The Common Good Podcast

Brian From is joined by author and speaker Arlene Pellicane to talk about National Marriage Week and why intentionality matters so much in long-term relationships. Arlene shares practical, hopeful ways couples can move beyond simply coexisting and rediscover connection, purpose, and joy—especially in seasons like parenting transitions and empty nesting. The conversation encourages couples to take small, meaningful steps toward growth and reminds listeners that strong marriages don’t happen by accident, but by choice.

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Brian From is joined by Pastor Aaron Byers of Calvary Christian Church in Royal Oak, Michigan to talk about legacy, calling, and what it means to pastor a truly family-centered church. Aaron shares his journey from business into ministry, his experience stepping into leadership after his father, and why investing deeply in kids and community is essential in a fragmented, lonely culture. The conversation offers a hopeful reminder that real connection, biblical purpose, and putting God first are still the foundation for a flourishing church and a healthy life.

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Brian From reflects on what it truly means to affirm the image of God in every person, drawing on Karen Swallow Prior’s call to be pro-life from the womb to the tomb and beyond partisan categories. The hour also challenges Christians to recover the primacy of Scripture in an age of distraction, urging believers to become people shaped not by slogans or brands, but by sustained engagement with God’s Word. From conversations about worship music, church culture, and the lure of success, this episode calls listeners to resist dehumanization, reject brand-driven faith, and live with an eternal perspective that is rich toward God.

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Brian From reflects on a whirlwind of cultural moments—from Super Bowl outrage and social media fatigue to a sobering story of a faithful pastor who died suddenly after preaching the gospel. Along the way, he wrestles with big questions about urgency, suffering, contentment in a cost-of-living crisis, and a provocative Christianity Today debate over wine versus grape juice in communion. The episode closes with a reminder that while culture, technology, and circumstances change rapidly, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever—and still invites us to listen for His voice.

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Brian From is joined in studio by Darius Holland, whose remarkable journey took him from professional football to pastoral ministry and ultimately into U.S. Army chaplaincy. Darius shares how chasing success in the NFL left him empty, and how walking with soldiers through pain, purpose, and faith has become his true calling. The conversation offers a powerful look at spiritual life in the military and invites pastors and leaders to consider chaplaincy as a mission field where the gospel meets real-life brokenness.

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Brian From sits down with Tommy Thompson, pastor of Ashburn Baptist Church, to talk about calling, obedience, and the unexpected journey that brought a Florida pastor to Chicago. Tommy shares how Ashburn has become a hub for church revitalization, helping declining congregations rediscover mission and new life across the Chicagoland area. The conversation is both hopeful and urgent, offering encouragement to pastors and leaders who believe their church’s best days might still be ahead.

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Brian From is joined by singer and worship leader Sarah Scarborough McLaughlin to talk about a special benefit concert supporting Pastor Mark Kaufman and his family as they walk through a cancer journey. Sarah shares her heart for worship, songwriting, and why coming alongside people in tangible ways during seasons of suffering matters so deeply. The conversation highlights the power of music, community, and generosity to create a night that is both joyful and meaningful—lifting hearts while meeting real needs.

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Brian From is joined by Adam Holz of Plugged In for a wide-ranging conversation about what’s worth watching right now—and why discernment matters more than ever. They discuss a surprisingly sweet Kevin James rom-com, a new Amazon series that offers a raw and honest look at a pastor’s family in crisis, and a challenging film that confronts the reality of human trafficking with sobriety and hope. The episode helps listeners think wisely about entertainment, offering options that range from lighthearted escape to stories that demand reflection and compassion.

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Brian From takes on the controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show and questions the habit of framing entertainment choices as moral battles rather than matters of wisdom and discernment. He then turns to a sobering reflection on Bible literacy, responding to a powerful essay by Jen Wilkin that challenges churches to stop lowering the bar and start forming true disciples who know Scripture deeply. The episode weaves together cultural critique, pastoral concern, and spiritual exhortation—calling listeners to prayer that actually prays, faith that trains like an Olympian, and discipleship that embraces both grace and truth.

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Brian From is joined by longtime friend and Wheaton College classmate Marcus Nelson, senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in downtown Wheaton, to talk about calling, ministry, and the surprising journey that brought Marcus back to where it all began. Marcus shares what he loves most about being a pastor, the unique spirit and community of St. John, and why an “ordinary” Christian life rooted in love and contentment is actually extraordinary. The conversation closes with a pastoral word of hope for anyone feeling weary, reminding listeners that real hope is found in being loved by God and loving others in return.

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