Staircase to Nowhere
Join three friends—David, Noah, and Sam—as they navigate what it means to follow Jesus and live on His mission in American culture today. Each brings a unique perspective: David lives on a college campus, Noah works in a church with youth and local outreach, Sam serves homeless youth and young adults. Together, they question the ministry methods they grew up with, wrestle with faith in today's world, and seek to honor God in their time.
Email: staircasepod@gmail.com
Episodes
71 episodes
BONUS: We’re Pro-Parsonage
In this bonus episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the hosts talk about parsonages, church-owned housing, and living where you minister.Drawing from personal experience, they explore the benefits and challenges of church-provid...
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20:17
Can Churches Help Solve the Housing Crisis?
In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the hosts discuss church buildings, affordable housing, and the housing crisis—asking whether churches should use their land to help meet community housing needs.The conversation explores zoning l...
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44:27
2025 WRAPPED
It’s our 2025 WRAPPED episode! We look back on the year with top personal ministry moments, favorite books, and the podcasts/creators we spent the most time with. Then we zoom out to bigger ministry + culture trends we noticed (Bible engagement...
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58:33
Is Christian Nationalism a Bad Thing?
“Take our country back” is a rallying cry among conservative Christians as Christian nationalism gains popularity. Noah’s roommate Michael returns to the show to discuss from history and the New Testament why building a theocracy is not the poi...
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1:02:47
A Youth Ministry Post-Mortem
The boys reflect on their time in youth ministry—what worked, what burned out, and why so many youth pastors only last two years. With help from S
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35:48
Noah Nemni: Director of Local Outreach and Student Discipleship
In this episode, we turn the spotlight on Noah and learn about his role as Director of Local Outreach and Student Discipleship! We talk through the path that got him here, what the job actually looks like, and some of the challenges that come w...
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49:33
We Back Babies!
After a short paternity leave (generously offered by the Staircase to Nowhere HR department), the boys are back on the mic — and they brought a couple of babies with them. In this episode, David introduces his newborn son Samuel Neel (...
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19:57
Navigating the Anxious Generation
In this episode of 'Staircase to Nowhere,' hosts Noah, Sam, and David explore the themes presented in Jonathan Haidt's book 'The Anxious Generation,' discussing the impact of social media on Gen Z's mental health and the importance of unsupervi...
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49:58
Taylor Tour [BONUS]
On this bonus episode, Noah and David banter their way around Taylor University. There is little (arguably zero) substance in this episode, but we hope it entertains some of you. staircasepod@...
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27:41
David Neel: Hall Director
This week on Staircase to Nowhere, we shine the spotlight on our guy David—hall director, mentor, and all-around residential life legend. Recorded in-person from Upland, Indiana (yes, real eye contact was made), we dive into the highs ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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46:02
Work and Calling (w/ Kaitlin Neel)
On this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, we dive into the big questions about work, career, and calling. What does it really mean to find your "calling," and how does faith shape our search for meaningful work? Join David, Sam, Noah, a...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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1:01:22
Should Churches Sing Katy Perry?
It’s a full mailbag episode this week on Staircase to Nowhere! The guys answer listener questions about everything from secular music in church to the growing wave of biblical streaming shows.They reflect on how churches communi...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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45:59
AI David Has Entered the Chat <3
Would you date a chatbot? In this episode, we talk AI girlfriends, boyfriends, and the weird world of digital companionship. What does it mean to love—or be loved by—something not real? And how should Christians think about connection in a worl...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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46:24
The Authority of Conversation
In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, the crew dives into how conversations have become the new currency of credibility in today’s culture. From podcasts to Twitch streams, we explore why people are increasingly turning to casual di...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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44:36
Sacred Creativity: Unpacking Christian Art
This week on Staircase to Nowhere, we're diving into the world of Christian art and exploring how creativity and faith intersect. What makes art "Christian"? How can creative expression serve as a form of worship or ministry?.. Whether...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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54:32
Is Social Media a Dark Alley? Rethinking Online Engagement
Welcome to season 3! This week, Staircase to Nowhere crew—Noah, David, and Sam—take a deep dive into social media's evolving role in our lives and ministries. Is it a tool for connection and outreach, or is it a digital dark alley filled with d...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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54:39
SEASON 2 FINALE: couples of the pod
The whole Staircase Fam is together in Louisville for our STN Retreat! David, Kaitlin, Sam, Erika, Noah, and Rebekah all look back over the major themes of season 2 and look ahead to a new year of Staircase to Nowhere ministry and culture fun!<...
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Season 2
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1:12:17
Justa Bit a’ Banter and Books
In a special in-person episode, Noah gives David and Sam some books and shares why they would be interested in them. Read along with us:Hero...
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Season 2
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44:01
Texting: Hard Texts- Did God command genocide?
The Staircase boys put into practice their conversations on interpretation and context in an attempt to answer a hard text of the Bible, when God calls Israel to “completely destroy” and “devote to destruction” the people in the promised land. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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42:13
Texting: Context is King
In this episode of Staircase to Nowhere, we continue our Texting Series with a focus on the importance of context in biblical interpretation. We discuss how understanding the background and surrounding information of Scripture can prev...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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1:04:26
Texting: How Should We Interpret the Bible? Tools for Understanding Scripture
In this lively conversation, the hosts dive into biblical interpretation, exploring whether the Bible should be read literally, figuratively, or somewhere in between. From dissecting Old Testament narratives to decoding Jesus’ parables, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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52:20
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Mailbag: homelessness & spiritual warfare, what makes a mega church, media consumption
On today’s show, we respond to some pressing listener questions!.. If you have any thoughts our question we would love to hear them. Send us an email or enroll in one of Taylor’s undergrad programs and ask David directly.
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Season 2
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58:27
Texting: Intro
Welcome to Texting!.. Join us for a new series dedicated to how do we approach reading the Bible! What do we do with the tough passages, and how do we know what to believe? Join Noah, David, and Sam as they discuss their earliest Bible memories...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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16:29
