Newsmakers - podcast cover

Newsmakers

CBN News
Welcome to "The Newsmakers Podcast," a show where we go behind the headlines each day to bring you interviews with pastors, entertainers, politicians, and other notable figures. Based on the "Newsmakers" show on the CBN News Channel, this daily podcast featuring CBN's Billy Hallowell provides full interviews with one newsworthy person every weekday.

Episodes

Ray Comfort's Encounter With Demon-Possessed Woman: 'In the Middle of a Horror Movie'

"The demons in her screamed like you wouldn't believe." That's how evangelist Ray Comfort described a shocking encounter he once had in Christchurch, New Zealand, with a young woman who he believes was fighting the demonic. "I'm right in the middle of a horror movie that I couldn't believe was happening," he said of the experience. Comfort told CBN Digital the entire ordeal surrounded a young woman named Jane who was experiencing blackouts and other spiritual issues. The evangelist said she came...

Jan 25, 202428 min

Satanic Kids Club Flub? Christian Leader Claims Surprising Response to After School Satan Clubs

For parents and students looking to help children navigate the onslaught of secularism in education, after-school Bible clubs have in recent decades been a positive and effective tool. Yet newfound debates have unfolded in recent years as Satanists have begun to target these gathers by launching clubs of their own, a dynamic Moises Esteves, executive director of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), the Christian organization that runs Good News Club gatherings, knows all too well. Esteves recently...

Jan 24, 202419 min

He's Studied 1,000+ Near-Death Experiences and Says This Is Why He Believes They Prove the Bible

John Burke, a pastor and author who has studied and examined over 1,000 accounts of near-death experiences, believes these reports provide faith-building evidence of God and the Bible. Burke, author of the new book "Imagine the God of Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Revelation, and the Love You’ve Always Wanted," told CBN News why he believes these experiences corroborate Scripture and detailed what a near-death experience entails. "It's when someone clinically dies ... their heart stops, ...

Jan 23, 202420 min

Proof God, Prayer Could Transform Public Schools: Atheists' Antics Could Inadvertently Fuel Gospel

A Christian leader on a mission to bring the Bible and truth to public school kids said atheist activists' recent attacks on his organization have helped spread the word about his efforts. Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy, told CBN News his organization offers something truly compelling to American youths. "LifeWise Academy provides Bible education to public school students during school hours, which to most people sounds crazy, because of the whole separation of church and state...

Jan 22, 202411 min

Country Star Granger Smith Leaves Music For Jesus: 'I'm Just So Excited'

Country singer Granger Smith stunned fans when he announced he would be retiring from music to pursue ministry, with the musician telling CBN Digital how he plans to serve the Lord. "I'm just so excited about it," he said. "I have so much joy just even thinking about it." Smith said he's already begun speaking before audiences about his Christian faith. While he once traversed the nation and world sharing his music, he now plans to travel with a very different message. "I'm used to air travel, I...

Jan 19, 202418 min

Worst Countries For Christian Persecution: Inside the Shocking Rise in Extremism, Attacks

North Korea remains the worst nation in the world for Christian persecution, with the situation in Nigeria continuing to devolve, according to a new report on global religious discrimination. Overall, Open Doors’ World Watch List 2024 found 4,998 Christians were killed over their faith, a figure the organization said is likely much higher due to underreporting. Meanwhile, 365 million Christians face intense persecution and discrimination for their views. One of the most alarming statistics in th...

Jan 17, 202415 min

As Deadly Global Christian Persecution Rages, New Effort Seeks to ‘Awaken the Church’

As global persecution rages, a watchdog is launching a first-of-its-kind, open-sourced database allowing people to track incidents of violent religious persecution across the globe. Global Christian Relief and the International Institute For Religious Freedom have teamed up to create the Violent Incidents Database (VID), which is being dubbed the "first and only events-based global religious freedom dataset." David Curry, CEO of Global Christian Relief, told CBN News the database will help give ...

Jan 16, 202416 min

Christian Politician on Trial For Her Biblical Views Delivers Bold Response as Prosecutor Takes Battle to Finnish Supreme Court: 'I'm Not Afraid'

Dr. Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish politician who was victorious in court this past November after facing a years-long legal battle for sharing her biblical views on sexuality, is back in the prosecution's crosshairs. Räsänen's attorneys with ADF International released a statement Friday revealing the Finnish state prosecutor is appealing the case to Finland's Supreme Court, potentially forcing Räsänen to once again defend her religious freedom rights. But the member of parliament and former interio...

Jan 15, 202412 min

Christian Video Game Company Aims to Transform Yet Another Entertainment Complex

A new faith and family-friendly video came company is looking to transform the entertainment landscape. Hollywood is already making Christian content, but now TruPlay is joining in to create faith-inspiring games — and more. CEO and founder Brent Dusing joins "Newsmakers." -- Welcome to "The Newsmakers Podcast," a show where we go behind the headlines each day to bring you interviews with pastors, entertainers, politicians, and other notable figures. Based on the "Newsmakers" show on the CBN New...

Jan 12, 202413 min

Holocaust Survivor Decries Hamas' 'Cruelty' Against Isreal, Reveals How Hitler's Terror Upended Entire Life

Eighty years after diabolical German leader Adolf Hitler went on a reign of terror, killing millions of Jewish men, women, and children, the stories of pain, horror, loss, and tragedy continue to reverberate. Victims like Jochen "Jack" Wurfl continue educate today's generations about what unfolded, with his new book, "My Two Lives" releasing just weeks before Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel. Wurfl opened up in an interview with CBN News about the traumatic events he experienced duri...

Jan 11, 202428 min

'Slow-Motion Jihad': Biden Admin Under Fire Amid Deadly Horror Targeting Christians in Nigeria

Persecution watchdog is delivering a pointed message to the Biden administration after the U.S. State Department again declined to list Nigeria on its Countries of Particular Concern list, with the expert warning that there's a "slow-motion genocide" unfolding against Christians inside the African nation. Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), told CBN Digital there have been an estimated 100,000 deaths over the past two decades, with 3.5 million Christian farmers being u...

Jan 10, 202410 min

Pastor Criminally Charged Amid Attempts to Help Homeless Refuses to Back Down

A Christian pastor is reportedly facing criminal charges for violating zoning laws and housing the homeless. Pastor Chris Avell of Dad's Place, a church in Bryan, Ohio, and First Liberty attorney Ryan Gardner join the "Newsmakers Podcast" to discuss the shocking case. "[Avell's] facing 18 criminal charges for violating the city’s zoning laws," a First Liberty news release reads. "The city is going after him because earlier this year Pastor Chris opened the church 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. H...

Jan 09, 202420 min

Actor and Comedian Rob Schneider Reveals Why He's Embracing Faith, Finding Forgiveness, and Speaking Out

Actor and Comedian Rob Schneider recently offered a powerful -- and public -- message of forgiveness. He explains why he's now embracing faith, God, and forgiveness. Plus: hear about some of his new projects on this episode of the "Newsmakers Podcast" with Billy Hallowell. -- Welcome to "The Newsmakers Podcast," a show where we go behind the headlines each day to bring you interviews with pastors, entertainers, politicians, and other notable figures. Based on the "Newsmakers" show on the CBN New...

Jan 08, 202419 min

‘I…Believe in the Power of Prayer’: Actress Roma Downey on God, Tragedy, and Trust

Actress and producer Roma Downey has built a long career in Hollywood, creating TV and film content that inspires and entertains. The “Touched By An Angel” star has also carried her uplifting, family-friendly messages into literary works, including a new children’s book, “A Message in the Moon.” Downey said her touching new book is deeply personal, with the concept predicated upon her childhood. “This story for this book has sat in my heart for a really long time,” she recently told CBN Digital....

Jan 05, 202418 min

Christian Professor Reportedly Fired For Defending Biblical Truth Speaks Out: ‘This Is a Gospel Issue’

A theology lecturer in the U.K. who was reportedly fired from his job at a Christian college over a tweet about biblical sexuality is suing to raise awareness and to stop similar instances from unfolding. Dr. Aaron Edwards was terminated from Cliff College in Derbyshire, England, in March after he sent a tweet defending traditional marriage, something he said was sparked by what he sees as a retreating church plagued by pastors and leaders unwilling to preach on homosexuality and other related i...

Jan 04, 202421 min

'There...Is Revival': Evangelist Nick Hall Has 'Never Seen Anything Like' Spiritual Reformation Sweeping America

Evangelist Nick Hall has spoken to thousands around the U.S., bringing the powerful world of the Gospel to young and old Americans, alike. Hall, founder of Pulse, a global evangelistic organization, is embarking on a multi-year effort to bring biblical truth to every corner of North Dakota. He recently spoke with CBN Digital about some of the powerful moments of spiritual revival observed throughout 2024. From the Asbury outpouring to historic mass baptisms, many preachers have felt a spiritual ...

Jan 03, 202418 min

Wife of Man Shot in the Head While Street Preaching Reveals 'Miracles' in His Recovery

The wife of an Arizona man who was shot in the head last month while street preaching in Glendale, Arizona, said she and her family have witnessed a "miracle" every day after doctors initially assumed her husband wouldn't survive the ordeal. Zulya Schmidt, wife of 26-year-old Hans Schmidt, told CBN Digital her husband continues to make stunning progress despite facing a litany of medical uncertainties. "We're hopeful, and we're praying, and we're contending for a supernatural recovery," Zulya Sc...

Jan 02, 202410 min

Actress Candace Cameron Bure Delivers Powerful Response to Hollywood Stars Increasingly Finding Christ: 'So Exciting!'

Actress Candace Cameron Bure, star of Great American Family's "My Christmas Hero," has had a long career in Hollywood. The popular performer joins the "Newsmakers Podcast" to break down her latest projects — and her reaction to so many Hollywood actors finding Jesus. Listen to this powerful episode of the show. __ "The Newsmakers Podcast" is a daily podcast based on "Newsmakers," a weekly TV show hosted by Billy Hallowell on The CBN News Channel and the CBN News YouTube Channel. You can watch "N...

Dec 19, 202313 min

'The Holy Spirit Came to Me': Hollywood Star Danica McKellar Embraces Christianity, Finds 'Amazing Freedom'

Actress Danica McKellar has spent decades in the public eye after breaking into the Hollywood scene playing Winnie Cooper in the hit 1988 show "The Wonder Years." McKellar has since enjoyed a successful career as a performer and book author, taking her acting chops most recently to Great American Family. The actress, who stars in the new film "A Royal Date for Christmas," has also been on an authentic and public faith journey over the past year in a half after finding Jesus and embracing Christi...

Dec 18, 202316 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast