Cultural Connections

Calvary Baptist Church
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Religion

Cultural Connections is a podcast that tackles the real-life issues modern people face every day. From trending topics to personal struggles, each episode approaches today’s cultural conversations through a Biblical lens. Our goal is simple: to help you navigate everyday life with timeless truth.

  1. 5d ago

    Has Therapy Replaced Theology in the Christian Life?

    Pastor Daniel Cox and Marie Cox, a licensed counselor, start a few weeks of shorter conversations on the issues behind today's cultural conversations. This one asks where therapy fits for a Christian. Everything in the Bible is truth, but not all truth is in the Bible. So how do we use what counseling has learned without putting man's labels over God's Word? In this episode: If therapy has replaced your theology, your life is out of boundsAll truth is God's truth, and God's Word is the final authorityWhy Marie won't put modern diagnoses on Bible charactersWas Elijah clinically depressed? Was David bipolar?Informed enough to be dangerousDiagnoses are labels, not your identityAre we over-therapizing, or pushing people away from help?Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9m4nUF6nKsM https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture John 20:30 · Psalm 63 Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:34 Has therapy replaced theology? 2:39 Not all truth is in the Bible 4:02 God's Word can stand alone 5:27 Was Elijah clinically depressed? 7:00 Labels are not your identity 9:26 Are we over-therapizing? If this helped, send it to someone who is trying to hold their faith and their counseling together. God's Word can stand alone.

  2. Oct 20

    Out of All the Kids in China, Why Me?

    Out of all the little kids in China, why was it me that was found? Pastor Daniel Cox and Marie Cox sit down with Carter Uldrych, a missionary to Japan. Carter was born in China with a hole in his heart, left in an orphanage, and adopted at two. His parents divorced, his dad went to prison, and at seventeen he lost his mom and was orphaned again. But this time he knew the Lord, and he was no longer fatherless. Now God is sending him back to Asia to be a light in a city of forty million people. This Is My Story Chapters 0:00 Out of all the kids in China, why me? 0:49 Welcome to Cultural Connections 1:19 Meet Carter Uldrych 2:09 Born in China, adopted at two 5:49 Divorce, Phoenix, and saved at six 9:25 Dad goes to prison 10:13 Orphaned again at seventeen 12:28 The youth conference that changed everything 18:44 An open door to Japan 21:10 Tokyo Skytree: imagine these buildings burn 29:30 Out of darkness, into the light 30:13 Forty million people in greater Tokyo 34:04 Don't leave God 34:36 We're not following a system 37:00 How to support Carter 39:19 The harvest is plenteous Connect with Carter: Website: https://compassionforjapan.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xinzhou2003 Email: carterxinzhou@gmail.com Support Carter through Central Missionary Clearinghouse (put "Carter Uldrych" in the notes): https://www.cmcmissions.org/donate Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture John 11:35 · Genesis 2:24 · Proverbs 24:16 · Matthew 9:37-38 · Isaiah 6:8 If this helped, send it to someone whose story started in brokenness. God is not done writing it. #ThisIsMyStory #Missions #Japan #Adoption #Testimony #CulturalConnections #ChristianPodcast

  3. Oct 13

    Why Church Kids Walk Away (It's Not What You Think)

    Not every question is deconstruction. Sometimes a question is the way a child starts to own their faith. Pastor Daniel Cox and Marie Cox talk about why kids raised in Christian homes question or leave the faith, and what parents can do about it. Deconversion, deconstruction, and reconstruction are not the same thing. Some kids were compliant but never converted. Some are not rejecting Christ at all. They are rejecting the hypocrisy they saw at home or in church. In this episode: • Three kinds of deconstruction: deconversion, deconstructing culture, reconstructing • Don't call every question deconstruction • Questioning, doubting, and unbelief are not the same • Compliant child or converted child? • "I want to believe for you." Why parents cannot believe for their kids • Raising them in church is not the same as discipling them • Head, heart, and hands • They may be rejecting hypocrisy, not Christ • Christianity is more than a list of don'ts • Faith, politics, and our kids • Cultural Christianity in the Bible Belt • If you won't answer their questions, the internet will • It's okay to say "I don't know." It's not okay to leave it there • When there's been hurt in the church • Are we giving our kids a faith or just a Christian environment? • When your adult child walks away: pray, stay present, play the long game Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture Matthew 23:37 · John 7:17 · John 1:14 · 2 Timothy 3:5 · 1 Peter 4:17 Chapters 0:00 Not all deconstruction is the same 0:55 Welcome to Cultural Connections 1:15 Deconversion, deconstruction, reconstruction 2:48 Thomas Oden and Classic Christianity 4:28 Don't call every question deconstruction 5:16 Compliant or converted? 5:44 Faith, doubt, and unbelief 6:26 You can't believe for your child 7:42 Raised in church is not discipled 8:38 Head, heart, and hands 9:42 Rejecting hypocrisy, not Christ 12:17 Live what you preach 13:22 Running into a worse tyranny 14:18 More than a list of don'ts 15:50 Faith and political tribalism 18:00 Cultural Christianity 21:47 Don't be afraid of their questions 23:30 It's okay to say "I don't know" 24:08 When there's been hurt in the church 25:56 Distrust of every institution 27:12 A faith or a Christian environment? 28:26 When your adult child walks away 30:26 Young men are coming back to church 31:44 Will they remember why? If this helped, send it to a parent who is praying for a child with hard questions. #Deconstruction #ChristianParenting #Faith #Discipleship #CulturalConnections #ChristianPodcast

  4. Oct 6

    The Art of the Apology

    The hardest part of an apology is finding the humility to admit we were wrong and be willing to make it right. Pastor Daniel Cox and Marie Cox open with the worst apology you have ever heard, then walk through what a real one sounds like. Pride keeps us from admitting we are wrong. Excuses keep us from taking responsibility. Humility opens the door to reconciliation. It is not how often a couple fights. It is how they reconnect. In this episode: • Do not start with "I apologize." "If you were offended" is not an apology • Confession means agreeing with God. James 4: humble yourselves • Motive matters. Some people apologize just so you will not be mad anymore • It's not how often you fight. It's how long it takes to reconnect • Pride says I didn't do anything wrong. Humility says I was wrong • The desire to be right can matter more than the desire to be reconciled • A car dealership, an apology, and our daughters watching • You didn't mean it that way. You still owe an apology • An explanation is not an excuse • "I was only joking." "You took it the wrong way." Excuses we hide behind • Humility is contagious • Two men, one sanctuary, and an invisible line neither would cross • The answer to pride is not better communication. It is biblical humility • The Fab Five of apology: admit it, acknowledge it, accept it, ask for it, alter it • When someone apologizes, don't say "it's okay" • We are commanded to forgive. We are not always commanded to restore • Repentance is a change of mind, emotion, and behavior Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture 1 John 1:9 · James 4:8-10 · Proverbs 28:13 · Ephesians 4:32 · Philippians 2:3 Chapters 0:00 The worst apology 0:45 Don't say "I apologize" 1:49 Confession and humility 2:45 James 4: Humble yourselves 3:30 It's how you reconnect 4:34 Admitting you were wrong 5:13 Pride says I did nothing wrong 5:43 The car dealership 7:29 Tone and perception 8:33 Explanation, not excuse 10:01 Excuses and responsibility 12:26 Humility is contagious 13:04 The line in the sanctuary 13:42 Humility opens the door to reconciliation 15:39 The Fab Five of apology 16:27 1. Admit it 17:27 2. Acknowledge it 18:24 3. Accept it 19:04 4. Ask for it 20:12 Don't say "it's okay" 21:20 Forgiveness vs. restoration 22:49 5. Alter it 24:35 Mind, emotion, and will 25:33 Marie's apology 26:55 Confession is good for the soul If this helped, send it to someone you owe an apology. Admit it. Acknowledge it. Accept it. Ask for it. Alter it. #Apology #Forgiveness #Humility #Marriage #ChristianMarriage #CulturalConnections #ChristianPodcast

  5. Sep 29

    You Can't Raise Children on Rules Alone

    It is our job not to manufacture godly children, but to faithfully disciple the children God has given us. Pastor Daniel Cox and Marie Cox talk about raising four children, including adult children, and why discipleship starts at home. A list of rules is the easy way. A compliant child is not the same thing as a godly child. And when a son or a daughter questions something you treated as settled, the issue is not always the issue. In this episode: • Children walk away with what they experience, not only what they are taught • How many days of real influence do you actually have • Deuteronomy 6. The ordinary moments of the day are the golden ones • Discipleship starts at home. Do not hand that job to a youth worker • You cannot raise children on rules alone. Explain why • No is easy. Obedience is easier to enforce than discernment • They are watching your Christianity, including how you apologize • Do not confuse a compliant child with a godly child • What you teach without meaning to • Punishment is not the same as discipline. The point is restoration • Failure is an event, not an identity • Proverbs 22:6 is not a guarantee you can cash like a promise • Your child does not define you • Keep the door open. Do not change God's Word to keep them • If it is not in Scripture, say so. This is my opinion • Stay in the game. Earn their heart Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture John 8:31 · Deuteronomy 6:7 · Proverbs 22:6 · Proverbs 23:26 · Proverbs 24:16 · John 6:66 · 1 Peter 2:21 Chapters 0:00 Don't manufacture godly children 1:02 Intentionally discipling our children 2:46 How many days of influence 4:55 Discipleship starts at home 5:14 Not on rules alone 11:08 Teach discernment 12:22 They are watching your Christianity 13:33 Compliant is not godly 20:15 What we teach without meaning to 23:01 Punishment is not discipline 27:08 Failure is an event 29:35 When a child walks away 33:38 Your child does not define you 36:12 Keep the door open 41:07 Stay in the game If this helped, send it to a parent who is tired of being the rule book. Stay in the game. Disciple your children. Earn their heart. #Parenting #Discipleship #ChristianFamily #CulturalConnections #ChristianPodcast #Proverbs

  6. Sep 22

    If God Can Use a Dummy, He Can Use You

    Pastor Daniel Cox and Marie Cox sit down with Jo, Ted, and Rocky. Jo is the ventriloquist. Rocky is the dummy. Ted is Jo's husband. They have been reaching children with the gospel since Rocky showed up in 1989. This week they were at Calvary Baptist training teachers for a new children's ministry. In this episode: • Forty kids came to Christ at a Boys and Girls Club when Jo drew the net • Balaam's donkey, and a dummy that preaches • Jo started at 14 with a seven dollar figure from the Sears catalog • Encourage your children. One wrong word can shut down a gift • Flannel graph is so old it is new • Kids' brains are being wired by screens. Attention spans are shrinking. Stick and move • Rocky, a giant hot dog, and Psalm 56:3 • Lighthouse Ministries and Lighthouse Children's Homes • Why a church should still major on reaching children • Reach the children, and you have a door into the family Guests: Jo, Ted, and Rocky  ·  tedjoandrocky.com Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture Psalm 56:3 · Numbers 22:28 Chapters 0:00 Welcome. Jo and Rocky 0:56 Rocky's story 1:23 Forty kids at the Boys and Girls Club 2:36 If God can use a dummy 3:21 Ted and Jo, Camden, Arkansas 3:50 She started at 14 5:13 Encourage your children 7:38 How Jo stays in character 9:37 How Jo teaches kids 10:28 Flannel graph is so old it is new 11:22 Kids, screens, and shrinking attention 13:42 Stick and move 15:49 The giant hot dog 17:28 What time I am afraid 18:00 Lighthouse Ministries 20:39 Why reach children 24:24 Reach the children, reach the family 24:48 Rocky and the grandchildren 29:06 Rocky's favorite bit 31:45 Thank you for our kids 33:23 tedjoandrocky.com If this helped, send it to a children's worker, a parent, or a pastor who thinks he has nothing left to give. Not as a gimmick. As a reminder God uses whoever will go. #ChildrensMinistry #Ventriloquist #Gospel #CulturalConnections #ChristianPodcast #LighthouseMinistries Times are from 28audiosrt.srt. Slide if the camera has pre-roll. Education category.

  7. Sep 15

    24 Things We've Learned in 24 Years of Marriage

    A pastor and a licensed counselor put 24 years of marriage in a bucket of numbered slips. Forty-five seconds to a minute to explain each one. Go short or go long, and you do not get the point. This is not a lecture. It is 24 things Daniel and Marie Cox have actually had to live. Pray when you are struggling. Do not use vulnerability as ammunition. Laugh together. Your spouse cannot meet every emotional need you have. And your spouse is not your enemy. In this episode: • Pray together, especially when you are struggling • You can disagree and still be deeply in love • There will be seasons when one of you carries more of the load • Talk about money before money becomes a problem • Never use vulnerability as ammunition later • Forgiveness doesn't mean pretending nothing happened • Physical intimacy is more than physical • Learn how to apologize without adding the word but • Your children shouldn't become the center of your marriage • Ministry can strengthen a marriage, and it can also put enormous pressure on one • Don't compare your marriage to someone else's marriage • Give each other room to grow • Don't keep score • Love is a decision, not just a feeling • Some arguments aren't worth winning • Assume the best before assuming the worst • Don't make permanent decisions during temporary emotions • We're still learning how to love each other well • Laugh together • Your spouse cannot meet every emotional need you have • Protect your marriage from outside voices • Your spouse will change, and you need to keep getting to know them • Date your spouse even when life is busy • Your spouse isn't your enemy If your marriage feels like a scoreboard, this one is for you. Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture 1 John 1:7 · Ephesians 4:32 · Proverbs 27:6 · Galatians 4:16 · Proverbs 11:14 · Proverbs 17:22 Chapters 0:00 24 years, 24 things 0:46 Ground rules 1:46 Pray together 2:45 Disagree and still be in love 4:11 Seasons when one carries more 5:30 Talk about money 7:15 Vulnerability is not ammunition 9:00 Forgiveness is not pretending 10:22 Intimacy is more than physical 11:44 Apologize without but 13:09 Children are not the center 13:33 Ministry and pressure 15:56 Don't compare your marriage 17:32 Room to grow 19:01 Don't keep score 20:11 Love is a decision 21:41 Some arguments aren't worth winning 22:42 Assume the best 24:11 Temporary emotions 25:45 Still learning to love well 26:58 Laugh together 28:36 Your spouse is not your Messiah 29:49 Protect from outside voices 31:28 Your spouse will change 34:04 Date your spouse 35:00 Your spouse isn't your enemy 36:55 Close If this helped, send it to a couple you love. Not as a lecture. As a reminder you are on the same team. #ChristianMarriage #24Years #CulturalConnections #BiblicalCounseling #ChristianPodcast #Marriage

  8. Sep 8

    You Don't Have to Perform for God

    You do not have to perform for God. You already have His favor in Christ. A pastor and a licensed counselor talk about the performance trap. It shows up in ministry, in parenting, and in marriage. It starts when we try to earn from God what He already gave us. In this episode: • Daniel's 5K, and finishing the race well • I was trying to earn God's favor by preaching harder and praying more • You are saved by grace. You also do not have to earn His smile • I do not serve God for something. I serve God because of something • Excellence vs perfectionism • Performing to please people. Galatians 1:10 • Ministry that feels like a prison • If sitting at Jesus' feet feels like punishment, you are in the trap. Mary and Martha • The parenting performance trap. Your kids are not your identity • Keeping score in marriage • Ephesians 1:6. Accepted in the beloved • Romans 8:1. No condemnation in Christ • Separate your worth from your performance If you are exhausted from trying to be enough, this one is for you. Pastor Daniel Cox & Marie Cox · Cultural Connections https://www.culturalconnectionspodcast.com Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood, Florida · https://calbaptist.net Scripture Ephesians 2:8-9 · Matthew 5:41 · Galatians 1:10 · Luke 10:38-42 · Ephesians 1:6 · Galatians 2:20 · Romans 8:1 Chapters 0:00 Finish the race 0:48 Intro 1:10 Stuck in the performance trap 2:18 You don't have to earn His favor 2:52 I serve God because of something 6:39 Excellence vs perfectionism 10:54 Performing to please people 13:07 The trap in ministry 19:03 Church people and proving something 19:33 If sitting at Jesus' feet feels like punishment 23:41 Ministry should not feel like a prison 24:20 The parenting performance trap 28:33 Keeping score in marriage 32:54 Accepted in Christ 34:17 Crucified with Christ 34:55 No condemnation 38:52 Separate your worth from your performance 39:25 Close If this helped, send it to someone who is tired of performing. Not as a lecture. As rest. #PerformanceTrap #Grace #ChristianPodcast #IdentityInChrist #CulturalConnections #BiblicalCounseling

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Cultural Connections is a podcast that tackles the real-life issues modern people face every day. From trending topics to personal struggles, each episode approaches today’s cultural conversations through a Biblical lens. Our goal is simple: to help you navigate everyday life with timeless truth.

Information

  • Creator
    Calvary Baptist Church
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cultural Connections
  • Show Website
    Cultural Connections

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