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Brian From sits down with Isaiah Nichols, Creative Director at Gospel Life Church, to explore Behold—a free, immersive Christmas experience blending original music, Hamilton-inspired storytelling, live animals, and a bustling Bethlehem marketplace. Nichols describes the vision behind the production and why Christmas is a uniquely open season for sharing the gospel and inviting friends into church life. The conversation highlights creativity, community outreach, and the heart behind helping families encounter the story of Jesus in a fresh and joyful way.

Brian From sits down with Isaiah Nichols, Creative Director at Gospel Life Church, to explore Behold&mdash;a free, immersive Christmas experience blending original music, Hamilton-inspired storytelling, live animals, and a bustling Bethlehem marketplace. Nichols describes the vision behind the production and why Christmas is a uniquely open season for sharing the gospel and inviting friends into church life. The conversation highlights creativity, community outreach, and the heart behind helping families encounter the story of Jesus in a fresh and joyful way.

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

Inside “Behold”: How Gospel Life Church Is Bringing an Interactive Christmas Experience to the Western Suburbs

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, they explore why curiosity about ancestry is deeply human, but why wisdom, discernment, and emotional readiness matter before sending off that DNA sample.

Brian From is joined by Rhonda Robinson, writer and editor at Focus on the Family, for a thoughtful conversation about the growing popularity&mdash;and hidden complexity&mdash;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, they explore why curiosity about ancestry is deeply human, but why wisdom, discernment, and emotional readiness matter before sending off that DNA sample.

DNA Tests, Identity, and the Stories We May Not Be Ready to Find with Rhonda Robinson

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 to rethink success—not in terms of status or achievement, but faithfulness, love, character, and a life well-lived before God.

Shining Science on X: "🚨 Research shows repeated complaining physically rewires your brain to prioritize stress and negativity. The way we speak about our daily challenges does more than just vent frustration; it physically alters the architecture of the brain. When we engage in chronic https://t.co/DjBxOrBTKd" / X 

Is This What Your Life Is Missing Right Now? – Jim Putman 

challies on X: "Flashback: "...it is clear that when fruit does not spring up in the life, the word has never truly gone down into the heart. This is ever a perilous condition, for though the Lord may bear long with the fruitless, he will not bear always." https://t.co/1E9FilnIHN" / X 

Roe v. Wade - Wikipedia (1973) 

Exclusive | NYC public schools aren't teaching cursive writing — we have to fix this | New York Post 

These states rank as the best, worst places to drive in 2026: Poll | FOX 32 Chicago 

Microchip helps reunite family with dog lost for over 10 years - UPI.com 

Daily Devotions 

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 to rethink success&mdash;not in terms of status or achievement, but faithfulness, love, character, and a life well-lived before God.
<a href="https://x.com/ShiningScience/status/2013113758386987099">Shining Science on X: "🚨 Research shows repeated complaining physically rewires your brain to prioritize stress and negativity. The way we speak about our daily challenges does more than just vent frustration; it physically alters the architecture of the brain. When we engage in chronic https://t.co/DjBxOrBTKd" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://jimputman.com/2026/01/21/is-this-what-your-life-is-missing-right-now/">Is This What Your Life Is Missing Right Now? &ndash; Jim Putman</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/challies/status/2014065763791909137">challies on X: "Flashback: "...it is clear that when fruit does not spring up in the life, the word has never truly gone down into the heart. This is ever a perilous condition, for though the Lord may bear long with the fruitless, he will not bear always." https://t.co/1E9FilnIHN" / X</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade">Roe v. Wade - Wikipedia</a>&nbsp;(1973)&nbsp;
<a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/22/lifestyle/nyc-public-schools-arent-teaching-cursive-writing-we-have-to-fix-this/">Exclusive | NYC public schools aren't teaching cursive writing &mdash; we have to fix this | New York Post</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/best-worst-states-to-drive-2026-wallethub?taid=69704a9d04a3140001d17bf9&amp;utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email">These states rank as the best, worst places to drive in 2026: Poll | FOX 32 Chicago</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/01/21/Miami-Dade-Animal-Services-buttercup-lost-dog/7191769016311/?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email">Microchip helps reunite family with dog lost for over 10 years - UPI.com</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions">Daily Devotions</a>&nbsp;

Cold Weather, Deep Community, and Redefining What Success Really Means

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 conversation closes with a grounded word of hope for listeners navigating suffering, reminding them that God is present and at work even in the hardest seasons.

Brian From talks with Pastor Matt Hoffmann of St. Andrew&rsquo;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 conversation closes with a grounded word of hope for listeners navigating suffering, reminding them that God is present and at work even in the hardest seasons.

Inside “Behold”: How Gospel Life Church Is Bringing an Interactive Christmas Experience to the Western Suburbs

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