Newly released Epstein files raise fresh questions about the moral compromises of the powerful and the willingness of Christians to look away when politics makes clarity inconvenient. Esau, Malcolm, and Producer Mike examine what the emails do and don't reveal and how the church's credibility erodes when it excuses the inexcusable. Plus, a viral SNL sketch about AI-animated photos and the reveal of the villain in Toy Story 5 leads to a broader conversation about technology, the disappearing art of boredom, and whether it's possible to reclaim silence and imagination in a distracted age. Plus, Malcolm debuts his own new segment this week. Can it compete with Mike's Corner and Miller Time? 0:00 - Theme Song 2:35 - SNL AI Skit 11:40 - Toy Story 5's About Tablets? 23:55 - The Catholic Church and Immigration 32:17 - Epstein Files 47:03 - End Credits
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47:28
You Can't Rage-Tweet for a Decade: Faithfulness in a Fatigued World
On a recent press tour, Jennifer Lawrence recently said she's done with political outrage. Esau, Sharon Hodde Miller, and producer Mike talk about what happens when the adrenaline of activism runs out and the fatigue sets in. What does faithfulness look like after the hashtags stop trending? Then, we all know the dangers of the purity culture craze, but have overcorrected in trying not to repeat our mistakes? What do we do when the church hands people a good gift with broken handles? Also, thanks to science we may never have to load the dishwasher or eat a bad steak again. 0:00 - Theme Song 2:25 - Robot Companion 4:47 - What Could a Robot Do for You? 7:50 - Jennifer Lawrence and Internet Activism 23:23 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide! 24:12 - Miller Time 25:46 - Purity Culture Aftermath 32:30 - Christian Sexual Ethic 36:15 - Did You Eat Cloned Steak? 41:20 - The Atomic Bomb and Cloning 48:33 - End Credits
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48:58
SNAP Cuts and God's Concern for the Poor
A political fight over food assistance has sparked new debate about who deserves help in America. Esau, Justin Giboney, and Mike take a look at the SNAP situation and why Scripture consistently places God on the side of the poor and challenges us to do the same. Plus, Trump is posting about defending persecuted Christians in Nigeria, but is there more he should be doing to help? Then, Tucker Carlson's recent interview with Nick Fuentes has sparked a debate on the right about what counts as fringe beliefs these days. Also, why Justin is confused about bobbing for apples and Jennifer Lawrence. 0:00 - Theme Song 5:38 - Snap Program 17:15 - Christians in Nigeria and Nicki Minaj. 21:22 - Sponsor - Hello! My Name is Emmanuel - A Heartwarming children's book about a Haitian child learning to trust God by Emmanuel Jean Russell https://a.co/d/8fPoRCL 30:15 - Mike's Corner: Nick Fuentes on Tucker Carlson 39:40 - Who's Jennifer Lawrence? 43:00 - 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/6dUSGTz
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Anglican Abuse Allegations, NBA Gambling Scandal, & the Admiral Who Resigned over Trump's Military Strikes
Esau, Skye, and Mike explore what happens when vows stop meaning anything. They discuss the Anglican Church's latest abuse allegations, the NBA's betting scandal, and the U.S. admiral who resigned rather than follow Trump's unlawful orders. What does integrity look like in an age when everyone's breaking their promises? When should one try to reform from within, and when is it time to leave? Also, Esau reveals his recurring nightmare as a kid and it involves...a pickup basketball game with the Hulk? 0:00 - Theme Song 1:30 - Skye's Scary Movies 7:05 - Anglican Church Sexual Abuse Scandal 21:08 - Sponsor - Hello! My Name is Emmanuel - A Heartwarming children's book about a Haitian child learning to trust God by Emmanuel Jean Russell https://a.co/d/8fPoRCL 22:15 - US Attacks Boats in Caribbean Sea 34:52 - Sports Betting Scandal 50:12 - End Credits
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Young Republicans' Racist Chat, No Kings, & How AI Deforms Us
Last week, OpenAI announced it will remove moral limits from ChatGPT and "let adults be adults," opening the door for adult content on the platform. Esau and Mike are joined by Malcolm Foley to talk about how AI is reshaping our view of relationships and making it easier to chase selfish desires resulting in destructive consequences. Then, they turn to the leaked racist group chat among young Republicans. Does it reveal anything new, or just prove that racism never disappeared—it just went underground? Finally, the "No Kings" protests drew millions last weekend, but what did they actually accomplish? Malcolm walks through Martin Luther King Jr.'s four-step process for nonviolent action and whether the No Kings protest measured up.
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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