Phil and Jase Robertson accepted the award for this year’s Podcast Impact trophy at the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards earlier this week. Their podcast is titled “Unashamed with Phil & Jase Robertson.”

Phil is the Robertson family patriarch, and father to four sons: Jase, Willie, Jep and Al. The members of the Robertson clan are reality TV stars of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, while Phil, Jase, Willie and Jep also own their hunting company Duck Commander; Al Robertson served as a pastor for over two decades.

Phil and Jase are both hosts of the “Unashamed” podcast – while they’re joined frequently by Al – which, after launching in 2018, has gained over 375 million downloads.

The hosts “share unscripted family stories, hilarious anecdotes and practical wisdom,” K-LOVE notes. “Regularly inviting additional members of the Robertson clan to join in on the fun, the podcast takes God’s Word outside the four walls of the church to apply its timeless truth to real people, real struggles and real life.”

In explaining the origin of the podcast, Phil shared that his nephew urged him to start one a few years back. Phil declined.

“So then he suggested I start an internet Bible study,” Phil recalled. “I said, ‘Now you’re talking.’”

Phil continued:

Almost 700 episodes later, our “Unashamed” podcast is still rolling, and all you out there in computer land are still listening.

It … took me by surprise when I heard our “internet Bible study” was nominated for the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards Podcast of the Year. They give that award to podcasts that impact the culture, and I sure hope that’s what we’re doing.

You can watch Jase Robertson’s acceptance speech here:

Congratulations to the Robertson clan for their new, and well deserved, accolade.

I think there’s a lesson here that we can all learn from.

In our postmodern, post-Christian, relativist, materialist and functionally atheist culture, for Christians, there is power in being “unashamed” of our faith.

Take the Robertson crew for example. Despite earning numerous accolades, downloads, television views and celebrity status, their family has not shied away from their Christian faith. In fact, their faith is the cornerstone of their testimony.

The Robertsons have used their platform to reach up to God and reach out to those who don’t know Him.

And that speaks to the title of their podcast, “Unashamed.”

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, ESV).

Rather than trying to hid their faults and failings, the Robertsons have been open about them. But that’s not the end of the story.

They have allowed Christ to redeem and restore them, bearing testimony to Christ’s healing power.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).

In his encyclical letter Evangelii Nuntiandi (In proclaiming the Gospel), Pope Paul VI wrote, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”

Perhaps that is why “Unashamed” is sprinting towards a half billion downloads. Sure, the Robertsons use their platform to teach. But they do so, only after they have born witness to Christ’s love and healing power in their lives.

You may not have your own podcast – much less a reality TV show.

But in your own life – in those you encounter in your circle of influence – don’t forget to be a witness first and teach second. You can’t share something you don’t have.

The fact that the Robertsons have been able to share the power of Christ with untold millions is evidence of what they do have. Namely, the faith, hope and love of Jesus Christ.

Phil and Kay Robertson recently appeared on the Focus on the Family Broadcast in an episode titled, “Hunting for Hope and Happiness.” You can listen to the Robertson’s inspiring story of love and redemption here.

Additionally, you can purchase a copy of Phil’s New York Times bestselling book Happy, Happy, Happy here.

Related articles and resources:

Hunting for Hope and Happiness

Finding Peace of Mind in Christ

Happy, Happy, Happy

A New Season

Si-Cology 1

Photo from YouTube.