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Good Faith

Good Faith

Join host Curtis Chang and his friends as they follow Jesus and make sense of the world. With expertise, thoughtfulness, and humor, they discuss how Christian faith intersects with culture, politics, work, entertainment, and other aspects of life. Good Faith is produced by Redeeming Babel. Good Faith is ranked in the top .5 percent of all podcasts.

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 47 min
  • English
  • Thursday · 54 min

    What the Heck Is a Democratic Socialist? with David French

    Untangling America's Socialist Fever and Fear Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith "founding friend" David French ask whether democratic socialism is your grandparents' socialism, the left's answer to MAGA, or something more sinister. They unpack what Christians should make of its growing influence by exploring the DSA, economic inequality, America's national debt, the influence of Big Tech, and why Christians who feel politically homeless still have an obligation to stay engaged. 00:44 - Introduction to Democratic Socialism 02:19 - Can We Define a Democratic Socialist? 04:04 - Should Socialism Scare Us? 08:39 - Is the DSA the Left's MAGA? 17:38 - The Electoral Risk of Extremism 21:21 - Is There a Theological Take on Socialism? 25:19 - Has Debt Seized the Means of Production? 28:45 - Policy Must Be Effective, Not Just Well-Intentioned 33:13 - The Role of Economics in Moral Reasoning 34:19 - The Homeless Political Middle 36:43 - The Legitimate Grievances Fueling Extremism 42:08 - Socialism and the Threat of Big Tech 43:52 - The Presumption of Socialism and Economic Freedom 47:13 - Encouragement for the Politically Homeless To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate Mentioned in This Episode: Ten Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Arguments for Socialism and Why They're Wrong (CATO Institute) Hasan Piker: What You Need to Know (Anti-Defamation League) Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum (the basis for solidarity and subsidiarity) Congressional Budget Office: the federal debt / long-term budget outlook What is the Federal Debt right now? (Peter G. Peterson Foundation) Noah Smith: No one knows how much the government can borrow David French's How Can America Be So Miserable When It's So Rich? Starlink in the Russian-Ukrainian war More about labor leader Eugene Debs More about 20th Century economist Friedrich August Hayek Scriptures: Proverbs 22:7 (ESV) 1 Kings 19:18 (ESV) Romans 11:4 (ESV) More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E247
    August 20 · 50 min

    What Loneliness Is Trying to Tell You with Dr. Alison Cook

    Why Are We So Lonely Even When We're Not Alone? Host Curtis Chang talks with psychologist and podcaster Dr. Alison Cook about why America's loneliness epidemic can't be solved by simply adding more people to our lives. They explore how attachment wounds, anxiety, distraction, and modern life leave us disconnected—and how solitude and honest prayer can become paths toward healing. Dr. Cook offers a practice for loneliness: "recognize and return"—name what you feel, then remember, "I am loved even here." 02:46 - Why Do We Minimize Loneliness? 05:12 - What Is Attachment Theory? 10:31 - Childhood Wounds and Cultural Context 13:42 - Where God Enters the Healing Process 16:14 - The Inner Dialogue with God 20:44 - The Importance of Solitude 27:20 - The Modern Epidemic of Loneliness 35:16 - Loneliness as a Holy Longing 39:22 - Spiritual Practices for a Healthy Inner Life To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Cook's The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy The U.S. Surgeon General's report: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation Professor Irvin D. Yalom's Existential Psychotherapy Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together Scriptures: Psalm 42 (ESV) Psalm 131 (ESV) Psalm 139 (ESV) Genesis 2 (ESV) Romans 8 (ESV) More From Alison Cook: Dr. Alison Cook's Website Dr. Alison Cook's The Best of You podcast Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E246
    August 13 · 1 hr 7 min

    Andy Crouch: Defending the Human Mind in an AI World

    Do friction, struggle, and silence make you fully human? AI can generate an answer, but it cannot suffer with you, worship, love a neighbor, or become wise. Host Curtis Chang and Andy Crouch, the partner for theology and culture at Praxis, explore how AI may weaken our minds, distort relationships, and tempt us to outsource the very experiences that form wisdom, wonder, and sacrificial love. From chatbot "companionship" and AI-assisted grief to medicine, spiritual counsel, and the loss of silence, Curtis and Andy ask whether convenience is quietly creating a kind of cognitive metabolic syndrome and what we can do about it. 00:01:22 - Introduction to AI's Impact on Our Minds. 00:04:35 - Lessons from Social Media's Evolution 00:08:26 - Cognitive Metabolic Syndrome 00:18:45 - What Is the Purpose of the Human Mind? 00:25:23 - Wonder vs. Power 00:26:49 - Love Requires Suffering and Friction 00:34:38 - The Limits of AI in Healthcare 00:40:53 - The Danger of Outsourcing Life's Hardships 00:51:23 - The Loss of Silence 00:58:11 - The AI Forced Conversation on Being Human 01:01:03 - Practical Ways to Protect Our Humanity To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate Mentioned in This Episode: Andrew Briggs and Roger Wagner's The Penultimate Curiosity: How Science Swims in the Slipstream of Ultimate Questions Thomas Fuchs' In Defence of the Human Being Victor Hugo's Les Misérables Tristan Harris on How AI Worsens Ills Caused by Social Media (The Economist) Explore the work of The Future of Life Institute Emma Pearson's I'd Rather Risk Cancer Than See AI Move This Fast (The Atlantic) Scriptures: Mark 12:30–31 (ESV) Matthew 22:37–39 (ESV) Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV) Luke 10:27 (ESV) More From Andy Crouch: Check out Andy's website Check out Andy's work at Praxis Read Andy's book: The Life We're Looking For Read Andy's book The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E245
    August 6 · 37 min

    When Mental Health Goes Too Far with Matthew Loftus

    How Does Therapy Culture Undermine True Healing? Host Curtis Chang talks with physician and author Matthew Loftus about how therapeutic language can distort ordinary suffering, turn disagreement into "gaslighting," and leave people feeling less capable of changing their lives. They examine the overmedicalization of grief and anxiety, the rise of mental health culture in schools, and why churches risk losing their purpose when pastors start acting like therapists. **This is not an attack on therapy or psychiatric medication. It is a provocative conversation about when mental health care becomes a worldview—and whether our relentless focus on feeling better is actually making us sicker. 02:10 - Therapy Practice vs. Therapy Culture 03:52 - The Importance of Personal Experience 06:34 - The Three Elements of Therapy Culture 10:09 - The Problem with Focusing on Mental Health 13:22 - The Suggestive Power of Diagnosis 15:30 - A Christian Understanding of Suffering 17:57 - Finding Solace in the Midst of Suffering 21:40 - The Role of Medication in Mental Health 25:49 - Knowing When Therapy Becomes Unhelpful 28:30 - The Unique, Healing Functions of the Church 32:21 - How Parents Can Counter Therapy Culture in Schools 35:01 - A Final Word of Encouragement To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate Mentioned in This Episode: Matthew Loftus's Resisting Therapy Culture Curtis Chang's Anxiety Opportunity Kathryn Greene-McCreight's Darkness Is My Only Companion What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Further Reading: DSM5 and the Medicalization of Grief: Two Perspectives (article) Matter over mind: How mental health symptom presentations shape diagnostic outcomes Effectiveness of school-based mental health programs on mental health among adolescents Scriptures: Romans 8:38–39 (ESV) More From Matthew Loftus: Matthew's website Matthew's writing at Mere Orthodoxy Matthew's articles at Plough Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E244
    July 30 · 1 hr 4 min

    The Real Thing Driving American Politics from No Small Endeavor

    Bridging Two Worlds: An American Immigrant's Story of Faith, Anxiety, and Political Calling Today, we are sharing a conversation between Curtis Chang and Lee C. Camp on the Signal Award-winning and 2026 Ambie Award-nominated podcast No Small Endeavor. Hosted by award-winning teacher and Professor of Theology and Ethics Lee C. Camp, No Small Endeavor explores what it means to live a good life through conversations about culture, ideas, and the habits that help people flourish. In this episode, you'll hear from Curtis Chang as he reflects on his experience as a Chinese American immigrant, former pastor, and public theologian, and argues that anxiety sits at the root of America's political crisis. Chang explains how anxiety is rooted in a fear of future loss, and offers actionable ways to name, face, and move through that anxiety with compassion rather than avoidance. You'll also hear Chang and Camp dig into how institutions are made up of people rather than systems, why that means they're capable of being healed rather than torn down, and why refocusing on the how of politics rather than just the what is essential to moving beyond our current moment of division. Follow and listen to more episodes of No Small Endeavor 00:00:19 - Introducing You to No Small Endeavor 00:04:07 - What Is Curtis Chang's Earliest Memory? 00:05:26 - Immigrant Curtis and Cultural Displacement 00:07:24 - The Subtle Art of Bridge Building 00:11:44 - Henry Kissinger and Harvard 00:16:32 - Reconciliation Work in South Africa 00:20:20 - Is Anxiety an Opportunity? 00:27:54 - Anxiety in American Politics 00:39:20 - Are Institutions Multipliers of Humanity? 00:43:44 - The "How" vs. The "What" of Politics 00:50:21 - Curtis Navigates Cynicism 00:54:23 - Pessimism, Hope, and the Resurrection 00:59:40 - The Practice of Contemplative Prayer Mentioned in This Episode: Listen to episodes and follow No Small Endeavor Lee C. Camp's Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians Curtis Chang & Nancy French's The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics Curtis Chang's The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self Projects and Courses: Video Course: The After Party Video Course: The Anxiety Opportunity Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E243
    July 23 · 1 hr 6 min

    David French on How the Confederacy Still Shapes America

    What Does the Confederacy's Legacy Mean for the Modern South and Christian America? Host Curtis Chang and New York Times columnist, and Good Faith podcast "founding friend," David French confront the enduring power of the Confederate myth. David reflects on growing up as a white Southerner in a culture shaped by Confederate symbols, revisionist history, racial injustice, and a deeply rooted shame-and-honor code. Curtis, a Chinese American immigrant, brings an outsider's perspective that challenges familiar assumptions about heritage, memory, and belonging. Together, they examine Confederate monuments, the theological defenses of slavery, the meaning of "heritage, not hate," and whether honest historical reckoning can lead to redemption and reconciliation. 02:51 - Curtis Congratulates David on the Birth of His Latest Grandchild 05:54 - Why Does the Confederacy Still Matter? 10:12 - The South's Distinct Cultural Cohesion 22:19 - "Heritage, Not Hate": A White Southern Perspective 29:52 - Race, Religion, and Revisionism in the South 42:13 - The Resurgence of Explicit Racism 47:20 - What to Do with Confederate Memorials 56:32 - Repenting of Southern Shame-Honor Culture 01:01:32 - Institutions Founded on Injustice Can Carry Spiritual Darkness Sign up for The After Party Informational Webinars Sign up for The Good List Mentioned in This Episode: Learn about the Tulsa Race Massacre Learn about The Great Migration Watch MLK50 Conference (video) More about General George H. Thomas More about the Southern Baptist Convention and slavery What is Kinism More about the South's resistance to Reconstruction Read the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Watch: Selma and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (video) Scriptures: Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) Colossians 2:15 (ESV) Luke 10:25–37 (ESV) Matthew 20:16 (ESV) Matthew 10:39 (ESV) More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E242
    July 16 · 44 min

    When Protestant Curiosity Meets Catholic Wisdom with Pete Wehner

    What can Protestants learn from the Catholic tradition? Host Curtis Chang and The Atlantic writer and former White House staffer Pete Wehner explore how Catholic social teaching—from subsidiarity and solidarity to the preferential option for the poor—offers a rich framework for Christian public life. They consider the limits of sola scriptura, unpack the importance of intellectual rigor, and define Christian humanism. Curtis and Pete also contrast the public faith of Pope Leo XIV and Vice President JD Vance, asking why faithful Christian witness should shape how believers respond to artificial intelligence and other challenges of our time. 02:31 - Does Catholic Theology Meet a Protestant Need? 04:41 - Tradition Is Powerful 08:43 - Does Sola Scriptura Have Limits? 10:19 - Protestant Traditions and Discernment 13:54 - Catholicism's Robust Frameworks 17:08 - Reclaiming Tradition for Protestants 21:36 - Embracing the Life of the Mind 27:22 - Christian Humanism fand 21st Century Questions 30:08 - A Protestant-Catholic Convergence 37:42 - Comparing Visions: JD Vance and Pope Leo 41:16 - The Power of a Faithful Witness Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Referenced in the Episode: Pete Wehner's article American Christians Face a Choice Learn about the seven themes of Catholic social teaching Carl F. H. Henry's The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism Alan Jacobs's The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis Christian Wiman's My Bright Abyss John F. Kennedy's 1960 address to Protestant ministers in Houston (video) Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIII's encyclical on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum Daniel K. Williams on J.D. Vances' Communion What Type of Christian is J. D. Vance? Miroslav Volf on Forgiveness, Justice, and Reconciliation (video) Miroslav Volf & Christian Wiman's Glimmerings Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 127:3–5 (ESV) Acts 2:42–47 (ESV) Luke 4:1–13 (ESV) More from Pete Wehner: Pete Wehner's articles at The Atlantic Pete Wehner's opinion pieces at The New York Times Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E241
    July 9 · 47 min

    Christopher Nolan's Odyssey: What If the Hero Is Lying? with Jessica Hooten Wilson

    The Odyssey Isn't About Monsters. It's About Trust. Before Christopher Nolan brings The Odyssey to the big screen, Curtis Chang and Jessica Hooten Wilson revisit Homer's ancient epic to ask what the story is really about: monsters, homecoming, and the search for truth among intentional lies. They explore why reading The Odyssey still matters in the age of film and AI, how Odysseus forces us to ask who we can trust, and what Christians can learn from Greek myths and pagan gods about the one true God revealed in Scripture. 03:53 - Reading the Homer vs. Watching Matt Damon 05:38 - When to Read the Book First? 11:06 - How "The Odyssey" Changes with the Reader 13:32 - Did A Woman Really Write The Odyssey? 16:50 - What Is The Unreliable Narrator? 23:23 - The Psychological Impact of an Unreliable Narrator 31:27 - A Christian Approach to Greek Mythology 34:37 - Understanding The Greco-Roman Culture of Jesus 41:36 - The Irreplaceable Human Elements of Teaching Literature in the Age of AI Sign up for The After Party Sign up for our newsletter and The Good List Mentioned in This Episode: Homer's The Odyssey (Stanley Lombardo's translation) Homer's The Iliad Nadya Williams's Christians Reading the Classics Yann Martel's Son of Nobody Yann Martel's Life of Pi Edith Hamilton's Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology Natalie Haynes's Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths Christopher Nolan's Memento (trailer) David Fincher's Fight Club (trailer) An Introduction to 1 and 2 Samuel (The story of King David) More From Jessica Hooten Wilson: Jessica Hooten Wilson's website Explore Jessica's books HERE Read articles and Essay by Jessica HERE Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E240
    July 2 · 1 hr

    David French & Russell Moore: America at 250 - When Founding Fathers Meet Modern Faith

    What Does America's 250th Birthday Mean for Its Future and Our Faith? To celebrate America's 250th birthday, Curtis Chang is joined by his The After Party partners David French and Russell Moore to ask how Christians should think about patriotism, democracy, and national identity in a divisive age. Comparing the optimism of the 1976 Bicentennial with today's fractured political climate, they explore America's founding ideals, the promises and failures of liberty and equality, the relationship between Christianity and the American experiment, and the dangers of Christian nationalism. Together, they answer listener questions and offer a vision for faithful civic engagement — one marked by gratitude without idolatry, honesty without despair, and allegiance to Christ above every nation. 00:34 - Introduction to America's 250th Birthday 02:07 - Comparing the 250th with the Bicentennial 09:18 - America's Gifts to the World 16:16 - Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? 25:13 - The Pull of Christian Nationalism 29:29 - Project 2025 & What True American Renewal Requires 36:07 - A Bottom Up Christian Influence on Government 40:30 - Politics is Downstream from Culture 45:14 - Guidance for Pastors on the 250th 48:24 - America's Historical Role in the World 52:22 - Defining Christian Patriotism 58:03 - A Closing Prayer For Our Country Sign up for The After Party More to Listen to: Good Faith 199 – David French asks: What the Heck Is a Christian Nationalist? Good Faith 181 – Can the Church Resist Political Extremism Again? With Paul D. Miller Good Faith 36 – The Religion of American Greatness Good Faith 207 – N.T. Wright Explains Ephesians: The Church, Christian Nationalism, and the Armor of God Referenced in the Episode: Remembering the American Bicentennial Celebration Remembering Operation Sail Remembering the Miracle on Ice Article: Christian Nationalism's Dark Forebears by David French Ben Rhodes' All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches Jon Meacham's American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House Legal Philosophy and the Founding Fathers James Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments Who was the minister, Roger Williams? John Locke's influence and Christian faith & legal philosophy of the American founding The story of Thomas Jefferson & Rev. John Leland Understanding Frederick Douglass and the Constitution Article: How Viktor Orbán's Hungary Eroded the Rule of Law and Free Markets PEPFAR: President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Who is Freddy, the German? Scriptures Referenced: 1 Timothy 2:1–6 (ESV) John 18:36 (ESV) Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV) Micah 6:8 (ESV) Luke 3:12–14 (ESV) Philippians 3:20 (ESV) More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads More From Russell Moore: Sign up for Russell Moore's weekly newsletter Moore to the Point Listen to The Russell Moore Show (podcast) Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E239
    June 25 · 42 min

    Pete Wehner on Pope Leo, Trump, and Protestant America

    How Are Protestants Navigating a Moral and Spiritual Vacuum in Evangelicalism? Host Curtis Chang talks with former White House staffer and Atlantic columnist Pete Wehner about why Pope Leo XIV is resonating with Protestants and evangelicals despite historic theological divides. Together, they explore the Pope's moral leadership while contrasting his dignified, intellectually grounded public witness with Donald Trump's increasingly erratic influence on evangelical political culture. The conversation examines a perceived spiritual leadership vacuum within Protestantism and calls pastors, congregations, and followers of Jesus to cultivate beauty, goodness, and truth as a long-term path toward renewing Christian public witness. 00:34 - Introduction to Pope Leo XIV's Influence 02:29 - Is There a Protestant Appreciation for Catholicism? 03:59 - What Is This Pope's Impact on Public Theology? 06:06 - Papal Influence in Past Administrations 11:19 - The Collapse of Evangelical Public Theology 14:18 - Can Protestants Still Exert Moral Influence? 21:16 - The "Mad King" and Trump's Cognitive Decline 28:42 - What Can Pastors Do? 32:00 - The Importance of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth 37:08 - What Is The Pope's Transcendent Influence? Sign up for the Anxiety Opportunity Course Use the code: Goodfaith Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Referenced in the Episode: Pete Wehner's article "The American Pope vs. the American President" Pete Wehner's article "The Apotheosis of Donald Trump" Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical Letter: Magnifica Humanitas The Madness of King George (YouTube free with ads) David Bentley Hart's The Beauty of the Infinite Wordsworth's The Prelude, Book 14 Good Faith's course: The After Party Scriptures Referenced: 1 Timothy 3 (ESV) Titus 1 (ESV) Protestant and Catholic Leaders Referenced: Pope John Paul II Pope Benedict XVI Pope Francis Reinhold Niebuhr C.S. Lewis Billy Graham Dietrich Bonhoeffer John Stott Karl Barth Oliver O'Donovan Rowan Williams Dr. Tim Keller More from Pete Wehner: Pete Wehner's articles at The Atlantic Pete Wehner's opinion pieces at The New York Times Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E238
    June 18 · 43 min

    Is America's Promise of Freedom Still Unfinished? with Angel Adams Parham

    How Can Freedom, Faith, and the Fight Beyond A Holiday Shape Us? Host Curtis Chang talks with sociologist Dr. Angel Adams Parham about the history of Juneteenth, from the 1865 emancipation announcement in Galveston, Texas, to its meaning for American freedom, racial justice, and collective memory. Together, they explore the spiritual resilience of the Black church, its influence on Christian theology and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and why Juneteenth matters for all Americans. They also consider how Christians can celebrate Juneteenth with both joy and historical honesty. 02:05 - The Historical Story of Juneteenth 05:11 - What Were the Limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation? 09:28 - An American Pattern of Incomplete Freedom 13:34 - How Do We Preserve the Meaning of Juneteenth? 19:24 - The Pain of Historical Erasure & Cultural Setbacks 23:43 - Scripture as a Freedom Narrative Fostering Resilience 29:22 - The Universal Longing To Be Free 32:06 - The Black Church's Contribution to the Christian Story 35:54 - Embodied Practices for Juneteenth 39:09 - The Spiritual Promise of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" Register for our America 250 episode recording with Russell Moore and David French Sign up for the Anxiety Opportunity Course Use the code: Goodfaith Referenced in the Episode: Transcript of The Emancipation Proclamation Union General Gordon Granger's announcement: General Order No. 3 Claude Atcho's Reading Black Books Frederick Douglass' "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" (pdf) Transcription of an interview with ex-slave Felix Haywood Reggie L. Williams' Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus Phillis Wheatley's letter to Rev. Samson Occom James Weldon Johnson's poem Lift Every Voice and Sing Manhattan Harmony Four's recording Lift Every Voice And Sing The Fisk University Quartet's Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Scriptures Referenced: Exodus 12:31–15:21 (ESV) Isaiah 61 (ESV) Leviticus 25 (ESV) Luke 4:14–30 (ESV) More From Dr. Angel Adams Parham: Dr. Parham's bio: the University of Virginia Dr. Parham's Website Dr. Parham's book The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E237
    June 11 · 33 min

    Nicholas Carr: Superbloom or Social Doom? The Tech Rewiring of Our Minds and Humanity

    What does it mean to stay fully human in the age of AI? Host Curtis Chang sits down with Pulitzer Prize finalist and acclaimed technology critic Nicholas Carr to explore how AI, social media, and digital life are reshaping human attention, identity, education, and spiritual formation. Carr warns that technologies promising efficiency often erode the embodied presence, deep thinking, struggle, and meaningful friction that make us fully human. Together, Curtis and Nicholas uncover surprising common ground in the urgent work of preserving human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. 00:37 - Introduction to Nicholas Carr and His work 03:52 - What Is Technology's Social Impact 04:03 - Disembodied Communication and Negative Emotions 05:27 - What It Means to Be Truly Human 11:32 - Information vs. Formation 14:38 - Why Is AI So Unsettling? 18:54 - Stop Rushing the Adoption of AI in Education 22:02 - AI and the Erosion of the Self 25:08 - An Institutional Response to AI 27:36 - Forming the Next Generation 31:10 - Countercultural Imperatives for Leaders Register for our America 250 episode recording with Russell Moore and David French Sign up for the Anxiety Opportunity Course Use the code: Goodfaith Mentioned in This Episode: Nicholas Carr's The Atlantic article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Nicholas Carr's The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains Nicholas Carr's Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation Vatican document on AI, Antiqua et Nova The Christian Scholars' Conference at Pepperdine University More From Nicholas Carr: Nicholas Carr's website Nicholas Carr's Substack: New Cartographies Nichoals Carr's blog: Rough Type Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E235
    June 4 · 45 min

    Molly Worthen: Is College Killing Christian Faith or Awakening It?

    Have You Ever Met a Secular Professor Who Became a Christian? In this episode of Good Faith, Curtis Chang talks with historian and UNC professor Molly Worthen about her surprising journey from secular skeptic to Christian believer—and what her story reveals about faith, doubt, college, and perceived crises in higher education. They explore why so many Christian students struggle with faith on secular campuses, how parents can help college-bound kids find mentors and community, and how Christian study centers are creating spaces for honest questions, intellectual formation, and spiritual growth. Molly also explains why the search for meaning in the age of AI may open new doors for Christian faith to thrive. 02:58 - Professor Molly Worthen Describes Her Faith Journey 06:22 - Is The Resurrection a Historical Truth? 10:23 - Molly's Leap of Faith Was Intellectual 11:25 - Why Do Students Leave Church in College? 13:48 - The Role of Christian Study Centers 19:49 - Students Seeking Mentorship 25:41 - Faith, Politics, and Crisis of Meaning 29:43 - The Timeless Questions of Faith Are Still the Dominant Ones 31:14 - What's The Professional Cost of Being a Public Christian on Campus? 34:01 - Can You Have a Healthy Relationship With Doubt? 39:28 - Advice for Parents of College-Bound Students More about the Consortium of Christian Study Centers More about the North Carolina Study Center Register for our America 250 episode recording with Russell Moore and David French Mentioned in This Episode: Molly Worthen's Spellbound LifeWay Research: Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church as Young Adults Tim Keller's The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism More From Molly Worthen: Molly Worthen's faculty page at UNC Molly Worthen's website Molly Worthen's Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelicalism Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E234
    May 28 · 57 min

    Andy Crouch: If UFOs Reveal Alien Life, Would Christians Be Ready?

    Are Aliens Demons, Our Cosmic Neighbors, or Something Stranger? Host Curtis Chang and author Andy Crouch explore the theological implications of UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and the possibility that humans are not the only created beings in the cosmos. They ask whether aliens should be understood as material creatures, angels and demons, image bearers, or cosmic neighbors—and what Scripture, Christian theology, and even Aquinas suggest about our human uniqueness. Along the way, they consider whether first contact would reveal Christian love, humility, and wonder—or our instinct toward fear and domination. 00:47 - Introduction to Alien Life and Declassified UFO Reports 02:19 - Do Aliens Exist? 08:32 - The Value of Pondering Alien Life 13:02 - Aliens vs. Angels and Demons 23:18 - God's Mysterious Creatures in Scripture 27:42 - The Octopus Dilemma and Human Specialness 38:26 - Missional Work and Alien Life? 44:26 - The Nature of God's Love 48:49 - Domination or Love : The Human Response to Aliens 50:58 - Andy Imagines Worshipping with Cosmic Neighbors Turn on Apple Podcasts Automatic Downloads: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Apps, then tap Podcasts. Tap Automatically Download, then tap an option. Tip: To automatically download episodes from a particular podcast, go to the Podcasts app on your iPhone, tap Library, then tap Shows. Touch and hold the show, then tap Settings. Tap Automatically Download to limit automatic downloads to a certain number of episodes or a timeframe. Sign up for the Anxiety Opportunity Course Use the code: Goodfaith Scriptures Referenced: Job 1–2 (ESV) Job 38–41 (ESV) Genesis 1–2 (ESV) Genesis 4 (ESV) Ephesians 2 (ESV) 2 Peter 1:4 (ESV) Romans 8 (ESV) Isaiah 11 (ESV) Romans 10 (ESV) Mentioned in This Episode: UFO-related declassified files UAP disclosure Meghan Sullivan and Notre Dame's DELTA project What is the Fermi paradox? Eleanor Stump's Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering C.S. Lewis's Perelandra Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary: A Novel A scene from Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind A scene from Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial A scene from Denis Villeneuve's Arrival St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica: reason / will / dominion Salvation as Theosis: The Teaching of Eastern Orthodoxy (article) Isaiah's peaceable kingdom Thunderbird in Native American traditions Do octopus brains work like humans'? (article) Pythagoras and Johannes Kepler's Musica Universalis or the Music of the Spheres More From Andy Crouch: Check out Andy's website Check out Andy's work at Praxis Read Andy's book: The Life We're Looking For Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E233
    May 21 · 54 min

    Dan Allender on Why Getting Older Could Make You More Alive

    Is Mortality the Enemy of a Meaningful Life? Curtis Chang sits down with psychologist Dr. Dan Allender for a searching conversation about aging, mortality, Christian hope, and the surprising freedom of growing older. Together, they explore why getting older is not merely decline, but an invitation to deeper purpose, tenderness, grace, and wisdom—especially in a culture determined to deny death. From caring for aging parents to reimagining retirement, Dan and Curtis offer biblical insight and personal honesty for anyone seeking renewed purpose, peace, and courage as we grow older. 00:43 - Introduction to Aging Well Spiritually, Not Physically 03:25 - Psalm 90 and When to Start Thinking About Age? 05:40- Why Does Our Culture Avoid Aging? 09:52 - Are There Gifts in Getting Older? 19:10 - Counting Your Days: A Biblical Perspective 25:05- Psalm 92: The Righteous Stay Vital By Serving Others 29:14 - The Problem with Retirement Culture 34:32 - What About the "Sandwich Generation"? 40:55 - Our Inner Emotional Age 44:45 - The Power of Story From Lives Well Lived 50:20 - Tending to Your Past Selves Please Enjoy the Reading Guide for This Episode: https://bit.ly/danallenderreadalong Turn on Apple Podcasts Automatic Downloads: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Apps, then tap Podcasts. Tap Automatically Download, then tap an option. Tip: To automatically download episodes from a particular podcast, go to the Podcasts app on your iPhone, tap Library, then tap Shows. Touch and hold the show, then tap Settings. Tap Automatically Download to limit automatic downloads to a certain number of episodes or a timeframe. Sign up for The After Party Informational Webinars Sign up for The Good List Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 90:12 (all versions) Psalm 92:14 (all versions) Genesis 16 (ESV) Hebrews 4:11 (all versions) Mentioned in This Episode: Dylan Thomas's Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night Good Faith podcast episode 211: Nancy French's Joyful Grandparenting Lessons & Living Like Tomorrow Isn't Guaranteed Schindler's List scene: "I didn't do enough" More From Dan Allender: The Allender Center resources Dan Allender at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology The Allender Center Podcast Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E232
    May 14 · 42 min

    Tish Harrison Warren: When Weariness Drains Your Soul, Don't Escape—Go Deeper

    What Is Spiritual Weariness and How Can We Find Renewal? In this episode of The Good Faith Podcast, Curtis Chang chats with Tish Harrison Warren—Anglican priest, former New York Times columnist, and author of What Grows in Weary Lands—about burnout, spiritual weariness, and the exhaustion that escapism and rest alone cannot fix. Tish explains how polarization, digital distraction, consumerism, and isolation can leave us tempted to "flame out" or "numb out." Instead, she invites listeners to "go deeper" through prayer, silence, embodied community, Sabbath, and the difficult but meaningful commitments that lead to lasting renewal. 00:36 - Introduction to World Weariness 02:43 - Tish Describes the Draining Experience of Public Faith 06:04 - What Are the Cultural Factors of Collective Burnout? 13:01 - Dysfunctional Responses: Reinvention and Escape 15:01 - Flame Out, Numb Out, or Go Deep 20:51 - Are There Practical Steps to Go Deep? 23:29 - The Practice of "Staying in Your Cell" 26:40 - The Tough Sell of Going Deeper 32:07 - The "Dark Night of the Soul" as a Growth Stage 36:11 - Learning from Historic Church Practices 38:04 - What Do Healthy Rhythms of Engagement and Withdrawal Look Like? Sign up for The After Party Informational Webinars Sign up for The Good List Mentioned in This Episode: Tish Harrison Warren's What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience The Ezra Klein Show: Burned Out? Start Here. Curt Thompson on Covid-era digital fatigue Thomas Aquinas's idea of arduous goods St. John of the Cross's The Dark Night of the Soul Stanley Hauerwas: Evangelicalism Will Die of Exhaustion (conversation with Al Mohler) the Desert Fathers and Mothers: "Stay in your cell" More From Tish Harrison Warren: Tish Harrison Warren's website Tish Harrison Warren's New York Times pieces Other books by Tish Harrison Warren Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • May 11 · 29 min

    Malcolm Guite pt. 2: When Doubt Meets Divine Beauty and Nightingales Lead to a Grail

    What Can Lead a Weary Soul to the Divine in a Post-Christian World? Malcolm Guite is back for part two of our chat with him, and this time we go from atheism to awe, from the Psalms to the Holy Grail, and from Keats to King Arthur. Malcolm tells the wild story of how poetry cracked open his imagination and shattered his unbelief, leading him into the living presence of God — then shows why Galahad and the Grail might be the ancient, weird, luminous story our burned-out, disenchanted world needs now. 00:00 - The Sonnet Epiphany 1. Magi 01:28 - Introduction to Malcolm Guite Part 2 03:37 - From Atheism to Wonder 06:27 - Encountering Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale" 12:11 - The Augustinian Idea of Beauty 15:18 - You Are Not the Center of the Universe 20:44 - "Take Up the Tale" A Ballad Introducing Guite's Arthurian Epic 23:54 - Why Does Retelling the Arthurian Legends Matter Now? 25:06 - The Truth of the Wasteland in the Modern World 27:19 - Conclusion and Credits Listen to Malcolm Guite pt. 1: Does Theology Need an Imaginative Spark to Grasp God's Mystery? Sign up for The After Party Informational Webinars Mentioned In This Episode: Malcolm Guite's Galahad in the Grail Malcolm Guite's Epiphany 1 The magi Malcolm Guite's Sounding the Seasons C.S. Lewis's Surprised by Joy John Keats' Ode to a Nightingale Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo's The Confessions Of Saint Augustine Scriptures Referenced In This Episode: Psalm 145 (1928 BCP) The Psalms (Coverdale edition) PDF version More from Malcolm Guite: Malcolm Guite's website and blog Malcolm Guite's Youtube channel Malcolm Guite's books Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E231
    May 7 · 50 min

    David French on Ukraine and America's Moral Retreat

    Is Ukraine's Fight Against Tyranny Already America's Failure? New York Times opinion writer and Iraq War veteran David French joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to explain why Ukraine may be the world-changing war Americans are ignoring. David argues that Ukraine's resistance to Russia has exposed America's retreat from moral leadership, transformed the global balance of power, and elevated Zelensky as one of the most consequential leaders of our time. From Trump's impact on NATO to Europe's growing defense buildup, Curtis and David explore what Ukraine reveals about U.S. power, Christian responsibility, global justice, and the fight against tyranny. Sign up for The After Party Informational Webinars Sign up for The Good List 02:41 - A Shift in the Balance of Power 08:51 - Ukraine's Rise as a World Power 10:03 - The "Trump Effect" on Germany, France, & Japan 16:30 - A Response to the Left's "Good Riddance to America" Argument 19:40 - Is the U.S. an unreliable partner? 25:41 - Why Americans Should Care About Global Affairs 30:00 - Who Is My Global Neighbor? 32:03 - Evangelicals' Narrow Political Focus 38:18 - Zelensky The Unlikely Hero 45:27 - Are There Virtues to Emulate from Zelensky? Mentioned in This Episode: David French's article Meet the New Leader of the Free World Canadian P. M. Mark Carney's speech "middle powers must act together" President Zelensky's February 24, 2022 address to Ukraine Jeffrey A. Friedman: The Myth of a Bipartisan Golden Age for U.S. Foreign Policy: The Truman-Eisenhower Consensus Remains Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies Scriptures: The Good Samaritan Luke 10:24-37 (ESV) Matthew 10:16-23 (ESV) More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • S1 · E230
    April 30 · 38 min

    Feasting on Hope in a Starving Culture with Hannah Miller King

    Is There a Hidden Power of Communion in a Hopeless Age? Hannah Miller King joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to discuss her book Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness and why communion is more than a symbolic church ritual. Together, they explore the Lord's Supper, Christian hope, embodied worship, and how the table of God forms Christians to resist consumer culture and carry resurrection-shaped love into a hopeless world. They discuss why this embodied practice connects believers to Christ's past sacrifice, present grace, and future return and show how the practice retrains our loves and sends us outward in mission. 02:28 - What Does Union with Christ Look Like Across All Traditions? 05:04 - The Differences: Symbolic vs. Sacramental Views 12:13 - Does the Lord's Supper Connect to Daily Life? 15:40 - Is It a Means of Hope in a Hopeless World? 26:40 - Is The Richness In "Remembering" Christ's Past, Present, and Future? 29:50 - Detaching From Worldly Loves to Re-Attach to God 33:10 - The Power of Routine Practice 35:09 - A Commission to Welcome Others Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Mentioned In This Episode: Hannah Miller King's book — Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness Scriptures Referenced: Luke 22:19 (ESV) The Last Supper / Institution of Communion: Luke 22:14–20 (ESV), Matthew 26:26–29 (ESV), or Mark 14:22–25 (ESV) 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (ESV) Revelation 19:6–9 (ESV) Exodus 12 (ESV) More from Hannah Miller King: Hannah Miller King's article at Christianity Today Hannah Miller King's website Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

  • April 27 · 22 min

    Malcolm Guite pt. 1: Does Theology Need an Imaginative Spark to Grasp God's Mystery?

    Imagination Combined with Reason Can Build a Sturdier Faith. Malcolm Guite invites us to recover a "baptized imagination," showing how poetry can do real theological work by carrying truth through image, beauty, sacrament, and story. Rather than replacing reason, imagination helps us perceive meaning—opening Scripture, creation, and the mystery of Christ in ways analysis alone cannot reach. 00:00 - A Sonnet for Saint Peter 01:16 - Introduction to the Episode 03:32 - Can Poetry Do Theology? 09:02 - What Is the Baptized Imagination? 11:09 - Reason, Imagination, and Meaning with C.S. Lewis 17:24 - The Eternal Act of Creation 20:07 - Conclusion and Preview of Part 2 Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Mentioned In This Episode: Malcolm Guite's Galahad in the Grail Malcolm Guite's Parable and Paradox William Shakespoeare's Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? George Herbert's poem The Agonie C.S. Lewis's Bluspels and Flalansferes C.S. Lewis on Imagination and Reason in Christian Apologetics Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Biographia Literaria Scriptures Referenced In This Episode: 1 Corinthians 2 (ESV) Luke 22:19-20 (NJKV) Luke 10:27 (NKJV) John 1:1 (NIV) Psalm 19:1 (KJV) More from Malcolm Guite: Malcolm Guite's website and blog Malcolm Guite's Youtube channel Malcolm Guite's books Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

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