Alle afleveringen
113 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Can Pastors Be Disqualified & Trump's Strange New Obsession
29 oktober 2026 · 50 min
Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz is back in the spotlight with a new book about surviving infidelity, but should some sins permanently disqualify a pastor from ministry? Esau, Malcolm, and Mike discuss the difference between forgiveness and restoration, the dangers of celebrity pastors, and the Christian publishing industry's role in rehabilitating fallen leaders. Then, President Trump has developed a strange new obsession with people's backsides, and a Republican candidate in Ohio has released a political ad that takes dirty campaigning to a whole new level. What happens when Christians become so committed to political victories that they abandon their moral convictions? And is there any bottom left for American politics to hit? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:35 - Carl Lentz and Abuse of Power
7:20 - Monetizing Infidelity?
35:36 - Sponsor - World Relief - World Relief's newest guide, Beyond the Ballot, was designed to equip you with relevant facts, tools and resources to engage immigration and displacement issues with understanding, compassion and courage: https://worldrelief.org/holypost
36:53 - Vivek Ramaswamy Ad Controversy
49:25 - End Credits
Articles Covered:
Carl Lentz:
https://www.wsj.com/style/hillsong-carl-laura-lentz-book-22fa7c1d
Trump's Inappropriate Comments:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/25/trump-nicki-minaj-mike-rogers-michigan-rally
Article on Vivek Ramaswamy's Ad:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-ad-ohio-amy-acton.html
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The Problem of Power: From Elon Musk to Kelly Clarkson
22 oktober 2026 · 50 min
Power can be dangerous, especially when the people who have it don't realize just how much they wield. Sharon Miller joins Esau and Mike to discuss Kelly Clarkson's bizarre feud with a Brooklyn toy store and what it reveals about the blind spots of powerful people. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is pouring millions into the midterm elections, raising troubling questions about the influence of wealth, racism, and the issues Christians are willing to overlook for political victories. And as protests turn violent in France, are older generations protecting their own interests at the expense of the young? Plus, should Christians be worried about people turning to AI for spiritual advice, and what can a grieving mathematician teach us about the meaning of life? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
3:13 - Kelly and the Toy Bird
9:06 - Oblivious Powerful People
26:30 - Sponsor: The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
27:48 - France's Student Riots
38:41 - A.I. and Preaching
49:31 - End Credits
AI Mathematician on The Meaning of Life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfGenpmOjDQ
The Economist on AI and Religion:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/slFPKBdE8-Y
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The Art of Having Complicated, Faith-Based Conversations
15 oktober 2026 · 59 min
How can Christians have difficult conversations about faith without turning every disagreement into an argument? Christian hip-hop artist and apologist Emmanuel "Da Truth" Lambert joins Esau to discuss his new book, Forgive Me If I Was Rude, and why defending Christianity requires more than having the right answers. They explore the difference between winning arguments and reaching people, the importance of understanding someone's doubts and experiences, and why the gospel is bigger than many Christians realize. Plus, how should Christians respond to criticism of the church, and why do so many of us abandon kindness when we get on social media? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:56 - Forgive Me if I was Rude
6:02 - Deconstruction
16:52 - Responding to Those Questioning Christianity
23:34 - Sponsor - Church at the Crossroads - Esau shares about Church at the Crossroads, a conference hosted by Palestinian Christians in Atlanta, November 5–7. The gathering offers an opportunity to meet and learn from Palestinian pastors and Christian leaders, join in worship, and enjoy Palestinian food and cultural experiences, with time for conversation and fellowship. Use code ESAU for 20% off. Register at www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta
24:47 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
25:47 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
27:06 - Respond to the Culture
43:50 - Convergence of All Time
58:48 - End Credits
Forgive Me If I Was Rude: The Art of Having Complicated Faith-Based Conversations by Emmanuel Lambert: https://amzn.to/4ztEI1L
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The Cornell Case, Multi-Ethnic Churches & Are Kids Getting Dumber?
8 oktober 2026 · 54 min
A sexual assault case at Cornell has sparked intense debate about consent, trauma, and how we talk about victims before all the facts are known. Esau is joined by Mika Edmondson to discuss what Christian sexual ethics should say about power, exploitation, and the dignity of the body. Then, they look at new research suggesting Black Christians in multi-ethnic churches may become less civically engaged, and ask what churches lose when pastors are too afraid to address racial injustice. Plus, are kids actually getting dumber? The guys talk declining test scores, shrinking attention spans, and what happens when education becomes only a means to the next achievement. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:12 - Cornell 7 and God's Heart for Victims
11:55 - Church Should Be a Place of Healing
19:46 - Sponsor - Church at the Crossroads - Esau shares about Church at the Crossroads, a conference hosted by Palestinian Christians in Atlanta, November 5–7. The gathering offers an opportunity to meet and learn from Palestinian pastors and Christian leaders, join in worship, and enjoy Palestinian food and cultural experiences, with time for conversation and fellowship. Use code ESAU for 20% off. Register at www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta
21:00 - Sponsor - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
22:18 - Myth of the Non-Political Church
30:11 - Pastoring a Multi-Racial Church
39:50 - Are Teenagers Getting Dumber?
53:45 - End Credits
The Power of Unearned Suffering by Mika Edmondson:
https://amzn.to/3Wd9qOh
Student Test scores going down:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/us-reading-test-scores-pisa.html
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Tim Tebow's Bad Endorsement & The Myth of Grind Culture
1 oktober 2026 · 45 min
Tim Tebow is facing criticism after an investigation raised questions about a Christian financial conference where he regularly spoke and encouraged attendees to sign up for classes. Esau, Mike, and guest Justin Giboney discuss how much responsibility Christian leaders have to vet the organizations they lend their name and credibility to, and when influence starts to look like endorsement. Then, they turn to grind culture and the popular idea that success simply comes down to wanting it badly enough. Does hard work really separate the people who make it from the people who don't, or are opportunity, timing, talent, and providence part of the story too? Plus, the guys discuss how quickly the internet can turn a brief viral moment into a sweeping judgment about someone's entire life. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:17 - Mike's Man Cold
1:38 - Tim Tebow Trouble
12:22 - Kirk Franklin and GloRilla
19:42 - Sponsor - Church at the Crossroads - Esau shares about Church at the Crossroads, a conference hosted by Palestinian Christians in Atlanta, November 5–7. The gathering offers an opportunity to meet and learn from Palestinian pastors and Christian leaders, join in worship, and enjoy Palestinian food and cultural experiences, with time for conversation and fellowship. Use code ESAU for 20% off. Register at www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta
20:54 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
22:14 - Meeting People Where They Are?
26:11 - Druski and Grind Culture
44:24 - End Credits
Inside Tim Tebow's Favorite Wealth Seminar: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/life-surge-the-gospel-of-high-yields-inside-tim-tebows-favorite-wealth-seminar/
Kirk Franklin and GloRilla:
https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/michael-foust/kirk-franklin-glorilla-collaboration-sparks-debate-over-her-explicit-music.html
Nacho Mom:
https://people.com/mom-of-the-…
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Aslan's New (Feminine) Voice & Pete Hegseth Turns Isaiah Into a Recruiting Pitch
24 september 2026 · 52 min
Meryl Streep is the new voice of Aslan, and Christians have plenty of opinions about it. Esau, Malcolm, and Producer Mike talk about the outrage over Greta Gerwig's Narnia casting choice and what it reveals about the things Christians choose to treat as sacred. They also discuss Nicole Hannah-Jones's reflections on sending her daughter to public school and the difficult question of whether our children should have to bear the cost of our convictions. Plus, Esau breaks down Pete Hegseth's use of Isaiah 6 on his "Send Me" military tour and why turning a prophetic calling into a recruiting message badly distorts the text. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:32 - Malcolm Foley
5:34 - Pete Hegseth and Isaiah 6
17:44 - Sending Kids to Private or Public School?
31:23 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
32:15 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
33:27 - Sponsor - The Center for Christianity and Public Life - Come to Washington, D.C. on October 5-7 to join the Good of the Public Summit. Go to https://www.ccpubliclife.org and use code BETTERSTORY for 20% off at registration
35:00 - Parental Failure
37:34 - Meryl Streep as Aslan
51:23 - End Credits
Pete Hegseth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0VynQFRJRs
Can I Kick My Dog out of Bed?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/well/get-pet-out-of-bed.html
Greta Gerwig's Narnia Casting Choice:
https://deadline.com/2026/09/greta-gerwig-chose-meryl-streep-voice-aslan-narnia-1237107096/
Public Schools
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/magazine/ny-public-schools-black-students-segregation.html
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When Racism Ruins Everything
17 september 2026 · 48 min
A Texas political candidate sees a crowd of brown students celebrating and assumes they must be foreigners. Esau, Mike, and Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez unpack what that reaction reveals about race, belonging, and the fear of a changing America. They also talk about the growing power of AI, the tech world's obsession with overcoming human limits, and why some limitations may actually be good for us. Plus, Pricelis shares about her new book, False Peace, and why churches can confuse unity with sameness, asking people to assimilate instead of making room for genuine difference. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:20 - Esau in Español?
1:43 - Boosie's Presidential Pardon Attempt
6:20 - Community Work
19:35 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
20:52 - Sponsor - With God Daily - Get the daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals in your inbox every day by signing up at: https://holypost.com/plus
22:05 - A.I. and False Promises
33:24 - False Peace by Assimilation
49:08 - End Credits
False Peace: How to Reject the Lie of Sameness, Embrace Difference, and Embody True Unity (How Christians Can Go Beyond Surface-Level Agreement to Build Communities of Authentic Unity) by Priceless Perreaux-Dominguez: https://amzn.to/4yCKduC
Articles Covered:
Boosie Lawsuit:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/us/boosie-badazz-pardon-lawsuit.html
New York Times on AI Tech Apocalypse:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/12/opinion/ai-tech-apocalypse-silicon-valley.html
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Black Liberation Theology: What It Gets Right and Wrong | with the Church Politics Podcast
14 september 2026 · 58 min
Esau joins Justin Giboney and Christopher Butler of the Church Politics Podcast for a special crossover conversation about Black liberation theology, James Cone, and the relationship between justice and the gospel. Together, they explore what Cone got right about the church's failures on race and oppression, where liberation theology can become too narrow, and why Christians need a gospel that transforms both people and society. They also discuss the resurrection, the authority of Scripture, the danger of reducing Christianity to a political program, and what faithful public witness should actually look like. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:10 - Chance the Rapper on Liberation Theology
5:21 - James Cone's Books
20:56 - The Errors of Liberation Theology
39:52 - Trusting God, Not People
57:22 - End Credits
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Green Lantern and the Weight of Black Excellence
10 september 2026 · 49 min
Youth sports are supposed to be good for kids, but what happens when giving your child every opportunity starts costing your family more than money? Esau, Malcolm Foley, and producer Mike talk about the booming youth sports industry, the pressure to keep up, and how parents can tell the difference between investing in their kids and trying to maximize them. Then they turn to the new TV show, Lanterns and its surprisingly thoughtful exploration of race, fear, parenting, and the pressure placed on Black children to be exceptional. And finally, they ask why Donald Trump has to make even superheroes about himself. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:21 - Youth Sports
11:28 - What's Worth Youth Sports?
16:57- Fear and the Black Experience
24:13 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
25:24 - Sponsor - Curiously, Kaitlyn - Ever had a question about God, the Bible, or Theology that you're embarrassed to ask? Chances are, a kid has already asked Kaitlyn that question! Check out Curiously, Kaitlyn: https://pod.link/1739169925
26:36 - Parenthood and Black Fear
36:42 - Trump's Green Lantern Post
48:53 - End Credits
Articles Covered:
https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/23/pay-to-play-youth-sports/
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Broken Healthcare, Mass Surveillance, and What We're Willing to Sacrifice for Safety
3 september 2026 · 54 min
What happens when trust begins to break down between people and the institutions meant to serve them? Esau, Mike, and Sharon Miller talk about vaccine skepticism, bad experiences with the healthcare system, and why Christians should care more about truth than winning an argument. They also discuss the rise of AI-assisted cheating and why forming people of integrity may matter more than creating better rules. Plus, how much privacy should we be willing to sacrifice for safety as surveillance technology becomes increasingly common? Lees meer
0:00 - The Height of Deception
1:20 - Theme Song
1:40 - Daejon Love and Being Duped
9:41 - Vaccines and the Medical System's Failings
25:33 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106
26:44 - Sponsor - Renovare Book Club - Spiritual formation through books! What else could you ask for? Learn more at https://renovare.org/bookclub
27:54 - Sponsor - Holy Post Plus - Want full episodes of the SkyePod? Wanna get schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess? What about a daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals? Sign up for Holy Post Plus: https://substack.com/@holypostmedia
31:45 - Academic Cheating on the Rise
42:35 - Flock Cameras
53:53 - End Credit
Articles Mentioned:
Vaccines Custody Battle Article:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/09/07/the-maha-custody-battle
Students Cheating with AI:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/opinion/students-cheating-ai.html
Flock Cameras:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/31/podcasts/the-daily/flock-cameras-surveillance-america.html
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Why You Should Care About What's Happening in Gary, IN
27 augustus 2026 · 50 min
For the 100th episode of The Esau McCaulley Podcast, Esau, Malcolm Foley, and Mike look at why America seems incapable of making meaningful progress on gun violence, even after school shootings. They discuss new research showing how pro-gun political spending surges after deadly shootings, what that reveals about money and power in American politics, and how our culture of violence shapes everyday life. Then, they turn to Gary, Indiana, to examine how decades of disinvestment and systemic racism still leave some communities more vulnerable than others. Finally, they ask whether avoiding conflict actually creates peace, and why healthy friendships, churches, and communities sometimes require us to say the hard thing. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:58 - Peacocks
8:44 - Pro-Gun Pac Increases After School Shootings
22:13 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
23:13 - Gary, Indiana
38:33 - Conflict is Good for Relationships?
49:32 - End Credits
Resources:
Isaiah Johnson and the Big Game by Esau McCaulley: https://amzn.to/46lZ8gD
How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Survival in the American South by Esau McCaulley:
https://amzn.to/4ca7Kug
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Charlie Dates on Justice, Righteousness, and Why the Church Needs Both
20 augustus 2026 · 47 min
Charlie Dates grew up in a Black church tradition where justice and righteousness were never competing ideas. Esau sits down with the Chicago pastor and author to talk about what gets lost when churches emphasize biblical faithfulness without public justice, or justice without biblical righteousness. Dates explains why he believes evangelicalism has become more American than Christian, how the Black church has historically joined preaching with community action, and why pastors have a responsibility to prepare their congregations before the next cultural crisis hits. They also look back at the very different responses of Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham to the civil rights movement, and what their choices reveal about Christian witness. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:06 - Advice for Pastors
8:31 - Evangelicalism is too American
18:15 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: https://sites.tyndale.com/lasb/
19:14 - Legacy of Chicago
28:30 - How Black Churches Equip Students
47:00 - End Credits
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Spider-Man, Loneliness & the Search for Meaning
13 augustus 2026 · 45 min
Why is Spider-Man: Brand New Day resonating so deeply right now? Esau, Malcolm, and Sho Baraka unpack the loneliness at the heart of the film, why even superheroes struggle with isolation, and how the church can respond to our growing need for belonging. Then the conversation turns to America's story. They discuss whether they identify as "patriotic," how to hold the nation's ideals alongside its painful history of injustice, and what Paul can teach Christians about faithfully challenging the empire. Also, is Malcolm's superhero Mount Rushmore really the worst of all time? Lees meer
00:00 - Introduction & Warm-Up
01:31 - Theme Song
01:44 - Superhero Mount Rushmore & Favorite Pop Culture Icons
05:17 - Spider-Man, Thunderbolts, and the Epidemic of Loneliness
12:49 - Overcoming Isolation & Building Real Community
19:25 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, Use code ESAU30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible! https://tyndale.com
20:38 - America's Story: History, Patriotism, and Identity
26:13 - Faith, Culture, and Higher Allegiances
41:55 - Finding Meaning, Belonging, and Hope Today
44:57 - End Credits
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Multi-Ethnic Churches and a Theology That Heals
6 augustus 2026 · 50 min
Churches in America are becoming more racially diverse, but many pastors are talking less about racial reconciliation. Esau, Mike, and guest Ike Miller explore why getting different people into the same room is not the same as creating a community where everyone truly belongs. Then, Ike shares the central idea behind his new book, Theology That Heals: salvation is not merely a transaction that forgives our guilt, but a lifelong process of restoring us to God, to one another, and to ourselves. Also, can Ike survive Esau's version of the newlywed game? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:43 - How Well Does Ike Know His Wife?
6:33 - Are Megachurches More Diverse?
13:45 - Preaching That Ignores Racial Divide
24:45 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
25:48 - Aware of Your Identity
35:20 - Jesus the Healer
49:33 - End Credits
Check out more from Ike Miller at: https://ikemiller.com/
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Is Trump Keeping Gen Z Out of Church?
30 juli 2026 · 59 min
Nearly half of Gen Z says Christian support for Donald Trump has made them less likely to attend church. Esau, Mike, and Sharon Hodde Miller discuss what the finding reveals about the church's political witness, while also asking whether some young adults have become unwilling to worship beside anyone who votes differently. Then, they examine the latest viral social media trend and why so many people think their lives should be a documentary. Also, why are mega churches growing, but small churches are struggling, and Esau found another new favorite team. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:53 - Are Curses Real?
8:56 - Is Trump Keeping Gen Z Out of Church?
16:54 - The Church's Witness
32:05 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!
33:05 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, listeners of this podcast can use the code ESAU30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible at this link: https://hubs.la/Q04n6dQn0
34:13 - Pastoring Among People
38:46 - Megachurches Keep Growing
55:44 - Esau Explains it All
58:38 - End Credits
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The Odyssey, A.I. Death bots, and the Cost of Victory
23 juli 2026 · 53 min
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey asks what happens when you win the war but destroy the world you hoped to return to. Esau, Malcolm, and Mike discuss the cost of victory, the erosion of shared norms, and whether a country can ever truly go back to what it was before. They also turn to America's war with Iran and why leaders so rarely admit when they are wrong. Then, a bizarre effort to preserve a dying parent through an AI "death bot" raises deeper questions about grief, resurrection, and what makes a human being real. Plus, Esau (once again) has a new favorite soccer team. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:10 - Esau's Spain Jersey
3:00 - The Odyssey
11:24 - Erosion of Decency
24:22 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!
25:30 - War in Iran
38:51 - A.I. and Deathbots
52:25 - End Credits
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Making Sense of the Deaths of Lindsey Graham and Nolan Wells
16 juli 2026 · 53 min
How should Christians respond when a complicated or controversial person dies? Esau, Sho Baraka, and Mike reflect on Lindsey Graham's political legacy and the challenge of telling the truth without becoming cruel. Then, they turn to the death of Nolan Wells, the questions surrounding the case, and the pressure to draw conclusions before all the facts are known. They discuss how race shapes our suspicions, why wisdom sometimes means waiting, and how to pursue justice without turning every tragedy into a political scorecard. Finally, they consider the role Black barbershops can play in mental health, community, and creating spaces where men can speak honestly. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:58 - World Cup Predictions
7:52 - Responding to Lindsay Graham's Death
21:37 - Nolan Wells' Tragedy
26:06 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!
27:14 - Double Consciousness
35:57 - Black Barber Shops and Mental Health
52:40 - End Credits
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America's Weird Birthday and Trump's Bad Vibes
9 juli 2026 · 57 min
America turned 250, but the celebration felt less like a shared national moment and more like another exhausting chapter in the Trump era. Esau, Malcolm Foley, and Mike discuss how Trump's involvement in a controversial World Cup decision managed to drain the joy out of U.S. soccer, and why so many Americans seem too tired to even argue about the country anymore. Then they turn to a disturbing Patriot Front march in Washington, D.C., and what it reveals about America's refusal to reckon honestly with racism. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner and why both parties keep confusing charisma with character. Finally, the crew debates whether colleges were wrong to abandon standardized tests and what parents, churches, and schools can do to help kids flourish. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:06 - Show Starts
1:27 - Trump Interfering with FIFA
11:02 - Exhausted by America
14:33 - A Bus with White Supremacists
27:02 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!
28:10 - Graham Platner
40:50 - SAT and ACT Testing
56:45 - End Credits
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Texas Wants More Bible, America Wants Fewer Kids
2 juli 2026 · 50 min
Texas is adding Bible passages to its public school reading standards, continuing the endless debate over the Bible in schools. Esau, Kaitlyn, and Mike discuss why Bible literacy matters for understanding American history and why teaching the Bible while downplaying race creates a distorted picture of the country. Then, they turn to the rise of one-child families and what may be lost when fewer children grow up with siblings. Plus, why do female-led superhero movies keep struggling, and what does Supergirl reveal about how we talk about women, heroes, and doing good? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:22 - Cohost of the Cookout
15:00 - Increase in Single Children
24:02 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Use Code "ESAU" on checkout to get 30% sitewide for the July 4th sale—limited time offer, not available anywhere else! Go to https://brooklynbedding.com
24:55 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Get Into The Word with Truth's Table - A new video Bible study series from InterVarsity Press, featuring biblical teaching from respected Black scholars and pastors including Dr. Esau McCaulley. Go to ivpress.com/studytheword and use the code ESAU30 at checkout for a 30% special discount.
26:00 - The Sacrifice of Having Kids
40:01 - Supergirl—do people want female superheroes?
49:37 - End Credits
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Is America Better Than We Think?
25 juni 2026 · 46 min
World Cup visitors are discovering America, and somehow ranch dressing, air conditioning, Walmart have become ambassadors for the nation. Esau, Mike, and Nancy French ask why outsiders may be seeing America more clearly than Americans do, and whether our perception of the country is being warped by news, social media, and political caricatures. Then they consider a new study linking return-to-office mandates with narcissistic leaders. Does liking to work in the office automatically make you an egomaniac? Finally, they wrestle with the ethics of genetic testing for newborns, asking how much truth parents should want to know and whether some knowledge is too heavy to carry. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
3:11 - Tourists Discover America
7:05 - Americans Pessimistic About America
17:36 - Repenting of Nut-Picking
21:05 - Remote Work Unpopular with Narcissists
31:35 - Genetic Testing on Babies
45:11 - End Credits
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Fight Club at the White House
18 juni 2026 · 44 min
The President hosted a UFC fight on the White House lawn. Was it a celebration of American pride, or Trump's ego? Esau and Mike discuss President Trump's fight-night spectacle, and why it's another example of Trump demanding more, and offering even less in return. Then they turn to Britain's proposed social media ban for children under 16 and ask what government, parents, and Christian communities owe kids growing up online. Plus, new research on "hasslers" raises a familiar question: when are difficult people a gift, and when do they become harmful? Also, has Esau become a Youtube troll? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:23 - Mike's Disrespect Addressed
3:45 - UFC Fight at the White House
16:48 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Download a free 30-day devotional about Christ as our sustaining fire at http://www.worldchallenge.org/esau
18:00 - UK Bans Social Media for Teens
31:51 - "Hasslers" and Mental Health
43:56 - End Credit
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Bonus Episode: Comforting the Grieving and Explaining Esther and Job
11 juni 2026 · 25 min
With Esau out of town, we're sharing a special bonus episode featuring a few Holy Post Plus exclusives. First, Esau answers the question, "What should Christians say to the grieving?" in an episode of Advice-ish, our weekly HP+ advice-column-style show about the ordinary problems people face. Then, you'll hear two episodes from 66 Verses to Explain the Bible, where Esau uses a single verse or short passage to explore the larger theme and message of a biblical book. This week, he takes on Esther and Job. Lees meer
Want to learn more about Holy Post Plus? Check it out at holypost.com/plus
0:00 - Theme Song
2:14 - Advice-ish on Grief
9:17 - 66 Verses - Job
16:07 - Sponsor - Access Forge - Go to https://www.accessible.faith/ to unlock the first two Belonging by Design lessons and use promo code HOLYPOST to get $200 off the full program
17:36 - 66 Verses - Esther
24:29 - End Credits
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Pope Leo's AI Warning & America's Happiness Crisis
4 juni 2026 · 52 min
Pope Leo has issued a major warning about artificial intelligence, arguing that the danger is not merely that machines will become more human, but that humans will become more machine-like. Producer Mike takes over while Esau is away, joined by Malcolm Foley and Sharon Hodde Miller to discuss what AI reveals about our broken ideas of work, dignity, limitation. Then they turn to America's happiness crisis, from toxic positivity and the myth of a frictionless life to why boredom, grief, and inconvenience may be essential to becoming fully human. Plus, what the decline of the white picket fence says about safety, boundaries, and our growing fear of neighbors. Also this week, Tottenham narrowly avoids humiliation, Mike had an intimate moment with Stephen Colbert, and everyone definitely proves they are loyal listeners of this podcast. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:33 - Malcolm and Sharon
2:23 - Most Mundane Accomplishments
7:20 - Pope Leo's A.I. Encyclical
24:00 - Sponsor - Access Forge - Go to https://www.accessible.faith/ to unlock the first two Belonging by Design lessons and use promo code HOLYPOST to get $200 off the full program
25:12 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Download a free 30-day devotional about Christ as our sustaining fire at http://www.worldchallenge.org/esau
26:19 - Unhappy America
31:04 - America and Momento Mori
41:55 - Boredom and the Meaning of Life
54:22 - End Credits
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How to Stay Christian When Everything Seems Awful
28 mei 2026 · 45 min
Faith can feel easy at the beginning, but what happens when you're stuck in the long middle? Tired, cynical, and wondering why God feels far away? Esau is joined by Tish Harrison Warren to talk about her new book, What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience, and why perseverance is more than just spiritual grit. They discuss burnout, doubt, the exhaustion of public faith, the temptation to start over, and why staying put might be one of the most countercultural Christian practices left. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:02 - What Grows in Weary Lands
5:22 - Leaving the New York Times
24:47 - "Middle Stories"
49:12 - End Credits
What Grows in Wear Lands: On Christian Resilience by Tish Harrison Warren: https://amzn.to/4o0FwqE
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Why the Church Needs Rituals Again
21 mei 2026 · 40 min
People are searching for rituals, but often in places the church has abandoned. Esau, Mike, and Rochelle Scheuermann talk about whether friendship can survive political disagreement, why people are inventing new rituals for belonging and meaning, and what churches lose when they trade formation for efficiency. Then, Rochelle discusses her new book, Disability and Evangelism, and why disability is not a problem for churches to solve but a gift the body of Christ needs to receive. She shares how her son with Down syndrome changed her understanding of discipleship, evangelism, and the kingdom of God. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:42 - Drake's Triple Album Drop
2:24 - Friendship Across Political Divide
10:08 - Rituals
19:33 - Disability and Evangelism
22:17 - Disability Theology
34:33 - Signs a Church is Accommodating
40:02 - End Credits
Disability and Evangelism: The Good News of the Fullness of God's Kingdom (Center For Disability and Ministry Books) by Rochelle Scheuermann: https://a.co/d/0d4aOT2t
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Trump's golden statue and Alien Invasions
14 mei 2026 · 51 min
A group of pastors prayed over a golden statue of President Trump, but they insist it was not a "golden calf" situation. Esau, Malcolm and Mike discuss what the Trump statue reveals about power, idolatry, and the church's temptation to bless empire. Then, they discuss the recent release of government files on UFOs and question of whether the discovery of aliens would change Christian theology, while a discussion about conspiracy theories somehow leads to spies, mayors, and the CIA. Also this week: anti-DEI politics and sewage infrastructure in rural Alabama, companies cutting paid family leave, and is Mike becoming internationally famous? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:12 - Graduation Advice
11:01 - Trump's Golden Statue
22:33 - Sponsor - OneAccord - Get 3 Hours of free, live translation for your church by visiting: https://www.oneaccord.ai/ESAU
24:58 - Aliens!
37:40 - DEI Cuts Causing Plumbing Problems
50:20 - End Credits
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Gutting the Voting Rights Act and Why Results Matter as Much as Intent
7 mei 2026 · 54 min
Preorder Esau's New Children's Book: Lees meer
https://esaumccaulley.com/books/isaiah-johnson-and-the-big-game/
The Supreme Court's latest Voting Rights Act decision has reignited an old debate: does discrimination only matter when racist intent can be proven, or do the results matter too? Esau McCaulley, Skye Jethani and Producer Mike break down the history behind the Voting Rights Act, why this Louisiana redistricting case matters, and what it could mean for Black political representation across the South. They also wrestle with whether America's institutions are actually progressing on race or simply finding new ways to protect power.
Then, Sharon Hodde Miller joins the show to unpack the Newsboys lawsuit and the uncomfortable questions it raises about Christian music, nonprofit partnerships, and money in evangelical culture.
0:00 - Theme Song
0:33 - Esau's New Book!
2:00 - Voting Rights Act Supreme Court Decision
8:47 - Moral Progress and Original Sin
23:09 - Newsboys Suing Charities
40:38 - Downsizing Friendships?
53:42 - End Credits
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Another Assassination Attempt & What We're Missing About DEI
30 april 2026 · 56 min
After another assassination attempt on President Trump, Esau McCaulley, Malcolm Foley and Mike Stralow wrestle with what it means that political violence is starting to feel normal, and why Christians must reject any attempt to justify it in Jesus' name. They unpack the so-called "Christian" logic behind the attacker's manifesto, and explain why the story of Jesus fundamentally undermines violence as a tool for change. Then the conversation turns to the backlash around DEI, where real concerns, bad ideas, and political overreactions have all been thrown into one messy debate. Also this week: why people quietly leave churches, and Producer Mike might need a new nickname. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
3:02 - Assassination Attempt
6:11 - Christian Non-Violence
9:05 - Identifying with the State
17:35 - Conspiracy Theories
20:53 - Where DEI Backfires
29:48 - The "DEI Bundle"
34:52 - Critiquing DEI Without Being MAGA
39:00 - Pastors and Congregation Numbers
55:24 - End Credits
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The Death of Monoculture and What Comes After
23 april 2026 · 50 min
We used to all watch the same thing, but now our entertainment options to our church options are more dived and fragmented than ever. Justin Giboney joins Esau McCaulley and Mike Stralow to discuss the collapse of monoculture. Lees meer
Then, Dave Chappelle recently took criticism for performing at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, but he made the claim that there is no such thing as clean money anymore. The crew discusses if that's true and how should Christians think about spending, giving, and participating in a system that's already broken. Also, is it fair to tax the rich and does it actually improve society if we do?
P Lewis Art Collection:
https://www.instagram.com/plewiscollection/
0:00 - Theme Song
1:45 - The Love of Missing Out, LOMO
7:45 - Is Monoculture Dead?
12:28 - Ideology and Entertainment
22:45 - Sponsor - Tyndale - On The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon dives deep into the Bible. Learn more at https://navpress.com
23:56 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
24:46 - Dave Chappell and Clear Money
37:10 - Mamdani and Housing Taxes in New York City
49:50 - End Credits
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Trump as the Good Physician and Bieber's Coachella Performance
16 april 2026 · 56 min
It was the AI image heard around the world. Esau and Mike are joined by Christine Jeske to talk about Trump's infamous AI image depicting him as a Christ figure, and whether it signals a real shift in his evangelical support or just a passing blip. They also dig into Justin Bieber's Coachella performance, asking whether it tapped into something deeper about longing, vulnerability, and public faith. Then the conversation turns to Anthropic's gathering of Christian leaders to explore whether AI could ever be considered a child of God. Finally, Christine shares about her new book, Racial Justice for the Long Haul, and what gives her hope in the midst of so much turmoil right now. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:00 - Justin Bieber's Coachella Laptop Performance
12:13 - The Pope Vs. the President
25:38 - Sponsor - Tyndale - On The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon dives deep into the Bible. Learn more at https://navpress.com
26:56 - Can AI Have a Soul?
31:18 - AI and Human Value
55:33 - End Credits
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Trump's Crazy Holy Week
9 april 2026 · 56 min
A government official claims God teleported him to a Waffle House, and somehow that is not the strangest part of this conversation. Esau is joined by producer Mike and Stephen Harris to discuss Holy Week at the White House, where the language of resurrection, sacrifice, and salvation was tangled up with politics, power, and some very questionable comparisons. They also wrestle with how Christians can believe in the miraculous without losing their grip on wisdom, and why performative faith keeps missing the point of the gospel. Finally, Esau and Stephen disagree about the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Snape in the new Harry Potter series, raising questions about storytelling, representation, and when creative changes actually make a story worse. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:55 - Teleporting to Waffle House!
11:38 - Comparing Trump to Christ
15:23 - Trump's Easter Tweet
20:21 - God and the State
28:42 - Sponsor - Tyndale - On The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon dives deep into the Bible. Learn more at https://navpress.com
30:05 - Saul and Performative Christianity
38:42 - HBO Cast a Black Actor as Snape?
55:55 - End Credits
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Project Hail Mary and the Return of Optimism
2 april 2026 · 47 min
A sci-fi blockbuster about the end of the world is somehow the most hopeful movie in years. What does Project Hail Mary's success say about a culture drowning in cynicism? Esau McCaulley, Malcolm Foley, and Mike Stralow dig into why audiences are craving optimism again and whether the church (and Holy Post Media) has something to learn from it. Then the conversation turns to all the recent talk about "revival." Is something actually happening, or are we just reading the signs we want to see? They unpack why Christians are so fixated on growth, what we might be measuring wrong, and whether real renewal looks less like hype and more like repentance. Plus, Holy Week reflections, what's bringing them joy right now, and a pair of red Air Force Ones. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme
0:21 - Holy Week with Esau
12:22 - Revival or Not?
17:56 - Curiosity Around Religion
26:10 - Endurance and the Black Church
30:05 - Slavery is a Crime Against Humanity
46:55 - End Credits
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When Even War and Death Become Content
26 maart 2026 · 54 min
War used to be something a nation mourned. Now it's about banger memes. Esau is joined by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and Producer Mike to talk about why the Trump Administration seems to prioritize its social media strategy over its war strategy. They also talk about Trump's response to Robert Mueller's death and reflect on new allegations about Cesar Chavez and what they reveal about leadership, abuse, and the danger of protecting movements over people. Also this week, Esau forgets a very important day. Lees meer
Learn more about Natasha here - www.natashasrobinson.com
0:00 - Theme Song
4:47 - Trump's Glad Mueller's Dead
11:06 - Trump's Lasting Impact
19:31 - Pastors and Politics
24:07 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
26:35 - White House War Memes
31:12 - Targeting Immature Young Men
42:03 - Caesar Chavez Scandal
53:26 - End Credits
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Unqualified MAGA and the Politics of Hate
19 maart 2026 · 50 min
A new study suggests Americans distrust each other more than almost any other nation, and Esau, Malcolm and Mike wrestle with whether we've crossed a line we can't come back from. They dig into the deeper spiritual roots of our outrage, asking what it actually means to love your enemies in an age of constant political combat. Then the conversation turns to Hollywood's obsession with youth and what our fear of aging reveals about us. They also take on the controversy over an unqualified Surgeon General nominee and what it says about leadership, loyalty, and truth. Also this week: Mike shoots his shot, Malcolm runs late, and somehow height insecurity becomes a real topic. Lees meer
0:00 - Malcolm's Too Famous
1:37 - Theme Song
4:17 - Oscars and Plastic Surgery
8:54 - Mike's Too Tall
12:17 - End Stage Polarization
24:46 - Ideological Purity
32:40 - Unqualified Surgeon General
49:24 - End Credits
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Iran, End Times, and the McDonald's Bite Seen Around the World
12 maart 2026 · 53 min
Are the latest headlines about Iran a sign that the end times are near? Esau, producer Mike, and pastor Sharon Miller examine why Christians often interpret global conflict through the lens of biblical prophecy and why the book of Revelation may challenge that instinct. Then, the group talks about a viral cultural moment involving a McDonald's CEO whose awkward burger bite sparked debate about authenticity and leadership in the influencer age. What does it say about our culture when even CEOs are expected to perform relatability online? Sharon also introduces the "relationship gap," a trend suggesting dating apps may actually reduce the differences between people who end up together. Plus, defending movie trailers and more Disney debates. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:38 - Chalamet Angers Ballet Fans
8:36 - Is the Iran War God-Appointed?
16:24 - Memeification of War
27:03 - CEO Eats Hamburger Weirdly
40:04 - Dating Gaps Getting Weird?
52:33 - End Credits
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Making Sense of the Iran War
5 maart 2026 · 43 min
The United States and Israel have launched strikes against Iran and the world is trying to figure out what happens next. Justin Giboney joins the show to help unpack the politics, the constitutional questions, and the potential fallout both overseas and at home. Also, Esau looks at how America's relationship with Israel shaped the conflict and why some Christians see events like this through the lens of biblical prophecy. Plus: we give marriage advice to Tom Holland and Zendaya. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:02 - Does Justin Know Zendaya?
6:40 - At War with Iran
11:47 - Are We Liberating Iran?
18:12 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330
19:21 - Sponsor - Public Good Generation - In high school and looking to lead in faith? Check out this Summer Civics Program in Washington DC: https://ccpubliclife.org/holypost
21:03 - Israel's Influence on Trump
26:19 - Prophecy ad Abraham's Sin
31:20 - Trump's Broken Promises
42:42 - End Credits
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US Hockey, Ben Sasse, and Jesse Jackson: How We Celebrate, Die, and Remember
26 februari 2026 · 51 min
The U.S. hockey team wins gold, but the celebration sparked bigger questions. Esau, Malcolm, and Mike discuss if America become the bully to the rest of the world? Also, Ben Sasse's public reflections on his terminal cancer diagnosis bring a different kind of clarity about faith, family, and what actually matters when time runs short. Then, with the passing of Jesse Jackson, we consider how to remember leaders who shaped history by honoring real progress without pretending perfection. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:10 - Parking Spot
5:36 - Canada Vs US Hockey
9:07 - Did David Become Goliath?
17:21 - Ben Sass and Facing Mortality
21:10 - Sponsor - Nazarene Theological Seminary - Looking for a program grounded in black theology? Check out the Doctor of Ministry in Black Leadership and Ministry at https://nts.edu/podcast
22:24 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330
25:44 - What's Worth Our Time?
35:42 - Jesse Jackson
50:34 - End Credits
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Lent After Loss: What Christian Hope Really Looks Like
19 februari 2026 · 40 min
Ash Wednesday forces us to acknowledge that some day we will die. For some, that truth is abstract. For others, it is painfully personal. Esau and Mike are joined by Hannah Miller King, author of Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness, to talk about what happens to faith when prayers for healing go unanswered. After losing her father to cancer as a teenager, Hannah began wrestling with a question many believers quietly carry: What does hope look like when God doesn't do what you asked? They explore the difference between a "transaction of goods" gospel and the communion of persons, the role of the Lord's Supper in shaping Christian imagination, and how Lent invites us to hold suffering and resurrection together. Also, can Hannah and Esau convince Mike to become anglican? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:19 - Making Mike Anglican
7:21 - King's New Book on Ash Wednesday
14:40 - The Book's Thesis
18:10 - Grief
26:07 - Community and Grief
39:22 - End Credits
Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness by Hannah Miller King: https://amzn.to/4aHAvgh
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Trump's Racist Video and the Refusal to Apologize
12 februari 2026 · 46 min
A video shared by Donald Trump depicting Barack and Michelle Obama with a racist trope sparked outrage, swift defenses, and eventually, quiet deletion. Esau, Malcolm, and Mike explore the long history of dehumanizing imagery, the theological weight of the image of God, and why the refusal to repent may matter more than the original post. Then the conversation turns to rhetoric at the National Prayer Breakfast and the danger of blending national power with the language of the gospel. What does it mean to follow a crucified king in an age that prizes dominance? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:00 - Can You Beat Middle Schoolers at Basketball?
6:56 - Trump's Racist Obama Video
24:23 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330
25:26 - The Military and Religion
35:27 - What's Part of the Gospel?
46:00 - End Credits
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Outsourcing Our Social Lives to AI
5 februari 2026 · 52 min
Students aren't just using AI to finish assignments. They're using it to manage social interactions, from emails to professors to conversations on dating apps. Esau, Justin, and Mike explore how that might spare a little awkwardness, but also skips the stage of failure where real growth usually happens. Then, are small liberal arts colleges actually better at forming students, and are universities still teaching people how to think rather than what to think? Also, sports gambling continues to cause problems and why Y2K culture, including the return of CDs, is making a surprising comeback. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:18 - Black History Month Present
2:23 - CDs Are Coming Back?
9:23 - Physical Media in a Digital World
13:29 - A.I. Keeps Us from Failing
22:12 - Sponsor - Glorify - Get full access all year for $29.00 at https://www.glorify-app.com/esau
23:33 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330
24:50 - Avoiding A.I. Entirely?
34:09 - Liberal Art's Inefficiency is Its Strength
40:54 - Sports Betting's Return
51:50 - End Credits
Resources:
God's Colorful Easter: The Good News Is for Everyone by Esau McCaulley:
https://www.tyndale.com/p/gods-colorful-easter/9798400501029?srsltid=AfmBOopFr6DDhzFFW4jVivkDhEgT3FNiuzM1cc8xmhgBCDtMuXLNVBSZ
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Alex Pretti's Killing and Not Letting Rage Win
29 januari 2026 · 48 min
The killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis has become another moment where violence, misinformation, and political certainty collide. As video evidence contradicts official narratives, Esau, Malcolm Foley, and Mike wrestle with what this death reveals about power, propaganda, and the erosion of public trust. Then the three discuss Esau's recent article for the New York Times to ask a harder question: how do Christians name injustice without being consumed by rage? What does faithful witness look like when anger feels justified but spiritually dangerous? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:10 - American Girl Doll Nostalgia
9:36 - Dark New Normal
14:45 - Justifying Violence with "Woke" Accusations
23:52 - Sponsor - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330
25:02 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
25:53 - Why Do We Believe Things?
33:25 - Not Living with Rage
47:40 - End Credits
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Greenland, Druski, and Why the Church Keeps Getting Roasted
22 januari 2026 · 49 min
Greenland is suddenly back on the menu of American foreign policy, raising real questions about conquest, NATO, and whether Christians can ever justify taking land that isn't theirs. Then, J. Cole's fear of "the fall off" becomes a window into ambition, calling, and the strange psychology of decline. And when Druski lampoons megachurch culture, it forces an uncomfortable look at why the church keeps becoming an easy punchline, and how Christians should respond when they are the butt of the joke. Plus, will Instagram be the thing that finally tears apart Esau and Mike? Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
0:50 - Hills to Die On
7:03 - Why Are We Against Invading Greenland?
16:05 - Sponsor - Glorify - Get full access all year for $29.00 at https://www.glorify-app.com/esau
18:50 - J Cole's Retiring
27:55 - Pastors Falling Off
33:53 - Satirizing Megachurches
48:50 - End Credits
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ICE, the Fed, and How Power Bends the Truth
15 januari 2026 · 44 min
New footage and reporting about the Minneapolis ICE shooting of Renée Good have complicated the story. Esau, Mike and Taelor Gray revisit the incident one week later and ask how political power shapes the narratives we're given, and what it means for Christians to tell the truth when the truth is inconvenient. Then, they turn to the surprising posthumous "ordination" of DMX and consider what it reveals about the nature of pastoral ministry, proximity, and presence in an age obsessed with platforms. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:25 - Wall Street Journal Complains About Sushi for Kids
8:15 - Renee Good and the ICE Stop
21:00 - Sponsor - Glorify - Get full access all year for $29.00 at https://www.glorify-app.com/Esau
22:19 - DMX Ordained After His Death?
43:44 - End Credits
66 Verse to Explain the Bible - Ezra:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/148221073/
Wall Street Journal Article on ICE and shootings:
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/videos-show-how-ice-vehicle-stops-can-escalate-to-shootings-caf17601?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqcM4suCejir2XhY_aFDJ2--sqzFMzLxUYZ4SWneBn28PnkIFR-SG7O92GaLvw%3D%3D&gaa_ts=6967c046&gaa_sig=POa3tPcvJz_pC4-M5-e4uWuWjboR_sO0jyfq1BCM0XWAAXYxeb8OSWlKQ2SbkOYLAfCMr-_WetVC1fqY1L8b3g%3D%3D
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The ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
9 januari 2026 · 39 min
A woman is dead in Minneapolis after an encounter with ICE. Esau McCaulley, Justin Giboney, Malcolm Foley, and producer Mike sort through what we know so far, what the law actually says about deadly force and compliance, and how Christians should think about state power and the value of a human life. The conversation wrestles with fear, responsibility, split second decisions, and the narratives forming around the shooting long before the facts are settled. Lees meer
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Oil, Power, and Tyrants: The Real Motive Behind the Venezuela Raid
8 januari 2026 · 51 min
The fall of a dictator feels like good news, but what if the motive matters as much as the outcome? Esau, Mike, and Sho Baraka dig into the Venezuela raid through the lens of just war theory, Trump's own comments, and the broader unseriousness of the administration. Then Sho reflects on his recent writing about AI and efficiency, asking where the line is between using new technology wisely and setting boundaries for the sake of rest, imagination, and what it means to be human. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
2:35 - Hard Classes That Mattered
8:03 - Venezuela
22:30 - The Donroe Doctrine
30:10 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
31:08 - AI and Utilitarianism
50:39 - End Credits
Sho Baraka's Music: https://www.shobaraka.com/
https://www.instagram.com/amishobaraka/
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The Problems with Medically Assisted Suicide
1 januari 2026 · 45 min
Medically assisted suicide is on the rise in Canada, and it's no longer limited to those who are terminally ill. Esau, Malcolm, and Mike examine what this shift reveals about modern assumptions around autonomy, dignity, and choice, and how Christian convictions about suffering and care for the vulnerable complicate the logic behind assisted dying policies. Also, after Travis Kelce recently claimed that he and Taylor Swift have never fought, the team asks whether conflict-free marriage is actually a sign of health. They explore why disagreement can be formative rather than destructive, and why couples should be cautious about overusing therapy language—like "gaslighting" or "narcissism"—without fully understanding what those terms mean. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:40 - Scheduling Wedding for Money?
7:00 - Do Couples Need to Fight? 1
7:26 - Therapy Talk
22:34 - Medical Assistance in Dying
30:52 - Dying with Dignity
38:28 - What to Leave Behind in 2026?
45:00 - End Credits
#HolyPostMedia #hpm
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66 Verses To Explain the Bible: Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua
25 december 2025 · 23 min
No new episode this week, but here are three more episodes of the HP+ exclusive series, 66 Verse to Explain the Bible. We'll be back next week with Malcolm Foley for a brand new episode. Merry Christmas! Lees meer
0:00 - Producer Mike's Discount Code Challenge
2:40 - Theme Song
2:45 - Numbers
7:05 - Deuteronomy
14:30 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!
15:25 - Joshua
22:42 - End Credits
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Trump's Failure of Empathy & What Knives Out Gets Right About Christianity
18 december 2025 · 43 min
In the wake of the tragic murder of Rob and Michele Reiner, Trump's response on Truth Social reveals a striking lack of empathy. Esau, Mike, and Justin Giboney reflect on how his reaction once again exposes a failure of compassion at the highest level of leadership. Lees meer
Then the conversation turns to Wake Up Dead Man, the latest film in the Knives Out franchise, which unexpectedly offers a sharp and thoughtful portrayal of Christianity in America. What does the movie get right about sin, confession, and grace, and could it be one of the most theologically insightful secular films in years?
0:00 - Theme Song
3:33 - Christmas Movie Character Equivalents
10:05 - Wake Up Dead Man
22:48 - Sponsor - Exclusive $45-off Carver Mat at https://www.AuraFrames.com. Use code ESAU at checkout to save!
23:50 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at:
https://www.tyndale.com/sites/lasb/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20Life%20Applicati[…]ource=Holy%20Post%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Nov%202025
24:48 - Trump on the Reiner Murder
34:30 - Australia and Gun Laws
Esau Article on School Shootings:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/opinion/how-can-we-be-a-country-that-does-this-to-our-children.html
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Are We in the End Times? Live From Boston!
11 december 2025 · 52 min
Esau is live in Boston with producer Mike and Dr. Amy Peeler for a conversation on whether today's chaos means we're living in the end times. Amy and Esau talk about how Christians should think about apocalyptic anxiety, why every generation believes it's the generation, and what Scripture actually gives us—hope, perseverance, and a call to faithfulness. Then, Amy and Esau talk about how they manage being a scholar and a pastor, past regrets they have, and Amy's former life as a tv commercial star. Lees meer
Q&A Bonus Segment on Holy Post Plus:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/145553700/
0:00 - Theme Song
7:30 - Are We in the End Times?
15:00 - America and Eschatology
20:00 - Sponsor - Exclusive $45-off Carver Mat at https://www.AuraFrames.com. Use code ESAU at checkout to save!
21:03 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at:
https://www.tyndale.com/sites/lasb/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20Life%20Applicati[…]ource=Holy%20Post%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Nov%202025
22:10 - Scholars and Pastors
30:35 - How Learning Adds Depth to Faith
39:30 - Being a Pastor in Scotland
42:47 - What We Learn from Hebrews
51:37 - End Credits
Amy (Beverage) Peeler's Commercial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dXsbEtUq9E
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Trump Attacks Immigrants (again), Myths About Black Violence, and the Purpose of Marriage
4 december 2025 · 53 min
Trump's latest comments on immigration turn a single tragic incident into a sweeping indictment of entire communities. Esau, Malcolm, and Mike examine why some crimes are framed as isolated events while others are weaponized to justify exclusion. They then dig into new research on crime shows that consistently misrepresent Black communities as dangerous, exploring how entertainment shapes public fear and reinforces old myths that refuse to die. Finally, a surprising essay about "good divorces" sparks a deeper conversation about the purpose of marriage, the kind of love Christian marriage is meant to form in us, and why covenant isn't built on frictionless happiness. Lees meer
0:00 - Theme Song
1:45 - Ragebaiting's the Word of the Year
5:30 - National Guard Shooting and Immigration
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23:30 - Cursification of Politics
27:30 - Race in Crime Shows
35:00 - Marriage
48:20 - Malcolm's Marriage Advice
52:10 - End Credits