Culture Matters

In this rich conversation, Tymarcus and Dr. Claudia MacMillian explore how our contemporary educational and cultural frameworks—especially the “myth of fact”—shape our abilities to imagine, love, think, and live well. Dr. MacMillian traces the idea back to the work of Donald Cowan and Louise Cowan, showing how modernity’s emphasis on extracting isolated “facts” from context has left many of us brittle, shallow in our sensibilities, and under‑equipped to embrace mystery, beauty, narrative, poetry, and the fullness of human experience. Ultimately, the episode argues for a return to formation over mere performance—cultivating souls able to engage with the world deeply, compassionately, and imaginatively.

1. Fact isn’t truth — Modern culture wrongly treats isolated facts as ultimate truth.
2. Context matters — Truth must be understood in its full, lived context.
3. Imagination is essential — The poetic imagination shapes how we see, love, and live.
4. Formation over performance — Education should form souls, not just train skills.
5. Read whole works — Novels, poetry, and scripture cultivate depth and empathy.
6. Mystery is good — We must embrace mystery, not reduce everything to certainty.
7. People are complex — Literature reminds us no one is all good or all bad.
8. Scripture is story & song — Most of the Bible is narrative and poetry, not bullet points.
9. Technology isn’t the problem — How we form humans in the face of AI is the real issue.
10. Live with depth — True discipleship means growing in imagination, humility, and love.

• https://www.macmillaninstitute.org/
• Donald and Luise Cowan Center

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

In this episode, Chelsea sits down with friends Ashley Hardcastle and Kaylee to explore the world of youth and amateur athletics, reflecting on their personal stories, the pressures and joys of competition, and how faith intersects with identity in the arena of sports and performance. They discuss what they loved, what they struggled with, and how they now seek to guide the next generation (whether as parents or mentors) toward a healthier, Christ‑centered perspective on activity, achievement, and belonging.

02:07 – Ashley’s story

06:47 – Kaylee’s story

14:59 – Reflecting on what was good

22:28 – Discussion of parental/coach roles

29:26 – Parenting advice

38:32 – Coach/organization considerations

49:56 – “What do we say to kids before and after games/performances?”

54:26 – Final take‑aways

1. Activity is Not Identity
2. Joy & Pressure Often Coexist
3. Parents & Coaches Shape More Than Skills
4. Family Health > Activity Stacking
5. What You Celebrate Shapes What They Remember

• Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports--and Why It Matters 

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

Chelsea and Ty are joined in person by Robyn Bush to explore the deeply symbolic and often overlooked metaphor of Jesus as the Bridegroom. Drawing from Scripture, ancient Jewish wedding customs, and personal stories, they unpack how this image reshapes our understanding of intimacy with Christ—whether single, married, or widowed.

02:00 – Why This Topic: Book Club, Loss, and Curiosity

04:30 – Isaiah 54:5 and the Tenderness of a Divine Husband

07:00 – Ephesians 5 and the Weighty Call of Love and Submission

10:00 – Single and Married: Living into the Picture of the Bride

14:00 – Cultural Lenses & the Challenge of Bridegroom Language

17:00 – Covenant, Death to Self, and Mutual Sacrifice

20:00 – A Christian Vision of Marriage: “No Man Hates His Own Body”

21:40 – Ancient Jewish Wedding Traditions & the Gospel Story

30:00 – The Woman at the Well and the Bridegroom’s Pursuit

34:00 – Genesis, Luke, and the Tender Choice of a Bride

36:00 – Christ, the Second Adam, and the Bride from His Side

38:00 – Why We Must Read the Bible with Eyes to See the Bride

1. Jesus as Bridegroom Is Personal
2. The Bridegroom Chooses the Broken
3. Marriage Is Meant to Model the Gospel
4. The Return of Christ Is a Wedding to Anticipate

• Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Brant Pitre
• The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

In this episode, Adam and Chelsea talk with Dr. Dani(elle) Treweek about her new book Single Ever After: A Biblical Vision for the Significance of Singleness. They explore how Christians often misunderstand singleness, how to read biblical passages like Genesis and Paul rightly in this topic, and what it means for both single and married Christians to live in community. Dani helps listeners see that singleness is not a lesser state, but a meaningful way of life that foreshadows eternal realities and contributes to the church now.

[00:34] Dani’s Background

[06:38] Genesis & Aloneness

[08:18] Song Titles as Chapter Titles

[15:00] The “Gift” of Singleness

[18:00] Chosen vs Unchosen Singleness

[22:06] Married vs Single in Church

[28:00] Friendship Across Life Stages

[29:28] Kingdom Impact as a Single Person

[35:00] Longing for True Church Community

[37:00] Future Pressures in Church & Culture

1. Genesis, aloneness, and marriage
2. Gift of Singleness — myth or reality?
3. Singleness as a Choice vs Circumstance
4. Complementary portraits: married & single
5. Practical life & community
6. Future cultural pressures & church posture

Buy the book: Single Ever After 

Connect with Dani

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

Ty sits down with Pastor Charles Wilson to explore the topic of spiritual fatherhood. From personal stories of biological fathers to theological reflections on Paul and Timothy, this conversation covers the why and how of raising spiritual sons and daughters within the household of God.

Whether you're a spiritual father, have one, or simply are curious what the Bible has to say about the topic, this episode is a rich reminder of God's design for intergenerational discipleship. Charles helps us reimagine the role of the church not just as a place of instruction, but of family.

02:00 - The Importance of Biological Fatherhood

05:00 - Becoming a Father: Lessons Learned

07:45 - Spiritual Fatherhood in Scripture

12:00 - Encouragement, Discipline, and Rebuke

16:00 - Misconceptions: Age, Authority & Access

20:30 - Discipling Along the Way

25:00 - Jesus as the Ultimate Spiritual Father

30:00 - Local Church vs. Online Instructors

34:00 - Everyday Saints: The Unsung Spiritual Fathers

1. Spiritual fatherhood is essential at every stage of life
2. The local church is where spiritual family happens
3. Biblical discipleship looks like family
4. Spiritual authority isn’t about age—it’s about faithfulness
5. Faithful presence outweighs public platform

Learn more about The Hill Church, Roanoke VA

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

This episode is pretty special. Adam is joined by his mom to talk about spiritual motherhood. Spiritual Mothering is a posture of life more than a thing you do. Being in the word and recognizing that we get to spend time with God and spend time with others, spiritually mothering and discipling. It’s a beautiful GET TO, not a have to. When we’re living in a way that’s more about Jesus and less about ourselves, we get to serve out of that freedom and bless others. 

[00:04:41] Spiritual Heritage

[00:10:29] Faith That Shapes the Home

[00:12:40] Parenting Through Rebellion

[00:14:04] Creating a Safe Space

[00:18:35] Discipleship Is Everyday Life

[00:22:35] Staying Hopeful in Motherhood

[00:25:42] The Role of a Grandmother

[00:29:34] Spiritual Mothering in the Church

[00:32:55] It’s Simpler Than We Think

1. Spiritual motherhood is a posture, not a program.
2. Prayer is the backbone of spiritual legacy.
3. Home is a primary space for discipleship.
4. Older women must move toward and support younger women.

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

In this episode, Chelsea and Ty unpack the nature of friendship—how it shifts across seasons of life, what it means to be a true friend as Christians, and how our modern, mediated world complicates our longings for connection. They explore the tension between real embodied friendships and virtual/para-social ones, how change (in jobs, marriage, location, spiritual growth) reshapes who “counts” as friend, and how the church as the Body of Christ is meant to be a home for mutual affection, care, and proximity. Intentionality, wisdom, and discernment are emphasized as keys in navigating changing friendships well.

Friendship is chosen. Unlike family, genuine friendship involves mutual affection, choice, investment, and work.

Depth vs breadth. Many people have lots of acquaintances or peer relationships, but few deep friendships; that’s normal, but it also means we must be intentional.

Seasons change & reshape friendships. Jobs, marriage, location, spiritual maturity — these all shift who we spend time with and in what ways. That’s okay; it requires discernment.

Being present & close matters. Physical proximity (or being “near” in relational or spiritual terms) allows vulnerable, caring relationship. Screens/virtual connection help but can’t fully substitute.

Church as community. Local church gathers and smaller circles/home groups are opportunities for real friendship and embodying love in visible, practical ways.

Intentional boundaries and priorities. Saying yes and no well: giving time for relationships you value, choosing less in order to do fewer things more fully, knowing your limits.

No Greater Love by Rebecca McLaughlin

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

In this episode, Adam sits down with pastor and author John Van Sloten to discuss his provoking and worship-inspiring book, God Speaks Science. Together, they explore how science can be a spiritual discipline and a form of divine revelation—right alongside scripture. From the grandeur of supernovas to the mystery of the giant squid, Van Sloten invites us into a world where the natural order shouts the glory of God. The conversation hopefully opens up a deeper appreciation for God’s creativity, intention, and presence in creation.

• God Speaks Science: What Neurons, Giant Squid, and Supernovae Reveal About Our Creator
• The Day Metallica Came To Church
• Every Job a Parable

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with worship leader and songwriter John Marc Kohl, for a vulnerable conversation about the heart of creativity. We talk about what it means to create honest art, the challenge of sharing our gifts, and the tension between inspiration and excellence. John Marc shares how his songwriting journey started with his mom’s choir notes and led to songs that took years to release. Tymarcus opens up about rediscovering his love for hip hop through grief and community. Whether we’re seasoned artists or just trying to steward our creativity, this episode reminds us that good work begins with honesty—and that offering one more “holy” is always worth it.

*One note, Chelsea had technical difficulties. So if you notice her sudden lack of presence...that's why. She'll be back...we think.

02:00 – Getting to know John Marc

03:00 – How songwriting found him: From his mom’s choir class to full-on obsession

05:30 – Tymarcus shares his hip hop roots and the painful season that led him back to creating

09:30 – When we share our work, we share our hearts

12:00 – "The Gap" by Ira Glass: Why doing the work matters even when it’s not great

14:00 – Releasing the song vs. sitting on it: Creating for others, not just ourselves

17:00 – The band years, "Song Boy," and learning to unify our artistic voice

20:00 – The story behind “Still”: Holding onto a song for eight years

24:00 – What makes a song good? We talk honesty, craftsmanship, and collaboration

28:00 – Excellence matters: Giving God our best, not just our effort

33:00 – Growing in our gifts: How being teachable leads to real development

38:00 – Songwriting and mustard plants: Finding inspiration in everyday life

44:00 – Learning to see deeply: How observation makes better art

48:00 – Writing with intention: Offering “one more holy” through our work

52:00 – Final reflections: Create like it matters—because it does

• A Liturgy Before Writing from Every Moment Holy 
• John Mark Kohl 
• Ty. Rashad 
• Nick Box Music

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

We’re back! In this season kickoff, we share a few updates—Elizabeth is stepping back from regular hosting to focus on her own excellent work (peek “Starting Place” podcast), Ty joins us from Virginia where he’s serving with The Hill Church, and Chelsea moves from behind-the-scenes into more on-mic hosting. Then we do what we love: trace the intersections of faith and culture through the summer’s movies, the books on our nightstands, the music in our earbuds, and a bigger conversation about AI, embodiment, and why deeply human art still matters.

02:45 – Elizabeth’s transition & how to support her

04:40 – Ty’s move to Roanoke: joining The Hill Church & early glimpses of God at work

09:00 – Why we review cultural “artifacts” (movies, books, music)

09:25 – Summer movies: Superman, Fantastic Four, Jurassic Park (rewatch)

12:00 – Unexpected gems: Pharrell’s Piece by Piece (Lego biopic); content notes on Sinners (vampire genre)

18:20 – Family-friendly pick: Sketch (Angel Studios)

19:30 – Throwback classic: Chaplin’s The Great Dictator and that famous monologue

23:45 – What old films teach us about hope, moral clarity, and the West

24:50 – Books we’re reading: Hebrews, God Speaks Science, singleness, sports, and Project Hail Mary

28:00 – Music corner: Forrest Frank’s Child of God and why it resonates with families (and Gen Z)

33:30 – The AI curveball: “artists” that aren’t human, Spotify discovery, and why provenance matters

40:15 – Practices for resisting hurry, recovering attention, and choosing humane tech use

43:30 – Season preview, listener invitations, and credits

Podcasts & People

• Starting Place — Elizabeth Woodson

Films & TV

• Superman
• Fantastic Four
• Jurassic Park
• Piece by Piece (Pharrell Williams Lego biopic)
• Sinners — vampire-genre film (content cautions)
• Sketch (Angel Studios) — family-friendly note
• The Great Dictator (1940, dir./star Charlie Chaplin) — classic monologue reference
• The Diplomat — anticipation for Season 3

Books

• Hebrews (book of the Bible)
• God Speaks Science — John Van Sloten
• Single Ever After — Daniel Treweek
• Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir (audiobook recommended)

Music

• Forrest Frank — Child of God (album)

Instagram

Youtube

-- 

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]