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 Podcast
Finding Hope in Ordinary Faith with Marcus Nelson
Brian From is joined by longtime friend and Wheaton College classmate Marcus Nelson, senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in downtown Wheaton, to talk…
- The Common Good Podcast
When Money Fails and Scripture Gets Twisted
Brian From reflects on a striking modern-day echo of Ecclesiastes after a revealing comment from the world’s richest man reminds us that wealth…
- The Common Good Podcast
Why Church Hopping Misses the Point—and When Sports Betting Becomes a Spiritual Problem
Brian From unpacks why church hopping often reflects consumer instincts rather than commitment, and why putting down roots—even in imperfect…
- The Common Good Podcast
The Ridiculous Freedom of the Gospel and Why Gen Z Is Listening with Joel Hess
Brian From talks with Reverend Joel Hess of St. James Chicago Church and School about his unexpected path into ministry and the joy of proclaiming the gospel…
- The Common Good Podcast
From the Wonder Years to the Way of Grace
Brian From reflects on family, faith, and the moments that quietly shape who we become—from a powerful weekend witnessing his daughter’s testimony…
- The Common Good Podcast
Unity, Judgment, and Slowing Down in a Divided Age with Kyle Isabelli
Brian From talks with Kyle Isabelli, lead pastor of Avenue Christian Church, about stepping into senior leadership at a young age—and doing so just as…
- The Common Good Podcast
When Calling Meets Community Care with John Kuhlfal
Brian From talks with John Kuhfahl, Associate Campus Pastor at The Chapel’s Grayslake campus, about leaving a decades-long career in the pharmaceutical…
- The Common Good Podcast
When the Building Burns but the Church Endures with Jonathan Bergemann
Brian From talks with Pastor Jonathan Bergemann of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Downers Grove about leading a congregation through the aftermath of a…
- The Common Good Podcast
Ministry, Turnover, and Gospel Hope in Chicago with Jonathan Masters
Brian From sits down with Jonathan Masters of Park Community Church to talk about pastoring in a city defined by constant movement, change, and opportunity…
- The Common Good Podcast
Immeasurably More, Amazing Grace, and Doing What Truly Matters
Brian From reflects on the surprising rise in Bible engagement through The Bible Recap and what it reveals about a deeper hunger for God’s Word and a…
- The Common Good Podcast
Philip Miller on Calling, Change, and the Heart of the Church
Brian From sits down with Philip Miller, senior pastor of Moody Church, to talk about his unexpected calling into ministry and what it’s like to shepherd…
- The Common Good Podcast
Pastoring Through Change, Grief, and Renewal with Steve Carter lead pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook
Brian From sits down with Steve Carter, lead pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook, to talk about calling, leadership, and stepping into a historic church with…
- The Common Good Podcast
Helping People Take Their Next Step Toward Jesus with Chad Negley campus pastor of Parkview Church
Brian From is joined by Chad Negley, campus pastor of Parkview Church, to talk about calling, leadership, and what it really means to shepherd people well…
- The Common Good Podcast
Peacemakers, Purpose, and a Pink Landline
Brian From reflects on how Christians can witness with humility and conviction in a post-Christian culture, emphasizing listening, action, and peacemaking over…
- The Common Good Podcast
Time, Failure, Character, and Why Integrity Still Matters
Brian From reflects on the passage of time—from the 40th anniversary of the Bears’ Super Bowl win to the Challenger disaster—and what those…
- The Common Good Podcast
Belonging Before Believing: Building Churches Where People Feel Like Family with Bill Calvin
Brian From talks with pastor and Belonging author Bill Calvin about why people don’t stay in churches for programs or preaching—but because they…
- The Common Good Podcast
The Hyde Amendment, Health Care, and the Post-Roe Abortion Debate with Caitlin Connors
Brian From is joined by Caitlin Connors of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America for a clear, timely conversation on the Hyde Amendment and its role in current…
- The Common Good Podcast
Lament, Marriage, Rest, and Letting Go of Bitterness
Brian From reflects on a tragic shooting in Minneapolis and the need to recover compassion and lament before rushing to political conclusions. The episode also…
- The Common Good Podcast
DNA Tests, Identity, and the Stories We May Not Be Ready to Find with Rhonda Robinson
Brian From is joined by Rhonda Robinson, writer and editor at Focus on the Family, for a thoughtful conversation about the growing popularity—and hidden…
- The Common Good Podcast
Cold Weather, Deep Community, and Redefining What Success Really Means
On a brutally cold January day, Brian From reflects on storms, family milestones, faith, and the ways God forms us in ordinary moments. From celebrating his…
- The Common Good Podcast
Serving Church and Community: Faith, Education, and Hope in Park Ridge with Matt Hoffmann
Brian From talks with Pastor Matt Hoffmann of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and School in Park Ridge about ministry, leadership, and loving a local…
- The Common Good Podcast
Looking for the One: Seeing People Through the Eyes of Jesus with David McIver
Brian From talks with author David McIver about his book Looking for the One and why so many Christians long to share their faith but feel hesitant or…
- The Common Good Podcast
Hollywood’s Dead Zone, Streaming Stars, and When Language Goes Too Far with Adam Holz
Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the January “dead zone” at the movies and why so many big releases feel absent…
- The Common Good Podcast
The Power of Ordinary Churches and an Extraordinary God with Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church
Brian From is joined by Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church to talk about his call to ministry and what he loves most about being a…
- The Common Good Podcast
Bringing Scripture to Life Through Sound: Inside the Audio Bible with Todd Busteed
Brian From sits down with Todd Busteed of Gap Digital to explore the careful craft behind audio Bibles and audio drama. Todd shares how accuracy, humility, and…
- The Common Good Podcast
Sacred Spaces, Hard Questions, and Persevering in Faith
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Brian From reflects on service, legacy, and the call to respond to conflict with wisdom and compassion in an increasingly…
- The Common Good Podcast
Lord of the Rings Returns and Helping Families Reset Their Tech Habits with Adam Holz
Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the theatrical re-release of The Lord of the Rings extended editions and why the films still…
- The Common Good Podcast
Fragile Lives, Unchanging Grace, and Finding Purpose in a Fast-Moving World
Brian From reflects on how quickly life changes, the fragility of our time on earth, and the steady hope found in a God who never changes. From viral nostalgia…
- The Common Good Podcast
The Love Language That Matters Most: Turning Good Intentions Into Felt Love
Brian From talks with Dr. Leslie Parrott about her new book The Love Language That Matters Most and how the familiar five love languages go deeper through…
- The Common Good Podcast
What Parents Need to Know About What’s Being Taught in Schools
Brian Fromm is joined by Focus on the Family issues analyst Jeffrey Johnston to discuss why it’s more important than ever for parents to stay informed…
- The Common Good Podcast
Unplugging, Authority, and Where Our Hope Really Lies
Brian From explores why Gen Z is intentionally unplugging from their phones, the growing push to limit cell phone use in classrooms, and what those trends…
- The Common Good Podcast
Faith, Community, and Showing Up with Pastor Scott Oberle of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove
Brian From sits down with Pastor Scott Oberle of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove to talk about ministry, calling, and what it…
- The Common Good Podcast
Loneliness, Nostalgia, and Living Before the Face of God
Brian From reflects on modern loneliness and cultural change, from a viral “Are You Dead?” app to the fading role of malls as community hubs…
- The Common Good Podcast
Perseverance, Purpose, and the Legacy We Leave
Brian From reflects on perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks, using everything from car trouble to playoff sports comebacks as reminders of…
- The Common Good Podcast
Loving God More, Trusting Him with Money, and Recovering the Wonder We’ve Lost
Brian From invites listeners to rethink resolutions—not around what we want to accomplish, but who we want to become—anchoring the year in…
- The Common Good Podcast
Finding Courage, Faith, and Clarity in a Noisy World
Brian From reflects on what we discover when connection is suddenly taken away, how our lack of control drives us to prayer, and why empathy should come before…
- The Common Good Podcast
Navigating Entertainment Choices in 2026 with Adam Holz
Adam Holz discusses the importance of actively engaging with entertainment and technology, especially as the new year begins. He emphasizes the need to shift…
- The Common Good Podcast
Seven Years of The Common Good: Running the Race, Renewing Our Minds, and Setting Ourselves Apart
On the seventh anniversary of The Common Good, Brian Fromm reflects on the heart of the show—encouraging believers to run the race faithfully, keep the…
- The Common Good Podcast
Reviving Community Spirit: Greater New Life Church
Brian From speaks with Pastor Darrell Moore of Greater New Life Church in Roseville. They discuss the church's mission, community outreach efforts, the…
- The Common Good Podcast
Pascal’s Wager, Parenting Joy, and the Church’s Unchanging Message
Brian From reflects on the sobering honesty of Dilbert creator Scott Adams as he faces terminal cancer and wrestles publicly with faith, eternity, and the…
- The Common Good Podcast
Flying the Nest, Failing Forward, and the Cost of Constant Hustle
Brian From reflects on a deeply personal parenting moment as his children head out on mission trips, exploring the bittersweet reality of releasing them into…
- The Common Good Podcast
Physician-Assisted Suicide in Illinois: Why Christians Are Raising the Alarm
Brian From is joined by Zachary Mettler of Focus on the Family to discuss Illinois’ newly signed law legalizing physician-assisted suicide and why it…
- The Common Good Podcast
Navigating the Holidays in Blended Families: Wisdom and Hope with Deana Thayer
Brian From is joined by Deana Thayer of Focus on the Family to talk through why the holidays can be especially challenging for stepfamilies and blended…
- The Common Good Podcast
Adam Holz on Stranger Things, Knives Out, and Discernment
Brian From is joined by Adam Holz of Plugged In for a thoughtful conversation about how Christians can engage popular entertainment with wisdom and…
- The Common Good Podcast
Free and Clear: Letting Go of 2025 and Walking into 2026 with Hope
As The Common Good returns for its first episode of 2026, Brian From reflects on a turbulent and formative year marked by loss, transition, growth, and…
- The Common Good Podcast
When Your Worst Moment Goes Viral: Integrity, Shame, and Finding Light Before Christmas
What would it be like if your most regrettable moment became a viral spectacle for the world to mock, judge, and never forget? In this episode, Brian From…
- The Common Good Podcast
Learning to Be a Team: Al and Autumn Ray on Coaching Strong, Christ-Centered Marriages
Brian From is joined by Al and Autumn Ray, co-founders of Marriage Team, to talk about their passion for helping struggling marriages find hope, healing, and…
- The Common Good Podcast
How Focus on the Family Is Strengthening Millions of Homes—And How You Can Help
Brian From is joined by Bob Stephens of Focus on the Family to discuss the organization’s end-of-year matching campaign and the wide-ranging impact of…
- The Common Good Podcast
Walking Dante’s Path with the Inklings: Hell, Hope, and Heaven
Brian From sits down with Wheaton College professor Richard Hughes Gibson to discuss his new book The Way of Dante, which explores Dante’s Divine Comedy…
- The Common Good Podcast
The Earth Will Be Filled: Seeing God’s Glory in the Story of Scripture
Brian From sits down with author and theologian Donnie Berry to explore his new book The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God…
- The Common Good Podcast
Porch Pirates, Passion, and the Light That Overcomes the Darkness
Brian From moves from timely headlines about stolen packages, cash gifts, and aging bodies to deeper reflections on faith, passion, and purpose. Along the way…
- The Common Good Podcast
Empathy, Awe, and the Wonder of Christmas
As Christmas draws near, Brian From explores why empathy is essential to the Christian life, especially in a polarized and often graceless public square. He…
- The Common Good Podcast
Pets as Dependents, Christmas Darkness, and the Hard Work of Living Joyfully
As Christmas approaches, Brian From reflects on the tension between seasonal joy and a world marked by violence, loss, and uncertainty, reminding listeners why…
- The Common Good Podcast
Advocacy, Healing, and Hope with Jeff Bradford with The Human Coalition
Brian From is joined by Jeff Bradford, President and CEO of The Human Coalition, to discuss how the organization supports women who believe abortion is their…
- The Common Good Podcast
Turning from Screens, Cultivating Character, and Finding Hope This Christmas
Brian From reflects on the dangers of political cynicism and power while calling Christians to lives marked by character, integrity, and Christlike…
- The Common Good Podcast
Can Men and Women Be Friends in Marriage? Dr. Greg Smalley on Boundaries, Wisdom, and Healthy Relationships
Brian From talks with Dr. Greg Smalley, Focus on the Family’s Vice President of Marriage, about the nuanced and often sensitive question of opposite-sex…
- The Common Good Podcast
Christmas Joy, Sports Heartache, and the Destructiveness of Sin
Brian From reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of sports fandom, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, and why dark chocolate might help you live…
- The Common Good Podcast
Finding Light in the Pit: Nate Pickowicz on Battling Spiritual Depression
Brian From welcomes pastor and author Nate Pickowicz to discuss his new book, Overcoming the Darkness: Biblical Help for Spiritual Depression, a deeply…
- The Common Good Podcast
Christmas at the Movies: Adam Holz on Knives Out, Family Viewing, and Holiday Classics
Brian From welcomes Plugged In’s Adam Holz for a deep dive into the biggest films arriving just in time for Christmas—including the new Knives Out…
- The Common Good Podcast
Inside “Behold”: How Gospel Life Church Is Bringing an Interactive Christmas Experience to the Western Suburbs
Brian From sits down with Isaiah Nichols, Creative Director at Gospel Life Church, to explore Behold—a free, immersive Christmas experience blending…