The Common Good Podcast

With Aubrey out finishing her latest book, Steve Coble joins Brian in the studio to talk about how we deal with differing politics within the church and the role of pastors during election season . Then, they're using the Colts' recent loss as an object lesson for dealing with disappointment, and debating a hot take from Daniel Darling on Twitter . Lastly they listen to a fascinating man-on-the-st...

Dr. Miriam McParland is a chiropractor specializing in everything musculoskeletal-- who also helps people avoid knee, shoulder and back surgery and drugs using non-addictive pain management. She talks to Brian about an innovative new program for weight loss. You can start her program in person in Orland Park, or virtually from anywhere you live. Schedule your free consultation by calling 708-778-3...

Aubrey and her husband Kevin--also a pastor at Renewal Church in West Chicago-- explore the process of grief and heartache, the experience of the dark night of the soul, and Kevin's research on multi-ethnic living. They emphasize the importance of listening, building relationships, and engaging in multi-ethnic life as a reflection of the gospel. In this conversation, Aubrey and Kevin play a trivia...

Christa Hardin has counseled couples for two decades and hosts the popular podcast Enneagram + Marriage. In this episode she sits down with Aubrey and her husband Kevin for an extended interview about their types and how they interact with each other, communicating through conflict, and even using the enneagram to parent.  Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey...

New to the show or don't know Aubrey? Start with this episode! Aubrey introduces herself as an eternal student, a pastor, a Wheaton grad and more. Learn about her various endeavors and books, her other podcast, and how to get mentorship if you're a woman in ministry. LINKS: Aubrey's website (includes her 4 books): https://www.aubreysampson.com/ Propel Ecclesia: https://www.ecclesia.propelwomen.org...

Aubrey's flying solo while Brian is traveling--she talks about ways to accomplish those new year’s goals (courtesy of ChatGPT),  ways to pray for politicians –including the ones you can’t stand, conquering fear and anxiety, and understanding lament for the modern context. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and...

What were the biggest headlines of 2023 ? Brian and Aubrey look back on them and then Aubrey shares something she's been working on as she writes her next book: 12 reflections on fresh grief , one for each month of 2023. Then, they're talking about 6 ways to love like Jesus in the New Year . Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced...

Brian and Aubrey play "The Bible is Funny" card game --Christmas themed!--and then choose their all-time favorite classic Christmas carols, for singing in church. Merry Christmas from The Common Good! Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the demand for Christian higher education dying away? Noah Toly, provost at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, says that on the contrary, their enrollment numbers are higher than ever. He and Brian theorize about it and reminisce about their time as undergraduate roommates at Wheaton College. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Prod...

Brian and Aubrey are chatting about churches that have multiple Christmas Eve services,  an African proverb, and good news from the week. Then, they're fascinated by new research on universal basic income :  thousands of villagers in Kenya received cash grants of varying frequency, and researchers tracked how they chose to spend the money. The results will surprise you... especially if you're skep...

From Tim Challies' blog, Brian and Aubrey are talking about 32 Random Thoughts About the Local Church . Then--what does it really mean that the Pope is okay with blessing same-sex couples? Later, a beautiful story from an English 'barrister' about how the coffee table made him love his local church... and speaking of the British, 10 differences between American and British English . Follow The Com...

Brian has a tweet we need to unpack: is it true that we're engaged (politically) in such a spiritual battle that the ways of Jesus 'no longer work'? Then, we're talking about discerning God's will, and Aubrey shares an Advent reading from She Reads Truth . Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See...

Matthew Soerens, VP of Advocacy & Policy with World Relief, joins to talk about the current situation at the border and the claim that Jesus' family were refugees when they fled to Egypt. What defines a refugee--and what does it matter for today? Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See omnys...

Pastors are claiming that this election is part of a spiritual battle. Is it true? And what if the abortion debate costs votes in future elections? Brian and Aubrey talk about compromising for elections and then end the show with crazy palindromes. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See omnystu...

Meet Kate Carney, recommended to us by David French, who unpacks fascinating research by this think tank: their Hidden Tribes report as well as statistics on the  perception gap between political parties. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This news story about a rapper coming to Christ (and leaving the music industry?) has us thinking: why do we obsess so much about Christian celebrities--and especially, why do we expect so much from them? Plus, we're ranking the Top 5 Underrated Christmas Movies, and sharing the best news headlines of the week . Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson an...

How do you set boundaries around social and digital media? Crowd favorite Felicia Song authored the book Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age. She is also Professor of Sociology at Westmont College, and cultural sociologist of media and digital technologies, and she has thoughts for Brian & Aubrey on sleep hygiene and even replacing the urge to multita...

We have to unpack the situation involving the leader from the International House of Prayer, but then we're moving on to much lighter topics: what are the rules for Christmas movies? And how well does Brian know his Christmas trivia? Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See omnystudio.com/listene...

We're debating a list of the year's top theology news from The Gospel Coalition, and then a question posed by frequent guest of the show Karen Swallow Prior: when does free speech go too far? Later, a sermon clip from Rich Villodas: "there's no brokenness beyond God's ability to repair." Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by...

Clarissa Moll posted something on Instagram that has us thinking. She said, "...there is no secret language that transcends death. Death isn’t like summer camp; your person can’t send postcards back home." What do you think? Later, it's the parable of the overstepping elder, a cringey moment from Aubrey's weekend, and via Buzzfeed, cringeworthy things we've somehow normalized . Follow The Common G...

Brian and Aubrey are shocked at how close Christmas is. Then, remember our conversation last week about the university presidents who couldn't quite answer questions about free speech in that congressional hearing? One of them has already stepped down, and the president of Harvard is being defended by faculty while she faces similar criticism. Then, Brian & Aubrey are reflecting on the mission...

Here it is--the segment causing all the controversy on social media--which be our most controversial Top 5 list yet. DO NOT MISS IT.  Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith Conrad See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Jim Scudder Jr. discusses the upcoming Christmas pageant at Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He shares the excitement and popularity of the pageant, which features angels, Gabriel, and even a walking camel. Pastor Jim also mentions a ticket giveaway for listeners of the radio station. He then talks about his recent trip to Israel and the heartbreaking events he witnesse...

Glenn Goad discusses the Light of Christmas, a drive-through Christmas light show at the White Sox Stadium in Chicago. He shares his inspiration for the event and the collaboration with Guaranteed Rate, the White Sox, and Alderman Lee. The show offers a seamless and enjoyable experience with synchronized lights and music.  Glenn's interest in drive-through light shows stems from his childhood expe...

Nona Jones, Chief Content and Partnerships Officer at YouVersion, discusses her role and the mission of YouVersion. She explains that YouVersion is not just the Bible app, but a family of apps that aim to encourage and challenge people to seek intimacy with God every day. Nona also shares how people can use the various YouVersion apps to stick to their New Year's resolution of reading the Bible an...