Today John takes Angels We Have Heard on High and turns it into a masterclass on glory. Not the flashy, influencer kind of glory but the deep, soul-level kind that makes life feel meaningful again. From ancient Latin refrains to modern inspirat...

Today’s episode takes Do You Hear What I Hear? from “nice old Christmas song” to “wait, this is actually about my life.” John unpacks the wild story of a man who survived the Nazis, fell in love without speaking the same language, and somehow w...

Today John explores the meaning behind The First Noel and why the angels chose the most unlikely people to hear it first. This episode invites us to rediscover the wonder of the incarnation and to see every person we greet today as God’s best w...

Today John unpacks the meaning behind Good Christian Men, Rejoice and why the repeated word “news” lies at the center of the gospel itself. Learn how this medieval carol confronts the false gospels of success, power, and self-reliance, and redi...

Today John unpacks the surprising story behind Good King Wenceslas:a carol based on Proverbs 11:25 and the life of a real historical ruler whose generosity transformed Bohemia. Discover how this song invites us to ask a different daily question...

Today John dives into the surprising backstory of Joy to the World and why this famous Christmas song was never meant to be a Christmas song at all. Written by Isaac Watts as a reflection on Psalm 98, this carol points to the ...

Anxiety doesn’t just make you stressed — it makes you reactive. And reactivity spreads. In this powerful conversation, John Ortberg and Steve Cuss break down why family dynamics, stress, conflict, and unmet expectations trigger us… and how Jesu...

Happy Thanksgiving! Discover the real meaning behind the cornucopia and how it can reshape your entire perspective on gratitude. John explores Greek mythology, the biblical vision of abundance, the psychology of the negativity bias, and a deepl...

Honesty is one of the most valued qualities in relationships — yet one of the hardest to practice consistently. In this insightful conversation, John Ortberg and Dr. Rick Blackmon explore why honesty matters so deeply, why deception wounds us, ...

This powerful true story from Burundi will change the way you think about courage, faith, and hope. John Ortberg shares the moving account of “Little Bird,” a Hutu teacher whose final act was to pray for his executioners and sing a hymn of surr...

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s a practice, a perspective, and sometimes an act of courage. In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, John and his daughter, Laura Turner, explore why gratitude matters, why it’s often difficult, how co...

Gratitude gets harder when life gets harder — but John shares two surprising perspectives that make it possible again. One opens your eyes to small mercies; the other anchors you in a hope nothing can overcome. If you’re struggling to be gratef...

Most of us try to think our way into gratitude… but Scripture says something different.In this episode, John and his sister, Barbie, explore why gratitude begins the moment you actually taste your life — the moment you receive what’s in fro...

John celebrates Become New’s five-year anniversary and reflects on how this ministry was born not from strategy, but from confusion, loss, and unexpected grace. In this episode, he explores the surprising way suffering and gratitude often inter...

Gratitude is good, but even gratitude can be corrupted. In this episode, John explores how self-centered spirituality, narcissism, and performative “thankfulness” distort the gift God intends for us. Drawing from Cornelius Plantinga, Robert Emm...

Today, John explores the surprising timing of gratitude. When does gratitude matter the most? When something good happens? When life goes right? Scripture gives a very different answer.Drawing from Paul’s words in Philippians 4 and 1 Th...

In this episode of Thank God You’re Here, John Ortberg invites us to walk through a cemetery—not to be morbid, but to rediscover what matters most. Drawing from Gratitude by Cornelius Plantinga and the Christian tradition of memento mori, we ex...

In this powerful episode, John shares the unforgettable story of Dr. Goodluck, a man born into extreme poverty in Tanzania whose life was transformed by a single act of generosity—a sponsorship through Compassion International. Today, Dr. Goodl...

Do you ever feel like you're supposed to be grateful… but you're just not feeling it? You’re not alone. In this episode, John Ortberg tackles what to do when gratitude doesn’t come naturally and offers a surprisingly powerful spiritual strategy...

We all want to be more grateful, but how do we actually become that kind of person?In this episode of Thank God You're Here, John Ortberg explores the profound truth that gratitude begins when we remember: we are not owed anythin...

What if the key to deeper gratitude isn’t feeling more deserving but realizing you’re not? In this episode, John explores how a posture of humility can unlock a powerful sense of gratitude, joy, and connection to God. Drawing on stories from re...

What does a sunflower know about your spiritual life? In this episode, John Ortberg reflects on how turning toward the light, just like sunflowers do, is the key to real spiritual growth. Drawing on Paul Tournier’s insights and powerful scriptu...

What does it really mean to “seek first the kingdom of God”? In this message, John walks us through one of Jesus’ most famous teachings (Matthew 6:33) and unpacks how seeking the kingdom is not about adding another spiritual task to your to-do ...

In this episode, John Ortberg explores the story of Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment. A man whose pride and guilt nearly destroy him and how his journey mirrors our own. Through the lens of Scripture and soul-searching questions, we discov...

In today’s episode, John Ortberg explores one of the most surprising spiritual invitations Jesus offers: not try harder, but try softer. When your efforts lead to exhaustion, and faith feels forced, there’s another way. Learn what it means to w...