Brian From is joined by Adam Holz of Plugged In for a thoughtful conversation about how Christians can engage popular entertainment with wisdom and discernment. They discuss the latest episodes of Stranger Things, including its darker themes, spiritual parallels, and a major coming-out storyline that raises important questions about grace and truth. The conversation also explores the religious symbolism in Knives Out and how films like these can become meaningful starting points for deeper family and faith conversations.

Brian From is joined by Adam Holz of Plugged In for a thoughtful conversation about how Christians can engage popular entertainment with wisdom and discernment. They discuss the latest episodes of Stranger Things, including its darker themes, spiritual parallels, and a major coming-out storyline that raises important questions about grace and truth. The conversation also explores the religious symbolism in Knives Out and how films like these can become meaningful starting points for deeper family and faith conversations.

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

Adam Holz on Stranger Things, Knives Out, and Discernment

Brian From is joined by Zachary Mettler of Focus on the Family to discuss Illinois’ newly signed law legalizing physician-assisted suicide and why it raises serious moral, medical, and spiritual concerns. Mettler explains the arguments often used to support the practice—autonomy and compassion—and why they fall short in light of advances in hospice care and the Christian vision of human dignity. The conversation challenges believers to thoughtfully engage a growing “culture of death” and to advocate for a gospel-centered ethic that affirms life, even in suffering.

Brian From is joined by Zachary Mettler of Focus on the Family to discuss Illinois&rsquo; newly signed law legalizing physician-assisted suicide and why it raises serious moral, medical, and spiritual concerns. Mettler explains the arguments often used to support the practice&mdash;autonomy and compassion&mdash;and why they fall short in light of advances in hospice care and the Christian vision of human dignity. The conversation challenges believers to thoughtfully engage a growing &ldquo;culture of death&rdquo; and to advocate for a gospel-centered ethic that affirms life, even in suffering.

Physician-Assisted Suicide in Illinois: Why Christians Are Raising the Alarm

Brian From is joined by Deana Thayer of Focus on the Family to talk through why the holidays can be especially challenging for stepfamilies and blended families. Deana shares practical guidance on managing expectations, communicating clearly with kids and spouses, and creating new traditions without dismissing old ones. The conversation also offers encouragement for parents facing empty-nest transitions, reminding listeners that flexibility, grace, and proactive planning can turn stressful seasons into meaningful ones.

Brian From is joined by Deana Thayer of Focus on the Family to talk through why the holidays can be especially challenging for stepfamilies and blended families. Deana shares practical guidance on managing expectations, communicating clearly with kids and spouses, and creating new traditions without dismissing old ones. The conversation also offers encouragement for parents facing empty-nest transitions, reminding listeners that flexibility, grace, and proactive planning can turn stressful seasons into meaningful ones.

Navigating the Holidays in Blended Families: Wisdom and Hope with Deana Thayer

As The Common Good returns for its first episode of 2026, Brian From reflects on a turbulent and formative year marked by loss, transition, growth, and God’s quiet faithfulness. He looks back on the stories that shaped the church in 2025, wrestles with bitterness, control, and perspective, and invites listeners to consider not what they want to accomplish this year—but who they want to become. Grounded in Scripture, poetry, and a powerful reminder of grace, Brian challenges us to enter the new year “free and clear,” asking God to lead, guide, and pilot our lives wherever He calls us next.

Tom Buck (Five Point Buck) on X: "If your church is so much of a “production” that you feel the need to cancel worship services during Christmas week to give everyone a break, you’ve lost the ultimate purpose of the gathering! “We are the church. Worship is what we do. We gather together to meet with God, to" / X 

 violence taking off in Nigeria, Ukraine, and Gaza, CT’s news team ranked the biggest developments we covered this year: https://t.co/WM2m6VTnm5" / X 

My Only Plea at New Year’s | Tim Challies 

Ben Sasse on X: "Friends- This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I’ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die. Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence." / X 

The Most Powerful Message Tim Keller Ever Preached | Crossway 

The Best Way to Begin a New Year | Tim Challies 

As The Common Good returns for its first episode of 2026, Brian From reflects on a turbulent and formative year marked by loss, transition, growth, and God&rsquo;s quiet faithfulness. He looks back on the stories that shaped the church in 2025, wrestles with bitterness, control, and perspective, and invites listeners to consider not what they want to accomplish this year&mdash;but who they want to become. Grounded in Scripture, poetry, and a powerful reminder of grace, Brian challenges us to enter the new year &ldquo;free and clear,&rdquo; asking God to lead, guide, and pilot our lives wherever He calls us next.
<a href="https://x.com/TomBuck/status/2004907076007432237">Tom Buck (Five Point Buck) on X: "If your church is so much of a &ldquo;production&rdquo; that you feel the need to cancel worship services during Christmas week to give everyone a break, you&rsquo;ve lost the ultimate purpose of the gathering! &ldquo;We are the church. Worship is what we do. We gather together to meet with God, to" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/CTmagazine/status/2005998307844272498">&nbsp;violence taking off in Nigeria, Ukraine, and Gaza, CT&rsquo;s news team ranked the biggest developments we covered this year: https://t.co/WM2m6VTnm5" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.challies.com/articles/my-only-plea/">My Only Plea at New Year&rsquo;s | Tim Challies</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/BenSasse/status/2003483746540965891">Ben Sasse on X: "Friends- This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I&rsquo;ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die. Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it&rsquo;s a death sentence." / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-most-powerful-message-tim-keller-ever-preached/">The Most Powerful Message Tim Keller Ever Preached | Crossway</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.challies.com/articles/the-best-way-to-begin-a-new-year/">The Best Way to Begin a New Year | Tim Challies</a>&nbsp;

Adam Holz on Stranger Things, Knives Out, and Discernment

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