Shows / Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
The world moves fast. Every week brings new headlines, viral moments, political debates, sports stories, technological breakthroughs, and cultural trends competing for your attention. Culture Brief helps you stay informed, think biblically, and engage the culture from a Christian perspective.
Join host Conner Jones and friends every Thursday as they break down the biggest trending stories of the week and explore what they mean for Christians. From elections and global events to movies, music…
Episodes
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Q&A: 2028 presidential candidates, 2026’s biggest cultural shift, & getting to know Conner | Ep. 92
In this week's Brief: it's a different kind of episode! Conner's on paternity leave, welcoming a new baby boy. But before he left, he was joined by Alex…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Election season special! Midterm cynicism, how to research candidates & voting wisely | Ep. 91
In this week's Brief: it's midterm season, the ads are everywhere, and this episode is a little different. Conner is joined by Dr. Mark Turman, host of Denison…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
The Lindsey Clancy case, America's anxiety epidemic & our addiction to outrage | Ep. 90
In this week’s Brief: I’m joined by Denison Forum contributing writer Erin Kerry. Erin is a functional medicine health coach, podcaster, and author with a…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Thwarted terror plots, Christa Pike’s botched execution, Russian plague & October sports updates | Ep. 89
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison to break down three foiled suspected terror attacks in a single week – the thwarted plot against the…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Is Gen Z okay? A student minister on purpose, sports betting, self-image & deadpanning | Ep. 88
In this week's Brief: What are today's teenagers and young adults really wrestling with? Conner is joined by Cole Travis, a Student Minister with a decade of…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Why Trump banned CNN and MS Now, UN leaders can't agree & Ella Langley dethrones Mariah Carey | Ep. 87
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Josh Miller, CEO of Denison Ministries to discuss President Trump's ban on CNN, Politico and MS Now from the White…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Will AI destroy humanity? Plus: Netflix’s “Death of a Pastor’s Wife” & Hollywood’s massive summer | Ep. 86
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Alex Kondratev to tackle a question that's suddenly everywhere: Is AI going to destroy humanity? A viral resignation…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
GOP’s risky midterm convention, fixing college sports, remembering 9/11 & an Emmys preview | Ep. 85
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Parker Jones to unpack the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention, happening this week in Dallas with Trump…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Venezuela oil deal, Pentagon turmoil, Putin's desperation, foldable iPhone rumors & NFL returns! | Ep. 84
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Josh Miller, CEO of Denison Ministries, for a whirlwind trip around the world. They start in Venezuela, where Trump's…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Flock cameras are everywhere, Meta's $17B settlement, Dolly Parton & college football returns | Ep. 83
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Clayton Harris to break down America's growing distrust of big tech starting with Flock cameras, the license-plate…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Kathryn Krick’s viral “healing” videos, why Gen Z wants old-school worship & the Lakers' shock sale | Ep. 82
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Jonathan Becker, a Denison Forum contributing writer and student minister to dive into his recent article on the…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
U.S. missile shortage, Trump’s secret Air Force One swap, “Choosin’ Texas” & a new political party? | Ep. 81
In this week's Brief: the U.S. has burned through a staggering share of its missile stockpile in the war with Iran — Patriot interceptors down over 50%, THAAD…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Sophie Cunningham, Spain's migrant crisis, record box office & the Dodgers' blockbuster trade | Ep. 80
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Denison Forum writer Parker Jones to unpack the WNBA's summer of controversy, as Sophie Cunningham's stand for…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesShould We Be Worried About Data Centers? & Why Is Everything So Expensive? | Ep. 79
In this week's Brief: Conner's out, so Micah and Josh take the reins for a deep dive on two questions everyone's asking. First: Should we be worried about data…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesWorld Cup reflections, Trump’s election speech, Middle East update & ‘The Odyssey’ | Ep. 78
In this week's Brief: We look back at a World Cup that exceeded every expectation. It brought millions together, introduced Americans to the world's biggest…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesLindsey Graham dies, Charlie Kirk hearing, Trump’s address, RIP Sam Neill & World Cup Final | Ep. 77
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Clayton Harris to process the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham at age 71. We walk through his legacy as one of…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesSCOTUS recap, America's next 250, Taylor Swift wedding, World Cup heartbreak & Culture Brief news | Ep. 76
In this week's Brief: The Supreme Court dropped some of its biggest rulings of the year and we break down all four—campaign finance limits erased, mail-in…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesReflecting pool mess, Air Force One drama, Clavicular, 'Maxxing' trends, World Cup & new studio! | Ep. 75
In this week's Brief: Welcome to our brand new studio! Conner is joined by Josh Miller, CEO of Denison Ministries, to tackle the reflecting pool drama in DC…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesWorld Cup tourists love America, Iran deal explained, Knicks win & SpaceX soars | Ep. 74
In this week's Brief: Conner is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison to break down the Iran memorandum of understanding—what we know, what we don't, and whether this war…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesWorld Cup preview, SpaceX IPO, helicopter shot down, Knicks-Spurs & UFC at the White House | Ep. 73
In this week's Brief: The World Cup kicks off on American soil and we break down why this isn't just a soccer tournament—it's the most-watched event in human…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesAmerica's vice problem, Iran update, Gen Z box office boom, 60 Minutes turmoil & NBA Finals | Ep. 72
In this week's Brief: The Iran deal negotiations feel like Groundhog Day—another week, another "we're almost there." We break down Trump's heated call…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesIran deal problems, Spencer Pratt for LA Mayor, Pope’s AI warning, Kyle Busch & New York Knicks | Ep. 71
In this week's Brief: An Iran deal is close—but is it the deal the US went to war for? We break down the deal’s framework, why three Republican senators are…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesRise of antisemitism, America's AI backlash & the heart problem underneath it all | Ep. 70
In this week’s Brief: Micah Tomasella and Dr. Ryan Denison tackle two pressing cultural conversations — and find a deeper spiritual thread connecting them…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesTrump goes to China, summer box office predictions, Hantavirus & UFO files dropped | Ep. 69
In this week's Brief: Trump lands in Beijing for the most consequential meeting of his presidency. We break down what's at stake as the world's two superpowers…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesSpirit Airlines collapses, America's 250th, DHS shutdown ends, GameStop-eBay & Lively-Baldoni case | Ep. 68
In this week's Brief: Spirit Airlines is gone. We break down how America's seventh-largest airline collapsed overnight, the bad decisions that led to it, the…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesAssassination attempt, why we're becoming numb, Kimmel-Disney-Melania feud & King Charles in DC | Ep. 67
In this week's Brief: Another assassination attempt on the president. We break down what happened at the White House Correspondents' Dinner—how the evening…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesWhy Americans aren't having kids, Apple CEO steps down, Iran ceasefire & NFL Draft names to watch | Ep. 66
In this week's Brief: We give a quick update on the Iran ceasefire extension and Tim Cook's announcement that he's stepping down as Apple CEO after 15…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesInterview w/ NASA flight controller on Artemis II, faith in space missions & moon landing conspiracies. Plus quick hits on Iran, Trump, and Rory | Ep. 65
In this week's Brief: We look at the failed Iran negotiations, Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump's controversial posts attacking the Pope…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesMilitary rescue in Iran, Artemis moon mission, Cane's vs Chick-fil-A, March Madness champs & Masters predictions | Ep. 64
In this week's Brief: The incredible story of the downed American airman in Iran—injured, hunted, and alone for 36 hours behind enemy lines—and the massive…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesTiger Woods DUI, TMZ vs Congress, Alan Ritchson fight, UConn's epic buzzer beater & moon launch | Ep. 63
In this week's Brief: “Jack Reacher” actor Alan Ritchson got into a real-life neighborhood fight and the internet lost its mind. Then we relive one of the…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesIran update, airport chaos, Bachelorette canceled, RIP Chuck Norris & Sweet 16 | Ep. 62
In this week's Brief: Trump pauses his ultimatum on Iran just as the markets open, and we break down what's really behind the mixed signals, including a…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesWhy gas prices are rising, prediction markets exposed, Talarico's theology, Oscars recap & March Madness | Ep. 61
In this week's Brief: We break down why the Strait of Hormuz and Kharg Island are at the center of the global energy crisis right now—what they are, why they…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesIran war update, Kristi Noem out, Warner Bros. sold, Oscar predictions & Selection Sunday | Ep. 60
In this week's Brief: We're now past day 10 of Operation Epic Fury and the picture is getting more complicated by the hour. We talk through the latest military…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesU.S. & Israel strike Iran: Dr. Jim Denison on faith, war & what comes next | Ep. 59
In this week's Brief: The U.S. and Israel launched simultaneous strikes on Iran in what's being called Operation Epic Fury, and the world changed overnight…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesUSA hockey gold, State of the Union, tariff ruling, cartel takedown, Iran update & UFO files | Ep. 58
In this week's Brief: USA! USA! USA! Team USA wins gold in men's and women's hockey to cap off the best Winter Olympics performance in American history—and the…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesIs the American dream dead? Plus: James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, Jesse Jackson & Winter Olympics | Ep. 57
In this week's Brief: Is the American dream still alive? We dig into the data and what Americans actually mean by "the dream," why hope is more…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesSuper Bowl recap, AI shakes Wall Street, Trump's Obama video, Epstein fallout & Winter Olympics | Ep. 56
In this week's Brief: We break down Seattle's dominant Super Bowl win over the Patriots, the halftime show culture war between Bad Bunny and the Turning Point…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesBad Bunny, the Grammys, Super Bowl outrage, Don Lemon arrest & Epstein update | Ep. 55
In this week’s Brief, we step into one of those rare moments when it feels like everyone is watching—and arguing about—the same things. We discuss the Grammys’…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesAlex Pretti's death, immigration tensions & how Christians can respond with Dr. Ryan Denison | Ep. 54
In this week’s Brief: we’re joined by Dr. Ryan Denison, Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum, to help us process one of the most sobering and…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesGreenland explained, Indiana’s Championship run, Iran updates, Minnesota tensions & Epstein files | Ep. 53
In this week’s Brief: We start with Trump’s latest Greenland comments, why the island suddenly matters again, and we ask the question: how should Christians…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesICE shooting, Iran on edge, Golden Globes & postseason football | Ep. 52
In this week’s Brief: We touch on the ICE shooting in Minnesota and the nationwide protests unfolding in Iran, stepping back from the immediate outrage to talk…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesVenezuela, 2026 culture predictions, Tim Walz & football playoffs | Ep. 51
In this week’s brief: We’re breaking down the headlines shaping the year’s explosive start, beginning with Operation Absolute Resolve and the capture of…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories2025 recap: Most influential people, biggest stories, biggest flops, & spiritual highlights | Ep. 50
In this week’s Brief: We take a wide-angle look at 2025, what we thought the year would hold, what actually happened, and what surprised us along the way…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesAustralia attack, Rob Reiner, Christmas movies, Candace Owens & football updates | Ep. 49
In this week’s Brief: We walk through a heavy news cycle that collided head-on with the Christmas season. We unpack an attack on U.S. troops, the shooting at…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesNetflix vs. Paramount fight for Warner Bros., Hollywood’s future, Spotify Wrapped & College Football Playoffs | Ep. 48
In this week’s Brief: We break down the massive Netflix and Paramount fight to out-bid one another in a multibillion-dollar purchase of Warner Bros.—a move…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesUkraine, Hegseth, American work, box office booms & College-football chaos | Ep. 47
In this week’s Brief: We round up the top stories dominating the headlines, including the latest in peace negotiations in the Ukraine-Russia war, the tragic…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesEpstein files, MAGA infighting, peace deals & Tom Cruise | Ep. 46
In this week’s Brief: we break down a whirlwind week in U.S. politics—from the fallout surrounding the newly released Epstein files to what the shifting…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesShutdown ends, Democrats’ identity crisis, Pelosi update, MLB pitchers indicted & Nico Harrison fired | Ep. 45
In this week’s Brief: We’re talking about the political maneuvering that happened to reopen the government. And Micah dives into the Democratic Party’s ongoing…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesTariffs on trial, Nigerian Christian persecution, Dick Cheney, Mamdani and Dems win big & NFL trades | Ep. 44
In this week’s Brief: We’re talking tariffs and how they’re not impacting the US economy nearly as much as experts predicted back in April. But this week’s…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesTrade deals, East Wing destroyed, NBA gambling scandal, election day preview & scented stamps | Ep. 43
In this week’s Brief: We’re talking about Trump’s whirlwind Asia tour, including stops in Qatar, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and an upcoming high-stakes…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesRare earth minerals, Louvre jewelry heist, "No Kings" protests & a World Series preview! | Ep. 42
In this week’s Brief: We’re talking about the global tug-of-war over rare earth minerals and what the U.S. is doing to loosen its reliance on China. We also…
- Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories
Trailer
Feeling overwhelmed by the endless stream of news, politics, and pop culture? Join Denison Forum’s Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella as they break down the…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesHostages come home, Super Bowl halftime debate, Nobel Peace Prize, MLB playoffs & NBA and NHL are back! | Ep. 41
In this week’s Brief: Micah’s out on vacation, so we had Alex Kondratev join the show as guest co-host to break down the headlines! We're talking about the…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesWorship, anxiety, and identity with Landon Wolfe of Passion City Church and the voice behind “The Lord Will Provide” | Ep. 40
This week, we welcome special guest Landon Wolfe, the voice behind the worship hit “The Lord Will Provide”! We dive into Landon’s journey in music, his…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesGovernment shutdown, peace in Gaza, UFO video, Tim Allen, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny & Ryder Cup results | Ep. 39
In this week’s Brief: The US government is officially shutdown, and it isn’t just about stalled budgets—it’s about the deeper dysfunction in Washington. We’re…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesJimmy Kimmel, free speech debate, Erika Kirk forgives, rapture thoughts, Tylenol update & a huge sports weekend | Ep. 38
In this week’s Brief: Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and return to late-night TV isn’t just about comedy—it’s about the FCC, political pressure, and what this says…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesCultural shockwave of Charlie Kirk’s death, America divided, free speech debate, viral revival, Robert Redford & Larry Ellison | Ep. 37
In this week’s brief: the cultural shockwave of Charlie Kirk’s assassination has rocked the nation—politics, media, public safety, and Americans are all…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesA quick word on the death of Charlie Kirk, Pentagon’s rebrand, US hope in decline, viral sports fails, US Open, NFL & Emmys weekend | Ep. 36
Sadly, we start this episode with a brief update on the tragic killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. His death came after we recorded the episode…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesTroops in US cities, popularity of sports betting, China's military parade & the NFL is back! | Ep. 35
This week on Culture Brief, we’re looking at the deployment of federal troops in U.S. cities and what it means for crime, local authority, and national…
Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture storiesCracker Barrel, US division, Taylor Swift - Travis Kelce engagement & college football returns! | Ep. 34
This week, we’re breaking down Cracker Barrel’s rebrand disaster, what it says about cultural and brand identity in America, and how we, as Christians, should…