The Common Good Podcast

Brian confesses to becoming "that dad" who chases down every light left on in the house amid rising utility costs, using it as a jumping-off point for a candid conversation about financial stress and what it looks like to build a budget and a life of contentment on faith rather than anxiety. He digs into a Christianity Today piece contrasting Texas's new Bible-inclusive public school reading list with Connecticut's optional Arab and Islamic studies curriculum, arguing public schools shouldn't be in the business of shaping worldview either direction. Brian shares a Reuters poll showing bipartisan support for stronger social media regulation to protect kids, arguing government has a role but parents bear the ultimate responsibility. He also covers Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signing a bill expanding late-term abortion access, a Max Lucado piece offering six practical steps toward forgiveness, a Crossway article on what to do when feelings don't line up with Scripture, and closes with a rich conversation on Rich Villodas's book The Narrow Path and the difference between "peacekeeping" and true biblical "peacemaking."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian interviews four-time Grammy-winning music producer Ricky "Slikk Muzik" Offord about his new book, 33 Days Between Heaven and Hell. Ricky, who has produced for artists including Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, Ariana Grande, and Tori Kelly, shares the harrowing story of a routine gallbladder surgery in 2016 that led to a 33-day coma, multiple cardiac arrests, and an out-of-body experience where he encountered a vast line of people from every nation waiting before heaven's gates. He describes praying for a second chance and vowing to share his story and rededicate his life to Christ, and how that encounter transformed him from simply a successful producer into a man driven by his faith and a calling to point others toward Jesus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian opens with a powerful reflection on preaching at Sheridan Prison this past weekend, describing the depth of community and hunger for God he witnessed in an inmate-run church service — a humbling reminder that God is at work in the hardest places. He shares a new study linking diet soda consumption to cognitive decline, then tackles the uncomfortable question of whether truly heinous sinners, using Jeffrey Dahmer's late-life conversion as the example, can really be saved — landing on the scandalous, humbling truth that none of us deserve grace. Brian reflects on the emotional weight of his son leaving for college and processes change through faith in an unchanging God. He also weighs in on the University of Michigan hiding freshman grades to protect student mental health, the WNBA's ongoing controversy over transgender athletes, a viral list of "19 lies" his generation was sold about adulthood, and closes with a rich JD Greer teaching on how the Ten Commandments function for Christians today as a curb, a map, and a mirror pointing us to Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian celebrates Adam Holz's birthday before diving into a striking review from Plugged In on the horror film Ice Cream Man from director Eli Roth, sparked by Roth's own admission that being traumatized by the movie Alien at age eight inspired his career making horror films. Adam reflects on how deeply entertainment can shape a person's life direction, for better or worse, and why paying attention to what kids and grandkids are watching matters. They wrap up with a review of the new Spider-Man film, discussing its themes of friendship and isolation following the character's memory-erasing sacrifice, along with content notes on violence, language, and suggestive material for parents to weigh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian reflects on feeling politically homeless amid the rise of the Democratic Socialist movement and the MAGA movement pulling both parties toward the extremes, grounding his hope in Christ rather than any political tribe. He digs into pastor Josh Howerton's conversation on the Sean Ryan Show about the hard, practical steps of biblical forgiveness — including Howerton's own painful experience with leaked personal details from his church. Brian talks about what defines us apart from external metrics like job titles or church attendance numbers, pointing to identity as beloved children of God. He shares a Gospel Coalition piece on finding God's glory in birdwatching, calls out "clown Christianity" — the exhausting habit of painting over inner brokenness with a happy face — and pushes back on the viral "dump them" culture of cutting off relationships at the first sign of conflict. He also shares Randy Alcorn's reminder that every job, not just full-time ministry, is a platform to glorify God, illustrated by the story of insurance entrepreneur Art DeMoss. Brian closes with a rich meditation on "awe" as the fuel of faith and the antidote to spiritual apathy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian opens reflecting on what to do when life doesn't unfold the way we hoped — leaning on God's unchanging faithfulness even amid disappointment and regret. He wades into WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham's comments on biological males in women's sports and the swift cultural backlash she received, lamenting the loss of civil disagreement in public discourse. A study claiming "true love" requires a six-figure salary gets pushback from Brian, who shares his own experience marrying young and broke. He shares a moving Gospel Coalition piece on the recently uncovered story of Charles Spurgeon's father's imprisonment for debt, and how God used that family failure to shape one of history's greatest preachers. Brian also digs into a fascinating trend piece on young adults ditching smartphones for "dumb phones" to reclaim their mental health and attention, a Relevant Magazine interview with Louis Giglio on how our earthly fathers shape our view of God, a simple "Bible before phone" spiritual discipline from Tyndale House, Tim Chalis on tasting heaven, and closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on the power of praise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does authentic masculinity look like in a culture filled with competing messages about what it means to be a man? Brian Fromm sits down with pastor and author Seth Troutt to discuss his new book, Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God's Design. Their conversation explores why so many young men are drawn to online influencers like Andrew Tate, how Christians can reject cultural extremes without losing biblical conviction, and the virtues that define godly manhood. Seth also offers practical wisdom on building meaningful male friendships, becoming a more intentional husband, and leading as a father—even if you feel like you've fallen short in the past. Whether you're raising sons, mentoring young men, or simply seeking to grow in your own faith, this conversation provides a thoughtful, hope-filled vision for biblical masculinity in today's worldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian welcomes singer-songwriter and author Laura Story to discuss her new book Stand in Awe: How Reverence Transforms Our Worship and Our Lives. Laura unpacks what reverence really means — approaching God with humility and surrender rather than treating Him like "a genie in a lamp" — and walks through four common tendencies that erode it: casual worship, self-focused worship, shallow worship, and distracted worship. She talks about living out that reverence seven days a week, not just on Sunday mornings, and points to Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 as a model of awe leading to surrender and mission. The conversation closes with the story behind her hit song "Blessings," written in the aftermath of her husband's brain tumor diagnosis and the lasting brain injury that followed, and how she's stepped back from touring to focus on her four kids while continuing to write and record.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back from vacation, Brian reflects on a week away with his family in Wisconsin — soaking up time together before his son leaves for college and his daughter departs on a Fulbright — and uses it to talk about the spiritual importance of disconnecting and Sabbath rest as an act of trust in God. He shares a Christianity Today study on how U.S. churches have grown more ethnically diverse while pastors talk less about it from the pulpit, and reflects on unity as the deeper biblical goal. Brian also digs into a fascinating piece on the disappearance of America's "third places" — bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters — and what it means for community life, plus a beautiful clip from 82-year-old apologist John Lennox on what he's most looking forward to in eternity. After a detour through a viral "plane preacher" story on Alaska Airlines as a cautionary tale in bad evangelism, he closes with a thoughtful Desiring God piece on how to process hypocrisy in Christian leaders without losing your own faith, and a Tim Chalis reflection on whether anyone can harden their heart beyond God's reach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian opens reflecting on an upcoming family vacation and the bittersweet reality that change is the only constant, then turns to a Christianity Today piece on First Church in Charlestown — a 400-year-old congregation now down to two members — as a warning about what happens when a church drifts from the gospel. He talks candidly about feeling overwhelmed by life's decisions, leaning on 49ers linebacker Fred Warner's return from a gruesome injury to make the case for living fully in the present since nothing is guaranteed but Christ. Brian also touches on Gen Z's budget-friendly approach to dating, a bizarre AI deepfake video of former NYC mayor Eric Adams, and pushes back on podcaster Jennifer Welch's viral criticism of Christian homeschooling, encouraging listeners to choose what's best for their own family without shame. He closes with a rich double feature: John Stonestreet on how churches can unintentionally shrink the gospel into something private and small, and a Gospel Coalition piece on how God's best work is "cross-shaped" — using unlikely, ordinary people (fishermen, tax collectors, a table-busser named Stephen) to change the world, and using suffering as the soil for resurrection life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian catches up with Adam Holz of Plugged In for their weekly look at movies and streaming through a Christian lens. They dig into swirling controversy over whether Rotten Tomatoes scores for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey are being manipulated, and why inflated IMAX ticket prices may be masking softer actual attendance. Adam reviews Netflix's full reboot of Little House on the Prairie, a faithful if lower-stakes retelling of the Ingalls family's move to Kansas. They also cover The Dink, a PG-13 pickleball-versus-tennis sports comedy on Apple TV with plenty of sensuality and language to watch for, and Bad Counselors, an unusual Fathom Events satire that mashes up Christian camp culture with a hungover-college-kids premise — irreverent but ultimately well-intentioned for a high-school-and-up audience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian welcomes Kim Trobee from Focus on the Family for a conversation timed to National Aunt and Uncle Day (July 26). Kim explains why aunts and uncles occupy a unique space in a child's life: one step removed from the parent-child conflict, able to ask questions, share humanizing stories, and reinforce a family's rules without becoming "the bad guy." She also warns against the real danger of aunts and uncles undermining parents, especially in blended or divorced families, and offers practical ways to stay close across long distances — social media, birthday cards, and simply showing up as a steady, loving presence. Brian and Kim close with an encouragement for any aunt or uncle listening to reach out this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian opens with a reflection on Prince George's thirteenth birthday to unpack how quickly we label people — by politics, by past mistakes, by tribe — and makes the case that Christians are called to trade every label for one: child of God. From there he turns to a Russell Moore piece on C.S. Lewis, unpacking Aslan's line to Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — "there is no need to talk to him about what is past" — as a picture of how Christ receives us after failure. Brian also shares a middle-age TV-and-brain-health study, his own decision to step back from social media before vacation, a Tim Chalis story about a boy's first taste of an orange as a metaphor for tasting heaven, and a look at overcrowding at Yosemite this summer. He closes with reflections on prioritizing date nights in marriage, a Wall Street Journal piece on adults cutting off their parents, a Gospel Coalition piece on finding hope amid "doomerism," and a classic Tim Keller clip on faith being filled with thinking rather than opposed to it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our culture spends billions trying to convince us that aging is something to fear—or even hide. But what if the Bible tells a very different story? Brian Fromm sits down with bestselling author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin to discuss her new book, Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World. Together they explore how modern culture equates growing older with irrelevance, why Scripture presents aging as a gift rather than a curse, and how Christians can embrace every stage of life with purpose. Jen also shares how caring for her mother at the end of life reshaped her understanding of aging, why caregiving is central to the Christian life, and what churches must do now to prepare for America's rapidly aging population. Whether you're entering midlife, caring for aging parents, or leading a church, this conversation offers a hopeful, biblical perspective on growing older with wisdom, dignity, and faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A serial Guinness World Record holder from Idaho just balanced 195 rolls of toilet paper on his forehead for 30 seconds — and Brian From is genuinely impressed by the teamwork involved. From there, a rich and timely piece from Mere Orthodoxy on rest: Americans have accepted a mindset where busyness is the norm and vacation is the only escape valve, but that's not what Jesus modeled or taught. Sabbath isn't a two-week getaway once a year — it's a regular rhythm woven into the week, the month, the season. Brian challenges listeners to identify where rest actually fits in their daily lives, not just when they can afford to disappear. Then a meditation on Romans 11:33-36 and the great "therefore" of Romans 12:1 — in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice — unpacking what it means that our entire response to the gospel is worship, not performance. A pointed segment on the fine line between conviction and condemnation, and why so many Christians live under shame that scripture never intended for them to carry. And a closing devotion from the late Dr. Charles Stanley on loneliness — drawing on Elijah on Mount Sinai, Jesus praying alone in Gethsemane while his disciples slept, and the handoff from Moses to a terrified Joshua — with a single, grounding promise underneath all of it: His companionship is real, present, and enough.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we get the Bible? Why should we read it? How do we interpret it? Todd Chipman, author of 10 Questions About the Bible: 30 Devotions for Kids, Teens, and Families, joins Brian From to answer those questions in a way that actually works for junior high students, high schoolers, and their parents. Todd walks through the arc of his book — from the general (where did the Bible come from?) to the specific (how do we read it well?) — and makes a case that's easy to miss: we're doing kids a disservice by feeding them only a verse a day. Scripture is meant to be read in bigger chunks, the way chapters flow into each other, the way John 9's blind man cast out of the synagogue sets up John 10's Good Shepherd who welcomes him in. He also has an encouraging word for the adult who hasn't opened their Bible in years and doesn't know where to start: God's word is living and always fresh, so just start today, maybe skim a little, and let it become infectious. Families are using the book around the kitchen table; Sunday school classes are making it a curriculum; book clubs are forming around it. Find 10 Questions About the Bible at crossway.org or Amazon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain wins the World Cup over Argentina in extra time — one goal over eight games of tournament play — and Brian From gives it its due before moving on to what's actually on his heart this Monday. He opens with a moment from Sunday morning worship at Compass Church's Hinsdale campus that stopped him cold: singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" in the middle of a set of newer songs, and the way that declaration of God's transcendence and otherness still cuts through everything else. From there, a reflection on three weeks of preaching and the particular pressure of standing behind a pulpit: it becomes very difficult to preach sermons you're ignoring in your own life. Brian shares his message on finishing well, drawn from Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4 — I have fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith — and applies it to the decisions we make today that shape who we'll be at the end. A practical, balanced piece on why people leave churches, why they shouldn't, and how to do it well if the time truly comes — including a direct challenge to have the difficult conversation with your pastor before you go. And a closing piece on theoretical Christian living: the evangelical allergy to the practical, the habit of burying every application in so many caveats it changes no one's life, and the call to a faith that doesn't just stay in the armchair but moves from the pew to the pavement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian wildfire smoke is still blanketing the Midwest, and Brian From opens with the theological thread underneath the inconvenience: control and comfort are the two great idols of American culture, and weather has a way of stripping both bare at once. On a happier note, his daughter is home from five weeks of intensive Arabic study in Washington DC, all three kids are under one roof for the next month, and Brian takes a moment to speak directly to parents of young children: the days are long, but the years go fast — don't take it for granted. Relevant Magazine ranks the top ten fictional pastors on television, and the winner is Reverend Timothy Lovejoy from The Simpsons — a punchline who is also, the piece argues, the most honest portrait of ministry burnout television has ever managed. A nostalgic look back at Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life campaign of 2002, when twelve thousand American churches read the same book and preached the same sermons simultaneously — and what it says about our capacity for unity then and now. And then the unexpected closer: a viral clip of Shaquille O'Neal reflecting on his divorce from inside a 76,000 square foot house where no one else was home. No kids in the gym, no one in the rooms. Brian holds it up as a modern reading of Ecclesiastes — the man who had everything, admits he was greedy, and was left with nothing that mattered. What are you building your life around? Only one thing fills the house.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody's talking about The Odyssey — Christopher Nolan's sweeping epic starring Matt Damon as Odysseus — and Adam Holtz from Plugged In joins Brian From to give the full breakdown. The film generated significant pre-release controversy over casting choices including a Black actress as Helen of Troy and Elliot Page as a warrior, plus concerns about a more progressive interpretation of Homer's source material. But the early numbers tell a different story: 96% from critics and 97% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Adam notes something worth acknowledging: the movie's version of Odysseus is actually more redemptive than the original — a faithful family man trying to get home to his wife and son after 20 years, not the arrogant womanizer of Homer's text. The R rating is the real curveball: the violence is intense but not gory, and Adam traces the rating almost entirely to three F-words — one over the PG-13 threshold — in what he reads as a very deliberate creative decision. His bottom line: know your family's convictions, because this R-rated film is less problematic than a lot of movies that carry that same rating. And teaser: Little House on the Prairie is coming up next week. Full review at pluggedin.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family movie night sounds simple — but Bret Eckelberry, managing editor and movie reviewer at Plugged In, makes the case that it's one of the most powerful tools in a parent's toolbox. He joins Brian From to talk about why shared screen experiences matter, how to get resistant kids on board, and what movies actually make for great family nights. His picks span the decades: Inside Out for its remarkable ability to give families a shared emotional vocabulary; Toy Story 5 for its surprisingly timely take on screen addiction and the value of real-world friendships (when it hits streaming); and The Rookie, the 2002 Dennis Quaid film about a high school teacher who gets a second shot at his baseball dream — really a story about a man growing into his role as a husband and father. Brian and Bret also tackle the deeper question of whether family movie night always needs a discussion point (short answer: no — sometimes laughing together is the whole point), and Bret confesses the classic family movie he's always been happy to skip. His pick for a family with 8 and 10-year-olds this weekend: the original Lilo and Stitch. Find full reviews and family movie night recommendations at pluggedin.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian wildfire smoke is blanketing Chicago and stretching all the way to New York, and Brian From turns the haze into a parable: the decisions we make set off domino effects that ripple far beyond us, affecting people we love and people we'll never meet. Then a personal update — his son's summer baseball team won their league championship in what turned out to be the last game before he heads to college, and his daughter returns tomorrow from five weeks of intensive Arabic study in Washington DC before a nine-month Fulbright scholarship in the fall. Life is moving. Last night's ESPYs honored a Michigan missionary who pitched in Major League Baseball — a story about what happens when fame and faith intersect in unexpected ways. A meditation on contentment drawn from Philippians 4 and a Gospel Coalition piece on the abundant life. And a closing sermon preview from Brian's role as campus pastor at Compass Church's Hinsdale location, centered on one of the most obscure and haunting figures in the New Testament: Demas. He's mentioned twice as part of Paul's team — and then disappears, described in 2 Timothy 4 as having "loved the present world" and deserted Paul entirely. Brian's challenge: the goal of the Christian life is not to start well. It's to finish well. Don't be Demas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a hundred degrees outside and your kids are asking what's next — Melissa Paredes, Senior Director of Content Marketing at Wycliffe Bible Translators, has an answer that's actually good for them. She joins Brian From to talk about Kate and Mac, a free series of printable, downloadable resources Wycliffe has been producing for twelve years: kids travel the world with a 14-year-old missionary kid named Kate and her pet macaw Mac, learning about different languages, cultures, and how much God loves people regardless of where they live or what language they speak. Activities include decoding exercises that simulate what it's like to encounter scripture in a new language, games, crafts, recipes, and devotionals — all available monthly at wycliffe.org/kids. Melissa also shares her own story: a missionary kid who moved overseas at 12 and lived there through 18, she credits those cross-cultural years with shaping everything about her worldview. For parents of teens and young adults, Wycliffe's Purpose 7-9 resource — including an interactive quiz, devotional, and discussion guide — is available at wycliffe.org/purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean for the gospel to be functionally central — not just theologically true in the abstract, but actually animating the way a pastor preaches, thinks, and lives? Mike Bullmore, author of The Heart of Preaching: The Functional Centrality of the Gospel in the Life and Work of the Preacher, joins Brian From to answer that question. A veteran pastor who planted Crossway Community Church 28 years ago and now preaches at Park Community Church in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, Mike makes a simple but convicting diagnosis: the moment a preacher reserves gospel proclamation only for evangelistic sermons and then shifts to discipleship content for believers, he's already gone off course. The gospel isn't just the entry point — it's the flywheel that keeps everything else moving. He also speaks directly to the pastor who has quietly grown apathetic, lost the awe, and is grinding through sermons on fumes — with a word from Psalm 103 about God's compassion and a surprisingly practical prescription involving the Gospel of Mark and the book of Leviticus. Find The Heart of Preaching at Amazon or crossway.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back to school season is just around the corner, and Brian From sits down with Julie Messina, principal of St. Peter Lutheran School in Schaumburg, Illinois — a school that has been educating families for 189 years and sits on 30 acres in the middle of the suburbs. Julie talks about what makes a private Lutheran school distinctive: daily prayer, weekly chapel, classroom buddy programs pairing older and younger students, and class sizes averaging around ten students per teacher. She pushes back on the assumption that private Christian schools offer less than public schools — St. Peter has Lego club, chess club, cross country, volleyball, basketball, cheer and dance — and shares what alumni consistently say when they come back: "High school was a breeze. You prepared us so well." Brian also highlights the school voucher program available through AM1160 at elevensixtyhope.com for families concerned about tuition, and Julie points to the Kirsch Flat scholarship fund — supported by an annual golf outing — for additional financial assistance. Visit stpeterlcms.org to schedule a tour or learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chosen is being translated into 600 languages — and Wendy Lord, Vice President of Localization at Come and See Foundation, is overseeing the effort. She joins Brian From to talk about what that actually looks like on the ground: a theologian in India working through the Assamese translation who says the show is bringing fresh life to his own faith, a woman in Spain whose small group ministered to her for twelve years until she watched The Chosen and said "I finally get it." Then the conversation turns to AI — and Wendy makes a careful, specific case for it. In majority languages like Spanish and French, human voice actors and dubbing teams do the work. But in lower-resourced minority languages where those resources don't exist, AI is filling the gap in remarkable ways: accelerating Bible translation four to sixteen times faster than just a few years ago, and even applying the voices of The Chosen's original cast to single-person recordings so that pre-literate and illiterate communities who can't read subtitles can now hear the story of Jesus in their heart language. Wendy also shares what's coming next — Moses, the book of Acts, and a pipeline of new projects expanding far beyond the original seven seasons. Find The Chosen in the free Chosen mobile app, now available in 125 languages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Russia, you can now rent a barbecue companion for $15 to $65 a day — jokes and anecdotes included, no lasting friendship expected. Brian From opens with that story as a window into something both funny and genuinely heartbreaking about the loneliness epidemic. Then a personal story: getting pulled over late at night with his son in the car, expired plates, and the surprisingly rich spiritual parallel — what happens when those lights come on behind you, and do you repent or make excuses? Former congressman Ben Sass is walking his terminal cancer diagnosis publicly and with remarkable faith, and Brian reflects on what it means to display your theology when the stakes are as high as they get. A pointed look at the lukewarm church of Laodicea in Revelation 3 — hot or cold, not somewhere in between — and what it means for a congregation to be spiritually comfortable, wealthy, and quietly dying. A meditation on what faith looks like when God feels silent, drawing on the stories of the bleeding woman and Jairus's daughter in Mark 5, and the startling private letters of Mother Teresa, who spent decades feeling God's complete absence while continuing to serve the poorest of the poor. The paradox of faith, Brian concludes, is that it often shines brightest not in clarity but in darkness — and what feels like absence will in time reveal itself as a deeper presence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senator Lindsey Graham died over the weekend from what appears to be a tear in his aorta — and Brian From opens not with politics but with perspective. Graham was on the phone with President Trump Saturday night, had just returned from NATO and a meeting with Zelensky, and was at the very center of world events right up until his final moments. Brian uses that as a launching point into the book of Ecclesiastes: meaningless, meaningless, all of it meaningless. Not as a cynical verdict on life, but as a wake-up call to invest in what actually lasts. Then a surprising and personal segment — Brian shares that he's been serving as campus pastor of the Hinsdale location of Compass Church for the past nine months, working through a series on scripture memory and the importance of the local church. A Gospel Coalition piece on Nashville as one of America's hardest mission fields not because of hostility but because of comfort and consumer Christianity. A call to make evangelism a natural part of everyday life rather than a program. And a closing piece from Relevant Magazine that lands like a gut punch for anyone in a waiting season: what if you're missing your life while you're waiting for it? Life doesn't begin when you get married, land the dream job, or reach the next milestone. As Elizabeth Elliot said, the secret is Christ in me — not me in a different set of circumstances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do Christians engage politically without losing their witness, their humility, or their neighbors? A rich meditation on one of the most quietly devastating experiences in the Christian life — doing the right thing and getting punished for it, or doing good work that simply goes unseen. Brian walks through the biblical pattern from Joseph to Paul: faithfulness often precedes obscurity, and obscurity often precedes the thing God was building all along. A burnout study showing that the most burned-out workers aren't the ones working the longest hours but the ones whose work feels most meaningless — a finding with real implications for how Christians think about calling and vocation. A new Barna study on what churchgoers say they most want from a sermon: not inspiration, not entertainment, but practical application they can actually use on Monday morning. Social media's new frontier — AI-generated influencers with millions of followers who don't exist — and what it means to build your sense of identity on an audience's approval. And a closing word from Proverbs 3 on trusting God with your reputation: commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established — even when no one is watching.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average movie length people say they want is now 88 minutes — which makes the upcoming Odyssey at 172 minutes a particularly interesting bet. Adam Holtz from Plugged In joins Brian From to break down what's happening in summer movies. First, live action Moana: a beat-for-beat remake of the original that is neither stunningly good nor stunningly bad, but probably exists because the animated film is the most streamed movie across all platforms over the last five years — 80 billion minutes of viewing. Then the bigger story: The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's blockbuster epic, is already a flashpoint before it even opens. The latest trailer has been ratioed online with ten times as many dislikes as likes, driven largely by casting choices that have race-swapped and gender-swapped major characters including Helen of Troy and Achilles. Meanwhile mainstream media reviews from early screenings are effusive. The gap between those two reactions tells a story about who controls the narrative — and whether it's representative of the actual audience. Adam and Brian also reflect on the broader pattern: franchises and sequels keep bombing while low-budget originals like Backrooms clean up. Maybe audiences are simply exhausted by retreads. Full reviews at pluggedin.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Trobee, longtime Focus on the Family spokesperson and senior manager for their marriage ministry, spent six days in Washington DC for America's 250th birthday celebration — and came back with a surprising report: hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall, no fights, no division, just genuine gratitude and camaraderie. She talks with Brian From about what it felt like to be there, the immigrant families who were the most visibly moved by the celebration, and the significance of Focus on the Family having a booth in the Faith and Family Pavilion on the national mall — something that wouldn't have been possible under previous administrations. Then the conversation shifts to marriage: Kim and her husband Gary have been married 36 years, and she's passionate about helping couples not just survive but thrive. Focus on the Family offers free marriage getaway weekends at four resort locations around the country, and their Hope Restored intensive program — designed for marriages in genuine crisis — has an 80% success rate two years out. Whether you're dating, newlywed, blended, or on the verge of divorce, focusonthefamily.com has resources for every season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Blair is a former Chicago Bear and the founder of Liberty Pastors, a network of over 2,500 pastors across the country who have completed a three-day worldview training camp designed to equip them on subjects most churches never touch: economics, civil government, and human sexuality. His core argument is simple and pointed — if we say Jesus is Lord of all, why are there subjects we're not supposed to preach about? Brian From talks with Paul about the Liberty Pastors Training Camp coming to the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort July 27-30, where pastors get three nights at a luxury resort, 20 hours of continuing education from historians and speakers including Tim Barton of WallBuilders, and practical next steps for equipping their congregations to navigate the world they're living in. The cost to pastors is just $99 for what amounts to a $2,000 value. Every single pastor who has attended has said they wished they'd brought friends. Find out more and register at libertypastorsu.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can Christians faithfully live out their faith in the workplace and everyday life? Brian Fromm sits down with Phil Cochran to explore what it means to move beyond a "Sunday-only" faith and embrace a life of intentional discipleship every day of the week. Their conversation covers the challenges believers face in today's culture, practical ways to integrate faith into work and relationships, and why authentic Christian witness starts with character, humility, and consistency. Phil also shares encouragement for Christians who want to make a meaningful impact wherever God has placed them. Whether you're leading in business, serving in your community, or simply seeking to follow Jesus more faithfully, this conversation offers practical wisdom and biblical encouragement for living out your faith with purpose every day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Common Good, Brian Fromm sits down with Quintin Wingate for an encouraging conversation about living a life of faith with purpose and perseverance. Together they discuss what it means to trust God through life's challenges, the importance of remaining grounded in Scripture, and how Christians can faithfully reflect Christ in their everyday lives. Quintin shares insights from his own journey, offering practical encouragement for anyone seeking to grow spiritually, navigate difficult seasons, and pursue God's calling with confidence. Whether you're facing uncertainty or simply looking to deepen your walk with Christ, this conversation is a reminder that God remains faithful—and our hope is always found in Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to flourish—not just succeed, but truly thrive as God intended? Brian Fromm is joined by Brendan McClenahan, Church Engagement Manager at Plant with Purpose, to explore the biblical vision of human flourishing. Together they discuss why our relationships with God, other people, and creation are all essential to a healthy, Christ-centered life. They also examine the growing epidemic of loneliness, the limitations of digital connection, and the simple, practical habits that can help cultivate deeper community and spiritual growth. Brendan shares how Plant with Purpose's TEND initiative is helping churches and families rediscover practices that lead to lasting flourishing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US goes down four to one to Belgium, ending another World Cup run in the round of sixteen — the same place they've been stuck for five straight tournaments. Brian From turns the disappointment into a question about barriers: do you accept them, or do you keep pushing? A disturbing story out of Maine where a Senate candidate facing serious assault allegations is being debated not on the grounds of character but on electability — and Brian names the problem plainly: character must matter, regardless of which party's candidate it is. A rich meditation on Luke 5 and the four friends who tore a hole in a roof to lower their paralyzed friend right in front of Jesus — and what it means to have people in your life who will carry your mat when you can't get there yourself. Brian Johnson, the world's most famous biohacker spending a million dollars a year trying to live forever, has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease — a reminder that no amount of money or discipline outsmarts mortality. A four-year-old girl caught on tape naming her future husband at a pretend wedding, and it turned out to be her real one 25 years later. Unexpected car and sump pump bills arrive simultaneously, and Brian gets honest about anxiety and finances. And C.S. Lewis via Jen Oshman at the Gospel Coalition: aim at happiness and you'll miss it; aim at heaven and you'll get earth thrown in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer camp can be a life-changing experience—but for children with an incarcerated parent, it can be so much more. Brian Fromm talks with Steve Collins, Senior Program Manager of Angel Tree Camping at Prison Fellowship, about how Christian summer camps are bringing hope, healing, and the love of Christ to thousands of children across the country. Steve explains the unique challenges these children face, why trauma-informed care is essential, and how a single week at camp can build confidence, foster belonging, and introduce kids to the transforming message of the gospel. They also discuss the lasting value of Christian camping for all children and how listeners can support this important ministry. Learn more about Angel Tree Camping and Prison Fellowship's work with families impacted by incarceration at PrisonFellowship.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back from a wet Fourth of July weekend — Brian From opens by reflecting on what unexpected circumstances (a flooded basement, a broken sump pump, a car with no airflow) reveal about how poorly we handle the loss of control, and where our theology has to meet us in those moments. Then a genuinely surprising Gospel Coalition piece arguing that Nashville — the buckle of the Bible Belt — may actually be a harder mission field than secular London: not because of hostility, but because of comfort. When the question isn't whether God exists but what the church will do for you, and when churches line up like thirty-one flavors on a single street, something gets lost. Two uplifting weekend stories: a Phoenix police officer who rented a movie theater for a hundred middle schoolers and asked only that they pay it forward someday, and John Krasinski's moving account of how his mother's three-year deadline — and last-minute extension — put him on the path to booking The Office. A challenging Tim Challies piece on why small sins may actually reveal our rebellious hearts more clearly than big ones. Brian preaches on the story of John Mark — the disciple who deserted Paul, was written off, and ended up being called "useful" decades later — as a picture of how God redeems failures. Science inches closer to a cancer "kill switch." Americans of all ages are spending measurably less time socializing. And a closing meditation on rest — why God himself rested not from weariness but to set a pattern, and why Christians who feel guilty resting may be missing one of God's best gifts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the fireworks and the barbecue, Brian From sits down with Zach Mettler of Focus on the Family's Daily Citizen to dig into one of the most contested questions in American history: what role did faith actually play in the founding of this nation? Zach makes the case that you simply cannot understand the founding without understanding Christianity's essential role — tracing it back not to 1776 but to 1607, when the English settlers at Cape Henry knelt in the sand, prayed, and planted a cross before establishing Jamestown. The Bible was the single most cited source among the founding fathers according to a landmark 20th century study, and the Declaration of Independence references God five times — making it as much a theological document as a political one. Zach also engages honestly with the complications: founding fathers on a spectrum from orthodox Christians like John Jay to heterodox figures like Jefferson, the irreconcilable tension of declaring all men equal while holding slaves, and what we do with that legacy. He closes with what Os Guinness calls the civilizational choice before America right now: recommit to its founding principles, find something else to root itself in, or decline. Find Focus on the Family's documentary Faith in America on YouTube or at thedailycitizen.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Fourth of July weekend, it's a hundred degrees outside, and Paul Asay from Plugged In joins Brian From with a perfect excuse to sit in air-conditioned darkness for two hours. First up: Minions and Monsters, the latest entry in the franchise that somehow keeps going — fun and frenetic as always, but parents should know there are some darker spiritual elements from a spell book and at least one real swear word that feels out of place. Then a genuine recommendation for the holiday weekend: Young Washington, a historically grounded action film about George Washington before the wigs and the dentures, back when he was just a Virginian colonial trying to make his name in the French and Indian War. Paul — who reads presidential biographies for fun — calls out the liberties it takes while vouching for its historical core, and notes a welcome faith element alongside the battle sequences. For streaming at home: Enola Holmes 3 on Netflix brings Sherlock's younger sister to the altar while Moriarty tries to ruin the wedding. And in a delightful bonus, Brian puts Paul on the spot about what he's actually watching — the answer involves Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, and a 1952 western that Paul still hasn't forgiven for its famously annoying kid. Full reviews at pluggedin.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American Bible Society has been taking the temperature of America's relationship with scripture for 16 years, and the honest summary from editor-in-chief John Plake is this: it's complicated. Bible use has been slowly eroding since the 1970s, and while there's a "movable middle" of 74 million curious but unengaged Americans who represent real opportunity, things aren't simply getting better. The newest chapter of the State of the Bible report focuses on AI — specifically, how Americans are using it to try to understand scripture. The findings are nuanced: biblically literate people tend to use AI effectively because they can identify when it gets things wrong, while people with no biblical background are most likely to be misled without knowing it. John makes a pointed observation: following Jesus is not a do-it-yourself task, and a chatbot is no substitute for a community of people faithfully walking together. He also shares the tangible benefits of Bible engagement backed by the data — lower anxiety, better close relationships, higher human flourishing scores across the board — and closes with three practical steps for anyone who's been putting off engaging with scripture. Find the full report at stateofthebible.org and a personalized starting point at nextstep.bible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America turns 250 this weekend, and Brian From draws on Russell Moore's piece about Johnny Cash and Roger Williams to land on the right frame for Christian patriotism: love your country, celebrate it, hang the flag, watch the fireworks — but remember which is which. You have a Lord, you have a kingdom, and while you're proud to be American, your primary citizenship is in heaven. Then a sobering look at Gallup data showing loneliness among 18-to-44-year-olds at its highest level since the pandemic, what causes it to spiral into shame and self-isolation, and why the only way out is the uncomfortable step toward vulnerability and connection. A viral story about two climbers who scaled to the very top of the Empire State Building's antenna to get engaged — and are now facing jail time. China's new dog rental platform where you can lease someone's pet by the hour. And the competitive nature of online relationships — how performative digital culture makes deep connection nearly impossible, and what it would look like to be genuinely for other people instead. Brian closes with Teddy Roosevelt's famous "man in the arena" quote, applied not to politics but to faith, family, marriage, church, and mission: the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, not the one on the sideline critiquing everyone else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are showing up to Walking on Water Bible Church in Westland, Michigan and texting their pastor afterward to say: "I've been in church for 10 years and no one has ever pushed me to learn the books of the Bible." Pastor Mike Holloway joins Brian From to talk about what happens when a church decides to make the Word of God — not inspiration, not entertainment — the foundation of everything it does. That means Christian education before Sunday service, 26-week certificate programs working through systematic theology and the essentials of the faith, challenges for members of every age to memorize the books of the Bible, and formal debates with atheists, Muslims, and other false teachers in the public square. Pastor Mike's simple conviction: the right information brings about the right transformation. He also speaks directly to anyone who hasn't opened their Bible in a while and doesn't know where to start — and closes with a word for anyone who feels like hope is out of reach. Find Walking on Water Bible Church at wowbc.org, services Sundays at 11:15 AM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's July 1st — the halfway point of the year and the official start of Q3. Brian From opens with the domino chain in Romans 5:3-5 that most comfortable American Christians would rather skip: suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. In a culture that idolizes comfort, this is genuinely countercultural news. The Supreme Court ruled six to three that states may bar biological males from competing in women's and girls' sports, returning the issue to state law in the same way Dobbs returned abortion — and Brian walks through what that actually means practically. A sobering new study shows the percentage of regular churchgoers identifying as pro-life has dropped from 63% to 43% in just two years, with no significant difference now between church attendance and likelihood of supporting or choosing abortion — a discipleship crisis, not a political one. Ninety percent of pastors recommend counseling to their congregations, but only 9% go themselves, and Brian challenges pastoral culture directly. Christian college students share their honest takes on how to celebrate America 250 well. Michigan's legislature unanimously passes a bill allowing kids to run lemonade stands without permits. Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. And a closing reflection from Brian's former co-host Ian Simkins on the miracles that only come slowly, and why mistaking slow for absent is one of the great dangers of an impatient faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A popular tarot card reader with nearly a million followers deleted her entire platform after coming to faith in Christ, saying simply, "Jesus Christ has saved my life." She lost 30,000 followers overnight, and Brian From holds her story up as evidence that God is still doing the kind of dramatic, costly transformation we read about in the book of Acts. As America's 250th birthday approaches, Brian digs into what proper Christian patriotism actually looks like, drawing on Augustine and Daniel Darling's guidance: love your country, give thanks for it, work for its renewal, but keep that love rightly ordered beneath love for God. Meanwhile in England, King Charles is redefining his role from "Defender of the Faith" to "protector of space for faith" — a shift Albert Mohler calls a window into where post-Christian secularization eventually leads. Two pieces wrestle honestly with the gap between the Christianity we market and the Christianity we actually live: one on why Christians should stop pretending faith is easy, and another making the case that doubt, far from disqualifying you, can actually deepen and strengthen genuine faith. Venezuelan churches step up to fill gaps the government can't after the devastating earthquake. And Brian closes with a personal reflection on John Mark — the disciple who failed, was written off by Paul, and was later called "useful" by that same Paul — as a picture of how no one's worst moment has to be their final chapter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does the word "Appalachia" conjure a specific image in your mind, even if you've never been there? Ben Norquist, co-author of Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American Imagination, joins Brian From to unpack what he and co-author Brian Miller call "land stories" — the often inaccurate, sometimes harmful narratives American Christians tell about places and the people who live there. Some of these stories operate on the surface, shaping how we think about a region like Appalachia. Others run far deeper, tracing back centuries to colonial-era assumptions about who belongs on land and who doesn't, assumptions that still quietly shape modern politics and attitudes toward immigrants and neighbors. Drawing on his own research sitting across the table from Palestinian Christians and professors, Ben makes a careful, humble case that most American Christians' mental picture of Palestine and the Holy Land comes from inherited narratives rather than direct encounter, and he invites listeners to hold that imagination loosely and become genuine students of a place rather than passive recipients of a story. Find Ben's writing at the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice's Substack, and look for Every Somewhere Sacred wherever books are sold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Cup visitors have discovered something unexpected about American culture: ranch dressing. Brian From opens with that lighthearted detail before diving into heavier territory — a record 25 million adults under 35 are now living with their parents, driven primarily by housing affordability rather than unemployment, and what that means for a generation's sense of independence and identity. A Twitter debate erupts after a pastor suggests young children are too distracting in worship services and should stay in kids' ministry, sparking pushback from those citing research on family worship and faith retention — Brian lands in the middle, advocating for excellent kids' ministry without mandating it. A deep dive into Barnabas, arguably the most underrated figure in the book of Acts — trustworthy with people and resources, an advocate for the overlooked like Paul and John Mark, and a leader who knew exactly when to step back and let others surpass him. Former President Obama's reflections on George Washington's contradictions spark a broader conversation about how to hold both admiration and honest critique of flawed people, including ourselves. A local church's closing after losing its theological grounding prompts sober reflection on what happens when churches drift from scripture and mission. Relevant Magazine examines how social media is quietly terrorizing Christians' prayer lives by making true silence nearly impossible to access. And the Buffalo Bills' decision not to honor OJ Simpson in their new stadium becomes a pointed challenge to the church: do we honor character, or just platform and results?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JD Vance said that if Watergate happened today, it would barely be a 12-hour news story — and Brian From's response isn't relief, it's concern, because he thinks Vance is probably right, and that says something troubling about how far the character bar has fallen in American politics. Brian takes a surprising position on a hot debate: Texas is poised to require millions of public school students to study Bible stories, and as an evangelical pastor, he argues this is a bad idea — public schools shouldn't be infusing curriculum with any religion's teachings, his own included. Gambling disorder diagnoses have spiked over 60% in states that legalized sports betting since 2018, a sobering data point on the real cost of expanded access. Asbury Theological Seminary was removed from the United Methodist Church's approved ordination list over its traditional stance on marriage, a sign of widening fractures between evangelical and mainline institutions. A viral TikTok from a 21-year-old whose "hobby" is lying in bed for eight hours sparks a conversation about what leisure has become for Gen Z. Amazon Prime Day sales were down 16%, and Brian connects it to a simpler explanation than marketing failures: people just have less money. And two deeply practical spiritual pieces close out the hour — why no one drifts into godliness (spiritual growth requires intentional habits, not passive churchgoing), and the story of John Mark, whose public failure didn't define the rest of his life, and whose later faithfulness made him "useful" again in Paul's own words.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before reviewing movies was an internet cottage industry, Plugged In was doing it as a four-page newsletter to youth pastors back in 1991. Adam Holz joins Brian From to share that origin story before diving into this week's big release: Supergirl, James Gunn's reboot of the DC universe's most iconic heroine — and it's a shockingly dark departure from the squeaky-clean character most people remember. This Kara Zor-El is grieving, drinking, cynical, and gets pulled into a revenge plot involving a poisoned dog that turns out to be the most compelling part of the whole film. Adam and Brian dig into the bigger trend behind it — why so many superhero franchises keep darkening their once-wholesome characters, what that says about culture's appetite for angst over "boring" goodness, and why Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy remains the gold standard DC has been chasing ever since. They close with a fun detour into YouTube's endless niche communities, whatever your interest, there's a corner of YouTube built entirely around it. Full reviews at pluggedin.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three San Francisco Giants pitchers wrote Genesis 9 — God's covenant sign of the rainbow — on their caps during Pride Night, and the backlash has been swift. Paul Batura, VP of Communications for Focus on the Family, joins Brian From to unpack the controversy and the bigger question underneath it: is it appropriate for Christian athletes to publicly profess their faith? Paul traces a long line of precedent, from Billy Sunday to Eric Liddell to Tim Tebow, and makes the case that one player's courage tends to be contagious. He's not surprised by the intensity of the backlash, but he also senses fans and even corporations growing less afraid to push back against pressure to fall in line. The conversation extends beyond sports to everyday workplaces — how do you discern when and how to share your faith at the office without being obnoxious about it? And with the World Cup drawing tens of millions of viewers worldwide, Paul and Brian discuss how moments of public prayer by athletes can plant seeds even among people who'd otherwise never think about faith. Paul's prediction: this conversation isn't going away, and Christians are well-positioned to engage it thoughtfully. Find Paul's writing at focusonthefamily.com and the Daily Citizen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I'm good, he's over there, I'm over here" — that's how Wesley Martin once described his relationship with God, the same distant dynamic he had with his own absent earthly father. Ahead of Father's Day, Wesley shares his story with Brian From: a childhood without a dad, a slide into drug dealing, partying, and addiction trying to fill a void only his Heavenly Father could fill, and the moment everything changed in a rehab facility where he gave his life to Christ. Sixteen years into recovery now, Wesley talks candidly about what it's like to father three kids without ever having had a model for it himself, including a non-traditional decade as a stay-at-home dad while his wife's nursing career took off. He shares a moment that brought him to tears — asking his youngest son to describe him in one word, and hearing "sweet" instead of the harsh coach he feared he'd become. His message to dads who feel like they're failing: be present, keep trying, and let God take care of the rest. And to anyone struggling to see God as a loving father: just take one step toward Him, and He'll take care of the rest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As America's 250th birthday approaches, Brian From tackles a genuinely tricky question for pastors: how patriotic should a Sunday worship service actually be? Drawing on Russell Moore's guidance, Brian makes the case for a middle path — genuine thanksgiving for the blessings of being American, without confusing love of country with love of God or turning the worship service into a flag-waving rally. From there, a thoughtful look at the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, with fears of up to 100,000 casualties, and what it means to live with urgency in a world where life can change in an instant. A reflection on essentials versus non-essentials in the faith — and the danger of turning secondary theological debates into faith-dividing issues. A candid, vulnerable moment where Brian admits his own struggle with envy and jealousy watching other people's vacations on social media, and why thankfulness is the real antidote. A Gospel Coalition piece reframing Christian identity around belonging rather than imitation — you're not just trying to be like Jesus, you belong to him. And a closing word from David Jeremiah on conquering worry by verbalizing it, remembering God's care, and bringing it to him in prayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.