Good Faith

Good Faith

Join host Curtis Chang and his friends as they follow Jesus and make sense of the world. With expertise, thoughtfulness, and humor, they discuss how Christian faith intersects with culture, politics, work, entertainment, and other aspects of life. Good Faith is produced by Redeeming Babel. Good Faith is ranked in the top .5 percent of all podcasts.

  1. 6D AGO

    Katelyn Beaty on Celebrity Culture, AI, and the Risks of Disembodied Faith

    Are Megachurches, Christian Influencers, and Artificial Intelligence Breaking the Church?   This week on the Good Faith podcast, Katelyn Beaty joins host Curtis Chang to confront the church's growing addiction to celebrity culture, asking how celebrity pastors, megachurch platforms, and AI are changing the way Christians are formed. Curtis even asks Katelyn to evaluate whether his public persona and the Good Faith platform risk becoming part of the very problem they're critiquing. If faith is becoming more online, more branded, and less embodied, this conversation asks the hard question: what happens to authentic Christian community, spiritual growth, and discipleship when personality starts to outrun the way of Jesus?   02:06 - Defining Persona vs. Fame 04:14 - Embodied Relationships vs. Platform 05:17 - Curtis's Personal Experience with Platform 09:56 - Dangers of Platform Culture for the Church 14:27 - Curtis's Dilemma: Content vs. Persona 17:58 - Navigating Platform Tensions as a Christian Leader 20:09 - Case Studies: Celebrity Gone Wrong and Right 25:34 - Community and Spiritual Formation Beyond Megachurches  30:10 - Technology, Evangelicals, and the Attention Economy 33:00 - AI and the Future of Persona and Platform  36:12 - Final Hope: Embodied, Material Christian Life   Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List     Mentioned in This Episode: More about Katelyn Beaty Katelyn Beaty's Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church TIME: The True Story Behind the FX Documentary Series The Secrets of Hillsong  Christianity Today's podcast: The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill New York Times: How the Willow Creek Church Scandal Has Stunned the Evangelical World More about Eugene Peterson Curtis Chang's The Anxiety Opportunity     More From Katelyn Beaty: Katelyn Beaty's Substack The Beaty Beat  Katelyn Beaty's podcast Saved by the City Katelyn Beaty's A Woman's Place Participant Guide: A Bible Study Exploring Every Woman's Call to Work     Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of 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 Good Faith.

    40 min
  2. MAR 19

    Francis Collins & Kristine Torjesen on The Fight for Public Health: Science, Faith, and What's at Stake?

    From Breakthroughs to Budget Cuts: The Rollercoaster of Modern Medical Research   What happens when politics wages war on science—and Christians get caught in the blast radius? In this Good Faith Podcast episode, Curtis Chang talks with former NIH director Dr. Francis Collins and BioLogos president Dr. Kristine Torjesen about Collins' forced exit from NIH, the shutdown of a major HIV prevention programs in Africa, and how cuts to vaccines, medical research, and public health are threatening lives and future breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer's, and pandemic preparedness. They also confront vaccine distrust, anti-institution politics, and evangelical skepticism of science, while making the case that science is not the enemy of faith but a gift from God for truth, healing, and human flourishing.   Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Get tickets: Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference and our recording with Matt Maher   05:56 - Political Interference in Science Roles, Research, and Aid Cuts 10:57 - Are Medical Advances Threatened by Political Decisions? 16:03 - Curtis Gets Candid About Unexpected Benefits of Medical Aid in His Life 17:34 - Vaccine Policy Changes and Anti-Vax Influence  20:46 - Engaging Christians Who Distrust Science 25:39 - What Lessons Can We Learn from COVID Vaccine Promotion  28:32 - Is Science Politically Biased? 36:15 - Distrust of Institutions and Its Roots 44:45 - Equipping Pastors and Parents for Faith-Science Conversations 46:59 - Hopeful Medical Advances Despite Setbacks 50:15 - Science as a Source of Beauty and Worship   Scriptures: John 14:6 (ESV)   Mentioned in This Episode: Check out the Biologos website Announcement: Dr. Kristine Torjesen becomes BioLogos' 3rd president and CEO Biologos: Kristine Torjesen's Professional Biography NIH Bio: Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. NIH: Decades in the Making: mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines KFF (The independent source for health policy research and news): COVID-19 preventable mortality Brooke Nichols: Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts Check out the Impact Counter   More From Dr. Francis Collins: Dr. Francis Collins' The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of 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 Good Faith.

    54 min
  3. MAR 16 ·  BONUS

    Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson on Leif Enger's Apocalypse & What Matters at the End of the World? (Reading to Make Sense of the World)

    Refusing Despair Amidst Cultural Darkness   What does it look like to cheerfully refuse a collapsing culture without giving in to cynicism, fear, or despair? Host Curtis Chang and Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson—Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University— dive into Leif Enger's I Cheerfully Refuse, exploring why great novels still matter, how Christians can resist ideations of apocalypse with joy, and what faith-filled fiction reveals about beauty, truth, and survival in dark times. This conversation is for listeners hungry for cultural commentary,hopeful resistance, and deeper ways of reading the world through faith.   01:28 - Challenges of Reading Contemporary Novels 06:03 - The Meaning Behind the Title "I Cheerfully Refuse" 07:47 - Lessons for Dark Times 10:02 - The Enduring Power of Books vs. New Media 12:16 - Cultivating Fruitful Practices in Dark Times 14:36 - Living as a Cheerful Refuser Today 15:02 - Is the Christian Worldview True Reality Or A Bubble? 17:04 - What Is Enger's Idea of True humanity? 18:19 - Recommendations for Similar Books and Authors   Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Get tickets: Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference and our recording with Matt Maher     Mentioned In This Episode: Leif Enger's I Cheerfully Refuse Leif Enger's Peace Like a River Leif Enger's Virgil Wander Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 Claude Acho's Reading Black Books Eugene Vodolazkin's Laurus Rumor Godden's In This House of Brede Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night More About Christopher Beha Jessica Hooton Wilson's The Scandal of Holiness   More From Jessica Hooten Wilson: Jessica Hooten Wilson's website Explore Jessica's books HERE Read articles and Essay by Jessica HERE   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of 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 Good Faith.

    22 min
  4. MAR 12

    David French on The Iran War: If It's Illegal, Is It Just?

    The Intersection of Trump, Iran, and the Moral Limits of War   What should Christians think about the U.S. war with Iran, Israel's role in the conflict, and the risk of a wider Middle East war? In this Good Faith Podcast episode, Curtis Chang and New York Times columnist David French unpack the escalating U.S.-Iran war through the lens of Christian theology, just war theory, constitutional checks and balances, and the moral limits of presidential power. They explore whether America's military action against Iran is just, legal, or dangerously reckless, while also addressing Israel, regime change, MAGA foreign policy, and the growing risk of a wider global conflict. Join David and Curtis for a thoughtful framework for understanding war in a volatile moment.   Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Get tickets: Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference and our recording with Matt Maher     02:32 - Did Anyone See This Coming? 04:51 - Distinguishing Just and Legal Wars 09:25 - Evaluating America's War Against Iran 14:46 - Why Hasn't Congress Acted? 17:59 - Truthfulness of the Administration 22:32 - Potential Consequences of Prolonged War 33:12 - What About the Theory That Trump's War is a Diversion From Personal Scandals? 39:04 - Evangelical Support for Israel 44:08 - Are We Heading Toward World War III? 53:49 - Christian Prayer and Moral Response     Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)     Mentioned in This Episode: A primer on Just War Theory Augustine and Just War Theory The UN Charter  Chapter VII, Article 51: the use of force and collective self-defense What is the War Powers Resolution? Abraham Lincoln'sLetter to Congress: January 12, 1848 (Speech regarding Mexican War) Background on U.S. Relations With Iran (1953-2026) Background on Operation Praying Mantis Impacts of the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani More about the Lockerbie bombing The Ezra Klein Show, March 3 episode: The Great Lie of War     More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of 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 Good Faith.

    59 min
  5. MAR 5

    Dave Evans: Designing and Living a Meaningful Life Now

    What Does Radical Acceptance Look Like in Real Life?   In this Good Faith Podcast episode, Curtis Chang sits down with Dave Evans (co-founder of the Stanford Life Design Lab) to tear up the "find your purpose" script and explore how design thinking, faith, and radical acceptance can lead to real meaning—especially through grief and uncertainty. Expect sharp insights, honest stories, and practical tools to build a life with more presence, flow, and authenticity starting now. Dave and Curtis dig into faith and the tension of the "already and not yet" as they look at the ideas in Dave's latest book, How to Live a Meaningful Life.   Take the Listener Survey Sign up for The Good List Get tickets: Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference and our recording with Matt Maher   03:05 - Dave Evans' Journey & the Origins of Life Design 09:54 - Are there Pitfalls When Pursuing Impact and Transactional Mindset? 18:08 - Design Moves for Greater Meaning 22:05 - Radical Acceptance Illustrated by Personal Loss  28:06 - Why Is the Concept of Flow Important? 39:37 - Compatibility of Design Thinking and Christian Worldview 41:06 - Four Areas of Human Experience for Meaning 45:34 - Meaning in the Second Half of Life  48:59 - Getting Started: Practical First Steps   Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:11–14 (ESV)  Deuteronomy 30:19–20 (ESV) John 10:10 (ESV)  Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)  Romans 12:2 (ESV) Ecclesiastes 2:11 (ESV) Luke 17:20–21 (ESV) Mark 8:18 (ESV)   Mentioned in This Episode: Dave Evans + Bill Burnett's How to Live a Meaningful Life: Using Design Thinking to Unlock Purpose, Joy, and Flow Every Day What is Radical Acceptance? Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience Lisa Miller's lecture The Awakened Brain  Jill Bolte Taylor's TED Talk: My Stroke of Insight More about Jean Vanier and L'Arche Richard Rohr's Falling Upward Veritas Forum: Dallas Willard Stanford's Life Design Lab What is Design thinking? (pdf) Don Norman's The Design of Everyday Things More from Dave Evans: Dave Evans + Bill Burnett's Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life Dave Evans + Bill Burnett's Designing Your New Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness--and a New Freedom--at Work Dave Evans Praxis Mentor page Check out: Designing Your Life website   Connected Good Faith Episodes: Good Faith ep. 68: The Impact Fetish (with Andy Crouch)   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of 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 Good Faith.

    56 min
  6. FEB 26

    Brian Webb's Stubborn Optimism: A Christian Case for Climate Action

    Can Missionaries, Not Politics, Depolarize Climate Change for Christians?   Climate change isn't a partisan talking point—it's a discipleship test, and Brian Webb, a seasoned sustainability director and educator, joins Curtis Chang to make the case that climate ignorance hurts both the body of Christ and the world God made for our flourishing. From typhoons overseas to Lyme disease at home, Webb shows how climate change is already hurting real people—and why Christians can't shrug it off. Forget guilt and "change your light bulb" advice: Brian and Curtis lean into stubborn optimism and practical action for churches, workplaces, and local communities.   06:01 - A Faith Journey Becomes A Creation Care Story 08:23 - Creation Care and 1 Corinthians 12 14:06 - Connecting Climate Change Impact to Human Suffering  18:30 - The Problem of Warming From California Wildfires to Lyme Disease 33:35 - Examples of Institutional Action 39:10 - Measuring Institutional Progress 40:16 - Missionaries Sounding the Alarm  43:56 - Dealing with Discouragement and Stubborn Hope  50:01 - Series Wrap-Up and Final Takeaways   Sign up for the Good Faith Newsletter Learn more about George Fox Talks Register for the Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference   Mentioned In This Episode: Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV) 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (ESV) Read the Cape Town Commitment  Learn more about A Rocha USA Learn more about the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus The YWAM (Youth With A Mission) School of Sustainable Development Learn about the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP) Learn about Typhoon Haiyan survivor Marinel Ubaldo (Noble Women's Initiative) Tuvalu & the Pacific Conference of Churches Organizations Helping Tuvalu: Tuvalu Climate Finance Project  Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project Government of Tuvalu – Climate Change / projects portal   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of 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 Good Faith.

    54 min
4.8
out of 5
1,906 Ratings

About

Join host Curtis Chang and his friends as they follow Jesus and make sense of the world. With expertise, thoughtfulness, and humor, they discuss how Christian faith intersects with culture, politics, work, entertainment, and other aspects of life. Good Faith is produced by Redeeming Babel. Good Faith is ranked in the top .5 percent of all podcasts.

You Might Also Like