How do you hold on to faith when life falls apart?

Pastor and author Ray Ortlund joins host Curtis Chang for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about suffering, betrayal, regret, and even death—drawing from personal stories and the powerful promise of Isaiah 57:15. From the fractures of the global church to intimate heartbreak, Curtis and Ray explore how spiritual honesty, resurrection hope, the Psalms, and lived community can sustain us through rock-bottom moments. If you're facing pain, loss, or doubt, Ray offers a faithful roadmap toward healing and hope.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• John Wesley’s Rules for Small Groups
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together (pdf)
• A discussion on John Wesley’s theology of dying
• Isaiah 57:15 ESV
• Matthew 5:10-12 NIRV
• Philippians 2:12-13 ESV

More From Ray Ortlund:

• Ray Ortlund’s Good News at Rock Bottom
• Ray Ortlund & Sam Alberry’s podcast: You're Not Crazy
• Ray Ortlund’s Renewal Ministries
• Follow Ray Ortlund on Instagram
• Follow Ray Ortlund on Bluesky

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What can 1920s Germany teach us about American politics today?

Georgetown professor and national security expert Dr. Paul D. Miller joins host Curtis Chang to explore striking parallels between the Weimar Republic and our current moment of democratic fragility. From the rise of Christian nationalism to the erosion of institutional norms, they unpack the theological, historical, and civic fault lines shaping today’s polarized landscape. Buckle up—this episode is for anyone ready to trade tribalism for truth and confront the urgent role Christians must play in defending democracy.

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org

Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Paul D. Miller’s article: A Confessing Church for America's Weimar Moment
• Paul D. Miller’s previous appearance on the Good Faith podcast: Episode 36: The Religion of American Greatness
• The history of the Weimar Republic
• The rise and fall of the Weimar Republic (video)
• Christians against Nazis: the German Confessing Church
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church
• Karl Barth in Nazi Germany
• Sandy Berger’s theft of classified information
• Pete Hegseth shares classified information
• Reining in "Imperial Presidency" executive orders

More From Paul D. Miller:

• Paul D. Miller’s The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism
• Paul D. Miller on X (formerly Twitter)
• Paul D. Miller at The Dispatch

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What does it mean to truly belong in America?

Michael Luo, executive editor at The New Yorker and author of Strangers in the Land, joins Redeeming Babel’s director of content, DT Slouffman, to explore the Asian American experience—from the legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Act to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from personal stories and a viral moment that sparked national conversation, Luo confronts the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype and envisions a more inclusive vision of American identity. DT and Michael unpack how race, immigration, and belonging continue to shape all of our lives.

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org

Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Michael Luo’s An Open Letter to the Woman Who Told My Family to Go Back to China
• Kirkus Reviews: A Vast History Began With One Sidewalk Encounter
• Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882
• The Burlingame-Seward Treaty, 1868
• Immigration and Nationality Act, 1965
• Pew Research: Asian American discrimination in the COVID-19 pandemic
• Pew Research: A third of Asian Americans changed daily routine due to threats

More From Michael Luo:

• Michael Luo’s Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America
• Michael Luo’s latest articles at The New Yorker
• Follow Michael Luo on Instagram
• Follow Michael Luo on X (formerly Twitter)

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Professor French Tells What Gen Z Can Teach All of Us!

What happens when one of America's top legal minds steps back into the classroom—only to be schooled by Gen Z? New York Times columnist and Good Faith contributor David French joins Curtis Chang to reflect on what a year of teaching college students taught him about faith, over-parenting, and the future of American democracy. Together, they explore whether this rising generation is rejecting political tribalism in favor of ethical engagement—or simply afraid to speak up in polarized times. Could Gen Z's quiet shift reshape our fractured public square?

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org

Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership & Public Service
• Supreme Court case: Marbury v. Madison
• Gettysburg Address
• Brown v. Board of Education
• The Coddling of the American Mind (Chapter 1: pdf Download)
• John Locke Foundation
• Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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How Do We Overcome the Hidden Forces Behind Marital Challenges?

How does your relationships—or even your parents’ marriage—shape the way you see beauty, brokenness, and the world itself? Therapist Dan Allender joins host Curtis Chang for a raw, insightful conversation on how relationships form the backbone of our worldview, especially in times of stress and trauma. They unpack hidden triggers behind marital conflict, the power of empathy over contempt, and why kindness and repentance are key to lasting connection. Whether you're navigating conflict or craving deeper intimacy, this episode delivers transformative wisdom for healthier, faith-rooted relationships.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Read Becky Allender’s written pieces for The Allender Center

Learn more about Steve Call’s The Reconnect Institute

Learn more about the work of Drs. John & Julie Gottman at The Gottman Institute

More From Dan Allender:

Dan Allender & Steve Call’s The Deep-Rooted Marriage

Learn more about Dan’s work at The Allender Center

Check out Dan Allender’s other books

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How does the legacy of racial covenants impact housing equity and even fire recovery?

Host Curtis Chang welcomes Jasmin Shupper, visionary founder and CEO of Greenline Housing Foundation, to explore how racial injustice magnifies the impact of natural disasters. Together, they dive into the devastating effects of the LA fires—particularly the Eaton Fire in Altadena—where Black homeowners have faced disproportionate losses due to historical practices like redlining and racially restrictive covenants. Jasmin shares how her mission to close the racial wealth gap and prevent mass displacement offers a path toward real estate justice, resilience, and renewal. She also reflects on her personal journey from Chicago’s South Side to leading national efforts for housing equity and disaster recovery.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Remembering the subprime mortgage crisis
• 40 Acres and a Mule (video)
• Pasadena Community Foundation: the Altadena Builds Back Foundation
• Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law
• Richard Rothstein on Fresh Air: How The U.S. Government Segregated America
• Stanford uses AI to find: Racially Restrictive Covenants
• Redlining in real estate: How discriminatory practices still affect Black communities

Aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena:

• All Altadena Land Owners Impacted by Eaton Fire Have Turned in Right of Entry Forms
• Looting Fuels 250% Crime Surge in Fire-Devastated Altadena
• These theater kids rise from the ashes of the Eaton fire

More from Jasmin Shupper & Greenline Housing:

• Learn More about Greenline Housing Foundation
• Greenline’s work with Eaton Fire victims: https://greenlinehousing.org/eaton-fire/
• PBS features Greenline's work after the wildfires
• LAist features Greenline's development work to keep Altadena diverse
• CBS News features Greenline and real estate after the Eaton Fire

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Is there a Christian response to our divided country?

Host Curtis Chang is joined by David French and Russell Moore to unpack what Trump’s agenda and executive actions demand from people of faith. From foreign policy chaos and attacks on democratic institutions to political fatigue and Christian witness, this conversation gets real about the cost of following Jesus in a divided America. Curtis, David, and Russell confront the pull of fear and apathy—and offer a better path rooted in truth, hope, courage, and acts of worship.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• New poll: millions of Trump voters regret their choice
• Here are the top 5 immigration changes from Trump's first 100 days
• Trump’s strange wording illustrates One-sided Ukraine peace plan
• David Whyte on Anxiety
• Thomas Merton’s Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
• Harvard pledges reforms following internal reports on antisemitism
• Under pressure from Trump, Columbia plans its next move
• Transcript of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
• Explainer Video: Brown v. Board of Eduction II Case Brief Summary
• Aurelius Augustine’s The City of God: Volume I (pdf)
• Phil Wickham’s What An Awesome God (Organic)
• Worship with Songs for The After Party

More From Russell Moore:

• Sign up for Russell Moore’s weekly newsletter Moore to the Point
• Listen to The Russell Moore Show (podcast)

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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How should Christians engage with political power in a divided world?

Contributor Andy Crouch joins Curtis Chang to trace a path from the courage of the early believers under Caesar to today’s crisis-driven politics and the ruling class. Together, they dive into the rise of emergency powers, growing contempt, and the breakdown of civil discourse—and offer a hopeful vision for how the Fruit of the Spirit can reshape both Christian posture and a public life rooted in love, gentleness, and faithfulness.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Explaining The Land of Israel Under Roman Rule
• Matthew 22:21 - "Render therefore unto Caesar..." (multiple versions and explanation)
• Explaining The Majesty of Herod’s Temple
• Augustus Caesar and the the title Divi filius, “son of a god” (audio)
• The Holy Roman Empire: The Rise of Medieval Europe (video)
• Tish Harrison Warren’s Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep
• Fact sheet about PEPFAR
• Wendell Berry’s The Hidden Wound
• Wendell Berry’s ‘The Hidden Wound’ at Fifty (article from 2020)
• Galatians 5:22 - Fruit of the Spirit (multiple versions and explanation)

More from Andy Crouch:

• Interact with Andy’s website
• Check out Andy’s work at Praxis
• Read Andy’s book: The Life We're Looking For
• Read Andy’s book: The Tech-Wise Family

Good Faith Live “Watch Party”

Russell Moore, David French, & Curtis Chang: Trump's First 100 Days

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