The Don Johnson Show
The Don Johnson Show is a personal podcast hosted by author and filmmaker Don Johnson, offering reflections on life, culture, and the creative process. Episodes blend personal storytelling with commentary drawn from his work as a writer and independent media maker. Johnson also points listeners to his projects at donjohnsonmedia.com and his Substack, American Babylon, where he expands on similar themes. The tone is conversational and reflective rather than news-driven.
Episodes
Why Some People Become Catholic While Others Refuse
Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the nature of conversion to the Catholic Church, as well as why some people refuse to take that step.
When Shepherds Harm the Flock
Carl Olson joins Don to discuss Fiducia Supplicans, the Catholic Church's recently released document that allows a "blessing" for same-sex "couples."
The Futility of "Journeying Together" Without a Proper Goal
Carl Olson joins Don to discuss the similarities between Andy Stanley's recent Unconditional conference and the ongoing Catholic Synod on Synodality. In both instances leaders claim to want to "journey together with people," especially those with same sex attraction, without bringing theology or doctrine into the conversation. It is a fool's errand.Links to go with the show:Synodality, Soteriology
The Danger of Dispensing Cheap Grace
Welcoming sinners where they are is one thing; affirming them in their sin and encouraging them to stay there is another. Carl Olson joins Don to discuss the disturbing tendency among Church leaders to use the language of love and grace to entrench people in destructive lifestyles.Links to go with show:How much Sexual Sin is OK?The conflict over Communion is really about the cheapening of God's gr
The Great American Dechurching
Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the sharp decline in church attendance over the past few years as well as offer some thoughts towards a solution.Show links:How to Talk to a SkepticTwisted Unto Destruction: How Bible Alone Theology Made the World a Worse PlaceWhat’s Behind America’s ‘Great Dechurching’?The Largest and Fastest Religious Shift in America Is Well Underway
A Cry for Justice
Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the popularity of Rich Men North of Richmond and how it fits into a growing resentment of the ruling class. This leads into some thoughts about the nature of sin and the relationship between justice, mercy, and judgment, and why everything boils down to worship. Also, Don explains how this relates to his new project about Sodom and Gomorrah: LibertyvilleSome othe
Hurt Girl Summer
What do the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour have in common? Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the two biggest cultural phenomenons of the summer, and offer some movie and music reviews along the way.Resources:What Feminism Gets Wrong about Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life Unprotected
On Trying to Preserve "Conservative" Morality without an Objective Foundation
Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss various news stories from the week, incuding the explusion of Saddleback Church from the Southern Baptist Convention and the rise of pro-gay and pro-feminist groups battling gender ideology.
The Anti-Science Covid Cult
Who is really following the science, here? Don and Alden discuss the increasingly cult-like and superstitious nature of the pro-lockdown postion.Links to go with the show:Why Christianity is the Worldview that Best Supports Science: http://donjohnsonministries.org/why-christianity-is-the-worldview-that-best-supports-science/Masking craziness:https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/john_canzano/2021/04/h
A Crisis of Authority and the Death of Truth
What happens when you mix the weak epistemology of the postmodern West with a crooked ruling class? The death of truth. In this episode, Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss several factors that have led to the current cultural chaos, including the crisis of authority that results from widespread corruption among our media, tech, and political elite. They also examine the phrase "it's not who we are
A Culture that Has Forgotten God
Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss various aspects of of our cultural moment, including the fact that even our religious leaders don't seem willing to offer God's perspective on our predicament. Along they way, they reference a recent New York Times article by Pope Francis as well as "Mr Biden and the Matter of Scandal," a First Things piece by Archbishop Charles Chaput. Carl Olson is the editor o
The Corona Grifters
Don and Alden try to makes sense of some of the latest coronavirus developments by following the money. They also discuss Alden's interview with Erik Rittenberry about Erik's article "The American Life is Killing You."
Manufacturing Mask Consent
Don and Alden discuss the history of propaganda in America, and how the practices and principles perfected in the first half of the twentieth century are still being used to great effect today.
When all We Have is Fear, Anger, and Corruption
Don and Alden discuss an America in which the media and political ruling class is completely corrupt and the general population seems to have only fear and anger to keep them going each day.
The Emperor Has No Clothes
Don and Alden chat about living in a culture in which so many people act in public as if something is true, even when they don't actually believe it. They also discuss why there is no such thing as common sense anymore, and how various churches are dealing with the coronavirus.
To Mask or Not to Mask?
Don and Alden discuss why mask wearing has become such a cultural flash point. They also examine what it means that the government is deciding what is essential and what isn't, and how this differs from their normal lawmaking role.
Coronavirus, Social Media, and the Marketing of Fear
Don and Alden discuss the negative role social media is having on the coronavirus debate, and how relating to people only online makes it much more difficult to find truth, or even just common ground. They also talk about how historical ignorance leads people to be more trusting of their cultural gatekeepers, and how the way the media markets fear makes people far less rational when it comes to ev
Follow the Evidence, or Cling to My Personal Narrative?
Don and Alden talk about the latest developments in the Coronapocalypse, and discuss why it is important to be willing to follow the evidence where it leads, even when it overturns something you have long thought to be true.
It's a Brave New World
Why is it currently socially unacceptable to ask questions? Do we have to simply accept the “official” narrative of events and blindly obey our media and political overlords? What can we learn from scripture and history about our current cultural moment? And are we actually living in The Truman Show? On this Coronavirus edition of the show, Don is joined by artist and filmmaker Alden Olmstead to t
What Too Many Protestants Get Wrong About the Bible
What is the Bible? Protestants like to say "The Word of God." OK, what is the word of God? Protestants like to say, "The Bible?" How does that work?In this episode Don unpacks some common errors many Protestants make in understanding how God reveals himself, and what part the Bible plays in that revelation.
Why Sola Scriptura Leads to Moral Chaos
Since we ignore the Bible on slavery, shouldn't we ignore it on a host of other issues as well, including same sex sexual activity? Don tackles that argument and discusses the difference between Catholic and Protestant views of scripture, showing how the doctrine of sola scriptura has played out in history.Links to go with the show:Fr. James Martin finds this argument "interesting": https://twitte
No Eyes to See
According to Barna researcher Brooke Hempell, "More than any other segment of the population, white evangelicals demonstrate a blindness to the struggle of their African American brothers and sisters.” Why is this? In this episode, Don tackles this question from several angles, and addresses the myth that we live in a post-racist society.Links to go with the show:Black Christians Deserve Better Th
Why I'm Not a Member of Either Tribe in the Culture War
Don discusses the idolatry at the heart of the current culture war, arguing that both liberals and conservatives are on the wrong side of the battle that ultimately matters.
Why Did Everyone Suddenly Start Abandoning Religion 30 Years Ago?
In the early 1990s, the number of Americans claiming no religious affiliation suddenly spiked. Don discusses an Atlantic article by Derek Thompson that offers some reasons why. Some links to go with the show:How America Lost Its Religion: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/09/atheism-fastest-growing-religion-us/598843/The Real Origins of the Religious Right: https://www.politico.com/ma
The Wonderfully Counter-Cultural Message of Toy Story 4
Don reviews Toy Story 4 and wonders how such a traditional story line got past the studio gatekeepers.
Race, Justice, and Christians with their Heads in the Sand
Do too many Christians fail to recognize injustice in our culture? That suggestion lit up the phone lines when Don Johnson filled in for Patrick Madrid recently on Relevant Radio. Listen here as Don discusses the recent racial incident at Starbucks with several callers.
Hefner and Kaepernick
Don Johnson and Kaylyn Green discuss Hugh Hefner's death and take calls related to the NFL anthem controversy.
Lady Gaga and the Pharisees
Don Johnson and Kaylyn Green discuss and take calls on a variety of topics, including Lady Gaga's move toward the Church.
Compassion and Evangelization in a #takeaknee Culture
Don Johnson and Kaylyn Green talk Kaepernick and more.
What Divorce Does to Kids: An Interview with Leila Miller
Don Johnson and Kaylyn Green Interview Leila Miller about her book Primal Loss: The Now Adult Children of Divorce Speak
The Reformation 500 Years Later: An Interview with Dr. Benjamin Wiker
Don interviews Dr. Benjamin Wiker about his book The Reformation 500 Years Later: 12 Things You Need to Know.
Lee Strobel on The Case for Christ
MP3 Don Johnson talks to former atheist Lee Strobel about the new movie based on his conversion story. Lee tells some behind the scenes stories from the making of The Case for Christ and shares a few of the emotional...
Persecution, Heroes, and Husbands
MP3 Don and Timmerie join you for their second episode of Trending featuring: Breaking exclusive news of undercover journalist/investigators David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt’s 15 felony charges. MARVEL faces backfire over character changes catering SWJ and female characters. They also...
Church Hunters, and the Push to Make it Illegal to be a Stay-at-Home Mom
MP3 An Australian woman wants to make it illegal to be a stay-at-home mom. Comedian John Crist has this week's viral video with "Church Hunters" Time Magazine resurrects the "Is God Dead?" cover with a query about truth.
The Bible, "Born Again Virgins," and the Quest for the Meaning of Life
MP3 Don and Timmerie discuss the weaknesses of trying to make the Bible one's sole authority for faith, the rise of "born again virgins," and the N.Y. Times' attempt to figure out what it means to be human.
The Art of Discerning What Movies We Should Watch
MP3 Don Johnson and Timmerie Millington discuss the current controversies surrounding the blockbuster movies Beauty and the Beast and The Shack. Also, why are we so judgmental when it comes to food? And Don has some good news regarding his...
Sarah Silverman, The Sexual Revolution, and the Modern Feminist Dilemma
MP3 Don and Timmerie Millington discuss Lent, The Oscars, and Sarah Silverman's struggle with motherhood. Along the way the chat about what it means to be a true feminist and introduce Don's new documentary project about the sexual revolution.
Sex Before Dating, and How to Alienate Millennials from the Church
MP3 Don and Timmerie Millington discuss several stories from the week, including: According to survey of Millenials, sex before dating is OK, but a cracked phone is a turn off. "Casual" Sex is never actually casual. Chance the Rapper won...
How to Talk to Atheists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses
MP3 Don and Kaylyn Green break down Stephen Colbert’s discussion with atheist Ricky Gervais about God, science, and religion. Don introduces his new online evangelization course. Don chats with Trent Horn about Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses as part of the...
How to Be a Better Witness to Your Faith
MP3 Don talks with Cy Keller about his new position as host of Catholic Answers Live and the role of Catholic radio in the culture. Don just released a new online course: Personal Evangelization: How to be a More Effective...
Why a True Pro-Women Movement Must be Pro-Life
MP3 Why exclude feminists for life from the march for women? Smart kids and dumb phones. Don talks to Lucy Beckett about her Reformation novel The Time Before You Die Gender and gravity as social constructs.
Rogue One, Jack in the Box Tacos, and Why we Should Get Outside
MP3 Don Johnson and Cy Kellet discuss whether Rogue One fits into the original Star Wars universe, America's obsession with Jack in the Box tacos, and the benefits of experiencing nature.
Problematic Disney Kids and How the Disintegration of Christendom Led to the Fake News Problem
MP3 Don discusses the fake news problem in the culture and how it relates to the end of the mislabeled Middle Ages. Junior Knows Best: How a troubling trope has taken over contemporary animated movies
Tips for a Slower Advent and Better New Year
MP3 Denzel Washington on Journalism and Truth Telling Be a Bookworm, Not a Goldfish Why Christmas Should Bother Everyone 10 Simple Ways to Slow Down this Advent
Living in a Post-Truth Culture
MP3 Post-Truth, the Word of the Year Jimmy Akin talks about his new book A Daily Defense You Should Thank God that your Kids are Mediocre Athletes
How The Historic Enemies of the Church Support the Claims of Christianity
MP3 Don talks with Gary Michuta, author of Hostile Witnesses, about how the enemies of the Church in history provide strong evidence for its truth. Also, Don discusses C.S. Lewis on the difference between faith and emotion, and offers some...
Christian Witness in the Trump Era
MP3 Don offers some thoughts on the election, particularly in the context of how Christians can be an effective prophetic voice within the current political climate. Articles to go with the show: Time for Christians to Unplug from Our Secular...
Interview with Novelist Michael D. O'Brien
MP3 Don talks with best-selling author Michael O'Brien about several of books, including his latest The Fool of New York City. Also, Don discusses The Metanoia Project and offers a few thoughts on how the Hatmaker fiasco shows the futility...
A Blueprint for Renewing the Culture through Transformed Lives
Don introduces The Metanoia Project, an interactive television series in the spirit of his film Convinced.
Peter Kreeft on How to be Holy
MP3 Don talks with Dr. Peter Kreeft about his 2 latest books, How to be Holy: First Steps in Becoming a Saint and I Burned for Your Peace: Augustine's Confessions Unpacked.
How Teaching the Bible, Debating Atheists, and Studying the Reformation led me to the Catholic Church
MP3 Don shares some highlights of the story of his conversion to Catholicism.
Sympathy for the Victims of the Sexual Revolution
MP3 Don and Brandon discuss why we should have sympathy for victims of the sexual revolution such as Anthony Weiner and Amy Shumer.
On Swimming and the Coarsening of the Soul
MP3 Don and Brandon discuss why Brandon isn't a fan of Olympic swimming and talk about whether or not coarse language leads to a coarsening of the soul.
Olympic Lessons
MP3 Don reflects on some of the more outspoken Christian voices at the Olympics and discusses some spiritual lessons we can learn from athletic competitions.
Evangelical Exodus
MP3 Don talks to Douglas Beaumont about his new book Evangelical Exodus: Evangelical Seminarians and Their Paths to Rome. They also discuss the Convinced screening in Modesto on Saturday, August 27, which they will both be attending.
Gun Deaths and Race Relations
MP3 Don and Brandon discuss how we relate to people of other races, and whether we should be doing more to try to understand other people's experience. They also chat about Five Thirty Eight's breakdown of gun deaths in America.
Politics, Professional Wrestling, and Whether there is Any Difference Between the Two
MP3 Don and Karen Moran discuss pastor Chad Vegas's decision to leave the Bakersfield school board and attempt to answer Jeremy Gordon's question in the New York Times: Is Everything Wrestling?
Devin Rose on How to Navigate the Tiber
MP3 Don talks with author Devin Rose about his new book Navigating the Tiber: How to Help Your Friends and Family Journey Towards the Catholic Faith. They also discuss Devin's prayer app and his course for overcoming pornography addiction.
Dory, Emojis, and Polyamory
MP3 Lessons for Christians from Finding Dory The Emoji Bible has arrived. Is Polyamory a choice?
Things Christians Should Not Say When Evil Strikes
MP3 Don and Brandon discuss topics from the week, including: Chick Fil A Surprises Some People with Their Response in Orlando Should We Hipsterfy the Gospel? 5 Dumb Things Christians Should Stop Saying When Evil Strikes
Reasons to Have Kids Before You Are 30
MP3 Don talks about various issues related to the age at which we should try to have kids and then moves to more family related issues, including what priorities we should have for our children. The following links go with...
What Graduation Ceremonies Tell Us About Life
MP3 Don and Brandon discuss why people still go to events such as graduations and basketball games, even though they end up watching a screen when they get there. Then they relate this phenomenon to how we understand ourselves and...
Joy, Laughter, and the Surprising Benefits of Owning Less Stuff
May 27, 2016 What Don learned trying to fix is laptop. Jim and Jeannie Gaffigan give a commencement speech at Catholic University. 5 Surprising Spiritual Benefits of Owning Less Stuff An Ode to the Joy of the Happy Chewbacca Lady.
Religion, Politics, and Moms
May 6, 2016 Don and Brandon discuss the presidential election, Mother's Day sermons, and Christopher Hitchens' objections to Christianity.
Living as a Missionary in America
May 13, 2016 American Christians, you may need to start living like missionaries. The meaninglessness of our political discourse.
Choosing your Own Identity
April 22, 2016 Don and Brandon talk about college students' view of identity and Barbara Boxer's view of philosophy.
How Not to Find Meaning in Life
April 15, 2016 Don and Brandon talk about The Impoliteness of Talking about Religion, the growing Western authoritarianism, and the futility of finding meaning in life through making "authentic" choices.
Love, Logic, and Lex Luthor
MP3 Don is joined by Brandon Ridley to discuss the following stories: I Had an Abortion Because I Love My Son Lex Luthor's Lousy Logic After 800 Yeas, Oxford Theology Students to Swap Christianity for Feminism, Buddhism, Islam Studies California...
How to Evangelize a a Post-Christian Culture
MP3 Segment 1: Are conservative Christians religious extremists? Segment 2: The Secularization of the West and the rise of a new morality and why young Americans have been getting more anxious and depressed. Segment 3: Interview with Dr. Dan McGuire,...
Why Jesus Died and Evidence for His Resurrection
MP3 Don tackles a "One question challenge to Christians" and then he talks about some evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.
Kelly Clarkson on Fatherhood and Living in a Culture of Shame
MP3 Segment 1 and 2: The new shame culture and what it is doing to us. Segment 2: 6 ways you are making life harder than it has to be. Segment 4: What Kelly Clarkson can teach us about fatherhood...
The Problem of Evil
MP3 Segment 1: Is "non-denominational" still Protestant? Segment 2: Bill Nye the Science Guy doesn't think philosophy is a worthwhile pursuit, which may explain his poor philosophizing. Segment 3: An L.A. Times reporter leaves Christianity over the problem of evil....
On Restoring Relationships and Rejuvenating Your Parish
MP3 Don talks to Petty Ledezma of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Huntington Beach about the Alpha Course and the impact it is having in their community. He also speaks to Matt Fradd, author of Restored: True Stories of...
The Need for a Few More Truth Tellers
MP3 Segment 1: What liberal secular feminists have in common with conservative Christians. Segment 2 and 3: Why we should expect to be scorned by the culture and never apologize for speaking truth. Segment 4: Creation, the fall, and how...
Did the Early Church Abandon the Teaching of Jesus?
MP3 Segment 1: Three reasons to fast. Segments 2 and 3: Interview with Rod Bennet, author of The Apostasy that Wasn't Segment 4: Insights for Lent from the Genesis story.
On Football, Marriage, and the New Evangelization
MP3 Segment 1: Former NFL star Antwaan Randal El says if he could go back, he wouldn't play football. Segment 2: Interview with Jim Papandrea, author of Handed Down: The Catholic Faith of the Early Christians Segment 3: More marks...
Trump the Nietzschean and the Marks of a New Evangelist
MP3 The reason we should be concerned about Donald Trump's new pro-life views. The marks of a new evangelist, and why it is so important to know how the Old Testament relates to the New.
Is the Bible Clear Enough that We Don't Need a Magisterium?
MP3 Can we use the Bible effectively without any sort of interpretive authority over us? 4 ways a view of eternity changes everything.
Football as Religion
MP3 Is Football the premiere American Religion? Why Jahaziel left Christianity Will Twitter Declare war on religious conservatives?
How Not to Evangelize
The Don Johnson Show, 11-20-15 Segment 1: Don breaks down Stephen Colbert's attempt to draw Bill Maher back to the Church. Segment 2: An interview with former atheist Devin Rose. Devin shares a bit about his journey and discusses his...
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