In this episode, David Kinnaman and Ashley LaLonde sit down with Tara-Leigh Cobble, best-selling author, creator and host of The Bible Recap, and founder of D-Group International, to explore new Barna data on Bible engagement—including that 42% of U.S. adults now say they read the Bible weekly, up 12 points from the 15-year low of 30% in 2024. Together, they unpack the difference between reading Scripture and being formed by it, why Tara-Leigh finished her first read-through of the whole Bible with unexpected feelings—and what changed the second time, why loving the Bible always shows up as inviting someone else into it, and why a generation surrounded by AI-generated content is reaching for ancient truths it can stand on.

Episode Links

• Start reading with The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh's daily podcast and chronological one-year Bible reading plan.
• Explore Tara-Leigh Cobble's books, including The Bible Recap and He's Where the Joy Is.
• Join a D-Group — an international network of 300+ weekly Bible studies meeting in homes, churches, and online.
• Study the Bible on site in Israel with Israelux Tours.
• Download the free 10 Trends Shaping Faith, Culture & the Future of the Church report from Barna and Gloo.
• Watch this episode on Barna's YouTube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, Ashley LaLonde and David Kinnaman sit down with Carey Nieuwhof, bestselling author, podcaster, and founder of the Art of Leadership Academy, to explore new Barna data on AI and the church—including that 41% of pastors say AI has helped them with Bible comprehension and study. Together, they unpack why authenticity and a pastor's own voice matter more than ever in an AI-assisted sermon, Carey's litmus test for when AI use has gone too far ("if you're uncomfortable disclosing how you use it, you're probably overusing it"), and why the church may be the last truly human place in an increasingly artificial world. Plus, a bonus conversation between David and Pushpay CEO Kenny Wyatt discussing Barna's newest study with Pushpay, Technology for Missional Impact.

Episode Links

• Get Carey Nieuwhof's new book, AI and the Future Church.
• Download the free Technology for Missional Impact report from Barna and Pushpay.
• Watch this episode on Barna's YouTube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, Ashley LaLonde sits down with Dr. Anita Phillips, trauma therapist, pastor, and author of The Garden Within, to explore new Barna data on the emotional health of young adults — including that 38% of 18–24-year-olds say they constantly feel critical of themselves, afraid to fail, and anxious about important decisions. Together, they unpack why fear, obligation, and guilt have too often stood in for love in Christian discipleship, what it looks like to lead from love instead, and why emotional honesty — not stoicism—is the example Jesus himself set.

Episode Links

• Download this free resource to discover trends that are shaping the church.
• Watch this episode on Barna's YouTube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, David Kinnaman sits down with Ashley LaLonde, Barna's Head of Insights, to explore new data showing that 80% of Americans believe there's a spiritual or supernatural dimension to life. Together, they unpack what it looks like to live an invitational life instead of delivering a rehearsed pitch, and why prayer, honesty, and proximity to people outside the church are becoming the most powerful tools for gospel conversations today.

Episode Links

• Download this free resource to discover trends that are shaping the church.
• Watch this episode on Barna's YouTube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, Ashley LaLonde sits down with Mike Kelsey, pastor at McLean Bible Church in the DC metro area, to explore new Barna data on pastoral burnout — including that 38% of pastors who have considered leaving full-time ministry cite political divisions as a primary reason. Together, they unpack what it looks like to lead a multi-ethnic congregation through charged cultural moments, the difference between righteous anger and algorithm-driven outrage, and why the church must choose to be discipled by the Word rather than the world.

Episode Links

• Download this free resource to discover trends that are shaping the church.
• Watch this episode on Barna's YouTube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, David Kinnaman sits down with pastor, author, and speaker Bryan Loritts to explore new Barna data on men and church attendance, including a striking finding that 62% of married dads are now the most consistent churchgoers of any parent group, outpacing married moms by 15 points. Together, they unpack what's driving men back to church. Bryan brings both the data and the lived experience, sharing what he's learned raising three young adult sons, why the moments that stick are never the ones you planned, and how watching his own kids initiate with him changed the way he thinks about his relationship with his father. Together, they unpack what it means to parent each child according to their unique wiring, how to step out from a father's shadow and into your own identity, and the grace that fatherhood, human and divine, invites us into.

Episode Links:

• Explore Spiritual Fathers—a resource designed to equip mature Christian men to intentionally mentor and disciple younger men
• Watch this episode on Barna’s Youtube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, David Kinnaman sits down with Dr. Frank Newport, Gallup Senior Scientist and former Editor-in-Chief of the Gallup Poll, to explore new Barna and Gallup data on a striking rise in religiosity among young men — including a 14-point jump in those who say religion is "very important" and a 15-point rise in male church attendance. But perhaps the most surprising finding: the longstanding gender gap in faith among 18–29-year-olds has virtually disappeared. Together, they unpack what's driving this unexpected shift, how politics and religion may be influencing each other, and what church leaders should understand about reading, and misreading research in a noisy information environment.

Episode Links

• Download this free resource to discover trends that are shaping the church.
• Watch this episode on Barna’s Youtube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, David Kinnaman and Ashley LaLonde sit down with evangelist, author, and activist Christine Caine to explore new Barna data on faith commitment in America — including a striking 20-point drop in Christians who say their faith is "very important" to their lives. But Christine sees something different beneath that number: the quiet death of cultural Christianity and a global surge in genuine spiritual hunger. Together, they unpack why this moment may be the most open era for the gospel in a generation, what moves someone from nominal belief to a flourishing, activated faith, and why the church's greatest witness right now might simply be learning to bear fruit in a barren season.

Episode Links

• Download this free resource to discover trends that are shaping the church.
• Watch this episode on Barna’s Youtube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this episode, Ashley LaLonde sits down with pastor, author and leadership coach Jo Saxton to explore new Barna data on motherhood and spiritual formation — including why 53% of teenagers name their mom as their most trusted source for guidance on faith. Together, they unpack the everyday "in-between" moments where faith is formed, the difference between performing faith and living it, and what it means to be a faithful spiritual parent in a culture of eroded trust.

In this episode, David Kinnaman and Ashley Lalonde  sit down with Andy Crouch to explore new Barna data on AI adoption among Christians and pastors, and what it reveals about the future of faith and culture. Together, they unpack the rise of “easy everywhere” technology, the growing influence of AI in Bible study and why human formation still requires something technology can’t provide.

You’ll also hear why practices like silence, solitude and focused attention matter more than ever—and how the Church can resist digital distraction while forming people for depth, resilience and real connection.

• Download this free resource to discover trends that are shaping the church.
• Watch this episode on Barna’s Youtube Channel.
• View all Faith and Culture Report podcast episodes on our podcast page.