Concurrently: The News Coach Podcast

What does discipleship look like in the highest challenge? We’re talking to church planter Doug Shepherd about his family’s experience in wartime Ukraine.

At God’s WORLD News, we’re building news literacy to better live out the gospel. But what does that look like in practice? We’re joined by GWN Managing Editor Rebecca Cochrane to explore our philosophy behind writing the news for kids.

Christian nationalism. You’ve heard it in the news. Maybe you’ve heard it in the pulpit. What makes this term so hard to pin down? And how do we teach our kids about the relationship between God and country?

Public school? Private school? Homeschool? School choice can feel daunting and guilt-ridden. Today we’re joined by Amy Auten to look back at our own school experiences and point to God’s abundant grace.

We’re back with our panel of guests to talk about learning from failure in culture. How do headline-making mistakes inform the way we teach our kids and students? How does failure factor into engaging community, including the broader culture in which we are placed? Dr. Bob Burns, Dr. Donald Guthrie, and Jessie Swigart help us explore the big questions.

Why does our data matter? How do we explain it to our kids? Today we’re tackling a listener question on data privacy.

We’re joined by Constitutional Law professor Dr. Jesse Merriam to talk about the Supreme Court of the United States. The headlines call this a “partisan court.” President Joe Biden says it’s “not a normal court.” What do they mean by that? Why does the Supreme Court exist?

What is microdosing? And what does it have to do with industry leaders of Silicon Valley? We’re using the SOAR method to break down a Wall Street Journal article on psychedelics in the world of tech.

How do we avoid falling into damaging, divisive culture wars? In today’s bonus episode, Kelsey and Jonathan explore a life-giving alternative: culture-making.

We’re taking a look at history. What should we think when schools, military bases, and other public institutions change names or remove monuments to distance themselves from a Confederate past?

How do we handle failure in our discipleship process? Today we’re joined by Dr. Bob Burns, Dr. Donald Guthrie, and Jessie Swigart to explore the pitfalls and positives of missing the mark.

What is climate change? How should climate issues shape the way we live–if at all? We’re back with environmental engineer Dr. Nathan Howell to explore this complex topic.

Part two of our exploration into the Redemptive Narrative. How do the final two chapters of the Biblical story inform not just how we view the news, but how we view all of life?

When we encounter stories in the news, we frame them as part of a bigger picture, an overarching story. For Christians, it’s the Redemptive Narrative. But what is this “Redemptive Narrative?” And how does it impact the way we view the news?

How does the news cover environmental topics? What makes these issues so contentious among believers? We’re joined by environmental engineer Nathan Howell to explore a Christian stance toward the environment.

Malls, theme parks, and restaurants increasingly require teenage patrons to have adult chaperones. Why are businesses making this change? And what does it mean for teenage independence?

On this episode, we’re tackling the topic of cancel culture. What is it? Does it really exist? And how can Christians develop a mature, whole-person response?

In a world of fake news, developing news literacy takes work. But we might find help through an unexpected practice: reading fiction.

The news is filled with stories of suffering. Suffering plays an important role in the Christian life. What do we do when the worst comes true? God’s Big WORLD editor Amy Auten shares her story on today’s episode.

Title 42 has ended. U.S. asylum rules have changed. The issue of immigration once again takes center stage. How can parents and educators navigate this complex issue with their kids?

The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 emergency officially over. Let’s reflect on the past few years and look ahead to summer break. How can we pursue restoration?

We’re dipping our toes into the topic of environmentalism by diving deep into a single news article. What causes light pollution? What solutions have been tried? And how should Christians care for creation?

The buzz around artificial intelligence hasn’t slowed since we last discussed ChatGPT in February. We’re returning to this tech trend to see what’s new, define our terms, and answer some listener questions.

This week, a federal judge ruled that a Pennsylvania school district must allow After School Satan Clubs to meet. What do we do with cultural celebrations of Satan? And how can we use our free speech rights to sow better seeds?

How does Christ’s example teach us to navigate transgenderism? Dr. Gary Yagel rejoins the podcast to help us answer listener questions on this tender subject.

What does cooking pasta have to do with the discipling kids through the news? Today we’re taking a step back to explore a helpful tool you can use to navigate any sort of media: SOAR.

Russia. China. Ukraine. As international tensions rise, war looms large in our minds. This week we’re joined by Vicki Drake, former editor of God’s Big WORLD, to discuss discipling kids through news of war.

Dr. Gary Yagel of Forging Bonds joins the conversation to explore the origins of gender theory and transgenderism. How can parents and educators engage this difficult issue with grace and truth?

Should parents ban books from the classroom? How can we tell the difference between healthy challenge and damaging challenge? Kelsey and Jonathan explore the buzz around banned and challenged books.

The internet is full of conflicting information. How can you know what to trust? WORLD Magazine’s Collin Garbarino and Juliana Chan Erikson join the show to help us wrestle with this pressing listener question.

What happens when the state tries to take the place of God? Where do we find the temptation of state idolatry in our own hearts? Kelsey and Jonathan tackle this listener-suggested topic.

How can we reckon with the school shooting epidemic? And what does it mean to be a safe space for the kids and teens in our lives?

What are “disruptors” and why does modern media praise them? Does such a thing as “godly disruption” exist? Kelsey and Jonathan explore the cultural dialogue around disruption and disruptors.

Kelsey and Jonathan respond to listener feedback from “Video gaming and creation rhythms.” Are video games truly isolating? And how can parents find safe games for kids?

Tough girls? Gentle boys? In response to a listener question, Kelsey and Jonathan look to the redemptive narrative to explore today’s changing gender expectations.

Sources such as the CDC and the American Psychological Association have declared a mental health crisis among kids and teens. How can parents and educators approach mental health from a biblical perspective?

In a world where AI can write your homework, how do we teach our kids the value of work and learning? Kelsey and Jonathan explore the buzz around ChatGPT and what it means for human formation.

The Associated Press asks journalists to use the term “abortion rights” and Dictionary.com chooses “woman” as word of the year. In a world that challenges truth, how do we steward the gift of language? Kelsey and Jonathan explore words, worldview, and authority.

The headlines blame video games for all sorts of problems among kids and teens. But are video games the culprit? Or does gaming serve a purpose in our God-ordained rhythms of work and rest?

"YouTube/Social Media Influencer" has recently charted as the top vocational aspiration for teens and pre-teens in the US and UK. Join Kelsey and Jonathan as they discuss this cultural phenomenon and what it means for discipleship.

How do we respond to “unprecedented times”? We've heard this term a lot over the past three years. But what does it mean—and are these times truly unprecedented?

If you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor of children in today’s world, you probably feel overwhelmed by the news. How do you help the kids and students in your lives engage with what’s going on in the world? How do you disciple them through the news with discernment instead of anxiety? I'm Kelsey Reed, News Coach for God’s WORLD News, seminary-trained educator, wife, mom of three, and most importantly, follower of Christ. I’m here to come alongside you as you have the important conversations of life, faith, and culture with your kids. We’ll answer your questions, offer ideas and resources, and hear from other parents and educators to identify the best tools and practices for establishing a non-anxious learning environment, developing news literacy, and cultivating biblical discernment.Today’s world can feel overwhelming. Let’s press pause together and learn concurrently.