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 Tim Schuck, director of Novo’s Activating Prayer Cohort and host of the Called Beyond podcast, for a conversation about prayer as a lived relationship with God. As part of the Teach Us to Pray series, Tim shares his own unexpected story of how a skeptical homebuilder encountered Jesus through a simple listening prayer exercise,an experience that reshaped his understanding of God's voice and ultimately redirected the course of his life and ministry. More than a conversation about prayer techniques, this episode explores what happens when ordinary followers of Jesus begin to embrace their identity as sons and daughters of God who are invited to hear His voice and join His mission. Tim, Brian, and Cory reflect on listening prayer, spiritual authority, identity, and the everyday practice of partnering with the Holy Spirit beyond the walls of the church. Through stories of awakening, disciple-making, and faithful obedience, this episode offers an invitation to move beyond simply believing that God speaks and into the adventure of listening, responding, and discovering the unique calling He has placed on every life.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, Brian, Cory, and Casey Olinger discuss Casey's journey of faith, his involvement in special needs ministry at Life Centers, and his transition to a house church community. Casey shares how God has been working in his life, shaping his identity and confidence as he serves others. The conversation highlights the importance of community, discipleship, and the unique experiences of those in the special needs community.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, Brian and Cory welcome Riley Griggs, who shares his journey from a small town in Kansas to living on mission in North Africa and back to Manhattan, Kansas. Riley discusses his experiences with the Ichthus campus ministry and how it shaped his understanding of disciple-making and community. He reflects on the importance of identity in Christ and how it influences his approach to evangelism and mission work, emphasizing the need for patience and discernment in sharing the gospel.

In this episode, Cory and Brian move into the next phase of the disciple-maker pathway and explore Planting the Gospel. Again, in this series, we looking at how we’re formed in each phase of the disciple-maker pathway, rather than tools we use on mission. We highlight the challenges of communicating the Gospel and making disciples, emphasizing the need for humility, patience, and a deep-rooted identity in Jesus.

In this episode of KC Underground, we welcome back regular contributor James Mays, who shares his transformative journey from a life of addiction to becoming a beacon of hope. James opens up about his past struggles and how finding faith has led him to a path of recovery and ministry. James discusses the power of art, community, and the profound impact of living on mission. Join us as we explore themes of identity, resilience, and the transformative power of faith in action.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground Podcast, we interview Ashlyn Griffin, a younger leader who has been developing a new team among young adults in Kansas City. From her early days in a traditional church setting to her "come to Jesus" moment, Ashlyn shares her path of faith, mission, and the challenges of disciple-making. Join us as we explore the messy yet rewarding process of living on mission, the importance of community, and the refining fire that shapes our identity in Christ.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, we interview Sam Leichty about how she has been formed in the ways of Jesus as she has joined Him on mission. Sam shares her story of moving from a life of uncertainty to one filled with purpose and connection, as she embraces her mission to see her family redeemed, restored and reconciled. Along the way, the Spirit has formed her character in greater surrender and faithfulness and brought healing in her identity.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, we dive into the second phase of the Disciple Maker Pathway, focusing on living on mission. Join us as we explore the importance of identity formation, the role of 'Bless Rhythms,' and how embracing our identity as God's people transforms our mission. We talk about how these rhythms shape us to become interruptible, generous, curious, and patient like Jesus, and how that propels us to live on our mission.

Join us on the Kansas City Underground podcast as we explore the formative power of solitude and prayer in discipleship. With insights from Bill Randall, we consider how unhurried time with God shapes our identity and mission, moving beyond checklists to a life of intentionality and intimacy.

Join us as we dive into the transformative power of extraordinary prayer and fasting. In this episode, we discuss how these spiritual disciplines shape our identity and align our hearts with God's will. We talk about how solitude and fasting form us to be people that long to abide in Christ which then empowers us to live missionally. These rhythms are what shape us to sustain on mission throughout the rest of the journey.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground Podcast, we explore the theme of identity within the Disciple Maker Pathway. Join us as we dig into the concept of 'holy discontent' and discuss how it propels individuals to become more like Jesus.

In this episode, Brian and Cory wrap up this series around the Upside Down Kingdom and share insights from the past several episodes. We discuss the concept of greatness in the kingdom of God, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in servanthood and familial relationships. The conversation explores the challenges of multiplication and the importance of identity in leadership, as well as practical examples of how to develop leaders in a way that reflects the values of the kingdom.

In this episode Brian and Cory explore the last of the paradigm shifts needed in a disciple-making movement. This one is about thinking primarily through the lens of extended spiritual family, not thinking first about church as we have always known it. We start by examining the historical impact of Constantine on church identity, the grassroots nature of early church movements, and the need for a shift in language and understanding to foster healthy families that reproduce disciples. We hope this continues to help us reimagine the church as movement over institution.

In this episode, Cory and Brian interview three directors of the Fount Hub, Lori Roy, Amber Jackson, and Jay Cull. We’re continuing on in our series of introducing the different Hubs of the Kansas City Underground, hearing their personal stories, the emergence of their Hub identity, and a few personal stories of what’s happening within their part of the network. Amber, Jay, and Lori share about the importance of prayer and prophetic guidance within their Hub, and the distinctive way their microchurches have emerged and multiplied. They also highlight the rhythms and structures that support their Hub, emphasizing the importance of persons of peace relationships and shared experiences in their journey.

In this conversation, Brian and Cory talk about microchurches, emphasizing their identity as spiritual families rather than programs or buildings. We want to offer some answers around the question, "What does a microchurch look like?" and "What are their rhythms?" So we'll get into the conversation of our ecclesial minimums of worship, community, and mission. And we'll give you an overview of a couple of tools we use to coach leaders on facilitating the "worship" component of a microchurch. The conversation also highlights the need to demystify traditional church structures and focus on simple, relational discipleship.

In this episode, Cory and Brian walk through a tool called "Moving from a Discovery Group to a Microchurch." This has been a helpful tool for groups of people as they identify and affirm themselves as a church based on the activities and characteristics described in Acts 2:36-47. We want to emphasize that church is not a program, but an identity, and that this tool helps groups understand what it means to live into that identity. We also discuss how this tool can be used with different group sizes and contexts, and how it can help groups think through multiplication as well.