The Danger of Religious Tests in Politics, and What Improv Is Doing for Anxious Teens

Brian reflects on a heartbreaking update in the case of a drunk driver who killed a new bride, troubled by her father's response minimizing her responsibility, and reflects on the real consequences of our choices. He wrestles with a Religion News article on political campaigns branding opposing cle…

10 Mistakes I Made in Youth Ministry with Steve Eatmon

Brian, a former youth pastor himself, talks with Steve Eatmon, author of 10 Mistakes I Made in Youth Ministry and What You Can Learn from Them, about lessons from over a decade in student ministry. Steve reflects on mistakes like prioritizing entertainment over gospel-centered depth, neglecting to …

Helping Middle Schoolers Find Their Identity in Christ with Heather Holleman

Brian talks with Dr. Heather Holleman, Penn State writing professor and author, about the final book in her middle-grade series, This Seat Is Yours, which follows a seventh-grade girl discovering her identity as "seated with Christ" from Ephesians 2:6. Heather discusses the decline of pleasure read…

Tornado Alley Chicago, Should Kids Play Alone Outside Be a Crime?, and Finding Hope in Romans 5

Brian starts light with a study on how good posture doesn't just help your body but actually improves mood and decision-making — vindicating moms everywhere. He shares the disconcerting experience of repeated tornado warnings in the Chicago suburbs this summer and reflects on what it means to surre…

That Dad Who Turns Off the Lights, and Should the Bible Be Taught in Public School?

Brian confesses to becoming "that dad" who chases down every light left on in the house amid rising utility costs, using it as a jumping-off point for a candid conversation about financial stress and what it looks like to build a budget and a life of contentment on faith rather than anxiety. He dig…

33 Days Between Heaven and Hell: A Grammy Winner's Near-Death Story

Brian interviews four-time Grammy-winning music producer Ricky "Slikk Muzik" Offord about his new book, 33 Days Between Heaven and Hell. Ricky, who has produced for artists including Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, Ariana Grande, and Tori Kelly, shares the harrowing story of a routine gallbladder surgery in…

Preaching at a State Prison, and Can Someone Like Jeffrey Dahmer Go to Heaven?

Brian opens with a powerful reflection on preaching at Sheridan Prison this past weekend, describing the depth of community and hunger for God he witnessed in an inmate-run church service — a humbling reminder that God is at work in the hardest places. He shares a new study linking diet soda consum…

Horror Movies, Childhood Trauma, and the New Spider-Man

Brian celebrates Adam Holz's birthday before diving into a striking review from Plugged In on the horror film Ice Cream Man from director Eli Roth, sparked by Roth's own admission that being traumatized by the movie Alien at age eight inspired his career making horror films. Adam reflects on how de…

Political Homelessness, the Hard Work of Forgiveness, and Reclaiming Awe

Brian reflects on feeling politically homeless amid the rise of the Democratic Socialist movement and the MAGA movement pulling both parties toward the extremes, grounding his hope in Christ rather than any political tribe. He digs into pastor Josh Howerton's conversation on the Sean Ryan Show abou…

When Life Doesn't Go As Planned, and Why Gen Z Is Choosing Dumb Phones

Brian opens reflecting on what to do when life doesn't unfold the way we hoped — leaning on God's unchanging faithfulness even amid disappointment and regret. He wades into WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham's comments on biological males in women's sports and the swift cultural backlash she received, la…