With Jess recovered from jet lag and Jacob recovered from a post-exam Otley Run, the two JBs are back for one final episode of Season 1 to do an End of Season Review. We briefly review the last game of the season against Exeter Chiefs before announcing our coveted, no-expense-spared, highly prized LTW Fancast End of Season Awards. We then debate on…

Are you committed to Christ but searching for guidance? In this new reflection, Jonathan Youssef explores the gripping Biblical story of Jacob—a tale of struggle, transformation, and divine engagement. Jonathan connects his own experiences with Jacob’s journey, offering insights into the challenges of perseverance, the power of repentance, and the …

In this fast-paced world, managing our emotions and understanding those of others is more crucial than ever. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is about recognizing and managing your emotions effectively to reduce stress, communicate, empathize, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. With high EQ, you can improve relationships, excel at work, and achie…

In the past few years, we have seen the rise of the public debate around gender and transgender. What makes a man a man and a woman a woman? Is this a new debate or an ancient one? Jonathan Youssef welcomes Claire and Rob Smith from Sydney, Australia to Candid Conversations. Rob Smith lectures in theology, ethics, and music ministry at Sydney Missi…

In this episode of Candid, Jonathan welcomes Tyler Van Halteren, a man with a deep-rooted commitment to enriching the lives of children and youth through the power of Christian faith and storytelling. Tyler, a Master's Divinity graduate from the Master's Seminary, has dedicated most of his life to sharing Christ's teachings and the Bible's wisdom t…

Have you ever considered the miraculous power of the Gospel message as it transcends borders, languages, and opposition? In this episode, we talk about the profound influence of Christian media in the Arab-speaking world through the compelling experiences of Farid Garas, the Senior Director of THE KINGDOM SAT satellite television and internet chann…

Jacob is once again joined by the wonderful Alex Bugg to process a sad 24 hours for the club, in which the team yet again failed to turn up at home followed by the news on Sunday morning that Vicky MacQueen will be departing the club at the end of the season. After giving a cathartic review of the game, and paying tribute to Vicky as well as recent…

Is there something more than this life? This world is full of crises, conflicts, difficulties, and troubles, but this world will not last. No matter your age, your earthly life is slowly slipping away. This is why Jesus encourages us not to store up treasures on this earth but to invest in heaven. In this 250th episode of Candid Conversations, Dr. …

With Jess dialling in with voice notes from New Zealand reacting to a sensational win by Canada over the Black Ferns and positives from Tigers' defeat to the Bears, Jacob is pulled out of his deadline slumber by being joined by the wonderful Alex Bugg to co-host. We go over some of the positives from the Bristol game, especially getting that try-sc…

With Jess ready to jet off to New Zealand and Jacob on the brink of final year uni deadlines, we still manage to cobble together a podcast episode that gives the illusion of preparation. We go over the Quins game and talk about negatives but also the big positive of Celia Quansah’s long awaited debut for the club. In the news, we welcome the news a…

In this profound episode, Jonathan is joined by esteemed theologian and author Michael Horton to discuss his latest book, "Recovering Our Sanity: How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears that Divide Us." In a world teetering on the brink of chaos—from unsettling politics to the lingering effects of the global pandemic—Horton's book offers not a typic…

France v England Review and Quins (a) Preview After a two week break that seems like forever, Jess and Jacob are back to herald the return of the PWR which is back after the Six Nations break. We announce the winner of the Fantasy League, chat about Pac4 and our North American Tigers contingent, and also pause to reflect on negative experiences and…

You’re sitting across from your teenager at the kitchen table. Now that you finally have their undivided attention, you want to talk about an important issue they are facing. Unfortunately, things get tense quickly. Their eyes roll, you get frustrated, and soon they are looking for an escape from this conversation. You sit dumbfounded thinking, "Ho…

Do you find it difficult to change? Do certain habits, behavioral patterns, and sins tempt you daily, leaving you longing to resist but feeling powerless? What does it mean to be sanctified truly? Can people change? In this reflection, Jonathan Youssef reveals the hope that is found in sanctification and rejoices in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ…

The release of Taylor’s new album is feeling very apt right now, as despite the performances of our Six Nations gals and Leicester City having a superb weekend, we struggle to find the positives in a tough weekend for Leicester Tigers. However, positives we will find! So listen in for the usual mix of catharsis, hope and a rant at our season being …

Sit down with Jonathan Youssef for a compelling conversation with Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett, authors of The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is. Why It's Destructive. How to Respond. This discussion examines the pervasive and unsettling movement of faith deconstruction sweeping churches today. Whether it's affecting your loved ones, str…

Leicester Tigers Women were back in action finally the weekend just gone after six weeks with a 19-33 loss to Quins at home, Jacob is joined by superfan and listener Max Kirby to chat about the game. We then go back to the Six Nations, pay reverence to Meg Jones kick pass and get worried about England’s discipline, as well as chat about the Lions i…

In this new reflection, Jonathan shares the Biblical principles of teamwork and selflessness that should be found within the church community. Continuing from last week's reflection, "Are you walking in truth?", Jonathan recounts the story of Bill Romanowski, an incredibly talented former NFL player known for his less-than-ideal teamwork. His story…

Feeling fresh as a daisy* after celebrating his 21st birthday Jacob joins Jess for Episode No. 18. With a brief overlook at the limited women’s rugby that took place at the weekend, we take this episode as an opportunity to have a frank, honest and nuanced debate about some of the big news stories in rugby at the moment, celebrating the Return of t…

Join Jonathan Youssef to navigate the complexities of truth and love. In this episode of Candid, Jonathan will examine the challenges of understanding these concepts, including whether absolute truth exists and the multifaceted nature of love. The conversation touches on the Christian perspective of being salt and light to a dying world that lacks …

Returning from the other side filling in for Elliott on the Rolling Maul, Jess manages to talk even more about scrums with Jacob as we delve into Round 2 of the Women’s Six Nations (basically gloating about Meg Jones and Elis Martin, so standard LTW Fancast format at this point) and the USA’s victory in a friendly over South Africa. With not much w…

How do you forgive when you feel deeply wronged and wounded? Is it important to ask for forgiveness when we have wronged someone else? On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan Youssef unpacks the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 and reveals how giving and receiving forgiveness are intertwined. After you listen to this episode, you may …

Jess and Jacob are back to gloat about the performances of Tigers internationals (unfortunately no Mike Cooper impression of Tiger Watch was made) in the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations before having a look at the stakes of the Fantasy League. We then start the build-up to Tigers return to action on the 13th April at home against Quins i…

Good Friday invites us to witness Christ's profound love and sacrifice, urging us to ponder our role in this redemptive narrative. It calls us to seize the hope and transformation found only in Jesus’s death and Resurrection, motivating us to live lives that reflect Christ's calling. Join Jonathan Youssef for a thoughtful reflection on the events o…

After a couple of weeks’ hiatus, Jess and Jacob are finally back to discuss the Saracens away game as part of the SuperPWR weekend, in which we give our two pennies worth on the Poppy Cleall ban. With the domestic season on a break, our attention turns to the Six Nations, where we poorly defend our English focus despite having our Scottish Tigers c…

Is your prayer life effective? Like many, you may ask, "What is an effective prayer life?" Join Jonathan Youssef to explore the question of what makes prayer effective. With insights from James 5:16 and the prophet Daniel's prayer life, listeners are guided through the foundational aspects of a prayer that resonates with God, including righteousnes…

In this enlightening episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef welcomes Phylicia Masonheimer, an influential writer, speaker, and the founder of Every Woman a Theologian. With a Bachelor of Science in Religion and author of pivotal books such as Every Woman a Theologian: Know What You Believe, Live It Confidently, Communicate It Graciously,…

Join Jonathan to discover the roots and the dangers of the prosperity gospel. In this insightful reflection, Jonathan highlights the danger of the prosperity gospel and its power to distort faith into a tool for material gain, urging listeners to prioritize their devotion to Jesus Christ over wealth. He emphasizes the importance of choosing eternal…

After a long weekend of a LOT of rugby to get over Friday night’s disappointment of a tough and (surprising) defeat at home to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Jess and Jacob are here to offer listeners some catharsis, as well as digressions on the lore of Jacob’s lucky socks, and have a good natter as to what the club can be doing to improve promoting…

Jordan Taylor was entrenched in the New Age for more than ten years. She practiced witchcraft, performed spells, was a tarot card reader, and enrolled in classes to sharpen her psychic abilities. She was a certified Reiki master and yoga teacher. She used crystals as a means of healing, protecting, and manifesting. She worshiped nature and worked w…

Giddiness and excitability are almost at an all-time high as we are joined by club’s mega superstar Magic Meg Jones for a quick chat on the amazing growth this team has undergone this season. We chat about the season ticket news for the 24/25 season and quickly cheer ourselves back up with the news that 5 Tigers players have been called up to Scotl…

With the average day filled with endless smartphone scrolling and binge-watching, how often do we pause to reflect on the deeper longing behind our screen time? Join Jonathan to explore the complex relationship between modern entertainment and our spiritual well-being. Jonathan shares the balance between enjoying life's pleasures and not letting th…

How sweet does revenge taste? As sweet as Pancake Day, or as sweet as Valentine’s Day chocolates? Nahhhhh as sweet as the Canadian maple syrup that Claire Gallagher had in her wheetabix! Jess and Jacob go over what pancake filling is best, and then more importantly, the massive Derby Day win away at Franklins Gardens, talking about the ramification…

In this NEW episode of Candid Conversations, host Jonathan Youssef welcomes Dave Hubbard back to the program. Dave is a former NFL football player and pastor at The Church of The Apostles. In this encouraging episode, he shares his rich experiences and insights on serving both within the church and in the broader community. With a background that s…

It was not quite David and Glawsiath-Hartpury, but my word did we give the (albeit heavily rotated) defending champions a big scare and score some absolute beauties. Jess and Jacob are back on the airwaves as Jacob shows off his editing skills to get round man-flu and wifi-connection issues to give the impression/illusion of coherence to go through…

Jonathan sits with internationally renowned author, apologist, evangelist, and former investigative journalist Lee Strobel. Known for his bestselling book, The Case for Christ, Strobel shares insights from his remarkable journey from skepticism to faith. The discussion then turns to his latest book, Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of L…

With no game to review, all eyes are on Saturday as Leicester Tigers Women host the defending champions and league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury. Before that, Jess and Jacob delve into the circumstances surrounding Forward Coach Luke Stratford’s 7 week matchday suspension and the impact that will have on the team in this period, before a look at the …

The question that weighs heavily on so many hearts and minds is, "How do I pray for and reach my unsaved loved ones for Christ?" On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan Youssef unpacks this question and provides Biblical insight into why we pray, the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, and the blessing we have in bearin…

The First Win: A PROP-er performance with Leah Bartlett, Sale Sharks Women (A) Review! The word giddy is used far too many times as Jess and Jacob excitedly ramble on about Tigers first-ever victory in the top flight of domestic Women’s rugby away at Chester RFC against Sale Sharks. We over-celebrate so the girls don’t have to and can keep calm hea…

Explore the transformative power of God’s Word in this new Candid Conversations episode. Learn how it acts as a guardian, strengthens character, sustains through life's pressures, and heals the spirit. Join Jonathan as he reflects on the cleansing, covering, and correction offered through God's Word as outlined in Psalm 119. Listen now, discover pr…

In a tough weekend for Leicester folk with the M69 Derby loss against Cov for Leicester City and a tough loss against La Rochelle for the men, Jess and Jacob are back to digest a nasty-looking defeat for the girls from the weekend against Bristol Bears women. After digressions of Jacob’s antics as part of the Hinckley Gentlemen on Tour in La Rochel…

As we walk closely with Christ, there will be times when we must choose between the calling God has put on our lives and something else like a relationship, friendship, family, or career choices. Can you imagine being at the top of an illustrious career when God asks you to leave it for vocational ministry? When most people revel in success and sta…

The two JBs are back after meeting for the first time in person at the double header at the weekend, which we go over in detail on the positives and where Tigers Women just agonisingly fell short. Jacob is then joined for a quick catch-up with Mike Cooper, co-host of our elder sister podcast the Rolling Maul, to chat about Star Wars and more import…

Have you ever wondered what God's call is for your life? Do you think about what He created you to do? Do you wrestle and ask if you are in the center of His will? These are questions we all wrestle with periodically. If you are in that place now or know someone who is, today's podcast is for you. Jonathan welcomes Clay Kirkland back to Candid Conv…

After a Christmas and New Year’s break, Jess and Jacob are back! Restocked with new Tigers tops thanks to Father Christmas and plenty of Pork pies (and with Jess recovering from a nasty bug), we finally review the home game defeat to league leaders Sarries in which we pay reverence to that superb team try scored by Fran McGhie that had Sarries push…

In this new reflection on renewal, Jonathan Youssef delves into the power of the new year as a time to reflect on our faith with a powerful message from Hebrews 13:5-6. First, he reminds us of God's unchanging promise never to leave us and explains how understanding this truth will allow us to live without fear, embracing contentment and courage in…

The Christmas season is ending, but before it's over, we wanted to share some special Christmas Caroling with Mac Powell and Jonathan Youssef. Mac Powell is the worship leader at The Church of The Apostles. He is also a Grammy award-winning recording artist. In this Christmas episode, Mac and Jonathan have a lot of fun talking about their favorite …

The Christmas season often captivates us with its superficial wonders—exchanging presents, festive gatherings, and decorating our spaces. In this new Christmas reflection, Jonathan warns that these things can sometimes overshadow the reason for the Advent season, preventing us from focusing on the profound meaning of Christmas—Emmanuel, God with us…

Jess and Jacob are back with another episode, as we process the double shock of a tough defeat away to fellow league newcomers Ealing as well as the news that scrum coach Rocky Clark has left the club by mutual consent, so that means only one thing, nerding about SCRUMS. Afterwards, they delve deep into the player pathways now set up at the club as…

Could you be missing a miracle of God? Are you too busy for God's intrusion into your life? God took on flesh in Bethlehem on a night when the streets were bustling with congestion created by a mandatory census. People were busy, but the Messiah quietly came into the world. Some stopped what they were doing and followed God's prompting, but so many…