Christianity showed up in the mainstream in unexpected ways this year. Are we in a revival?Take a look at this year's Billboard charts. For the first time, multiple Christian musicians charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time — and stayed there for weeks. And some of the biggest hits of the year - like Alex Warren's "Ordinary" - pull from Contemporary Christian Music sounds. Plus, Trump says he wants to defend Christians. In the episode, Brittany talks with Christianity Today reporter Kelsey Kramer McGinnis to understand the multi-billion dollar machine behind the Christian Contemporary Music genre and how this behind-the-scenes system impacts what music you hear.This episode originally aired on July 23, 2025.Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other episodes from It's Been a Minute
Transcribed and ready to explore now
Canada hates us, but it's not all Trump's fault.
02 Jun 2025
It's Been a Minute
Age gaps & wage gaps: unpacking our Belichick-Hudson obsession
30 May 2025
It's Been a Minute
Can doctors test embryos for autism? And should they?
28 May 2025
It's Been a Minute
Brittany needs a couch. Should she buy now, pay later?
26 May 2025
It's Been a Minute
Why can't we (or Ms. Rachel) talk about Gaza's children dying?
23 May 2025
It's Been a Minute
Pop culture has a "bean soup problem."
21 May 2025
It's Been a Minute