The Common Good Podcast

(00:00-09:33): Today is the 244th birthday of the US Marine Corps. Brian and Ian take time to recognize the sacrifice and service of our veterans. They then discuss articles by Bruce Epperly and Hemant Mehta in Patheos regarding the moral equivalent of war and recognizing that not all veterans are religious.  (09:33-19:31): We are joined by Sharie Behnke, the small groups director for Communi...

(00:00-37:15): Jenna Perrine joins Ian to talk about mental health and lament as a christian. She is in a battle with ending the stigma of mental health and working to make it a norm in the church to talk about. Jenna goes into her life in Northern Ireland and how her desire to lament was stifled and not welcome. She also offers a step-by-step lamenting source on her website here: https://www.jenn...

(00:00-10:12): Comedian John Crist Cancels Tour Over Sexual Harassment Allegations. Brian and Ian discuss the disgust they have for this situation. They also talk about some responses they have heard from people nullifying Christ’s actions. He is a Christian leader regardless, this isn’t an excuse.   (10:12-19:33): Jeff Sessions was escorted off of Northwestern University&rsq...

(00:00-09:00): “ Jimmy Carter tells church service he is 'absolutely and completely at ease' with death ”. Brian touches on the career and humanitarian work of the former President and how God’s not done with him. How Carter is handling life is how we should, as Paul writes in Philippians “The live is Christ, and to die is gain”.  (09:00-17:59): MY PILLOW READ. K...

(00:00-37:07): Salem Media Chicago Program Director, Marcus Brown (aka our boss), joins Brian for the hour to talk about his role at AM1160 and 560, Wheaton sports (their Alma Mater), the evangelical church of Chicago, and much more.  (37:07-46:55): ' His Only Crime Is Living Out His Steadfast Love for Jesus': American Pastor Detained in India ”. He is being held in the country away fro...

(00:00-37:03): Ian is MIA for the next few days, so we are dipping into our rich pool of local radio hosts. We are joined by Scott Murray, associate pastor for Four Corners Community Church with Brian. He discusses his role and experiences at Four Corners as his views on pastoring and speaking. He says everything they do as pastors matters and affects people regardless of the magnitude. He talks b...

(00:00-10:18): “ New York Passes Law Prohibiting Churches, Non-Profits from Supporting Political Candidates, ” writes Amanda Casanova in Christian Headlines. Brian and Ina touch on the dangers of crossing political and religious lines.  (10:18-19:41): “ Pious Pledges and Consecrated Keggers : Can Christian fraternities and sororities redeem a campus culture bruised from hazi...

(00:00-09:10): Kanye West: My $68 million tax refund is God’s reward for me being a Christian. Brian and Ian touch on the evident change in the rapper’s life, as well as some kinks he needs to work out as far as theology goes. These questionable statements don’t disprove his salvation.  (09:10-17:49): We are joined in-studio by Executive Director of the Englewood Family Outr...

We are joined in-studio by Jeff Prosapio, president from FiveFour Company, a real estate company based in Chicago. The mission of his company is to solve poverty by buying real estate. He and his wife believed that God has his fingerprints all over his move to Colorado.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-10:01): Series of Wildfires Break Out across California, Thousands of Acres Scorched. Brian and Ian talk about the devastating fires out west that have put thousands out of their homes. They touch on what they would do if they had to give up everything to escape a tragedy.  (10:01-19:18): What happens when you plant a church only for Walt Disney World employees? Brian and Ian discuss t...

(00:00-09:17): Chinese Megachurch Torn Down During Worship Service . Brian and Ian touch on the condition and climate of religious oppression in China. The article in Stream says the pastors were arrested for “disturbing the social order”. (09:17-18:32): Atheist Richard Dawkins Says God Informs Morality, Ending Religion Would Be a Bad Idea . Brian and Ian talk about the inherent morali...

(00:00-09:28): Is Kanye the modern-day Saul of Tarsus? The media icon has changed his genre of music to gospel, holds Sunday services, is it all a farce? Brian and Ian believe there is a legitimate radical change in West and believe he will do amazing things from his revival.  (09:28-18:54): Frankly, we love The Office. Better yet, we love God and The Office. Josh Larsen from Think Christian...

(00:00-09:18): Brian and Ian cover the topic of evolving churches. Michael Frost wrote a couple of pieces “ Dinner Church, anyone? ” and “ New Kinds of churches really are the hope of the future ”. They cover how changing churches may be what is needed around the world.  (09:18-19:10): Dominique Gilliard writes in MissioAlliance “ The Church’s Complicity in...

(00:00-10:13):  “ The Cautionary Tale of Jerry Falwell Jr.: It’s time to remember the qualifications of biblical leadership ” writes Mark Galli in Christianity Today. Brian and Ian touch on the character of some church/Christian leaders and how growing a church is not the pastor’s job.  (10:13-19:51): Louie Giglio speaks on pain: “ Stay, it’s the best...

(00:00-09:55): A faith-based marriage campaign in Jacksonville appears to have driven divorce rates down . Can the model be replicated? Brian and Ian discuss this Christianity Today article by W. Bradford Wilcox and Alysse ElHage.  (09:55-19:34): New 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' trailer debuts on Carrie Fisher's birthday . The beloved franchise rekindled our nostalgia with a fresh trilo...

(00:00-09:10): It is common for church leaders, as well as everyone else, to fall into seasons of burnout. Brian and Ian touch on this Business Insider article about preventing it. There are ways to sense the symptoms coming on and act before they set in.  (09:10-18:41): AM1160’s own, Julie Roys writes “ Chicago-based Megachurch Welcomes James MacDonald Into Fellowship ”. Br...

(00:00-09:19): Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle reveals the mental and physical struggles as reporter Tom Bradby asks her if she is ‘OK’ . Brian and Ian reflect on mental health and how even though it may appear that someone of certain stature would have nothing to worry about, it may not always be the case.  (09:19-18:28): “ The Loss of a Hero to Many: Pastor Lon Allison Goe...

(00:00-10:22): Sing Freedom! Why isn’t Christian music more revolutionary? Brian and Ian discus this Michael Frost article that talks about the seemingly complacent modern worship music. They touch on how the songs talk about how much we love Jesus, almost in a romantic manner. (10:22-19:48): PULL SOMETHING FROM THIS: Voddie Baucham posted a short clip from a sermon talking about how God com...

(00:00-09:49): Democrats say Trump had a 'meltdown' at White House meeting . Brian and Ian discuss (again) how there is a lack of civility in politics. In today’s dire climate, in conflict, they believe there needs to be more cooperation for the common good of the country.  (09:49-19:24): Alex Trebek Has Cancer Setback: 'I'm Nearing the End of My Life'. Brian and Ian touch on the long,...

(00:00-09:20): Lions Safety Tracy Walker rips refs over unnecessary roughness call . Ian, being from the Detroit area, echoes Walker’s remarks about poor reffing and then applies it to life. He touches on getting hopes up about trivial things. He is at peace about it, but still thinks the Lions got ripped off. (09:20-18:07): There is a video going around that Shows Fake Trump Shooting Journa...

(00:00-09:24): Christians ‘have a moral obligation to enthusiastically back’ Trump in 2020 , according to prominent evangelical. Brian and Ian talk about the dangers of crossing church and state and using faith to get votes. (09:24-18:35): 5 Things Singles Wish Married Couples Knew . Brian and Ian, as spouses, take a look at this Gospel Coalition article by Jennifer Grisham. She covers...

(00:00-09:21): Beto O’Rourke made some staunch and bold comments regarding conservative church’s tax exemptions and his views on human rights. Brian and Ian weigh in on his comments and talk about the “treacherous path” he is heading down. They think it poses a ton of questions about whether it is including all non-profit organizations, not just religious ones.  (09:21...

(00:00-37:15): Jenna Perrine joins Ian to talk about mental health and lament as a christian. She is in a battle with ending the stigma of mental health and working to make it a norm in the church to talk about. Jenna goes into her life in Northern Ireland and how her desire to lament was stifled and not welcome. She also offers a step-by-step lamenting source on her website here: https://www.jenn...

(00:00-37:21): Brian is MIA, so Ian is calling upon his bench to help host the show. First up is his partner in crime (and life), Katie Simkins. She shares her amazing testimony of coming to Christ, and eventually ending up at the church Ian was pastoring. Katie leads a ministry called " Common Mission Women ", which is made to empower women to express their faith and minister through creativity....

We are joined by ministry leader and author Nancy Beach. She shares her extensive history in the Church and work in the arts ministry at Willow Creek. She became a teaching pastor, and eventually became a leadership coach to various pastors and ministry leaders. She touches on the topic of ‘church pain’ and shares her experience with it as well as how to overcome it. Nancy has always b...