Critics have recently accused the Black Church of promoting "ethnic idolatry," but is that fair, or even historically accurate? Esau McCaulley is joined by Kaitlyn Schiess and producer Mike to unpack where the Black Church came from, why it exists, and what these critiques reveal about American Christianity. Then, is it ok to have joy in the midst of so much suffering and why did we talk about the Taylor Swift album when it is full of explicit material? Also, we break down the latest culture-war controversy over the Super Bowl halftime show.

0:00 - Theme Song

3:45 - Contract Demands for Holy Post

6:54 - Why is there a Black Church?

11:43 - Virality vs Conversation

16:25 - Kaitlyn Left Out of the Taylor Swift Episode?

20:30 - Is it Wrong to Be Happy?

28:16 - Talking About Secular Art

35:00 - Bad Bunny's American Half-Time

44:25 - End Credits

Federal immigration raids have swept through Chicago under "Operation Midway Blitz," leaving neighborhoods filled with fear, tear gas, and helicopters overhead. Esau McCaulley, producer Mike, and pastor Pricelis Perreaux-Domínguez ask how Christians should respond when law enforcement tactics strip away human dignity, what it means to defend the image of God in our neighbors, and how the cruelty of the Trump administration cannot be ignored. Then, what does the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl Halftime Performer say about belonging, hospitality, and who America welcomes to the stage? Also, social media usage is down everywhere but one country. Can you guess which one? And is The Princess Bride a perfect movie?

0:00 - Theme Song

0:15 - Producer Mike's Car Wreck

3:55 - What Movies Shouldn't Be Remade?

8:25 - Chicago's ICE Raids

16:37 - Apartment Raids

24:10 - Bad Bunny SuperBowl Controversy

36:13 - Social Media Use is Going Down?

Being a Sanctuary: The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to Be Sacred, Soft, and Safe by Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez: https://a.co/d/gLSFArw

Taylor Swift just dropped her 12th studio album, and everyone's talking about it—including us. Esau, producer Mike, and our resident Swift correspondent Lindsey Goetz break down their first impressions, favorite tracks, and the themes that make the album worth more than just pop-culture buzz. What does it mean to stay tender in a world that hardens us? How do we rebuild trust after disappointment? And how can art, even from outside the church, help us recognize the beauty of grace in the rubble of our failures? Whether or not you're a Swifty, this conversation offers insight into why music matters for faith and why the questions in her songs are also questions for the people of God.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:45 - Esau's New Shirt

2:17 - Initial Impressions

8:42 - The Eras

18:53 - What's Taylor's Music About?

22:03 - Why Engage with Secular Art?

25:30 - Pushing Back on Taylor

29:57 - End Credits

Matt Forte is remembered as one of the Chicago Bears' all-time greats, but now he's tackling something different: helping people find purpose that lasts beyond their career. Esau McCaulley and producer Mike sit down with Forte to talk about his new book Staying in the Game: Making the Most of Every Season. Forte opens up about walking away from the NFL, redefining success, and why our identity can't be built on stats, fame, or jersey numbers.

0:00 - Theme Song

0:15 - Are Esau and Mike athletes?

6:15 - Why'd He Get Into Writing?

10:56 - Matt's Spiritual Development

18:20 - Sponsor - God's Colorful Kingdom Storybook Bible - Available now, a kid's storybook Bible from Esau McCaulley: https://a.co/d/hVy8aUl

19:15 - Resisting Vanity

25:17 - Ministering to Athletes

37:12 - End Credits

Stay in the Game: Making the Most of Every Season by Matt Forte: https://a.co/d/3AYKev7

A foul ball at a Phillies game turns into a viral outrage story. Esau, Malcolm Foley, and producer Mike unpack why the internet can't tell the difference between minor annoyances and real injustice. Then, Florida decided to end the vaccine requirements for kids. What's really at stake in the parental rights debate? Also, the crew looks at how Disney has gone from a family vacation destination to now overly catering to the wealthy, and what that reveals about greed, inequality, and the middle class. And, Esau channels his inner Michael Jordan and pulls off his own flu game.

0:00 - Theme Song

6:20 - Woman Labeled, "Philly Karen"

15:56 - Sponsor - God's Colorful Kingdom Storybook Bible - Available now, a kid's storybook Bible from Esau McCaulley: https://a.co/d/hVy8aUl

18:40 - Mandated Vaccines and Regulation

26:32 - Invoking Slavery in Public Discourse

31:17 - Disney and the Middle Class

46:23 - End Credits

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Americans are left reeling. The violence is shocking and upsetting, but it also reveals the depth of our country's divides. Esau is joined by Christina Edmondson of Truth's Table to reflect on what this moment means for the church and the wider culture. They consider the tension between honoring Kirk's dignity and confronting his harmful rhetoric, why Black Christians experience these events differently, and what it means to love enemies without excusing injustice.

0:00 - Theme Song

1:34 - Being a Pastor During the Charlie Kirk Assassination

11:38 - Threats Towards Black Schools

31:07 - Sponsor - God's Colorful Kingdom Storybook Bible - Available now, a kid's storybook Bible from Esau McCaulley: https://a.co/d/hVy8aUl

32:51 - Student Evaluations Disrupting Colleges?

48:45 - End Credits

Preorder Christina Edmondson's book now: https://a.co/d/6IVi10n

Conservative Political Activist and CEO of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated yesterday while speaking on a college campus in Utah. Esau is joined by Sharon McMahon and Justin Giboney to talk about this horrific and tragic story. They explore the history of political violence in the country, and discuss why this moment feels different and uniquely troubling. They also discuss what comes next and how both the country, and christians, should move forward in a way that tries to ratchet down the temperature and see the humanity in all.

Please join us in praying for the Kirk family and all those grieving his death.

Esau is joined by New Testament scholar Paul Sloan to talk about his new book Jesus and the Law of Moses. They dig into big questions: Did Jesus and Paul disagree about the law? Did Jesus expect his Jewish followers to keep Torah? What about Gentiles? And what if our picture of the Pharisees as strict legalists is all wrong? Plus, they dive into the debate on whether we're expected to follow the commands in the Sermon on the Mount, or if it's merely supposed to show us our need for grace. Plus, old tech and old athletes.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:22 - AOL Just Got Canned?

6:20 - Do We Treat Hymns Like AOL?

18:13 - Sponsor - No Small Endeavor - Award-winning podcast where theologians, philosophers, and best-selling authors talk about faith with Lee C. Camp. Start listening today: https://pod.link/1513178238

19:22 - Is the Law Here to Make Us Want Grace?

26:40 - Jesus and Ritual Purity

41:44 - End Credits

Jesus and the Law of Moses: The Gospels and the Restoration of Israel Within First-Century Judaism by Paul T. Sloan: https://a.co/d/5gnNBBQ

Recently, Donald Trump criticized the Smithsonian for focusing too much on slavery, insisting that America's history should be more "positive" and less "woke." But can we really tell the story of America without telling the story of human bondage? Esau and Justin Giboney dig into the politics of memory, the temptation to idolize America, and why Christians in particular must insist on telling the truth about our history, both the glory and the shame. Plus, the myth of cancel culture from Paula Deen to Colin Kaepernick, Cracker Barrel outrage, and should we all be corny like Russel Wilson?

0:00 - Theme Song

1:33 - Who gets called "Corny?" Why Russell Wilson?

8:05 - Trump on Smithsonian and Slavery

25:40 - They're rich, travel, and love to complain

33:10 - Self-Help Makes You a Jerk?

43:02 - End Credits

When the military becomes a political pawn? As Esau and Producer Mike break down Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to D.C., Esau reflects on his family's experience in the military and the heavy cost of deployments for morale, families, and democracy itself. Then, adult summer camps are on the rise. Are they the answer to America's loneliness epidemic, or is there an easier and less expensive way to make friends after college? Plus, listener questions about faith in difficult workplaces, the value of liturgy, and the beliefs Esau has changed his mind on over time. 0:00 - Theme Song

7:30 - National Guard in DC

19:45 - Summer Camp for Adults

24:08 - Do Men Need Activity to Socialize?

29:27 - Top TV shows/movies?

33:17 - Vocation and Faith

45:22 - End Credits

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