Good Faith

• The Epstein Files, Conspiracy Theories, and the Church with Emily Belz & Pete Wehner

  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: [email protected]   Donate to Redeeming Babel   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   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter

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• John Kasich on Suffering, Truth, and the Power of Local Faith Communities

  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: [email protected] Send Campfire Stories to: [email protected]   Donate to Redeeming Babel   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   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up:  Redeeming Babel Newsletter

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• Dr. Curt Thompson: Is God Still Good When the Pain Doesn’t Go Away?

    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: [email protected] Send Campfire Stories to: [email protected] Donate to Redeeming Babel   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   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter    

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• Gaza, the U.S., and Political Divides with Nathan Stock

  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   Donate to Redeeming Babel   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   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter

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• Redefining Neighbor and the Fight Against Poverty with Gisele Garraway

  Empathy and Empowerment in Economic Challenges   What if economic justice isn’t about charity—but solidarity and investment? Harvard MBA Giselle Garraway shares how she left corporate America to found ThriveFunds, a platform that empowers working poor families with dignity-centered investments in their everyday lives. From a street sweeper chasing dreams of restoring a broken family to a working mom caring for both her husband and aging parents, Curtis and Gisele uncover how small, targeted support and investments can transform lives—and shift hearts across economic lines. They explore systemic setbacks and challenge some of the myths of meritocracy while asking: what does it truly mean to love your neighbor today?   (00:01) - Introduction (02:48) - Gisele Garraway’s Story and Work (12:42) - Investing in Working Families (19:55) - Building Bridges Across Economic Divides (36:15) - Systemic Aspects of Government Benefits and Poverty (47:35) - Embodying Human Solidarity in Community (56:11) - Credits   Donate to Redeeming Babel   Resources mentioned in this episode: Matthew Desmond’s Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America  Gallup Study: 50% in U.S. Fear Bankruptcy Due to Major Health Event USA Today: The average American is closer to being homeless than being Elon Musk The United Way’s research on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed Americans Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America Tom Holland’s Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Strength to Love   Scripture Passages About Caring for the Poor: Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV) Psalm 146:5-7 (ESV) 1 John 3:17-18 (ESV) Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (ESV) James 2:15-17 (ESV) Isaiah 58:6-11; 13-14 (ESV)   More about ThriveFunds: Learn More about ThriveFunds Explore ThriveFunds model and Four Categories of Service Be Encouraged by ThriveFunds podcast Bio: Gisele Garraway   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter

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