
The Esau McCaulley Podcast
The Esau McCaulley Podcast looks to find God in the midst of culture. Each week, Esau will bring together friends, scholars, artists, and writers to unpack the cultural stories that shape our lives and discuss how these stories point us back to God’s presence in the world. Whether it's literature, sports, movies, music, or politics, Esau and his guests will explore how culture reflects both human creativity and our deepest longings. They’ll also challenge the notion that spirituality and culture are at odds by showing how faith can inform our engagement with the world around us. The Esau McCaulley Podcast wants to help the church move beyond the walls of the sanctuary to meet real people where they are, in this beautiful, complex world God has made, and find the space where truth and goodness meet.
Latest episodes

May 8, 2025 • 48min
Help Me Help You: Esau Becomes the Internet's Life Coach
Everyone needs a life coach sometimes and Esau is here to play the role. In today's episode, he answers the internet's questions about friendship, marriage, calling, AI, church, and, yes, the ethics of eating your kid’s leftovers. Joined by Producer Mike and Holy Post Community Coordinator Emerson, the trio tackles everything from existential crises to the proper number of slices you’re allowed to take from a pie. Whether you’re wondering how to make friends as a tired parent or if your marriage is weird because you don’t fight, Esau’s got takes, and lots of them. 0:00 - Theme Song 2:10 - Are Leftovers Fair Game? 5:32 - A.I. and Writing Careers 9:50 - Adult Friendships 17:35 - A Marriage with No Fights? 21:45 - Sponsor - Northern Seminary - Through Taste of Northern, you can experience the richness of a theological education for free, with leading New Testament scholars. Visit https://www.seminary.edu/taste to join a class today! 23:08 - Unfulfilling Job 35:18 - Is four “a few?” 37:45 - Church Disappointment 47:00 - End Credits

May 1, 2025 • 50min
Love in a Time of Outrage: Recovering the Center of Paul’s Theology
When most people think of the Apostle Paul, they picture a guy who cares more about doctrine and judgment than love. But what if I told you that the guy who wrote the most famous chapter on love in the Bible actually built his whole theology around it? Esau McCaulley talks with New Testament scholar Nijay Gupta about his new book The Affections of Christ and why Paul might be the Bible’s most misunderstood writer. They explore what Paul really says about love, how emotion theory helps us read the Bible better, and why recovering Paul’s tender side could help the church in a time of outrage, division, and burnout. Also, whatever happened to Ned Flanders? 0:00 - Theme Song 2:03 - Last Time Your Church Made You Feel Loved 7:10 - Paul and Love? 14:16 - The Bible’s Emotional! 18:50 - Sponsor - No Small Endeavor - Award-winning podcast where theologians, philosophers, and best-selling authors talk about faith with Lee C. Camp. Start listening today: https://pod.link/1513178238 19:50 - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/ESAU 26:09 - Covenant vs. Court 40:15 - Was He Rehabilitating Paul’s Image? 49:35 - End Credits The Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul’s Theology by NIjay Gupta: https://a.co/d/82LsTS0 Paul and the Language of Faith by Nijay Gupta: https://a.co/d/bROX4lx My Hill to Die On - In-N-Out Burger is Overrated: https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-hill-to-die-n-125861271

Apr 24, 2025 • 49min
Our Love-Hate Relationship with Wealth
Why do some successful people inspire us while others ignite our outrage? Esau is joined by John Onwuchekwa to unpack our complicated relationship with wealth, celebrity, and privilege. From Katy Perry and her trip to space, to Deon Sanders' son, Shedeur Sanders' jersey retirement controversy, we explore what our inconsistent reactions reveal about ourselves and what we prioritize. Also, we introduce a brand new segment - Low Stakes Conspiracy Theories. Mike wonders if Stevie Wonder is actually blind and John is just asking if we actually went to the moon... 0:00 - End Credits 0:34 - Low Stakes Conspiracy Theories 9:56 - Going to Space 19:56 - Sponsor - No Small Endeavor - Award-winning podcast where theologians, philosophers, and best-selling authors talk about faith with Lee C. Camp. Start listening today: https://pod.link/1513178238 33:35 - Fantastic Four Trailer 48:12 - End Credits We Go On by John Onwuchekwa: https://a.co/d/5BRpREP

Apr 17, 2025 • 45min
Is There Proof Jesus Was Crucified and Resurrected?
What if the resurrection isn’t just a matter of faith—but of history? In this special Holy Week episode, Esau McCaulley sits down with New Testament scholar Craig Keener to explore the historical evidence for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, Rome’s brutal use of the cross, and why the earliest witnesses to the empty tomb were women. They also reflect on the personal and political meaning of the cross, and how the resurrection reshapes our understanding of suffering, hope, and what it means to be human. 0:00 - Theme Song 11:11 - Crucifixion in the Ancient World 20:28 - Sponsor - No Small Endeavor - Award-winning podcast where theologians, philosophers, and best-selling authors talk about faith with Lee C. Camp. Start listening today: https://pod.link/1513178238 25:25 - The Woman and the Empty Tomb 35:00 - Romans and Afterworld Belief 40:50 - The Importance of the Crown of Thorns 44:46 - End Credits

Apr 10, 2025 • 53min
A Different Kind of DEI
Marie Beech, a writer and cultural commentator, dives into the nuances of DEI and anti-racism. She shares her journey from progressive ideals to a more balanced perspective shaped by her faith. The conversation addresses the complexities and pressures within the anti-racist movement, contrasting the views of prominent thinkers like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. Marie highlights the struggle for authenticity in DEI efforts and the importance of open dialogue in faith communities about justice and belonging.

5 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 45min
The Target Boycott and How the Church Should Think About Money
In this conversation, Justin Giboney, an Esquire, and Tish Harrison Warren, an ordained minister, tackle the hot topic of the recent Target boycott led by Black church leaders. They dive into how this boycott reflects on Christians' views about money and the need for ethical spending. The duo discusses the challenges of maintaining faith in a convenience-driven society while advocating for mindful purchasing. They also touch on relatable pop culture moments, revealing how the Barbie movie connects to their themes. Plus, Esau shares a heart-wrenching sports moment!

Mar 27, 2025 • 49min
Becoming a Church Girl with Sarita Lyons
Sarita Lyons is here to tell us about her book, Church Girl. She and Esau talk about her journey, from how she was pulled from her faith to what brought her back. She explains why she wrote a book specifically about being a Black Christian woman and why that specificity matters. And, this week in Holy Sports, should there be spaces where you can’t discuss race and politics? 0:00 - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/ESAU 2:00 - Theme Song 3:31 - Are You Washed, Church Girl Edition 10:15 - Can You Separate Accomplishments from Race? 18:52 - Church Girl and Coming Back to Jesus 38:25 - Favorite chapter of Church Girl 47:53 - End Credits Church Girl: A Gospel Vision to Encourage and Challenge Black Christian Women by Sarita T. Lyons: https://a.co/d/5zt4gfM

Mar 20, 2025 • 45min
What LeBron James Teaches Us About Parenthood and Empathy
LeBron James made headlines for confronting ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after criticism of his son, Bronny. Esau and Malcolm Foley unpack the moment and ask: What’s a parent’s role in their child’s success, and when does helping become too much? They also explore the growing backlash against empathy and wrestle with how we should use power and privilege for the good of others. Plus, in our new “Freezing Cold Takes” segment, we admit seasonal depression is real… and maybe soccer is actually good? 0:34 - Show Begins 1:20 - Freezing Cold Takes 6:05 - Holy Sports 17:52 - The Sin of Empathy Book 26:27 - Is This a Real Problem? 38:45 - Our Moment of Cultural Shame 44:14 - End Credits

Mar 13, 2025 • 48min
Why is the Internet so Angry?
The internet has become an angry place, but how did it get here and is there any fixing it? Esau is joined by Hannah Anderson and Hannah King to unpack why everyone on the timeline seems ready to fight, how rage has become its own online currency, and whether we’re all just really, really lonely. Also, Esau may or may not have tried a social media experiment that has now turned into an ethical crisis. Rolling Stones Article on Rage Bait: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/what-is-rage-bait-influencers-making-people-angry-1234976621/

5 snips
Mar 6, 2025 • 46min
Who’s the New Public Face of Christianity?
In this discussion, Justin Giboney, a prominent voice in Christian activism, and Tish Harrison Warren, an insightful theologian and author, dive into the shifting landscape of Christian leadership. They tackle the decline of traditional figures like Billy Graham and Tim Keller, the rise of social media influencers in faith, and the resurgence of young people returning to church. Their conversation also highlights the often unfair media portrayal of Christianity, while providing a hopeful outlook amid the chaos and uncertainty surrounding modern faith.
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