The Common Good Podcast

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 faith, and grow deeper in their love for Christ. The episode weaves together personal stories of parenting, mission trips, and God’s long-game faithfulness with a powerful reminder that Jesus is not merely a moral example, but Lord and...

Brian From speaks with Pastor Darrell Moore of Greater New Life Church in Roseville. They discuss the church's mission, community outreach efforts, the challenges of starting a church, and the resilience shown after a devastating fire. Pastor Moore shares insights on the importance of church attendance and the excitement of being part of a community, emphasizing the revival he believes is coming t...

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 limits of Pascal’s Wager. The episode also pushes back on cultural narratives that portray parenthood as misery, arguing instead that children are a hard but profound gift that reshapes how we understand joy and purpose. Brian closes with...

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 independence. Drawing lessons from sports heartbreak, he examines how public failure can feel defining—but why, in Christ, our worst moments do not get the final word. The episode closes with a thoughtful challenge to hustle culture, qu...

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 raises serious moral, medical, and spiritual concerns. Mettler explains the arguments often used to support the practice—autonomy and compassion—and why they fall short in light of advances in hospice care and the Christian vision o...

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 families. Deana shares practical guidance on managing expectations, communicating clearly with kids and spouses, and creating new traditions without dismissing old ones. The conversation also offers encouragement for parents facing empty-nest trans...

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz of Plugged In for a thoughtful conversation about how Christians can engage popular entertainment with wisdom and discernment. They discuss the latest episodes of Stranger Things, including its darker themes, spiritual parallels, and a major coming-out storyline that raises important questions about grace and truth. The conversation also explores the religious sym...

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 God’s quiet faithfulness. He looks back on the stories that shaped the church in 2025, wrestles with bitterness, control, and perspective, and invites listeners to consider not what they want to accomplish this year—but who they want to...

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 reflects on viral shame, public failure, and the crushing weight of life lived online—contrasting our culture’s lack of integrity with the hope found in confession, character, and grace. As Christmas approaches, the conversation turn...

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 practical skills for lasting connection. Drawing from their own marital challenges, the Rays explain how marriage coaching works, why communication is foundational, and how couples can build a shared “playbook” for life together....

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 its work. Stephens shares how Focus supports marriages, parents, foster care families, and evangelism efforts reaching millions each year through radio, digital resources, and on-the-ground programs. The conversation highlights why year-end gi...

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 through the eyes of C.S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, and Charles Williams. Together they unpack why themes of hell, purgatory, and heaven still matter, and how these writers used Dante to reflect on evil, repentance, and eternal hope. The conver...

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 . Together, they unpack what the Bible means by God’s glory, how it unfolds across the whole story of Scripture, and why it’s both awe-inspiring and deeply personal—especially at Christmas. Donnie explains how understanding God&rsq...

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, he contrasts the darkness of greed, cynicism, and exhaustion with the Advent promise that Christ is the light no darkness can overcome. As Christmas approaches, Brian invites listeners to ask a piercing question of their own lives: are we l...

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 reflects on how Jesus models true compassion—entering into the suffering of others rather than offering detached sympathy. The hour also turns toward rediscovering the wonder of Christmas, inviting listeners to reclaim awe, humility, and...

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 message of “good news of great joy for all people” matters precisely when darkness feels overwhelming. The show takes a lighter—but revealing—turn with a discussion of a lawsuit asking whether pets should be reco...

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 only option and helps them choose life. Bradford explains Human Coalition’s dual focus on direct care for mothers and legislative advocacy, including how they respond to the rise of chemical abortions and serve states like Illinois. The...

Brian From reflects on the dangers of political cynicism and power while calling Christians to lives marked by character, integrity, and Christlike distinctiveness. As Christmas approaches, he explores the spiritual cost of screen addiction, the importance of turning toward one another, and how practices like communal singing and gracious speech shape healthier, more faithful lives. The episode cl...

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 friendships within marriage. Smalley distinguishes healthy, casual friendships from emotionally intimate ones, offering practical guidance, guardrails, and real-life examples for maintaining trust and protecting the marital bond. The convers...

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 longer—even if he refuses to eat it. He explores the deeper spiritual challenge of Christmas: not consumerism or secularism, but our own boredom with the most astonishing story ever told. The episode closes with a sobering look at the Michi...

Brian From welcomes pastor and author Nate Pickowicz to discuss his new book, Overcoming the Darkness: Biblical Help for Spiritual Depression , a deeply personal exploration of anxiety, discouragement, and the struggle to rediscover joy in Christ. Pickowicz shares his own battle with spiritual depression, outlines practical steps for healing—including his “wheel of spiritual health&rdq...

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 mystery and what families should know before watching. Holz shares thoughtful guidance on choosing age-appropriate holiday entertainment, recommends a few under-the-radar Christmas gems, and confesses which “classics” he still ca...

Brian From sits down with Isaiah Nichols, Creative Director at Gospel Life Church, to explore Behold —a free, immersive Christmas experience blending original music, Hamilton-inspired storytelling, live animals, and a bustling Bethlehem marketplace. Nichols describes the vision behind the production and why Christmas is a uniquely open season for sharing the gospel and inviting friends into...

Brian From welcomes back former cohost and longtime friend Ian Simkins for a lively, heartfelt conversation spanning ministry, fatherhood, spiritual formation, and the early days of The Common Good . Together they reflect on Ian’s work at The Bridge in Tennessee, the power of “table” community, and the encouraging spiritual hunger they see in the next generation. It is equal part...

Alistair Begg discusses his transition into retirement, the relevance of the book of Ecclesiastes in today's society, and the search for meaning in life. He emphasizes the importance of placing hope in God and offers practical advice for those struggling to find joy, especially during the Christmas season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.