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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S1 · E254
Today · 1 hr 2 min
John Mark Comer: Does the Church Need a Quiet Revolution?
Escaping the Digital Age Where Noise Is Our Destiny What if the noise filling your life is drowning out God's voice? John Mark Comer joins Curtis Chang to discuss his book Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise and how churches can offer refuge from digital overload, what the Desert Fathers and Mothers teach about faith and power, and why contemplative prayer sustains public engagement. John Mark and Curtis do a deep dive into the relationship between contemplative prayer, political engagement, and faithful public witness. Along the way, John Mark offers gentle, practical ways to begin making room for God—even if sitting still feels impossible. 02:27 - How do we talk about silence in a noisy age? 06:19 - "Quiet time" versus quiet presence 10:52 - Why does solitude matter for active people? 15:34 - Is solitude essential to discipleship? 23:11 - Noisy churches and quieter worship 30:01 - Silence, politics, and public witness 37:40 - The Desert Fathers, Constantine, the church & empire 43:45 - Solitude and confronting demonic thoughts 50:32 - Starting a practice of quiet & finding joy in God Sign up for The After Party course Mentioned in This Episode: John Mark Comer's Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise More about Martin Laird More about Dallas Willard & spiritual disciplines Richard Foster's list of spiritual disciplines Adele Ahlberg Calhoun's Spiritual Disciplines Handbook BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited Howard Thurman's Meditations of the Heart Scriptures: Luke 5:15–16 (ESV) Psalm 46 (ESV) Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 (ESV) Jude 9 (ESV) Colossians 1:27 (ESV) 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV) More From John Mark Comer: Explore John Mark's website Listen to John Mark's podcast Find John Mark on Instagram Watch John Mark on YouTube 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 · E253
October 1 · 47 min
Sharon McMahon: Democracy Starts at Home
Can the Next Generation Do Politics Better Than We Have? Being angry on the internet isn't activism. So what actually makes a difference? Sharon McMahon, "America's government teacher" and author of The Small and the Mighty and host of the Preamble podcast, joins Curtis Chang to explore how we can help the next generation do politics better and build a healthier democracy in the process. They discuss raising engaged citizens, choosing character over party loyalty, and loving our neighbors—even when they're our enemies. With the midterms approaching, Sharon offers a practical path from political frustration to local civic engagement, reminding us that hope begins with believing our actions matter. 00:54 - Welcome and Why Civic Formation Matters 05:53 - Norm Mineta and Modeling Public Service 09:27 - Teaching Young People to Vote Thoughtfully 14:21 - Can Civic Engagement Form Character? 18:04 - Choosing a Community Focus 23:55 - Loving Enemies Without Accepting Harm 34:04 - Helping College Students Speak Up 38:30 - Civic Education During a Constitutional Crisis 41:26 - Is Hope an Active Choice? 43:55 - Helping One Person at a Time Apply to be Good Faith's next Director of Marketing Sign up for The After Party course Mentioned in This Episode: Sharon McMahon's The Small and the Mighty Sharon McMahon's We Are Mighty More about Norman Mineta Executive Order 9066: Resulting in Japanese-American Incarceration (1942) Read the Constitution and the Preamble (transcript) Scriptures: Matthew 22:34-40 and Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV) Matthew 6:10 (ESV) More From Sharon McMahon: Sharon McMahon's website Sharon McMahon's The Preamble podcast Sharon McMahon's The Preamble Newsletter 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 · E252
September 24 · 53 min
David French: Can We Trust the Supreme Court?
What Happens When Power, Politics, and Judges Collide? (Spoiler: It's Complicated) Host Curtis Chang and New York Times columnist David French ask how much Americans can rely on the Supreme Court if the 2026 midterms are contested. They discuss the constitutional limit on presidential terms and why a disputed House race could expose the limits of judicial power. French explains why he remains hopeful about the highest court in the land despite political pressure, and shares his concerns about the conservative Christian legal movement. They also ask Christians: How can you love your neighbors when a court ruling causes harm? 03:19 - The Most Relevant Supreme Court Ruling of 2026 10:26 - Risks of the Upcoming Midterm Elections 13:16 - The Threat of Exploiting Legal Confusion 20:10 - Internal Relationships Within the Supreme Court 27:12 - The Influence of Personal Experience on Court Decisions 31:45 - The Conservative Christian Legal Movement's Influence 38:31 - Practicing the Second Greatest Commandment 46:10 - How to Pray for the Supreme Court Apply to be Good Faith's next Director of Marketing Sign up for The After Party course Mentioned in This Episode: David French's article The Fix Was Almost In Listen to the Supreme Court: argument audio The Supreme Court's tariff ruling The Constitution's Twenty-Second Amendment More about: Missouri Supreme Court and congressional maps Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics: The Dobbs Leak as an Illustration of the Impasse Between Legal Ethics and Reality Washington Post: Why a lawyer who launched the Christian legal movement believes it's gone astray Read about Toyosaburo Korematsu v. United States Scriptures: Mark 12:31 (ESV) More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE David French's Advisory Opinions podcast 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 · E251
September 17 · 56 min
Andy Crouch: Why Is AI Coming for My College Degree?
Your "Safe" College Major May Be an AI Dead End Could AI make your college degree obsolete while making your plumber more valuable? Curtis Chang and Andy Crouch explore how artificial intelligence is disrupting higher education and the future of work—and why skilled trades and embodied human abilities may be safer bets. They also examine the rise of AI therapy and explain why chatbots can offer useful advice but can never replace human connection, spiritual community, and forgiveness. 02:36 - Declaring Personal Educational Backgrounds 13:26 - The Risk of "Cutting Edge" Education 15:37 - Computer Science: A Good Bet Turned Bad? 19:49 - Advice for Today's College Students 27:11 - The Role of a Teacher in the AI Age 30:54 - What About First-Generation American Students 35:27 - The Value of Skilled Trades 38:08 - The Intellectual Life of the Working Class 42:38 - The Real-World Value of Skilled Professionals 44:26 - What About AI as a Mental Health Tool? 47:35 - The Limits of AI in Providing Human Connection Apply to be Good Faith's next Director of Marketing Sign up for The After Party course Mentioned in This Episode: Notre Dame's DELTA: Human Formation in the Age of AI Jean Lee Latham's Carry On, Mr. Bowditch Jonathan Rose's The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes Matthew Loftus' Resisting Therapy Culture Good Faith episode 245: When Mental Health Goes Too Far with Matthew Loftus RAND study: Use of Generative AI for Mental Health Advice Among US Adolescents and Young Adults Ronald Heifetz's adaptive-leadership framework 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 · E250
September 10 · 51 min
The Homeland Security Trap? with Russell Moore & Elizabeth Neumann
What America Learned, Feared, and Forgot After 9/11 Former Trump White House security expert Elizabeth Neumann and theologian Russell Moore join Curtis Chang to consider whether America is safer—or simply more afraid—25 years after 9/11. They examine the war with Iran, immigration enforcement, domestic extremism, government overreach, and the church's complicity in fear-driven efforts. Together, they ask how Christians can confront legitimate threats without surrendering to fear, offering civic engagement, moral courage, and faithful "small refusals" to conform as a way forward. 03:14 - A 25-Year Review of Homeland Security 06:22 - A Theological View on "Homeland Security" 09:55 - How Do We Evaluate the War with Iran? 19:34 - Should Christians Trust the State? 24:01 - The Public's Disengagement from Government 28:54 - The Church's Role in Local Justice 33:59 - The Rise of Domestic Terrorism 40:52 - Is the Church Complicit in Fear Mongering? 42:29- Russell's Counsel for Pastors: Small Refusals 44:39 - The Personal Cost of Opposing Government Overreach 48:22 - When Lament and Hope Are the Same Thing Apply to be Good Faith's next Director of Marketing Register for Calvin University's Wisdom in the Age of AI Conference 2026 Sign up for The After Party course Mentioned in This Episode: Elizabeth Neumann's Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace National September 11 Memorial & Museum: Marking the 25th Anniversary George W. Bush White House's the Department of Homeland Security executive Summary More about National Immigration Forum Wendell Berry's "A Statement Against the War in Vietnam" from The Long-Legged House Scriptures: Hebrews 11:13–16 ESV Jeremiah 29:7 ESV 1 Samuel 8 ESV Romans 12–13 ESV Isaiah 8:11–13 ESV Romans 8:24–27 ESV More From Elizabeth Neumann: Elizabeth Neumann's website More From Russell Moore: Russell Moore's Substack Read Russell Moore's article The Trump-Era Laughter at Immigrant Suffering Is Deforming Our Souls Sign up for Russell Moore's weekly newsletter Moore to the Point 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 · E249
September 3 · 49 min
Has the Modern Slave Trade Met Its Match? with Gary Haugen
Miracles, Heartbreak, and the Fight Against Human Trafficking Nearly 50 million people remain trapped in modern slavery—but International Justice Mission founder Gary Haugen believes it could end in our lifetime. He joins host Curtis Chang to explore how IJM fights human trafficking by transforming broken justice systems, where God is amid horrific evil and patient prayer, and how Christians can stop watching from the sidelines and join the fight. 02:23 - The Evolution of IJM's Strategy of Strengthening Local Justice Systems 08:30 - US Complicity in Global Slavery 13:48 - The Impact of Unpredictable US Government Action 18:24 - Is Their a Contradiction in Evangelical Support? 24:23 - The Role of Miracles in Fighting Evil 28:56 - Waiting For Prayers to Be Answered 33:51 - The Dangers of Christian Hero Worship 45:26 - A Call to Action Against Modern Day Slavery To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate Mentioned in This Episode: Gary Haugen's biography IJM's work fighting trafficking and slavery IJM's response to the State Department funding pause U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report Global Estimates of Modern Slavery Child trafficking and forced labor on Ghana's Lake Volta Good Faith episode 224: Francis Collins and Kristine Torjesen Scriptures: Matthew 5:16 (ESV) Matthew 25:14–30 (ESV) International Justice Mission: Get involved with IJM Pray with IJM Support IJM's advocacy work IJM resources for churches 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.
August 27 · 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.

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