The Esau McCaulley Podcast

A Texas political candidate sees a crowd of brown students celebrating and assumes they must be foreigners. Esau, Mike, and Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez unpack what that reaction reveals about race, belonging, and the fear of a changing America. They also talk about the growing power of AI, the tech world's obsession with overcoming human limits, and why some limitations may actually be good for us. Plus, Pricelis shares about her new book, False Peace , and why churches can confuse unity with sameness, asking people to assimilate instead of making room for genuine difference. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:20 - Esau in Español? 1:43 - Boosie's Presidential Pardon Attempt 6:20 - Community Work 19:35 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106 20:52 - Sponsor - With God Daily - Get the daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals in your inbox every day by signing up at: https://holypost.com/plus 22:05 - A.I. and False Promises 33:24 - False Peace by Assimilation 49:08 - End Credits False Peace: How to Reject the Lie of Sameness, Embrace Difference, and Embody True Unity (How Christians Can Go Beyond Surface-Level Agreement to Build Communities of Authentic Unity) by Priceless Perreaux-Dominguez: https://amzn.to/4yCKduC

Esau joins Justin Giboney and Christopher Butler of the Church Politics Podcast for a special crossover conversation about Black liberation theology, James Cone, and the relationship between justice and the gospel. Together, they explore what Cone got right about the church's failures on race and oppression, where liberation theology can become too narrow, and why Christians need a gospel that transforms both people and society. They also discuss the resurrection, the authority of Scripture, the danger of reducing Christianity to a political program, and what faithful public witness should actually look like. 0:00 - Theme Song 2:10 - Chance the Rapper on Liberation Theology 5:21 - James Cone's Books 20:56 - The Errors of Liberation Theology 39:52 - Trusting God, Not People 57:22 - End Credits

Youth sports are supposed to be good for kids, but what happens when giving your child every opportunity starts costing your family more than money? Esau, Malcolm Foley, and producer Mike talk about the booming youth sports industry, the pressure to keep up, and how parents can tell the difference between investing in their kids and trying to maximize them. Then they turn to the new TV show, Lanterns and its surprisingly thoughtful exploration of race, fear, parenting, and the pressure placed on Black children to be exceptional. And finally, they ask why Donald Trump has to make even superheroes about himself. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:21 - Youth Sports 11:28 - What's Worth Youth Sports? 16:57- Fear and the Black Experience 24:13 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106 25:24 - Sponsor - Curiously, Kaitlyn - Ever had a question about God, the Bible, or Theology that you're embarrassed to ask? Chances are, a kid has already asked Kaitlyn that question! Check out Curiously, Kaitlyn: https://pod.link/1739169925 26:36 - Parenthood and Black Fear 36:42 - Trump's Green Lantern Post 48:53 - End Credits Articles Covered: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/23/pay-to-play-youth-sports/

What happens when trust begins to break down between people and the institutions meant to serve them? Esau, Mike, and Sharon Miller talk about vaccine skepticism, bad experiences with the healthcare system, and why Christians should care more about truth than winning an argument. They also discuss the rise of AI-assisted cheating and why forming people of integrity may matter more than creating better rules. Plus, how much privacy should we be willing to sacrifice for safety as surveillance technology becomes increasingly common? 0:00 - The Height of Deception 1:20 - Theme Song 1:40 - Daejon Love and Being Duped 9:41 - Vaccines and the Medical System's Failings 25:33 - Sponsor - The Subtext - Want to see pop-culture through the lens of faith and ethics? We've got a podcast you need to check out: https://pod.link/1835471106 26:44 - Sponsor - Renovare Book Club - Spiritual formation through books! What else could you ask for? Learn more at https://renovare.org/bookclub 27:54 - Sponsor - Holy Post Plus - Want full episodes of the SkyePod? Wanna get schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess? What about a daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals? Sign up for Holy Post Plus: https://substack.com/@holypostmedia 31:45 - Academic Cheating on the Rise 42:35 - Flock Cameras 53:53 - End Credit Articles Mentioned: Vaccines Custody Battle Article: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/09/07/the-maha-custody-battle Students Cheating with AI: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/opinion/students-cheating-ai.html Flock Cameras: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/31/podcasts/the-daily/flock-cameras-surveillance-america.html

For the 100th episode of The Esau McCaulley Podcast , Esau, Malcolm Foley, and Mike look at why America seems incapable of making meaningful progress on gun violence, even after school shootings. They discuss new research showing how pro-gun political spending surges after deadly shootings, what that reveals about money and power in American politics, and how our culture of violence shapes everyday life. Then, they turn to Gary, Indiana, to examine how decades of disinvestment and systemic racism still leave some communities more vulnerable than others. Finally, they ask whether avoiding conflict actually creates peace, and why healthy friendships, churches, and communities sometimes require us to say the hard thing. 0:00 - Theme Song 2:58 - Peacocks 8:44 - Pro-Gun Pac Increases After School Shootings 22:13 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide! 23:13 - Gary, Indiana 38:33 - Conflict is Good for Relationships? 49:32 - End Credits Resources: Isaiah Johnson and the Big Game by Esau McCaulley: https://amzn.to/46lZ8gD How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Survival in the American South by Esau McCaulley: https://amzn.to/4ca7Kug

Charlie Dates grew up in a Black church tradition where justice and righteousness were never competing ideas. Esau sits down with the Chicago pastor and author to talk about what gets lost when churches emphasize biblical faithfulness without public justice, or justice without biblical righteousness. Dates explains why he believes evangelicalism has become more American than Christian, how the Black church has historically joined preaching with community action, and why pastors have a responsibility to prepare their congregations before the next cultural crisis hits. They also look back at the very different responses of Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham to the civil rights movement, and what their choices reveal about Christian witness. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:06 - Advice for Pastors 8:31 - Evangelicalism is too American 18:15 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: https://sites.tyndale.com/lasb/ 19:14 - Legacy of Chicago 28:30 - How Black Churches Equip Students 47:00 - End Credits

Why is Spider-Man: Brand New Day resonating so deeply right now? Esau, Malcolm, and Sho Baraka unpack the loneliness at the heart of the film, why even superheroes struggle with isolation, and how the church can respond to our growing need for belonging. Then the conversation turns to America's story. They discuss whether they identify as "patriotic," how to hold the nation's ideals alongside its painful history of injustice, and what Paul can teach Christians about faithfully challenging the empire. Also, is Malcolm's superhero Mount Rushmore really the worst of all time? 00:00 - Introduction & Warm-Up 01:31 - Theme Song 01:44 - Superhero Mount Rushmore & Favorite Pop Culture Icons 05:17 - Spider-Man, Thunderbolts, and the Epidemic of Loneliness 12:49 - Overcoming Isolation & Building Real Community 19:25 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, Use code ESAU30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible! https://tyndale.com 20:38 - America's Story: History, Patriotism, and Identity 26:13 - Faith, Culture, and Higher Allegiances 41:55 - Finding Meaning, Belonging, and Hope Today 44:57 - End Credits

Churches in America are becoming more racially diverse, but many pastors are talking less about racial reconciliation. Esau, Mike, and guest Ike Miller explore why getting different people into the same room is not the same as creating a community where everyone truly belongs. Then, Ike shares the central idea behind his new book, Theology That Heals : salvation is not merely a transaction that forgives our guilt, but a lifelong process of restoring us to God, to one another, and to ourselves. Also, can Ike survive Esau's version of the newlywed game? 0:00 - Theme Song 0:43 - How Well Does Ike Know His Wife? 6:33 - Are Megachurches More Diverse? 13:45 - Preaching That Ignores Racial Divide 24:45 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide! 25:48 - Aware of Your Identity 35:20 - Jesus the Healer 49:33 - End Credits Check out more from Ike Miller at: https://ikemiller.com/

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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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 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