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 deeply entertainment can shape a person's life direction, for better or worse, and why paying attention to what kids and grandkids are watching matters. They wrap up with a review of the new Spider-Man film, discussing its themes of friendship and isolation following the character's memory-erasing sacrifice, along with content notes on violence, language, and suggestive material for parents to weigh.

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 deeply entertainment can shape a person's life direction, for better or worse, and why paying attention to what kids and grandkids are watching matters. They wrap up with a review of the new Spider-Man film, discussing its themes of friendship and isolation following the character's memory-erasing sacrifice, along with content notes on violence, language, and suggestive material for parents to weigh.

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

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

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 digs into a Christianity Today piece contrasting Texas's new Bible-inclusive public school reading list with Connecticut's optional Arab and Islamic studies curriculum, arguing public schools shouldn't be in the business of shaping worldview either direction. Brian shares a Reuters poll showing bipartisan support for stronger social media regulation to protect kids, arguing government has a role but parents bear the ultimate responsibility. He also covers Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signing a bill expanding late-term abortion access, a Max Lucado piece offering six practical steps toward forgiveness, a Crossway article on what to do when feelings don't line up with Scripture, and closes with a rich conversation on Rich Villodas's book The Narrow Path and the difference between "peacekeeping" and true biblical "peacemaking."

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 digs into a Christianity Today piece contrasting Texas's new Bible-inclusive public school reading list with Connecticut's optional Arab and Islamic studies curriculum, arguing public schools shouldn't be in the business of shaping worldview either direction. Brian shares a Reuters poll showing bipartisan support for stronger social media regulation to protect kids, arguing government has a role but parents bear the ultimate responsibility. He also covers Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signing a bill expanding late-term abortion access, a Max Lucado piece offering six practical steps toward forgiveness, a Crossway article on what to do when feelings don't line up with Scripture, and closes with a rich conversation on Rich Villodas's book The Narrow Path and the difference between "peacekeeping" and true biblical "peacemaking."

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

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 2016 that led to a 33-day coma, multiple cardiac arrests, and an out-of-body experience where he encountered a vast line of people from every nation waiting before heaven's gates. He describes praying for a second chance and vowing to share his story and rededicate his life to Christ, and how that encounter transformed him from simply a successful producer into a man driven by his faith and a calling to point others toward Jesus.

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 2016 that led to a 33-day coma, multiple cardiac arrests, and an out-of-body experience where he encountered a vast line of people from every nation waiting before heaven's gates. He describes praying for a second chance and vowing to share his story and rededicate his life to Christ, and how that encounter transformed him from simply a successful producer into a man driven by his faith and a calling to point others toward Jesus.

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

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 consumption to cognitive decline, then tackles the uncomfortable question of whether truly heinous sinners, using Jeffrey Dahmer's late-life conversion as the example, can really be saved — landing on the scandalous, humbling truth that none of us deserve grace. Brian reflects on the emotional weight of his son leaving for college and processes change through faith in an unchanging God. He also weighs in on the University of Michigan hiding freshman grades to protect student mental health, the WNBA's ongoing controversy over transgender athletes, a viral list of "19 lies" his generation was sold about adulthood, and closes with a rich JD Greer teaching on how the Ten Commandments function for Christians today as a curb, a map, and a mirror pointing us to Christ.

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 &mdash; a humbling reminder that God is at work in the hardest places. He shares a new study linking diet soda consumption to cognitive decline, then tackles the uncomfortable question of whether truly heinous sinners, using Jeffrey Dahmer's late-life conversion as the example, can really be saved &mdash; landing on the scandalous, humbling truth that none of us deserve grace. Brian reflects on the emotional weight of his son leaving for college and processes change through faith in an unchanging God. He also weighs in on the University of Michigan hiding freshman grades to protect student mental health, the WNBA's ongoing controversy over transgender athletes, a viral list of "19 lies" his generation was sold about adulthood, and closes with a rich JD Greer teaching on how the Ten Commandments function for Christians today as a curb, a map, and a mirror pointing us to Christ.

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

The Common Good Podcast

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