What role does faith play in building better communities?

On this episode of the Faith & Clarity Podcast, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with former Ohio Governor John Kasich to talk about his new book, Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire, Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future. Together, they explore how local churches and faith communities can be catalysts for hope, healing, and renewal in our world.

Governor Kasich reflects on lessons from his years in public service, shares personal stories that shaped his journey, and explains why seeing every person as made in the image of God is essential for lasting change. The conversation also highlights practical ways faith can shape everyday life and inspire us to build stronger neighborhoods and more compassionate communities.

Topics

• (00:37): Introducing Governor John Kasich
• (04:27): The inspiration behind Heaven Help Us
• (05:39): The role of faith communities in society
• (10:05): Challenges and opportunities for faith communities
• (16:24): Encouraging stories from Heaven Help Us
• (17:53): Embracing compassion and community
• (21:39): Forgiveness in the face of tragedy
• (24:48): Starting community initiatives
• (26:48): Political polarization and redistricting
• (32:24): Religious liberty and political leadership
• (34:16): Conclusion and final thoughts

Resources

• Ask Us Anything: info@denisonforum.org
• How has Denison Forum impacted your faith?
• Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire, Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future
• Zondervan: Heaven Help Us
• John Kasich (@johnkasich) • Instagram photos and videos
• John Kasich: Facebook
• John Kasich (@JohnKasich) / X
• The Kasich Company

About Governor John Kasich

John Kasich is a national leader who has spent a lifetime bringing people together to solve big problems and leave the world around them just a little bit better than they found it. Kasich served as the 69th governor of Ohio and ran for President during the 2016 GOP primary. His message focused on unifying Americans rather than dividing them, championing the great potential of our citizens to make positive impacts in their own communities, a strong national defense, and the importance of our international alliances. 

Today, he runs the Kasich Company and serves as a political analyst for NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC. He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers: Courage Is Contagious; Stand for Something; Every Other Monday; Two Paths; and It’s Up to Us. His most recent book, Heaven Help Us, is now available. He is married to Karen Kasich and is the proud father of adult twin daughters.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Mark Turman, DMin, serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity Podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for 35 years, including 25 years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas.

Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

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 Faith & Clarity Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.