The Common Good Podcast

"Experiencing the world without chemically altering your brain is going out of style," according to one news outlet. Brian and Aubrey discuss why and what it means, and then talk about gnosticism and complementarianism, whether or not the church is growing post-pandemic, and then--based on a viral TikTok by @steph_murphy, a glimpse inside a truly average middle class house--and whether Joanna Gain...

Brian and Aubrey interview Kaitlyn Schiess, author of The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused and Where We Go from Here, doctoral student in political theology at Duke University (and co-host of The Holy Post podcast), on how churches approach political topics. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by La...

Michael Graham, Program Director for The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, reveals the number one reason people leave church: moving. Michael has just co-authored a book called The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? , and says that life events that disrupt schedules--like marital changes, kids, or pandemics--are actually the bigges...

Inspired by Jemar Tisby, Brian and Aubrey are wondering about the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech. Then, they talk about a woman facing death who has no regrets and simple things we miss from the 90's before interviewing author Sharon Jaynes on her new book: "Praying for Your Child From Head to Toe: A 30-Day Guide to Powerful and Effective Scripture-Based Prayers." Fo...

Lifeway Research has found that prosperity gospel teaching--a very transactional way of viewing our relationship with God--permeates churchgoer beliefs. Then, Brian and Aubrey chat with John Van Sloten, author of a fascinating new book: " God Speaks Science ." And later--another Top 5 list, and why are Christians so serious about everything? Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagr...

Brian and Aubrey--both Wheaton alums!--are thrilled to interview Dr. Philip Ryken, the eighth president of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. and author of Beauty is Your Destiny: How the Promise of Splendor Changes Everything . The book is now available from Crossway, or wherever books are sold. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produ...

Social media continues to change and Brian thinks our expectations need to change with it. Then, are we as a society getting more rude? The closure of a Michelin-starred restaurant may be an interesting case study. And later, from an article on The Gospel Coalition, how do we handle sexual content in movies?, and Brian and Aubrey revisit our best source of hope: the fundamental basics of the gospe...

Washington Post columnist Perry Bacon Jr. recently wrote a column that has Brian and Aubrey debating the nature of church. They're also shocked by changing statistics about demographics, and end the show with something very special: an interview with Dr. Phil Ryken, the eighth president of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey...

Did you attend Acquire the Fire, or send a teen to one of their events in the 90's? Brian and Aubrey are reading through a new piece on this from Katelyn Beaty; Then, the curious case of a Disneyland Paris cast member who may or may not have been fired over waffles; ChatGPT writes sermons for both Brian and Aubrey; And, from the New York Times, thoughts on decluttering your home, your mind and you...

There's a special event coming up for you, and Sarah Wagner visited the studio to talk about it. But first we're revisiting Brian's strong feelings about the Snow White remake, and interviewing Davy Blackburn--Aubrey's other co-host!--of the hit Nothing is Wasted podcast. For more information on the Christian singles mixer, check out  http://bit.ly/CPCmixerapply or email the CPC team at   CityPurs...

Chris Castaldo, pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville shares why we need the beatitudes in this historical moment.  He has recently authored a new book, "The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes." Learn more at https://chriscastaldo.com/books/new-book/ or follow Chris on social media @chriscastaldo. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubr...

...sometimes it's just so hard to tell who we're singing to. (Apparently Tim Keller had that problem too, because he talked about the problem of idolizing your spouse.) Brian and Aubrey talk about his recent memorial service and a recent NYT column by Esau McCaulley on chasing wealth while parenting. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From...

... no, really! (And Brian and Aubrey will tell you what it is.) In addition, they're discussing church splits and mental health, chatting about the happiest news of the week, and tackling the big question: why aren't prayers answered? 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/liste...

Should churches use such data for decision making? Then, an interview with Pastor Chris Castaldo from New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois--and later, Brian gets nostalgic about the early days of The Common Good (when he and Ian recorded shows in Chris Castaldo's church basement!) Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by...

Indie folk band The Arcadian Wild released new album "Welcome" on July 21st, and played sold out show at SPACE in Evanston, IL on July 29th. Brian and Aubrey had a chance to interview Isaac Horn about how the band got its start and what it's like breaking into the music industry. Follow the group on all platforms @thearcadianwild. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted b...

After surprising new demographic statistics about Gen Z, Aubrey and Brian interview talk show host Susie Larson about her new book, Closer Than Your Next Breath: Where Is God When You Need Him Most?,  which releases today--happy book birthday! Then, is language breaking down even further?, and an interview with author and musician Andre Henry on his latest EP which focuses on mental health and res...

Dan Brendsel, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hinckley, MN, and author of Answering Speech: The Life of Prayer as Response to God, joins the show to talk about his book. Plus, we're talking bout Stephen Furtick's church leaving the SBC, advice from Christine Caine on getting out of a toxic friendship, and mission drift when we're trying to make disciples. Follow The Common Good on Facebook...

Aubrey is processing how and why relationships end, and Brian is just wondering why friendships can't be simpler. They also discuss defeating discouragement, narratives that get in the way of making disciples, and a very special Top 5 list of must-do things in Chicago when friends come into town. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Pro...

A fascinating phenomenon has been happening around big U.S. losses involving players who have stood up for controversial issues, and Brian wants to talk about it. (And then, a related discussion and a good test of our politics: if the other side did what my side just did, would I be happy about it?) Brian and Aubrey--both pastors--are inspired by Dare 2 Share founder Greg Stier's commitment to off...

"Will you pray for me?" is a question pastors hear every day. But when have you heard a pastor ask that question for themselves? It's rare. Thom Rainer asked his congregation to pray for him, and the response was overwhelming. Within two days, more than one hundred people committed to praying for him, and the church was transformed over the next year. Thom is Founder and CEO of Church Answers, aut...

Brian and Aubrey chat about a fascinating new book, "Why Bad Looks Good," and then talk to a Common Good former producer-turned-TikTok-star, John Benedeck. At age 26 John was chosen as one of three musicians to replace the famed Gary Pressey, former Cubs organist. In this show John shares about his musical background, what he misses (or doesn't miss) about working on the Common Good, and how he go...

Pastor Michael Horton recently preached that Americans are confusing themselves with pre-covenant Israel, and Brian and Aubrey have thoughts. They also discuss news that high school boys are trending more conservative than girls, the question of whether churches should stop broadcasting online, and also interview a very special guest: Dr. Russell Moore, the editor-in-chief of Christianity Today an...

Dr. Yuki Miyamoto grew up near Hiroshima. But she didn't know her mother had survived the atomic bomb dropped there by the U.S. in 1945.  Now, Dr. Miyamoto is a nuclear ethicist and teaches students at DePaul University in Chicago. She joined Brian and Aubrey in studio to talk about her reaction to the new movie, Oppenheimer, about the American theorist who led a team that created the first atomic...

According to a new study, 12th grade boys are twice as conservative as girls the same age, and Aubrey and Catherine are wondering why. Then, they chat about America Ferrera's monologue in the Barbie movie, ChatGPT as a tool for exegeting scripture, and whether Catherine's high school son should see Oppenheimer this weekend. Follow The Common Good on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubre...

Jessie Cruickshank is an ordained minister and a nationally recognized expert in disciplemaking and the neuroscience of transformation. She holds a Master’s from Harvard in Mind, Brain, and Education and is the founder of Whoology. On August 12, she'll hold a half day event at Wheaton College, and she joins Aubrey and Catherine to talk about it. (Find more details at https://www.whoology.co/events...