at shehears.org and follow She Hears on Instagram!

Julia is back this week for a conversation with her favorite guest—her dad, Dr. Robert Jeffress—for their special Ask The Pastor show! For this episode, Julia took the questions you submitted and had Dr. Jeffress share his answers. Together, the two talked through lighter topics like his favorite (and least favorite!) aspects of being a pastor and the most famous person he’s met, later diving into the heavier side of things as they looked at their shared beliefs around infant baptism, how we can know if someone is going to heaven, and what we should do when famous Christians mess up. Dr. Jeffress wrapped up this special Q&A show by encouraging us all in our God-given purpose, no matter what our life currently looks like. Plus, he also shared his favorite memory of Julia as a little kid! You’re not going to want to miss this fun and informative conversation! Connect with Dr. Jeffress at ptv.org or by listening to the Pathway to Victory podcast.

It’s so important to share the gospel with our kids, but how do we actually do that? Popular kids podcaster, Jessica White, tells us exactly what that can look like on this super practical episode of Unapologetic! Like Julia, Jessica also hosts a kids bible podcast—hers called Kids Bible Stories. Together, these two moms passionate about sharing Jesus with their kids talk about how to get our kids to church, why being intentional in our parenting and teaching is so important, and how to make church fun for kids, and not a chore. Their conversation also digs into—and disproves—the false belief that kids can’t be “real” Christians. Both Julia and Jessica have witnessed to their kids and seen them come to accept Christ, so together they talk about why some people might believe that isn’t the case and how to talk to our kids about God in a way that’s appropriate for their ages and maturity levels. Jessica and Julia wrap up the episode by encouraging parents to start their kids’ faith journey by being intentional, making time with God a daily habit, and beginning small. If you’re a parent, or have special kids in your life, don’t miss this episode! Check out Jessica’s kids podcast—Kids Bible Stories—and learn more about her and the ministry at kbpodcast.com.

Today on the show, Julia welcomes a guest she’s been wanting to talk with since Unapologetic began: Cissie Graham Lynch! Cissie is the granddaughter of one of the most famous evangelists of all time: Billy Graham. But although Cissie comes from a ministry family (something she and Julia have in common), that doesn’t mean she hasn’t faced her own spiritual battles. Julia and Cissie talk about it all on today’s episode. During their candid conversation, Julia asks Cissie what it was like growing up in the Graham family—sharing how Billy Graham’s influence on her grandma led the Jeffress family to First Baptist Dallas and ultimately began the legacy of faith in her own family. The two also discuss Israel and why Christians should care about the current crisis happening there, dig into Cissie’s spiritual battles during pregnancy and why women shouldn't be ashamed to admit they’re struggling, and look at the current revival movement happening on today’s college campuses compared to what Billy Graham started. Cissie closes the episode by encouraging listeners with the simplicity of the gospel and how Jesus’s message is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don’t miss this powerful episode! Hear more from Cissie on her podcast, Fearless, or follow her on Instagram!

Peter Mutabazi was only 10 years old when he ended up on the streets of Uganda without food or family. Fast forward to today, and Peter is living in the U.S. as an adoptive dad of three and foster dad to 50-plus kids. What made this incredible testimony possible? As Peter will tell you, the hand of God and one person believing Peter deserved a second chance. On this inspiring episode of Unapologetic, Julia sits down with the author and head of advocacy organization, Now I Am Known, to talk all about foster parenting, adoption, and how we’re all called to look for the lost and point them to their heavenly Father. During Julia’s time as a licensed therapist, she worked almost exclusively with adopted children and their parents. Given that background, Julia digs into Peter’s experience as a single adoptive and foster dad, and together the two talk about the best parts of parenting in this way, the most challenging aspects, and how to decide if adoption or fostering is right for you. Julia ends the episode by encouraging us all—no matter what our lives look like—to go out, look for the lost, and point them to Jesus. Don’t miss this truly incredible episode! Learn more about Peter and his mission at nowiamknown.com or connect with him on Instagram. Peter’s book—Now I Am Known—is available everywhere now!

There’s a big difference between simply talking about (and often criticizing!) ministry and actually doing ministry, a truth pastor Luke Lezon knows firsthand. In this week’s episode of Unapologetic, Julia and Luke aren’t afraid to go there: tackling the current culture of “failure porn,” why the church needs to pour into the generation of 18-29 year-olds, and how to encourage and equip girls who have been called into ministry. This is such a relevant conversation you’re not going to want to miss! Luke started out in young adult ministry, pivoting to leading a church as a young adult himself in the process. During their conversation, Julia asks Luke to share his inspiring testimony—an experience with a strange illness that allowed him to see that God doesn’t often work around our messes, but in them. Given Julia’s years of experience in ministry herself, specifically young adult ministry, the two spend a lot of time talking about how to best pour into this generation that is so vital to the future of the church, even encouraging listeners to start their own ministry for young adults if that’s something you’re feeling called to! Julia wraps up their conversation by asking Luke his best piece of marriage advice for the younger generation. No matter which generation you belong to, this episode has something for you! Follow Luke on Instagram and get his book—Your Mess Matters—wherever books are sold!

It can sometimes be hard to share the gospel with a culture that seems to speak a language different from the one we speak at church. But Jesus is calling us to do exactly that. As an evangelist and church planter, Shauna Pilgreen has firsthand experience translating Jesus to a culture desperate to hear his truth. On today’s episode of Unapologetic, Julianne sits down with Shauna to break it all down for us. Shauna and her husband lead Epic Church in San Francisco, one of the most secular and diverse cities in the country. Given that experience, Shauna knows exactly what it takes to translate the gospel in a way anyone can understand, whether that’s to your Uber driver, the barista at your favorite coffee shop, or—sometimes most challenging of all—your own family and friends. During this candid conversation, Julianne asks Shauna to share some of the ways Christians speak our own language (that we may not even be aware of), where we can start when it comes to translating Jesus to those around us, and practical tips for overcoming awkwardness or discomfort when it comes to talking about our faith. This whole episode is filled with incredible stories from Shauna of the ways she’s seen Jesus move in the lives of those you’d least expect. We’re all called to share the good news of Jesus with whoever we meet—this encouraging conversation will equip you with the tools needed to do exactly that! Shauna’s newest book—Translating Jesus—is available everywhere now! Connect with her on Instagram or learn more at shaunapilgreen.com.

International minister and bestselling author John Bevere wants you to live in fear of God. But a life lived in fear of God is probably a lot different than what you’d imagine. In his own life and ministry, John has seen that fear of God transform him personally, change his family, and allowed him to take the gospel to millions upon millions of people. On today’s episode of Unapologetic, John and Julianne unpack exactly what it looks like to live in fear—or as John calls it, in awe—of the Lord. During their inspiring conversation, John shares why this message is so close to his heart—outlining how understanding the difference between loving and fearing God truly motivates his ministry. Julianne then asks John to talk about what living in awe of God looks like practically in our everyday lives, how embracing that healthy fear of God can counterintuitively give us peace and encouragement, and why John thinks so many Christians today are missing this vital aspect of a relationship with God. Towards the end of the episode, John opens up about how he and his wife, Lisa, started Messenger International and why he’s so passionate about discipling the world. John is truly a hero of the faith, and you’re not going to want to miss this episode! John’s newest book—The Awe of God—is available everywhere now! Connect with him through his website and learn more about Messenger International at messengerinternational.org.

Happy 2024 and welcome to a whole new year of unapologetic conversations! We’re kicking off the year with some timeless encouragement from bestselling author, business owner, and mom of eight (yep, eight kids!) Julie Carr! Julie’s may not be a name you know, but through her writing and consulting businesses, she’s had a hand in crafting messages from many of your favorite speakers, including people like Lysa TerKeurst, Tim Tebow, and Sheila Walsh. During their conversation, Julie and Julianne talk about debunking the myth of finding true balance—instead focusing on the seasons of our lives and how we can accomplish what God has put in front of us in that specific season. Throughout the episode, Julianne asks Julie about her multifaceted career, being a mom while also following her dreams as a writer and businesswoman, and where to start if you want to write a book yourself someday. Towards the end of their conversation, Julie walks us through what it looks like to parent from the perspective of raising an original—sharing some of her best advice for raising kids that are all uniquely designed by God. Whether you’re a busy working mom, stay-at-home mom, or simply a person wanting to start off the new year on a positive and encouraging note, you’re not going to want to miss this episode of Unapologetic! Learn more about Julie and her work on her website, and stay connected with her on Instagram.

October 7th, 2023, was a day that changed the world forever. That was the day terrorist group Hamas attacked the nation of Israel, reigniting a conflict that has been simmering for decades. When Christians saw the headlines that day, many wondered, are we living in the end times prophesied in the book of Revelation? In his newest book, Are We Living in the End Times?, Dr. Robert Jeffress addresses that titular question, plus seven others about the future, using biblical truth to shed light on this often misunderstood time in world history. He walks us through it all on today’s special, year-end episode of Unapologetic. During their candid conversation, Julianne asks the questions we’re all wanting to know about this latest conflict in Israel, including what makes this time in Israel’s history different from other conflicts, why there has been so much recent hostility towards Israel and the Jewish people, and if these latest events did in fact set in motion a timeline prophesied in Scripture. Dr. Jeffress doesn’t shy away from answering each question with honesty and biblical knowledge, while also walking us through how Christians can spread the hope of the gospel in these times of uncertainty and confusion. As we head into a new year, it’s so important to be prepared and assured of the fact that Jesus is the only firm foundation we can stand on in a shifting world. Listen to this timely conversation everywhere now! Dr. Jeffress’s new book—Are We Living in the End Times?—is available everywhere now! Connect with him at ptv.org or by listening to the Pathway to Victory podcast.

It might seem hard to believe that a third-world country like Uganda has something vital to teach us about true contentment and joy, but that’s exactly what ministry leader Kelly Miller learned while working with students there. In fact, living and serving in Uganda changed this former software executive’s heart so much that he founded a ministry and wrote a book on his experience—all about how true joy is only found when we embrace a life of surrender to God’s plan. On this special episode of Unapologetic, Julianne sits down with Kelly as he shares his story—from working with high school students in America to answering God’s call to move with his wife to Uganda and starting their ministry, 314 Community. Kelly’s is an inspiring testimony, and through his ministry both in The States and in Uganda, he’s learned gospel truths we can all apply to our lives. Most Importantly he’s learned that joyful obedience to God’s teachings based on grace—not obligation—leads to true transformation. During their time together, Julianne and Kelly also discuss why the prosperity gospel is so detrimental in a country like Uganda, why Americans are unhappier than ever given our material wealth, and Kelly’s advice for pursuing your God-given purpose. At Christmastime especially, it’s so important to embrace the only source of true joy: Jesus. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! Kelly’s book, Unexpected Joy, is available everywhere now! Connect with him and learn more about his ministry at 314Community.org.