The Esau McCaulley Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this inaugural episode of The Esau McCaulley Podcast, Esau is joined by Nancy French and Ameen Hudson for a conversation on sports rivalries, identity, and the power of narratives. From the WNBA rivalry of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to iconic NBA players like Magic and Bird, the group explores how trash talk and competition shape perceptions, and the way political and racial dynamics impacts how athletes are viewed. Then, Nancy and Ameen open up about the cultural and political narratives they've found themselves trapped in. Nancy shares her journey from being deeply embedded in the Republican Party to facing rejection for challenging its current direction, while Ameen reflects on navigating the expectations placed on him as a Black man who cares about justice, but also holds socially conservative views. Also, is Nancy French the greatest pickleball trash talker of all time?

Esau McCaulley sits down with Grammy-winning artist Lecrae for a candid conversation about his career, faith, and the personal challenges of living in the public eye. Reflecting on how his music has evolved over the years, Lecrae opens up about the journey that has shaped him both spiritually and professionally. The two discuss everything from Kendrick Lamar's and Simone Biles' unexpected shoutout to navigating criticism from fans and the church alike. Lecrae also delves into the pressures of creating music while wrestling with faith in a secular world and how he now sees himself as a "hybrid" between two cultures.

Esau sits down with friends Jonathan Warren Pagan, rector of Emmanuel Anglican Church, and Kimberly Deckel, executive pastor of Church of the Cross. They dive into the complexities of multiracial identity within the church, exploring how churches can better serve multiracial families and create genuinely welcoming spaces. The conversation touches on the unique challenges multiracial individuals face, the politics of identity surrounding public figures like Kamala Harris, and the importance of cultural curiosity in faith communities.

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, Taylor Swift, and Mike (kind of) makes his co-host debut.

1:04 - NBA Finals and Small Markets/Churches

9:22 - The Bible Sexual Immorality Debate

25:11 - Mike's Corner: International Students on Campus and Trump

46:48 - Taylor Swift

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 everyone trying to make the new Pope say what they want to hear? And in other news: a plantation burns, prom has officially lost its mind, and Producer Mike is in need of some friends.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:11 - Big Budget Proms

14:18 - Sponsor - No Small Endeavor - Award-winning podcast where theologians, philosophers, and best-selling authors talk about faith with Lee C. Camp. Start listening today: https://pod.link/1513178238

15:40 - Fake Pope Quotes

25:18 - DEI for Conservatives

39:51 - The Plantation Fire

47:12 - End Credits

Sarita Lyons is here to tell us about her book, Church Girl. She and Esau talk about her journey, from how she was pulled from her faith to what brought her back. She explains why she wrote a book specifically about being a Black Christian woman and why that specificity matters. And, this week in Holy Sports, should there be spaces where you can’t discuss race and politics?

0:00 - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/ESAU

2:00 - Theme Song

3:31 - Are You Washed, Church Girl Edition

10:15 - Can You Separate Accomplishments from Race?

18:52 - Church Girl and Coming Back to Jesus

38:25 - Favorite chapter of Church Girl

47:53 - End Credits

Church Girl: A Gospel Vision to Encourage and Challenge Black Christian Women by Sarita T. Lyons: https://a.co/d/5zt4gfM

LeBron James made headlines for confronting ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after criticism of his son, Bronny. Esau and Malcolm Foley unpack the moment and ask: What’s a parent’s role in their child’s success, and when does helping become too much? They also explore the growing backlash against empathy and wrestle with how we should use power and privilege for the good of others. Plus, in our new “Freezing Cold Takes” segment, we admit seasonal depression is real… and maybe soccer is actually good?

0:34 - Show Begins

1:20 - Freezing Cold Takes

6:05 - Holy Sports

17:52 - The Sin of Empathy Book

26:27 - Is This a Real Problem?

38:45 - Our Moment of Cultural Shame

44:14 - End Credits

The internet has become an angry place, but how did it get here and is there any fixing it? Esau is joined by Hannah Anderson and Hannah King to unpack why everyone on the timeline seems ready to fight, how rage has become its own online currency, and whether we’re all just really, really lonely. Also, Esau may or may not have tried a social media experiment that has now turned into an ethical crisis.

Rolling Stones Article on Rage Bait:

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/what-is-rage-bait-influencers-making-people-angry-1234976621/

Goodbye Billy Graham and Tim Keller. Hello...um...well, we're not sure. Esau McCaulley is joined by Justin Giboney and Tish Harrison Warren to discuss whether Christianity still has a public face, or if the era of unifying spiritual leaders is over. They explore the rise of social media influencers in faith spaces, why young people may be returning to church, and whether the church is fairly represented in the media. Plus, they share why there's still reason for hope, even in a time of overwhelming bad news.

- Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/ESAU

For too long, the history of Black Christianity in America has been told in incomplete or misleading ways. Esau sits down with theologian and author Walter Strickland to discuss his new book, Swing Low: A History of Black Christianity in the United States. They explore the theological foundations of the Black church, the overlooked figures who shaped its legacy, and why its story is about more than just politics.

Swing Low, volume 1: A History of Black Christianity in the United States by Walter Strickland - https://a.co/d/0Q4YUJr

Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family - www.meetfabric.com/ESAU