The Common Good Podcast

(00:00-09:04): Brain and Ian shared their reaction to the death of actor Chadwick Boseman over the weekend at the age of 43. Chadwick gave commencement address that is even more amazing when you consider he was undergoing treatment at the time. (09:04-35:54): Aaron Niequist is a worship leader in New York, songwriter, Podcaster & creator of A New Liturgy and The Practice and author of The Eter...

(00:00-09:39): This week is the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech . Brian and Ian thought it was a good time to look at the significance of the speech with everything that’s happening in the country right now. (09:39-18:18): A new study from LifeWay Research looks at what people think about Pastors who commit adultery returning to ministry...

(00:00-08:47): Brian and Ian discuss a few headlines to get the show started. Hurricane Laura made landfall , there is major progress in a COVID test , the teen responsible for shooting and killing two people in Kenosha was arrested , and NBA teams boycott games .  (08:47-17:57): Marissa Shultz writes “ Pelosi says Biden shouldn't debate Trump: 'I wouldn't legitimize a conversation with...

(00:00-09:16): Brian and Ian kick off the hour with current events. California wildfires continue to ravage thousands of acres, Hurricane Laura is growing in strength and now sustains 140mph winds, and an Illinois teen was arrested in fatal shooting at Kenosha protest, police say.  (09:16-27:48): We were joined by writer and Presbyterian pastor, Mark Sandlin . He wrote a piece in Patheos four...

(00:00-09:16): For the second night, Kenosha is experiencing rioting and outrage over the shooting of Jacob Blake. Kenosha becomes center of nationwide protests after police shoot Black man in front of his children . Also, Trump's convention offers misleading portrait of his presidency . (09:16-28:02): We were joined by owner and founder of Daydream Supply Company , Branden Benskin. He is a worshi...

(00:00-08:48): Tragic news from over the weekend “ Protests break out in Wisconsin over police shooting of Jacob Blake ”. Brian and Ian discuss the continuance of social injustice and how this story has affected everyone’s sensitivity to violence.  (08:48-18:23): John MacArthur in an interview went into detail about how “You are not a true believer if you don’t v...

(00:00-09:27): Brian and Ian kick off the show with some pretty cool news. They talked about this: “ A 13-year-old ‘regular kid’ with a stutter gave a must-watch Democratic convention speech ”. They shifted over to how after 4 decades on TBN, Kenneth Copeland is being replaced by Steven Furtick .  (09:27-19:03): More Falwell news! Apparently, 50 pastors who graduated f...

(00:00-09:43): Brain and Ian kicked off the show by discussing stories involving broadcaster Thom Brennaman , Steve Bannon and Jerry Fallwell Jr. (09:43-19:13): Pope Francis says that “Making the poor a priority isn't political, it's the Gospel.” Brain and Ian shared their reaction. (19:13-28:21): What goes through your mind when you hear the phrase “You are enough”? Brain...

(00:00-09:24): Adelle Banks writes “ Bipartisan network of Christian groups launches police reform initiative ” in Religion News Service. Also, “ Evangelicals Call for Police and Criminal Justice Reform ”. New initiative challenges churches and believers: “Scripture makes the pursuit of justice for our neighbors a mandatory part of the Christian life.” (09:24-27...

(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...

(00:00-09:53): In some areas of the country students are heading back to school for the fall, even as other areas of the country they are still wrestling with the COVID-19 outbreak. Brian and Ian shared their perspective as parents, (09:53-28:06): Adam Graber is a director at FaithTech and the co-host of the Device and Virtue podcast, he has written for Christianity Today, The Bulwark, Relevant, C...

Hour 1 Seg 1: Herman Cain 'tweets' two weeks after his death to attack Democrats . Cain’s Twitter account revived to spread pro-Trump messages. One-time presidential candidate died in July from coronavirus. PLUS, Biden, Seizing on Masks as a Campaign Issue, Calls for a Mandate .  Hour 1 Seg 2: We were joined by Pastor Josh Moody of College Church in Wheaton. The building’s steeple...

(00:00-09:00): A sheriff in Florida told his employees will not be allowed to wear a mask in their office . Brian and Ian talked about the politization of wearing masks during the COVID-19 outbreak. (09:00-37:40): We are joined by Simon Wilce , the Executive Director of CAP America for Christians Against Poverty . Christians Against Poverty equip local churches with effective poverty relieving too...

(00:00-09:16): Is there a stark difference in the way media outlets report on issues? Brian and Ian discuss headlines and the vernacular of articles posted on both MSNBC and Fox News and touch on how news needs to be objective.  (09:16-37:03): We are joined by representatives from Christians Against Poverty . Christians Against Poverty equip local churches with effective poverty relieving too...

(00:00-09:44): The Chicagoland area, as well as many regions in the midwest, were slammed by a huge storm system yesterday . There was widespread power outage, downed trees, and other damage from tornadoes and wind gusts up to 100mph. B1G football is postponing their games , and Navy Pier is potentially facing closure .  (09:44-19:08): ‘ Christianity Will Have Power ’ writes Eliza...

(00:00-09:16): After another night of chaos in downtown Chicago, Mayor Lightfoot emphasizes that there will be prosecution to those responsible for the looting . She said “Our expectation is that this will be handled with the level of seriousness that is required” (09:16-28:21): We were joined by Pastor Jimmy Fowler from Redeemer Fellowship . He discussed how church members could be ca...

(00:00-09:39): Jerry Falwell Apologizes For Pic Of Him With Unzipped Pants In Head-Scratching Interview . The influential evangelical leader said in a slurred voice, “I’ve apologized to everybody and I promised my kids, I’m gonna try to be a good boy from here on out.” (09:39-19:02): Eric Hyde writes “ Guilt-ridden Cancel Culture has no foreseeable solution ”. B...

(00:00-09:31): “ America needs your leadership now more than ever . But there are a few things you must know and a few more you must expect” writes Larry Taunton.  (09:31-27:55): We are joined by Dr. Jim Wilder , author of the book “ The Other Half of Church ”. Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian commun...

(00:00-09:46): We start the show with Ellen. She has built a brand of kindness , now the brand may contribute to her downfall. It is important to be kind, but it is difficult to be TRULY kind.  (09:46-28:11): We were joined by Pastor Chris Butler from the And Campaign to discuss the organization, and the book “ Compassion (&) Conviction ”. He touched on the importance of findi...

(00:00-09:37): We start the show off on a sad note. An explosion is feared to have killed dozens and injured thousands in Beirut . Plus, the violent crime rate in Chicago has shown a frightening trend upward.  (09:37-19:20): Carey Nieuwhof writes “ Why Do We Hate Each Other So Much? (5 Reasons Anger Is The New Epidemic) ” (19:20-28:43): Mark Dever writes “ 12 Questions to As...

(00:00-09:30): James Harden leads scoring frenzy, player stands for anthem , Boban beasts small ball in Day 2 of NBA restart. Plus, Why we must not look away in the current crisis .  (09:30-28:07): We were joined by author and associate publisher and director of editorial at InterVarsity Press, where she has worked for more than thirty years. She wrote “ Be Kind to Yourself ” to c...

(00:00-09:32): “ Keep Your Distance: Words of Advice for Churches from the Surgeon General ”  Jerome Adams, Surgeon General of the United States, offered important medical guidance for faith communities today.  (09:32-18:58): John Lewis wrote an op-ed to be read on the day of his funeral. It is a heart-felt and impactful message to America on compassion, getting into “g...

(00:00-09:22): Former Presidential Candidate Herman Cain passed away this morning from complications with COVID-19 . Brian and Ian shared their reaction. (09:22-19:26): Rob Currie is a professor at Judson University. He joined Brian and Ian to talk about his new book Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel . (19:26-28:32): John Ortberg, a popular Christian author and speaker, has resigned as pastor of...

(00:00-09:27): Brian and Ian started off the show by talking about the state of the COVID-19 outbreak as the White House is officially asking people to wear masks in public for the first time. (09:27-18:15): Eric Metaxas is taking some head for comments he made about the race of Jesus Christ . Brian and Ian shared their reaction. (18:15-27:19): Jonathan Carswell is the CEO of 10ofthose.com . He jo...

(00:00-39:44): We are joined by Judson University’s sixth president, and mustard connoisseur, Gene Crume. He joined us to talk about how we safely reopen universities and schools. He touches on what it means to fully surrender our lives to Christ. How has the pandemic taught us the importance of surrender?  (39:44-1:17:29): We are joined by executive pastor Kelly Skiles from Soul City C...