Gen Z turns to Jesus, trade war with China, Harvard conflict & Rory McIlroy | Ep. 15

In this episode of Culture Brief, Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella explore why more members of Gen Z are turning to Jesus, even as traditional religious affiliation continues to decline. They also talk through Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited victory at the Masters, the status of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, and what’s behind the ongoing trade tensions with China. Plus, they examine new developments in the Trump administration’s response to antisemitism on Ivy League campuses and what we’re learning from the latest JFK files release. All that and more—filtered through a biblical lens and designed to help you think clearly in a complex world.Topics(00:50): Gen Z's growing commitment to Jesus(05:32): Mental health and faith among Gen Z(08:30): Resurgence in church attendance(14:36): Trump's tariff policies and trade war with China(25:42): Trump's battle with Ivy League universities(31:18) The broader implications of government-university conflicts(36:16): Listener mailbag: JFK files(39:29): Masters tournament recap(43:14): Trump administration's deportation controversy(44:59): US-Iran nuclear negotiations update(45:49): Movie box office highlights(46:54) Easter weekend reflectionsResourcesMailbag: [email protected]/subscribeCulture Brief on InstagramNew Research: Belief in Jesus Rises, Fueled by Younger Adults | Barna GroupCommitment to Jesus Reaches Decade-High Levels | Barna GroupNumber of Americans who don't identify as Christian but claim 'personal commitment to Jesus' nears record high: surveyIs Gen Z a lost cause for the church?Why are teens sadder, lonelier, and more depressed than ever before?Why teens are growing up more anxious and depressed‘The Quiet Revival’: huge increase in young people attending church - Religion Media CentreChina suspends rare earth exports, kneecapping US industry reliant on Beijing's 'monopoly'China Exports to United States - 2025 Data 2026 Forecast 1992-2023 HistoricalUS-China Trade Data: Import-Export Bilateral Trade Statistics - USImportDataTrump threatens Harvard's tax-exempt status after freezing $2bn fundingTrump Administration Will Freeze $2 Billion After Harvard Refuses Demands - The New York TimesThe Promise of American Higher Education - Harvard University PresidentBarack Obama on XRory McIlroy’s Masters win and a transforming life principleRory McIlroy, Tom Cruise, and the power of persistenceExclusive: ICE decides who's linked to gangs, border czar saysIs “The King of Kings” worth seeing?The God Who Feels Your Pain | Denison MinistriesAbout Micah TomasellaMicah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer 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 Conner JonesConner 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 Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.