

Wretched Radio with Todd Friel
Fortis Institute
Wretched Radio is hosted by Todd Friel. On the show, you will hear live witnessing encounters, discussions of tough theological issues, and various topics in the Christian community. You might even have a laugh.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 17, 2025 • 55min
WHY YOUR FEELINGS CAN’T BE PRIMARY WHEN IT COMES TO FAITH
Segment 1:
• False teacher Kathryn Krick is drawing crowds with emotional spectacle and “miracle” theatrics.
• People are chasing feelings, not truth—spiritual highs can’t sustain faith.
• Discernment means anchoring in truth, not seeking constant emotional adrenaline.
Segment 2:
• Calling out false teaching doesn’t make you sexist—it makes you biblical.
• Rick Joyner defends a predator pastor—what does that reveal about NAR leadership?
• Wolves in sheep’s clothing prey on the vulnerable under the guise of “healing.”
Segment 3:
• Church bells silenced in the UK—are we watching faith erased from public life?
• What was once a symbol of worship is now seen as a nuisance.
• Losing tradition often signals something deeper: the collapse of community and conviction.
Segment 4:
• Catholic bishops sue over mandatory abuse reporting—calling it a threat to religious freedom.
• This isn’t just legal—it’s moral: should silence ever protect sin?
• Also: new Fortis podcasts that confront cultural chaos with gospel clarity.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 16, 2025 • 55min
“NO KINGS DAY”? WHY REJECTING AUTHORITY WON’T SET YOU FREE
Segment 1:
• “No Kings Day” raises deeper questions—do we actually want a King?
• In a world of political chaos and rising persecution, Christians must remember: Jesus reigns.
• America may reject kingship, but your soul was made to serve one.
Segment 2:
• Brandon Lake says it’s time to ditch hymns—revealing our shallow view of worship.
• Small churches are stronger in faithfulness; megachurches invite spectators, not soldiers.
• The therapy trend among pastors points to a deeper crisis of biblical confidence.
Segment 3:
• Brandon Lake performs emotional worship on American Idol—but where’s the theology?
• Worship isn’t therapy—it’s truth that transforms.
• Weak worship might be what’s weakening the church.
Segment 4:
• Luther Seminary in MN is shutting down—another sign of theological decay.
• A filed-away statement of faith is not the same as actually teaching truth.
• Even when institutions collapse, Christ remains faithful.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 13, 2025 • 55min
VICTORY OVER PORN AND A REBUILT MARRIAGE: REAL HOPE FOR BROKEN HOMES
It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
Segment 1:
• Jesus broke my porn addiction and restored my marriage—what hope is there for other men?
• My husband says he doesn’t love me and left—how do I respond biblically? Is it wrong to be angry?
Segment 2:
• Why do we say “the Holy Spirit” but not “the God” or “the Jesus”? Does the article matter?
Segment 3:
• How do I encourage my new wife to stay in the Word when she works grueling shifts?
• If I disagree with MacArthur’s study notes, am I a heretic?
Segment 4:
• Are there physical copies of Scripture in heaven?
• As a Christian in authority, how do I fire people without compromising my witness?
• Can someone preach truth but fail to glorify God?
• Do angels have free will like humans?
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 12, 2025 • 55min
HOW THIS ISSUE COULD LEAD TO THE DOWNFALL OF THE SBC!
Segment 1:
• SBC fails (again) to pass the Law Amendment affirming only qualified men as pastors.
• Historical cracks in this area have led entire denominations astray—are we next?
• “Affirming but not affirming” language is the same tactic used in gender debates.
Segment 2:
• If churches are being disfellowshipped for female pastors, why not codify the standard?
• Fear of man, cultural compromise, or fear of shrinking numbers?
• SBC votes to keep the ERLC—why are we funding institutions that reflect the culture more than Christ?
Segment 3:
• Newsboys singer admits years of sinful living—how should Christians respond?
• Discernment needed: are we gossiping or redeeming?
• Real repentance or damage control? How we judge reveals more about us than them.
Segment 4:
• Can someone live in unrepentant sin for 20 years and still be a believer?
• The key question isn’t “when were you saved?” but “are you saved right now?”
• Deception is powerful—and the local church is the safeguard God provides.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 11, 2025 • 55min
THE GOSPEL VS. YOUR CONSCIENCE—WHICH ONE WINS?
It’s Witness Wednesday!
Todd Friel is back on campus at Georgia Tech. His discussions revolve around topics such as religion, atheism, the existence of God, evolution, personal beliefs, and moral judgment under the Christian framework. Todd uses various analogies and biblical references to argue for Christianity while addressing the contrasting views on religion and science held by the students.
Segment 1:
• Former Methodist student wrestles with whether belief itself—regardless of truth—has any value.
• Agrees that justice requires judgment but hesitates to apply it to himself.
• Gets walked through conscience-based questions and admits he’d be found guilty—yet clings to a vague hope in divine leniency.
Segment 2:
• Student hears a crystal-clear gospel: forgiveness comes only through Christ, not good behavior.
• Initially says he agrees with “parts” of Christianity—until pressed on why he’s never trusted Jesus.
• The sticking point? He prefers sin over surrender and doesn’t want a God who tells him how to live.
Segment 3:
• Breakdancer and self-described atheist challenges the idea of creation with science-based objections.
• Admits to lying, stealing, lusting, and using God’s name in vain—but still thinks deep down he’s a good guy.
• The gospel is presented as the only solution to his guilt, yet he dismisses it as someone else’s belief system.
Segment 4:
• Final student is told, point-blank: if God is just, you’re in big trouble.
• Still insists he’s “a good person deep down,” despite confessing to fornication, blasphemy, and more.
• Hears the full gospel and acknowledges its power—but ultimately says it doesn’t align with his logic or desires.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 10, 2025 • 55min
HOW TO STAND FIRM IN A CULTURE LOSING ITS MIND
Segment 1
• Antisemitism rises, misgendering becomes criminal, and colleges now teach “adulting” classes.
• Todd presents a cultural “train wreck” and asks: which story screams “sign of the times” to you?
• Moral confusion and soft totalitarianism are growing fast—can you spot the symptoms?
Segment 2
• Emergency contraception at gas stations and cannabis replacing alcohol—what could go wrong?
• Porn companies block France over age laws—are they protecting kids or profits?
• Cultural boundaries are evaporating. Are you ready to raise your kids in this world?
Segment 3
• Preaching isn’t just explaining—it’s exalting Christ with urgency and clarity.
• Many pulpits today sound more like seminary lectures than soul-stirring sermons.
• Want transformation, not just information? The Bible must be preached with purpose.
Segment 4
• Psychedelic drugs are trending in Silicon Valley as faux spiritual awakenings.
• Divorce leaves a wake—5 million kids show long-term damage in new study.
• The culture offers altered states and broken homes—how should the Church respond?
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 9, 2025 • 55min
HOW THE BIBLE TRAINS US TO SEE PURPOSE IN OUR PAIN
Segment 1:
• Todd reflects on the beauty and order of Huntsville, AL—and what that reveals about respect.
• Jason Allen preached Psalm 88: the darkest psalm has layers of hope beneath the surface.
• The Bible trains us to look beyond what’s visible—to see purpose behind pain.
Segment 2:
• Todd returns from Alabama to a banquet and a full sermon on Genesis 3.
• God’s patience in the garden reveals His heart—judgment delayed isn’t judgment denied.
• If we didn’t know David was “a man after God’s own heart,” would we believe it?
Segment 3:
• A teen girl describes detaching from her body at 13—drugs, diagnoses, and confusion followed.
• Screen time and puberty form a toxic mix that rewires young minds.
• Parents must guard their homes—discipline digital habits before culture does it for you.
Segment 4:
• Digital addiction has made basic real-world interaction a struggle—especially for kids.
• Some schools now issue “no-contact orders” to help students navigate friendships.
• Before cutting social media cold turkey, consider how the Gospel shapes wise boundaries.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 6, 2025 • 55min
EVANGELISM VS. APOLOGETICS: WHAT IF RAY COMFORT FACED THE ATHEISTS?
It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
Segment 1
• What if Ray Comfort had debated those 20 atheists instead of Jordan Peterson? Would it have changed anything?
• I’m a Bible college student struggling with shame and sexual sin—how do I move forward?
• How can I help someone understand that how they dress actually matters?
Segment 2
• A pastor at my church blocks me online and avoids me in person—what should I do?
Segment 3
• Is my baptism still valid if it was performed by someone who later proved to be a false convert?
• How should I think biblically about major life decisions like work, marriage, or school?
Segment 4
• Is it wrong to leave your native culture for another one?
• What encouragement do you have for lonely pastor’s wives?
• I shared the gospel with a family member—should I speak again or just keep praying?
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 5, 2025 • 55min
WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT BAPTISM AND HOW IS IT CONNECTED TO COMMUNION?
Segment 1:
• Baptism isn’t optional—are you obeying or just attending?
• NYT slams the SBC for decline, but biblically faithful churches are growing.
• Upcoming SBC resolutions could shift the direction of the denomination.
Segment 2:
• Chan throws former church members under the bus with zero accountability.
• NT Wright offers a confused, pro-choice stance that fumbles biblical clarity.
• Christians need courage to stand for life—and wisdom when speaking on it.
Segment 3:
• AP targets Ken Ham while Rome sells “apostolic blessings” like souvenirs.
• Pastors often quit not from failure, but exhaustion and stagnation.
• Leaders must know their limits—and churches must know how to support them.
Segment 4:
• A 5-cent donation sobers Todd—faith isn’t about amount, but sacrifice.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses offer works-based salvation—but the true Gospel is grace.
• When evangelizing cults, aim straight for the conscience with truth.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jun 4, 2025 • 55min
THE KINDEST ACT IN HISTORY…AND WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU!
It’s Witness Wednesday!
Todd Friel conducts is on the campus of Georgia Tech where he engages with several students to discuss the Christian gospel and explores their religious beliefs. Todd will dialogue with those he encounters on spirituality, morality, and the concept of God.
Segment 1:
• Drew believes a creator exists due to the complexity of life but leans toward deism—God created the world and stepped back.
• He acknowledges lying, stealing, and lusting—recognizes guilt if judged by God’s moral standard.
• Drew listens intently as the gospel is presented—admits if it’s true, it would be the kindest act ever done for him.
Segment 2:
• Drew wrestles with the seeming contradiction between human imperfection and religion’s call to holiness.
• He understands how the cross resolves God’s justice and mercy—Jesus was punished in our place.
• Drew admits he needs to explore it further but pushes it off—says he’s too busy with school right now.
Segment 3:
• Todd talks with two female students who claim to be Christians. They can loosely explain the gospel and emphasize repentance and faith, though with some theological fuzziness.
• Todd meets Jason, working the inflatable rental. Jason calls himself spiritual but not religious—he rejects church due to perceived hypocrisy.
• Jason admits he’s broken many moral laws but still sees himself as a good person—hopes his effort is enough.
Segment 4:
• Confronted with God’s justice—Jason admits he’d be guilty if judged and might deserve hell.
• He learns that Jesus took the punishment on his behalf so he could be freely forgiven.
• Challenged to consider the gospel urgently—Todd encourages Jason to read the Bible and decide whether it’s true before it’s too late.
___
Thanks for listening!
Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.
If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/
If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!


