
Show Notes
What’s it like to lead with faith in a time of global upheaval? Today’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show features U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio like you’ve never seen him before. An honest and wide-ranging conversation about history, hope, and the challenges of leadership in turbulent times—you’re not going to want to miss this one. Fresh off the historic release of the hostages in Israel, Secretary Rubio reflects on the behind-the-scenes courage and teamwork that made the miracle possible—giving us a rare glimpse into the high-pressure world of international negotiation and the personalities driving world-changing decisions. But this conversation goes far deeper than politics: together Pastor Greg and Secretary Rubio also dig into the impact of a God-centered marriage, the importance of strong families, and how faith shapes everyday choices at the highest levels of power. Secretary Rubio also opens up about his own family’s story, the life-changing influence of his grandfather, and the Scriptures that anchor him during moments of anxiety and sleepless nights. Don’t miss their discussion on the rise of antisemitism, America’s founding principles, and the dangers of political indoctrination facing today’s youth—plus some lighthearted moments featuring Secretary Rubio’s favorite movies, books, and fun presidential history. -------- Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit: https://harvest.org/. Find Pastor Greg on social media: https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/ https://x.com/greglaurie https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie
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TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Rights Come from the Creator, Not Government 02:20 Hostage Release: Behind the Scenes with President Trump 05:32 Delivering the Gospel at Charlie Kirk’s Memorial—Without Notes 06:21 Marriage: Reflecting God’s Love and Sacramental Importance 09:03 Family Breakdown and America’s Social Ills 10:59 Grandfather’s Influence: From Rural Cuba to U.S. Politics 13:28 Fear, Faith, and Knowing How the Story Ends 16:28 Are We Nearing the End Times? A Global Perspective 17:30 Rising Anti-Semitism & Lessons from the Holocaust 20:05 Youth & the Allure of Socialism—Campus Controversies 22:01 Faith on Display: Scripture Tweets and Daily Discipline 24:23 The Cost and Courage of Living Out Faith Publicly 26:03 Why America Is Unique: Rights, Government, and Founding Principles 28:04 Lightning Round: Comfort Foods and Favorite Films 30:12 Presidential Leadership: Right People at the Right Time 33:00 How Marco Rubio Wants to Be Remembered 34:18 Prayer for Leadership and Closing Reflections
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More from The Greg Laurie Show
What if 150 years of biblical archaeology hasn't produced a single find that contradicts the Bible? That's the claim Dinesh D'Souza makes in this conversation about his new book, The Stones Cry Out. We talk about the artifacts quietly coming out of the ground in Israel — including the bones of Caiaphas, the clay seal of a minor character from Jeremiah, and the recently confirmed location of Bethsaida — and why most of this isn't being shouted from the rooftops. We also get into: - Why younger generations are drawn to socialism (and how "crony capitalism" fuels it) - The modern state of Israel as prophecy fulfilled - Why Dinesh has been publicly challenging Calvinism - The Pool of Siloam, the Garden Tomb, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - His years inside the Reagan administration - A lunch with Richard Nixon - Fried bananas, My Cousin Vinny, and Breaker Morant Dinesh is a filmmaker, author, and friend, and this one covers a lot of ground — from apologetics to American history to personal stories. Pick up The Stones Cry Out wherever you get your books. Timestamps 00:00 Cold open 00:18 Welcoming Dinesh D'Souza 00:50 What's so great about America 03:04 Why young people are drawn to socialism 05:04 Capitalism without a moral base 07:03 The Stones Cry Out and biblical archaeology 10:29 The Caiaphas ossuary and Pilate findings 13:44 The Pools of Bethesda and Siloam 16:14 Garden Tomb vs Church of the Holy Sepulchre 18:12 Israel's rebirth as fulfilled prophecy 20:45 The Dead Sea Scrolls connection 22:33 Balaam, son of Beor, and the skeptics 24:58 When unbelief isn't really intellectual 27:05 Atheism as revenge against God 29:20 The problem with Calvinist predestination 32:33 Rethinking total depravity 34:30 Evangelicals, Arminians, and biblicists 37:49 Reconciling free will and God's choice 38:37 Favorite comfort food 39:10 The three films Dinesh is proudest of 41:35 Islam, the left, and a common enemy 43:04 Movies he'll rewatch every time 45:03 Having lunch with Richard Nixon 47:41 Inside Reagan's ranch 49:31 Should Christians send kids to secular colleges 51:14 Advice to a younger Dinesh 53:09 Closing thoughts on The Stones Cry Out Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Rick Rubin is considered by many to be the greatest music producer alive today. His work spans the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-DMC, Adele, U2, Neil Diamond, and his legendary American Recordings with Johnny Cash. He has also become one of the most influential voices in culture. His interviews include Paul McCartney in McCartney 3,2,1 and Jay-Z in the HBO series JAŸ-Z in 8. On his podcast, Tetragrammaton, he recently sat down with Neil Young. Now add one more name to that list: Pastor Greg Laurie.
What would you have done during the Holocaust? Rev. Jonnie Moore says that's no longer a hypothetical question. In this conversation, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with Johnnie Moore—advisor to presidents, humanitarian, and one of the most connected evangelical voices on the global stage—three years after the October 7th attacks on Israel. We cover: • What actually happened on October 7th (and why the world moved on too quickly) • Hamas, Iran, and the reshaping of the Middle East • The surge of antisemitism on both the left and the right • Feeding Gaza while Hamas stole aid • Sharing the gospel with Muslims and Jews • Why Silicon Valley is quietly calling pastors about AI • What President Trump is really like behind closed doors • The best piece of advice Johnnie ever received — from a rabbi Johnnie grew up moving 20 times before age 12, ended up at Liberty under Jerry Falwell Sr., and now works at the intersection of faith, foreign policy, and emerging technology. His story — and his warnings — are worth your time. Subscribe for more conversations like this. Timetamps 00:30 Meet Johnnie Moore 02:03 Growing up in the Deep South after his parents' divorce 03:00 The balloon-animal mentor who taught him business 04:34 Finding faith as his parents' marriage fell apart 06:40 Moving to Lynchburg and landing at Liberty 08:20 How Jerry Falwell Sr. became a father figure 11:54 Three years after October 7th 16:46 What Hamas and Iran were really trying to do 21:14 The genocide accusation and feeding Gaza 26:00 Advising Trump on Iran and the nuclear red line 30:51 Sharing the gospel with Muslims and Jews 41:03 Leading a Jewish friend to Christ on FaceTime 44:10 Why evangelicals must stand against antisemitism now 48:26 Bots, bot farms, and the global information war 53:49 Why so many pastors are afraid to speak up 56:15 Is AI a blessing or a threat? 01:01:23 Why Silicon Valley is calling pastors 01:06:19 AI as therapy and the church's human advantage 01:07:30 Advice to a younger Johnnie: take more risks 01:11:16 What would surprise you about President Trump 01:16:00 The best advice he ever got, from a rabbi Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Cartoonist Butch Hartman—creator of Nickelodeon's *The Fairly OddParents*—sits down with Greg to talk about a career built on drawing, storytelling, and eventually surrender. Butch traces his path from a chaotic Michigan childhood, where cartoons were a refuge, to CalArts, Hanna-Barbera, and the day Ted Turner told the staff they could pitch their own ideas. He explains why limited animation gave Fred Flintstone a five o'clock shadow, why confidence with ink matters more than talent, and why he left Nickelodeon in 2018 to build a studio around *The Garden*—a Christian series he self-funded when no one else would. Along the way: how tithing broke a stronghold, why he and his wife now pastor a church that started under a tree, and his conviction that if God gives the vision, He gives the provision. Timestamps 00:00 Prototype plush and the $8,000 Goofy maquette story 01:22 Meeting a fellow artist and Fairly OddParents' 18-year run 03:07 CalArts, Hanna-Barbera and the day Cartoon Network launched 05:16 How limited animation made TV cartoons possible 06:14 Discovering he could draw by tracing Peter Pan on a wall 07:41 Greg's chaotic childhood and the animator with the "magic pencil" 09:04 Butch's Michigan upbringing and retreating into cartoons 10:57 TV dads as father figures — Hugh Beaumont and Mike Brady 12:03 Yellow Dog, brush pens and Mad Magazine influences 16:17 Why caricaturing women is a bad idea 17:34 Drawing fast at Magic Mountain and switching to digital 19:13 First jobs: American Tail, Dexter's Lab, Powerpuff Girls 19:55 Seizing the pitch opportunity that changed everything 21:05 Writing letters to Charles Schulz as a kid 22:38 Getting saved at 35 at Crenshaw Christian Center 24:47 Starting Church in the Park during COVID 25:13 Preaching Esther on a whiteboard 26:24 The Garden: making a Christian cartoon nobody else would 28:52 Giving vs. the culture of self-worship 30:26 Why Nickelodeon won't touch overtly Christian content 31:50 Reaching unexpected people in unexpected places 34:42 Where Butch stands on AI in animation 37:27 Voice acting and playing Dr. Rip Studwell 38:49 Favorite movies and the greatest animated film ever 42:35 Human creativity, arrogance and the last days 44:47 Advice to a younger Butch: don't be afraid 46:13 Go-to Scriptures for anxiety and trust 47:01 An invitation to make Jesus Lord of your life 50:15 If God gives the vision, He'll give the provision 51:32 How Butch wants to be remembered Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What does it mean to spiral—and is it actually possible to find blessings amid devastating loss? On today’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg welcomes author and pastor Levi Lusko for an honest—and often humorous—conversation about grief, calling, leadership, and the surprising ways faith can sustain us through the worst life has to offer. Together, Pastor Greg and Levi trace their family’s intertwined journeys through ministry, loss, and redemption. From the nostalgia of swapping cassette tapes and youth ministry war stories to the raw pain of losing a child or parent, the two open up about suffering, resilience, and the pursuit of God’s purpose in real life. This conversation is both a balm for broken hearts and an encouragement for leaders, parents, or anyone wondering how to move forward when life gets overwhelming. Find Levi’s book on loss, Through the Eyes of a Lion, here: https://levilusko.com/through-the-eyes-of-a-lion. Check out Blessed are the Spiraling here: https://www.blessedarethespiraling.com/. -------- Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit: https://harvest.org/. Find Pastor Greg on social media: https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/ https://x.com/greglaurie https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie