Biden’s battles, the Diddy trial & summer box office predictions | Ep. 20

This week, we’re diving into the headlines with our usual mix of curiosity and conviction. 

Conner runs down the latest updates on President Joe Biden: the “cover-up” accusations, the Hur tapes, his cancer diagnosis and how it’s all bubbling up into a tense political saga leading to one big question the nation is forced to ask– was he fit to serve in the world’s most powerful position?

Then Micah breaks down the disturbing federal charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs—and why some people are comparing his case to Jeffrey Epstein’s.

But don’t worry, it’s not all serious. We wrap things up with Bust the Block, our totally unofficial, probably-wrong-but-still-fun summer movie prediction game. Which blockbusters will blow up and which ones will bomb? We’ve got thoughts. Let’s get into it.

Topics

• (00:55): Nonpartisan stance and Biden's battles
• (02:58): Biden's book excerpts and media reactions
• (10:03): Biden's health and public appearances
• (16:08): Spiritual reflection on compassion
• (20:54): Introduction to Sean “Diddy” Combs trial
• (26:46): Media frenzy and misinformation
• (28:51): The dangers of hidden sin
• (32:57): Summer blockbuster predictions
• (39:59): Current events check-in
• (41:40): Memorial Day weekend send off

Resources

• Mailbag: culturebrief@denisonforum.org
• DenisonForum.org/subscribe
• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Joe Biden diagnosed with “high grade” prostate cancer
• Responding redemptively to President Biden’s cancer
• ‘Watch Me,’ Biden Said. But Hearing Him in Hur Interview Is More Revealing.
• Trump Suggests Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis Was Hidden From Public - The New York Times
• Biden-Hur interview: Special counsel audio shows Biden's memory lapses
• Doctor Who Worked With Biden Says He Had Cancer for Years
• Axios: Biden's Sudden Diagnosis
• Playbook: Saints and sinners
• Reliable Sources with Brian Stelter
• Amazon.com: Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again eBook
• The court of public opinion weighs in on Diddy trial
• Celebrities With Close Ties To Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Under Fresh Scrutiny
• 'He thought of himself as a king': The parties that led to Diddy's downfall
• The Sean Combs Trial - The New York Times
• Sean 'Diddy' Combs' White Parties: Celebs share wild stories of spiked drinks, drugs, and forced sexual acts - The Economic Times
• Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial is underway. Here's what to know about the charges, evidence and more. - CBS News
• Sean 'Diddy' Combs Legal Timeline
• Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: A timeline of allegations | Ents & Arts News
• The 36 Most-Anticipated New Movies of Summer 2025

About Micah Tomasella

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

About Conner Jones

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.