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]
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• 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.