Today is Juneteenth, a day where we celebrate the news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reaching slaves on the Texas shores. We felt like now would be a good time to revisit the topic of racial division. What are the real steps to breaking the cycles of racial incidents, protests and backlash that we see so often in the United States? We are joined by George Yancey, a professor at Baylor University specializing in race relations, to explore this topic. Yancey shares his deep insights...

This Summer we are re-visiting a few of our favorite previous episodes. Some from recent seasons, some from not-so-recent. We've had some really amazing and helpful guests on over the years, so while we are busy recording new episodes, we wanted to share these with you! We hope you enjoy them! -- In this week's episode, we sit down with a good friend, Aina Carruth, to talk about the hard seasons of friendship, how to make healthy boundaries, and appreciate the beauty of good friendships....

This Summer we are re-visiting a few of our favorite previous episodes. Some from recent seasons, some from not-so-recent. We've had some really amazing and helpful guests on over the years, so while we are busy recording new episodes, we wanted to share these with you! We hope you enjoy them! Hip-hop artist and writer Jackie Hill Perry joins us and shares the role of art in her story of gospel transformation. She and guest Jahmaol Clark discuss the relationship between hip-hop and the...

This Summer we are re-visiting a few of our favorite previous episodes. Some from recent seasons, some from not-so-recent. We've had some really amazing and helpful guests on over the years, so while we are busy recording new episodes, we wanted to share these with you! We hope you enjoy them! -- Is God a foodie? This episode talks about the biblical significance of food and our cultural obsession with it. -- Instagram Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor...

This Summer we are re-visiting a few of our favorite previous episodes. Some from recent seasons, some from not-so-recent. We've had some really amazing and helpful guests on over the years, so while we are busy recording new episodes, we wanted to share these with you! We hope you enjoy them! -- Through his book, Good and Beautiful and Kind, Rich Villodas offers a contemplative practice, based on the gospel, that helps us find joy and beauty despite a hostile and difficult world.    Good and...

This Summer we are re-visiting a few of our favorite previous episodes. Some from recent seasons, some from not-so-recent. We've had some really amazing and helpful guests on over the years, so while we are busy recording new episodes, we wanted to share these with you! We hope you enjoy them! -- While marriage can be easy for some, the reality of two sinners entering into union with each other is often fraught with hardship. This week we chat with Laurie and Matt Krieg on their own personal...

In this final episode of the season, Tymarcus sits down with Joey Honesko to talk about how poetry can help us better understand the beauty and complexity of the scriptures.

What does it mean to be citizens of heaven? And how does that affect our earthly citizenship? In this episode we look at the relational language the bible uses frequently — brothers and sisters, citizens of heaven, royal priesthood, and others.   -- One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us continue producing this show. Follow us on social: Instagram   Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like...

Liz is back and the studio has never felt more alive! She joins us to pick apart this year's Oscars. This episode isn't just about the glitz of the gala; it's our reflections on the highlights, the lowlights, the war and peace narratives threading through recent cinema, the cultural disconnect that often plagues the Oscars and why we (mostly Adam) think film is still so important for art and creativity. We wrap up with our personal top picks from 2023. Join us for a celebration of...

This week Tymarcus talks to Pastor Charles Wilson from The Hill Church in Roanoke, VA about how Christians can think about effecting change in their communities through their churches. Pastor Charles helps us think about how as Christians we should move towards the problems and be a part of helping our neighborhoods flourish.   Guest Resources https://www.thehillchurch.com/ -- One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps...

On this episode we talk about the good, the bad and the ugly...of institutions. Are there any redeeming qualities to institutions anymore? We start with a working definition of institutions and then dive into some of the most problematic elements of today's institutions. We specifically explore the value of religious institutions and where we have hope for them.   Guest Resources Follow Kyle Worley Instagram | X Mosaic Church Knowing Faith Podcast Training the Church Follow Adam...

Continuing the conversation from last week, Dr. Paul Miller helps us look at the difference between Nationalism and Patriotism, as well as how to be a good Christian citizen and participate in politics. Guest Resources Follow Dr. Miller on X (Twitter) Dr. Miller's Book: The Religion of American Greatness -- One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us continue producing this show. Follow us on...

This week we talk to writer and professor Dr. Paul Miller, in the first of a two-part conversation on Christian Nationalism. In this first part, we define the term and help clarify some confusion around the topic. Guest Resources Follow Dr. Miller on X (Twitter) Dr. Miller's Book: The Religion of American Greatness -- One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us continue producing this show. Follow us on...

This week we are joined by Matthew Martens, a defense lawyer and author of "Reforming Criminal Justice." We discuss the role of the justice system in society, how we ended up with the system we have in the US now, and what is wrong with it. Matthew explains his passion for accurate representation, the importance of jury duty, and how Christians should approach the justice system. We wrap up with some practical and tangible ways to help usher in change. Resources Mentioned Mathew Martens'...

Have you ever found yourself questioning your beliefs? You're not alone. Pastor Jamin Roller joins us in a candid conversation about the complexities of doubt within the Christian faith. We explore the walk between conviction and the natural human tendency to question and how scripture itself presents a rich tapestry of responses to doubt — from the Psalms' raw introspection to the Gospels' narratives of Jesus compassionately addressing His own disciples uncertainties.   Resources Mentioned:...

How should Christians think about global conflict? Does being a "peacemaker" mean we don't engage with or create conflict? How do we even start to make peace in such a polarized culture? In this episode, we have a conversation with author and theologian Jonathan Dodson about how to navigate our divided culture.   Resources Mentioned: The Unwavering Pastor Our Good Crisis The 6 Megatrends That Will Shape 2024 What is Chronic Anxiety? | Steve Cuss -- One of the best ways to support the...

This week we tackle a topic that can really affect a lot of us. In a culture that celebrates speed and efficiency, and platforms people who “hustle,” the reality is that constant hustling leads to burnout. God speaks to us through His word and through the example of Christ to show us there is a better way. Resources Mentioned Sabbath Resistence The Common Rule Habits of the Household The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry -- One of the best ways to support the show is by becoming a Patron. Your...

As we enter into a new year and all that can weigh on that season—the hustle culture, demands from family and friends, an election year. There are plenty of things to be anxious about, so in this episode, we have a conversation about anxiety. -- One of the best ways to support the show is by becoming a Patron. Your support helps us continue producing this show. Follow us on social: Instagram

In this special Christmas crossover episode, we are joined by Drew Fitzgerald, host of the podcast Christianese. We compete in a little Christmas Trivia, share some nostalgia and close with a special segment by Drew. Merry Christmas from all of us at Culture Matters!   Subscribe and Listen to Christianese:On AppleOn Spotify -- One of the best ways to support the show is by becoming a Patron. Your support helps us continue producing this show. Follow us on social: Instagram   Editing and...

We wrap up 2023 with a look back at some news from the year and talk about some of our favorite episodes, as well as some books and songs that we enjoyed.   Resources Mentioned The best of 2023 (songs) The best of 2023 (books) Thanks to Our Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Called.Called is a professional network specifically designed for people in ministry! For anyone from youth interns to executive pastors, Churches to Christian nonprofits, Called is THE place to find community and...

In this week's episode, we sit down with a good friend, Aina Carruth, to talk about the hard seasons of friendship, how to make healthy boundaries, and appreciate the beauty of good friendships. Friendships are worth the work and there's so much to learn and glean from persevering in friendship.   Thanks to Our Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Called.Called is a professional network specifically designed for people in ministry! For anyone from youth interns to executive pastors, Churches...

We invited our friends Braedon and Jenna back on the show to talk more about navigating singlness. In this episode we talked about how to handle friendships between singles and marrieds, steward attraction, and advice for navigating the holidays when you're single. Resources Mentioned Link to previous episode on Singleness Link to episode with Curt Thompson Thanks to Our Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Called.Called is a professional network specifically designed for people in ministry!...

We chat with author Zachary Wagner about his book Non-Toxic Masculinity. Zachary offers a fresh approach to thinking about masculine sexuality from a nuanced Christian perspective. He paints a beautiful picture of healthy masculinity in light of the redemptive story that God has for all of humankind.   Guest Resources Zachary's Website: zacharycwagner.com Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality Follow Zachary Thanks to Our Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Called.Called...

Author and Psychiatrist Curt Thompson joins us on the podcast to talk about his book The Soul of Desire. We explore the topics of beauty, vulnerability, longing, community, and the nature of desire.   Guest Resources Connect with Dr. Thompson and his workBeing Known PodcastNeuro Faith PodcastPhilosopher Roger Scrutun's Beauty   Thanks to Our Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Called.Called is a professional network specifically designed for people in ministry! For anyone from youth interns...