The Holy Post

The new year began with a successful U.S. military operation to capture Venezuela's president. But the mission killed approximately 80 people and is being condemned by some American and international leaders as illegal. Esau McCaulley joins Phil and Skye this week to discuss the fallout from the operation. Was it legal? Was it moral? And what does it reveal about Trump's vision of America? Kaitlyn talks with author Sara Billups about her new book, "Nervous System," and how our age of anxiety is affecting Christians and the whole church. Also this week—the Trump administration celebrated the holidays with Christian memes, festive taunts, and "Ice Ice Baby."   Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147587950/   Bonus Interview with Sarah Billups: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147498089/   0:00 - Show Starts   2:52 - Theme Song   3:13 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month!   4:15 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!   5:23 - Christmas   7:35 - Trump Got Venezuela?   13:46 - What Does America Want to Be?   28:34 - Trump Administration's Christmas   36:10 - Optimism and America   44:50 - Sponsor - Poncho - If you've been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost   46:02 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Use code HOLYPOST for 30% off sitewide for a great night's sleep! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/holypost   47:04 - Sponsor - DripDrop - Fast hydration in 16 original flavors! Get 20% on your first order and use promo code HOLYPOST! Go to https://www.dripdrop.com   48:05 - Interview   50:28 - Why Write About Anxiety?   56:14 - Practicing Non-Anxiousness   1:02:40 - Lasting Effects of Fundamentalist Mindsets   1:09:17 - The Church as a Non-Anxious Presence   1:18:09 - End Credits Links: Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in Your Body, the Church, and Politics by Sara Billups: https://amzn.to/3N0A60t   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  

Holy Post Media is no stranger to accusations of both-sidesism. Skye and Kaitlyn talk about why they believe pointing it out on both sides isn't simple equivocation or conflict-avoidance, but instead a responsibility… depending on the context.   Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147007166/   0:00 - Intro   0:58 - Theme Song   1:18 - Defining Both-Sidesism   8:40 - Sponsor - Sponsor - Poncho - If you've been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost   10:20 - Sponsor - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.   11:30 - False equivalency   16:58 - Are we just placating conservatives?   30:22 - 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://www.tyndale.com/sites/lasb/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20Life%20Applicati[…]ource=Holy%20Post%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Nov%202025   31:22 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today!   32:34 - Is the Far Left Real?   50:33 - Forest Fires and Campfires   1:06:31 - End Credits Links: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  

We've reached the end of 2025, so we thought it's a good time to answer questions from the Holy Post community. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn cover a wide assortment of issues, from how they decompress after a difficult podcast, and how they pick which politicians to interview, to their favorite movies, and who is best at changing a tire. They also tackle theological questions about the nature of grace, the limitations we will still have in the new creation, and why demons may not be fallen angels. They also give their predictions for 2026. Along the way, Phil has weird ideas about hair, Skye wants to be a mango, and Kaitlyn makes a big announcement. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146537688/   Advice-ish with Malcolm Foley: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146452896/   0:00 - Show Starts   3:15 - Theme Song   3:38 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today!   4:40 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST   8:42 - Holy Post Team as Veggies   14:30 - Can You Be Ethical and Non-Christian?   21:41 - Stories and Conflict in Heaven   25:45 - Republicans on Holy Post   31:05 - Sponsor - World Relief - Start a monthly partnership with World Relief to help families in crisis at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost   32:15 - Will Skye Fix Flat Tires?   36:33 - Is Salvation Free?   39:12 - Impactful Movies   42:39 - Self-Care   52:06 - Pluralism and Faithfulness   1:09:41 - End Credits   Links: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  

Last weekend was filled with terrible news, including a mass shooting in Australia, another at Brown University, and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife. Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss these events and why rediscovering the biblical practice of lament is better than just "thoughts and prayers." The Catholic Church has taken a nuanced and principled position on the deportation of immigrants. Why do evangelicals find that so difficult? Then John Ortberg talks with Skye about his latest book, which applies the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to Christian spiritual formation. It's called "Steps: A guide to transforming your life when willpower isn't enough." Also this week, the U.K. is building a giant Möbius strip for God. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146012515/   Bonus Interview with John Ortberg: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145907370/   0:00 - Show Starts   2:00 - Theme Song   2:23 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 welcome pack when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   3:50  - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST   4:56 - Mass Shooting in Australia   14:08 - The Murder of Rob Reiner   17:55 - Lament   24:37 - The Catholic Church and Immigration   28:37 - Murkiness of the US Immigration Crisis   37:10 - UK Prayer Mobius Strip   45:15 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com/holypost and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!   46:25 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a Great Christmas Gift? Use code HOLYPOST at checkout to save $45-off the Carver Mat Aura Frame at https://www.AuraFrames.com   52:45 - A Wimpy Step One   1:00:14 - Showing Up   1:12:10 - Giving Up Control vs Giving Up Agency   1:24:06 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Deportation and the Catholic Church: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/268183/cna-explains-when-is-a-deportation-policy-intrinsically-evil   Mobius Strip of Prayer in the UK: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/uk-answered-prayer-monument-landmark-richard-gamble/   Other Resources: Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough by John Ortberg: https://amzn.to/4q9YSJN   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  

Two writers from the New York Times say the liberal values that have flooded our culture with online gambling, pornography, and cannabis have backfired, but secular progressives, like Ezra Klein, admit that they don't have a framework for explaining why. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the benefits and limitations of liberalism as a political and social philosophy, and why those on the left are increasingly aware of their need for religion. Matthew Soerens from World Relief is back to discuss why the Trump administration's immigration policies are so different in his second term, how the President's ever-changing rhetoric is causing chaos, and why America is accepting the collective punishment of immigrants. Also this week, raccoons are on a mission to be the pets of the future. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145468927/   Holiday Hill to Die On: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145455604/   Advent Welcome: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ogTPaT3   0:00 - Show Starts   4:45 - Theme Song   5:08 -  - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a Great Christmas Gift? Use code HOLYPOST at checkout to save $45-off the Carver Mat Aura Frame at https://www.AuraFrames.com   6:17 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Brooklyn Bedding is offering up to 25% off sitewide for our listeners! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST   7:40 - Racoons Got Cuter!   14:35 - Ross Douthet on Liberalism's Failures   28:45 - The Economy Can't Form Ethics   41:30 - Black and Latino Voices   52:45 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.   53:48 - Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you    54:57 - Interview   57:03 - Afghanistan and Immigration   1:03:07 - Dehumanizing Rhetoric   1:21:12 - Christian Persecution and Immigration   1:31:14 - End Credits   1:31:46 - Sponsor - The Pour Over - Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Check it out at https://links.thepourover.org/holy-post   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Raccoons Getting Cuter? https://allthatsinteresting.com/north-american-raccoon-domestication   Ross Douthet Piece on Liberalism https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/opinion/liberalism-postliberalism-affordability.html   Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.