Beneath the Headlines
Mike Woodruff
Our culture seems more interested in the last two minutes than the last two thousand years. This is unfortunate. It’s also avoidable. Join Mike Woodruff each month as he speaks with authors and thought leaders to understand the ideas shaping our world. Beneath the Headlines is hosted by Lakelight Institute. Mike Woodruff is the senior pastor at Christ Church with campuses in the north suburbs of Chicago. Learn more at https://www.christchurchil.org
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Top 10 Beneath the Headlines Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Beneath the Headlines episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Beneath the Headlines for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Beneath the Headlines episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Power of the 12 Steps for Spiritual Growth | John Ortberg on Beneath the Headlines
Beneath the Headlines
04/22/25 • 65 min
In this thought-provoking episode of Beneath the Headlines, host Mike Woodruff sits down with pastor, speaker, and bestselling author John Ortberg to discuss his latest book, Steps: How the 12 Steps Can Help Anyone Grow Spiritually. With over 40 years in ministry and a deep focus on spiritual formation, John shares profound insights on how the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous can be transformative for everyone—whether struggling with addiction or simply seeking deeper spiritual growth.
🔹 Key Points Discussed:
- The 12 Steps as a Spiritual Pathway – How these steps, rooted in Christian discipleship, offer a framework for surrender, humility, and transformation.
- Addiction vs. Sin – Is addiction a disease, a moral failing, or something deeper? John explores the intersection of psychology, theology, and human struggle.
- The Role of Willpower & Surrender – Why willpower alone fails and how surrendering to God’s will brings true freedom.
- Habits & Spiritual Formation – Practical ways to reshape daily habits to align with God’s vision for our lives.
- Confession & Community – The power of vulnerability and accountability in spiritual growth.
- Scripture & Renewing the Mind – How memorizing and meditating on Scripture reshapes our consciousness.
- Gratitude in Suffering – John reflects on finding God’s presence in life’s deepest challenges.
📖 About John Ortberg:
John is the founder of Become New, a ministry focused on daily spiritual growth (becomingnew.com). A longtime student of Dallas Willard’s teachings, he blends psychological insight with deep theological wisdom.
💡 Who Is This For?
If you’ve ever felt stuck in repetitive struggles, wondered how to move from head knowledge to heart change, or questioned why traditional discipleship often feels shallow—this conversation is for you.
🎧 Listen to the full episode and let us know: Which of the 12 Steps resonates most with you? Drop a comment below!
#SpiritualGrowth #12Steps #Faith #Discipleship #JohnOrtberg #ChristianLiving #Podcast
Episode 2: The Destruction of Jerusalem
Beneath the Headlines
08/08/20 • 9 min
Today we consider the fall of Jerusalem, which happened in 70AD. It’s an event of great importance to both Jews and Christians.
A Discussion on Saint Patrirck with Dr. Miriam Kelly, professor of Irish History
Beneath the Headlines
03/17/22 • 48 min
Hermeneutics: The Science of Interpretation - An Interview with Dr. Jeannine Brown
Beneath the Headlines
10/25/22 • 59 min
The Formation of the Canon - An Interview with Dr. Dana Harris
Beneath the Headlines
10/11/22 • 42 min
The Dawning of Redemption – A Press On interview with Dr. Ian Vaillancourt
Beneath the Headlines
09/01/23 • 61 min
In today’s podcast, Mike talks with Ian Vaillancourt, a professor in Ontario and an award winning author about his most recent book, The Dawning of Redemption, which provides an accessible overview of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). Dr. Vaillancourt is particularly focused on the way the Bible is an unified work and the big themes are introduced early.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Beneath the Headlines have?
Beneath the Headlines currently has 129 episodes available.
What topics does Beneath the Headlines cover?
The podcast is about Catholic, Christianity, Faith, History, Priest, Religion & Spirituality, Podcasts, Missions, Pastor, Church and Christian.
What is the most popular episode on Beneath the Headlines?
The episode title 'Faith and Politics – An Interview with Dr. Vince Bacote' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Beneath the Headlines?
The average episode length on Beneath the Headlines is 44 minutes.
How often are episodes of Beneath the Headlines released?
Episodes of Beneath the Headlines are typically released every 7 days, 1 hour.
When was the first episode of Beneath the Headlines?
The first episode of Beneath the Headlines was released on Aug 1, 2020.
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