Dr. Mark Turman gathers with Josh Miller and Conner Jones for a heartfelt roundtable on some of the cultural and spiritual tensions many of us feel this time of year. Together, they reflect on the quiet ache of holiday loneliness, the pressure that often shadows our celebrations, and why intentional, grace-filled connection matters more than ever. The conversation also widens to consider the ethical questions surrounding cloning—what it means for human dignity, and how Christians can respond with both conviction and compassion. And in a hopeful turn, they look at the surprising spiritual momentum among younger generations, from increased Bible engagement to renewed interest in the church among Millennials and Gen Z. It’s a gentle, honest, and encouraging dialogue—one that offers clarity for the holidays, wisdom for navigating complex issues, and a reminder that God is at work in places we might not expect. Topics (00:00): Introduction (01:18): Favorite Christmas memories and traditions (04:12): Discussing holiday loneliness (06:25): The impact of loneliness on health (15:14): Practical steps to combat loneliness (20:32): Cloning and genetic engineering (28:01): Genetic testing and ethical dilemmas (31:55): The sanctity of life and genetic manipulation (36:23): The future of gene editing (37:49): Spiritual reflections on genetic engineering (38:50): Cultural shifts in holiday celebrations (44:02): Rising church attendance among younger generations (54:19): Encouraging faith and community engagement Resources Ask Us Anything:
[email protected] How has Denison Forum impacted your faith? Year-End Giving Why are so many young people struggling to find hope—and how can we help? Why are teens sadder, lonelier, and more depressed than ever before? If you’re suffering from the “friendship recession,” you’re not alone “My closest friend is a fish”: Responding to the loneliness and anxiety of our day Why is loneliness as dangerous as smoking? How the church can solve "touch-starvation": An excerpt from "Digital Church in a Lonely World" by Benjamin Windle Tom Brady Cloned His Dog. Here's How Much it Cost — and How to Do It Yourself Genetically Engineered Babies Are Banned. Tech Titans Are Trying to Make One Anyway. - WSJ A ‘generational reversal’ is underway: Gen Z and millennials are now the most church-going groups, study finds A ‘generational reversal’ is underway: Gen Z and millennials are now the most church-going groups, study finds What true revival looks like Something Is Stirring in Christian America, and It’s Making Me Nervous - The New York Times About Josh Miller Josh Miller is the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at Denison Ministries. He is also a disciple of Jesus, husband, and father. A Christian leader, author, and songwriter, Josh brings over 20 years of ministry experience—from global worship tours to pastoral leadership. He lives in Plano, Texas with his wife and two sons, fueled by faith, craft coffee, and a love for tacos. 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 Dr. Mark Turman Mark Turman, DMin , serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of The Denison Forum Podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Chapel , the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries . Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters . He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco. Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for 35 years, including 25 years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren. 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.
