The Esau McCaulley Podcast

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

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

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

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

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