Culture Matters

For our last episode of the season, we recorded an episode in front of a live audience. It was so much fun to try to tackle all of your questions – from politics to consuming media to our favorite authors. It's always interesting to know what our listeners are thinking about and care about. We will be back next year with some really great content! Happy Holidays.   — One of the best ways to su...

This week we are joined by Kelsey Hency, CEO & Editor in Chief of Fathom Magazine to talk about the craft of writing, editing and publishing. We explore what good writing is, how it can form us, challenge us and how readers should inquisitively and critically approach written media. You can learn more about Fathom Magazine at fathommag.com   — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.c...

I’m this episode we sat down with Rachel Ferguson to discuss her work as Director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University. Her study and work begs the question—How do we grow community involvement and develop local business in order to restore urban communities labeled as at-risk? Rachel offers a lot of insight Christians can learn from in order to better help human flourishing in ou...

In this episode, we spoke with Katelyn Beaty, author of the book Celebrities for Jesus. We discussed fame, platform and celebrity—the dangers and how to think rightly of unhealthy leadership. Beaty offers a way of thinking where Christians give a wide berth towards power and try to steward what they have instead of seeking celebrity status.  Check out the book:  Celebrities for Jesus We are record...

In a world filled with paradoxes, two knowable truths that seem to be in contradiction to one another, how can Christians reconcile those places of tension? We are joined by author Jen Pollock Michael to talk about her book Surprised by Paradox and how wrestling with life's paradoxes can enable us to love others better as well as increase our trust and dependence on God.   Buy the book.   Read...

In this episode, we sat down with author Daniel Nayeri to talk about his memoir Everything Sad is Untrue—a fascinating and beautiful journey of a story that explores faith and family through the eyes of young Daniel, an Iranian immigrant now living in rural Oklahoma.   Buy the book   Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematters...

This week on the podcast we talked to author/singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson about what God teaches us about Himself through His creation and how we can develop our own creativity.  Connect with Andrew's work The Rabbit Room Buy The God of the Garden — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast.podbean.com/

This week on the podcast, we got to have a thoughtful conversation with singer-songwriter Jon Guerra about cultivating deeper devotion and worship for the creative God through ordinary ways.    — Come see Jon on Tour in Dallas with us:  Tickets for October 28   Stream Jon’s Music   A couple of the writings Jon mentioned:  Low Anthropology Little Virtues     — Become a Patron   Follow us on social:...

This week Adam and Elizabeth are joined by Tymarcus and Chelsea in a cultural round-up episode examining a few of the latest headlines—the Queen's passing, Serena's retirement, and the movies and books we've been enjoying.      — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast.podbean.com/

On this episode, we got to sit down with Lee Camp to talk about how the church can engage with government in a redemptive way while honoring God’s truth.     Scandalous Witness  www. TokensShow.com     Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast.podbean.com/

Lament is a unique prayer that turns us to trust God in profound ways amidst profound pain. This week we talk with Pastor Mark Vroegop about his book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy and how Christians learn the language of lament.    —  Links  Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop    https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433561484/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_T6F8VS4V22K1P0BG1DXX   — Become a...

This week we got to chat with a friend of the podcast, Lore Ferguson Wilbert, about her new book A Curious Faith. In this book, she asks her readers to explore the hard questions and meditate on God’s word in a way that ultimately encourages a more beautiful and rich relationship with Jesus Christ. — Links The book: A Curious Faith Lore’s Blog: LoreWilbert.com Lore's other book we mentioned: H...

Through his book, Good and Beautiful and Kind, Rich Villodas offers a contemplative practice, based on the gospel, that helps us find joy and beauty despite a hostile and difficult world.      Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World https://a.co/d/btzQzIg The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus https://a.co/d/e5h9DJu — Become a Pat...

Christians are called to disciple regardless of age. In this episode, we talk with Bob and Brenda Peitzman, who have continued to faithfully live out the great commission in their twilight years, as spiritual grandparents.   Learn more about the Legacy Coalition Ministry: https://legacycoalition.com/     — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrma...

In this opening episode of our latest season, we recap some of the popular headlines from summer.    Link to the article Adam and Tymarcus mention   — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast.podbean.com/  

We wrap up this season with an amazing conversation with Andy Crouch. We discuss everything from technology to robots, to justice and human flourishing, as we navigate his latest book — The Life We're Looking For. Purchase Andy's new book: The Life We’re Looking For — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast....

Everyone deals with regret, hurt, and fear, but how do we find the beauty in those experiences? The most compelling gospel teachers have learned to live with such transparency about their hurts and fears which encourages others and honors God through every season of life.  This is the question that Scott Sauls explores in his new book, Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen. Purchase the book Beautifu...

This week, Adam and Elizabeth talk about the recent SBC report on sexual abuse and abuse cover-ups within SBC churches. Read the Full report here: Guidepost Report Listen to Dr. Russel Moore's interview with Rachael DenHollander Some additional resources to help train and prevent abuse: Church Cares Curriculum   Ministry Safe  Training — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/cul...

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Walter Strickland about his book Every Waking Hour, which addresses the question: When we think of faith and work, how can I use my place of work to glorify God? And how is what I do on a day-to-day basis matter to God as part of his creation? Strickland argues there is even a way to tie our work into an argument for God's better design.    Purchase the book -...

In this interview with Isaac Adams, we discuss his book Talking About Race and the practical truths needed to enter those conversations with compassion and humility. Unity is complex, costly, and uncomfortable, but Adams offers a way forward through the gospel.   — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast.podbean.com...

This week we want to address a more timely topic, which is, the recent court-related headlines. Specifically the Roe v. Wade, Depp v. Heard, and Melissa Lucio cases. We ended up asking the broader question: How do we filter through the mess and assess whose voice are we listening to most — the world’s or God’s?   Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/...

In this episode, we have a great conversation with Preston Sprinkle, President of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, and host of Theology in the Raw podcast. Preston talked to us about his book Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say and how the church can have a better understanding of the issues in order to minister and speak about the topic with gra...

This week we got to talk to our good friend, Jerica Olson, about her work in ministering to incarcerated women in both jail and prison. It’s an interesting conversation and we hope you feel encouraged to think about the ways you can minister and make disciples in your own spheres. Check out this organization that Jerica referenced: Prison Fellowship — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagr...

In this episode we sat down with two ministers, Chad and Jenna, to talk about some of the cultural assumptions about mission work, and what the Bible actually says. Chad and Jenna also offer some practical examples of what it looks for Christians to live out Christ’s commission to make disciples.    — Support us on Patreon   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultur...

In this week's episode, we talk through a few of the recent headlines—Denzel Washington's words to Will Smith after "the slap," Disney's recent announcement, and reactions to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation. — Become a Patron   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/cultrmatterspod culturematterspodcast.podbean.com/