Culture Matters

In this episode, host Adam is joined by Katherine Bahcall, licensed Professional Counselor and a leader in recovery and care ministries, to discuss the often difficult but essential topic of conflict. Together, they explore how Christians can navigate conflict both personally and professionally, drawing from biblical wisdom and counseling experience. From conflict avoidance to the role of justice and mercy, they unpack practical st...

In this moving episode, Adam and Ty sit down with artist Dawn Waters Baker to explore the sacred intersection of art, suffering, beauty, and faith. From her childhood in the Philippines to her residencies in national parks and her deep love for scripture, Dawn shares how her art is shaped by landscapes, personal grief, and the pursuit of God’s presence in both pain and beauty. This is a rich conversation on what it means to create ...

In this thoughtful and practical continuation of their conversation on gender relationships in the church, Ty, Liz, and Adam explore how men and women can engage each other as family within the body of Christ. Building on the theological foundation from a previous episode, they delve into real-world dynamics, boundaries, and the complexity of navigating cross-gender relationships with wisdom, love, and honor. From pastoral care to ...

In this episode of Culture Matters, Ty and Taryn sit down with Dr. Jonathan Pennington to explore how metaphors do far more than decorate our teaching—they shape our understanding of reality itself. Drawing from philosophy, neuroscience, theology, and personal experience, Dr. Pennington helps us see how metaphors are central to how we communicate truth, especially in Christian teaching, counseling, and daily life.

In This Ep...

In this deeply moving episode, Adam and Ty sit down with Pastor Ray Ortlund to discuss his latest book, Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems Lost. Ray shares powerful reflections on how suffering, betrayal, and loss can become sacred spaces where God draws near. The conversation explores the nature of grace, the reality of rock bottom, and how true healing begins not by escaping pain but by meeti...

In this conversation, Adam and Elizabeth sit down with writer and journalist Whitney Pipkin to talk about her book We Shall All Be Changed. Whitney shares how walking with her mother through a 22-year cancer journey—and ultimately her final days—reshaped her theology of death, grief, caregiving, and hope. Together, they explore the cultural discomfort around death, how Christians can approach suffering without fast-forwarding to ho...

In this episode, we sit down with counselor Hillary Marvin to unpack how our past—especially our family of origin—shapes the way we relate to God, ourselves, and others. Hillary walks us through the “old house vs. new house” analogy, showing how the gospel reshapes our values, our emotional patterns, and our relationships.

We talk about how childhood experiences affect our parenting, our friendships, even our spiritual practices, an...

This episode, we’re out of our usual space and recording from Neighbor Books in McKinney, Texas. We sit down with owner Joey Honesco to talk about place, calling, and the quiet power of presence.

Joey shares his journey of opening a bookstore rooted in community—a “third place” where people connect over books, coffee, and shared rhythms. We reflect on how God uses proximity and intentionality to shape us, drawing from our own storie...

What does leadership look like when no one’s watching?

In this episode, we sit down with Alan Hooton — educator, elder, and faithful presence at Citizens Church — to explore leadership shaped not by titles or accolades, but by consistency and character. After 19 years in the same classroom, Alan invites us to see leadership as something slow, relational, and deeply rooted in presence.

We talk about leading in the home and in the chur...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenna Hernandez from Citizens Church, who shares how her work in college ministry and prison discipleship is all about meeting people right where they are. Whether she’s leading a Bible study with students at UT Dallas or walking with women behind bars, Jenna brings a grounded, relational approach to spiritual formation—one that’s shaped by presence, patience, and hope.

We talk about the unique chall...

In this episode, Caroline Smiley joins us to explore God’s vision for friendship and community. How do relationships shift across seasons of life? What does it mean to pursue Christlike friendships in a culture shaped by individualism?

We dive into the biblical foundation of community, from Genesis to today, and how Scripture challenges our approach to relationships. We unpack how deep friendships reveal both our strengths and blind...

Why do spiritual disciplines matter if we’re saved by grace through faith? If salvation isn’t based on works, why do prayer, fasting, and Scripture reading still hold weight? Today, we’re diving into what Paul says in Romans about how salvation isn’t just about avoiding hell—it’s about transformation. Spiritual disciplines aren’t about earning God’s favor; they’re about stepping into the fullness of life He’s called us to.

Topic...

We are kicking off this special mini-series on Spiritual Formation by sitting down with Robyn, a longtime friend and valued member of our church community. At 58, Robyn embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner, embracing the highs and lows of life with faith and humility. She shares her story through the lens of seasons—how adoption, loss, and her relationship with the church have all shaped her walk with Christ.

We also talk...

We’re kicking off a fresh season of Culture Matters with a new approach—less reaction, more intentional conversation. Inspired by Andy Crouch’s vision of Christians as curators, we’re breaking up the season into six to eight-week mini-series that dig deep into faith, culture, and creativity. Along the way, we’ll explore key cultural moments, theological insights, and the stories shaping our world.

This episode, we’re diving into TV ...

Amidst the holiday hustle, have you ever considered the impact of pausing to reflect? Advent offers us this sacred pause, inviting us to step away from commercial chaos and embrace the profound of Advent and Christmas. This episode guides you through the themes of Advent—hope, love, joy, and peace—showing how they anchor us during this season. Scripture from Isaiah, Luke, Matthew and James illuminates our path as we enter into the ...

Advent reminds us of the hope in a light in the darkness. In this episode, our friends Bobby and Taryn share their story of how God upheld them through joys and suffering and through seasons of lament surrounding the holidays. 

Topics Discussed

• Encountering God in Suffering
• The Power of Christian Lament
• Trusting God in Community
• Embracing Joy and Sorrow in Advent
• Finding Grace in Suffering

Recommende...

In this episode we discuss some of the bigger headlines in the news lately as well as take a look back at the year to review some of our favorite, books, music and movies.

Recommended and Mentioned Resources

Our previous episodes on Christian Nationalism:

• Part 1
• Part 2

Books:

• Flood and Fury
• Hip-Hop Is History
• Do Fathers Matter?
• Nuclear War on Audible
• The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever
• We Shall ...

Join us on Culture Matters as we explore the epistle of Galatians with Elizabeth, who shares insights from her new study, Live Free. Elizabeth delves into her admiration for Paul's engagement with culture, highlighting his skillful interaction with Greek philosophers and his adept handling of false teachings by the Judaizers. We discuss how Paul's message remains relevant today, addressing the timeless challenges of being r...

Join us on Culture Matters as we explore the role of gratitude and its significance. We discuss how the human experience is often a mixture of gratitude and sorrow, how gratitude can offer contentment in the present moment and how it can shift our perspective to appreciate even small blessings.

Topics Discussed

•  Choosing Gratitude for Joyful Living
• Navigating Gratitude and Sorrow in Life
• Finding Grace in Times of Loss
• See...