The Common Good Podcast

Brian From is joined by Chad Negley, campus pastor of Parkview Church, to talk about calling, leadership, and what it really means to shepherd people well. Chad shares his journey into ministry, the unique role of a campus pastor, and why relationships are essential for spiritual growth and breaking down barriers between people and God. The conversation closes with a word of hope for listeners fee...

Brian From reflects on how Christians can witness with humility and conviction in a post-Christian culture, emphasizing listening, action, and peacemaking over winning arguments. Along the way, he explores stories that spark joy and self-examination—from an orange-juice lottery miracle to a surprising experiment in breaking phone addiction with an old-school landline. The hour closes with a...

Brian From reflects on the passage of time—from the 40th anniversary of the Bears’ Super Bowl win to the Challenger disaster—and what those moments teach us about pressure, pride, and doing the right thing. Along the way, the episode explores failure and redemption, political double-speak, perseverance in sports, career wisdom from a retiring CEO, and why character must outweigh...

Brian From talks with pastor and  Belonging author Bill Calvin about why people don’t stay in churches for programs or preaching—but because they find real relationships. Drawing on 46 years of ministry, Bill shares practical wisdom on hospitality, shared meals, and creating environments where people belong before they believe. The conversation offers hope both for church leaders...

Brian From is joined by Caitlin Connors of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America for a clear, timely conversation on the Hyde Amendment and its role in current health care negotiations in Washington. Caitlin explains why Hyde remains a cornerstone of the pro-life movement, what recent comments from the Trump administration mean politically, and why taxpayer funding of abortion remains a central issue...

Brian From reflects on a tragic shooting in Minneapolis and the need to recover compassion and lament before rushing to political conclusions. The episode also explores the covenant nature of marriage, the surprising benefits of rest and afternoon naps, and why Sabbath matters in an exhausted culture. Brian closes with a deeply personal reflection on resentment and bitterness, challenging listener...

Brian From is joined by Rhonda Robinson, writer and editor at Focus on the Family, for a thoughtful conversation about the growing popularity—and hidden complexity—of at-home DNA tests. Drawing from her own adoption story, Rhonda shares how discovering biological connections can reshape identity, reopen wounds, and surface stories families may not be prepared to navigate. Together, the...

On a brutally cold January day, Brian From reflects on storms, family milestones, faith, and the ways God forms us in ordinary moments. From celebrating his 26th wedding anniversary to wrestling with the need for Christian community, spiritual fruit, and intentional relationships, the episode weaves together personal stories and thoughtful devotional insights. Brian closes by challenging listeners...

Brian From talks with Pastor Matt Hoffmann of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and School in Park Ridge about ministry, leadership, and loving a local community well. Matt shares how a Christian school opens doors for gospel-centered relationships, why he serves as a police chaplain, and what it looks like to walk alongside people in moments of crisis. Joined by Associate Pastor Ethan Luft, the...

Brian From talks with author David McIver about his book Looking for the One and why so many Christians long to share their faith but feel hesitant or unprepared. David shares powerful, ordinary stories of listening to the Holy Spirit, recognizing who Jesus is already pursuing, and discovering that evangelism is something God wants to do through us—not something we perform for Him. The conve...

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the January “dead zone” at the movies and why so many big releases feel absent right now. They dive into the Netflix-only crime thriller The Rip , starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, discussing what parents should know—especially its extreme and distracting level of profanity. The conversation also explores the bigg...

Brian From is joined by Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church to talk about his call to ministry and what he loves most about being a pastor. Derek shares why “ordinary” churches—rooted in preaching, sacraments, and everyday faithfulness—are often where deep discipleship and quiet, life-changing ministry happens. The conversation also touches on chur...

Brian From sits down with Todd Busteed of Gap Digital to explore the careful craft behind audio Bibles and audio drama. Todd shares how accuracy, humility, and even reverence guide the process of recording Scripture, from pronunciation choices to music and dramatic elements. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how God’s Word is thoughtfully translated into sound—and how...

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Brian From reflects on service, legacy, and the call to respond to conflict with wisdom and compassion in an increasingly polarized culture. The episode wrestles with a disturbing church disruption in Minneapolis, the limits of online outrage within Christian circles, and the tension between conviction and grace when faith collides with deeply personal family decisio...

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz from Plugged In to talk about the theatrical re-release of The Lord of the Rings extended editions and why the films still resonate 25 years later. They also dive into Plugged In’s new 2026 technology guide for parents, offering practical wisdom on screens, mental health, and digital boundaries for families. Adam closes with a simple, realistic first step fo...

Brian From reflects on how quickly life changes, the fragility of our time on earth, and the steady hope found in a God who never changes. From viral nostalgia trends to global persecution of Christians, conversations about the gospel, grace, and purpose anchor this wide-ranging Friday episode. Brian challenges listeners to live with intentionality, resist shallow substitutes for meaning, and redi...

Brian From talks with Dr. Leslie Parrott about her new book The Love Language That Matters Most and how the familiar five love languages go deeper through personal “dialects” shaped by personality and experience. They explore how couples at any stage of marriage—whether newlyweds or decades in—can communicate love more clearly, even when things feel stale, busy, or disconne...

Brian Fromm is joined by Focus on the Family issues analyst Jeffrey Johnston to discuss why it’s more important than ever for parents to stay informed about what their children are learning in school. They talk through how cultural and ideological issues are showing up in classrooms, how parents can have age-appropriate conversations with their kids, and what options families have when conce...

Brian From explores why Gen Z is intentionally unplugging from their phones, the growing push to limit cell phone use in classrooms, and what those trends reveal about loneliness, attention, and formation. The conversation then turns to politics and faith, including disappointment over renewed Planned Parenthood funding and a thoughtful look at why Christians often misuse Romans 13 when thinking a...

Brian From sits down with Pastor Scott Oberle of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove to talk about ministry, calling, and what it means to truly serve a community. Scott shares his journey into pastoral ministry, his experience with street ministry, and how his church centers dignity, hospitality, and presence for people on the margins. Together, they reflect on how churc...

Brian From reflects on modern loneliness and cultural change, from a viral “Are You Dead?” app to the fading role of malls as community hubs, asking what real connection looks like today and where the church fits in. The episode also examines self-righteousness, political independence among younger Americans, and why an eternal perspective actually fuels meaningful engagement in the pr...

Brian From reflects on perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks, using everything from car trouble to playoff sports comebacks as reminders of faithfulness when life feels stacked against us. The episode explores what it means to leave a meaningful legacy—one shaped intentionally by how we live, love, and follow Christ today. Along the way, Brian highlights viral stories of unusual memo...

Brian From invites listeners to rethink resolutions—not around what we want to accomplish, but who we want to become—anchoring the year in Jesus’ call to love God more deeply and love others more faithfully. The episode also tackles financial anxiety in an uncertain economy, asking whether Christ is truly enough and how prayer and contentment reshape our fears about money and the...

Brian From reflects on what we discover when connection is suddenly taken away, how our lack of control drives us to prayer, and why empathy should come before outrage in moments of public tragedy. The episode explores the courage found in true encouragement, the call to finish well with integrity, and the steady hope believers cling to when faith feels fragile. From parenting and discipleship to...

Adam Holz discusses the importance of actively engaging with entertainment and technology, especially as the new year begins. He emphasizes the need to shift from passive consumption to a more thoughtful approach, encouraging listeners to consider how their media choices affect their values and relationships. The discussion includes biblical references that guide decision-making in entertainment,...