The Common Good

As Christmas approaches, Brian From reflects on the tension between seasonal joy and a world marked by violence, loss, and uncertainty, reminding listeners why the message of “good news of great joy for all people” matters precisely when darkness feels overwhelming. The show takes a lighter—but revealing—turn with a discussion of a lawsuit asking whether pets should be recognized as legal dependents, sparking a broader conversation about modern priorities and cultural shifts. Brian closes by exploring why joy can feel so difficult, even in Advent, and why true joy is not rooted in circumstances but anchored in the hope found in Christ.

Bondi Beach shooting live updates: 15 dead at Hanukkah event, including children 

Gospel in Life on X: "You may think, “My biggest problem is if I could just make the money, if I could just get the job, if this door would open …” You think your problems are the circumstances, but circumstances cannot destroy your life the way character flaws can. It’s your character that is your" / X 

Lawyer Sues The IRS, Demanding It Recognize Pets As Legal Dependents 

Rich Villodas on X: "Living joyfully can be hard for two reasons: 1. It can *feel bad* to have joy when the world around you is in pain. 2. It can *feel hard* to have joy when you’re in a bad situation. But we rejoice, not because all is well, but because we trust that God is at work. #Advent" / X 

A Costco Manager’s Unexpected Kindness Turns a Coat Donation Into a Holiday Surprise - ReCglimb 

Fascinating on X: "Just before the start of the 544-mile Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon in 1983, one particular runner caught the attention of the Australian media: a 61-year-old potato farmer named Cliff Young. He had shown up before the race wearing overalls and work boots, telling https://t.co/AL55nvfsSP" / X 

Don’t Be Duped by This Year’s Biggest Religious Trend

Pat McAfee on X: "Absolutely love this from Old Man Rivers.. Anybody can do nothing.. DON’T BE SCARED TO GO FOR IT https://t.co/dRYJGg2uSl" / X 

Christianity Today on X: "“No matter how dark things might seem, light has come and is coming again, and darkness cannot overcome it.” Today’s Advent devotional: https://t.co/YeCedczYsr" / X 

Brian From is joined by Jeff Bradford, President and CEO of The Human Coalition, to discuss how the organization supports women who believe abortion is their only option and helps them choose life. Bradford explains Human Coalition’s dual focus on direct care for mothers and legislative advocacy, including how they respond to the rise of chemical abortions and serve states like Illinois. The conversation also addresses the deep wounds many carry after abortion, offering a message of forgiveness, healing, and tangible ways listeners can make a life-saving impact.

Brian From reflects on the dangers of political cynicism and power while calling Christians to lives marked by character, integrity, and Christlike distinctiveness. As Christmas approaches, he explores the spiritual cost of screen addiction, the importance of turning toward one another, and how practices like communal singing and gracious speech shape healthier, more faithful lives. The episode closes with Advent reflections that point listeners to hope, light in the darkness, and the promise of Emmanuel—God with us.

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Speak with a Christian Accent 

Turn Toward Each Other and Away from the Screen - Christianity Today 

How to Fight Your Phone Idolatry 

x.com/CTmagazine/status/1999471822891307332 

Oprah accused of fueling family estrangement crisis she now warns about | Fox News 

A Gentle Pastor Isn’t a Weak Pastor 

Somebody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen: A Christmas Reflection 

Brian From reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of sports fandom, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, and why dark chocolate might help you live longer—even if he refuses to eat it. He explores the deeper spiritual challenge of Christmas: not consumerism or secularism, but our own boredom with the most astonishing story ever told. The episode closes with a sobering look at the Michigan football scandal as a reminder that sin always destroys—and the gospel always restores.

Dark Chocolate Compound Linked To Slower Aging 

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Fascinating on X: "Adolf (Adi) and his older brother Rudolph (Rudi) Dassler, born in Germany, established the world's first sports shoe company, Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik, achieving global fame when athletes clinched 17 medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in their footwear, including four golds https://t.co/jKXW1DH6rh" / X 

Desiring God on X: "Where do you place your hope in the hardest times? We are not promised an easy life, but we are promised a hope to carry us through every tribulation and trial: That hope is Jesus. Sermon: “Happy in Hope, Patient in Pain, Constant in Prayer” https://t.co/YDcQJy8X4b" / X 

Bend Toward the Light - Christianity Today 

RightNow Media on X: "Jesus is too wonderful for words to fully describe. 🎬 Advent with @jdgreear on RightNow Media https://t.co/ia6lQZH6Hv" / X 

ESPN on X: "Sherrone Moore was detained by police in Saline, Michigan, on Wednesday and was later turned over to a second area police department for investigation into potential charges, the Saline Police Department stated. https://t.co/IddSQorpsa" / X 

Against the World, for the Sake of the World 

Brian From talks with Dr. Greg Smalley, Focus on the Family’s Vice President of Marriage, about the nuanced and often sensitive question of opposite-sex friendships within marriage. Smalley distinguishes healthy, casual friendships from emotionally intimate ones, offering practical guidance, guardrails, and real-life examples for maintaining trust and protecting the marital bond. The conversation emphasizes communication, transparency, and teamwork as the essential tools for navigating modern workplaces and relationships with wisdom.

Brian From welcomes pastor and author Nate Pickowicz to discuss his new book, Overcoming the Darkness: Biblical Help for Spiritual Depression, a deeply personal exploration of anxiety, discouragement, and the struggle to rediscover joy in Christ. Pickowicz shares his own battle with spiritual depression, outlines practical steps for healing—including his “wheel of spiritual health”—and highlights how Scripture honestly portrays the emotional valleys of God’s people. The conversation offers hope, theological clarity, and a path forward for anyone longing to experience God’s peace again.

Brian From welcomes Plugged In’s Adam Holz for a deep dive into the biggest films arriving just in time for Christmas—including the new Knives Out mystery and what families should know before watching. Holz shares thoughtful guidance on choosing age-appropriate holiday entertainment, recommends a few under-the-radar Christmas gems, and confesses which “classics” he still can’t quite get through. It’s a fun, insightful conversation for anyone navigating movies, faith, and family traditions this holiday season.

Brian From sits down with Isaiah Nichols, Creative Director at Gospel Life Church, to explore Behold—a free, immersive Christmas experience blending original music, Hamilton-inspired storytelling, live animals, and a bustling Bethlehem marketplace. Nichols describes the vision behind the production and why Christmas is a uniquely open season for sharing the gospel and inviting friends into church life. The conversation highlights creativity, community outreach, and the heart behind helping families encounter the story of Jesus in a fresh and joyful way.

Brian From welcomes back former cohost and longtime friend Ian Simkins for a lively, heartfelt conversation spanning ministry, fatherhood, spiritual formation, and the early days of The Common Good. Together they reflect on Ian’s work at The Bridge in Tennessee, the power of “table” community, and the encouraging spiritual hunger they see in the next generation. It is equal parts reunion, storytelling, and joyful chaos—including favorite show memories, parenting confessions, and a rapid-fire Christmas movie debate.

Alistair Begg discusses his transition into retirement, the relevance of the book of Ecclesiastes in today's society, and the search for meaning in life. He emphasizes the importance of placing hope in God and offers practical advice for those struggling to find joy, especially during the Christmas season.

Brian From moves from heartwarming viral stories and frigid-weather musings to deeper reflections on habits, comparison, and the spiritual “ice” that keeps us from seeing clearly. He wrestles with cultural debates—from extravagant church Christmas productions to surprising zoo controversies—while continually inviting listeners back to the hope, clarity, and stability found in Jesus, our firm foundation. As Christmas approaches, Brian urges us to shed the weights that entangle, embrace our God-given callings, and remember that even amid rubble, Christ holds every story together.

Bob Goff on Escaping the Comparison Trap and Finding Your Real Purpose - RELEVANT 

'Tax-free grift': Critics already furious about Texas church's Christmas show 

Held Together by a Cornerstone - Christianity Today 

Equipping a New Generation for Mission and the Urbana Conference 

Dr. Derwin L. Gray on X: ""On average, young adults remain much less religious than older Americans,” reads the report released Monday (Dec. 8). “Today’s young adults also are less religious than young people were a decade ago.” https://t.co/9ZQv6rFuIa" / X 

My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2025 

Brian From speaks with Jeff Bradford, CEO and President of Human Coalition, about the organization’s frontline work reaching women who believe abortion is their only option and providing them with compassionate, practical support. Bradford explains how Human Coalition combines medical care, social services, technology, and church partnerships to remove barriers and empower women to choose life—often at the very moment they are seeking to terminate a pregnancy. Their conversation highlights a powerful truth: when women are met with hope, help, and a supportive community, life becomes a real and attainable choice.

Brian From navigates a wide range of stories—from surprising statistics about self-checkout theft to personal reflections on aging, snowy weekends, and the rhythms of the holiday season—before turning to deeper spiritual truths. Drawing from Scripture, he highlights how God delights in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes and reminds listeners of the importance of remembrance, comfort, and hope during Advent. The episode culminates with a reading of Luke 2, centering hearts on the good news of great joy at the core of Christmas.

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From Limping to Leaping - Christianity Today 

Notre Dame opts to skip postseason entirely after being left out of College Football Playoff 

ICE Nativity scenes: Churches reimagine Christmas story amid deportations 

Kirk Cameron Denies 'Eternal Conscious Torment,' Is Now An Annihilationist? - Protestia 

Luke 2 NIV - The Birth of Jesus - In those days - Bible Gateway 

Brian From talks with evangelist and author Ray Comfort about his two new books—Idiotic Things People Did in the Bible and Jesus Amplified—and the surprising ways biblical missteps teach us about God’s patience, human nature, and spiritual wisdom. Comfort reflects on decades of daily Scripture immersion, the richness of the Amplified Bible, and why understanding Jesus’ words in depth is essential for a resilient faith. He also shares practical insight on evangelism, courage, and how everyday conversations can open doors to meaningful discussions about eternity.

Brian From welcomes Barry Meguiar—entrepreneur, TV host, and founder of Ignite America—to discuss why every Christian can confidently share their faith and why the world is more spiritually open than we think. Meguiar’s contagious passion challenges believers to love people boldly, trust the Holy Spirit’s leading, and live each day with eternity in mind. Their conversation is an energizing call to move “off the bench and into the game,” especially during the Christmas season.

Brian From sits down with longtime Focus on the Family counselor Rob Jackson to talk about why the Christmas season can intensify grief, loneliness, and emotional struggle for so many. Jackson offers practical wisdom on healthy coping, supporting loved ones, and dismantling unhelpful Christian stigmas around sadness, counseling, and mental health. Their conversation provides compassionate guidance—and a reminder that no one has to walk through a painful holiday season alone.

Brian From sits down with Betsy Wright, Senior Director of Angel Tree at Prison Fellowship, to explore how this Christ-centered program supports children with incarcerated parents during the Christmas season. Wright explains how Angel Tree strengthens family bonds, breaks cycles of trauma, and connects hurting families with local churches for ongoing care. Their conversation highlights the powerful work God is doing inside prisons and in communities beyond the bars—and how anyone can get involved.

As Christmas approaches, Brian From reflects on the whirlwind of the season, the pressures of time, and the importance of being fully present in the moments God has given us. He addresses the sobering economic realities many listeners are facing—rising layoffs, a frozen housing market, financial strain—and reminds us why the good news of Christ’s arrival is still “good news of great joy for all people.” Brian closes with encouragement from John 15, urging us to abide in Christ as our true source of strength, peace, and fruitfulness during uncertain times.

Brian From welcomes bestselling author and former Chicago journalist Lee Strobel to discuss his new book The Case for Christmas and why he believes the story of Jesus’ birth is historically trustworthy. Strobel reflects on his own journey from atheism to faith, the role of evidence in belief, and why Christmas is a uniquely powerful moment for spiritual conversations. The conversation also ventures into Chicago nostalgia—from deep-dish pizza to Ernie Banks—as Strobel shares personal stories alongside his call for Christians to use this season to share hope.

Brian From sits down with pastor and author Isaac Serrano to discuss his new book When Life Feels Empty, which explores why so many people today—especially younger generations—struggle to find purpose despite material comfort. Serrano unpacks the cultural pull toward materialism, the spiritual hunger it leaves unresolved, and seven ancient Christian practices that help reorient life toward meaning. Their conversation offers both a diagnosis of our cultural moment and a hopeful path forward for anyone longing for direction and depth.