
KCU Podcast
Discover how to live as everyday disciple-makers in Kansas City and beyond. Through real stories, practical tools, and inspiring conversations, we equip you to Get to Know KCU, Train as Missionaries, and Multiply Disciple-Makers. Join us as we explore what it means to bring the beauty, justice, and Good News of Jesus to where you live, work, learn, and play.
Multiplying Disciples in Groups (Not Just One-on-One)
In this episode, Corey and Brian dive into another key paradigm shift for disciple-making movements: multiplying disciples in groups rather than focusing solely on one-on-one discipleship.
The Story of Fount Hub
Cory and Brian sit down with Lori, Jay, and Amber from Fount Hub, one of the earliest hubs in the Kansas City Underground network. Fount is a tight-knit, multigenerational community with a deep commitment to prayer, prophetic leadership, disciple-making, and raising families on mission. In this episode, they share their journey, rhythms, and powerful stories of everyday people experiencing transformation through Jesus.
Ordinary People are the Primary Workers
Brian and Cory continue the Nine Paradigm Shifts for Disciple-Making Movements, focusing on the shift from "Send the Expert" to "Send the Ordinary and Willing." Throughout history, the Gospel has spread through ordinary people, not just trained leaders. This episode explores how embracing the "idiot" approach (yes, really) fuels movement and multiplication.
Healing & Wholeness for Disciple-Makers: Thrive Hub's Unique Contribution
In this episode, Brian and Corey interview Chris Caputo & Michael Miller from Thrive Hub, one of the Kansas City Underground’s catalytic teams. Thrive Hub exists to help disciple-makers heal, grow, and thrive as they pursue mission. With a unique focus on emotional health, attachment, and identity in Christ, Thrive provides a crucial piece of the disciple-making ecosystem.
Shift 4—Discovery-Based Learning Over Lecture-Based Teaching
Shift from lecture-based teaching to discovery-based disciple-making! Learn how Jesus led through questions, experience, and real-life mission.
Shift 3—Obedience-Based Disciple-Making
Shift to obedience-based disciple making! Explore how responding to Jesus with your life, not just knowledge, creates movement-minded disciples.
Shift 2—Disciple-Making Within Existing Networks
Cory and Brian dive into the second paradigm shift in disciple-making: planting the gospel within existing networks of relationships. They explore why starting where people already are—family, friends, workplaces—is key to seeing generational growth and gospel multiplication.
Meet the Serve Hub: Discipling Families and Partnering with Organizations Across KC
Join Sarah Jackway and Morgan Greer as they share the story of the Serve Hub, a unique team within the Kansas City Underground. From transforming a traditional church plant into a disciple-making hub to partnering with organizations and families for gospel impact, this episode is packed with inspiring stories and practical insights for equipping ordinary disciple-makers.
Meet the Rock Island Hub: Restoring Families and Launching Ventures in Raytown
This episode features Alex Sons, leader of the Rock Island Hub in Raytown, MO. Alex shares his journey from traditional church planting to embracing a disciple-making movement. Learn about Rock Island's mission to see every home fully alive with the good news of Jesus, their focus on restoring families, and their creative, intentional weekly gatherings. Alex also shares inspiring stories of lives transformed through simple gospel conversations.
Paradigm Shift 1: From Human Strategy to Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting
Brian and Cory dive deep into the first paradigm shift: "Don't think human strategy is the power. Think extraordinary prayer and fasting is the power." This foundational shift in mindset aligns our hearts and actions with God’s movement, both globally and locally.
Continuing the Missionary Pathway Journey
Corey and Brian wrap up the Missionary Pathway series with the final tool: What’s Next? Whether you've completed a Missionary Pathway training or are simply looking to continue growing as a disciple maker, this episode explores practical steps for ongoing fruitfulness in mission.
Navigating Gospel Conversations
In this episode, Corey Ozbun and Corey McElvain (Corey squared!) dive into one of the most critical tools for disciple-makers: Gospel Conversations. How do you move conversations from casual to meaningful to spiritual? The Coreys introduce the F.R.O.G. framework (Friends, Recreation, Occupation, Goals) to help you intentionally navigate relational evangelism without making it weird.
Living on Mission with the B.L.E.S.S. Rhythms
In this episode, Brian Johnson and Corey dive into the B.L.E.S.S. rhythms, a practical and intentional framework for living on mission. Rooted in Genesis 12 and the life of Jesus, these rhythms help everyday people join God in blessing their neighborhoods and relationships through intentional prayer, listening, eating, serving, and sharing stories.
Finding Persons of Peace
In this episode, Brian and Corey break down the importance of identifying Persons of Peace—those spiritually open and relationally connected individuals who are key to multiplying the good news of Jesus. Rooted in Luke 10, this concept is essential for disciple-makers who want to see gospel movements spread in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and beyond.
Citywide Collaboration
In this “part two” follow-up to last week’s conversation on spiritual ecosystems and citywide restoration, Brian and Corey dig deeper into what collaboration looks like at a city level. Drawing insights from The Flat Org Chart and NASA’s “moonshot” collaboration, they explore how kingdom-minded unity and partnerships can accelerate gospel movements.
Cultivating Kingdom Ecosystems
In this thought-provoking episode, Brian and Corey dive deep into the difference between building castles and cultivating ecosystems to bring the Kingdom of God to life in our cities. Inspired by the documentary The Biggest Little Farm, this conversation explores what it means to foster sustainable, thriving spiritual soil where life can flourish.
Prayer Walking
In this episode, Cory and Brian break down the Prayer Walking tool—an essential practice for any disciple maker. Learn how this simple but powerful tool combines spiritual authority, intercession, and relational engagement to bring the Kingdom of God to the spaces and people around you
