Before reviewing movies was an internet cottage industry, Plugged In was doing it as a four-page newsletter to youth pastors back in 1991. Adam Holz joins Brian From to share that origin story before diving into this week's big release: Supergirl, James Gunn's reboot of the DC universe's most iconic heroine — and it's a shockingly dark departure from the squeaky-clean character most people remember. This Kara Zor-El is grieving, drinking, cynical, and gets pulled into a revenge plot involving a poisoned dog that turns out to be the most compelling part of the whole film. Adam and Brian dig into the bigger trend behind it — why so many superhero franchises keep darkening their once-wholesome characters, what that says about culture's appetite for angst over "boring" goodness, and why Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy remains the gold standard DC has been chasing ever since. They close with a fun detour into YouTube's endless niche communities, whatever your interest, there's a corner of YouTube built entirely around it. Full reviews at pluggedin.com.

Before reviewing movies was an internet cottage industry, Plugged In was doing it as a four-page newsletter to youth pastors back in 1991. Adam Holz joins Brian From to share that origin story before diving into this week's big release: Supergirl, James Gunn's reboot of the DC universe's most iconic heroine &mdash; and it's a shockingly dark departure from the squeaky-clean character most people remember. This Kara Zor-El is grieving, drinking, cynical, and gets pulled into a revenge plot involving a poisoned dog that turns out to be the most compelling part of the whole film. Adam and Brian dig into the bigger trend behind it &mdash; why so many superhero franchises keep darkening their once-wholesome characters, what that says about culture's appetite for angst over "boring" goodness, and why Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy remains the gold standard DC has been chasing ever since. They close with a fun detour into YouTube's endless niche communities, whatever your interest, there's a corner of YouTube built entirely around it. Full reviews at pluggedin.com.

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

Supergirl Goes Dark  with Adam Holtz

America turns 250 this weekend, and Brian From draws on Russell Moore's piece about Johnny Cash and Roger Williams to land on the right frame for Christian patriotism: love your country, celebrate it, hang the flag, watch the fireworks — but remember which is which. You have a Lord, you have a kingdom, and while you're proud to be American, your primary citizenship is in heaven. Then a sobering look at Gallup data showing loneliness among 18-to-44-year-olds at its highest level since the pandemic, what causes it to spiral into shame and self-isolation, and why the only way out is the uncomfortable step toward vulnerability and connection. A viral story about two climbers who scaled to the very top of the Empire State Building's antenna to get engaged — and are now facing jail time. China's new dog rental platform where you can lease someone's pet by the hour. And the competitive nature of online relationships — how performative digital culture makes deep connection nearly impossible, and what it would look like to be genuinely for other people instead. Brian closes with Teddy Roosevelt's famous "man in the arena" quote, applied not to politics but to faith, family, marriage, church, and mission: the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, not the one on the sideline critiquing everyone else.

America turns 250 this weekend, and Brian From draws on Russell Moore's piece about Johnny Cash and Roger Williams to land on the right frame for Christian patriotism: love your country, celebrate it, hang the flag, watch the fireworks &mdash; but remember which is which. You have a Lord, you have a kingdom, and while you're proud to be American, your primary citizenship is in heaven. Then a sobering look at Gallup data showing loneliness among 18-to-44-year-olds at its highest level since the pandemic, what causes it to spiral into shame and self-isolation, and why the only way out is the uncomfortable step toward vulnerability and connection. A viral story about two climbers who scaled to the very top of the Empire State Building's antenna to get engaged &mdash; and are now facing jail time. China's new dog rental platform where you can lease someone's pet by the hour. And the competitive nature of online relationships &mdash; how performative digital culture makes deep connection nearly impossible, and what it would look like to be genuinely for other people instead. Brian closes with Teddy Roosevelt's famous "man in the arena" quote, applied not to politics but to faith, family, marriage, church, and mission: the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, not the one on the sideline critiquing everyone else.

Christian Patriotism, the Loneliness Epidemic & Renting Dogs by the Hour

People are showing up to Walking on Water Bible Church in Westland, Michigan and texting their pastor afterward to say: "I've been in church for 10 years and no one has ever pushed me to learn the books of the Bible." Pastor Mike Holloway joins Brian From to talk about what happens when a church decides to make the Word of God — not inspiration, not entertainment — the foundation of everything it does. That means Christian education before Sunday service, 26-week certificate programs working through systematic theology and the essentials of the faith, challenges for members of every age to memorize the books of the Bible, and formal debates with atheists, Muslims, and other false teachers in the public square. Pastor Mike's simple conviction: the right information brings about the right transformation. He also speaks directly to anyone who hasn't opened their Bible in a while and doesn't know where to start — and closes with a word for anyone who feels like hope is out of reach. Find Walking on Water Bible Church at wowbc.org, services Sundays at 11:15 AM.

People are showing up to Walking on Water Bible Church in Westland, Michigan and texting their pastor afterward to say: "I've been in church for 10 years and no one has ever pushed me to learn the books of the Bible." Pastor Mike Holloway joins Brian From to talk about what happens when a church decides to make the Word of God &mdash; not inspiration, not entertainment &mdash; the foundation of everything it does. That means Christian education before Sunday service, 26-week certificate programs working through systematic theology and the essentials of the faith, challenges for members of every age to memorize the books of the Bible, and formal debates with atheists, Muslims, and other false teachers in the public square. Pastor Mike's simple conviction: the right information brings about the right transformation. He also speaks directly to anyone who hasn't opened their Bible in a while and doesn't know where to start &mdash; and closes with a word for anyone who feels like hope is out of reach. Find Walking on Water Bible Church at wowbc.org, services Sundays at 11:15 AM.

Word-Centered Church with Pastor Mike Holloway

It's July 1st — the halfway point of the year and the official start of Q3. Brian From opens with the domino chain in Romans 5:3-5 that most comfortable American Christians would rather skip: suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. In a culture that idolizes comfort, this is genuinely countercultural news. The Supreme Court ruled six to three that states may bar biological males from competing in women's and girls' sports, returning the issue to state law in the same way Dobbs returned abortion — and Brian walks through what that actually means practically. A sobering new study shows the percentage of regular churchgoers identifying as pro-life has dropped from 63% to 43% in just two years, with no significant difference now between church attendance and likelihood of supporting or choosing abortion — a discipleship crisis, not a political one. Ninety percent of pastors recommend counseling to their congregations, but only 9% go themselves, and Brian challenges pastoral culture directly. Christian college students share their honest takes on how to celebrate America 250 well. Michigan's legislature unanimously passes a bill allowing kids to run lemonade stands without permits. Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. And a closing reflection from Brian's former co-host Ian Simkins on the miracles that only come slowly, and why mistaking slow for absent is one of the great dangers of an impatient faith.

It's July 1st &mdash; the halfway point of the year and the official start of Q3. Brian From opens with the domino chain in Romans 5:3-5 that most comfortable American Christians would rather skip: suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. In a culture that idolizes comfort, this is genuinely countercultural news. The Supreme Court ruled six to three that states may bar biological males from competing in women's and girls' sports, returning the issue to state law in the same way Dobbs returned abortion &mdash; and Brian walks through what that actually means practically. A sobering new study shows the percentage of regular churchgoers identifying as pro-life has dropped from 63% to 43% in just two years, with no significant difference now between church attendance and likelihood of supporting or choosing abortion &mdash; a discipleship crisis, not a political one. Ninety percent of pastors recommend counseling to their congregations, but only 9% go themselves, and Brian challenges pastoral culture directly. Christian college students share their honest takes on how to celebrate America 250 well. Michigan's legislature unanimously passes a bill allowing kids to run lemonade stands without permits. Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. And a closing reflection from Brian's former co-host Ian Simkins on the miracles that only come slowly, and why mistaking slow for absent is one of the great dangers of an impatient faith.

Supergirl Goes Dark with Adam Holtz

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