Can a Poetic Pause Help us Embrace the In-Between Moments of the Season?
On this special Christmas Day episode of the Good Faith Podcast, host Curtis Chang and singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken each explore the nativity, the "space between" Christ's first coming and second coming, and how Christian faith holds grief and joy together in a world that often "does not mesh with Jesus." Featuring Madeleine L'Engle's poem "First Coming" and music from McCracken's Christmas EP I Heard the Bells (including "The Space Between"), this episode invites listeners to slow down, notice the small things, and find God's nearness in waiting and quiet wonder.
(00:03:02) Christian Response to a Troubled World
(00:04:22) Madeleine L'Engle's "First Coming"
(00:08:35) Sandra McCracken's Christmas Reflections
(00:12:14) What Is Blessing the Space Between?
(00:12:47) Songwriting and the Sacred Space Between
(00:15:10) From Christmas to New Year's: Blessing the In-Between Times
(00:17:12) Nativity, Slowness, and the Nearness of God
(00:20:01) Curtis Chang's Closing Reflections
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From C.S. Lewis to Luka Dončić: Celebrating Joy in Unexpected Places
On this Christmas-season Good Faith episode, host Curtis Chang welcomes back "founding friend" David French to showcase how he can give thanks in all circumstances even amid a depressing news cycle. Through five surprising "gratitudes" (from Dune and Luka Dončić to family healing and C.S. Lewis), the conversation offers a timely guide to cultivating Christian joy, resilience, and hope in anxious times. French shares why his hope isn't rooted in a "five-point plan," but in the character of God and the "light and high beauty" that can break through dark moments—even illustrated by a powerful story of forgiveness after a Michigan church shooting.
(00:02:22) - Living with Tension: Blessings and Challenges
(00:05:11) - Practicing Cheerfulness and Gratitude
(00:08:52) - #5: Anticipating Dune Part Three & the importance of joy and fun.
(00:18:22) - #4: Luka Doncic & appreciating greatness
(00:26:50) - Transcendence, and the Need for Beauty in dark times.
(00:27:55) - #3: Michigan Mormons' Response to Tragedy
(00:29:22) - The Power of Redemptive Acts
(00:33:35) - #2: Gratitude for his wife & granddaughter's health after medical challenges.
(00:40:32) - #1: The Enduring Comfort of C.S. Lewis
(00:49:44) - The necessity of hope and joy, especially for young people.
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What Do Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Johnny Cash Have in Common?
Singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken joins Good Faith for a short bonus episode on the Christmas songs that can hold joy and sorrow at the same time. Sandra explores the story behind "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"—from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's grief to its enduring promise of peace in the midst of hardship. She also reflects on the influence of Johnny Cash's version and shares what it was like recording the song with Cindy Morgan. A warm, reflective listen for anyone heading into the season with hope and heaviness.
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Can We Welcome the Stranger and Uphold the Law?
How should Christians think about immigration, the border crisis, and refugees—without getting trapped in partisan talking points? In this Good Faith podcast episode, host Curtis Chang sits down with Jennie Murray, president of the National Immigration Forum, to explore a faith-informed approach to U.S. immigration policy. They explore why the U.S. immigration system is so broken and confusing, the tension between compassion and the rule of law, how immigration affects jobs, labor shortages, and the economy, all while debunking myths about crime, fentanyl, and "open borders." (02:34) - Christian first or American first? Identity and immigration (06:01) - Compassion vs rule of law? (10:36) - How the immigration system is failing (14:09) - What really drives migration (18:21) - Labor, talent, and the U.S. economy (22:12) - Who counts as "illegal" or "undocumented"? (31:27) - Law, grace, and the gospel (37:34) - Crime, fentanyl, and fear-based narratives (48:03) - What ordinary Christians can do
Episode Guide for Personal and Group Study
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Christianity Isn't a Nation and The Church Isn't a National Movement
Host Curtis Chang sits down with N.T. Wright to explore the explosive themes of Ephesians, including what the Bible really says about the mission of the church—not as a lifeboat escaping to heaven, but a "small working model of new creation"—a multiethnic, multicultural community that stands against the powers and principalities of our age through truth, unity, and love. Wright discusses the church's mission in a divided world, and the rise of Christian nationalism. They address modern challenges such as misunderstandings of spiritual warfare, the communal nature of the armor of God, why the "belt of truth" matters today, and how Ephesians calls the church to resist counterfeit visions of power.
(06:12) - Has NT Wright changed his mind about the Biblical truths?
(12:15) - What is Wright's "small working model of new creation"?
(16:15) - The new community of Jesus Christ
(22:51) - The problem of Christian nationalism
(28:16) - The Challenge of Christian Multiculturalism
(29:39) - The Church's Role in Spiritual Warfare
(36:56) - Is the Armor of God a communal thing?
(43:05) - The biblical view of men and women is not antiquated
(49:19) - A final word of encouragement from Ephesians
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Can Sabbath Rest Be a Circuit Breaker for Idolatry?
Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith podcast regular Andy Crouch explore how practicing true Sabbath rest can help Christians break free from burnout, technology overload, and the constant pressure to produce. Andy explains the biblical vision of Sabbath, the difference between rest and leisure, and why so many people feel enslaved to email, phones, and digital noise. They offer practical tools for burnout recovery, Sabbath rest practices, and Christian digital detox, helping listeners rediscover rhythms of rest, contemplation, and spiritual formation. If you're searching for guidance on how to practice Sabbath, how to disconnect from technology, or how to recover from burnout as a Christian, this conversation with Andy Crouch provides a hopeful path to real rest.
(02:24) - The Value of Rest Modeled in Creation
(13:04) - The Cycle of Rest, Contemplation, & Creation in Modern Work
(21:31) - Is Ceasing Labor Different Than Resting From It?
(28:49) - Breaking Free from the Labor Involved in Leisure
(32:18) - True Rest Requires Spiritual Practices
(37:44) - How Can We Rediscovering Sabbath Rest Together?
Drawing from a previous conversation with Andy Crouch, this episode examines how Sabbath rest revitalizes the inner life.
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, 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 Redeeming Babel.
How Does Kathleen Norris Show Disability Shaping Love, Lament, and Christian Faith?
Bestselling writer Kathleen Norris joins host Curtis Chang on the Good Faith Podcast to talk about her new book, Rebecca Sue: A Sister's Reflections on Disability, Faith and Love. They share the story of Kathleen's disabled sister, Rebecca, and how her journey through perinatal hypoxia, bipolar disorder, anger, and finally gratitude reshaped their family's faith. This episode offers honest wisdom on caregiving, grief, and aging parents and siblings, plus ideas for making sense of a loved one's disability through letters and reflection. Curtis and Kathleen also explore how churches can better include people with disabilities who are "hidden in plain sight," and why love, lament, and telling the truth about our flaws are central to a life of faith.
(01:49) - What did disability mean in the Norris family?
(04:00) - Discovering Disability
(08:52) - The Connection Between Love and Lament
(16:24) - Lessons Learned Caring For a Dying Husband
(20:09) - The Complicated Journey Caregiving and Dying
(29:00) - Admiring a Father's Determination
(31:36) - Championing Disability Rights
(37:27) - Tackling Disability Awareness in Community
(41:56) - Are There Connections Between This Story and Norris' Other Books?
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, 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 Redeeming Babel.
A Christian Case For Why Refugees Matter
Host Curtis Chang sits down with Myal Greene, President & CEO of World Relief, to discuss the global refugee crisis, U.S. immigration policy, and how the church can lead the way in offering hope, welcome, and advocacy. Greene explains what defines a refugee, why record numbers are displaced worldwide, and how faith communities—from the Vietnamese boatlift era to modern Good Neighbor Teams—have transformed lives through radical hospitality. Together, they unpack the biblical call to "welcome the stranger", explore how refugees strengthen churches, and share practical ways to get involved through initiatives like World Relief's Churches of Welcome.
(02:11) - What Is a Refugee?
(08:31) - The U.S. Churches' Historical Role in Resettlement
(14:22) - The Christian Case For Helping Refugees
(23:26) - Christians Are Immigrants
(29:20) - The Ramifications of Policy Changes
(43:15) - A Final Word from Myal Greene
Episode Guide for Personal and Group Study
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, 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 Redeeming Babel.
Wrestling with Shakespeare, Faith, and the Limits of Technology
Host Curtis Chang and Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson—Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University—explore The Tempest by William Shakespeare and its timeless wisdom for our technology-driven world. Through Prospero's struggle with power, control, and love, they draw parallels between Shakespeare's "magic" and our modern dependence on digital tools. Wilson explains how the play invites us to surrender our illusions of control, embrace humility, and rediscover relationships grounded in grace. Curtis and Jessica's discussion touches on C.S. Lewis, Andy Crouch, and the spiritual discipline of wrestling with hard texts and ideas in an age of easy answers from ChatGPT.
(02:30) - Dependence Upon Technology as Magic
(05:40) - What Do We Forget in Our Obsessions?
(11:03) - The Change in Prospero
(13:41) - Engaging With Challenging Texts
(18:53) - The Temptation of AI
(21:40) - Celebrating Good Faith Podcast Production
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, 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 Redeeming Babel.
How Are Cultural Shifts Making Evangelical Trends Look Like Revival?
Good Faith "founding friend" David French joins Curtis Chang for a powerful conversation on revival, revolution, and the future of American Christianity. Together they explore whether today's supposed spiritual movements signal a genuine renewal of faith or a political realignment within evangelical culture. From Gen Z's shifting beliefs to the rise of MAGA Christianity, they unpack the tension between true repentance and political identity. David and Curtis offer fresh insight into how Christians can pursue authentic spiritual growth while navigating a deeply divided cultural landscape.
(02:58) - What is happening in American Christianity?
(06:36) - It's Complicated: Mistaking Revolution For Revival
(09:35) - What Does Revival Look Like?
(12:11) - Revival vs. Revolutionary Christianity
(20:09) - Empathy and Struggling With Sin Together
(29:11) - Religious and Political Realignment in America
(39:45) - Religious Realignment in American Churches
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, 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 Redeeming Babel.
Can We Move From Fear to a Holy Indifference That Teaches Peace and Presence?
Seattle-based writer Sara Billups joins host Curtis Chang to explore how faith, mental health, and spiritual practices can help calm anxiety in our bodies, families, churches, and politics. Drawing from her book Nervous Systems (available November 4, 2025), Sara shares practical ways to find peace, emotional balance, and spiritual resilience amid today's chaos. Together, Curtis and Sara discuss how understanding our stories and grounding in faith can help us live with calm and clarity in an anxious culture.
(02:23) - Navigating Anxiety in Uncertain Times
(04:35) - Understanding Anxiety Across Generations
(18:58) - Navigating Anxiety With Holy Indifference
(26:00) - Anxiety in Churches, Politics, and Systems
(28:15) - Churches Cultivating Non-Anxious Presence
(33:43) - Finding a Spiritual Home in Crisis
(41:20) - Sara's Message a Generation of Anxious Young Adults
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