Christian -

Why Evangelicals Are Losing Credibility with the Next Generation

From Gen Z’s exodus from church pews to viral TikToks calling out hypocrisy, one thing is clear: younger Americans are increasingly skeptical of evangelical Christianity. Former preacher Rick Patterson believes it’s not a loss of faith. It’s a loss of trust.

In his thought-provoking new book The Matthew Challenge, Rick says that many churches have aligned themselves with power and culture wars instead of compassion and character. As a former ardent atheist who now holds master’s and doctoral degrees in Christian MInistry, Rick has a rare insider-outsider perspective on how the pursuit of being “great again” has distorted the message of Jesus as well as why the next generation isn’t buying it.

Rick blends theology, psychology, and real-world stories to help audiences understand why this credibility gap exists and what must change to close it.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

What do younger generations find most hypocritical about today’s evangelical church?
Can politics and faith ever mix without compromising the core of either?

CONTACT: Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; rpatterson@rtirguests.com

What One Priest Has Learned from Folks Who Have Died

When people die suddenly, families are left with questions no one knows how to answer. For more than 25 years, Dominican priest Father Nathan Castle, O.P., has listened to stories from people who have died and come to him in dreams after accidents, violence, and suicide. On your show, he shares what these encounters reveal about shock after death, unfinished emotions, and why not everyone who dies suddenly gets “stuck.”

With interest in near-death experiences and grief healing rising, Father Nathan offers counterintuitive insights that challenge fear-based views of the afterlife and highlight connection, compassion, and continuity. Producers get a compelling conversation that blends spirituality, psychology, and real-life stories without preaching.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

Do people who die suddenly know they’ve died?
Can helping someone who’s died actually help the living heal?

He is the author of Afterlife, Interrupted (Books 1-3) and host of The Joyful Friar podcast.

CONTACT: Father Nathan Castle at (480) 680-9985; ncastle@rtirguests.com

Could the Core Truths of 3 Faiths Unite Us?

What if the world’s three major monotheistic religions were never meant to be divided? In “One Lord: Uniting Jews, Christians, and Muslims,” researcher John Hageman reveals how the true message of God/Allah—hidden within centuries of religious dogma and conflicting scriptures—can bring us together instead of tearing us apart. With a scientific mind and a spiritual heart, Hageman explores the scriptures of all three faiths, exposing the lies woven into all our holy scriptures—and the Lord’s divine truths that still shine through. Invite Hageman on your show and hear how faith, logic, and wisdom can show the obvious path to unity by simply loving the Lord, loving our neighbors, doing good, and resisting evil. ContactJohn Hageman at (210) 806-7961; jhageman@rtirguests.com

Where Was Jesus Before He Was Born? The Bible’s Best Kept Secret

Did you know Jesus was active long before His birth in Bethlehem? In the new book, “Before I Was Jesus,” Gerald Robison reveals the surprising truth about Jesus’ role throughout the Bible—before the manger and the cross. Gerald explores 25 hidden identities of Jesus found in the Old Testament, showing how He was active in God’s plan long before He was born. This show challenges the common assumption that Jesus’ work began at His birth. Gerald explains how Jesus was involved in Creation and His ongoing presence in history, offering your audience a fresh perspective they’ve likely never considered. Ask him: Most people think Jesus’ work started at birth, but how does scripture reveal His role even before Bethlehem? What was Jesus’ role in Creation? How can that be reconciled with God’s role in the same event? Contact Gerald at Grobison@rtirguests.com; (904) 867-2449

This Pastor Died—Twice—And Came Back With a Message

When Pastor Nancy Frecka slipped into death—twice—she never imagined what awaited her. Floating above her lifeless body, she watched nurses scramble, unable to find a pulse. Then came the divine encounter with Jesus Himself. Pages of her past flipped like a book until stopping at the moment that shaped her soul—a childhood tragedy involving her brother, a shotgun, and a haunted house. But death wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of a mission. Nancy returned from the other side with a powerful message. “The message of unforgiveness is key to having a life full of peace, love and joy,” she says. Nancy is a speaker, pastor, and the author of “God Says, “You Can Trust Me:” Supernatural Encounters with God.” Contact Nancy Frecka at (330) 422-6955; nfrecka@rtirguests.com

Can Forgiveness Really Stop Pain and Restore Peace Overnight?

Beatty Carmichael, author of “The Prayer of Freedom,” reveals how unforgiveness is often the hidden root behind relationship conflicts, chronic pain, migraines, and emotional challenges. Working with recovering addicts who experienced extreme abuse, Beatty developed a simple process to help: 3 steps to forgive anyone for anything— even those who are unforgivable.Beatty has helped hundreds of people find relief from pain, restore relationships, and experience peace. Many see changes immediately—pain disappearing, stress releasing, and calm replacing years of frustration. Ask him: What are some of the hidden costs of unforgiveness that most people don’t realize? How does forgiveness lead to physical healing? Contact Beatty Carmichael at (205) 635-4824; Bcarmichael@rtirguests.com

Could an American Pope Reignite Faith in U.S. Catholics?

With Pope Leo now the first American pontiff, many are asking: Will this historic shift help reconnect disillusioned U.S. Catholics with their faith? Father Nathan Castle, O.P.—Dominican priest, author of “Afterlife, Interrupted,” and spiritual advisor to thousands—believes this moment could spark real spiritual renewal. Drawing from decades of ministry and healing work, Father Castle speaks to the emotional and cultural rift that’s grown between American Catholics and institutional religion. His deep understanding of how faith, trauma and purpose intersect makes him a powerful guest to unpack what Pope Leo’s leadership could mean for the soul of the nation. Book him to explore the promise of a more relatable Vatican, how spirituality is evolving in modern life and what this new papacy could do to restore hope in the pews. Contact Father Nathan Castle, O.P., at (480) 680-9985; ncastle@rtirguests.com

This Woke Redneck Talks Race, Power and Real Leadership

He’s white. He’s a former evangelical preacher. He raises bulls for fun. And he’s “woke”—but not in the way you think. Rick Patterson is a former evangelical pastor turned corporate exec and father of four adopted Black children. Through that wild mix of identities, he’s learned what it really means to talk about race, masculinity, power and faith without blowing things up. In his interviews, Rick unpacks: How to lead with humility, how masculinity gets warped by shame and why the “culture wars” are failing us. With humor, honesty and a voice both sides can actually listen to, Rick shows how we can bridge divides and build something better. The author of “Shame Unmasked and The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth,” Rick is not here to play it safe—he’s here to get real. Contact Rick Patterson at (517) 300-2706; Rpatterson@rtirguests.com

Ask This Catholic Priest: Can Souls Get Stuck on Earth?

Can a soul get stuck here on earth after the body dies? Father Nathan Castle has helped 500 “stuck” — and not-so-stuck souls who died suddenly and traumatically adjust to the afterlife. Victims of fires, automobile accidents, shootings, stabbings, drownings – and suicides – come to him in his dreams seeking help to resolve their Interrupted Death Experiences.™ Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his prayer partners to do. Father Nathan is quick to point out that not everyone who dies suddenly gets stuck. Ask him: Is death survivable? What does he do to help people cross over? Does time exist in the afterlife? Do deceased relatives help us adjust to moving through our deaths? In his third book, “Afterlife Interrupted: Please Let Me Explain,” Father Nathan shares the stories of those whose afterlife experiences might help explain questions people have about what happens after we survive our deaths. Father Nathan Castle is celebrating his 40th Ordination Anniversary this year as a Dominican Priest. He hosts the podcast The Joyful Friar. Contact Father Castle at (480) 680-9985; ncastle@rtirguests.com

Why Top Students Know the Bible — Even If They Aren’t Religious

Top students often excel due to their understanding of cultural references, and Texas teacher Tamara Berkman says a surprising factor behind their success is knowledge of the Bible. Even non-religious students benefit from recognizing biblical themes, allusions, and historical context, which enhances their performance in literature, history, and critical thinking, according to Berkman. She created the “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP” curriculum to help students quickly grasp the Bible’s storyline in just 20 short lessons to improve their understanding of literature, identify cultural references, and sharpen critical thinking skills— key elements for academic success. Ask her: How does knowing the Bible enhance students’ critical thinking and academic performance? What makes “Learn the Whole Bible ASAP” unique compared to other Bible curricula? Why do you think it’s important for all students to have a basic understanding of the Bible? Contact Tamara Berkman at (830) 613-9431; tberkman@rtirguests.com