This week we unpack Donald Trump’s wild return to the Oval Office—yep, we’re talking executive orders flying left and right and policy pivots that have us all trying to keep up. Then we break down the unexpected NFL Draft freefall of Shedeur Sanders and what his fifth-round slide says about pride, pressure, and perception.

Join as we talk about humility and the subtle dangers of pride—with a surprise twist: one listener’s cringe-worthy oil change story that might just be the sermon illustration of the year. Plus, quick hits on what’s brewing in Canada’s political scene and rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

It’s a full table—pull up a chair and take a listen. 

• (01:13): Trump's first 100 days
• (17:31): NFL draft drama: Shedeur Sanders' story
• (35:39): Listener mailbag: Oil change mishap
• (38:45): Global news updates

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Trump’s first hundred days and Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest
• Promises kept, broken and TBD: Defining Trump's first 100 days - POLITICO
• All of the Trump Administration’s Major Moves in the First 100 Days - The New York Times
• Fox News Poll: The first 100 days of President Trump's second term
• Trump steams ahead on these campaign promises as he reaches 100 days in office
• Deion Sanders’ advice to his son Shedeur after draft slide
• Deion Sanders cites 'couple NFL teams' Shedeur Sanders will not play for in 2025 draft
• Why did Shedeur Sanders fall to the 5th round? 3 reasons to explain his slide | FOX Sports
• Truth Social Post by Trump
• Adam Schefter on X 
• NFL Network - Wikipedia

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 guest host Josh Miller on this week's episode of Culture Brief. With Micah on vacation, Josh joins Conner as they discuss the significant passing of Pope Francis and his progressive papacy, the intriguing process of electing a new pope, and the impact of antitrust cases against tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon with a focus on the significance of humility. Josh also delivers a fiery hot take on a common American coffee habit and the guys offer quick insights into this weekend’s NFL draft!

• (00:31):  Special guest: Josh Miller
• (02:22): Remembering Pope Francis
• (04:18): The Conclave process
• (09:40): Pope Francis' legacy
• (19:16): Big Tech antitrust trials
• (27:23): Google's market dominance
• (28:50): Chrome and Safari: browser wars
• (30:42): The power of Big Tech
• (34:09): AI and the future of search
• (39:33): Coffee hot take
• (43:11): Updates on trade wars and the economy
• (46:06): NFL draft and sports highlights
• (49:10): Conclusion

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• Subscribe to The Daily Article by Dr. Jim Denison
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Pope Francis dies at the age of eighty-eight
• The life and legacy of Pope Francis
• Pope Francis calls for same-sex civil unions: Why this is so important and how to respond biblically
• Why I hope you won’t see “Conclave”
• Pope Francis allows priests to bless same-sex couples
• Why should the death of Pope Francis matter to Protestants?
• Pope Francis, groundbreaking leader of Catholic Church, dies at age 88 - CBS News
• What Happens After the Pope Dies? A Visual Timeline of Rituals and Traditions - The New York Times
• Conclaves through time - the long and short | Euronews
• The Justice Department and Google battle over how to fix a search engine monopoly : NPR
• U.S. Asks Judge to Break Up Google - The New York Times
• Google could use AI to extend search monopoly, DOJ says as trial begins | Reuters
• Justice Department Sues Monopolist Google For Violating Antitrust Laws
• The Best Quotes from Pope Francis During His Pontificate - Exaudi
• E.U. Takes Aim at Big Tech’s Power With Landmark Digital Act - The New York Times
• Academy Sets New Oscars Rules for 2025: You Need to Watch All Nominated Films to Vote in a Category

Josh Miller is the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at Denison Ministries. He is also a disciple of Jesus, husband, and father. A Christian leader, author, and songwriter, Josh brings over 20 years of ministry experience—from global worship tours to pastoral leadership. He lives in Plano, Texas, with his wife and two sons, fueled by faith, craft coffee, and a love for tacos.

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.

In this episode of Culture Brief, Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella explore why more members of Gen Z are turning to Jesus, even as traditional religious affiliation continues to decline. They also talk through Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited victory at the Masters, the status of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, and what’s behind the ongoing trade tensions with China. Plus, they examine new developments in the Trump administration’s response to antisemitism on Ivy League campuses and what we’re learning from the latest JFK files release. All that and more—filtered through a biblical lens and designed to help you think clearly in a complex world.

• (00:50): Gen Z's growing commitment to Jesus
• (05:32): Mental health and faith among Gen Z
• (08:30): Resurgence in church attendance
• (14:36): Trump's tariff policies and trade war with China
• (25:42): Trump's battle with Ivy League universities
• (31:18) The broader implications of government-university conflicts
• (36:16): Listener mailbag: JFK files
• (39:29): Masters tournament recap
• (43:14): Trump administration's deportation controversy
• (44:59): US-Iran nuclear negotiations update
• (45:49): Movie box office highlights
• (46:54) Easter weekend reflections

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• New Research: Belief in Jesus Rises, Fueled by Younger Adults | Barna Group
• Commitment to Jesus Reaches Decade-High Levels | Barna Group
• Number of Americans who don't identify as Christian but claim 'personal commitment to Jesus' nears record high: survey
• Is Gen Z a lost cause for the church?
• Why are teens sadder, lonelier, and more depressed than ever before?
• Why teens are growing up more anxious and depressed
• ‘The Quiet Revival’: huge increase in young people attending church - Religion Media Centre
• China suspends rare earth exports, kneecapping US industry reliant on Beijing's 'monopoly'
• China Exports to United States - 2025 Data 2026 Forecast 1992-2023 Historical
• US-China Trade Data: Import-Export Bilateral Trade Statistics - USImportData
• Trump threatens Harvard's tax-exempt status after freezing $2bn funding
• Trump Administration Will Freeze $2 Billion After Harvard Refuses Demands - The New York Times
• The Promise of American Higher Education - Harvard University President
• Barack Obama on X
• Rory McIlroy’s Masters win and a transforming life principle
• Rory McIlroy, Tom Cruise, and the power of persistence
• Exclusive: ICE decides who's linked to gangs, border czar says
• Is “The King of Kings” worth seeing?
• The God Who Feels Your Pain | Denison 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 hosts Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella for an insightful episode of Culture Brief. This week, they discuss some of the most pressing news topics with spiritual insight: The impact of new tariffs announced by President Trump and their potential effects on the US economy, stock market, and everyday prices. Get the latest sports updates, including a recap of March Madness, Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking goal in the NHL, and the excitement surrounding The Masters golf tournament and a related hot take. 

• (00:16): Economic chaos and tariffs
• (02:13): Impact of tariffs on everyday life
• (04:09): Market reactions and public sentiment
• (11:00): China and the trade war
• (12:51): Faith over fear: Finding peace in uncertainty
• (19:44): Sports update with Micah
• (22:42): Gretzky and Ovechkin: Celebrating hockey legends
• (23:46): Masters week: The pinnacle of golf
• (31:23): The spiritual side of sports fandom
• (34:56): Hot take: Wearing Masters apparel
• (41:15): Check-in section: Updates and news

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Stocks fall, soar on “fake news,” then fall again
• Trump announces sweeping new tariffs to promote US manufacturing, risking inflation and trade wars | AP News
• Volkswagen’s Audi freezing all US imports due to Trump’s 25% autos tariff
• Jaguar Land Rover pauses shipments to US as Trump says impact of tariffs ‘won’t be easy’ – as it happened
• How a false X post about pausing tariffs led to multitrillion-dollar market swings
• Treasury Secretary Bessent says China's escalation was 'big mistake,' country playing with 'losing hand'
• 2025 Masters: Tee times, groupings announced for Rounds 1-2 - PGA TOUR
• Putin hails Ovechkin as 'legendary master' of ice hockey after he breaks NHL goal record | Reuters
• Florida roar back to break Houston hearts and capture third NCAA title | NCAA Tournament 2025 | The Guardian
• Houston Falls To Florida In The 2025 NCAA Championship, 65-63
• How to watch 2025 Masters: TV schedule, streaming, tee times
• What watching sports says about our souls

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 hosts Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella in this week's episode of Culture Brief, where they discuss hot topics from a Christian perspective. This week, they talk about the complex issues surrounding the deportation of immigrants under the Trump administration and the dismantling of the US Department of Education. Additionally, they discuss the innovative “torpedo” bats used by the New York Yankees, Senator Cory Booker's record-breaking Senate speech, the death of American icon Val Kilmer, and the latest developments in US-Iran tensions. Don't miss the listener mailbag segment and a teaser for the upcoming Masters week. Engage with today's top stories across politics, sports, pop culture, and technology, all while reflecting on how these issues intersect with faith and values.

• (00:41): Senator Cory Booker's record-breaking speech
• (02:27): Remembering Val Kilmer
• (03:13): Immigration controversies and deportations
• (19:10): Dismantling the Department of Education
• (26:47): Pros and cons of dismantling the US Department of Education
• (32:09): Shoutout to educators and Abbott Elementary
• (32:53): Listener mailbag: Fun stories and opinions
• (38:21): US-Iran tensions and nuclear deal
• (39:43): Trump's tariffs and Liberation Day
• (41:10): Trump's third term tease
• (42:06): TikTok deadline and March Madness
• (43:45): “Torpedo” bats in baseball
• (46:02): Masters Week and conclusion

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Americans want Trump's focus more on prices, not tariffs; most approve of deportation efforts — CBS News poll
• Foreign-born population highest since 1890 — shock new figures show how much Biden changed America
• Border czar Tom Homan says he will visit Rochester cops who were blasted by their own city for helping ICE
• US Undocumented Population Increased to 11.7 Million in July 2023: Provisional CMS Estimates Derived from CPS Data - The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS)
• Joe Rogan calls the possibility of non-criminals being deported with violent gang members 'horrific'
• Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge's order to turn back deportation flights
• How the Trump administration is using tattoos to lock up immigrants in El Salvador | The Independent
• What to know about the wartime authority Trump invoked for mass deportations
• Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in ICE detention in Louisiana after first court hearing | CNN
• Should we support deportation?
• Who is Mahmoud Khalil and why is Trump trying to deport him?
• What to know about the wartime authority Trump invoked for mass deportations
• Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in ICE detention in Louisiana after first court hearing | CNN
• Damning nationwide test shows US kids’ reading levels plummeted to lowest level in 32-year history — and Republicans are blaming ‘woke’ education
• NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment Results: Reading and Mathematics
• A Half Century of Student Progress Nationwide - Education Next
• Trump signs executive order to dismantle US Department of Education | Trump administration | The Guardian
• The cases for and against dismantling the Department of Education
• How Dismantling the Department of Education Would Harm Students | NEA
• US Education Department closure imperils law school finances, deans say | Reuters
• Coalition Sues Trump Administration For Dismantling Department of Education, Hurting All Students
• Val Kilmer, Top Gun and Batman actor, dies at 65

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 in this episode of Culture Brief as they discuss the biggest stories of the week, starting with the significant security breach involving a Trump administration Signal group chat leak, its political fallout, and the comparisons to the Hillary Clinton email scandal. They also explore the cultural and political controversies surrounding the new Snow White movie and its box office performance. They share their own favorite Disney movies. Additionally, they highlight the start of the Major League Baseball season and the upcoming weekend of March Madness games. Tune in for insightful analysis and a Christian perspective on this week’s hot topics.

• (01:27): The Signal group chat leak
• (04:59): Political fallout and double standards
• (13:34): Snow White box office bomb
• (20:40): Controversy surrounding Disney's latest movie
• (22:46): Biblical perspective on the controversy
• (27:04): Favorite Disney movies discussion
• (29:07): Upcoming movie remakes
• (32:44): MLB Opening Day
• (35:27): March Madness and other sports updates
• (37:23): Conclusion and listener engagement

• Mailbag: [email protected]
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans - The Atlantic
• Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal - The Atlantic
• First Thing: White House texts secret Yemen airstrike plans to reporter | JD Vance | The Guardian
• Pete Hegseth claims ‘nobody was texting war plans’ in first comments since Yemen strike group text scandal
• 'Sounds like a huge screwup': Top officials react to report about US leaders texting war plans in a Signal group chat
• Trump’s top team rips into Europe in leaked war texts group chat - raging they ‘loathe’ having to bail out freeloaders’ | The Sun
• Maybe J.D. Vance Isn’t Trump’s Puppet
• Top officials inadvertently shared war plans with Atlantic editor
• Inside Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Fiasco: Death Threats, Beefed-Up Security and a Social Media Guru for Rachel Zegler
• After poisonous PR, ‘Snow White’ has ‘heigh-ho’pes for a fairy tale ending at the box office | CNN
• Rachel Zegler celebrates ‘Snow White’ being ‘#1 movie in the world’ despite sleepy box office debut

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. 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.