Billy Graham: podcast appearances and interviews

William Franklin Graham Jr. was an American evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate known as The Hands of Jesus. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he became a prominent evangelical Christian figure both in the United States and internationally. Graham gained widespread recognition through his broadcasts and world tours featuring live sermons, often delivered in large venues and broadcast via radio and television. He hosted annual crusades from 1947 until his retirement in 2005 and was the host of the radio show Hour of Decision from 1950 to 1954. Throughout his ministry, Graham emphasized racial integration and publicly repudiated segregation, inviting influential figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. to preach at his revivals. His efforts aimed to connect biblical teachings with contemporary secular viewpoints, reaching a diverse global audience. According to his website, he spoke to live audiences of at least 210 million people across more than 185 countries and territories through various meetings and events. Graham maintained close relationships with U.S. presidents including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon, and was a lifelong friend of televangelist Robert Schuller. Although initially wary of Catholicism, he later fostered amicable ties with Catholic Church figures and promoted unity between Catholics and Protestants. Graham also operated media and publishing outlets, and his crusades are believed to have preached the gospel to more people live and in person than anyone in Christian history. Recognized repeatedly on Gallup's list of most admired individuals, Graham's influence extended into shaping American social and religious standards.