Issues, Etc.

Lutheran Public Radio

Abortion

Jesus Christ

Bible

Baptism

Lutheranism

Lutheran Church

In Vitro Fertilization

Justification By Faith

Lord's Supper

Confessional Lutheranism

Scripture

Republics

Lutheran Church–missouri Synod

New York Times

Office Of the Keys

Feminism

Artificial Intelligence

Coyote Vs. Acme

Burnout

Catholic Church

Expert Guests, Expansive Topics, Extolling Christ

2.6k ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	499	Founded	18 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	ChristianityReligion & SpiritualitySpirituality

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

President Trump’s Comments on the Afterlife and Forgiveness on CBS’s 60 Minutes – Pr. David Petersen, 11/11/26 (3152)

Pr. David Petersen of Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy

God With Us

Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy.

The post President Trump’s Comments on the Afterlife and Forgiveness on CBS’s 60 Minutes – Pr. David Petersen, 11/11/26 ... more

11 Nov 2026 • 27 min

Media Coverage of Democratic Candidates Playing the Religion Card – Terry Mattingly, 11/11/26 (3151)

Terry Mattingly of Rational Sheep

Rational Sheep

Pop Goes Religion: Faith in Popular Culture

GetReligion.org

The post Media Coverage of Democratic Candidates Playing the Religion Card – Terry Mattingly, 11/11/26 (3151) first appeared on Issues, E... more

11 Nov 2026 • 31 min

Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (Three-Year Lectionary): Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost – Pr. Peter Bender, 11/11/26 (3153)

Peter Bender of The Concordia Catechetical Academy

Concordia Catechetical Academy

The post Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (Three-Year Lectionary): Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost – Pr. Peter Bender, 11/11/26 (3153) first appeared on Issues, ... more

11 Nov 2026 • 57 min

Christian Hymns and Depression – Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer, 11/10/26 (3142)

Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer of Flesh and Blood Bioethics

Hymn Therapy for Depression

The post Christian Hymns and Depression – Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer, 11/10/26 (3142) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

10 Nov 2026 • 50 min

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Cassie Beltz

Licensed mental health therapist and director of counseling services and congregational outreach

Lutheran Family Service

Episode: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – Cassie Beltz, 11/6/26 (3102)

Sarah Anderson

Licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental health specialist

Lutheran Family Service

Episode: Postpartum Depression – Sarah Anderson, 11/6/26 (3101)

Jonathan Conner

Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa

Zion Lutheran Church

Episode: Kids Have Questions – Pr. Jonathan Conner, 11/6/26 (3103, Encore)

John Pless

Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary and author of Lutheran Confessor

Concordia Theological Seminary

Episode: 20th Century Lutheran Theologian Hermann Sasse – Dr. John Pless, 11/5/26 (3091)

Mark Hemingway

Senior writer for RealClearInvestigations and books editor for The Federalist

The Federalist

Episode: The 2026 Midterm Election Results – Mark Hemingway, 11/4/26 (3082)

Terry Mattingly

Author of the National On Religion column and writer of the Rational Sheep newsletter

Rational Sheep

Episode: A New York Times Interview with U2’s Bono and The Edge on the Band’s 50th Anniversary – Terry Mattingly, 11/4/26 (3081)

John Bombaro

Senior pastor, Navy chaplain, and author of a book on prayers for Holy Communion

St. James Lutheran Church

Episode: Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): The Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity – Dr. John Bombaro, 11/3/26 (3071)

Peter Bender

Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church and director of the Concordia Catechetical Academy

Concordia Catechetical Academy

Episode: Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (Three-Year Lectionary): Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost – Pr. Peter Bender, 11/2/26 (3061)

Matthew Fenn

Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa, and provost at American Lutheran Theological Seminary

Ascension Lutheran Church

Episode: Paths to Lutheranism: From the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society – Pr. Matthew Fenn, 10/30/26 (3033)

Host

Todd Wilkin

Radio host and Lutheran pastor

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings

Abortion and other sins not being preached against-
Our LCMS churches are more concerned about numbers than truth. Taking about sin might scare a few member$.
Apple Podcasts
5
JFR junior
United Statesa month ago
Positive review
Informative, honest, brave, and Christ exalting.
Apple Podcasts
5
CHEESEBURGERSAREDELICIOUS
United States2 months ago
Positive review
Informative, honest, uplifting, and Christ exalting.
Apple Podcasts
5
CHEESEBURGERSAREDELICIOUS
United States3 months ago
Going Downhill...
This once great theological podcast has changed in the last few years to a theological-political podcast. I would not mind this if the expert guests were actual experts who actually based their arguments on facts and not opinions or straw-men. The one star is for the very few theological shows they still do. Thanks for the memories, Issues, etc. It was a good run while it lasted.
Apple Podcasts
1
LutheranLayLady
United States3 months ago
👍
🎉👍
Apple Podcasts
5
revybub
United States4 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many value the in-depth, biblically grounded teaching and the distinct confessional Lutheran perspective.

Listeners appreciate the range, from theology and church history to current events, culture, family, and public issues.

Some listeners object that parts of the coverage have become too political or rely on opinion rather than sufficiently substantiated argument.

A listener criticized one guest interview for not directly answering questions, suggesting guest responsiveness matters to the audience.

Listeners praise Todd Wilkin's preparation and questioning, saying his interviews make complex theological discussions clear and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#81	United States/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity
Apple Podcasts	#105	United States/Religion & Spirituality
Apple Podcasts	#149	Canada/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity
Apple Podcasts	#220	Canada/Religion & Spirituality
Apple Podcasts	#72	Finland/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity
Apple Podcasts	#125	Switzerland/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Hymn , “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me”- Dr. Arthur Just, 10/16/26 (2894)

Q: Why is it comforting itself to know that it is God who permits and sends these troubles to us?

Just explains that the belief means God knows what people face and can use trials to draw them closer to him, build them up, and direct them to his mercy.

The Hymn , “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me”- Dr. Arthur Just, 10/16/26 (2894)

Q: How would you respond to someone who says, especially in our cultural context, people don't want to hear about cross and trial. That's too depressing.

Just says the hymn may be difficult for people outside the faith to understand, but Christians can find comfort in it because it gives meaning to suffering through the cross of Christ.

What Governments Can and Can’t Require of Providers and Parents of Transgender Minors – Hal Frampton, 10/16/26 (2893)

Q: What can and can't governments require of trans parents and health care providers?

Frampton says states may restrict procedures they consider dangerous for minors and regulate medical practice, but cannot require physicians to provide medications or procedures that violate their conscience.

What Governments Can and Can’t Require of Providers and Parents of Transgender Minors – Hal Frampton, 10/16/26 (2893)

Q: Tell us about this Colorado law requiring health professionals in that state to participate in so-called gender transition procedures.

Frampton says the Colorado Supreme Court interpreted the state's general anti-discrimination law to require physicians who prescribe hormones for other legitimate medical purposes to also provide hormones for gender transition.

Pro-Life Democrats, Democratic Socialists and the Democratic Party – Kristen Day, 10/16/26 (2891)

Q: Why does the Democratic Party make room for socialists, but not for pro-lifers?

Day says she does not know the full reason, but suggests that abortion-related fundraising and influence may help explain why party leaders accommodate Democratic Socialists while excluding pro-life voices.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Issues, Etc.

What is Issues, Etc. about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Confessional Lutheran theology anchors conversations on Scripture, church history, worship, Christian life, and current religious and social questions. Regular host Todd Wilkin interviews pastors, theologians, scholars, journalists, and other subject-matter experts, often drawing on their professional experience or personal path to faith. Recurring formats include discussions of Sunday lectionary readings, explanations of Lutheran confessional texts, and practical responses to listener questions. Topics range from the sacraments, sin, and salvation to evangelism, denominational disputes, media coverage, and public policy. The perspective is explicitly Christ-centered and rooted in Lutheran teaching, with a willingness to address contested i... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Issues, Etc.?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Issues, Etc.:

1. On The Line
2. The Word of the Lord Endures Forever
3. Thinking Fellows
4. Theology Q&A
5. The Lutheran Hour

How many episodes of Issues, Etc. are there?

Issues, Etc. launched 18 years ago and published 499 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Issues, Etc.?

Recent guests on Issues, Etc. include:

1. Cassie Beltz
2. Sarah Anderson
3. Jonathan Conner
4. John Pless
5. Mark Hemingway
6. Terry Mattingly
7. John Bombaro
8. Peter Bender

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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