Conversations That Matter

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, we examine one of the biggest challenges facing America: the growing disconnect between ownership, virtue, and political stability.

Why are fewer young Americans buying homes? Is the affordability crisis creating the conditions for socialism? What role do housing, immigration, and local leadership play in the future of the conservative movement?

We also discuss the growing fractures on the Right, whether American conservatism has always been rooted in liberalism, and what the Founding Fathers can teach us about recovering a distinctly American political vision.

Topics include:
• The real homeownership crisis
• Why the trades may offer a better path for many young people
• The connection between property ownership and civic virtue
• The housing market and government regulation
• The SAVE Act and Republican resistance in the Senate
• The rise of the Muslim-Left political coalition
• Updates on the PCA and SBC
• What conservatives must do to rebuild strong local communities

Subscribe for thoughtful analysis on Christianity, culture, and politics from a conservative Christian perspective.

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00:00 Introduction
00:43 Today's Topics: PCA, SBC, and the Conservative Movement
03:41 Why Young Americans Cannot Afford Homes
06:52 Homeownership, Socialism, and Human Nature
12:05 Why Owning Property Shapes Conservative Values
13:01 Can Trump Solve the Housing Crisis?
14:45 John Thune, the SAVE Act, and Republican Roadblocks
17:51 What Is Really Driving Housing Prices?
21:30 Why Communities Need Local Ownership
26:00 The Trades vs. College Debate
33:00 Is the Right Actually Liberal?
42:30 The Founding Fathers on Liberalism
53:15 PCA Update
1:05:30 SBC Update
1:18:45 Michigan, Muslims, and the New Left Coalition
1:31:00 Final Thoughts

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How should Christian men think about ambition, success, influence, and vocation? In a culture obsessed with fame and personal achievement, Scripture points us toward something deeper: faithfulness.

In this episode, I discuss why ambition is not the enemy, but why it must be directed by virtue, responsibility, and God's calling. We explore the importance of faithful men, local community, vocation, influence, contentment, and how to discern what God would have you build during your lifetime.

This discussion is based on my latest Substack article, What Should I Do? A Christian Man's Guide to Ambition, Influence, and Faithfulness.

If you have ever wrestled with questions about career, purpose, legacy, or whether you are making the most of your life, I hope this conversation helps.

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00:00 Why Ambition Matters
05:36 Defining Success
10:42 Faithfulness Over Fame
16:08 Vocation and Calling
21:54 Building What Lasts
28:17 Influence and Responsibility
34:06 Accepting Your Limits
39:11 Planning for Legacy
43:28 Final Exhortation

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In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris revisits the COVID era through the lens of Anthony Fauci’s public statements and congressional testimony—including his decision to plead the Fifth. The discussion examines how many evangelical leaders and institutions responded at the time, the frequent use of Romans 13 and “love your neighbor” arguments, and which churches and pastors actually stood firm.Harris shares the key lessons he believes Christians should take from 2020–2021: good theology is only proven under pressure, the importance of thinking independently, and the value of leaders who refuse to bend conviction for social approval. The episode also covers current cultural observations on immigration and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the surprising success of country artist Ella Langley, recent Trump administration actions, listener questions, and a clear call to maintain integrity regardless of the cultural winds.

00:00 Fauci Clips Montage
02:00 Welcome & Why This Still Matters
05:50 What Evangelical Leaders Said About Fauci
10:00 Lessons from COVID: Theology Meets Reality
13:50 Churches That Stayed Open – The Real Heroes
18:00 Elites, Platforms & Parachurch Failures
21:00 Thinking for Yourself & Finding Courage
59:00 Immigration, Nigeria & Western Democracies
1:02:30 Ella Langley’s Chart Success
1:09:00 Trump Administration Updates
1:10:30 Listener Questions & Personal Notes
1:16:30 Final Takeaways from COVID
1:21:00 Closing & ETP Coffee

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Should a pastor who commits adultery, habitually views pornography, or commits another serious moral failure ever return to ministry?

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Peters to discuss one of the most controversial questions facing the evangelical church today. We examine the biblical qualifications for elders, the meaning of being "above reproach," whether sexual sin permanently disqualifies a man from pastoral ministry, and how Christians should think about restoration.

We also discuss examples frequently raised in these debates, including Steve Lawson, Mark Driscoll, Tullian Tchividjian, King David, and the Apostle Peter, while examining passages such as 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Corinthians 6, Proverbs 6, and 2 Corinthians 7.

Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation aims to drive listeners back to Scripture and encourage careful thinking about holiness, church leadership, repentance, and biblical accountability.

00:00 Introduction
00:57 Why This Conversation Matters
02:30 What Is Permanent Disqualification?
03:12 Qualifications for Elders and "Above Reproach"
05:17 Why Justin Peters Says Sexual Sin Permanently Disqualifies
08:12 Are Other Sins Also Permanently Disqualifying?
10:11 Mark Driscoll and Public Ministry
12:12 Patterns of Anger vs. Isolated Failures
13:26 Internal and External Consequences of Sexual Sin
15:32 Reputation, Reproach, and Public Ministry
17:03 What About David and Peter?
19:05 Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow
20:53 Encouragement for Christians Struggling with Sin
22:02 Pornography and Personal Responsibility
23:39 Is Permanent Disqualification Explicitly Taught in Scripture?
25:00 Final Reflections

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The Middle East is once again dominating headlines, but are the most popular narratives actually true?

In this conversation, geopolitical strategist and author Martin Skold joins Jon Harris to separate internet myths from geopolitical reality. They discuss why Iran remains a long-term strategic challenge, whether America's alliance with Israel serves U.S. interests, the limits of the Abraham Accords, China's growing influence, the future of Middle East trade, and why simplistic explanations are attracting millions online.

They also tackle the resurgence of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on the American Right, the dangers of scapegoating Israel for every global problem, and what a genuinely America First foreign policy should look like.

Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation provides historical context and geopolitical analysis that is often missing from today's online debates.

Topics include:

Iran and the future of the Middle East
Israel and U.S. foreign policy
Tucker Carlson's recent claims
China, trade, and global power shifts
Why internet narratives often miss the bigger picture
The resurgence of anti-Semitism
America's strategic interests abroad

00:00 Introduction
01:20 Why the Middle East keeps repeating itself
06:45 Popular online narratives about Israel
09:05 Is there reason for optimism?
13:30 Trade, China, and regional alliances
17:50 Does Israel drag America into war?
20:00 Tucker Carlson and the "merged militaries" claim
24:00 Why anti-Semitic narratives are spreading
29:00 Globalization and America's foreign policy establishment
36:00 China, manufacturing, and strategic competition
45:00 America's long-term geopolitical challenges
54:00 What an America First foreign policy should look like
1:03:00 Final thoughts

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