Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz is back in the spotlight with a new book about surviving infidelity, but should some sins permanently disqualify a pastor from ministry? Esau, Malcolm, and Mike discuss the difference between forgiveness and restoration, the dangers of celebrity pastors, and the Christian publishing industry's role in rehabilitating fallen leaders. Then, President Trump has developed a strange new obsession with people's backsides, and a Republican candidate in Ohio has released a political ad that takes dirty campaigning to a whole new level. What happens when Christians become so committed to political victories that they abandon their moral convictions? And is there any bottom left for American politics to hit?

0:00 - Theme Song

1:35 - Carl Lentz and Abuse of Power

7:20 - Monetizing Infidelity?

35:36 - Sponsor - World Relief - World Relief's newest guide, Beyond the Ballot, was designed to equip you with relevant facts, tools and resources to engage immigration and displacement issues with understanding, compassion and courage: https://worldrelief.org/holypost

36:53 - Vivek Ramaswamy Ad Controversy

49:25 - End Credits

Articles Covered:

Carl Lentz:

https://www.wsj.com/style/hillsong-carl-laura-lentz-book-22fa7c1d

Trump's Inappropriate Comments:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/25/trump-nicki-minaj-mike-rogers-michigan-rally

Article on Vivek Ramaswamy's Ad:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-ad-ohio-amy-acton.html

Power can be dangerous, especially when the people who have it don't realize just how much they wield. Sharon Miller joins Esau and Mike to discuss Kelly Clarkson's bizarre feud with a Brooklyn toy store and what it reveals about the blind spots of powerful people. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is pouring millions into the midterm elections, raising troubling questions about the influence of wealth, racism, and the issues Christians are willing to overlook for political victories. And as protests turn violent in France, are older generations protecting their own interests at the expense of the young? Plus, should Christians be worried about people turning to AI for spiritual advice, and what can a grieving mathematician teach us about the meaning of life?

0:00 - Theme Song

3:13 - Kelly and the Toy Bird

9:06 - Oblivious Powerful People

26:30 - 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

27:48 - France's Student Riots

38:41 - A.I. and Preaching

49:31 - End Credits

AI Mathematician on The Meaning of Life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfGenpmOjDQ

The Economist on AI and Religion:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/slFPKBdE8-Y

How can Christians have difficult conversations about faith without turning every disagreement into an argument? Christian hip-hop artist and apologist Emmanuel "Da Truth" Lambert joins Esau to discuss his new book, Forgive Me If I Was Rude, and why defending Christianity requires more than having the right answers. They explore the difference between winning arguments and reaching people, the importance of understanding someone's doubts and experiences, and why the gospel is bigger than many Christians realize. Plus, how should Christians respond to criticism of the church, and why do so many of us abandon kindness when we get on social media?

0:00 - Theme Song

0:56 - Forgive Me if I was Rude

6:02 - Deconstruction

16:52 - Responding to Those Questioning Christianity

23:34 - Sponsor - Church at the Crossroads - Esau shares about Church at the Crossroads, a conference hosted by Palestinian Christians in Atlanta, November 5–7. The gathering offers an opportunity to meet and learn from Palestinian pastors and Christian leaders, join in worship, and enjoy Palestinian food and cultural experiences, with time for conversation and fellowship. Use code ESAU for 20% off. Register at www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta

24:47 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - For a quality mattress, go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com and use promo code ESAU to get 30% off site wide!

25:47 - 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

27:06 - Respond to the Culture

43:50 - Convergence of All Time

58:48 - End Credits

Forgive Me If I Was Rude: The Art of Having Complicated Faith-Based Conversations by Emmanuel Lambert: https://amzn.to/4ztEI1L