The Just Life with Benjamin Watson
The Just Life with Benjamin Watson is a thought-provoking podcast exploring what it means to live a life rooted in justice, faith, and human dignity. Hosted by Super Bowl champion, author, and justice advocate Benjamin Watson, each episode features candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and everyday heroes who are confronting injustice and building a more equitable world. From race and religion to politics, policy, and practice, Watson engages guests with humility and boldness, asking the hard questions that lead to hope-filled action.
Episodes
Dr. Terence Lester: Why Charity Won’t End Homelessness
In this compelling episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Dr. Terence Lester: public scholar, author, community activist, and founder/Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls. Dr. Lester shares his journey from dropping out of high school as a teenager to earning five degrees, including a PhD in public policy. He discusses his firsthand experience sleeping under bridges and i
Brian Orme: The Christians We've Forgotten
In this eye-opening episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Brian Orme, CEO of Global Christian Relief (GCR). A former pastor, journalist, and media leader, Brian shares how personal grief and a transformative encounter with a North Korean refugee completely altered his understanding of faith, suffering, and the global church.
Benjamin and Brian dive deep into the realities
Delano Squires: The Vanishing Black Family and How We Rebuild It
In this episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with author Delano Squires to unpack a crucial yet frequently overlooked dimension of social justice: marriage, fatherhood, and family structure. Drawing from his personal background growing up in New York, his experience in local government, and insights from his book, The Vanishing Black Family, Delano shares why human flourishing
Treneé McGee: Can You Be Pro-Life and Democrat?
Host Benjamin Watson sits down with Connecticut State Representative Treneé McGee, the youngest Black woman ever elected to the Connecticut General Assembly (116th District). A former actress, studio founder, and self-described political "unicorn," Representative McGee shares her unique journey from studying film and acting to running for public office, taking a stand for her faith, and advocating
Dr. Tony Evans: What Happens When Culture Defines Justice
What happens when a culture pursues justice while ignoring God’s standard of righteousness? In this deeply insightful episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson welcomes legendary pastor, author, and theologian Dr. Tony Evans. Founder of The Urban Alternative and Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dr. Evans reflects on over five decades of ministry, his personal journey growing up in Baltimore, and t
Joe Knittig: The Foster Care Crisis We’re Solving Too Late
In this episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Joe Knittig, CEO of Care Portal and The Global Orphan Project. Joe shares his journey from working as a labor attorney to shifting his focus to family preservation and child welfare. The conversation explores the limitations of traditional charity, the distinctions between poverty-driven neglect and abuse, and how local communit
Mike Mannina: How Every Investor Can Flex Their Voice for Global Good
What does human flourishing really mean, and how can we use modern economic engines to drive true structural change? In this episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Mike Mannina, Director of Corporate Engagement at Vident Asset Management.
Mike shares insights from his expansive career spanning the White House, post-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan, and his 10-year ten
Dr. Charlie Dates: What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness?
Welcome back to The Just Life podcast! To kick off Season 3, we’re asking “What does true biblical justice look like when it isn't decoupled from righteousness?”
To answer this question, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Dr. Charlie Dates, Senior Pastor of both Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, scholar, author, and founder of the Black Boy Literacy Campaign.
Toge
Matt Hasselbeck: From the Super Bowl to the Frontlines of Modern-Day Slavery
In this powerful, partner-exclusive episode with the International Justice Mission (IJM), host Benjamin Watson sits down with his long-time friend, 18-year NFL veteran, and 3-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
While Matt is widely celebrated for leading the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a different kind of legacy: one ro
Juwan Johnson: How an NFL Tight End Partnered with IJM to Fight Human Trafficking
In this special episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with fellow NFL tight end Juwan Johnson of the New Orleans Saints. Partnering with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Benjamin and Juwan dive deep into what it means to use an influential platform to combat modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Juwan shares his personal journey from blind spots to active advocacy, h
Jason McCourty: From the Locker Room to the State House
What happens when the final whistle blows on a 13-year NFL career, but the passion for your community is just getting started?
In this special episode of The Just Life, in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM), host Benjamin Watson sits down with his former New England Patriots teammate, Super Bowl champion, and current CBS/ESPN analyst Jason McCourty. Broadcasting live from th
Sam Acho: From the NFL Gridiron to Eradicating Food Deserts and Modern Slavery
What happens when you trade standard Slack notifications and offseason relaxation for a deep-dive immersion into the front lines of human rights? In this special partnership episode with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Benjamin Watson sits down with nine-year NFL veteran, author, and ESPN analyst Sam Acho.
Sam opens up about his unique childhood navigating spaces as the son of Nigerian i
Kirk Cousins: The Prayer That Changed His Life
In this special episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with 14-year NFL veteran, Bart Starr Award winner, and quarterback Kirk Cousins. Partnering with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Benjamin and Kirk explore what it means to live out biblical justice, the reality of spiritual warfare on the front lines, and how a prayer Kirk muttered as a 17-year-old high school studen
Dr. Bernice King: The Truth About Nonviolence
What does nonviolence actually demand and who does it require us to become? Benjamin Watson welcomes Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center and a leading global voice for social change, for a conversation that moves beyond legacy and into calling.
Though many know her as the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this exchange reveals a fuller picture an athlete’s drive,
Tony Dungy: What It Costs to Stand for Your Faith
In this episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning coach, Tony Dungy. They explore the intersection of faith and justice, discussing Dungy’s controversial decision to speak at the March for Life, the legacy of his father, and the ongoing challenges regarding racial representation in NFL leadership.
Key Takeaways:
- The Courage
Anquan Boldin: From the Muck to the Movement
In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin. From his roots in the agricultural “Muck” of Palm Beach County to a standout NFL career, Boldin reflects on how football shaped his leadership and how personal tragedy reshaped his purpose. Boldin is the co-founder of the Players Coalition, a player-led organiza
Johnny Joey Jones: What Do We Owe the Men and Women We Send to War?
What does a just society owe the men and women it sends into harm's way? In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Johnny Joey Jones, Marine Corps veteran, New York Times bestselling author, and FOX News co-host of The Big Weekend Show.
In their conversation, Joey shares his journey from a small "one-horse town" in Georgia to serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
Michel Lusakueno: Why the World Can’t Ignore Congo
For many, the tragedies occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) feel distant - relegated to fleeting social media statistics or occasional news reports. But the reality is far closer to our everyday lives than most people realize. In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Congolese native Michel Lusakueno to bridge that gap.
Michel shares his unique perspect
Dr. Eric Mason: Why Biblical Justice is Spiritual Maturity
In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with theologian, author, and pastor Dr. Eric Mason to dismantle the idea that justice is a "social elective" for the Christian. Dr. Mason explains how biblical justice is fundamentally rooted in "proper judgment" and spiritual maturity. They dive deep into the necessity of knowing our history, no matter how uncomfortable, to achieve true
Preston Perry: If God Is Good, How Can He Allow Such Horrific Things to Happen?
In this powerful episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with poet, author, and apologist Preston Perry. Preston shares his journey from the South Side of Chicago, where he witnessed the harsh realities of murder and systemic neglect, to becoming a leading voice in Christian apologetics. The conversation takes a deep dive into the necessity of empathy, the dangers of prioritizing polit
Dr. Boyce Watkins: Building Family Freedom Through Ownership
What does it mean to live a just life in a society where the economic scales have been tipped for centuries? While protests, legislation, and boycotts are vital tools for justice, Dr. Boyce Watkins argues that there is another hammer we must pick up: Finance. In this episode, Benjamin Watson and Dr. Watkins move beyond the abstract and dive into the "science of wealth."
From Dr. Watkins’ humble
Leah Rothstein: Uncovering the Unconstitutional History of Our Cities
In this episode of The Just Life, Leah Rothstein joins Benjamin Watson for a sobering and necessary conversation about the structural roots of racial segregation in America. Drawing from Just Action, the book she co-authored with her father, renowned academic Richard Rothstein, Leah challenges the popular belief that today’s segregated neighborhoods are simply the result of personal choice or mark
Gary Haugen: The Real Reason Poverty Persists
In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Gary Haugen, Founder and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM). While many view poverty simply as a lack of resources, Gary argues that for the world’s poorest, the primary obstacle to survival is actually unchecked violence.
From his upbringing in a "bubble" of affluence to investigating genocide in Rwanda, Gary shares his jou
Jemar Tisby: The History the Church Avoids
In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin sits down with historian, author, and speaker Dr. Jemar Tisby to discuss the inseparable link between faith and justice. Together, they dive deep into the American church's complicated history with racism and how understanding the past is essential for interpreting the present.
Jemar challenges the traditional narrative of the Jim Crow era, reframing it
Ruth Malhotra: The Woman Who Told The Truth About Ravi Zacharias
In this powerful episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Ruth Malhotra, a key whistleblower in the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) scandal. Ruth’s journey is one of unexpected advocacy, sitting at the intersection of faith, justice, and public engagement.
The conversation begins with Ruth’s early days at Georgia Tech, where she successfully sued the university for
Sho Baraka: The Promise We Never Kept
Artist, author, and cultural commentator Sho Baraka joins Benjamin Watson to kick off Season 2 of The Just Life for a powerful conversation on faith, history, and justice.
Drawing from his upbringing during the Rodney King era and his time at Tuskegee University, Sho shares how his understanding of injustice was formed. Together, they examine his Christianity Today article "The Broken Promise of
Jasmine Crowe-Houston: Love Your Neighbor, Feed Your Neighbor
Benjamin Watson sits down with Jasmine Crowe-Houston, social impact innovator, TED speaker, and founder/CEO of Goodr, to reframe hunger as a justice issue, not just charity. Jasmine breaks down why 42–47 million Americans live with food insecurity, how “food deserts” and “food swamps” drive inequity, and why the poorest often pay the most for food. She explains Goodr’s tech platform that rescues s
Geoff Duncan: The Honest Umpire
Benjamin Watson and Geoff Duncan, former Georgia lieutenant governor, ex–pro baseball pitcher, entrepreneur, and author of GOP 2.0, talk about truth, courage, and leading with love. Geoff shares how his faith matured from “inherited” to personal, why he chose to call balls and strikes after 2020, and what it cost. They unpack his “honest umpire” approach, character in the Oval Office, rebuilding t
Justin Giboney: Stop Outsourcing Your Witness
In a time when politics feels like a tug-of-war for Christian allegiance, Benjamin Watson sits down with Justin Giboney, attorney, strategist, and president of the AND Campaign, to unpack how Christians can engage politics without losing their witness. Together they challenge partisanship and call for a faith that holds conviction and compassion in the same breath. From a whole-life ethic on abor
Stephen Enada: Exposing a Silent Slaughter
Benjamin Watson sits down with Stephen Enada, president and co-founder of the International Committee on Nigeria, to unpack the crisis facing Nigeria’s persecuted church. They discuss undercounted death tolls, mass displacement, and why global and governmental inaction persists. Stephen challenges misleading “farmer–herder/climate” narratives, highlights corruption and terrorism, shares Leah Shari
Tiffany Loftin: How Everyday People Win Big Change
How Do Ordinary People Win Extraordinary Change?
Organizer and strategist Tiffany Loftin unpacks student power, unionizing Delta flight attendants, abolishing the death penalty, and sustaining joy while fighting injustice. What began as a campaign to continue her own college education—and improve life for every student at UC Santa Cruz, has become a lifelong mission of advocacy. Tiffany shares pr
Bakari Sellers: Building Power & Protecting Families
Civil rights attorney and CNN analyst Bakari Sellers joins Benjamin to talk about growing up in South Carolina, what “hidden” injustices like heirs’ property reveal about policy, and why due process, health access, and strong local churches matter for real change. A thoughtful, nuanced convo on leading with empathy while pushing for reform.
Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@
Lecrae Moore: Why Lecrae Won’t Be Silent (and what he hopes will become his magnum opus)
Benjamin Watson sits down with Grammy-winning artist, author, and philanthropist Lecrae for a candid conversation on faith that acts, how the gospel grounds justice, why silence wounds, and what hopeful, everyday courage looks like. Lecrae opens up about suffering, healing, and practical ways to love neighbors with integrity at home, in church, and in public life. From a childhood influenced by th
Cornel West: Justice, Not Revenge
In this episode of The Just Life with Benjamin Watson, Dr. Cornel West, philosopher, public intellectual, and prophetic voice for justice, joins Benjamin for a wide-ranging conversation on love, truth, and the moral demands of our time. Drawing from his famous declaration that “justice is what love looks like in public,” Dr. West explores the meaning of prophetic love in an age marked by division,
Bruce Deel: Mercy With A Spine
Benjamin Watson talks with Bruce Deel about justice with boots on the ground: moving toward pain, listening first, and building a “people plan” that turns triage into transformation. Anchored by faith, they unpack restoring neighborhoods without displacement, combining mercy with accountability, mobilizing men against exploitation, and creating real pathways to stability so families can flourish t
Angela Stanton King: Mothers, Babies and The Measure of Justice
Benjamin Watson sits down with Angela Stanton King to unpack what a “just life” looks like when convictions meet compassion. Once incarcerated and shackled while giving birth, the Auntie Angie’s House founder has become a fierce advocate for criminal justice reform, family restoration, and maternal health. Exploring her journey from prison to purpose, they discuss the fight for dignity, responsib
Russell Moore: Christianity Beyond Culture Wars
Benjamin Watson and Dr. Russell Moore consider what justice looks like as a way of life: awakening conscience, resisting tribalism, repenting and reforming, stewarding influence, and choosing small faithful actions over grandstanding. Through a Christian lens, they invite listeners to trade outrage for wisdom, recover the strangeness of the gospel, and build communities that embody truth, compassi
Brooke Baldwin: Is the News Broken—or Are We?
Benjamin Watson sits down with journalist, TV host, and bestselling author Brooke Baldwin (Netflix’s The Trust; author of Huddle) for a candid conversation about justice, empathy, and truth. Brooke revisits their first on-air meeting during Ferguson in 2014 and sets the record straight on a viral “cut-off” moment. She shares how major stories—from Parkland to George Floyd—reshaped her, why media l
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