TFU Sponsor Podcast Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:24:00 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2490001 en-us © 2026 TFU Sponsor Podcast yes c34c6f5b-0a00-5521-a946-36d48352bab7 Ben episodic false Welcome to The Friday Update Commentary, where Ben Dockery talks with the author of TFU, Mike Woodruff, and the editor of TFU, Glenn Wishnew, about aspects of The Friday Update that don’t fit into a concise weekly newsletter. Mike and Glenn will expand on cultural themes, statistics, biblical wisdom, and more.

 

This is an upgrade edition to thank you for sponsoring Mike’s weekly newsletter that reaches over 10,000 subscribers.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Ben https://storage.buzzsprout.com/z57lycveu84gmht0doe2sj9o485w?.jpg TFU Sponsor Podcast Small Habits, Big Faith: How Daily Practices Shape Your Life Small Habits, Big Faith: How Daily Practices Shape Your Life What do habits, anxiety, and culture wars have in common? More than you think. Glenn, Mike, and guest Dustin Hacker discuss why the future belongs to those who rise above the noise—and how simple, daily practices like prayer and Scripture reading can quietly transform your life. This episode blends cultural insight with practical wisdom for building a resilient, faith-filled life.

]]> What do habits, anxiety, and culture wars have in common? More than you think. Glenn, Mike, and guest Dustin Hacker discuss why the future belongs to those who rise above the noise—and how simple, daily practices like prayer and Scripture reading can quietly transform your life. This episode blends cultural insight with practical wisdom for building a resilient, faith-filled life.

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-19060609 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0500 3172 full false Solitude, Tigers, and the Mental Health Crisis Solitude, Tigers, and the Mental Health Crisis What do we need to be paying attention to? 

Better yet, what do we need to be ignoring? Mike, Harold and Glenn all share their answers.

From there, the conversation moves through the disciplines of solitude (how to actually do it), the art of critical ignoring (what should we be blocking out?), and why there are more tigers in private U.S. facilities than in the wild. 

Also: Why Mike now thinks some problems aren't meant to be solved, just managed. Harold's record studio in Memphis (coolest thing ever?).

And why facing the worst outcome—and realizing "it's still okay"—might be the most helpful (and least appreciated) advice Mike gives.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production.

 Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? Email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com

]]> What do we need to be paying attention to? 

Better yet, what do we need to be ignoring? Mike, Harold and Glenn all share their answers.

From there, the conversation moves through the disciplines of solitude (how to actually do it), the art of critical ignoring (what should we be blocking out?), and why there are more tigers in private U.S. facilities than in the wild. 

Also: Why Mike now thinks some problems aren't meant to be solved, just managed. Harold's record studio in Memphis (coolest thing ever?).

And why facing the worst outcome—and realizing "it's still okay"—might be the most helpful (and least appreciated) advice Mike gives.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production.

 Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? Email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-18580001 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0600 2716 full false November Commentary November Commentary Glenn, Mike and Harold are back—and this time, they're tackling the questions that actually matter: Why aren't more people coming to faith? What's holding them back? And what happens when Harvard gives 60% A's?

After a month of Harold leading Lakelight as interim president (yes, there's a jet—sort of), the team digs into objections to Christianity, the ethics of fighting back, and whether grades even matter anymore.

Also: Why Jonathan Rauch—a "gay, Jewish atheist"—now thinks Christianity's collapse is a disaster for society. And whether remedial math at UC San Diego proves we've lost the plot on education entirely.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? Email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com

]]> Glenn, Mike and Harold are back—and this time, they're tackling the questions that actually matter: Why aren't more people coming to faith? What's holding them back? And what happens when Harvard gives 60% A's?

After a month of Harold leading Lakelight as interim president (yes, there's a jet—sort of), the team digs into objections to Christianity, the ethics of fighting back, and whether grades even matter anymore.

Also: Why Jonathan Rauch—a "gay, Jewish atheist"—now thinks Christianity's collapse is a disaster for society. And whether remedial math at UC San Diego proves we've lost the plot on education entirely.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? Email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-18406216 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0600 2801 full false October Commentary October Commentary Mike and Glenn welcome Harold Smith to the Friday Update Commentary for his debut episode—and he doesn't hold back. Harold, Glenn and Mike have a wide-ranging conversation about courage, culture, and what happens when society loses its meaning.

What You'll Hear:

  • Harold's Take on the Friday Update - What he likes and what he doesn't about Mike's newsletter.
  • The Rusty Reno debrief - Why bold conversations are harder than they look, and more necessary now than ever.
  •  Talent Vs Hard Work- Glenn asks Mike and Harold if they've known anyone whose success was due to talent alone.
  • What divides us most? - Politics? Religion? Media habits? The team debates which identity marker shapes us most deeply (spoiler: it's probably not what you think)
  • The lies we believe about God - From the "mollified Jesus" to cheap universalism, what are the misconceptions about God which are widespread today?

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production.


 Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? Email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com


]]> Mike and Glenn welcome Harold Smith to the Friday Update Commentary for his debut episode—and he doesn't hold back. Harold, Glenn and Mike have a wide-ranging conversation about courage, culture, and what happens when society loses its meaning.

What You'll Hear:

  • Harold's Take on the Friday Update - What he likes and what he doesn't about Mike's newsletter.
  • The Rusty Reno debrief - Why bold conversations are harder than they look, and more necessary now than ever.
  •  Talent Vs Hard Work- Glenn asks Mike and Harold if they've known anyone whose success was due to talent alone.
  • What divides us most? - Politics? Religion? Media habits? The team debates which identity marker shapes us most deeply (spoiler: it's probably not what you think)
  • The lies we believe about God - From the "mollified Jesus" to cheap universalism, what are the misconceptions about God which are widespread today?

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production.


 Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? Email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com


]]> Ben Buzzsprout-18260582 Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:00:00 -0600 3350 full false September Commentary September Commentary Have you changed your mind on an important topic in the last 5 years? If so, how?

That is the opening question for today's episode. Mike, Ben and Glenn, per usual, take the conversation in different directions.

Beyond that, we'll also discuss:

  • How people come back to church: What Alpha is getting right—relational invites, a compelling launch night, and real scarcity that signals value.
  • Reading for depth: Why long books form deeper thinkers (with picks from Adler, Alan Jacobs, Dostoevsky, Tom Holland, and more).
  • A faithful posture: Navigating today’s tensions without panic or apathy—the “men of Issachar” approach to understanding our times.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 


Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com.

]]> Have you changed your mind on an important topic in the last 5 years? If so, how?

That is the opening question for today's episode. Mike, Ben and Glenn, per usual, take the conversation in different directions.

Beyond that, we'll also discuss:

  • How people come back to church: What Alpha is getting right—relational invites, a compelling launch night, and real scarcity that signals value.
  • Reading for depth: Why long books form deeper thinkers (with picks from Adler, Alan Jacobs, Dostoevsky, Tom Holland, and more).
  • A faithful posture: Navigating today’s tensions without panic or apathy—the “men of Issachar” approach to understanding our times.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 


Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com.

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-18081274 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500 2473 full false August Commentary August Commentary One year ago, Mike predicted public education would lose market share – and the numbers are in. We discuss what's changed and why.

But first, Glenn poses a question to the team: "What everyday thing will most people be nostalgic for in 20 years?" The answers might surprise you as we explore the velocity of cultural change.

Also in this episode:

  • Glenn's mortifying confession about misspelling Mike's wife's name in the newsletter (sorry, Sheri!).
  • Why Jesus chose hope over cynicism – and what that teaches us about rejecting our cultural pessimism
  • Which personal habit would you actually recommend to others? Our answers reveal more than we expected
  • A listener asks Mike about his sermon preparation process.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 

Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com.

]]> One year ago, Mike predicted public education would lose market share – and the numbers are in. We discuss what's changed and why.

But first, Glenn poses a question to the team: "What everyday thing will most people be nostalgic for in 20 years?" The answers might surprise you as we explore the velocity of cultural change.

Also in this episode:

  • Glenn's mortifying confession about misspelling Mike's wife's name in the newsletter (sorry, Sheri!).
  • Why Jesus chose hope over cynicism – and what that teaches us about rejecting our cultural pessimism
  • Which personal habit would you actually recommend to others? Our answers reveal more than we expected
  • A listener asks Mike about his sermon preparation process.

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 

Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com.

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-17887644 Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500 2603 full false July Commentary July Commentary Ben, Mike and Glenn are back! 

This time, we're talking about how ChatGPT roasted Mike, how revival might be stirring in the United States, and how cultural issues are oftentimes spiritual in nature. 

On top of that, we share our recommendations for the upcoming fall. 

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com. 

]]> Ben, Mike and Glenn are back! 

This time, we're talking about how ChatGPT roasted Mike, how revival might be stirring in the United States, and how cultural issues are oftentimes spiritual in nature. 

On top of that, we share our recommendations for the upcoming fall. 

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com. 

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-17730406 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2368 full false June Commentary June Commentary Glenn Wishnew and Mike Woodruff are back – (Ben is out, sadly) – with special guest Syler Thomas for a thought-provoking conversation that spans from American patriotism to faith in a changing world. 

What You'll Hear:

  • Celebrating America - What makes us proud to be American when patriotism is at historic lows? (Only 58% of Americans say they're proud to be American - a record low!)
  • Faith & Doubt - Mike shares surprising findings from readers about the biggest objections to Christianity, and how the conversation has shifted from science vs. faith to moral credibility
  • Liquid Culture - How rapidly changing cultural norms fuel polarization and fragment our communities
  • Generation Gaps - Why today's high schoolers are less likely to date, work, or sleep than previous generations
  • Dallas Willard's Wisdom - Essential insights from one of Christianity's most influential thinkers
  • Personal Mount Rushmore - Our hosts reveal their four most influential figures

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 

Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com

]]> Glenn Wishnew and Mike Woodruff are back – (Ben is out, sadly) – with special guest Syler Thomas for a thought-provoking conversation that spans from American patriotism to faith in a changing world. 

What You'll Hear:

  • Celebrating America - What makes us proud to be American when patriotism is at historic lows? (Only 58% of Americans say they're proud to be American - a record low!)
  • Faith & Doubt - Mike shares surprising findings from readers about the biggest objections to Christianity, and how the conversation has shifted from science vs. faith to moral credibility
  • Liquid Culture - How rapidly changing cultural norms fuel polarization and fragment our communities
  • Generation Gaps - Why today's high schoolers are less likely to date, work, or sleep than previous generations
  • Dallas Willard's Wisdom - Essential insights from one of Christianity's most influential thinkers
  • Personal Mount Rushmore - Our hosts reveal their four most influential figures

This podcast is a Lakelight Institute Production. 

Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-17443360 Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500 3138 1 3 full false May Commentary May Commentary In this episode, we look back at all the editions of The Friday Update from the past month—highlighting key themes, standout stories, and takeaways exclusively for our supporters.

]]> In this episode, we look back at all the editions of The Friday Update from the past month—highlighting key themes, standout stories, and takeaways exclusively for our supporters.

]]> Buzzsprout-17267540 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2217 2 full false April Commentary April Commentary In this episode, we look back at all the editions of The Friday Update from the past month—highlighting key themes, standout stories, and takeaways exclusively for our supporters.

]]> In this episode, we look back at all the editions of The Friday Update from the past month—highlighting key themes, standout stories, and takeaways exclusively for our supporters.

]]> Ben Buzzsprout-17126559 Thu, 08 May 2025 19:00:00 -0500 2474 1 1 full true