Episode 1297: Aodhan King & Benjamin William Hastings Made a Worship Album in 10 Days, Plus Lecrae and M.I.A.

In episode 1297 of The RELEVANT Podcast, host Cameron Strang and co-hosts Jessica, Ellie Brown, and Emily Brown dive into a lively mix of pop culture, faith, and humor. The episode opens with banter about niche hobbies like competitive chess and bowling, leading into a discussion of mockumentary-style TV shows like *Jury Duty* and *Any Given Saturday Afternoon*, with reflections on authenticity and moral stakes. The hosts then shift to sports, sharing personal anecdotes from a Magic vs. Pistons game, including a humorous exchange about Derek’s Pistons jersey and a gift of vintage Magic shorts sent to him. The music segment highlights Lecrae’s historic Tiny Desk debut as the first Christian rapper to perform a full set, sparking a satirical debate about NPR’s past exclusion of Christian artists. M.I.A.’s upcoming Christian album, MI7, is also discussed, with a mix of curiosity and caution due to her past spiritual journey and controversial merchandise. The episode’s centerpiece is a deep dive into the new worship album by Benjamin William Hastings and Aodhan King, recorded in just 10 days with no pre-planned songs—emphasizing faith, urgency, and creative surrender. The hosts playfully explore the album’s spiritual intensity, referencing the Ark of the Covenant’s biblical power to melt faces, blending humor with reverence. Later, the show features 'Slices' on NASA’s Artemis mission, where an Outlook crash becomes the punchline, and a chimp civil war in Uganda, presented with tongue-in-cheek commentary. The episode concludes with the popular 'One Has To Go' segment, where the team debates the elimination of cultural touchstones from Christian music, reality TV, and biblical figures, ending with a lighthearted, faith-infused tone.