Host Curtis Chang explores the intersection of faith, music, and biblical harmony with acclaimed singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken in a conversation focusing on the craft of scripture-soaked songwriting. While discussing the influences that have shaped Sandra’s art, they unravel the importance of music in our daily lives and worship routines. The pair also share insights from a recent collaboration between the Porter’s Gate and Redeeming Babel that produced a new batch of songs that fosters unity amidst today's political divisions.   Follow our social media accounts to stay abreast of news about “Songs For The After Party” from The Porter’s Gate and Redeeming Babel.   Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French   Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!    See Sandra McCracken on tour: dates here!   Buy Sandra’s Book: Send Out Your Light: The Illuminating Power of Scripture and Song   Music mentioned in the episode:   Psalms (album) by Sandra McCracken   We Will Feast In The House of Zion by Sandra McCracken   Steadfast by Sandra McCracken   Trinity Song by Sandra McCracken   Fool's Gold by Sandra McCracken   Song For Rachel by Sandra McCracken  

We can't get enough of our friend Nancy French! Her debut memoir, “Ghosted: An American Story,” is available now. That's why we decided to revisit host Curtis Chang's journey into the realm of storytelling with Nancy as his guide. By embracing the narratives of our lives and recognizing the divine Author behind our individual stories, the duo urges listeners to explore family histories and origin tales to gain deeper insight into their journeys. Trust us, if you haven't listened to this episode yet, you're missing out on a classic!   Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French   Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!    Order your copy of Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French   Free online journaling: https://penzu.com/

Author Nancy French discusses her memoir 'Ghosted: An American Story' with host Curtis Chang, touching on family secrets, transracial adoption, and finding hope in unexpected places. They explore themes of abuse in churches, confronting family legacies, and the challenges of raising a black daughter in America. The conversation also delves into faith journeys, relational healing, and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.

From Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman to Johann Sebastian Bach, host Curtis Chang engages in a captivating conversation with Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch about the profound significance of music in our everyday existence. Through insightful anecdotes and reflections, they explore how to actively listen to music and let it transcend mere entertainment to become a powerful conduit for meaning, expression, and even spiritual meditation. Join them as they harmonize on the transformative role of music and its timeless resonance in the human experience.   Join us at the “Songs For The After Party” concert in Washington DC on 4/19/24. Buy tickets here! Songs For The After Party: An Evening with the Porter's Gate   Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!    Join the Redeeming Babel Team! https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/   MUSIC REFERENCED: Olivier Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time V: Praise to the Eternity of Jesus   Johann Sebastian Bach: The St Matthew Passion   Dianne Reeves & The Berlin Philharmonic (feat. Martin Stegner on Viola): “A Foggy Day”   Luke Combs & Tracy Chapman: "Fast Car" at the 2024 Grammys  

Author Kaitlyn Schiess discusses the intersection of faith and politics, analyzing how Christians interpret scripture for civic engagement. Emphasizing the importance of holistic interpretation, she explores the challenges of aligning biblical teachings with contemporary political issues. The conversation delves into personal experiences within church communities, urging a deep-rooted theological understanding for peaceful and just engagement.

Host Curtis Chang and “founding friend” David French engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the relationship between Democrats and Republican Evangelicals. With a nuanced exploration into topics like the “God Gap,” they shed light on why Democrats frequently fail to grasp the perspectives and values of Evangelicals. Also in this episode, David and Curtis address the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and explain whether or not their views on the conflict have changed amidst the widening devastation.   Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!    Join David French,  Russell Moore and Curtis on 4/19/24 in Washington DC for a live day-long version of our After Party course. Learn more & buy tickets here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-after-party-live-tickets-836892757767?aff=GoodFaithPod   Join the Redeeming Babel Team! https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/   Pre-order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French (available on Amazon)   Check out David’s work at https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french

In this thought-provoking episode, public theologian and The After Party partner Russell Moore explores the need for pastors to equip themselves and their congregations for the distinctive challenges of a presidential election featuring repeat candidates and all new potential for national drama. Russell and Curtis also offer valuable insights into the role of faith communities in fostering both political discernment and public witness as they answer questions from pastors and church leaders.   Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!    Join David French,  Russell Moore and Curtis on 4/19/24 in Washington DC for a live day-long version of our After Party course. Learn more & buy tickets here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-after-party-live-tickets-836892757767?aff=GoodFaithPod   Join the Redeeming Babel Team! https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/   Pre-order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French (available on Amazon)   Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America (available on Amazon)  

Michael Wear challenges the disconnect between spiritual disciplines and politics, advocating for using politics as a tool to express love for others. The discussion explores how spiritual disciplines can form us for healthier politics and our political engagement should reflect the values of love and virtue. Emphasizing the importance of hope, humility, and understanding in breaking political polarization, the conversation highlights the need to integrate faith with public service for holistic spiritual growth.

Exploring anxiety and politics in the 2024 election, the podcast delves into personal journeys of managing anxiety within church communities. It emphasizes reframing perceptions, forming discipleship in politically polarized contexts, and the importance of relational practices in activism. The discussion highlights ethical teachings in Christian politics and the role of pastors in guiding congregations through anxious states towards unity.

Our outer world – our politics, our society, our organizations, even our local community and families  – can be enormously complex and even chaotic at times. How do we make sense of all that happens around us? Author and therapist Alison Cook joins Curtis to explore a key strategy: exploring our inner world. They discuss why grasping our inner complexity is critical to properly understanding our external world. This rich discussion covers the theological reasons for this process, as well as many practical steps on how to get started in this inner journey.   We're having a party and we'd love for our Good Faith listeners to come! We'll be joined by good friends David French and Russell Moore for a live day-long version of our After Party course as we chart a path towards better Christian politics. Learn more & buy tickets here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-after-party-live-tickets-836892757767?aff=GoodFaithPod   Join the Redeeming Babel Team! https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/   Pre-order The After Party Book (available on Amazaon)   Free guided meditation (+ 2 other IFS themed resources)   Article: 7 Ways to Increase Your Support Network and Why It Matters   Podcast Episode: Episode 71: All About Therapy—Do I Need a Therapist, How Do I Find One, and What Type of Therapy Works Best?   New book: I Shouldn't Feel This Way   Boundaries for Your Soul podcast series   Curtis Chang on The Best of You Podcast