What has play got to do with suffering? 

Annie F. Downs has built her career on having fun. Her New York Times bestseller titles include That Sounds Fun, Remember God, and 100 Days to Brave. Her new book for kids seems very different from the fun-loving Downs. 

Downs explains how the death of her nephew TJ led her to write a children's book to help kids (and grownups) understand suffering and loss at the same time as the love of God. 

In this episode, Downs tells us what surprised her about how kids respond to this kind of suffering and what that taught her about getting rid of fake platitudes, about what to do when someone you love is hurting, and about how to genuinely grieve while still recognizing a world of joy, hope, and even fun.

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American Christians ought to care about how Venezuelan gang members are deported.

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“ It may not be until the new heavens and the new earth, but we’re eventually going to know that God had goodness that was behind the dark clouds of our lives.”

So says Mark Vroegop, newly appointed president of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, during his conversation with Russell Moore. Moore and Vroegop talk about the ways TGC has evolved since its founding through leaders such as Tim Keller and Don Carson. They talk about the nature of belief, how trust in Jesus alters our understanding of who we are, and navigating seasons of doubt. Their conversation covers ministry partnerships, vocational decision making, and the importance of deep friendships. 

Moore and Vroegop consider what the Psalms have to say about seasons of doubt and grief, the relationship between character and gifting, and trust in the goodness of God.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

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Russell shares how a piece of art showed him he wasn’t thinking big enough about the church.

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When Time magazine named Stanley Hauerwas “America’s Best Theologian” in 2001, Hauerwas replied, “‘Best’ is not a theological category.”

This response encapsulates the work and conversational style of Hauerwas, who joined Moore to discuss his new collection of essays, Jesus Changes Everything: A New World Made Possible. With his signature approach that prompts the audience to wonder if there’s another way to think about a topic, Hauerwas talks about the books that shaped him, how he came to be a theologian, and why he believes that being a Christian is the most interesting thing that could happen to a person.

Moore and Hauerwas consider the importance of Christian friendship, the person of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the life-changing power of the truth. The two offer poignant, practical insights for reclaiming Christian vocabulary and better understanding our lives as narrated by Christ.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

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From care for aging parents to concerns about money, life for modern-day Christians can feel, in a word, overwhelming. Russell Moore and Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, offer words of wisdom and a sense of solidarity with listener questions about all kinds of challenges. They provide practical advice, spiritual comfort, and reasons for hope in family life, social relationships, and society at large.

Questions addressed during this episode include:

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Resources:

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Morally, the surrender of Ukraine will cost us.

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In this episode, theologian Russell Moore sits down with acclaimed poet and philosopher David Whyte to explore the terrain where faith meets poetry. Beginning with Whyte’s new book Consolations II, their conversation traverses the landscapes of language, spirituality, and what it means to be fully present in a fractured world.

Whyte, whose work bridges the philosophical traditions of the East and West with the everyday struggles of being human, offers profound insights on why poetry serves as more than mere decoration—it becomes essential language for our deepest experiences. Moore—bringing his biblical, theological perspective—and Whyte dialogue about the “conversational nature of reality” that Whyte proposes and discuss how it resonates with and challenges Christian understandings of communion with God.

Their discussion moves through territories both intimate and universal:

While coming from different spiritual traditions, Moore and Whyte explore together how human experience requires language that opens rather than closes, invites rather than insists. Their conversation models what genuine dialogue across philosophical differences can look like—curious, generous, and alive to mystery.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

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Russell shares counsel to a Christian who is discouraged almost to the point of giving up.

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In times of profound crisis, where do we turn? How do spiritual practices and Christian wisdom help us navigate life’s most challenging seasons? In this episode, Russell Moore sits down with Westmont College president Gayle Beebe to explore themes from his book The Crucibles That Shape Us. Together, they unpack how moments of intense pressure and uncertainty—whether personal, professional, or spiritual—can become transformative experiences that deepen our faith and character.

Drawing from decades of pastoral and educational leadership, Beebe shares insights about facing crossroads with wisdom, courage, and resilience. Moore and Beebe discuss practical ways to maintain spiritual equilibrium during upheaval, the role of community in crisis, and ways to discern God’s presence in our darkest hours. This conversation offers hope and guidance for listeners wrestling with their own crucible moments, and it also explores how Christian formation happens not despite our trials but often through them.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

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