2016 Episode 17

Show open: online-ordination bit and marriage-contract article

A host opens with the standard 'Live from the Pathway Studios in Johnston Proper' intro, then the hosts riff on a listener having been 'ordained' as an online minister for $38 and on a news article about a wealthy couple's marriage with an infidelity clause allowing annual cheating. They set up the episode's interview with the band Silversyde.

Silversyde catch-up: touring, Shamrocks Omaha, and the ministry model

The hosts catch up with the band Silversyde, in studio: a tour with the band Theodie, a bar show at Shamrocks in Omaha, and how the female-fronted rock band approaches venues by building relationships. The band describes their approach as sharing their faith through actions and honesty at shows rather than preaching from the stage.

Silversyde songwriting: Circus Circus, Casting Shadows, and the new album In the Dark

Silversyde discusses their catalog and writing process: the debut album Circus Circus, the heavier Casting Shadows EP, and the new full-length In the Dark aimed at deeper honesty and raw emotion. Members Zach, Laura, and Nate are co-writing; former guitarist/producer Billy is mentioned. The band polled fans on EP vs. full-length and invites fans to follow them at silverside.com and on socials.

Pope-style advice: feeling distant from God

• Why do I feel distant from God, and what should I do about it?
• Is a marriage with an agreed infidelity clause still a marriage?

A host, styled as 'the Pope' (addressed as Ben on-air), gives encouragement, admonition, and direction to people who feel distant from God: persistent sin usually explains the distance, condemnation is the wrong response, repentance means turning and running back to Jesus like the Prodigal Son, and interacting with Jesus plus scripture reorients the mind. Includes a sidebar on the infidelity-clause marriage article and a chat shout-out to Huntington, WV, Lifehouse, and the Movement.

Plane story: reading Psalms next to a recovering addict

A host (addressed as Boova on-air) recounts flying home from a month of work in San Antonio while reading Psalms next to a shaky man — a recovering addict named Ethan, terrified of flying, thumbing through a recovery book. They talked; the host later regrets not asking Ethan directly whether he knows Jesus, framing it as a teachable moment about missed evangelism.

Laura's altar-call testimony: obedience when God speaks

Laura of Silversyde encourages the host and shares her own parallel story: she backed away from an altar call at a Movement church show in West Virginia, the pastor Rocky Meadows took the mic and did the call himself, then told her 'when God speaks, you answer.' The next night she obeyed and a hurting family was ministered to. The segment closes with praise for Rocky Meadows, Life House Church, and the Movement's rehab work.

Secular says: who pays for the funeral of an unmarried partner

• Who should pay the funeral expenses when an unmarried partner dies with no life insurance?

The hosts and Silversyde play the 'Secular says' advice game: a scenario about a boyfriend of five and a half years who died unexpectedly with no life insurance. Hosts and band members give takes on who should pay and how grief makes people act, then read the 'Secular says' card answer advising to follow one's conscience.

Secular says: declining birthday cake, then sign-off

• How can someone gracefully decline birthday cake when they find candle-blowing gross?

A second 'Secular says' scenario from Rhett about disliking birthday-cake candle-blowing and how to decline cake gracefully. The hosts, band, and 'Secular says' card weigh in with advice ('don't tell any lies'). The episode closes with thanks to Silversyde and a plug for silverside.com.