Are you ready to trade your New Year’s resolutions for spiritual growth?

Host Curtis Chang and teacher and writer John Mark Comer dive into the transformative journey of spiritual reset to start the new year. Discover practical insights on community, the importance of Sabbath, and how to navigate the distractions of modern life, all aimed at nurturing a deeper spiritual hunger and fostering genuine connection with God and others.

Download our free January Reset Guide

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Referenced in This Episode:

• The Way of the Ascetics (pdf) by Tito Colliender

• How Philip Rieff’s Three Worlds Help Us Understand Cultural Change by Carl R. Trueman

• On the Road with Saint Augustine with James K.A. Smith & Elizabeth Bruenig (video conversation)

• Dopamine Nation by Anna Lempke, MD

• How Principles from the Casino Were Applied to Your Cell Phone by Dr. Liraz Margalit

• We Are Free When We Forget Ourselves by Joshua Luke Smith

• Sabbath is the Climax of Living by Marva Dawn

• The Sabbath (pdf) by Abraham Heschel

• General Examen of Conscience by Ignatious of Loyola

• The Wheel and the Cross: Three Views on Suffering

• Anything could happen, at any moment (and when it does, you'll cope) by Oliver Burkeman

• The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen

• More about John Ortberg

• The Phases of the Great Awakenings

• A Beginner's Guide to Lectio Divina

• Read Psalm 1

More From John Mark Comer:

• John Mark Comer’s website HERE

• Get your copy of Practicing the Way

• Read this preview of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

• Follow john mark comer on instagram

Resetting our relationship to alcohol

Host Curtis Chang and author Ericka Andersen mark Ericka’s fourth year of sobriety by asking a thought-provoking question: How’s your relationship with alcohol? Together, they explore the challenges of alcohol dependency, why it might be time to reevaluate your connection to drinking, and how to lovingly support others on the same journey. Using the metaphor of alcohol as a “person” woven into our memories and social experiences, they explore the grief that can accompany “breaking up” with alcohol and how the Spirit of God’s still, small voice is sometimes drowned out by cocktail hour. If you’ve ever questioned whether your life might be better without alcohol, this episode offers practical insights and gentle encouragement to take a closer look.

Download our free January reset guide https://bit.ly/4gBXjiW

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources or references mentioned in this episode:

• Ericka's 10 Tools to Find Freedom From Alcohol

• We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen

• Detox.net’s complete drinking habits study

• Washington D.C. has the highest percentage of heavy drinkers

• When a church leader confesses a substance abuse problem (an interview)

• This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness by Annie Grace

• The Luckiest Club: online sobriety support community

More From Ericka Andersen:

• Follow Ericka on Instagram HERE

• Read ericka’s Substack HERE

• Check out Ericka’s website: HERE

• Ericka’s Wall Street Journal piece about Binge Drinking

What can you expect from 2025?

From abuses of power to the health of millions, host Curtis Chang and “founding friend” David French explore five pivotal stories that will shape how tax dollars are spent, how immigration is addressed, and how governance unfolds in the coming year. The original Good Faith duo challenges listeners to remain steadfast in protecting the vulnerable and speaking the truth. Offering insights on issues impacting America and the world, they encourage reflection and action. As the new year approaches, David urges listeners to pray not necessarily for specific policy outcomes but for wisdom, the courage to oppose evil, and a resolute commitment to justice.

David’s Top 5:

5. January 6 pardons

4. What if RFK Jr. is confirmed?

3. What is the Republican stance on abortion?

2. Are mass deportations really coming?

1. The evolving situation in Ukraine

Make a year-end tax deductible gift to Redeeming Babel: https://redeemingbabel.org/donate/

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources or references mentioned in this episode:

• A Brief History of Post-World War II Asylum Law

• Presidential Pardon Power

• The Constitution of the United States (1787)

• Statement from U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) on his vote to impeach

• The Federalist Papers No. 51 (The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments)

• The Federalist Papers No. 76 (the Appointing Power of the Executive)

• From John Adams to Massachusetts Militia, 11 October 1798 (letter)

• Job 21:7-17 “Why do the wicked prosper?”

• Karl Barth and True Practical Theology (blog post)

• Kash Patel’s ”enemies list”

• Abortion measures in Florida

More From David French:

• Read David French’s opinion pieces HERE

• Follow David French on Threads

Reading to Make Sense of The World: The Wingfeather Saga

In this episode of Good Faith Presents: Reading to Make Sense of the World, Curtis Chang and author-professor Jessica Hooten Wilson dive into Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga to explore why fantasy literature matters—and why it’s important for both children and adults. Together, they unpack some of the deep truths found in imaginative stories and discuss how these tales can shape our understanding of the world. They also share practical steps for making reading with your children a meaningful and transformative practice.

Make a year-end tax deductible gift to Redeeming Babel: https://redeemingbabel.org/donate/

Resources or references mentioned in this episode:

• Wingfeather Saga books

• Wingfeather Saga book club kits

• Wingfeather Saga television adaptation

• G.K. Chesterton’s “The Ethics of Elfland” from the larger work Orthodoxy

• Walter Wangerin Jr.

More From Jessica Hooten Wilson:

• Jessica Hooten Wilson's website

• Explore Jessica’s books HERE

• Read articles and Essay by Jessica HERE

How does love show up in the creative recipe?

In the final episode of the Good Faith Advent series, host Curtis Chang is joined by Wingfeather Saga author and singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson to explore the theme of Advent love. Together, they discuss how love inspires and sustains creativity, emphasizing that "art at its best is a way of loving." Curtis and Andrew reflect on the creation of the Rabbit Room community, Andrew’s connection to the works of Lewis and Tolkien, and how art like the album Behold the Lamb of God exemplifies the power of sharing the creative process as an act of love. Prepare for Christmas with this heartfelt reminder from Peterson, “Jesus is God, and He loves you.”

Make a year-end tax deductible gift to Redeeming Babel: https://redeemingbabel.org/donate/

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Listen to Songs For the After Party, get sheet music, lyrics, and prayers for your church.

Other Advent Episodes:

Choosing Hope When It feels Out of Reach (Sara Billups)

Rethinking Heavenly Peace (Andy Crouch)

Joy Is More Than A Feeling (with Chuck Mingo)

Referenced in This Episode:

• At Home in the Borderlands A talk by Andrew Peterson

• Walter Wangerin Jr.

• A Prayer Book For Husbands (excerpt) by Walter Wangerin Jr.

• “The Brave One” by Andy Gullahorn

• The Borderlands by Roger Lloyd

• Living Into Focus by Aurthur Boers

• Adam Duritz (The Counting Crows) on songwriting

• Tolkien's Essay: On Fairy-stories

• Pit of Despair drawn by John Hendrix

• Behold the Lamb of God

• The Inklings

• Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life by Makoto Fujimura

• George MacDonald "A Born Preacher" article by Robert H. Ellison

• Wingfeather Saga (animated series)

More From Andrew Peterson:

• Andrew Peterson's website

• The Rabbit Room

• Hutchmoot

• A Guide to the Work of Andrew Peterson

What is Advent peace? Does it mean inner peace, world peace, or maybe peace with God and others?

In this second episode of the Good Faith Advent series, Curtis Chang is joined by Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch to explore the true meaning of the peace promised by the coming of Jesus. Together, they challenge common assumptions about peace, using the historical context of Jesus' birth to scrutinize familiar Christmas messages. Curtis and Andy invite listeners to consider an Advent peace that acknowledges suffering and speaks into the hard realities of the holiday season—and everyday life.

Make a year-end tax deductible gift to Redeeming Babel: www.redeemingbabel.org/donate

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Listen to Songs For the After Party, get sheet music, lyrics, and prayers for your church.

Referenced in This Episode:

• Watch Curtis and Sara Billups’ Advent conversation about hope

• Read about Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

• Explore Simeon’s words to Mary

• Read about the Wales Window of Birmingham, Alabama

• Buy & Read Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ

• Read one woman’s account of the Camino de Santiago

• Read the story behind Silent Night

• Read the story behind O Little Town of Bethlehem

• Read about the Massacre of the Innocents

• Watch Curtis’ conversation with Amy Low

• Watch/Listen to The Lord Will Have His Way

Explore Andy Crouch’s work:

• Interact with Andy’s website

• Check out Andy’s work at Praxis

• Read Andy’s book: The Life We're Looking For

What is Advent hope, and how do we hold onto it when life feels overwhelming?

In this first episode of a four-part Good Faith Advent series, Curtis Chang and author Sara Billups explore what true hope looks like for 21st-century Christians navigating consumer culture, climate anxiety, and widespread disillusionment with the church. Drawing on her experiences as a caregiver for her aging parents and as a Gen Xer shaped by the fundamentalism of the 1970s and 80s, Sara reflects on the Gospel story of Simeon, whose patient hope in the long-awaited birth of Jesus offers a timeless example for mid-lifers, millennials, and anyone yearning for hope in troubled times. With practical tips for sharing Advent’s meaning with children, this episode provides encouragement for the whole family.

Make a year-end tax deductible gift to Redeeming Babel: www.redeemingbabel.org/donate

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Listen to Songs For the After Party, get sheet music, lyrics, and prayers for your church.

Referenced in This Episode:

• Kate Bowler Everything HAppens for A Reason and Other Lies

• Misgivings About Hal Lindsay’s “Planet Earth” by John Piper

• Engage with the Daily Office

• Use the Pray As You Go application

• Read The Morning Offering prayer

• Teaching Children The Examen Prayer

• Order a copy of Every Moment Holy

• Read The Benedictine Rules of Fidelity and Stability (PDF)

More From Sara Billups:

• Check out Sara Billups’ Bitter Scroll Substack

• Buy & read Orphaned Believers by Sara Billups

• Listen to the That's The Spirit podcast with Sara Billups and Morgan Page