Join Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella on Culture Brief as they break down the week’s biggest headlines through a Christian lens. This week they discuss the newly released JFK files and the insights they may reveal, the extended mission of astronauts who were stranded for nine months aboard the ISS, the ongoing turmoil within the Democratic Party, the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, and wrap up with March Madness predictions and a related basketball hot take. And the guys offer eternal perspective and biblical wisdom for maintaining spiritual peace in tumultuous times.

• (00:16): Breaking news: JFK files released
• (00:49): Astronauts' unexpected nine-month mission
• (01:19): Russia-Ukraine peace talks update
• (03:06): Astronauts' return: Challenges and triumphs
• (13:58): Democratic party in turmoil
• (24:18): Democratic party's internal struggles
• (30:52): Israel-Gaza conflict update
• (33:02): JFK files released
• (36:51): March Madness excitement
• (38:50): College Basketball vs. NBA
• (41:05): Listener engagement and conclusion

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• U.S. astronauts finally returning to Earth after 9 months in space
• How NASA Astronauts Might Feel When They Return to Earth
• Stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams return to Earth in SpaceX capsule: Live updates
• 'Butch and Suni' astronauts prepare for Tuesday homecoming after nine-month mission | Reuters
• Dragon Undocks With SpaceX Crew-9 Members for Return to Earth - NASA
• Nasa astronauts back on Earth after being stuck months on ISS: ‘grins, ear to ear’ | Nasa | The Guardian
• Democrats clear way for funding bill, end threat of shutdown
• Chuck Schumer at the center of a “civil war” among Democrats
• Schumer forced to cancel events over ‘threats’ after backing GOP bill & Dem insists she's LEAVING party in huge meltdown | The US Sun
• Democrats Clear Way for GOP Funding Bill, Ending Threat of Government Shutdown
• Playbook: Reeling, fuming, gloating - POLITICO
• Schumer at center of civil war after funding fiasco
• Chuck Schumer: Trump and Musk Would Love a Shutdown. We Must Not Give Them One. - The New York Times
• Walz knocks Schumer over government funding blowup - POLITICO
• Inside House Dems' furious anti-Schumer movement
• CNN Poll: Democratic Party’s favorability drops to a record low | CNN Politics

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Join Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella on Culture Brief as they break down the week’s biggest headlines through a Christian lens. From the turbulence in financial markets to a new and deadly phase of the civil war in Syria and the latest developments surrounding the controversial Tate brothers, they cover the stories shaping our world. Plus, they unpack the latest player moves in the NFL’s open market, discuss updates on Gene Hackman’s death, check in on Canada’s new Prime Minister, mourn bags flying free on Southwest Airlines and preview two upcoming sporting events. 

• (00:23): Financial markets update
• (11:55): Civil war in Syria: Background and recent events
• (22:41): Introduction to the Tate brothers controversy
• (30:15): Biblical perspective on manhood
• (33:37): NFL free agency frenzy
• (42:39): Listener feedback and hot takes
• (44:42): Upcoming events and news

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Morning Brew: International markets reversal
• Wall Street suffers ‘ugly’ sell-off amid US recession fears, as Musk’s Tesla falls 50% from all–time high – as it happened | Business | The Guardian
• Charted: The U.S. Stock Market vs. Rest of World (1979-2025)
• International-Stock Funds Finally Wake Up - WSJ
• Civil war in Syria escalates as rebels take Hama
• Introducing Culture Brief: A new Denison Forum podcast on sports, pop culture, and more
• The Conflict in Syria: Causes and Biblical Responses
• Chaos in Syria and the future of America
• Hundreds of Minorities, Including Christians, Killed in Syria—Reports - Newsweek
• Horror vids show 'brutal regime mutilations' & gunmen in Damascus after ‘1,500 die’ in 4 days of bloody clashes in Syria | The Sun
• 2 days of clashes and revenge killings in Syria leave more than 1,000 people dead
• More than 1,000 killed in Syrian crackdown on Alawite region, war monitor says | Reuters
• The Tate brothers left Romania and are facing an active criminal investigation in Florida. Here’s what we know | CNN
• Andrew Tate timeline: From kickboxing and webcams to criminal probe in Florida | The Independent
• Andrew Tate vs. Biblical Manhood | Summit Ministries

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Join Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella on the latest episode of Culture Brief as they discuss the Oval Office spat between Trump and Zelensky. They also explore the implications of U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China while considering the economic fallout and political maneuvering. Plus, the guys talk about the details of Gene Hackman’s death and offer a review of the Oscars, including the surprising wins and cultural reflections. Lastly, Micah shares a hot take on mowing your lawn. Tune in for thoughtful insights on navigating all the week’s top headlines through a Christian lens.

• (00:22): Overview of Today's Topics
• (00:51): Longest Joint Session of Congress
• (02:23): Oval Office Exchange: Trump, Zelensky, and Vance
• (14:52): US Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China
• (23:14): Gene Hackman's Legacy and Mysterious Death
• (24:54): Oscars Recap: Highlights and Surprises
• (27:17): Controversial Wins and Cultural Reflections
• (31:17): Christian Perspectives on Hollywood
• (32:54): Listener Mailbag: Hot Takes and Debates
• (38:12): Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• President Trump addresses joint session of Congress
• Trump administration pauses all aid to Ukraine
• Trump pauses all US military aid to Ukraine after heated Oval Office meeting with Zelensky
• What US lawmakers are saying about the White House clash between Trump and Zelenskyy
• Biden lost temper with Zelenskyy in June phone call when Ukrainian leader asked for more aid
• Why Russia “invaded” Ukraine: Explaining “Putin’s endgame”
• 2. How partisans view each other | Pew Research Center
• Trump’s stiff new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China take effect
• Trump ‘open to deals with Canada and Mexico’ to avoid trade war
• China and Canada retaliate after Trump trade tariffs come into effect
• Trump’s tariffs will take their toll on fresh fruit and vegetables — that’s bad news for low-income Americans - MarketWatch
• Wall Street falls again as losses wipe out all post-election gains for the S&P 500 | AP News
• Lutnick says Trump tariff with Canada, Mexico likely ends with meeting in the middle, possible deal soon
• “Anora” wins Oscar for Best Picture
• Adrien Brody’s second Oscar puts him in rare company
• Oscars 2025: Morgan Freeman gives heartfelt eulogy for friend Gene Hackman
• Oscars 2025: 'Anora' cleans up, Adrien Brody and Zoe Saldana make history
• Why did 'Emilia Peréz' actually receive 13 Oscar nominations?

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Join hosts Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella in this episode of Culture Brief as they navigate top stories in news, politics, sports, pop culture, and technology from a Christian perspective. This week they discuss the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), its controversial actions, and the mixed public response. They also address the severe humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the persecution of Christians and international reactions. Additionally, they cover upcoming events like the NFL Draft Combine, the Oscars, and Lent. Don't miss Conner's hot take on Star Wars and updates on the Ukraine and Russia peace talks.

• (00:56): The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
• (10:46): Spiritual and Personal Reflections
• (14:53): Humanitarian Crisis in the Congo
• (22:25): Weekly Highlights and Sports Update
• (24:56): Pope's Health Update
• (25:21): Clint Hill's Passing and JFK Files
• (26:17): Apple's Investment in American Infrastructure
• (27:31): Vivek Ramaswamy's Campaign Announcement
• (28:44): Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks and Minerals Deal
• (29:47): Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down from Lucasfilm
• (31:14): Spicy Hot Take
• (35:27): Parenting Stages and Advice
• (38:19): Upcoming Shows and Events

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Christian Parenting 
• Denison Forum: Lent Resources
• 
  

OSCAR’s articles: 

• Why did 'Emilia Peréz' actually receive 13 Oscar nominations?
• 'A Complete Unknown' earns eight Academy Award nominations
• Why I hope you won’t see “Conclave”

• DOGE claims $55 billion in government cuts so far -- but the figure is hard to verify - ABC News
• DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency
• A comprehensive look at DOGE's firings and layoffs so far | AP News
• Watson: DOGE’s youth is a feature, not a bug
• Federal agencies can ignore "What did you do last week?" email, Trump administration says - CBS News
• Elon Musk claims federal employees have 48 hours to explain recent work or resign | The Verge
• LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON FEDERAL WORKERS
• Elon Musk on X: "Subject to the discretion of the President, they will be given another chance. Failure to respond a second time will result in termination." / X
• The civil war in Congo could soon reach a tipping point
• More pressure on Rwanda as Congo says rebel uprising has killed over 7,000 people this year | AP News
• Children face lethal violence, rape in east Congo war | Reuters
• Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capture eastern DRC’s second-largest city | Democratic Republic of the Congo | The Guardian
• 70 Christians found beheaded in church in DRC - Open Doors UK & Ireland
• 70 Christians beheaded in the DRC - Denison Forum
• US and Ukraine agree to terms on minerals and reconstruction
• Justin Trudeau's Comment on X

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

It’s been a busy week in news, politics, sports, and pop culture. So join Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella as they brief you on the week’s biggest stories…all from a Christian perspective. This week, they discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks, the history and legality of executive orders, and a variety of recent events across culture. Highlights include diving into the U.S. deploying military resources against Mexican cartels, recent plane crashes, the SNL50 special, the new Captain America movie's underwhelming performance, and the thrilling U.S. vs. Canada hockey showdown and so much more!

• (01:00): Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
• (13:34): Executive Orders: History and Impact
• (23:16): Weekly Rundown: Sports, Crashes, and More
• (39:27): Overwhelming News and Spiritual Guidance
• (41:04): Listener Mailbag: Childhood Hobbies and Sports
• (45:59): Upcoming Shows and Events

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• First15
• US and Russian officials meet today on war in Ukraine
• Trump says talks to end Ukraine war to start ‘immediately’ after Putin call | South China Morning Post
• Russia and US agree to work toward ending Ukraine war in a remarkable diplomatic shift
• Ukraine will never accept Russia’s ultimatums, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says
• European leaders want a say in talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The US is brushing them off
• European countries clash over sending troops to Ukraine
• Ukraine will never accept Russia’s ultimatums, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says
• Ukraine-US talks in Munich end without agreement on critical minerals deal | Reuters
• US ‘could provide air defence’ to Ukraine peacekeeping force
• What Is an Executive Order?
• Trump’s record number of executive orders are testing the limits of presidential power
• Analysis: Can diversity and inclusion survive Trump's war on 'woke' | Reuters
• ‘This is a coup’: Trump and Musk’s purge is cutting more than costs, say experts
• President Trump says the US government will only recognize two genders – ‘male and female’ (Video) | New York Post
• I work in global health. Trump ditching the World Health Organization might be the wake-up call it needs.
• Executive Order 13563 -- Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review | whitehouse.gov
• The Obama Orders: A Quick and Dirty Analysis
• Analysis: How Biden’s new executive order tackles AI risks, and where it falls short | PBS News
• Biden Issues Flurry of Executive Orders in Final Days. Trump Might Roll Them Back.
• Trump is not the radical — he’s simply undoing radical things Dems did
• Executive Orders | The American Presidency Project
• Gulf of Mexico - Wikipedia
• Fox News: Delta Plane Crash Video on X 

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

This week on the Culture Brief podcast, Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella break down the biggest stories shaping our world. The guys start off with a deep dive into the latest Middle East tensions, unpacking the escalating conflict in Gaza and President Trump’s response to Hamas. Then, it’s a Hollywood check-in—what’s behind the Emilia Pérez controversy? And why is Blake Lively feuding with Justin Baldoni? After that, they break down the Super Bowl highlights, from the game itself to the halftime show and their favorite commercials. Plus, they take on a listener’s question: Is cryptocurrency reshaping our economy, and does it have prophetic significance? And don’t miss their take on Trump’s latest executive orders and what’s worth watching in the week ahead.

• (01:00): Middle East Update: Gaza Conflict
• (12:24): Hollywood Check-In: Emilia Pérez Controversy
• (18:30): Hollywood Drama: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni
• (29:05): Super Bowl Recap and Chiefs Dynasty
• (31:51): Halftime Show Review: Kendrick Lamar's Performance
• (34:12): Super Bowl Commercials: Hits and Misses
• (37:02): Jalen Hurts: A Story of Resilience
• (39:20): Executive Orders: Yay or Nay?
• (42:34): Mailbag: Cryptocurrency and the End Times
• (47:04): Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• President Trump declares that the US should “take over” Gaza
• Trump warns Hamas to free hostages by noon Saturday or he will ‘let hell break out’
• Israel-Gaza ceasefire: Netanyahu will end deal if hostages not released
• Trump's chilling ultimatum to Hamas as he calls for ALL Gaza hostages to be freed this week or 'all hell will break out' | The US Sun
• Hamas says it's delaying next hostage release, alleging Israeli truce violations | The Times of Israel
• Jordan's King Abdullah tells Trump he will take in 2,000 Gaza children
• Spain's Gascon goes silent for sake of 'Emilia Perez' film ahead of Oscars | Reuters
• Emilia Pérez’s Oscar Hopes: Just How Badly Has Karla Sofía Gascón Hurt Them? | Vanity Fair
• ‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine
• A timeline of the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni sexual harassment case
• Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: A timeline of the feud and lawsuit between It Ends With Us co-stars | The Independent
• Blake Lively’s Grim Reaction to Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl Snub Revealed - Athlon Sports
• Got Questions

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Join Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella as they break down the week’s biggest stories: the tragic plane crash over the Potomac River, Trump's new tariff plans, and the shocking Dallas Mavericks trade of Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis. The episode features a special guest, Dr. Ryan Denison, who helps analyze the implications of the trade. They also cover upcoming news highlights, including Trump Cabinet confirmations and plans for Gaza, and share their Super Bowl predictions.

• (01:01): Tragic Mid-Air Collision in Washington, D.C.
• (02:53): Impact and Reactions to the Plane Crash
• (13:33): Trump's Tariff Plan
• (21:39): Dallas Mavericks Shocking Trade
• (24:16): Ryan's Perspective on the Trade
• (26:22): Fan Reactions and Emotional Impact
• (30:33): Subtitles Debate: Listener Responses
• (34:29): Upcoming News and Gaza update
• (37:37): Super Bowl Predictions and MVP Favorites

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Tragedy over the Potomac
• Recognizing the 28 Lost on Flight 5342 | U.S. Figure Skating
• Students, Olympic skaters, families and more. A tribute to lives lost in the DC plane crash
• The triumphant final days of the skaters killed in D.C. crash - ESPN
• Air traffic controller 'left work early' before deadly crash as helicopter's flight height comes into question | The Independent
• South Korea reports initial findings of Jeju Air crash | CNN
• Washington DC plane crash: investigators probe wreckage and flight logs | Reuters
• What caused the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan? Here's what we know so far. - CBS News
• Tariffs Definition | TaxEDU Glossary.
• Inside the Luka Doncic-Mavericks feud that preceded blockbuster trade
• Luka Dončić’s father attacks Mavericks’ ‘hypocrisy’ after shock Lakers trade
• Axios-Trump’s wild Middle East vision
• ​​President Trump declares that the US should “take over” Gaza

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Welcome back to Culture Brief, a Denison Forum podcast where Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella break down the latest in news, politics, sports, pop culture, and technology from a Christian perspective. This week, they discuss the massive dip in AI stocks and its broader implications followed by a thoughtful conversation on the immigration policies under Trump's administration and striking the balance between law enforcement and compassion for immigrants. They also touch on the controversial Oscar nominations, including the film Emelia Peréz, and its focus on transgender issues. Lastly, the guys share their current favorite TV shows and look ahead to the Grammys and the Super Bowl.

• (00:49): AI Market Predictions and Stock Market Impact
• (03:37): DeepSeek: The New AI Competitor
• (10:43): Biblical Perspective on AI
• (14:47): Immigration Policies Under Trump
• (26:11): Hollywood Controversies and Oscar Nominations
• (29:42): Biblical Perspective on Transgenderism
• (32:39): Impact of Pop Culture and Transgender Issues
• (37:06): Mailbag: Favorite TV Shows
• (45:10): Upcoming Events and Predictions
• (49:05): Conclusion and Call to Action

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• DeepSeek Curveball Rattles Trump’s AI Strategy - Bloomberg
• Trillion-Dollar Companies: 10 Most Valuable Mega-Cap Stocks | Bankrate
• DeepSeek sell-off: The winners and losers of Monday’s AI volatility | Trustnet
• Why DeepSeek “turned tech and Wall Street upside down”
• ChatGPT and artificial intelligence: What you need to know
• The Strategic Chaos of Trump’s First Days - The Atlantic
• Selena Gomez Responds to Republican Politician Who Says She Should Be Deported After Tearful Video with Mexican Flag
• Trump tells officials to increase deportation raids
• Military police, engineer units from Army, Marines deploy to the US-Mexico border | Stars and Stripes
• The State of Our Nation: 7 Critical Issues by Dr. Jim Denison
• Why did Emilia Peréz actually receive 13 Oscar nominations?
• New York Times Poll
• Americans’ Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues | Pew Research Center
• ‘Emilia Pérez’ and the Curse of Oscar Bait - by River Page
• What does the Bible say about transgenderism?

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Join hosts Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella as they navigate a jam-packed news week on Culture Brief, a Denison Forum podcast. They discuss the political climate, including Joe Biden's final days as president, a significant ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, TikTok's brief shutdown, and Biden's last-minute pardons followed by Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President, his executive orders, and reactions from his supporters and opponents. 

Then, they dive into the latest sports news, including the NFL divisional round, the college football national championship, and key moments of sportsmanship. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions, faith perspectives, and even a fun segment on a new candy called Soup Drops!

• (01:03): Biden's Final Days and Middle East Ceasefire
• (05:51): TikTok Shutdown and Revival
• (07:13): Biden's Last-Minute Pardons
• (13:21): Trump's Inauguration and Executive Actions
• (24:12): Trump's Legacy and Unconditional Love
• (25:57): NFL Playoffs Recap
• (30:07): College Football Championship Highlights
• (34:30): News You Can Use: Soup Drops
• (36:2):2 Listener Mailbag and Fast Food Favorites
• (40:43): Big Upcoming Events in Culture

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• What We Know About the Hostage Release - The New York Times
• January 19, 2025: First Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners freed as Gaza ceasefire takes force | CNN
• How the Biden and Trump teams worked together to get the Gaza ceasefire and hostages deal done | CNN Politics
• Biden declares decades-old Equal Rights Amendment law — but what happens next? | CBC News
• TikTok starts restoring service in the U.S. after shutting down over divest-or-ban law - CBS News
• TikTok is back online after Trump pledged to restore it | CNN Business
• Biden Pardons 5 Members of His Family in Final Minutes in Office
• Biden sparks outrage with last-minute commutation of man convicted of killing FBI agents - ABC News
• FBI Agents Association Statement on Commutation of Leonard Peltier
• Biden’s Catholic faith both key and complex part of his legacy - OSV News
• Trump and Vance to honor tradition with service at DC's historic St. John's Church
• Bidens Bring Donald and Melania Trump to the White House for Tea Before the Inauguration: 'Welcome Home'
• Donald Trump’s inauguration — as it happened
• Trump signs flurry of executive actions and memos on Day 1 - CBS News
• President Trump’s Historic First Day
• What would be President Trump’s “proudest legacy”?
• NFL fans spot Josh Allen's classy gesture immediately after winning huge Bills-Ravens showdown in AFC playoffs | The US Sun
• NFL Playoffs Briefing: From the expected (Chiefs) to the unexpected (Jayden Daniels) | FOX Sports
• Ohio State holds off Notre Dame to win college football national championship | Fox News
• Progresso launches Soup Drops, a hard candy that's 'soup you can suck on'

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Join Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella in the second episode of the Culture Brief podcast as they navigate top stories of the week. They provide updates on the Los Angeles fires, insight into the NFL playoffs and college football, and discuss the deep impressions Christianity is making in popular culture. Additionally, the episode covers trending topics in politics, technology, and entertainment, including listener predictions for 2025. Join them for a comprehensive and engaging discussion from a Christian perspective.

• (00:45): Los Angeles Fires Update
• (10:41): Political Updates
• (14:08): Christianity in Modern Culture
• (21:17): Football Playoff Highlights
• (23:04): Eagles' AJ Brown and the Inner Excellence Book
• (27:18): Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Shake-Up
• (29:39): Listener Predictions for 2025
• (34:49): TikTok's Uncertain Future
• (36:36): Upcoming Presidential Inauguration
• (37:36): College Football National Championship

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• January 12, 2025: Los Angeles wildfires, wind warnings as Palisades, Eaton fires burn | CNN
• See some of the most dramatic pictures of California wildfire devastation
• Incidents | CAL FIRE
• LA fires: What's happening in Los Angeles, and what caused the wildfires?
• The Blood Is in the Water for Karen Bass - Puck
• Firefighters battling “unprecedented” fires in California
• DONATE: Deliver help, hope and healing to California · Texans on Mission
• DONATE: Pray for the Victims of the California Wildfires
• DONATE: Online Donations | American Red Cross
• Donald Trump sentenced after losing Supreme Court decision
• Special Counsel Report Says Trump Would Have Been Convicted in Election Case - The New York Times
• YouVersion Bible App Breaks Record in Single-Day Downloads | CBN News
• “Just to have the opportunity to glorify God on the football field it’s truly been an honor.” Jahdae Barron following Texas loss yesterday. Comment “Amen” down below! Athlete @officia1dae
• Jahdae Barron Shares Faith After Texas Longhorns Loss | TikTok
• Wesley Huff, PhD(c) - Apologetics Canada
• Actor Mel Gibson tells Joe Rogan that gospels are 'verifiable history' - Premier Christian News
• A Pastor's Reflections: The Case for Christ (the Movie) - Westminster Seminary California.
• Joe Rogan interviews Wesley Huff, a Christian apologist
• NFL scores and recaps for every wild-card playoff game
• Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl Recap: Notre Dame vs. Penn State
• Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Recap: Ohio State vs. Texas
• Eagles receiver A.J. Brown was reading a book on the sidelines of team's playoff win
• ‘Inner Excellence’ writer Jim Murphy talks A.J. Brown, Eagles fans – NBC10 Philadelphia
• TikTok Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.