Culture Matters

In this episode, Chelsea sits down with friends Ashley Hardcastle and Kaylee to explore the world of youth and amateur athletics, reflecting on their personal stories, the pressures and joys of competition, and how faith intersects with identity in the arena of sports and performance. They discuss what they loved, what they struggled with, and how they now seek to guide the next generation (whether as parents or mentors) toward a healthier, Christ‑centered perspective on activity, achievement, and belonging.In This Episode02:07 – Ashley’s story06:47 – Kaylee’s story14:59 – Reflecting on what was good22:28 – Discussion of parental/coach roles29:26 – Parenting advice38:32 – Coach/organization considerations49:56 – “What do we say to kids before and after games/performances?”54:26 – Final take‑awaysKey TakeawaysActivity is Not IdentityJoy & Pressure Often CoexistParents & Coaches Shape More Than SkillsFamily Health > Activity StackingWhat You Celebrate Shapes What They RememberMentioned ResourcesTake Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports--and Why It Matters Follow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Chelsea and Ty are joined in person by Robyn Bush to explore the deeply symbolic and often overlooked metaphor of Jesus as the Bridegroom. Drawing from Scripture, ancient Jewish wedding customs, and personal stories, they unpack how this image reshapes our understanding of intimacy with Christ—whether single, married, or widowed.In This Episode02:00 – Why This Topic: Book Club, Loss, and Curiosity04:30 – Isaiah 54:5 and the Tenderness of a Divine Husband07:00 – Ephesians 5 and the Weighty Call of Love and Submission10:00 – Single and Married: Living into the Picture of the Bride14:00 – Cultural Lenses & the Challenge of Bridegroom Language17:00 – Covenant, Death to Self, and Mutual Sacrifice20:00 – A Christian Vision of Marriage: “No Man Hates His Own Body”21:40 – Ancient Jewish Wedding Traditions & the Gospel Story30:00 – The Woman at the Well and the Bridegroom’s Pursuit34:00 – Genesis, Luke, and the Tender Choice of a Bride36:00 – Christ, the Second Adam, and the Bride from His Side38:00 – Why We Must Read the Bible with Eyes to See the BrideKey TakeawaysJesus as Bridegroom Is PersonalThe Bridegroom Chooses the BrokenMarriage Is Meant to Model the GospelThe Return of Christ Is a Wedding to AnticipateMentioned ResourcesJesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Brant PitreThe Meaning of Marriage by Tim KellerFollow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, Adam and Chelsea talk with Dr. Dani(elle) Treweek about her new book Single Ever After: A Biblical Vision for the Significance of Singleness. They explore how Christians often misunderstand singleness, how to read biblical passages like Genesis and Paul rightly in this topic, and what it means for both single and married Christians to live in community. Dani helps listeners see that singleness is not a lesser state, but a meaningful way of life that foreshadows eternal realities and contributes to the church now.In This Episode[00:34] Dani’s Background[06:38] Genesis & Aloneness[08:18] Song Titles as Chapter Titles[15:00] The “Gift” of Singleness[18:00] Chosen vs Unchosen Singleness[22:06] Married vs Single in Church[28:00] Friendship Across Life Stages[29:28] Kingdom Impact as a Single Person[35:00] Longing for True Church Community[37:00] Future Pressures in Church & CultureKey TakeawaysGenesis, aloneness, and marriageGift of Singleness — myth or reality?Singleness as a Choice vs CircumstanceComplementary portraits: married & singlePractical life & communityFuture cultural pressures & church postureGuest ResourcesBuy the book: Single Ever After Connect with DaniFollow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Ty sits down with Pastor Charles Wilson to explore the topic of spiritual fatherhood. From personal stories of biological fathers to theological reflections on Paul and Timothy, this conversation covers the why and how of raising spiritual sons and daughters within the household of God.Whether you're a spiritual father, have one, or simply are curious what the Bible has to say about the topic, this episode is a rich reminder of God's design for intergenerational discipleship. Charles helps us reimagine the role of the church not just as a place of instruction, but of family.In This Episode02:00 - The Importance of Biological Fatherhood05:00 - Becoming a Father: Lessons Learned07:45 - Spiritual Fatherhood in Scripture12:00 - Encouragement, Discipline, and Rebuke16:00 - Misconceptions: Age, Authority & Access20:30 - Discipling Along the Way25:00 - Jesus as the Ultimate Spiritual Father30:00 - Local Church vs. Online Instructors34:00 - Everyday Saints: The Unsung Spiritual FathersKey TakeawaysSpiritual fatherhood is essential at every stage of lifeThe local church is where spiritual family happensBiblical discipleship looks like familySpiritual authority isn’t about age—it’s about faithfulnessFaithful presence outweighs public platformGuest ResourcesLearn more about The Hill Church, Roanoke VAFollow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

This episode is pretty special. Adam is joined by his mom to talk about spiritual motherhood. Spiritual Mothering is a posture of life more than a thing you do. Being in the word and recognizing that we get to spend time with God and spend time with others, spiritually mothering and discipling. It’s a beautiful GET TO, not a have to. When we’re living in a way that’s more about Jesus and less about ourselves, we get to serve out of that freedom and bless others. In This Episode[00:04:41] Spiritual Heritage[00:10:29] Faith That Shapes the Home[00:12:40] Parenting Through Rebellion[00:14:04] Creating a Safe Space[00:18:35] Discipleship Is Everyday Life[00:22:35] Staying Hopeful in Motherhood[00:25:42] The Role of a Grandmother[00:29:34] Spiritual Mothering in the Church[00:32:55] It’s Simpler Than We ThinkKey TakeawaysSpiritual motherhood is a posture, not a program.Prayer is the backbone of spiritual legacy.Home is a primary space for discipleship.Older women must move toward and support younger women.Follow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, Chelsea and Ty unpack the nature of friendship—how it shifts across seasons of life, what it means to be a true friend as Christians, and how our modern, mediated world complicates our longings for connection. They explore the tension between real embodied friendships and virtual/para-social ones, how change (in jobs, marriage, location, spiritual growth) reshapes who “counts” as friend, and how the church as the Body of Christ is meant to be a home for mutual affection, care, and proximity. Intentionality, wisdom, and discernment are emphasized as keys in navigating changing friendships well.Key TakeawaysFriendship is chosen. Unlike family, genuine friendship involves mutual affection, choice, investment, and work.Depth vs breadth. Many people have lots of acquaintances or peer relationships, but few deep friendships; that’s normal, but it also means we must be intentional.Seasons change & reshape friendships. Jobs, marriage, location, spiritual maturity — these all shift who we spend time with and in what ways. That’s okay; it requires discernment.Being present & close matters. Physical proximity (or being “near” in relational or spiritual terms) allows vulnerable, caring relationship. Screens/virtual connection help but can’t fully substitute.Church as community. Local church gathers and smaller circles/home groups are opportunities for real friendship and embodying love in visible, practical ways.Intentional boundaries and priorities. Saying yes and no well: giving time for relationships you value, choosing less in order to do fewer things more fully, knowing your limits.ResourcesNo Greater Love by Rebecca McLaughlinFollow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Join pastor and author John Van Sloten, who merges theology and scientific insight in his book, God Speaks Science, for a fascinating discussion. Discover how science can enhance spiritual awareness and deepen worship. Van Sloten shares awe-inspiring examples, from the majesty of supernovas to the mysteries of the giant squid. He challenges traditional views, proposing that scientific pursuit can be a divine discipline, leading us to appreciate God's artistry and purpose within creation.

Join worship leader and songwriter John Marc Kohl as he takes us through his unique songwriting journey, starting from choir notes to heartfelt creations. He discusses the delicate balance between inspiration and excellence, and the vulnerability of sharing one's art. Tymarcus recalls rediscovering his passion for hip hop through grief and community support. They explore what makes a song resonate—honesty, craftsmanship, and collaboration—emphasizing that true creativity is about connecting with others and revealing deeper truths.

We’re back! In this season kickoff, we share a few updates—Elizabeth is stepping back from regular hosting to focus on her own excellent work (peek “Starting Place” podcast), Ty joins us from Virginia where he’s serving with The Hill Church, and Chelsea moves from behind-the-scenes into more on-mic hosting. Then we do what we love: trace the intersections of faith and culture through the summer’s movies, the books on our nightstands, the music in our earbuds, and a bigger conversation about AI, embodiment, and why deeply human art still matters.In This Episode02:45 – Elizabeth’s transition & how to support her04:40 – Ty’s move to Roanoke: joining The Hill Church & early glimpses of God at work09:00 – Why we review cultural “artifacts” (movies, books, music)09:25 – Summer movies: Superman, Fantastic Four, Jurassic Park (rewatch)12:00 – Unexpected gems: Pharrell’s Piece by Piece (Lego biopic); content notes on Sinners (vampire genre)18:20 – Family-friendly pick: Sketch (Angel Studios)19:30 – Throwback classic: Chaplin’s The Great Dictator and that famous monologue23:45 – What old films teach us about hope, moral clarity, and the West24:50 – Books we’re reading: Hebrews, God Speaks Science, singleness, sports, and Project Hail Mary28:00 – Music corner: Forrest Frank’s Child of God and why it resonates with families (and Gen Z)33:30 – The AI curveball: “artists” that aren’t human, Spotify discovery, and why provenance matters40:15 – Practices for resisting hurry, recovering attention, and choosing humane tech use43:30 – Season preview, listener invitations, and creditsResources MentionedPodcasts & PeopleStarting Place — Elizabeth WoodsonFilms & TVSupermanFantastic FourJurassic ParkPiece by Piece (Pharrell Williams Lego biopic)Sinners — vampire-genre film (content cautions)Sketch (Angel Studios) — family-friendly noteThe Great Dictator (1940, dir./star Charlie Chaplin) — classic monologue referenceThe Diplomat — anticipation for Season 3BooksHebrews (book of the Bible)God Speaks Science — John Van SlotenSingle Ever After — Daniel TreweekProject Hail Mary — Andy Weir (audiobook recommended)MusicForrest Frank — Child of God (album)Follow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

This is the last episode of this season and the crew gathers in studio to reflect on their favorite episodes, share personal highlights, and unpack the cultural moments that shaped their year. From Whitney Pipkin’s profound conversation on dying, to the metaphor-rich teaching of Jonathan Pennington, the team reminisces on how these guests left lasting impressions. They also dive into what they’ve been reading, watching, and listening to—from Wendell Berry and Frank Edwards to Netflix series and DJ sets. The episode ends with Ty sharing about his upcoming church planting adventure in Roanoke, Virginia—he's moving but will still be on Culture Matters.In this Episode[01:16] Favorite Conversations of the Season: Highlights include Ray Ortlund’s poetic imagery, Whitney Pipkin on caring well, and Jonathan Pennington’s impactful metaphors.[07:59] What’s Vibing: Books, Music & Culture: The crew discusses current cultural consumption—from Beth Allison Barr’s theology of ministry to the Netflix murder mystery The Residence.[19:51] What We Are Watching: Netflix Bin Laden documentary, The Bear's return, The Stick, Mission Impossible[28:06] Music Moments: Forrest Frank & DJ Discoveries: The success of Child of God II and the cultural shift we're seeing around it and exploring internet DJ culture.[34:45] Ty’s Big Move: Ty announces his move to Roanoke, VA, to join a church plant—reflecting on calling, community, and new assignments.[43:23] A Kingdom Goodbye: The team honors Ty’s contributions and shares blessings for his next chapter.Resources Mentioned:DJ 4:12 - InstagramChristian Summer Vibes DJ MixThe Hill RoanokeNeighbor BooksChild of God II by Forrest FrankBooks:We Shall All Be Changed by Whitney PipkinGentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlundDark Clouds, Deep Mercy and Waiting Isn't a Waste by Mark VroegopSwing Time by Zadie SmithIn the Garden of Beasts by Erik LarsonBecoming the Pastor's Wife by Beth Allison BarrJayber Crow by Wendell BerryTim Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin HansenThe Reason for God by Tim KellerLife Together by Dietrich BonhoefferFollow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co