Shows / The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Esau McCaulley Podcast unpacks the cultural stories that shape our lives. Pop culture always reveals something about what it means to be human: both our glory and our brokenness. Rather than retreating from the culture, Esau and his friends dive in head-on, bringing theological depth, humor, and a perspective you won't find anywhere else. From movies and music to news and politics, we find what is true, good, and beautiful about the complex world we live in.
Episodes
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Vaccines, Parental Rights, and the Public Good
A foul ball at a Phillies game turns into a viral outrage story. Esau, Malcolm Foley, and producer Mike unpack why the internet can't tell the difference…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Charlie Kirk and America's Cross-Cultural Divide
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Americans are left reeling. The violence is shocking and upsetting, but it also reveals the depth of our country's…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Charlie Kirk & Political Violence with Sharon McMahon and Justin Giboney
Conservative Political Activist and CEO of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated yesterday while speaking on a college campus in Utah. Esau is…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Jesus, Paul, and the Law: Friends or Foes?
Esau is joined by New Testament scholar Paul Sloan to talk about his new book Jesus and the Law of Moses. They dig into big questions: Did Jesus and Paul…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Make America Forgetful Again?
Recently, Donald Trump criticized the Smithsonian for focusing too much on slavery, insisting that America's history should be more "positive" and less "woke."…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Hidden Cost of Sending Soldiers to D.C.
When the military becomes a political pawn? As Esau and Producer Mike break down Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to D.C., Esau reflects on his…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Sydney Sweeney's Jeans: Outrage or Overreaction?
Sydney Sweeney's "Great Jeans" ad sparked a culture war. Was it clever marketing, coded eugenics, or just outrage for clicks? Esau, Malcolm, and Mike break…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Black and Evangelical?
What does it mean to be Black and evangelical in a moment when both words carry so much baggage? Esau is joined by theologian and longtime Wheaton professor…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Is Gen Z in Revival or Retreat?
On a recent Holy Post episode, Ryan Burge claimed the data shows that Gen Z is not experiencing a revival, but Carey Nieuwhof says otherwise. Esau and Sharon…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Coldplay Kiss Cam: Comedy or Tragedy?
A Coldplay concert kiss cam became the most viral moment of the week. Esau, and bestselling author Nancy French unpack the now-infamous clip of an affair…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
When Grace and Drugs Share the Same Album
A controversial new IRS regulation just opened the door for churches to endorse political candidates from the pulpit. Esau McCaulley and Justin Giboney weigh…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Trump's Big Problematic Bill
What do Black churches, Catholics, and evangelicals all agree on? That Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is a big, problematic mess. Esau is joined by Malcolm Foley…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Billionaire Who Thinks We Care Too Much About People
As the Fourth of July approaches, Esau and Tish Harrison Warren reflect on what patriotism means today, especially for Christians who feel caught between…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
A Marine Biologist Talks Science, Faith, and the Deep Sea
Marine biologist and author Rachel Jordan joins Esau McCaulley in studio to talk about her new book If the Ocean Has a Soul. They dive into the deep waters of…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
What Lilo & Stitch Teaches about Healthcare, Family & Social Safety Nets
Pastor and author Sharon Hodde Miller joins Esau McCaulley for a surprising conversation about the live-action Lilo & Stitch and how a children's film quietly…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Summer Protests, Playlists, and Kirk Franklin
It's officially summer, and things are heating up. Esau is joined by Justin Giboney and producer Mike to swap summer playlists, celebrate Kirk Franklin's…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The NBA Finals, Trump's Sledgehammer, and Are We Misreading the Bible on Sex?
NBA Finals. Trump's sledgehammer policies. A Bible debate over sex. Esau, Justin Giboney, and Producer Mike truly tackle it all this week. First, why do small…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Right's DEI, the Internet's Pope, and a Plantation in Flames
Elite universities are trying something new, or maybe not so new. To attract more conservative faculty, they're adopting diversity strategies once used to…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Single Parenting, Disability, and the Church's Blind Spot
Author and mother of six, Katie Blackburn joins Esau for a conversation around single parenting, disability, and faith. Katie shares her experience raising a…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Is Pop Culture Out of Ideas?
Why does everything feel like a reboot? In this episode, Esau is joined by producer Mike and historian Malcolm Foley for a wide-ranging conversation on the…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Help Me Help You: Esau Becomes the Internet's Life Coach
Everyone needs a life coach sometimes and Esau is here to play the role. In today's episode, he answers the internet's questions about friendship, marriage…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Love in a Time of Outrage: Recovering the Center of Paul's Theology
When most people think of the Apostle Paul, they picture a guy who cares more about doctrine and judgment than love. But what if I told you that the guy who…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Our Love-Hate Relationship with Wealth
Why do some successful people inspire us while others ignite our outrage? Esau is joined by John Onwuchekwa to unpack our complicated relationship with wealth…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Is There Proof Jesus Was Crucified and Resurrected?
What if the resurrection isn't just a matter of faith—but of history? In this special Holy Week episode, Esau McCaulley sits down with New Testament scholar…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
A Different Kind of DEI
DEI is all over the news right now. The Right hates it and the Left idolizes it, but what if there was a different way to approach the controversial topic?…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Target Boycott and How the Church Should Think About Money
Esau, Justin Giboney, and Tish Harrison Warren explore the recent Target boycott led by Black church leaders during Lent and what it reveals about how…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Becoming a Church Girl with Sarita Lyons
Sarita Lyons is here to tell us about her book, Church Girl. She and Esau talk about her journey, from how she was pulled from her faith to what brought her…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
What LeBron James Teaches Us About Parenthood and Empathy
LeBron James made headlines for confronting ESPN's Stephen A. Smith after criticism of his son, Bronny. Esau and Malcolm Foley unpack the moment and ask…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Why is the Internet so Angry?
The internet has become an angry place, but how did it get here and is there any fixing it? Esau is joined by Hannah Anderson and Hannah King to unpack why…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Who's the New Public Face of Christianity?
Goodbye Billy Graham and Tim Keller. Hello...um...well, we're not sure. Esau McCaulley is joined by Justin Giboney and Tish Harrison Warren to discuss whether…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Reclaiming the Black Church's Story
For too long, the history of Black Christianity in America has been told in incomplete or misleading ways. Esau sits down with theologian and author Walter…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Did the Early Church Believe Jesus Was God?
What really happened at the Council of Nicaea? Did Constantine force Christians to declare Jesus as God? Was the Bible invented there? And why does the Nicene…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Love, Fame, and Internet Trolls
What's it like being married to someone the internet loves to hate? Esau McCaulley sits down with Nancy French (wife of David French) and Jonathan Warren…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Anti-Greed Gospel: Money, Racism, and the Church
For years, we've been told that racism is about hate. But what if it's actually about money? Like… a lot of money? Esau McCaulley sits down with Dr. Malcolm…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Why Jackie Hill Perry Walked Away from Music—And Why She Came Back
Jackie Hill Perry pulled off the rare creative hat trick—poet, rapper, Bible teacher—and then walked away from music at her peak. Why? And why is she back now?…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
LA Fires, Climate Change, and Christian Responsibility
When disaster strikes, what should Christians do? Esau sits down with Jamie Aten, a disaster relief expert, and the Blanchard Chair of Humanitarian and…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
What Squid Game Says About Us (And Capitalism)
What happens when a Korean drama holds up a mirror to the world? Esau sits down with Cultural Critic, Rebecca Sun to talk about Squid Game—the Netflix…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Denzel's Ministry and What We Want From Celebrity Christians
Denzel Washington was recently baptized and now believes he's been called to ministry. How does he compare to other celebrity Christians and do we expect too…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Biggest Stories of 2024
Esau is joined by Justin Giboney and Tish Harrison Warren to look back at the major religious, cultural, and political stories of 2024. From the impact of the…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Why We Celebrate: The History and Meaning of Christmas Traditions
Esau is joined by fellow Wheaton professors, Emily McGowin and Timothy Larson to talk about the origins of some of our favorite Christmas traditions and why…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
What is Bible Reading For?
Why do we read the Bible? What are the best practices to interpret it? And how does the way we approach scripture shape who we become? Kevin Vanhoozer joins…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Best Movies of 2024 with NY Times Film Critic Alissa Wilkinson
New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson, joins the show to talk about her journey to becoming a movie reviewer, the best films of 2024, and what makes a…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Mary the Apostle: Correcting History's Biggest Biblical Misconception
Esau sits down with Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt to discuss her latest book, The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Can Teach the Church Today…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Mailbag! Thanksgiving Food Draft, What Esau Got Wrong, and Tackling Jesus' Tough Teachings
It's Thanksgiving, and we're serving up a special holiday edition of The Esau McCaulley Podcast! First, Esau, Kaitlyn Schiess, and Skye Jethani go head-to-head…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
What's in Trump's Cabinet?
Mike Cosper joins Esau to talk about Trump's cabinet picks—Dr. Oz? Matt Gaetz? These picks are more controversial than past presidential cabinet picks and show…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
What the Kendrick-Drake Beef Can Teach Us About Church Conflict
Ever wonder what a hip hop beef can teach us about disagreements in the church? Esau McCaulley sits down with friends Malcolm Foley and Justin Giboney to dig…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Trump won. Now what?
Trump Won. Are we surprised? How did it happen? What does this say about the Democratic party? Where do we go from here? Esau, Justin Giboney, and Michael Wear…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Halloween History, Scary Movies, and a Candy Draft!
In this Halloween special, Esau teams up with Kaitlyn Schiess and Emily McGowin for a deep dive into the mysteries and controversies of October 31st. Is…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
More Than an Athlete: Matt and Danielle Forte on Faith, Writing, Marriage, and Finding Purpose After Sports
Former NFL running back, Matt Forte, and his wife Danielle Forte sit down with Esau talk about the challenges of balancing professional athletics with faith…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
When Faith Disappoints
Esau sits down with Lisa Fields, CEO of the Jude 3 Project, to explore the complex relationship between faith, logic, and emotion. Together, they discuss how…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Kamala Harris, Multiracial Families, and The Church's Witness
Esau sits down with friends Jonathan Warren Pagan, rector of Emmanuel Anglican Church, and Kimberly Deckel, executive pastor of Church of the Cross. They dive…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Lecrae's having *another* moment
Esau McCaulley sits down with Grammy-winning artist Lecrae for a candid conversation about his career, faith, and the personal challenges of living in the…
- The Esau McCaulley Podcast
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Trash Talk, and Navigating Cultural Narratives
In this inaugural episode of The Esau McCaulley Podcast, Esau is joined by Nancy French and Ameen Hudson for a conversation on sports rivalries, identity, and…