Shows / The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good Podcast
The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to…
Episodes
The Common Good PodcastNicole Hunt with Focus on the Family reports on March for Life 2024
Brian interviews Nicole Hunt, a life issues analyst and spokesperson for Focus on the Family. They discuss Nicole's role in advocating for pre-born babies and…
The Common Good PodcastFocus on the Family movie reviewer gives his take on Oscar nominations
Focus on the Family’s Director of Culture and Media, Adam Holz, gives his take on the new Oscar nominees: are any of them good family viewing? And, a shocking…
The Common Good PodcastListen in on Calvin University's January Series
Calvin University recognizes the beauty, benefit, and importance of lifelong learning and encourages communities near and far to do the same through its annual…
The Common Good PodcastDisney & Apologetics with Dr. Jeremy Scarbrough
Dr. Jeremy Scarbrough, author of Disney & Apologetics, joins Brian. He holds degrees in music (with an emphasis in philosophy), Christian apologetics, &…
The Common Good PodcastMichael Wear's newest book is out: "The Spirit of Our Politics"
Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of The Center for Christianity and Public Life, launches his new book TODAY! Join to hear all about it and Michael's…
The Common Good PodcastShould Christians attend a transgender wedding?
Alistair Begg has everyone talking about this question. Then, A Chuck E. Cheese Adult Game Show Is Really Happening, and is it okay to ask questions of your…
The Common Good PodcastPresidential shakeup.. and dealing with anxiety
Brian gives a shoutout to his wife Carrie for their 24th anniversary (!), talks about Ron DeSantis suspending his presidential bid, and reminds us of great…
The Common Good PodcastWheaton College takes a stance on preferred pronouns
...and, at the end of the day, it's your job to protect your kids--not Meta's. Follow The Common Good on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey…
The Common Good Podcast10 things you didn't know about MLK
From History.com, facts you likely weren't aware of--and a reminder from Bernice King. Then: what would you do if your kid went viral on social media?, and in…
The Common Good PodcastBrian & Steve's Top 5 Childhood Sports Heroes
...plus, is going to church really necessary?, the 80/20 problem in churches, and advice they would give their younger selves. Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and…
The Common Good PodcastDr. Robert Jeffress on whether we're living in the End Times
Do the current world events indicate that Jesus is coming soon? Dr. Robert Jeffress from Pathway to Victory (8:30am weekdays and 4:30pm Saturdays on WYLL)…
The Common Good PodcastFully Surrender: A 30 Day Challenge for January
Deborah Anthony, author, speaker and coach, invites listeners to a new 30 day challenge called Fully Surrendering. Join a community of other believers who also…
The Common Good PodcastHere's what we are praying & hoping for the city of Chicago in 2024
Guest host Steve Coble shares his journey into ministry. He and Brian talk about the legacy of Tim Keller and a particular Keller quote, and then share with…
The Common Good Podcast"The gospel doesn't come with a gag order"
...but when does critiquing the church go too far, and how do we do it well? Brian and Steve are talking about a recent piece from Russell Moore: Evangelicals…
The Common Good PodcastDavid Drucker from The Dispatch
David Drucker, Dispatch senior writer, has covered Kevin McCarthy for more than 20 years. Last year he interviewed Kevin McCarthy just before Christmas. Brian…
The Common Good PodcastHow to avoid becoming cynical about the church
Guest host Steve Coble is back with Brian and they're talking cynicism--plus, did you see the 'messianic Trump' video?? They also chat about pastoral burnout…
The Common Good PodcastRabbi Kirt Schneider describes his latest book: "To Know Him By Name"
Rabbi Kirt A Schneider’s latest book To Know Him By Name delves into the names of God, their meanings, and how we can understand God's character and His love…
The Common Good PodcastNew Year's inspiration from Chicago doctor Miriam McParland
Dr. Miriam McParland is a chiropractor specializing in everything musculoskeletal-- who also helps people avoid knee, shoulder and back surgery and drugs using…
The Common Good PodcastWhat's the role of pastors between now and November?
With Aubrey out finishing her latest book, Steve Coble joins Brian in the studio to talk about how we deal with differing politics within the church and the…
The Common Good PodcastAubrey & Kevin talk grief, multi-ethnic living, and raising teen boys
Aubrey and her husband Kevin--also a pastor at Renewal Church in West Chicago-- explore the process of grief and heartache, the experience of the dark night of…
The Common Good PodcastAubrey Sampson 101
New to the show or don't know Aubrey? Start with this episode! Aubrey introduces herself as an eternal student, a pastor, a Wheaton grad and more. Learn about…
The Common Good PodcastAubrey and Kevin talk Enneagram & Marriage with expert Christa Hardin
Christa Hardin has counseled couples for two decades and hosts the popular podcast Enneagram + Marriage. In this episode she sits down with Aubrey and her…
The Common Good PodcastAubrey on New Year's goals, praying for politicians, and lament
Aubrey's flying solo while Brian is traveling--she talks about ways to accomplish those new year’s goals (courtesy of ChatGPT), ways to pray for…
The Common Good PodcastBiggest stories of 2023--plus, 12 months of reflections on grief
What were the biggest headlines of 2023? Brian and Aubrey look back on them and then Aubrey shares something she's been working on as she writes her next book…
The Common Good PodcastProvost Noah Toly on the fate of Christian higher education
Is the demand for Christian higher education dying away? Noah Toly, provost at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, says that on the contrary, their enrollment…
The Common Good PodcastThe Top 5 Christmas Carols of All Time
Brian and Aubrey play "The Bible is Funny" card game--Christmas themed!--and then choose their all-time favorite classic Christmas carols, for singing in…
The Common Good PodcastShocking results from one of the biggest ever experiments in global poverty
Brian and Aubrey are chatting about churches that have multiple Christmas Eve services, an African proverb, and good news from the week. Then, they're…
The Common Good PodcastRandom thoughts--plus a love story--about the local church
From Tim Challies' blog, Brian and Aubrey are talking about 32 Random Thoughts About the Local Church. Then--what does it really mean that the Pope is okay…
The Common Good PodcastWhen are you considered a refugee--and was Jesus one?
Matthew Soerens, VP of Advocacy & Policy with World Relief, joins to talk about the current situation at the border and the claim that Jesus' family were…
The Common Good PodcastWhen you're so convinced of the spiritual battle that you give up the ways of Jesus
Brian has a tweet we need to unpack: is it true that we're engaged (politically) in such a spiritual battle that the ways of Jesus 'no longer work'? Then…
The Common Good PodcastKate Carney, Chief of Staff with More in Common
Meet Kate Carney, recommended to us by David French, who unpacks fascinating research by this think tank: their Hidden Tribes report as well as statistics on…
The Common Good PodcastWhat if the abortion debate costs conservatives elections?
Pastors are claiming that this election is part of a spiritual battle. Is it true? And what if the abortion debate costs votes in future elections? Brian and…
The Common Good PodcastWhy do we get so overly excited about celebrity conversions?
This news story about a rapper coming to Christ (and leaving the music industry?) has us thinking: why do we obsess so much about Christian celebrities--and…
The Common Good PodcastSetting healthier boundaries around social media, with Felicia Song
How do you set boundaries around social and digital media? Crowd favorite Felicia Song authored the book Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and…
The Common Good PodcastThe 5 Common Good Rules for Christmas Movies
We have to unpack the situation involving the leader from the International House of Prayer, but then we're moving on to much lighter topics: what are the…
The Common Good PodcastThe Top 10 Theology Stories of 2023
We're debating a list of the year's top theology news from The Gospel Coalition, and then a question posed by frequent guest of the show Karen Swallow Prior…
The Common Good PodcastDo loved ones send messages from beyond the grave?
Clarissa Moll posted something on Instagram that has us thinking. She said, "...there is no secret language that transcends death. Death isn’t like summer…
The Common Good PodcastUniversity presidents are claiming free speech, but we're not buying it.
Brian and Aubrey are shocked at how close Christmas is. Then, remember our conversation last week about the university presidents who couldn't quite answer…
The Common Good PodcastTop 5 Worst Christmas Songs
Here it is--the segment causing all the controversy on social media--which be our most controversial Top 5 list yet. DO NOT MISS IT. Follow The Common Good on…
The Common Good PodcastPastor Jim Scudder just returned from Israel--he shares his reaction
Pastor Jim Scudder Jr. discusses the upcoming Christmas pageant at Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He shares the excitement and…
The Common Good PodcastThere's a Christmas light display going on at White Sox Park (with one million lights!)
Glenn Goad discusses the Light of Christmas, a drive-through Christmas light show at the White Sox Stadium in Chicago. He shares his inspiration for the event…
The Common Good PodcastHow to feed two hungry kids for an entire year
Paul Jacobs with Food for the Poor (FFTP) joins Aubrey to describe the incredible work being done around the world by that organization, and to share the story…
The Common Good PodcastNona Jones on Her Calling to Facebook, YouVersion
Nona Jones, Chief Content and Partnerships Officer at YouVersion, discusses her role and the mission of YouVersion. She explains that YouVersion is not just…
The Common Good PodcastFive Ways to Stay Close to God During the Busy Holiday Season
Via Christianity Today, "What so many Gen Z believers are looking for is to no longer be viewed as children but to be given a measure of respect. Not the honor…
The Common Good PodcastDavid Payne on playing C.S. Lewis for 20+ years
“Christmas with C.S. Lewis” will play Broadway In Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place for a limited engagement today through Sunday. David Payne…
The Common Good Podcast9 options for TIME's Person of the Year
TIME has released their shortlist for Person of the Year, and Brian and Aubrey have plenty of thoughts... and later, they're also helping each other understand…
The Common Good PodcastAaron Andries Just Playing Some Songs
Aaron Andries, singer and songwriter of Graveyards to Gardens and Worship Pastor at Renewal Church in West Chicago, joins Aubrey in studio for a special visit…
The Common Good PodcastDavid French tells us why he left Twitter
Friend of the show and New York Times columnist David French has us all migrating to Threads, as he reveals why he left the platform currently known as X and…
The Common Good PodcastTop 5 90's CCM Bands
From Petra to Switchfoot to Jars of Clay--Brian and Aubrey close out the busy week by indulging in nostalgia: listing all their favorite 90's CCM groups…
The Common Good PodcastDivorce statistics that will shock you
"Smartphones are basically kryptonite for learning," says one expert. And that makes Brian wonder: should schools ban phones altogether? Schools across U.S…
The Common Good PodcastFrom a movie reviewer, here's what to see with your family this holiday
Paul Asay, staff writer for PluggedIn.com, joins to talk about the movies you'll want to see with your families over the holidays--plus Loki, Aubrey's favorite…
The Common Good PodcastHandling community controversy--when you're also a pastor
Dan Bovey leads New Life Bilingual Church in West Chicago, and is also facing fines up to $20,000 from the city for building a greenhouse in his backyard. He…
The Common Good PodcastDid 90's CCM get the theology right?
What if someone dove into the theology espoused in the biggest contemporary Christian music of the 1990's? That's what Ashley Mofield: Senior Pastor at White…
The Common Good PodcastShould presidential candidates have an age limit?
President Biden was asked about this over the weekend (he said no) but Brian has lots of thoughts. In addition, new research says that the overturning of Roe…
The Common Good PodcastGRINDS MY GEARS: Christmas Edition
Christmas lights and batteries. Need we say more?! Follow The Common Good on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced…
The Common Good PodcastWhat to discuss at this year's Thanksgiving table
Via The Dispatch, we have research on what Americans definitely don't want to discuss during Thanksgiving dinner--and what topics would be more welcome…
The Common Good PodcastTalking to the Chicago pastor who has housed 400 migrants
Pastor John Zayas, pastor of Grace and Peace Community Church, is pioneering a migrant resettlement program to house the large numbers of people being sent to…
The Common Good PodcastThe crazy new phenomenon of Jesus images on TikTok
Via RNS, a scholar of American religion explains how a new phenomenon of Jesus images on TikTok is tapping into the prosperity gospel, a Christian belief that…
The Common Good PodcastWomen behind bars are finding healing through a new art program--and you can too
A new study from Tyndale is looking to help women deepen their relationship with God through the healing gift of art. Co-authors Martha Ackerman and Stephanie…
The Common Good PodcastHow to love the ones (in the church) who drive you crazy
Jamie Dunlop, Associate Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, talks about his new book: Eight Truths for Pursuing Unity in Your Church. This…