Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories

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USA hockey gold, State of the Union, tariff ruling, cartel takedown, Iran update & UFO files | Ep. 58 Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Brief: USA! USA! USA! Team USA wins gold in men's and women's hockey to cap off the best Winter Olympics performance in American history—and the men's overtime win over Canada felt like a generational moment. We break down the game, the 26 million viewers, and the tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau that had the whole country in tears.

From there, we dive into the Supreme Court's major tariff ruling, what it means for presidential authority, and Trump's contingency plan. Plus, a full breakdown of the State of the Union—the bipartisan highlights, the jabs, the polls, and what Trump said about Iran as a third of the U.S. Navy sits off their coast.

Plus, a major Mexican cartel leader is killed with U.S. intelligence support, Trump orders the release of UFO files, the Ukraine war hits four years, Prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson are arrested, the latest on the Nancy Guthrie case, and a reflection on why feelings have replaced values—and what Scripture says about it.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction
(2:01) USA Hockey gold thriller
(7:31) Kash Patel locker room
(8:15) Tariffs Supreme Court ruling
(12:21) State of the Union highlights
(14:18) Polling and speech takeaways
(17:36) Iran tensions and buildup
(23:01) Why hit Iran
(24:08) Cartel kingpin fallout
(26:51) UFO files push
(29:35) Feelings versus values
(33:39) Mailbag
(36:49) War and scandals
(40:05) Wrap-up

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About Conner Jones

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

About Micah Tomasella

Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast,the Faith & Claritypodcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Is the American dream dead? Plus: James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, Jesse Jackson & Winter Olympics | Ep. 57 Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Brief: Is the American dream still alive? We dig into the data and what Americans actually mean by "the dream," why hope is more powerful than negativity, and how Christians can stay grounded while the loudest voices online try to convince us everything is falling apart.

From there, we honor three cultural giants we lost this week—James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. We explore what their lives and legacies teach us about the difference between earthly impact and eternal significance.

Plus, updates on the Winter Olympics medal count and fun facts on what athletes actually get paid, a mailbag question on finding clean TV shows, the DHS government shutdown, looming U.S. strikes on Iran, and the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal getting shaken up by Paramount.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction
(2:03) Cultural noise vs. reality: why the news feels so negative
(3:07) Encouraging survey data: the American dream is more than wealth
(6:14) History & hope: checks and balances, perseverance, and a crisis of hope
(11:50) Freedom to live out faith: opportunity, religion, and a legacy tease-up
(14:06) Remembering James Van Der Beek
(17:02) Remembering Robert Duvall
(19:37) Remembering Jesse Jackson
(25:05) Gospel invitation: where your eternity (and legacy) begins
(28:35) Winter Olympics check-in: medals, curling, and must-see moments
(34:49) Mailbag: finding clean(ish) TV shows in a hyper-streaming culture
(39:26) Checking in: DHS shutdown, Iran strike prep, and streaming mega-deals
(41:55) Wrap-up: closing ceremonies, USA Hockey, and State of the Union

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Super Bowl recap, AI shakes Wall Street, Trump's Obama video, Epstein fallout & Winter Olympics | Ep. 56 Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Brief: We break down Seattle's dominant Super Bowl win over the Patriots, the halftime show culture war between Bad Bunny and the Turning Point USA, and why this year's Super Bowl felt like an all-around stinker. But the moment that actually mattered most? Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba giving all glory to God at the pinnacle of success.

From there, we dive into the AI arms race, from Super Bowl ad wars between Anthropic and OpenAI to the "SaaS-pocalypse" that rattled Wall Street. And we touch on one of the most disturbing political stories of the year: an AI-generated video shared from President Trump's account depicting the Obamas as primates.

Plus, major Epstein file updates including Ghislaine Maxwell's testimony and international fallout, Winter Olympics highlights, the latest on the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, and a reflection on what true success and failure look like through the lens of faith.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction
(5:08) Halftime show controversy
(12:37) AI in the spotlight
(18:00) Trump's AI video controversy
(22:50) Epstein files: dark revelations
(31:03) Winter Olympics highlights
(38:55) Savannah Guthrie kidnapping case
(40:57) Tensions with Iran
(41:54) Conclusion and call to action

Resources

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Bad Bunny, the Grammys, Super Bowl outrage, Don Lemon arrest & Epstein update | Ep. 55 Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Brief, we step into one of those rare moments when it feels like everyone is watching—and arguing about—the same things.

We discuss the Grammys’ most talked-about moments, including overt political messaging from Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, and other celebrities, and why so many Americans feel burned out by award shows that seem less about art and more about ideology. We then contrast that with the night’s most powerful moment: Jelly Roll’s reminder that Jesus doesn’t belong to a political party—but transforms lives.

We also wrestle with the Super Bowl as a cultural battleground, asking why the halftime show sparks outrage every year and how Christians can keep their priorities straight when sports, politics, and identity collide. From there, we move into a fast-paced news roundup covering the latest Epstein document releases, rising tensions with Iran, and the Don Lemon arrest raising questions about protest, journalism, and religious freedom.

Plus quick hits on the Clintons, Disney’s new CEO, and the Winter Olympics.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction
(1:54) Grammys recap: performances and controversies
(4:26) Bad Bunny’s political statement
(9:46) Super Bowl halftime show controversies
(14:51) Jelly Roll’s powerful Grammy speech
(19:37) Epstein files: new revelations and reactions
(23:55) Tensions with Iran: military and diplomatic developments
(26:54) Don Lemon and the FACE Act controversy
(29:52) Spiritual reflection: slowing down in a fast-paced world
(33:19) Mailbag
(41:20) Tune in: upcoming events and entertainment

Resources

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Alex Pretti's death, immigration tensions & how Christians can respond with Dr. Ryan Denison | Ep. 54 Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Brief: we’re joined by Dr. Ryan Denison, Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum, to help us process one of the most sobering and emotionally charged stories in the country right now: the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. We walk through what we know, what remains unclear, and why Christians must be especially careful not to rush to judgment in moments that instantly become political flashpoints.

Ryan helps us think biblically about the sanctity of life, protesting, law enforcement, and immigration while also addressing the spiritual cost of constant viral footage and outrage-driven narratives. We talk about accountability, de-escalation, and why humility may be one of the most countercultural Christian responses in a moment like this.

Along the way, we also touch on the potential government shutdown tied to DHS funding, the growing bipartisan concern over ICE tactics, and how believers can discern whether they’re responding from faith or from partisanship.

Plus: quick hits on the winter storm, Greenland, the Super Bowl teams and Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction
(1:20) Main topic: Minneapolis shooting
(2:33) Details of the incident
(4:37) Public and political reactions
(10:26) Christian perspective and response
(14:05) Government shutdown and political fallout
(23:51) Balancing political and biblical perspectives
(27:46) The complexity of immigration policies
(34:00) The importance of humility and prayer
(38:22) Winter storm impact and listener stories
(39:29) Greenland and U.S. sovereignty discussions
(40:09) Super Bowl predictions and sports talk
(43:14) Wrapping up and final thoughts

Resources

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About Dr. Ryan Denison

Dr. Ryan is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and the author of The Focus newsletter, contributing writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and an MDiv from Truett Seminary. Ryan has also taught at B. H. Carroll and Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife, Candice, live in East Texas and have two children.

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Greenland explained, Indiana’s Championship run, Iran updates, Minnesota tensions & Epstein files | Ep. 53 Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Brief: We start with Trump’s latest Greenland comments, why the island suddenly matters again, and we ask the question: how should Christians think about power, land, and national interest when everything feels like geopolitical brinkmanship?

Then we pivot to one of the best sports stories of our lifetime: Indiana football winning the national championship, why Curt Cignetti’s “Google me” era is already legend, and how quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s faith-forward platform points to a deeper kind of legacy than wins and trophies.

Plus we hit a bunch of the “everything else” that makes Culture Brief what it is: a 2016 photo trend, a rapid-fire military quiz, the latest on Iran and Minnesota. Oh, and where are the rest of the Epstein files?

Through it all, we’re trying to stay informed without being anxious, engage without being cynical, and remember that the earth still belongs to God—so our hope doesn’t rise and fall with headlines.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction
(1:32) Trump’s Greenland speech update
(3:35) Historical context of Greenland
(5:37) Strategic importance of Greenland
(8:06) Trump’s diplomatic moves and tariffs
(15:26) Christian perspective on power and stewardship
(20:09) Indiana football’s historic win
(29:52) Faith and humility in sports
(34:27) Hot takes and games
(38:22) Current events and controversies
(42:57) NFL playoffs and conclusion

Resources

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Articles on this week’s top headlines:

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ICE shooting, Iran on edge, Golden Globes & postseason football | Ep. 52 Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Brief: We touch on the ICE shooting in Minnesota and the nationwide protests unfolding in Iran, stepping back from the immediate outrage to talk about why these stories escalated so quickly and how Christians should respond with clarity, compassion, and prayer. We discuss why what’s happening in Iran feels different than past uprisings, what’s at stake as the regime cracks down, the potential for President Trump to order US military involvement, and why this moment calls for intercession, especially for persecuted believers.

Plus quick hits on Bill and Hillary Clinton refusing to testify over the Epstein files, a DOJ investigation involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell, continued U.S. strikes against ISIS targets overseas, Scott Adams’ death, the new highest-grossing actor of all time, and why the Golden Globes function more like a Hollywood campaign stop than a cultural authority.

And because it wouldn’t be Culture Brief without it, we get into the College Football Playoff National Championship, the NFL playoffs, wildly wrong preseason predictions, and the Buffalo Bills selling one of the strangest pieces of stadium memorabilia imaginable.

Through it all, we’re considering what such a chaotic week reveals about our culture—and why Christians are called to consume the news differently, pray first, and anchor our hope not in power, politics, or outcomes, but in Christ.

Topics

(00:00): Introduction
(01:17): Minnesota ice incident breakdown
(11:11): National debate on immigration enforcement
(19:36): Protests in Iran: a potential revolution
(28:19): Trump’s response to Iranian protests
(32:10): Prayers for Iran
(32:27): Esther’s story and its relevance
(33:56): NFL and stadium memorabilia
(37:04): US military strikes on ISIS
(40:33): Golden Globes recap
(41:59): Clintons and Epstein subpoena
(43:34): College football championship preview
(45:01): NFL playoffs predictions
(47:01): Conclusion and farewell

Resources

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Venezuela, 2026 culture predictions, Tim Walz & football playoffs | Ep. 51 Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s brief: We’re breaking down the headlines shaping the year’s explosive start, beginning with Operation Absolute Resolve and the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. What does the move signal militarily? How does it reshape the global chessboard? Was it legal? Does this operation support Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda? And was it worth the risk? We discuss the questions much of America is asking.

From there, we talk about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s mess, the latest in U.S. and global politics, and check in on the CFP and NFL playoff picture. Plus: listener mailbag questions, bold 2026 predictions across entertainment and influence, and a few wild cards no one saw coming. As always, we do it all from a Christian worldview!

Topics

(00:00): Introduction
(01:46): Operation absolute resolve: execution and impact
(02:27): Us military excellence and global perception
(06:35): Legal and political implications
(21:16): Pros and cons of the Venezuela operation
(29:36): Spiritual application and historical context
(30:45): Power vs. trust: a biblical perspective
(33:23): Global events and the spread of the gospel
(34:31): Mailbag: listener feedback and discussions
(38:16): 2026 predictions: movies, music, and influential people
(44:52): Current events: Nigeria, Minnesota, and more
(51:04): NFL playoffs and faith in sports

Resources

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2025 recap: Most influential people, biggest stories, biggest flops, & spiritual highlights | Ep. 50 Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s Brief: We take a wide-angle look at 2025, what we thought the year would hold, what actually happened, and what surprised us along the way, starting with a revisit to our predictions from January.

Then we talk about the most influential people of 2025 followed by the biggest stories in fashion, food, pop-culture, sports, travel, nature, tech, global news, politics before landing on what we thought was the most defining story of the year.

Plus the biggest biggest flops, most bizarre headlines,the best spiritual moments of 2025, and the lessons, both personal and collective, that emerged as the year unfolded.

And as always, we zoom out to consider how Christians can look back honestly, discern wisely, and move forward with clarity and hope as culture continues to shift.

Topics

(00:00): Introduction
(02:10): 2025 Predictions recap
(06:42): Fun stats and tidbits from 2025
(10:56): Most influential people of 2025
(22:33): Prominent deaths in 2025
(24:05): Biggest flops of 2025
(28:48): Bizarre stories of the year
(31:31): Pop culture highlights
(34:24): Favorite movies of the year
(35:47): Major sports stories
(38:15): Travel disasters and aviation incidents
(39:22): Natural disasters and government failures
(41:58): Global headlines
(43:08): Political shifts and controversies
(45:53): Biggest story of the year
(48:41): Reflections and lessons from 2025
(51:45): Looking forward to 2026

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Prediction: The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bubble Will Burst in 2025. Here's Why. | The Motley Fool

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Australia attack, Rob Reiner, Christmas movies, Candace Owens & football updates | Ep. 49 Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s Brief: We walk through a heavy news cycle that collided head-on with the Christmas season. We unpack an attack on U.S. troops, the shooting at Brown University, the terrorist attack in Sydney, the horrific murders of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife, and a foiled NYE terror attack in California.

Then, we shift gears to some lighter—but still meaningful—moments: favorite Christmas movies and traditions, reflections on what Christmas actually celebrates from a Christian perspective.

Plus, quick-hit updates on the Candace Owens and Erika Kirk meeting, the Heisman trophy winner, Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore getting arrested, NFL updates, and predictions on this weekend’s College Football Playoff games.

And as always, we step back to ask what it looks like for Christians to process real grief, stay informed, and still hold fast to hope and joy in a world that feels especially loud—and tender—this time of year.

Topics

(00:00): Introduction
(01:46): US troops ambushed in Syria
(02:53): Brown University shooting
(06:07): Hanukkah attack in Australia
(11:59): Rob Reiner's tragic murder
(20:08): Foiled New Year's Eve terror attack
(20:57): Christian response to evil
(28:28): Top Christmas movies of all time
(36:18): Reflecting on Christmas traditions
(41:46): Candace Owens and Turning Point USA controversy
(43:51): Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman
(44:45): Sherrone Moore scandal
(45:36): NFL injuries and playoff implications
(46:50): College Football playoffs preview

Resources

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