In this week’s Brief: We round up the top stories dominating the headlines, including the latest in peace negotiations in the Ukraine-Russia war, the tragic attack near the White House and its implications for U.S. immigration policy, and controversy around drone strikes on drug vessels in the Caribbean. 

We also zoom out for a 250-year look at the American worker: how wages, conditions, and protections have changed over time, and how emerging technologies like AI might reshape the future of work once again. 

And because culture includes the fun stuff too, we give our take on the wild college-football coaching carousel and celebrate a massive week at the box office.

Through it all, we highlight why a Christian worldview matters in staying grounded, grateful, and wise as we navigate a noisy and complex world.

Topics

• (00:00 ): Introduction
• (01:05 ): Foreign policy roundup: Ukraine and Russia
• (05:15 ): Domestic tragedy: attack near the White House
• (10:24 ): Military actions in the Caribbean and Venezuela
• (18:22 ): The evolution of the American worker
• (27:52 ): Gratitude and faith in changing times
• (34:19 ): A listener’s powerful immigration story
• (39:02 ): Box office report
• (41:22 ): College football chaos

Resources

• Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: culturebrief@denisonforum.org
• Culture Brief Instagram
• Watch on Youtube! 
• Sign-up for Denison Forum’s daily newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Faith & Clarity Podcast: Managing holiday loneliness, controversial cloning, and the spiritual revival of Millennials and Gen Z

Other articles on this week’s top headlines:

• Denison Forum: Has Pete Hegseth committed war crimes?
• Denison Forum: National Guard soldier dies a day after DC attack
• Denison Forum: Zelensky wants to finalize a deal with Trump over Thanksgiving
• Denison Forum: US sends Ukraine detailed plan to end the war with Russia
• NYT: Lawmakers Suggest Follow-Up Boat Strike Could Be a War Crime
• BBC: US halts all asylum claim decisions after National Guard shooting
• X: Secretary Kristi Noem
• Politico: What Trump didn’t say
• CNN: Pentagon playbook problems
• Washington Post: Hegseth, with White House help, tries to distance himself from boat strike fallout
• Wall Street Journal: 250 Years of Work in America
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics Report 1
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics Report 2
• US Census Bureau Report

About Conner Jones

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

About Micah Tomasella

Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.