The Common Good Podcast

(00:00-09:47): In the headlines: Trump leaves the hospital to pay a visit to patriots outside of Walter Reed Hospital . Will contracting COVID-19 change Trump? PLUS, There is no getting 'back to normal,' experts say. The sooner we accept that, the better. (09:47-28:08): We were joined by senior news editor at Christianity Today, Kate Shellnut. She gives us the latest on the presidential election c...

(00:00-09:32): JUST IN: President Trump and First Lady test positive for COVID-19 . Brian and Ian touch on this and more to start the show off. We take a listen to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’s statement on the situation. (09:32-27:36): We were joined by Val Fisk. Val is Associate Minister for Students at University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.  She touches o...

(00:00-09:04): Some headlines to get us started today: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Lose Baby After Pregnancy Complications , Virtual Christkindlmarket , COVID cases in the NFL are postponing games .  (09:04-25:55): We were joined by author and pastor Kendall Laughlin Kendall is involved in the leadership of All Peoples Church , part of the Antioch International Movement of Churches . He li...

(00:00-10:06): The first presidential “debate” was on last night, and boy did we have something to say about it. We listen to some highlights of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.  (10:06-28:42): We were joined by author of “ Reckless Grace ” Bill Vanderbush. Bill Vanderbush has been a Pastor for over 25 years. Bill grew up on the mission field, traveling all over the world a...

(00:00-9:36): A new survey says the Presidential Debates won’t change the race . Brian and Ian discussed what that means for the election and the state of politics. (09:36-28:22): Chris Castaldo is the Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church, Naperville. He joined Brian and Ian to share the challenges his church community has faced thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak and also his thoughts on the &ldq...

(00:00-10:02): A few headlines to get us kicked off on this Monday afternoon: Bears overcome a 16-point deficit to win third straight game to start the season , Passion of the Christ sequel ? Donald Trump’s Tax avoidance . (10:02-19:34): Matthew Kitchen writes “ Smartphones Transformed Everything. Now, There’s More Disruption to Come ” in Wall Street Journal. As WSJ’s...

(00:00-09:22): A few headlines to kick us off on this Friday afternoon: Justice Ginsburg becomes first woman to lie in state at the Capitol , Trump on peaceful transition if he loses: 'Get rid of the ballots' and 'there won't be a transfer' , Louisville protesters march for second night after Breonna Taylor grand jury decision , and Ginsburg mourners greet Trump with 'vote him out' chant as he arr...

(00:00-08:23): 2 police officers shot during Louisville protests over charges in Breonna Taylor case . One suspect was in custody, and police said the officers' injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. (08:23-28:49): We were joined by Joe Taylor, a church planter with the converge network. His church is Canopy Chicago . He along with Brian and Ian discussed the future of our church in the c...

(00:00-09:23): One Officer Charged With Endangering Neighbors . A grand jury didn’t charge any officers with shooting Ms. Taylor in her Louisville apartment. A former officer, accused of firing recklessly, was indicted on three counts of ‘wanton endangerment.’ (09:23-27:10): We were joined by Bobby Jackson from Rally Point Ministries and One Collective . At Rally Point, Bobby foc...

(00:00-09:49): Right in our own backyard. Naperville rally speakers keep pressure on for schools to reopen . PLUS, Pritzker reiterates no high school football .  (09:49-27:58): We were joined by author Charles Stone to discuss his book “ Holy Noticing: The Bible, your Brain, and the Mindful Space between Moments ”. He covers topics in the book such as the term “Holy Noticing...

(00:00-09:09): We start the week on a somber note. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away Friday at 87. 'Notorious RBG': Ginsburg transcended the court to become a pop culture icon . The spontaneous outpouring of grief across the country spoke to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s influence and devotion. (09:09-17:47): Tim Keller posted on Facebook : “I’ve been asked why it is especially wro...

(00:00-09:19): Tim Keller tweeted: “Christians and the freedom of conscience in politics. The Bible binds my conscience to care for the poor, but it does not tell me the best practical way to do it. Any particular strategy (high taxes and government services vs low taxes and private charity) may be good and wise…” Brian and Ian discuss. (09:19-18:35): Tim Arndt writes “ Ch...

(00:00-39:03): We are joined by Scott Wilder from Pre-Born . He starts the show off by discussing how we can take action right now, right here in our backyard. This ministry aims to save babies by providing counseling and ultrasounds for women. Call 833-850-BABY(2229) you can call to save the lives of babies. He talks about how “what we raise here, stays here”. The money supports pregn...

(00:00-39:04): We are joined by Scott Wilder from Pre-Born . He starts the show off by discussing how we can take an action right now, right here in our backyard. This ministry aims to save babies by providing counseling and ultrasounds for women. Call 833-850-2229 you can call to save the lives of babies. He also talks about several local people who have already given to save over a dozen babies....

(00:00-09:37): Carey Nieuwhof writes “ When Christians Lose Their Minds, People Lose Their Faith ”. Brian and Ian kick off with this and discuss.  (09:37-27:41): We were joined by pastor and former NFL Safety, Ray McElroy . He is speaking during a men’s event via Zoom at Christian Community Church . Via the CCC website: “We want to be men of God that lead and serve wel...

(00:00-08:15): A few headlines to get started on this beeeeautiful Monday afternoon. Brian and Ian discuss news about Chris Evens , John MacArthur’s church , violence in Los Angeles , Black Lives Matter , and the issue of medical debt and what a church did to pay off $19 million of it.   (08:15-37:46): We were joined by former Christianity Today Editor in Chief, Mark Galli . He was in t...

(00:00-09:47): Today we remember and mourn the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Brian and Ian reflect on where they were and how they responded.  (09:47-18:52): There was a sense of normalcy last night as NFL football began. The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans kicked the season off in Kansas City in front of roughly 20,000 spectators!  (18:52-28:18): Thom Rainer...

00:00-09:41: This week marks six months since the COVID lockdown began . Brain and Ian started the show by reflecting on the lessons that they’ve learned during the pandemic. 09:41-28:30: Austin Massey is the worship leader at the Arising church in Crystal Lake and also the owner of Viator Coffee Company in elgin. He joined Brian and Ian to talk about what it has been like to have growing fa...

00:00-10:25: Hundreds of parents and students rallied in a downtown Wheaton park Tuesday night to demand a total return to classrooms and sports . Brain and Ian shared their thoughts about re-opening schools. 10:25-28:26:  Jim Denison is the founder of Denison Forum. He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health. He joined Brian and Ian to talk about his n...

00:00-09:09: Novak Djokovic's US Open meltdown costs millions in prize money, with more potential fines ahead . World's No. 1 tennis player is now ineligible for US Open's top prize of $3M after being stripped of $250K prize. PLUS, 1 in 5 Churches May Shut Their Doors Because of the Pandemic . 09:09-27:29: We were joined by pastor and saxophonist of Five Iron Frenzy , Leonor Ortega-Till. It origin...

(00:00-07:23): Democrats tap array of faith leaders to speak at convention . Brian and Ian touch on the DNC, as well as Michelle Obama’s speech from the convention and “ Joe Biden’s Catholic politics are complicated—but deeply American ” (07:23-37:32): We were joined by author and pastor Brian Zahnd. He is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Jose...

(00:00-09:40): A few headlines to kick off the show including “ 7 officers in Rochester, New York, suspended in death of Daniel Prude. ” "I understand the union may sue me for taking these officers off our streets," Mayor Lovely Warren said. "They should feel free to do so." (09:40-18:48): Cap Stewart writes “ If You’re Fighting the Culture War, You’re Losing ”...

(00:00-09:20): Wow, kicking off with some big news in the evangelical world. 12,000+ Sign Petition to Remove Franklin Graham From Samaritan’s Purse . PLUS, Pandemic has revealed weaknesses in Church culture, Francis Chan says .  (09:20-18:44): Free COVID Etiquette guide! Brian and Ian discuss NPR’s COVID-19 Etiquette: 6 Common Conundrums (And A Printable Pocket Guide) . &nbsp...

Hour 1 Seg 1: Brian and Ian discuss several headlines in the news including the death of Bob Rohrman . For decades, his advertisements for cars were a common sight on local TV stations. PLUS, Samaritan’s Purse helps victims of Hurricane Laura .  Hour 1 Seg 2: On the Front Lines, Some Pro-Life Activists Think Twice About Supporting Trump . National leaders back re-election. For others, t...

(00:00-10:09): Brian and Ian discuss Kyle Rittenhouse news out of Kenosha. A church is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for his defense . They also discuss the difficulty in the situation from a lawyer’s point of view .  (10:09-36:51): We were joined by Jeff Stark, Associate Professor of Theology at the School of Theology and Christian Ministry and Director of the Center for The...