The Esau McCaulley Podcast

Episod

• 
  Is Trump Keeping Gen Z Out of Church? 30.07.2026 59min

  Nearly half of Gen Z says Christian support for Donald Trump has made them less likely to attend church. Esau, Mike, and Sharon Hodde Miller discuss what the finding reveals about the church's political witness, while also asking whether some young adults have become unwilling to worship beside anyone who votes differently. Then, they examine the latest viral social media trend and why so many people think their lives should be a documentary. Also, why are mega churches growing, but small churches are struggling, and Esau found another new favorite team.   0:00 - Theme Song   1:53 - Are Curses Real?   8:56 - Is Trump Keeping Gen Z Out of Church?   16:54 - The Church's Witness   32:05 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!   33:05 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, listeners of this podcast can use the code ESAU30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible at this link: https://hubs.la/Q04n6dQn0   34:13 - Pastoring Among People   38:46 - Megachurches Keep Growing   55:44 - Esau Explains it All   58:38 - End Credits
• 
  The Odyssey, A.I. Death bots, and the Cost of Victory 23.07.2026 52min

  Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey asks what happens when you win the war but destroy the world you hoped to return to. Esau, Malcolm, and Mike discuss the cost of victory, the erosion of shared norms, and whether a country can ever truly go back to what it was before. They also turn to America's war with Iran and why leaders so rarely admit when they are wrong. Then, a bizarre effort to preserve a dying parent through an AI "death bot" raises deeper questions about grief, resurrection, and what makes a human being real. Plus, Esau (once again) has a new favorite soccer team.   0:00 - Theme Song   0:10 - Esau's Spain Jersey   3:00 - The Odyssey   11:24 - Erosion of Decency   24:22 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!   25:30 - War in Iran   38:51 - A.I. and Deathbots   52:25 - End Credits
• 
  Making Sense of the Deaths of Lindsey Graham and Nolan Wells 16.07.2026 53min

  How should Christians respond when a complicated or controversial person dies? Esau, Sho Baraka, and Mike reflect on Lindsey Graham's political legacy and the challenge of telling the truth without becoming cruel. Then, they turn to the death of Nolan Wells, the questions surrounding the case, and the pressure to draw conclusions before all the facts are known. They discuss how race shapes our suspicions, why wisdom sometimes means waiting, and how to pursue justice without turning every tragedy into a political scorecard. Finally, they consider the role Black barbershops can play in mental health, community, and creating spaces where men can speak honestly. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:58 - World Cup Predictions 7:52 - Responding to Lindsay Graham's Death 21:37 - Nolan Wells' Tragedy 26:06 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off! 27:14 - Double Consciousness 35:57 - Black Barber Shops and Mental Health 52:40 - End Credits
• 
  America's Weird Birthday and Trump's Bad Vibes 09.07.2026 56min

  America turned 250, but the celebration felt less like a shared national moment and more like another exhausting chapter in the Trump era. Esau, Malcolm Foley, and Mike discuss how Trump's involvement in a controversial World Cup decision managed to drain the joy out of U.S. soccer, and why so many Americans seem too tired to even argue about the country anymore. Then they turn to a disturbing Patriot Front march in Washington, D.C., and what it reveals about America's refusal to reckon honestly with racism. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner and why both parties keep confusing charisma with character. Finally, the crew debates whether colleges were wrong to abandon standardized tests and what parents, churches, and schools can do to help kids flourish. 0:00 - Theme Song   0:06 - Show Starts   1:27 - Trump Interfering with FIFA   11:02 - Exhausted by America   14:33 - A Bus with White Supremacists   27:02 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Truth's Table has a Bible study on the Book of John, featuring Esau McCaulley! Check it out at: https://www.ivpress.com/studytheword and use code ESAU30 to get 30% off!   28:10 - Graham Platner   40:50 - SAT and ACT Testing   56:45 - End Credits
• 
  Texas Wants More Bible, America Wants Fewer Kids 02.07.2026 50min

  Texas is adding Bible passages to its public school reading standards, continuing the endless debate over the Bible in schools. Esau, Kaitlyn, and Mike discuss why Bible literacy matters for understanding American history and why teaching the Bible while downplaying race creates a distorted picture of the country. Then, they turn to the rise of one-child families and what may be lost when fewer children grow up with siblings. Plus, why do female-led superhero movies keep struggling, and what does Supergirl reveal about how we talk about women, heroes, and doing good?   0:00 - Theme Song   0:22 - Cohost of the Cookout   15:00 - Increase in Single Children   24:02 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Use Code "ESAU" on checkout to get 30% sitewide for the July 4th sale—limited time offer, not available anywhere else! Go to https://brooklynbedding.com   24:55 - Sponsor - InterVarsity Press - Get Into The Word with Truth's Table - A new video Bible study series from InterVarsity Press, featuring biblical teaching from respected Black scholars and pastors including Dr. Esau McCaulley. Go to ivpress.com/studytheword and use the code ESAU30 at checkout for a 30% special discount.   26:00 - The Sacrifice of Having Kids   40:01 - Supergirl—do people want female superheroes?   49:37 - End Credits
• 
  Is America Better Than We Think? 25.06.2026 45min

  World Cup visitors are discovering America, and somehow ranch dressing, air conditioning, Walmart have become ambassadors for the nation. Esau, Mike, and Nancy French ask why outsiders may be seeing America more clearly than Americans do, and whether our perception of the country is being warped by news, social media, and political caricatures. Then they consider a new study linking return-to-office mandates with narcissistic leaders. Does liking to work in the office automatically make you an egomaniac? Finally, they wrestle with the ethics of genetic testing for newborns, asking how much truth parents should want to know and whether some knowledge is too heavy to carry.    0:00 - Theme Song   3:11 - Tourists Discover America   7:05 - Americans Pessimistic About America   17:36 - Repenting of Nut-Picking   21:05 - Remote Work Unpopular with Narcissists   31:35 - Genetic Testing on Babies   45:11 - End Credits
• 
  Fight Club at the White House 18.06.2026 44min

  The President hosted a UFC fight on the White House lawn. Was it a celebration of American pride, or Trump's ego?  Esau and Mike discuss President Trump's fight-night spectacle, and why it's another example of Trump demanding more, and offering even less in return. Then they turn to Britain's proposed social media ban for children under 16 and ask what government, parents, and Christian communities owe kids growing up online. Plus, new research on "hasslers" raises a familiar question: when are difficult people a gift, and when do they become harmful? Also, has Esau become a Youtube troll? 0:00 - Theme Song 0:23 - Mike's Disrespect Addressed 3:45 - UFC Fight at the White House 16:48 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Download a free 30-day devotional about Christ as our sustaining fire at http://www.worldchallenge.org/esau 18:00 - UK Bans Social Media for Teens 31:51 - "Hasslers" and Mental Health 43:56 - End Credit
• 
  Bonus Episode: Comforting the Grieving and Explaining Esther and Job 11.06.2026 24min

  With Esau out of town, we're sharing a special bonus episode featuring a few Holy Post Plus exclusives. First, Esau answers the question, "What should Christians say to the grieving?" in an episode of Advice-ish, our weekly HP+ advice-column-style show about the ordinary problems people face. Then, you'll hear two episodes from 66 Verses to Explain the Bible, where Esau uses a single verse or short passage to explore the larger theme and message of a biblical book. This week, he takes on Esther and Job.   Want to learn more about Holy Post Plus? Check it out at holypost.com/plus   0:00 - Theme Song   2:14 - Advice-ish on Grief   9:17 - 66 Verses - Job   16:07 - Sponsor - Access Forge - Go to https://www.accessible.faith/ to unlock the first two Belonging by Design lessons and use promo code HOLYPOST to get $200 off the full program   17:36 -  66 Verses - Esther   24:29 - End Credits
• 
  Pope Leo's AI Warning & America's Happiness Crisis 04.06.2026 51min

  Pope Leo has issued a major warning about artificial intelligence, arguing that the danger is not merely that machines will become more human, but that humans will become more machine-like. Producer Mike takes over while Esau is away, joined by Malcolm Foley and Sharon Hodde Miller to discuss what AI reveals about our broken ideas of work, dignity, limitation. Then they turn to America's happiness crisis, from toxic positivity and the myth of a frictionless life to why boredom, grief, and inconvenience may be essential to becoming fully human. Plus, what the decline of the white picket fence says about safety, boundaries, and our growing fear of neighbors. Also this week, Tottenham narrowly avoids humiliation, Mike had an intimate moment with Stephen Colbert, and everyone definitely proves they are loyal listeners of this podcast.   0:00 - Theme Song   0:33 - Malcolm and Sharon   2:23 - Most Mundane Accomplishments   7:20 - Pope Leo's A.I. Encyclical   24:00 - Sponsor - Access Forge - Go to https://www.accessible.faith/ to unlock the first two Belonging by Design lessons and use promo code HOLYPOST to get $200 off the full program   25:12 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Download a free 30-day devotional about Christ as our sustaining fire at http://www.worldchallenge.org/esau   26:19 - Unhappy America   31:04 - America and Momento Mori   41:55 - Boredom and the Meaning of Life   54:22 - End Credits
• 
  How to Stay Christian When Everything Seems Awful 28.05.2026 45min

  Faith can feel easy at the beginning, but what happens when you're stuck in the long middle? Tired, cynical, and wondering why God feels far away? Esau is joined by Tish Harrison Warren to talk about her new book, What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience, and why perseverance is more than just spiritual grit. They discuss burnout, doubt, the exhaustion of public faith, the temptation to start over, and why staying put might be one of the most countercultural Christian practices left.   0:00 - Theme Song   1:02 - What Grows in Weary Lands   5:22 - Leaving the New York Times   24:47 - "Middle Stories"   49:12 - End Credits   What Grows in Wear Lands: On Christian Resilience by Tish Harrison Warren: https://amzn.to/4o0FwqE
• 
  Why the Church Needs Rituals Again 21.05.2026 40min

  People are searching for rituals, but often in places the church has abandoned. Esau, Mike, and Rochelle Scheuermann  talk about whether friendship can survive political disagreement, why people are inventing new rituals for belonging and meaning, and what churches lose when they trade formation for efficiency. Then, Rochelle discusses her new book, Disability and Evangelism, and why disability is not a problem for churches to solve but a gift the body of Christ needs to receive. She shares how her son with Down syndrome changed her understanding of discipleship, evangelism, and the kingdom of God. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:42 - Drake's Triple Album Drop 2:24 - Friendship Across Political Divide 10:08 - Rituals 19:33 - Disability and Evangelism 22:17 - Disability Theology 34:33 - Signs a Church is Accommodating 40:02 - End Credits   Disability and Evangelism: The Good News of the Fullness of God's Kingdom (Center For Disability and Ministry Books) by Rochelle Scheuermann: https://a.co/d/0d4aOT2t
• 
  Trump's golden statue and Alien Invasions 14.05.2026 50min

  A group of pastors prayed over a golden statue of President Trump, but they insist it was not a "golden calf" situation. Esau, Malcolm and Mike discuss what the Trump statue reveals about power, idolatry, and the church's temptation to bless empire. Then, they discuss the recent release of government files on UFOs and question of whether the discovery of aliens would change Christian theology, while a discussion about conspiracy theories somehow leads to spies, mayors, and the CIA. Also this week: anti-DEI politics and sewage infrastructure in rural Alabama, companies cutting paid family leave, and is Mike becoming internationally famous?   0:00 - Theme Song   2:12 - Graduation Advice   11:01 - Trump's Golden Statue   22:33 - Sponsor - OneAccord - Get 3 Hours of free, live translation for your church by visiting: https://www.oneaccord.ai/ESAU   24:58 - Aliens!   37:40 - DEI Cuts Causing Plumbing Problems   50:20 - End Credits
• 
  Gutting the Voting Rights Act and Why Results Matter as Much as Intent 07.05.2026 54min

  Preorder Esau's New Children's Book: https://esaumccaulley.com/books/isaiah-johnson-and-the-big-game/   The Supreme Court's latest Voting Rights Act decision has reignited an old debate: does discrimination only matter when racist intent can be proven, or do the results matter too? Esau McCaulley, Skye Jethani and Producer Mike break down the history behind the Voting Rights Act, why this Louisiana redistricting case matters, and what it could mean for Black political representation across the South. They also wrestle with whether America's institutions are actually progressing on race or simply finding new ways to protect power. Then, Sharon Hodde Miller joins the show to unpack the Newsboys lawsuit and the uncomfortable questions it raises about Christian music, nonprofit partnerships, and money in evangelical culture.   0:00 - Theme Song   0:33 - Esau's New Book!   2:00 - Voting Rights Act Supreme Court Decision   8:47 - Moral Progress and Original Sin   23:09 - Newsboys Suing Charities   40:38 - Downsizing Friendships?   53:42 - End Credits  
• 
  Another Assassination Attempt & What We're Missing About DEI 30.04.2026 55min

  After another assassination attempt on President Trump, Esau McCaulley, Malcolm Foley and Mike Stralow wrestle with what it means that political violence is starting to feel normal, and why Christians must reject any attempt to justify it in Jesus' name. They unpack the so-called "Christian" logic behind the attacker's manifesto, and explain why the story of Jesus fundamentally undermines violence as a tool for change. Then the conversation turns to the backlash around DEI, where real concerns, bad ideas, and political overreactions have all been thrown into one messy debate. Also this week: why people quietly leave churches, and Producer Mike might need a new nickname.   0:00 - Theme Song   3:02 - Assassination Attempt   6:11 - Christian Non-Violence   9:05 - Identifying with the State   17:35 - Conspiracy Theories   20:53 - Where DEI Backfires   29:48 - The "DEI Bundle"   34:52 - Critiquing DEI Without Being MAGA   39:00 - Pastors and Congregation Numbers   55:24 - End Credits
• 
  The Death of Monoculture and What Comes After 23.04.2026 50min

  We used to all watch the same thing, but now our entertainment options to our church options are more dived and fragmented than ever. Justin Giboney joins Esau McCaulley and Mike Stralow to discuss the collapse of monoculture. Then, Dave Chappelle recently took criticism for performing at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, but he made the claim that there is no such thing as clean money anymore. The crew discusses if that's true and how should Christians think about spending, giving, and participating in a system that's already broken. Also, is it fair to tax the rich and does it actually improve society if we do?   P Lewis Art Collection: https://www.instagram.com/plewiscollection/   0:00 - Theme Song   1:45 - The Love of Missing Out, LOMO   7:45 - Is Monoculture Dead?   12:28 - Ideology and Entertainment   22:45 - Sponsor - Tyndale - On The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon dives deep into the Bible. Learn more at https://navpress.com   23:56 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!   24:46 - Dave Chappell and Clear Money   37:10 - Mamdani and Housing Taxes in New York City   49:50 - End Credits
• 
  Trump as the Good Physician and Bieber's Coachella Performance 16.04.2026 55min

  It was the AI image heard around the world. Esau and Mike are joined by Christine Jeske to talk about Trump's infamous AI image depicting him as a Christ figure, and whether it signals a real shift in his evangelical support or just a passing blip. They also dig into Justin Bieber's Coachella performance, asking whether it tapped into something deeper about longing, vulnerability, and public faith. Then the conversation turns to Anthropic's gathering of Christian leaders to explore whether AI could ever be considered a child of God. Finally, Christine shares about her new book, Racial Justice for the Long Haul, and what gives her hope in the midst of so much turmoil right now.   0:00 - Theme Song   2:00 - Justin Bieber's Coachella Laptop Performance   12:13 - The Pope Vs. the President   25:38 - Sponsor - Tyndale - On The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon dives deep into the Bible. Learn more at https://navpress.com   26:56 - Can AI Have a Soul?   31:18 - AI and Human Value   55:33 - End Credits
• 
  Trump's Crazy Holy Week 09.04.2026 56min

  A government official claims God teleported him to a Waffle House, and somehow that is not the strangest part of this conversation. Esau is joined by producer Mike and Stephen Harris to discuss Holy Week at the White House, where the language of resurrection, sacrifice, and salvation was tangled up with politics, power, and some very questionable comparisons. They also wrestle with how Christians can believe in the miraculous without losing their grip on wisdom, and why performative faith keeps missing the point of the gospel. Finally, Esau and Stephen disagree about the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Snape in the new Harry Potter series, raising questions about storytelling, representation, and when creative changes actually make a story worse.   0:00 - Theme Song   1:55 - Teleporting to Waffle House!   11:38 - Comparing Trump to Christ   15:23 - Trump's Easter Tweet   20:21 - God and the State   28:42 - Sponsor - Tyndale - On The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon dives deep into the Bible. Learn more at https://navpress.com   30:05 - Saul and Performative Christianity   38:42 - HBO Cast a Black Actor as Snape?   55:55 - End Credits  
• 
  Project Hail Mary and the Return of Optimism 02.04.2026 47min

  A sci-fi blockbuster about the end of the world is somehow the most hopeful movie in years. What does Project Hail Mary's success say about a culture drowning in cynicism? Esau McCaulley, Malcolm Foley, and Mike Stralow dig into why audiences are craving optimism again and whether the church (and Holy Post Media) has something to learn from it. Then the conversation turns to all the recent talk about "revival." Is something actually happening, or are we just reading the signs we want to see? They unpack why Christians are so fixated on growth, what we might be measuring wrong, and whether real renewal looks less like hype and more like repentance. Plus, Holy Week reflections, what's bringing them joy right now, and a pair of red Air Force Ones.   0:00 - Theme   0:21 - Holy Week with Esau   12:22 - Revival or Not?   17:56 - Curiosity Around Religion   26:10 - Endurance and the Black Church   30:05 - Slavery is a Crime Against Humanity   46:55 - End Credits
• 
  When Even War and Death Become Content 26.03.2026 53min

  War used to be something a nation mourned. Now it's about banger memes. Esau is joined by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and Producer Mike to talk about why the Trump Administration seems to prioritize its social media strategy over its war strategy. They also talk about Trump's response to Robert Mueller's death and reflect on new allegations about Cesar Chavez and what they reveal about leadership, abuse, and the danger of protecting movements over people. Also this week, Esau forgets a very important day.    Learn more about Natasha here - www.natashasrobinson.com   0:00 - Theme Song   4:47 - Trump's Glad Mueller's Dead   11:06 - Trump's Lasting Impact   19:31 - Pastors and Politics   24:07 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!   26:35 - White House War Memes   31:12 - Targeting Immature Young Men   42:03 - Caesar Chavez Scandal   53:26 - End Credits
• 
  Unqualified MAGA and the Politics of Hate 19.03.2026 49min

  A new study suggests Americans distrust each other more than almost any other nation, and Esau, Malcolm and Mike wrestle with whether we've crossed a line we can't come back from. They dig into the deeper spiritual roots of our outrage, asking what it actually means to love your enemies in an age of constant political combat. Then the conversation turns to Hollywood's obsession with youth and what our fear of aging reveals about us. They also take on the controversy over an unqualified Surgeon General nominee and what it says about leadership, loyalty, and truth. Also this week: Mike shoots his shot, Malcolm runs late, and somehow height insecurity becomes a real topic.   0:00 - Malcolm's Too Famous   1:37 - Theme Song   4:17 - Oscars and Plastic Surgery   8:54 - Mike's Too Tall   12:17 - End Stage Polarization   24:46 - Ideological Purity   32:40 - Unqualified Surgeon General   49:24 - End Credits