(00:00-10:01): Paul Asay with Plugged In joins to talk about Wakanda Forever, which opens on Friday.

(10:01-19:28: COVID… doesn’t it feel different now? Brian and Aubrey laugh over a sketch from SNL.

(19:29-28:27): From The Gospel Coalition, Brian and Aubrey talk about Ways Evangelicals Overcorrect for Prosperity Theology.

(28:27-47:27): Brian interviews Matthew Scogin, the president of Hope College.

(00:00-10:01): Paul Asay with Plugged In joins to talk about <a href="https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/black-panther-wakanda-forever-2022/">Wakanda Forever</a>, which opens on Friday.
(10:01-19:28: COVID… doesn’t it feel different now? Brian and Aubrey laugh over a <a href="https://youtu.be/hPtH43VmvJI">sketch from SNL</a>.
(19:29-28:27): From The Gospel Coalition, Brian and Aubrey talk about <a href="https://churchleaders.com/pastors/437903-evangelicals-overcorrect-for-prosperity-theology.html">Ways Evangelicals Overcorrect for Prosperity Theology</a>.
(28:27-47:27): Brian interviews Matthew Scogin, the president of Hope College.

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

Wakanda Forever, SNL COVID sketch, and cool things happening at Hope College

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.

Little League Cheating Scandal, Gambling's Grip on Young Men, and a Coach's Viral Sermon to a Pitcher

Brian catches up with Adam Holz of Plugged In for a packed summer movie roundup. They discuss Spider-Man's stunning box office run — nearing $2 billion globally and challenging Avatar's all-time record — along with its content notes on language and suggestive material. Adam reviews two competing dinosaur movies, Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie and The End of Oak Street, plus The Brink of War, a slow-burning historical drama starring Jeff Daniels as Ronald Reagan depicting the 1986 Reykjavik summit with Gorbachev. They close with Elijah Peel, a Christian film about a hard-partying rock star's conversion after a health scare, and a candid conversation about how much grit and realism audiences want in faith-based films.

Brian catches up with Adam Holz of Plugged In for a packed summer movie roundup. They discuss Spider-Man's stunning box office run &mdash; nearing $2 billion globally and challenging Avatar's all-time record &mdash; along with its content notes on language and suggestive material. Adam reviews two competing dinosaur movies, Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie and The End of Oak Street, plus The Brink of War, a slow-burning historical drama starring Jeff Daniels as Ronald Reagan depicting the 1986 Reykjavik summit with Gorbachev. They close with Elijah Peel, a Christian film about a hard-partying rock star's conversion after a health scare, and a candid conversation about how much grit and realism audiences want in faith-based films.

Wakanda Forever, SNL COVID sketch, and cool things happening at Hope College

In 1 playlist(s)

The Common Good

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips