Former governor John Kasich has been a lot of things: US presidential candidate, governor, political commentator, congressman. And throughout his career, he witnessed faith communities of all religions come together and support not only each other but also their communities at-large. His new book, Heaven Help Us, reflects his observation of this dynamic and the ways faith communities are uniquely positioned to effect change in a broken society. The former governor also shares his takes on health care reform, how losing his parents in a car accident brought him to faith, how he fared after losing the presidential candidacy, and how to quench the fear of impending political chaos.  If you find yourself looking around your community or your country or the world and you think, What can one person, church, or community do to change something so overwhelming?, this conversation is for you. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future by John Kasich Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. “The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producer: Clarissa Moll Host: Russell Moore Producer: Leslie Thompson Associate Producers: McKenzie Hill Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Audio engineering by Kevin Morris Video producer: Sam Cedar Theme Song: “Citizens” by Jon Guerra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American evangelical Christians ought to care about the dismantling of PEPFAR. Russell reads a piece from his newsletter every Monday on the podcast but there’s more to be found in the weekly email! Sign up ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does a Shire full of hobbits in Middle-Earth, a county full of farmers in Kentucky, and a wardrobe full of a lion have in common? For Russell Moore and singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson, they were all a way to find home.    In this episode—recorded inside Peterson’s book-lined Chapter House in Nashville, right down the road from Moore—the two talk about the authors who, by God’s grace, helped hold their faith together when it could have come apart. From the wisdom of Wendell Berry to the imagination of C.S. Lewis to the honesty of Frederick Buechner, these authors gave a clarity that helped these two keep the faith.    This isn’t just a literary conversation. It’s about how God uses stories, sentences, and sometimes even sword-wielding mice to reach people in moments of doubt, disillusionment, or despair. Along the way, they talk about what it means to read widely, to hold onto wonder, and to be the kind of Christian who can still be surprised by joy.   They also somehow end up talking about Moby Dick, Dungeons & Dragons, and how ChatGPT was wrong and right about what books each of them would take to a desert island.    Books and authors mentioned in this episode include: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry A Room Called Remember and Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner The Chronicles of Narnia, Till We Have Faces, Mere Christianity, and more by C.S. Lewis Godric by Frederick Buechner David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Moby Dick by Herman Melville Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs And selections from Andrew’s own works: Adorning the Dark, The God of the Garden, and The Wingfeather Saga Whether you’re deep in faith, on the brink of losing it, or just looking for something beautiful to read, this conversation will remind you why the right book at the right moment can do more than explain—it can point to new life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do Albert Einstein, the Jesus People,  and Donald Trump all have in common? According to historian and journalist Molly Worthen, they’re all part of a surprising American story about the strange, magnetic force we call charisma. In this episode, Russell Moore sits down with Worthen to explore the themes of her new book, Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History, and why understanding charisma may be the key to understanding American religion, politics, and even ourselves.   From revival tents to campaign rallies to cable news sets, Worthen tracks five distinct types of charisma that have shaped our country’s imagination—from JFK to your local megachurch pastor. Why do some people command a room without saying a word, while others say everything and still lose the crowd?   Moore and Worthen dig into the seduction and danger of charisma, its role in religious experience, and how it can drive both conversion and cults of personality. They also reflect on Worthen’s own journey from atheism to faith, and why figures such as Tim Keller and J.D. Greear played unexpected roles in that story. Plus: the only time Russell Moore has ever found himself in a room full of unconscious people, all but him on the floor—and what that has to do with spiritual longing.   If you’ve ever wondered why we’re drawn to certain voices, movements, or personalities—and how those forces shape the American soul—this conversation will leave you thinking, and maybe even unsettled. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Spellbound by Molly Worthen Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The greatest threat to the church is not what we think it is. Russell reads a piece from his newsletter every Monday on the podcast but there’s more to be found in the weekly email! Sign up ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Biblical literacy is over, right? The world is too secular to care about the Bible, and even if people were interested, our attention spans—shaped by smartphones and streaming—couldn’t keep up anyway. So why are Bible sales on the rise? And how is it that a podcast helping people read the Bible in ten-minute segments is outpacing names like Joe Rogan on the charts? Millions of listeners tune in daily to The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble, a podcast designed to walk people through the entire Bible one day at a time. In this episode, Russell talks with Tara-Leigh about what’s behind this surprising hunger for Scripture—and what it reveals about our spiritual moment. Tara-Leigh shares how she never set out to be a Bible teacher. In fact, she realized as an adult that she didn’t actually know the Bible. What’s more, when she began reading it, she found herself troubled by the God she encountered in its pages. That experience set her on a journey to understand both the Bible and the character of God more deeply—a journey that has since helped millions of others do the same. Whether the Bible feels like unfamiliar territory to you or you know it right down the maps in the back, this conversation will spark your imagination about what’s happening in this cultural moment—and how the Bible continues to surprise us. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Tara-Leigh Cobble Spellbound by Molly Worthen The Bible Recap The Bible Recap Podcast Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you feel anxious or afraid, read something calming and reassuring—like the Book of Revelation. Russell reads a piece from his newsletter every Monday on the podcast but there’s more to be found in the weekly email! Sign up ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is God’s will for your life more of a dot or a circle? That’s one of the questions addressed by Grammy Award–winning producer and artist Charlie Peacock, whose new memoir Roots & Rhythm explores what it means to find one’s calling in life, how to heal from the past, and how to give up the quest for holding on to power. This conversation reveals at least one middle-school-era debate over what counts as “Christian music” (spoiler: there was almost a fistfight over Amy Grant), and they explore deeper questions about fame, ambition, and why some artists burn out while others grow deeper with time.   Peacock shares stories behind producing music for Amy Grant, Switchfoot, and The Civil Wars—and what he’s learned from the visible economies of success and the hidden “Great Economy” about which Wendell Berry wrote.   You’ll hear thoughtful conversation on everything from Zen Buddhism and Jack Kerouac to AI and the future of music. Along the way, Peacock reflects on a note found after his mother’s death, a formative encounter with Kierkegaard, and what it means to live with grace as “an antidote to karma.” Peacock and Moore also talk about Frederick Buechner and Merle Haggard, as well as fatherhood, how to find a “circle of affirmation,” and why failing is as important as succeeding. If you’re curious about how art and faith intersect in an age of algorithms and ambition, this conversation offers a human and hopeful perspective. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Roots & Rhythm: A Life in Music by Charlie Peacock On the Road: The Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac  Distant Neighbors: The Selected Letters of Wendell Berry and Gary Snyder Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An end-times novel predicted the insanity of 2025 and it just might point the way out. Russell reads a piece from his newsletter every Monday on the podcast but there’s more to be found in the weekly email! Sign up ⁠here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when everything you’ve built crumbles beneath your feet?  In this personal and open conversation, pastor Ray Ortlund talks about what he’s learned from unexpected losses, crushed hopes, and discarded dreams. Moore and Ortlund discuss how to get through those moments when faith is tested beyond what seems bearable—and they talk about the surprising joy that emerges on the other side. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Good News at Rock Bottom By Ray Ortlund Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The demonization of empathy will lead to a church that coddles sin. Russell reads a piece from his newsletter every Monday on the podcast but there's more to be found in the weekly email! Sign up here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What can the lives and trials of our Asian American neighbors teach the rest of us? Michael Luo, executive editor of The New Yorker and author of the new book Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, joins Mooreto talk about our country’s treatment of its Chinese residents, which drew Luo to trace his own family’s path to the United States. Moore and Luo discuss not only American sentiments toward the Chinese populations but also the ways our country deals with perceived strangers, the unique challenges of Asian American churches grappling with whether to become multiethnic, Luo’s experience of being a Christian in secular media spaces, and the ways his friendship with Tim Keller informed his view of Keller’s unique gifts and legacy.   Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An American evangelical considers the life of Pope Francis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it mean to sing about Jesus when the name has been co-opted by politics, performance, and power?  In this episode Dr. Moore welcomes singer-songwriter Jon Guerra to discuss Guerra's new album simply titled "Jesus." Guerra shares how his music serves as devotional art—less Sunday morning worship and more Monday morning prayer—and explains his journey back to the words of Christ after experiences that created distance. Moore and Guerra explore themes of nationalism, church collapse, and finding authentic faith in a politically charged culture. Guerra reflects on his time as a worship leader during the painful public downfall of James MacDonald's ministry, offering honest insights about power, performance, and platform in Christian leadership. The conversation moves through Guerra's creative process, including his work on Terrence Malick's films, and unpacks the countercultural message of songs like "Citizens"—which confronts the marriage of faith and political power. As the child of Cuban immigrants, Guerra also opens up about his fear of scarcity and how it shapes his understanding of Jesus's teachings about treasure and provision. At a time when Jesus's name is often wielded as a tribal symbol, Guerra's music invites listeners to encounter Christ not as a political mascot, but as the One who welcomes immigrants as citizens and calls us to a narrower, and better, way. Join Jon on tour this spring, and listen to Jesus here. Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s a Christian, anyway? In our 2025 political environment, terms like evangelical begin to lose the meaning they once held, or they require further refinement and definition. Glenn Packiam’s new book brings a fresh perspective to this conversation. It turns out the answer lies in the Nicene Creed. This year, the Nicene Creed turns 1,700 years old. This ancient work, built from Scripture and the public life of the ancient church, is often considered part of a “dead” spirituality, especially in traditions which put an emphasis on individual experiences with God. However, Russell and Glenn unpack the depth of personal and congregational meaning within the creed and discuss its power to redefine what Christian means in an environment where the term is constantly changing.  Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: What’s a Christian, Anyway? By Glenn Packiam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We convince ourselves that we can be cruel and nihilistic and Christian all at once. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell’s weekly newsletter here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for another books episode. Russell Moore is joined again by Ashley Hales, the former producer of the show and now CT’s editorial director for print, in a discussion about what they’re reading now and about how reading as a practice is necessary and helpful in a windblown world.  What books are you loving? And which books would you be sure to pack if you were planning to be marooned on a desert island? Email us: questions@russellmoore.com.  Books/essays mentioned in this episode: Learning in War-Time by C. S. Lewis War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Superbloom by Nicholas Carr Digital Future in the Rearview Mirror by Andrey Mir Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Silas Marner by George Eliot  Spellbound by Molly Worthen The Theological Imagination by Judith Wolfe Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The death of Hooters holds a message for the church. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell’s weekly newsletter here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What has play got to do with suffering?  Annie F. Downs has built her career on having fun. Her New York Times bestseller titles include That Sounds Fun, Remember God, and 100 Days to Brave. Her new book for kids seems very different from the fun-loving Downs.  Downs explains how the death of her nephew TJ led her to write a children's book to help kids (and grownups) understand suffering and loss at the same time as the love of God.  In this episode, Downs tells us what surprised her about how kids respond to this kind of suffering and what that taught her about getting rid of fake platitudes, about what to do when someone you love is hurting, and about how to genuinely grieve while still recognizing a world of joy, hope, and even fun. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Where Did TJ Go? By Annie F. Downs Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American Christians ought to care about how Venezuelan gang members are deported. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell's weekly newsletter here! Do you have questions for Russell Moore? Send them to questions@russellmoore.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices