The Common Good Podcast

(00:00-09:30): Mike Klamecki, Pastor of New Hope Community Church in Villa Park, joins the show for the hour. He tells us his background with leading a church and his journey into it.  (09:30-19:04): The miracle of room 7. Mike tells us the story of a near-death experience. His heart stopped during a movie and laid in a coma for 3 days. He came through after the third day, speaking normal, an...

(00:00-09:41): The Federal government reinstated the death penalty and already has a few people scheduled to die. Brian and Ian express their disagreement with the death penalty and connect it with being pro-life. (09:41-18:51): How are we raising children in the faith? Brian and Ian touch on this article from Christian Today How we build 'resilient faith' in children - and how we don't.  &nb...

(00:00-09:42): This Controversial Church Sign Caused a Congregation Walkout. The sign says “America: Love it or leave it” and all but a select few congregants left the building in response. Brian and Ian talk about the dangers with associating politics and Christianity (again). (09:42-19:42): A controversial hashtag was trending over the weekend. “ #ChristianPrivilege ” was...

(00:00-08:44): Griffin Sonntag, Principal of Pleasantdale Middle School, joins the show to talk with Brian. He talks about his background and how his journey led him to his job. (08:44-17:54): Griffin sticks around to discuss his views and outlook on the kids he oversees. He believes there is hope for the youth of America and prays that the parents whose kids attend his school are setting an upsta...

(00:00-09:30): Director of Strategic Partnerships Dan Ehrman joins the show to discuss his role at Salem Media Chicago. He also discusses the show he hosts on AM1160 called “ Leading the Church ”, in which he talks with pastors and church leaders in the Chicago-land area.  (09:30-18:51): Dan and Brian dive deeper into the contents of “Leading the Church”. He speaks wit...

(00:00-09:45): Fulani killings of Nigerian Christians meets standard for 'genocide,’ Jubilee Campaign says. The Christian Post published this feature telling the gruesome reality of martyrdom of Christians in remote parts of the world.  (09:45-19:32): GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM! This narrative is dangerous and extremely offensive. However, when someone is falsely accused of saying it,...

(00:00-09:20): 13,400 of Chicago’s Homeless Had Jobs in 2017, 18,000 Had a College Education. This article from The Mind Unleashed reveals the demographics of homelessness. They aren’t all jobless, they aren’t all uneducated. What is our view of the homeless?  (09:20-18:37): How can Microexpressions Make Moods Contagious? When others yawn around us, we tend to yawn in respon...

(00:00-09:17): An Iowa man , who only owned two pairs of jeans and a rusty truck, pays for 33 of students’ college tuition. Brian and Ian discuss the power of giving and how the world needs more people like this.  (09:17-18:36): Great Churches Don’t Give People (Including Pastors) What They Want. Karl Vaters in Christianity Today writes about what the church needs. What does Jesus...

(00:00-09:01): Ian is visiting his family in America’s High Five, so Brian calls upon his friend and fellow pastor Scott Murray to help carry the show! He tells us his story and journey to Illinois to become a junior high pastor.  (09:01-18:07): Brian and Scott talk about the differences between a big and a small church. Is there a significant difference in leadership? In the Chicago-la...

(00:00-09:11): The FaceApp is the latest trend in photo apps in which you can change your age, see yourself with or without hair, and many more fun and interesting filters. However, is there a cost? Brian and Ian touch on their concern of security. (09:11-18:57): People wear their headphones to avoid talking to other people. Is this a bad habit? Brian and Ian discuss this idea and admit to doing t...

(00:00-09:33): A sorority donates 17,000 pounds of food for Hurricane Barry victims in Louisiana. Brian and Ian love a good, simple story about people giving and selflessly helping others; and you will too! (09:33-19:06): Missio Alliance writes , “Have We Made Bible Study Too Simple?” Brian and Ian discuss the potential complacency of diving into the word. It takes work and intentional...

(00:00-09:53): Donald Trump tweeted over the weekend directed towards specific Democratic congresswomen of color, telling them to “go back to their countries”. Brian and Ian are disgusted with the nature and motive behind it. (09:53-19:10): Eh...I’ll finish this later, or tomorrow. Brian and Ian talk procrastination and how it may not be related to time management issues, but rat...

(00:00-09:29): Samaritan’s Purse is taking action on the border as the crisis continues to grow. Brian and Ian touch on the response of Franklin Graham on how Christians are taking action rather than taking sides.  (09:29-18:50): A GOP Representative says that ‘modern politics is in a partisan death spiral. Brian and Ian talk about the dangers of the two-party system and finding y...

(00:00-09:27): The ESPY’s were on last night and the prestigious Jimmy V award was given to a paraplegic football coach named Rob Mendez. Brian and Ian reflect on his speech and how he overcame adversity and pushed it aside to follow his dreams.  (09:27-18:56): ‘ Sharing the Gospel’ has been the catch-phrase of evangelical christians in America. Is it time to do away with th...

(00:00-09:13): Tish Warren’s book “Liturgy of the Ordinary” was targeted by a major counterfeiting scheme . Amazon sold over $200K worth of the counterfeits. Brian and Ian discuss the issue with scams and how Warren suffered as a result. (09:13-19:13): What does christianity say about politics? We talked about Five Insights Christianity Brings to Politics. (19:13-29:47): We need...

(00:00-09:02): How do we converse as Christians? Brian and Ian talk about an article from Open Culture that references Daniel Dennett . The article discusses arguing with care and having critical conversations with the purpose of listening, rather than being right.  (09:02-18:31): Tragic news out of California: Pastor who fatally shot himself would sometimes stop taking medication, megachurch...

(00:00-09:28): The US women’s soccer team won the world cup! Brian and Ian touch on the narrative of the ungrateful American. Brian and Ian defend the right to protest. However, they also touch on representing your country in a respectful manner.  (09:28-18:44): “ Christianity Shouldn’t Be Infused With Politics—It Is a Politic ”. Brian and Ian discuss this Patheo...

(00:00-09:12): A car dealer in Alabama is giving away free Bibles, flags and guns with the purchase of a vehicle. Brian and Ian discuss this and point out several repercussions to this nonchalant use of freedoms. Should the glorification of guns be so prevalent in society? (09:12-18:42): School in Baltimore replaces detention with meditation. Does this work? An article from Truth Theory says yes....

(00:00-10:13): Amidst the issues and disputes on the border of Mexico, Christians are torn between political and human conflicts. Brian and Ian touch on several articles that give light to Christian leader helping solve issues . (10:13-19:41): Film and Media Creators Gavin and Layne Buckland join the show to discuss passion projects and how to properly and responsibly invest in hobbies. They expla...

(00:00-09:02): The Democratic National debate happened this week and Brian and Ian discuss it. Numerous issues were touched on, including abortion and LGBTQ rights.  (09:02-18:23): Steve Zhou writes “ What Psychology Offers Christians Amid Political Polarization ” in Christianity Today. Brian and Ian discuss the premise of being politically homeless and how tensions have risen wit...

(00:00-09:32): In an article by The Happy Givers , there is an important distinction between guiding and leading, and controlling. Control can be categorized as an addiction and Brian and Ian touch on how convicting it is as a leader.  (09:32-19:15): In the wake of the Eric Warren trials in Arizona, Brian McLaren writes an opinion piece questioning whether or not it is Christian to aid migran...

(00:00-10:23): Brian returns!! He and Ian talk about vacationing in California and reflect on spending time with family in new places. Brian also shares a story about two evangelists who approached him at Lake Tahoe.  (10:23-20:37) People are flocking to the internet for their worship and ministry, so online pastors are on the rise. Brian and Ian touch on this and the ever changing culture in...

(00:00-09:02): Louis Dooley joins Ian to tell his amazing story in prison and coming to Christ in custody. He shares his experience on his first day in prison on how a mission of murder turned into turning to Christ. (09:02-18:06): Louis dives deeper into his first day in prison and how a simple track led him to come to Christ. He said he had only heard of Jesus through the Latter Day Saints comme...

(00:00-09:13): Bishop Dr. Michael Love, of Trinity Baptist Community Church International in Crystal Lake , joins Ian in studio to discuss his organization and the beginnings of BCCI and where he found his passion for the mission of the church.  (09:13-18:35): Dr. Love sticks around to talk about community and treading the “tumultuous waters of disagreement.” He believes it is imp...

(00:00-09:24): Musician Josh Calhoun joins Ian in studio to feature new music! He shares his musical history and family ties with the tunes. He starts out with a song he wrote for his oldest daughter, and says she opened his eyes to the importance of family. (09:24-18:38): Josh Calhoun sticks around to serenade us with more of his music. His song “What Love is This” describes his appre...