Stay ConnectedFor the Good of the Public brings you daily news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we catch up on the news of the day together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life, for the good of the public.
Learn more at www.ccpubliclife.org
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For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20260111a.htm
https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2026/1/tillis-statement-on-federal-reserve-nominations
https://jointstatement.substack.com/p/statement-on-the-federal-reserve
From this month’s sponsors:
-Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast
-Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout.
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #FederalReserve #JayPowell
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For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Isaiah 46:9-13 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/11/rene-good-ice-shooting-investigation/
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/trump-venezuela-oil-cuba.html
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/11/politics/trump-weighs-potential-military-intervention-in-iran
Pope Francis' January 9 remarks to diplomats: https://www.osvnews.com/full-text-pope-leo-xivs-address-to-diplomatic-corps-jan-9-2026/
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #Iran #Venezuela #PopeLeo #DonaldTrump
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Luke 15:3-10 (NIV)
News sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/ice-related-shooting-occurred-minnesota-governor/story?id=128984401
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/ice-shootings-minneapolis-other-cities.html
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5677676-obamacare-subsidies-health-care-premiums-abortion/
https://apnews.com/article/affordable-care-act-subsidies-aca-84607bbaee9bc782d0b685eadba75303
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #Minneapolis #ReneeGood #ICE #Venezuela #Abortion #ACA
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: 1 Samuel 2:2-9 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.notus.org/house/republican-doug-lamalfa-house
https://apnews.com/live/us-venezuela-trump-maduro-updates-01-06-2026
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #HouseRepublicans #DougLaMalfa #Iran #Greenland #Maduro #StephenMiller
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/world/americas/un-security-council.html?smid=url-share
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/05/venezuela-trump-maduro-arraignment/
https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-
https://www.notus.org/health-science/cdc-cutting-vaccine-schedule-kids-by-half
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/magazine/marjorie-taylor-greene-trump-maga-split.html
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #Venezuela #Maduro #Vaccines #MarjorieTaylorGreene
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a special episode of For the Good of the Public, cross-posted with "Conversing with Mark Labberton."
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversing-with-mark-labberton/id1161564408
Can joy be anything but denial in a rage-filled public life? Michael Wear joins Mark Labberton to reframe politics through the kingdom logic of hope, agency, and practices of silence and solitude. As 2025 closes amid political discord, we might all ask whether joy can be real in public life—without denial, escapism, or contempt.
"… Joy is a pervasive and constant sense of wellbeing."
In this conversation, Michael Wear and Mark Labberton reflect on joy, hope, responsibility, and agency amid a reaction-driven politics. Together they discuss the realism of Advent; the limits of our control; how kingdom imagination reframes anger; hope beyond outcomes, dignity under threat, and practices (including silence and solitude) that restore clarity.
About Michael Wear
Michael Wear is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan nonprofit that contends for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. He has served for more than a decade as a trusted advisor to civic and religious leaders on faith and public life, including as a presidential campaign and White House staffer. He is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life and Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America. Learn more and follow at https://www.michaelwear.com.
Helpful Links and Resources
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/04/secret-service-expansion-plan-trump/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225035342.htm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/12/20/venezuela-oil-nationalization-expropriation/
From this month’s sponsors:
-Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast
-Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout.
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #Venezuela #Iran #DonaldTrump
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Luke 2:1-12 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/15/nx-s1-5534254/house-senate-retirement-tracker-2026
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/threats-members-congress-capitol-police-2024
From this month’s sponsors:
-Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast
-Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout.
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #Congress
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Psalm 113:1-8 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/19/politics/maria-farmer-epstein-survivor-complaint
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/us/epstein-fbi-complaint-1996-maria-farmer.html
From this month’s sponsors:
-Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast
-Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout.
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #EpsteinFiles #JeffreyEpstein
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Good of the Public brings you news and weekly conversations at the intersection of faith and civic life. Monday through Thursday, The Morning Five starts your day off with scripture and prayer, as we also catch up on the news together. Throughout the year, we air limited series on Fridays to dive deeper into conversations with civic leaders, thinkers, and public servants reimagining public life for the good of the public.
Today's host was Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Five! Please subscribe to and rate The Morning Five on your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the work of the Center for Christianity and Public Life at www.ccpubliclife.org.
Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)
News sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/nyregion/medical-dying-assisted-suicide-hochul.html
https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/12/pritzker-signs-medical-aid-in-dying-bill-amid-religious-opposition/
From this month’s sponsors:
-Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast
-Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout.
Join the conversation and follow us at: Instagram: @michaelwear, @ccpubliclife Twitter: @MichaelRWear, @ccpubliclife and check out @tsfnetwork
Music by: Amber Glow
#politics #faith #prayer #scripture #assisteddying #euthanasia #NewYork #ethics #dignity #PublicLifeFellowship #CCPL #LydiaDugdale
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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