We Can Find Common Ground Even in Washington, D.C.

Good Faith’s series of Campfire Stories invites listeners to hear how ordinary people are living out extraordinary faith in complex times. In this episode, Daniel, a pastor in Reston, Virginia, reflects on 23 years of ministry near Washington D.C., where politics and faith are in constant conversation. Inspired to bring the community – inside and outside of his church – together through civic discourse, he championed an initiative to create spaces for meal sharing and meaningful dialogue, creating curiosity and seeking unity across political lines. Daniel’s story shows how one pastor can change the way we do church to cultivate reconciliation, hope, and community in the most polarized of towns.

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

From Jeffrey Epstein to QAnon, Why Do Conspiracies Thrive in Churches?

The Atlantic’s Pete Wehner, Christianity Today’s Emily Belz, and host Curtis Chang dive into QAnon, conspiracy theories, and the MAGA movement’s influence on American politics, culture, and the church. From Donald Trump’s messianic image to the shadows of Jeffrey Epstein, they reveal why conspiracies thrive in times of distrust—and how faith communities can fight back with truth and resilience.

(01:58) - Understanding the QAnon Conspiracy Movement

(04:10) - The Impact of QAnon Beliefs

(10:55) - The Role of Jeffrey Epstein’s Death

(17:13) - Christian Vulnerability to Conspiracy Theories

(25:13) - The History of Christianity and Conspiracies

(30:14) - The Grip of Trump on MAGA

(40:36) - Challenges Facing Church Leadership Today

Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Emily Belz: How QAnon Lives On Under Trump 2.0
• Pete Wehner: Trump Discovers MAGA Has No ‘Off’ Switch
• Wired: All The Times Kash Patel Promoted QAnon
• FOX News: AG Pam Bondi on Epstein files: 'The public has a right to know' (March 3)
• Politico: Outraged Trump supporters not placated by DOJ’s actions on Epstein
• New York Times: Trump Embraces Conspiracy Theories He Only Winked at Before
• Life Way Research: 50% of U.S. Protestant Pastors Hear Conspiracy Theories in Church
• American Enterprise Institute: Findings from the January 2021 American Perspectives Survey
• Nicholas Carr's The Shallows
• More about Historical Antisemetic Conspiracies: Blood Libel
• More about William Miller & the Millerites

More from Emily Belz & Pete Wehner:

• Emily Belz’s article at Christianity Today
• Pete Wehner’s articles at The Atlantic

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Faithful Actions and a Blueprint for Societal Healing

Former Ohio Governor John Kasich joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith Podcast to share how character, faith, and even suffering shape real leadership in a divided America. Drawing from the Governor’s new book Heaven Help Us, he and Curtis unpack why objective truth matters more than ever, how faith communities and neighborhoods can spark real change, and why grassroots action beats toxic politics every time. The conversation explores the power of authentic relationships and faith-driven hope to help fix what’s broken in our neighborhoods and our country.

(00:01) - Finding Faith Amid Suffering and Service

(08:31) - Character, Faith, and Political Analysis

(19:20) - Community Engagement and Faith-Based Action

(32:51) - Inspiring Faith Communities and Hope

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org

Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Governor Kasich’s book Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future
• Ernie Johnson’s Thoughts On the 2016 Election (starting at 4:05)
• Different versions of the scripture about Job and his friends
• Read about Helmut Thielecke
• Audio Archives featuring Helmut Thielicke
• A theological unpacking of Romans 8:28
• Books by Tremper Longman
• Tim Keller’s Gospel in Life website
• The history of the Vineyard Church in America
• Learn more about Convoy of Hope

More from Governor John Kasich:

• Governor Kasich’s website
• Governor Kasich’s book Every Other Monday: Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith, and Friendship
• Governor Kasich’s book Courage Is Contagious: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things To Change The Face Of America

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Suffering’s Transformative Power in Faith and Mental Health

What if suffering isn’t the enemy—but the doorway to beauty, connection, and hope? Psychiatrist Dr. Curt Thompson joins host Curtis Chang for a raw and redemptive conversation on how pain, anxiety, and fear of abandonment shape our lives and our faith. Grounded in both Scripture and neuroscience, this episode challenges the myths we carry about control and invites us into deeper attachment with God and others.

(00:01) - Exploring Suffering and Transformation

(11:30) - Exploring Suffering and Connection

(12:45) - The Object of God’s Glory and the Object of God’s Wrath

(25:09) - Embracing Suffering With Community and Compassion

(36:57) - Inviting Healing and Transformation Through Suffering

Drawing upon material from a past conversation, this episode provides ideas about emotional resilience and spiritual formation through suffering.

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Thompson's The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope
• Dr. Thompson's Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections Between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships
• C.S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• C.S. Lewis’s The Weight of Glory

Scripture mentioned in this episode:

• Read Mark 10:35-40 (ESV) - Jesus’ question to James and John
• Read Genesis 2:16-18 (ESV) - God tells the man He will surely die
• Read Genesis 1-3 (ESV) - The narrative of creation and fall, as the origins of suffering
• Read John 1:14 (ESV) - Jesus is God’s glory
• Read Psalm 22 (ESV) - The Psalm quoted by Jesus in the Gethsemane

More from Dr. Curt Thompson:

• Dr. Thompson’s website
• Dr. Thompson’s The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves
• Dr. Thompson’s The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community

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Finding Common Ground in a Divided World

What can strife in Israel and Palestine teach us about America’s own political polarization? Host Curtis Chang sits down with conflict resolution expert Nathan Stock of the Carter Center to explore some of the hard truths from Middle East—and the surprising parallels here at home. From media-fueled division to the hope for bipartisan breakthroughs, Curtis and Nathan unpack how deep-rooted conflict forms—and offer pathways to bring healing and hope.

(00:01) - Navigating Conflict in the Middle East

(14:05) - Lessons from Northern Ireland and South Africa

(16:42) - Building Hope for Conflict Resolution

(25:18) - Different Brain Types and Polarization

(26:30) - Bridging Political Divides to Further U.S. Unity

(39:27) - Building Community Through Shared Stories

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Summary: The "Six Day War" of 1967 (U.S. Dept. of State)
• Overview: October 7, 2023 and the Israel/Hamas Conflict (U.S. Congress)
• An Explanation of The Geneva Conventions and their Commentaries (The Red Cross)
• An Explanation of The Good Friday Agreement (Associated Press)
• Remembering The Breakup of Yugoslavia (U.S. Office of the Historian)
• Abstract: Shared neural representations and temporal segmentation of political content predict ideological similarity (Science Advances)
• John R. Hibbing, Kevin B. Smith, & John R. Alford’s book Predisposed: The Left, The Right, and The Biology of Political Differences
• NPR Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem

The Carter Center’s Conflict Work:

• Nathan Stock’s article: There’s a new silent majority — and they need to be activated
• The Carter Center’s Democracy Program
• The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Program
• The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Reports

More In Common Studies:

• Listening Across Difference: What Americans feel, fear, and want to learn
• Interpreting young Americans’ views on government, the Constitution, and the appeal of authoritarian alternatives​
• The Connection Opportunity: Insights for Bringing Americans Together Across Difference

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What Role Does Jordan Peterson Play in Shaping Young Men's Views on Masculinity?

Host Curtis Chang teams up with “founding friend” and New York Times columnist David French to unpack David’s recent conversation with Jordan Peterson—and the crisis facing young men today. From mental health struggles to educational decline, David and Curtis take a hard look at what’s shaping young male identity in modern America, including the outsized influence of figures like Peterson. They explore how political polarization, digital culture, and a loss of purpose are driving young men to extremes. Most importantly, they offer a redemptive vision: practical ways to cultivate virtuous masculinity through mentorship, community, and spiritual formation.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• David’s column What’s the Matter With Men?
• David French appears on Jordan Peterson’s podcast
• Urban and Rural numbers on "Deaths of Despair" (NIH)
• The Widening Gender Gap
• Reflections: Men Without Chests (from C.S. Lewis’ The Abolition of Man)
• Admiral William H. McRaven’s 2014 Commencement Address
• Of Boys and Men: A Conversation with Richard Reeves
• Richard Reeves’ Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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