A Coldplay concert kiss cam became the most viral moment of the week. Esau, and bestselling author Nancy French unpack the now-infamous clip of an affair caught on camera. Was it hilarious or heartbreaking, and what does it say about our appetite for public shame? They also debate whether a World War II hero should also be remembered as a TikTok star, whether celebrity-branded Crumbl cookies are harmless fun or late-stage capitalism in dessert form, and if Walmart might actually be... beautiful. Plus, Esau discovers there’s a wrong way to invite your producer to a Cubs game. 0:00 - Theme Song 4:00 - D-Day Veteran and TikTok Star 10:25 - Coldplay Outs CEO Affair—Funny or Tragedy? 21:08 - Benson Boone Cookies and Parasocial Relationships 31:24 - An Ode to Wal-Mart? Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French: https://a.co/d/0UhumZ5
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42:34
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42:34
When Grace and Drugs Share the Same Album
A controversial new IRS regulation just opened the door for churches to endorse political candidates from the pulpit. Esau McCaulley and Justin Giboney weigh in on if this a win for religious freedom, a threat to the church’s public witness, or just business as usual? Then they unpack the unexpected reunion of hip-hop duo The Clipse. One brother found faith. The other kept rapping about dealing drugs. So what happens when grace and drug bars share the same tracklist? Can Christian artists operate in secular spaces without compromise? Plus: Black vs. African American, summer recommendations, and is Mike secretly the voice of the Bible Project? 0:00 - Theme Song 1:52 - Churches Endorsing Candidates 14:50 - African American or Black? 17:05 - 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 24:40 - Is Mike the Bible Project guy? 26:35 - Drugs and Gospel on the Same Album 41:11 - Summer Plans 45:00 - End Credits Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around: How the Black Church’s Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War by Justin Giboney: https://a.co/d/cMMUHlQ
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45:23
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45:23
Trump’s Big Problematic Bill
What do Black churches, Catholics, and evangelicals all agree on? That Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is a big, problematic mess. Esau is joined by Malcolm Foley to unpack the sweeping legislation that slashes aid to the poor while delivering massive tax cuts to the wealthy. What does this reveal about our national values and how should the church respond to a policy so openly shaped by greed? Plus, the team reflects on the devastating flash floods in Texas that killed over 100 people. How long should we wait before asking the hard questions about accountability and whether this tragedy could have been prevented? 0:00 - Theme Song 1:20 - Hot Dog Eating Content 3:30 - AI and Racism 18:10 - Church Response to Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” 22:38 - 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 23:52 - Employment vs Proof of Employment 52:47 - End Credits
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53:13
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53:13
The Billionaire Who Thinks We Care Too Much About People
As the Fourth of July approaches, Esau and Tish Harrison Warren reflect on what patriotism means today, especially for Christians who feel caught between critique and love of country. Then, Tish introduces the idea of “big church privilege,” and explores what’s gained and lost in the shift from large, well-resourced congregations to smaller, more intimate communities. Finally, they break down Peter Thiel’s recent comments about stagnation, progress, and humanity’s future. What happens when tech leaders try to achieve perfection without God? 0:00 - Theme Song 0:58 - 4th of July 12:16 - Small Church Privilege 26:08 - 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 27:35 - Peter Tiel’s Eschatology 43:38 - End Credits
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43:58
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43:58
A Marine Biologist Talks Science, Faith, and the Deep Sea
Marine biologist and author Rachel Jordan joins Esau McCaulley in studio to talk about her new book If the Ocean Has a Soul. They dive into the deep waters of science and theology, discussing coral reefs, climate change, and why the ocean might be one of the most overlooked witnesses to God's glory. Rachel shares how a tenth-grade biology class changed her life, how she navigates faith in scientific spaces (and vice versa), and what the church often misses about the natural world. Plus: jellyfish football teams, Titanic conspiracies, and the surprising spirituality of sea creatures. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:52 - Low-Stakes Conspiracy Theory 6:07 - Aquatic Sports Mascots 17:18 - 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 18:35 - Scientists and Faith 26:12 - The Ocean and God’s Glory 32:35 - Can Fish Talk? 46:25 - End Credits If the Ocean Has a Soul: A Marine Biologist’s Pursuit of Truth through Deep Waters of Faith and Science by Rachel G. Jordan: https://a.co/d/f0hLtQZ
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.
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