G. Tyler Burns and Dr. Jemar Tisby unpack the fast-growing #TargetFast/#BoycottTarget campaign sparked by the retailer’s rollback of its $2 billion pledge to Black entrepreneurs and other DEI commitments. They trace how Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant’s 40-day “Target Fast” evolved into a nationwide boycott and explore why economic withdrawals work only when they’re paired with proactive redirecting of cash toward Black-owned businesses. Along the way, they share practical ways listeners can swap e...
Jun 23, 2025•32 min
In a deeply symbolic Sunday announcement, Bishop T.D. Jakes—globally recognized faith leader, cultural influencer and founder of The Potter’s House—unveiled his plans to appoint Pastors Sarah Jakes Roberts and Touré Roberts as senior pastors of the Dallas-based megachurch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 09, 2025•39 min
It's time. We need to move different. We started the Pass The Mic podcast late in 2013, now, more than a decade later, the podcast as you’ve known it is coming to a close. This is not so much an ending, but an evolution. We still have several more episodes airing every other week, and after the final episode, Tyler will continue on with the podcast under a new name and with a new exciting focus and Jemar will make occasional appearances. This episode is the announcement but not the ending. We’re...
May 26, 2025•48 min
"Stop Blaming White Cops?" Dr. Jemar Tisby & Pastor G. Tyler Respond to Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Pass The Mic, hosts Dr. Jemar Tisby and G. Tyler Burns respond to controversial remarks made by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell in a recent sermon, where he stated: “Stop blaming white cops for the killing of Black children.” Jemar and G. Tyler unpack the implications of this statement, examining it through the lens of Black Christian ethics,...
May 19, 2025•41 min
Some Christian influencers have called Ryan Coogler's Sinners 'Anti-Christian Propaganda' but is it? This week on Pass The Mic Dr Jemar Tisby and Pastor Tyler Burns give a full review of Sinners. This is a review filled with heavy SPOILERS so please do not watch unless you are ready to be spoiled. Sinners is a 2025 American horror film written, co-produced, and directed by Ryan Coogler. Set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers who retu...
May 12, 2025•31 min
Some Christian influencers have called Ryan Coogler's Sinners 'Anti-Christian Propaganda' but is it? This week on Pass The Mic Dr Jemar Tisby and Pastor Tyler Burns give a full review of Sinners. This is a review filled with heavy SPOILERS so please do not watch unless you are ready to be spoiled. Sinners is a 2025 American horror film written, co-produced, and directed by Ryan Coogler. Set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers who retu...
May 05, 2025•42 min
Look we talk about a lot of heavy topics on this podcast. This week we wanted to a break for some self-care but focusing on the three Gs: Gratitude, Gratefulness, and Giving Flowers. This one might be for us, but we hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 28, 2025•42 min
Absolution or Accountability? Navigating Racial Justice in Christian Spaces... yeah, it's a very Pass The Mic type of episode this week. In this thought-provoking episode of Pass The Mic, Dr. Jemar Tisby and Pastor G. Tyler Burns dive deep into the complicated dynamics of Black Christians being expected to offer absolution to white Christians in the face of racism. They explore how some Black Christian leaders have been pressured — or at times have chosen — to position themselves as brokers of r...
Apr 21, 2025•39 min
Are popular movements with explosive growth healthy in the life of a Believer? In this thought-provoking episode of Pass The Mic, Dr. Jemar Tisby and Pastor G. Tyler Burns take a deep dive into the rise of popular Christian movements, including the Young, Restless, and Reformed crowd, and examine the growing influence of celebrity pastors like Mike Todd. What does it mean when ministry becomes a platform and growth outpaces accountability? The hosts unpack the spiritual, cultural, and communal i...
Apr 14, 2025•47 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Jemar Tisby and Pastor G. Tyler Burns dive into the evolving landscape of "Digital Discipleship"—what works, what doesn’t, and what it all means for the Church in 2025. Does technology reshape how we connect and grow in faith? What is the strengths of online ministry & digital community-building? What are the pitfalls of virtual discipleship & where does it falls short? And is the local church still the center of spiritual formation? All of these qu...
Apr 07, 2025•46 min
In this episode of Pass The Mic, Dr. Jemar Tisby and Pastor G. Tyler Burns dive into the rich history of Black institutions and their ongoing significance in today’s world. From historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to Black churches, businesses, and media, these institutions have been pillars of strength, resilience, and progress for generations. Dr. Tisby and Pastor Burns explore why these institutions were created, the challenges they have faced, and why they remain vital for B...
Mar 31, 2025•46 min
First is was Cultural Marxism, then Social Darwinism, Social Justice Warriors aka SJWs, then Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter.... Tesla Lives Matter?... then CRT... Y'all remember CuRT!? And let's not forget about Woke... but today all problems and everything wrong with everything comes down to 3 letters: DEI On a very special episode of Pass The Mic, Dr Jemar Tisby and Pastor G. Tyler Burns dive into the effects of the federal governments sweeping actions against DEI init...
Mar 24, 2025•44 min
Dr. Malcolm Foley serves as the Special Advisor to the President for Equity and Campus Engagement. In this role, Dr. Foley facilitates engagement and interaction with and among the many diverse members of our community and works collaboratively to develop initiatives designed to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus for all. Dr. Foley holds a B.A. in Religious Studies with a second major in Finance and a minor in Classics from Washington University in St. Louis. He then completed a Master of D...
Mar 17, 2025•37 min
Dr. Malcolm Foley serves as the Special Advisor to the President for Equity and Campus Engagement. In this role, Dr. Foley facilitates engagement and interaction with and among the many diverse members of our community and works collaboratively to develop initiatives designed to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus for all. Dr. Foley holds a B.A. in Religious Studies with a second major in Finance and a minor in Classics from Washington University in St. Louis. He then completed a Master of D...
Mar 10, 2025•37 min
Our videographer Ryan Gentry is back this week sharing his experience visiting the nation's capital for the National Prayer Breakfast and the choice to walk out at the surprise arrival and speaking of President Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 03, 2025•38 min
Rev Lorenzo Sewell & Rev Mariann Budde. 2 pastors with the opportunity to speak from the pulpit directly to the President of the United States. This week we are talking about the care and weight of the responsibility that fall on those with the gift of preaching and teaching as well as how the style of Black preaching can be abused in it deployment for self-advancement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 24, 2025•47 min
The performance began with Kendrick Lamar and his backup dancers getting out of a 1980s Buick GNX and onto a stage resembling a giant PlayStation controller. The opening was a portion of the unreleased song "Bodies". Samuel L. Jackson appeared in a recurring role as Uncle Sam, who provided satirical commentary and advice to Kendrick between songs to illustrate the spirit of America. Lamar initially teased a performance of "Not Like Us," playing the beat and stating "I wanna play their favorite s...
Feb 17, 2025•49 min
Pointing to the God of the Scriptures. Cody is a native of Tulsa and a descendant of great-grandparents who were directly impacted by the infamous Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, in Greenwood. At 15 years old, after spending years with his father incarcerated since his infancy, Jesus graciously saved Cody as he was walking home from a party. That changed his life forever. Cody earned a Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry and Theological Studies from Welch College. He is directly connected with the impac...
Feb 10, 2025•51 min
When life is a sermon illustration... Pastor Burns shares a story of how hard it is to get back what you've lost. Not only have we lost something, but sometimes it's never coming back. How do we process this. Let's talk about it. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 27, 2025•39 min
One more time for the people in the back... We are taking you back 8 years ago because what is there to say that hasn't already been said. Jemar Tisby reflects on the election of 2016 and the impact that it has had on evangelicalism, racial reconciliation, and what it means to be Black Christian in America. Episode 143 Original Airdate: Nov 10 2016 Support this podcast on patreon at www.patreon.com/PassTheMic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 20, 2025•42 min
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And also, our favorite episode(s) of the year! Every year, we recap our favorite “cultural artifacts”. These can be books, albums, people, movies, TV shows, events….ANYTHING that got us through the year. There’s only one catch: these items do NOT have to come out this year. They just have to be consumed this year. This is Part 2 of 2. Creating this list helps us to commemorate how we’ve grown and what has helped us get through. Join Jemar and Tyler for t...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 31 min
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And also, our favorite episode(s) of the year! Every year, we recap our favorite “cultural artifacts”. These can be books, albums, people, movies, TV shows, events….ANYTHING that got us through the year. There’s only one catch: these items do NOT have to come out this year. They just have to be consumed this year. This is Part 1 of 2 so be on the lookout for what comes next! Creating this list helps us to commemorate how we’ve grown and what has helped u...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 6 min
From the first crossover episode "Gender Apartheid" to now, over the years the ladies of Truth's Table have blessed us with their incites and wisdom time and time again. As we close out the year, with the impact of the 2024 election now fully felt, there is no one else we would rather turn to than our sisters Ekemini Uwan and Dr. Christina Edmondson in this special crossover 'Pass The Tea' episode of Pass The Mic with Truth's Table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of Pass The Mic, Executive Producer Beau York and Video Producer Ryan Gentry take a deep dive into the transformation of Christian media over the past three decades. From the 90s age of Veggie Tales to today’s world of Christian Influencers dominating social media, we explore the cultural shifts, technological advancements, and creative approaches that have shaped Christian storytelling. What lessons can be learned from the successes and failures of each era? Are Christian Influe...
Dec 16, 2024•38 min
This week Dr Jemar Tisby is joined by Dr Dwight Radcliff to discuss his experience as Academic Dean for the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies and Assistant Professor of Mission, Theology, and Culture at Fuller Seminary Houston. Dwight A. Radcliff Jr. joined the faculty of Fuller as assistant professor of mission, theology, and culture in 2019, and was named at the same time as director of the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies. In 2020, he was named as academic d...
Dec 09, 2024•42 min
On this week's episode of Pass The Mic Jemar and Tyler are taking stock of the real ones in their life while also exploring broader things of building and maintaining trusted friendships and what it takes to be a real one themselves. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 02, 2024•34 min
Tyler Burns is a pastor, podcaster, writer, speaker, and activist. Locally, he serves as the Lead Pastor of Rise City Church in Pensacola, Florida. Nationally, he is the President of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, an organization committed to educating, encouraging, and empowering Black Christians to be free. He also co-hosts the acclaimed racial justice podcast Pass the Mic with Dr. Jemar Tisby, which has garnered over 8 million downloads in the last 10 years. Join us for "The Speak...
Nov 25, 2024•28 min
On this week's episode of Pass The Mic, video producer Ryan Gentry joins Dr. Jemar Tisby to discuss the state of the Christian film industry, with a special focus on popular series like God's Not Dead. They explore the tension between the desire of faith-based audiences to see their stories on screen and the challenges posed by a Christian nationalist perspective often present in these films. Join us for a deep dive into the motivations, impact, and future of Christian cinema. Support this podca...
Nov 18, 2024•35 min
In this poignant episode of the Pass The Mic podcast, Dr. Jemar Tisby is joined by EP Beau York to discuss the impact of racism on interpersonal trust with focus on multi ethnic Christian communities. Racism has very personal consequences, and not just the broader societal ones. Let’s talk about it. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 11, 2024•34 min
We put it to our patrons and social media to ask us anything they wanted to know or wanted us to respond to. Want to make sure your question gets addressed in a future AMA? Support the show at patreon.com/PassTheMic and you will be the first to know when we gather questions. Thanks to everyone who participated! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 04, 2024•44 min
