Filling in for Adam Holz, Plugged In's Paul Asay joins Brian for a rich conversation on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, discussing how the film softens Homer's original, more selfish Odysseus into a more sympathetic, regret-capable character, and pointing out surprising echoes of Christian themes — humility before a higher power, a quasi-baptism scene, and the Golden Rule woven throughout. Paul also recommends The Magic Faraway Tree, a new family film starring Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield about screen-addicted kids whose parents pull them into a magical, tech-free adventure, with some fantasy elements Christian families should weigh. He closes with an all-time classic recommendation for family movie night: The Princess Bride.

Filling in for Adam Holz, Plugged In's Paul Asay joins Brian for a rich conversation on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, discussing how the film softens Homer's original, more selfish Odysseus into a more sympathetic, regret-capable character, and pointing out surprising echoes of Christian themes &mdash; humility before a higher power, a quasi-baptism scene, and the Golden Rule woven throughout. Paul also recommends The Magic Faraway Tree, a new family film starring Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield about screen-addicted kids whose parents pull them into a magical, tech-free adventure, with some fantasy elements Christian families should weigh. He closes with an all-time classic recommendation for family movie night: The Princess Bride.

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

A Deeper Look at The Odyssey, and Recommendations for Family Movie Night with Paul Assay

Brian reflects on the whirlwind week of moving his son into Grove City College, wrestling with the mix of pride, sadness, and trust required to release a child into independence and let their faith become their own. He shares the surprising comeback of Christian music legend Sandy Patty, releasing new music a decade after her farewell tour at age 70. Brian reacts to a CBS/YouGov poll showing a striking number of Democrats holding a more favorable view of socialism than capitalism, and shares JD Greer's "Adore, Acknowledge, Appeal" framework for prayer drawn from Nehemiah. He digs into the "friendship depth gap" — the modern problem of having many shallow connections but few deep ones — and a Christianity Today piece cautioning against Texas lawmakers seeking to redefine Islam to strip it of religious liberty protections, warning that restricting freedom for one faith opens the door to restricting it for all. He closes with a thoughtful piece on how to forgive someone who never says sorry.

Brian reflects on the whirlwind week of moving his son into Grove City College, wrestling with the mix of pride, sadness, and trust required to release a child into independence and let their faith become their own. He shares the surprising comeback of Christian music legend Sandy Patty, releasing new music a decade after her farewell tour at age 70. Brian reacts to a CBS/YouGov poll showing a striking number of Democrats holding a more favorable view of socialism than capitalism, and shares JD Greer's "Adore, Acknowledge, Appeal" framework for prayer drawn from Nehemiah. He digs into the "friendship depth gap" &mdash; the modern problem of having many shallow connections but few deep ones &mdash; and a Christianity Today piece cautioning against Texas lawmakers seeking to redefine Islam to strip it of religious liberty protections, warning that restricting freedom for one faith opens the door to restricting it for all. He closes with a thoughtful piece on how to forgive someone who never says sorry.

Dropping a Son Off at College, Sandy Patty's Comeback, and How to Forgive Someone Who Isn't Sorry

Brian reflects on an emotional weekend leading up to taking his son to college, weaving in a review of The Odyssey and its theme of longing for home as a picture of the Christian's longing for heaven. He shares a deeply concerning survey finding that over half of Gen Z investors are redirecting retirement savings into sports betting, and covers a wild story of brawls erupting at the Wisconsin State Fair. Brian also digs into an Atlantic piece on the "romance recession" — the disconnect between young people wanting marriage and actually dating — and unpacks the viral term "LARPing" (performative, inauthentic behavior), applying it to the danger of "spiritual LARPing," or hypocrisy, that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees. He closes with a sobering but hopeful Nine Marks article on the Bible's repeated pattern of flawed fathers and the gospel's invitation to repentance and restoration, plus a rich walk through the hope of Romans 8.

Brian reflects on an emotional weekend leading up to taking his son to college, weaving in a review of The Odyssey and its theme of longing for home as a picture of the Christian's longing for heaven. He shares a deeply concerning survey finding that over half of Gen Z investors are redirecting retirement savings into sports betting, and covers a wild story of brawls erupting at the Wisconsin State Fair. Brian also digs into an Atlantic piece on the "romance recession" &mdash; the disconnect between young people wanting marriage and actually dating &mdash; and unpacks the viral term "LARPing" (performative, inauthentic behavior), applying it to the danger of "spiritual LARPing," or hypocrisy, that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees. He closes with a sobering but hopeful Nine Marks article on the Bible's repeated pattern of flawed fathers and the gospel's invitation to repentance and restoration, plus a rich walk through the hope of Romans 8.

Sending a Son to College, Gen Z's Gambling Habit, and the Danger of Spiritual 'LARPing'

Brian dives into a wild Little League World Series scandal out of Oklahoma, where a dominant regional program appears to have committed years of eligibility fraud, prompting reflection on how adults ruin youth sports for kids. He shares Michael W. Smith's caution about celebrity culture and lost reverence in modern worship music, and a study showing couples who simply walk together report stronger marriages and better conflict resolution. Brian reflects on Seth Rogan's joking fear of "dying with too much money" as a window into deeper questions of legacy and significance rooted in identity in Christ rather than accomplishment. He digs into a Relevant Magazine piece on the growing gambling epidemic among young men fueled by prediction markets like Kalshi, shares a viral clip of a Little League coach reminding a struggling pitcher that "Jesus is still Lord" whether he strikes batters out or walks them, and closes with a Gospel Coalition piece making the case for reading the book of Revelation symbolically rather than strictly literally.

Brian dives into a wild Little League World Series scandal out of Oklahoma, where a dominant regional program appears to have committed years of eligibility fraud, prompting reflection on how adults ruin youth sports for kids. He shares Michael W. Smith's caution about celebrity culture and lost reverence in modern worship music, and a study showing couples who simply walk together report stronger marriages and better conflict resolution. Brian reflects on Seth Rogan's joking fear of "dying with too much money" as a window into deeper questions of legacy and significance rooted in identity in Christ rather than accomplishment. He digs into a Relevant Magazine piece on the growing gambling epidemic among young men fueled by prediction markets like Kalshi, shares a viral clip of a Little League coach reminding a struggling pitcher that "Jesus is still Lord" whether he strikes batters out or walks them, and closes with a Gospel Coalition piece making the case for reading the book of Revelation symbolically rather than strictly literally.

A Deeper Look at The Odyssey, and Recommendations for Family Movie Night with Paul Assay

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