The Esau McCaulley Podcast

When the military becomes a political pawn? As Esau and Producer Mike break down Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to D.C., Esau reflects on his family’s experience in the military and the heavy cost of deployments for morale, families, and democracy itself. Then, adult summer camps are on the rise. Are they the answer to America’s loneliness epidemic, or is there an easier and less ex...

Sydney Sweeney’s “Great Jeans” ad sparked a culture war. Was it clever marketing, coded eugenics, or just outrage for clicks? Esau, Malcolm, and Mike break down who really wins when we fight over denim. Also, Taylor Swift has a new album, a Hollywood actor claims to have been blacklisted for his christian principles, and why old school gospel music should still be relevant today.

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What does it mean to be Black and evangelical in a moment when both words carry so much baggage? Esau is joined by theologian and longtime Wheaton professor Dr. Vince Bacote, whose new documentary Black + Evangelical traces the overlooked history of African Americans in evangelical institutions. They talk about what it means to carry a Black church heritage into white evangelical spaces, why so many Black voices are celebrated unti...

On a recent Holy Post episode, Ryan Burge claimed the data shows that Gen Z is not experiencing a revival, but Carey Nieuwhof says otherwise. Esau and Sharon Hodde Miller compare the competing narratives and reflects on what true revival looks like and why we care so much whether a revival is happening. Then, a recent New York Times piece questions the so-called “boy crisis,” Are boys really falling behind or have gir...

A Coldplay concert kiss cam became the most viral moment of the week. Esau, and bestselling author Nancy French unpack the now-infamous clip of an affair caught on camera. Was it hilarious or heartbreaking, and what does it say about our appetite for public shame? They also debate whether a World War II hero should also be remembered as a TikTok star, whether celebrity-branded Crumbl cookies are harmless fun or late-s...

A controversial new IRS regulation just opened the door for churches to endorse political candidates from the pulpit. Esau McCaulley and Justin Giboney weigh in on if this a win for religious freedom, a threat to the church’s public witness, or just business as usual? Then they unpack the unexpected reunion of hip-hop duo The Clipse. One brother found faith. The other kept rapping about dealing drugs. So what happens ...

What do Black churches, Catholics, and evangelicals all agree on? That Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is a big, problematic mess. Esau is joined by Malcolm Foley to unpack the sweeping legislation that slashes aid to the poor while delivering massive tax cuts to the wealthy. What does this reveal about our national values and how should the church respond to a policy so openly shaped by greed? Plus, the team reflects on...

As the Fourth of July approaches, Esau and Tish Harrison Warren reflect on what patriotism means today, especially for Christians who feel caught between critique and love of country. Then, Tish introduces the idea of “big church privilege,” and explores what’s gained and lost in the shift from large, well-resourced congregations to smaller, more intimate communities. Finally, they break down Peter Thiel’s recent comments about sta...

Marine biologist and author Rachel Jordan joins Esau McCaulley in studio to talk about her new book If the Ocean Has a Soul. They dive into the deep waters of science and theology, discussing coral reefs, climate change, and why the ocean might be one of the most overlooked witnesses to God's glory. Rachel shares how a tenth-grade biology class changed her life, how she navigates faith in scientific spaces (and vice v...

Pastor and author Sharon Hodde Miller joins Esau McCaulley for a surprising conversation about the live-action Lilo & Stitch and how a children’s film quietly captures the realities of single motherhood, economic pressure, and communal grace. Then, Esau and Sharon talk about the challenges of pastoring in a polarizing time and how their online persona compares to their pastoral persona. Also, we have a Disney movie dr...

It’s officially summer, and things are heating up. Esau is joined by Justin Giboney and producer Mike to swap summer playlists, celebrate Kirk Franklin’s unexpected honor at the BET Awards, talk about what kids should do during the summer, and unpack the recent protests in Los Angeles following aggressive ICE raids. What does faithful protest look like? How do Christians respond when political theater overshadows huma...

NBA Finals. Trump’s sledgehammer policies. A Bible debate over sex. Esau, Justin Giboney, and Producer Mike truly tackle it all this week. First, why do small markets (and small churches) keep getting overlooked? Then, what’s really driving the fight over international students on U.S. campuses? Also, a popular pastor claims the Bible does not say sex before marriage is wrong, but we aren't convinced. Finally, sports heartbreak, Ta...

Elite universities are trying something new, or maybe not so new. To attract more conservative faculty, they’re adopting diversity strategies once used to support marginalized communities. So now that DEI is working for the right, is it still “woke”? Plus, fake Pope quotes are everywhere. Why is ever...

Author and mother of six, Katie Blackburn joins Esau for a conversation around single parenting, disability, and faith. Katie shares her experience raising a son with severe autism, the grief and grace that come with it, and how the church has responded, sometimes with welcome, other times with unintentional exclusion. Together, they explore why single parents and families affected by disability often feel unseen in c...

Why does everything feel like a reboot? In this episode, Esau is joined by producer Mike and historian Malcolm Foley for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of American pop culture. From promising films like Sinners and Thunderbolts to the creative fatigue behind endless reboots and auto-tuned algorithms, they explore whether we're stuck in a cycle of stagnation and cynicism, and why Beyoncé’s country alb...

Everyone needs a life coach sometimes and Esau is here to play the role. In today's episode, he answers the internet's questions about friendship, marriage, calling, AI, church, and, yes, the ethics of eating your kid’s leftovers. Joined by Producer Mike and Holy Post Community Coordinator Emerson, th...