The Common Good Podcast

(00:00-09:25): Ian says that comedians are our modern day prophets. John Crist is not an exception. He posted a satirical video advertisement about the new app “GetOffended”. He is pressing on how people overreact to things that push their buttons.  (09:25-18:56): Derek Rishmawy writes “ Praying With Fire ” in Christianity Today. Brian and Ian touch on the sanctity of...

(00:00-10:31): The boys are back and discuss their Labor Day Weekend. Hurricane Dorian kills at least 5 in Bahamas, remains 'extremely dangerous' . Brian and Ian talk about this dangerous storm as it approaches the southeast coast of the US.  (10:31-19:51): Lose Your Faith at an Evangelical College? That’s Part of the Process. Research shows that students at CCCU schools are more likely...

(0:00-36:25) Patrick O'Connell, director of New Things, has a mission to spread the Gospel of Christ and unify churches everywhere. With Brian and Ian, he shares the story of conversion and how he came to be a church planter and love of the Lord. They dive into Patrick's hopes for the Church both abroad and locally, to come together further in the work of spreading Christ, the significance of coll...

(00:00-09:49): Comcast silent on Lawrence O’Donnell’s retracted report that bypassed MSNBC’s verification process. Brian and Ian touch on honesty in the media. How do we determine if something is true? (09:49-18:47): Horrible story out of Cameroon, Bible translator butchered to death, wife's arm chopped off . Brian and Ian touch on this story and try to get some perspective on pe...

(00:00-09:23): Beto O’Rourke Again Endorses Unlimited Abortion until Birth . Alexandra Desanctis writes in National Review. He initially dodged the question relating to the topic, but he remarked, “I don’t question the decisions that a woman makes,” he added. “Only a woman knows what she knows, and I want to trust her with that.” (09:23-17:59): Carol Roth writes...

(00:00-10:11):  'All you can see is death.' The regions reeling from the Amazon rain forest fires. Brian and Ian touch on the damage of the Amazon thus far, and compare the efforts to save the rain forest to the efforts of Notre Dame. Why is the narrative of protecting the planet overlooked? (10:11-19:44): Tim Keller shared this on his Instagram : “...Rather it [the Bible] is a record o...

(00:00-08:55): “ A Federal Court Strikes a Powerful Blow for Free Speech and Religious Freedom ” writes David French in National Review. Brian and Ian touch on this story about religious freedom for a videographer who refused to work on a same-sex wedding.  (08:55-17:56): We are pleased to be joined by pianist Huntley Brown . He goes into his background on how he began to play pia...

(00:00-09:12): After announcing his retirement, Andrew Luck is potentially walking away from $500M. Brian and Ian touch on the emotional decision by the young QB and how he is looking out for his future and how he didn’t let the job take him over.  (09:12-18:33): EFCA Now Considers Premillennialism a Non-Essential . Members of the EV free still believe Jesus will return to earth to reig...

(00:00-09:12): We are joined by Aaron Andries and Jeremy Yap from Graveyards to Gardens . They talk about their music and how they came together to create a unique sound.  (09:12-18:23): Aaron and Jeremy talk about what it’s like being minorities in the worship music industry and how much of a role diversity plays in their music and influence on people.  (18:23-27:40): Aaron and Je...

(00:00-09:18):  Alyssa Milano: If I hadn't opted for two abortions in 1993 'my life would be completely lacking all its great joys' today. Brian and Ian touch on this Blaze article on how the actress is thankful that she went through with the abortions.  (09:18-19:08): “ Study: Babylon Bee’s Satire Gets Shared by People Who Think It’s Real ” in Christianity Today....

(00:00-09:33): Elizabeth Warren apologized for her past remarks about Native Americans. People are having different takes and reactions to her statement, and Brian has an interesting take on it. She doesn’t apologize for what she did, she apologized for the effect she had on other people. (09:33-18:31): We spoke with the executive producer of the daily Insight For Living radio program, Roger...

(00:00-09:42): Welcome to America, the land of the perpetually whiny and offended . We have touched on cancel culture before, but this USA Today article takes more of a critical take as it states “the left and right are demanding that anyone who annoys them be cast out of polite society.” (09:42-18:58): People Who Decorate for Christmas Earlier Are Happier, According to a Psychologist....

(00:00-09:21): Man whose wife was a victim in the El Paso shooting was shocked when hundreds of people showed up at her funeral. Brian and Ian touch on the importance of community and empathy during tragic times.  (09:21-18:45): S tephen Colbert, in an interview with Anderson Cooper, eloquently describes his experience and outlook on grief . He experienced tragedy at a very young age, as Coop...

(00:00-09:23): Illinois legislation passes a bill requiring public schools to teach LGBTQ history. Could the push for this be politically motivated?  We talk about this Christian Headlines article by Will Maule. (09:23-18:46): “ Want to improve your life? Just learn to say no ”, writes Chloe Brotheridge in The Guardian. Brian and Ian give their input on overworking and how refrain...

(00:00-10:03): Skillet frontman John Cooper reacts to all of the prominent believers leaving the faith . He makes remarks how young Christian leaders are at risk of burning out or becoming overwhelmed. Brian and Ian read it for what it is, and respond to Cooper’s comments. (10:03-19:04): Influencer, celebrity, journalist? Teens are turning to YouTube for news, survey shows. The article seems...

(00:00-09:57): According to the Washington Post, Donald Trump, in just over 900 days, has spoken over 12,000 inaccuracies . Brian and Ian touch on this and talk about inflammatory things spoken both by and ABOUT the president.  (09:57-19:23): What does Jesus’ actions and words say about violence? We touched on the various moments in Jesus’ ministry years where he succumbed to viol...

(00:00-09:35): Sarah Silverman says she was fired from a movie for an old blackface sketch . Brian and Ian discuss cancel culture and how forgiveness of public figures, past and present, when they make mistakes. (09:35-18:57): Conservative Christians have a porn problem , studies show, but not the one you think. Are we making up statistics regarding Christian porn users? Why would we do that? Bria...

(00:00-09:33): Jeffery Epstein's apparent suicide is fueling rumors and questions. Brian and Ian touch on the seemingly timely news of Epstien’s death. Was he going to oust significant people of the world? They also think this is a testament to the human condition. (09:33-19:03): Preaching Against Racism Is Not a Distraction from the Gospel. Esau McCaulley writes in Cristianity Today. Preach...

(00:00-09:36): Dr. Marsha Vaughn from Judson University joins Ian for the hour to talk about her history with social work and counseling. She briefly goes into her family history growing up in Tennessee. (09:36-18:50): Marsha takes a deep dive into trauma education with Ian and discusses ways to slow children’s brains down in order to learn. The environment that kids learn in today is too st...

(00:00-09:19): Austin Massey, co-owner of Viator Coffee Cart , joins the show for the hour. He discusses his background and journey to operating a coffee cart. He ties in the readings of Paul and how serving others is what Christ calls us to do.  (09:19-19:49): Austin discusses the difficulties in deciding to open his own business. He thought he had an investor on the line, but he backed out...

We compiled a few of our favorite moments from the last few months. Enjoy! (00:00-11:01): President Trump made some remarks about Baltimore being a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess”. The tweets were targeted at Rep. Elijah Cummings and Brian and Ian touch on the nature of these tweets. (11:01-21:12): Scott Sauls writes “ Toward a Truer Christianity…Abandoning Us-A...

(00:00:09:31): Tom Hanks has been married to Rita Wilson for 31 years. How do they keep the connection alive? He gives us 6 tips to a good marriage, and Brian and Ian weigh in on them and reflect on their relationships with their spouses.  (09:31-18:37): Want to be happier? How about talking to a random stranger. Ian makes it a point to strike up a conversation in the short elevator ride up t...

(00:00-10:08): We regretfully must cover and discuss the incidences in El Paso and Dayton from over the weekend. Brian and Ian take time to listen to a pastor’s response to the shootings and weighs in on what we are doing about it as Christians and as a nation.  (10:08-19:55): NYC pastor accused of stealing $631K from charities to pay for vacations, bar tabs. Brian and Ian touch on gree...

(00:00-09:35): Dan Ehrman is here THE WHOLE TIME to help carry the show. They dive right into a sarcastic story: A-listers flock to Google summit in private jets, mega yachts to talk climate change . Is the aspect of hypocrisy in politics more obvious than the public figures think? (09:35-18:58): Mr. Rogers’ career spanned almost half a century and impacted the children of America with his u...

(00:00-09:41): Ian is out, so we dip into the bullpen of our friends in the faith. Today, Ashley Herr, Pastor of Redemption Bible Church , joins Brian and tell his story to church leadership. He was working for Motorola until 2009 when he left to start his own church. (09:41-19:09): Redemption bible church is a newer congregation and Ashley tries to branch out into those who attend the church to s...