#349 Hidden Sin, Near Divorce, and the Christian Music Machine, with Michael O’Brien
The Alisa Childers Podcast
Intro
Alisa opens the episode, announces sponsors, and introduces Michael O'Brien and the episode themes.
Today’s conversation is a candid and at times sobering look inside the contemporary Christian music industry—where calling, platform, pressure, and spiritual warfare often collide. My guest is Michael O’Brien, beloved solo artist from the ’90s and former lead singer of NewSong. Michael opens up about the grueling pace of life on the road, the hidden sins that nearly cost him his marriage, and how the Lord used conviction, repentance, counseling, and a renewed love for Scripture to rebuild what was breaking.
We also talk honestly about the “machine” that can form around Christian celebrity, how easy it is for sin to stay buried in public ministry, and why true reform in the Christian music world won’t come through branding—but through humility, servant leadership, and gospel purity. Along the way, we discuss the current cultural moment, the renewed interest in church and Christianity, and why discernment is more important than ever—especially for brand-new believers who are hungry, hopeful, and vulnerable to bad theology.
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