When Influencers Replace Pastors with Mike Winger
The Heidi St. John Podcast
Heidi St. John
4.8 • 3.7K Ratings
🗓️ 2 February 2026
⏱️ 53 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
We’re living in a moment where a teenager with a phone can shape theology faster than a pastor with a Bible—and the result is confusion, compromise, and a “feel-good” faith that can’t save. In this eye-opening conversation, Mike Winger joins me to expose what’s really driving digital discipleship, why “almost right” theology spreads so fast, and what parents, pastors, and leaders can do right now to anchor the next generation in Scripture—before the algorithm does.
Prime Sponsor: No matter where you live, visit the Functional Medical Institute online today to connect with Drs Mark and Michele Sherwood. Go to homeschoolhealth.com to get connected and see some of my favorites items. Use coupon code HEIDI for 20% off!
Show mentions: Mentions — Heidi St John
Website | heidistjohn.com
Support the show! | donorbox.org/donation-827
Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohn
Youtube | youtube.com/@HeidiStJohnPodcast
Instagram | @heidistjohn
Facebook | Heidi St. John
X | @heidistjohn
Faith That Speaks Online Community
Submit your questions for Fan Mail Friday | heidistjohn.com/fanmailfriday
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hey, everybody. This is Heidi St. John. Welcome to the podcast. Today I'm going to drive straight into a |
| 0:06.2 | conversation that I think is absolutely critical for every parent and pastor and Christian that cares |
| 0:11.9 | about the rising generation. We are living in a moment where influencers have more disciples than many |
| 0:18.0 | churches. I know you guys are seeing this. When a teenager with a ring |
| 0:21.4 | light and a phone can shape theology faster than a seasoned pastor, and when emotions and experiences |
| 0:27.3 | and algorithms quietly replace the scripture as the authority for millions of young believers. |
| 0:33.2 | The result has been apparent all across social media and in the culture. We see confusion. We see |
| 0:38.4 | compromise. And I would argue we see a counterfeit Christianity that feels good, but it can't save. |
| 0:44.9 | My guest today is Mike Winger from Bible Thinker. I know you guys are going to be excited about this |
| 0:49.8 | because you've been asking me to get him on and he's here today. And he has been tracking |
| 0:54.0 | these trends for years. Mike has become a trusted voice him on and he's here today. And he has been tracking these trends for |
| 0:54.8 | years. Mike has become a trusted voice, not because he's loud or flashy, but because he's committed |
| 1:00.6 | to letting the Bible speak for itself. And today we're going to talk about what's really happening |
| 1:05.2 | behind the scenes of what I call digital discipleship and why so many young people are being |
| 1:10.5 | swept up into bad theology |
| 1:12.0 | and what we can do right now to anchor them in the truth. So parents and grandparents leaders, |
| 1:17.7 | this episode matters. The future of the church depends on what we teach the next generation |
| 1:22.7 | to believe and who we teach them to listen to. This is the Heidi St. John podcast. |
| 1:27.8 | I'm glad you're here. |
| 1:28.8 | Stick around. |
| 1:29.5 | I think you're going to be encouraged. |
| 1:39.3 | Thank you guys for tuning in today. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Heidi St. John, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Heidi St. John and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.