The Common Good Podcast

When Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey was released after speaking openly about his Christian faith and pushing back on the NBA's Pride Month celebrations, it sparked a conversation much bigger than basketball. Brian From sits down with Paul Batura — Vice President of Communications at Focus on the Family and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Citizen — to unpack what the Ivey story reveals about religious freedom in America today. From the courtrooms of Colorado to the locker rooms of the NBA, Paul and Brian explore where Christians have room to speak, where the culture is pushing back, and how believers can navigate faith in the workplace with both boldness and wisdom.

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Brian From reflects on the anxieties of Tax Day and the deeper question of contentment in uncertain times. He shares a powerful story of courage as a high school principal risks his life to stop a potential tragedy, raising the question: would we have the same courage? Brian also explores the challenging story of Jonah, unpacking themes of grace, judgment, and God’s relentless compassion. Along the way, he considers what it means to trust God even when life doesn’t improve, drawing insight from worship music, personal struggle, and the call to live every part of life for God’s glory.

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Brian From reacts to the firestorm over President Trump's AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like pose — and why even his staunchest Christian supporters called it blasphemy. From there: the weird zombie passage in Matthew 27 that nobody preaches on Easter, whether most Christians are secretly prosperity gospel believers without knowing it, why evangelism doesn't have to feel like a shipwreck, and a closing reflection on our longing for home from Psalm 84.

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If you've ever wondered whether you're really hearing from God or just talking to yourself, you're not alone. Author Rachel Groll joins Brian From to discuss her new daily devotional Hearing Jesus, why she believes the Psalms are the perfect school for learning to recognize God's voice, and how seasons of deep pain can actually sharpen our spiritual hearing.

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A Virginia megachurch made headlines for all the right reasons — and Brian Fromm wants to make sure you heard about it. Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria raised over a million dollars through its Easter offering and used every penny to stop the eviction of 338 families in public housing. That's the church being the church. From there, Brian reflects on the Sunday after Easter and why every Sunday — not just one day in April — is Resurrection Sunday. He also draws some unexpected life lessons from Rory McIlroy's Masters victory, looks at what it practically means to raise children who love the church, and weighs in on a Truth Social post from President Trump that Brian believes every Christian — regardless of politics — should be uncomfortable with. Plus, a brief but powerful dive into one of the shortest books in the Bible: Philemon, and why its one-chapter story of a runaway slave carries the full weight of the gospel.

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What if the child doctors told you to let go became the greatest teacher of your life? Brian From sits down with Ken and Mary Sue Grein, whose son Jacob defied every medical expectation — living 37 remarkable years despite cerebral palsy, deafness, a kidney transplant, and a lifetime of physical challenges. Far from a story of hardship, Jacob's life was defined by joy, humor, and a remarkable ability to draw out the best in everyone he met. Ken and Mary Sue share how Jacob transformed their family, shaped their three other children, and pointed them all toward a deeper faith. They also discuss the upcoming film adaptation of Jacob's life and where you can find his story today. If you're carrying something heavy right now, this conversation is for you.

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Financial anxiety, a $100 million church renovation, and Joel Osteen's mansion — Brian opens the show with some honest questions about money, contentment, and whether our attitudes toward both line up with the posture of Jesus. Then, a disturbing story from one of the country's largest school districts, where teachers may be keeping parents in the dark about their children's gender transitions. Plus: the fascinating differences of Gen Z, including why nearly half of them report feeling anxious all the time. Brian closes with a convicting list from pastor JD Greer — five subtle symptoms of a spiritual heart condition — and a challenge to stop hiding behind correct doctrine and a busy calendar, and return to your first love.

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Brian is joined by his weekly guest Adam Holtz from Plugged In, Focus on the Family's media review ministry, for a Friday rundown of what's worth your time — and what to know before you watch. First, Adam shares exciting news about an Adventures in Odyssey animated film in development, Journey into the Impossible, an origin story for the beloved Mr. Whitaker that fans can actually help bring to life through crowdfunding. Then, a look at Plugged In's new technology section, built to help parents navigate the real, messy questions about screen time, video games, and kids and devices. Finally, two movies hitting screens this weekend: the anime romance Chao, a Little Mermaid-adjacent story that's a little harder to explain than it sounds, and You, Me, and Tuscany, a new rom-com starring Halle Bailey that Brian is very much already on board for.

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What does a $22 smoothie have to do with your faith? More than you'd think. Brian unpacks a fascinating study on why Americans keep splurging even when the economy feels uncertain — and finds a surprisingly deep spiritual truth underneath the consumer psychology. He also reflects on Elisabeth Elliot's challenge to live with "reckless abandon for the Lord," the powerful story of Jesus restoring Peter after his denial, and what God's repeated promise to Joshua — "Do not fear, for I am with you" — means for whatever you're facing today. Plus: the Artemis II mission, a Birmingham baptism gone tragically wrong, and when to stay in a broken church (and when to go).

Brian also shares a personal milestone: six months into his new role as campus pastor at Compass Church in Hinsdale, IL — and what he's learned about identity, healing, and God's faithfulness after a season of deep church hurt.

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A landmark Supreme Court decision — decided 8 to 1 — just struck down a Colorado law banning certain forms of counseling for minors. But what does it actually mean for families, therapists, and states across the country? Brian sits down with Jeff Johnston, issues analyst and writer for Focus on the Family's Daily Citizen, to break it all down. They discuss what "conversion therapy" actually is (and isn't), how this ruling affects the 20+ states with similar laws, and what parents of kids struggling with sexual identity questions can do right now. Plus, Jeff shares practical advice for Christian parents on how to love their kids well while holding to their faith.

Learn more at DailyCitizen.org

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