In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by Todd Kangas, disciple-maker and prayer practitioner, for a conversation about healing prayer, hearing God's voice, and the courage to step into the mission of Jesus. As part of the Teach Us to Pray series, Todd reflects on a lifetime of learning to pray with expectancy, from his own conversion during the Jesus Movement to decades of praying for healing in workplaces, gyms, neighborhoods, and everyday conversations. Along the way, he shares stories of God's faithfulness while honestly wrestling with the mystery of unanswered prayers and the reality of suffering. This episode explores how prayer flows from a deep confidence in God's love and an identity rooted in Christ. Todd, Brian, and Cory discuss listening prayer, overcoming the fear of man, and the simple obedience of joining the Holy Spirit wherever He is already at work.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by Zach Duke, disciple-maker and movement leader, for a conversation that weaves together prayer, obedience, and an unexpected journey onto the soccer field. As part of the Teach Us to Pray series, Zach shares the remarkable story of how a simple prompting from Jesus led him from years of illness and discouragement into a season of radical obedience, one that eventually opened doors to professional soccer, international competition, and disciple-making opportunities around the world. More than a story about sports, this conversation explores what happens when ordinary people learn to listen for the voice of God and respond with simple faithfulness. Zach reflects on lessons learned through prayer, the practice of hearing God's voice, and the power of priestly prayer to bless, protect, and intercede for others. Through stories of transformation, disciple-making, and unexpected encounters with God, this episode offers a vision of a life shaped by prayerful dependence and courageous obedience.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by Lissa Hinman, a disciple-making leader with Phoenix Underground and New Generations, whose life and ministry have been shaped by a growing passion for movement prayer. Together, they continue the Teach Us to Pray series by exploring the connection between prayer, spiritual formation, and the advancement of God’s kingdom. Lissa shares from her own journey of helping catalyze prayer across North America, offering insight into what it means to move beyond viewing prayer as a secondary practice and instead see it as the starting point, the spearhead of everything God is doing. This conversation invites us to consider prayer not only as a personal discipline, but as participation in a spiritual battle where disciples are formed and movements begin. Lissa emphasizes the importance of starting with our own lives, learning to discern distractions, walk in obedience, and engage God with simple, faithful steps. As the conversation unfolds, the invitation becomes clear: prayer is not reserved for the experienced or the equipped, but for anyone willing to step into relationship with Jesus and join Him in what He is already doing.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by David Hinman, a disciple-making leader with New Generations and Phoenix Underground, whose journey has been shaped by both movement strategy and a deepening hunger for the presence of God. Together, they continue the conversation on extraordinary prayer by exploring what distinguishes prayer that fuels movements from what many of us have experienced in the West. David shares from his own story of hitting a wall, moving from activity and ambition into a growing awareness that fruitfulness flows from abiding union with Jesus. This conversation invites us to examine the gap between talking about prayer and becoming people of prayer. Drawing on global movement contexts, David helps reframe prayer not as a supporting practice, but as the environment where disciple-making is born, sustained, and multiplied. What if the invitation is not simply to pray more, but to be formed differently, to live from intimacy, dependence, and a shared longing for God’s kingdom to take root in real people and places?

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by Stephen Castellow, a disciple-making practitioner who lives at the intersection of movement and prayer. Together, they continue the conversation on extraordinary prayer. We feel the tension that we talk about prayer, we teach it, we even build structures around it, but still wonder if we’re actually becoming people of prayer. Stephen invites us to consider moving beyond tools and strategies into a life of abiding, where prayer is not something we perform, but the place we are formed.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian is joined by BrianJames McMahon for a conversation that moves beneath strategy and into formation. Together, they explore the relationship between experience, imagination, and hope, and why so many efforts toward disciple-making and microchurch life stall when imagination has not first been cultivated. The conversation revolves around the idea that we cannot hope for what we cannot imagine, and we cannot imagine what we have not experienced. Drawing from lived moments, theological insight, and the everyday challenges of movemental leadership, this conversation invites us to reconsider how change actually happens. Rather than trying to convince or compel, they point toward the slow, intentional work of creating experiences and reflecting on them, allowing imagination to grow and hope to take root.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory explore the biblical foundation and practical aspects of church as family, emphasizing the importance of relational, spiritual, and mission-driven community in disciple-making and movement growth. It highlights how family dynamics shape our understanding of church, leadership, and multiplication in the Western context.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore how a global disciple-making movement uses simple, relational Bible studies within families and neighborhoods to drive exponential growth, bypassing traditional church structures. The conversation explores real stories from India, where local believers are creating vibrant, indigenous expressions of church that thrive outside the Western model. The episode also examines the differences between modalic and sodalic church expressions and innovative approaches that empower everyday people to lead in community-based settings.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the power of prayer and worship in global movements to ignite mission and multiplication in local contexts. They discuss how God speaks to send, how radical environments of prayer ignite divine action, and why the Western church needs a fresh encounter with God's holiness to unleash multiplication.

In this episode, Brian and Cory discuss the importance of immersive learning experiences in disciple-making, particularly within global movements. They explore the significance of ordinary disciple makers, the cultural differences in approaches to discipleship, and the necessity of structure and intentionality in building relationships. Part one of this conversation emphasizes the challenges faced in Western contexts and offers practical steps for making disciples through creative and relational methods.

In this episode of the KC Underground Podcast we explore the dynamics of spiritual movements in the UK and beyond. Adam and Matthew share their personal journeys and insights into the challenges and opportunities of fostering discipleship and community in a post-Christian society. Discover how grassroots efforts and a return to fundamental values are reshaping the landscape of faith and mission work.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Cory and Brian interview Taylor Smith to explore the transformative power of community and faith. You’ll hear how Novo, a missionary sending organization, is fostering gospel movements across diverse contexts, from Dallas to Southern Africa. Taylor shares personal insights on spiritual growth, the importance of prayer, and the journey of equipping young believers to become disciple-makers.

In this episode, Peter "Pheaney" Lindell from the On The Road podcast sits down with Cory and Brian from KC Underground to explore the concept of "hubs" in disciple-making movements. We discuss the importance of creating local networks that equip everyday people to become disciple makers in their networks of relationships. The conversation dives into the balance between organic growth and structured support, sharing insights on how to foster a movement that thrives both locally and citywide.

In this episode, Breanna Wiebe discusses the concept of the 'dominant story' that shapes individuals' perceptions of God and the world. She introduces the 'story diamond' as a tool to understand the overarching narrative of the Bible, which consists of four movements: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as the center of this story and encourages us to engage with the scriptures in a transformative way, both personally and within community.

In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Neil Cole and delve into the themes of leadership, church movements, and the importance of relationships over hierarchical structures. They discuss the fear of chaos in leadership, the need for authenticity and vulnerability, and the transformative power of love in the Kingdom of God. Neil shares his personal journey of faith and the lessons learned through years of silence and dependence on Christ. The conversation emphasizes the need for a decentralized approach to church leadership that empowers individuals and fosters genuine community.

In this episode, Cory and Brian interview Alan Hirsch and explore the dynamics of kingdom movements, emphasizing the importance of decentralized leadership and the dangers of centralized power structures. We discuss the significance of metaphors in understanding movements, the cultural implications of fame in leadership, and practical insights for ordinary disciple makers. We also highlight the need for a shift from consumer-driven church models to organic, community-focused movements that prioritize discipleship and service.

​​In this opening episode, Brian and Cory cast vision for this new series on where we will explore the radical invitation of Jesus to lead in a way that flips everything upside-down. While Western models of leadership often chase platform, power, and personality, Jesus modeled something entirely different: surrender, service, and spiritual authority rooted in love. We explore key biblical passages, Mark 10, Philippians 2, and John 13, and show how this isn’t just theory. It’s how movements are actually growing today, from underground networks in the Global South to ordinary disciple-makers in places like Kansas City.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, Brian and Cory interview Justin Nkundabagenzi from Rwanda, discussing his journey from experiencing the Rwandan genocide to becoming a mobilizer of disciple makers. The conversation explores the importance of prayer, the transition from traditional church models to disciple-making movements, and the current state of the movement in Rwanda, highlighting the significant growth and impact of ordinary people spreading the gospel. Justin emphasizes the need for dependence on the Holy Spirit and the importance of leadership development in sustaining the movement.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the mDNA element of Organic Systems. Organic systems are all about adaptation and reproducibility in cultivating movements. As you think about organic systems, you will discover a need for decentralized decision-making, a permission-giving culture, and the significance of leadership multiplication. This has been the challenge faced in traditional church structures. We advocate for a more flexible, organic approach to disciple-making and community building.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the mDNA element of apostolic environments and APEST. This element is all about the importance of creating environments that equip and send individuals for mission, the role of APEST (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers) in church movements, and the significance of safeguarding the mission while fostering innovation and experimentation. You’ve heard us say it before, but we emphasize the need again for a culture that embraces all five gifts of APEST to ensure healthy growth and multiplication in the church.