Podcast Summary: The Isabel Brown Show

Episode: Is Skillet Making SATANIC Music This Christmas? John Cooper May Surprise You
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Guest: John Cooper, frontman of Skillet

Overview

This episode takes on the controversy swirling around Skillet’s hard rock cover of the traditional Christmas carol “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Isabel Brown addresses the online uproar from some Christian circles who accuse the band of “satanic” tendencies due to their heavy musical style. The episode features live reactions to the music video, a candid interview with John Cooper, and a broader conversation on faith, culture, and what it means to be set apart as a Christian in today's world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Christmas Controversies (01:01–03:59)

• Isabel celebrates a parenting milestone before diving into current Christian cultural debates: Santa's appropriateness, Christmas movie hot takes (notably her distaste for The Polar Express), and the online backlash against Skillet’s Christmas song.
• She teases the main topic: Is Skillet’s version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” truly “satanic,” as some online voices claim?

2. Live Reaction to Skillet's Music Video (03:59–08:11)

• Isabel live-reacts to Skillet’s music video, praising it as “a beautiful cover” and expressing confusion over the uproar.
• Notable Quote:
  • “I have no idea why everybody is so angry. This is, like, a beautiful cover of one of the greatest Christmas songs ever. Y'all need to calm down, okay?” (06:11)
• She acknowledges the heavy rock turn in the song, but asserts:
  • “That was it. That was ‘satanic,’ people. That was beautiful. I have no issues with this whatsoever. You guys need to calm down, okay?” (08:11)

3. Critique of the Backlash (08:11–11:18)

• Isabel draws a line between genuinely concerning cultural phenomena and the Skillet “controversy,” calling out misplaced outrage.
• She highlights the importance of distinguishing between real spiritual issues and stylistic differences in worship.
• Quote:
  • “There are very important things to worry about in the grand scheme of where the trajectory of American Christianity is going in the year of our Lord 2025. I'm pretty sure a… Christian rock band… Singing ‘God is with us. Rejoice. The savior of the world is coming’ is not anything we should be remotely concerned about.” (11:02)

4. Introducing John Cooper – Skillet’s Side of the Story (15:31–16:53)

• Isabel welcomes John Cooper, highlighting Skillet’s decades-long career and recent chart success with their Christmas song.
• John jokes about the backlash:
  • “Yeah, people are dumb. That's all we need… The end. People are stupid. And we're done.” (16:40)

5. Behind the Scenes: Skillet and the Making of the Song (16:53–19:13)

• John describes the creative process: The cover was his wife Corey’s idea, developed privately before being released to great fan enthusiasm.
• Key details: 30 years as a band, nearly 29 years married, and their children raised on the road.
• About releasing the song:
  • “We didn't tell the label. We didn't tell management. We just did the song and just was like, hey, we want to release it. And it came out, and the fans love it, and there's the end of the story.” (18:51)

6. Addressing the Accusations of “Satanic” Music (20:07–23:53)

• John discusses his strict fundamentalist upbringing:
  • “I wasn't allowed to listen to rock music, which I know is really funny. And when I discovered Christian rock music, my parents were really mad… saying… they're trying to lead people to Satan by preaching Jesus or something like that.” (21:24)
• On the backlash:
  • “It kind of became a whole thing. And the good news is this. It drove streams, it drove people going to YouTube to see the video… then people are like, wow. I went to see what was demonic about this, and I actually love this song. So good news…” (22:26)

7. The Power of Music to Change Lives (24:47–28:39)

• John recounts his personal faith journey:
  • “Christian music was there for me in an incredible way. God used Christian music to really keep me grounded in the faith. Honestly, I don't think that's an exaggeration.” (26:01)
• He stresses that everyone worships something—music is a powerful vessel for true worship.
• Quote:
  • “Every single human being on the planet worships. Period. We're all worshiping… there's something very powerful about singing music that is inspired by the Holy Spirit, that is full of the Word of God, et cetera, and it changes people's lives.” (28:01)

8. Cultural Changes in Church & Society (31:48–36:51)

• John notes the shift in church culture post-2010s, where politics and “woke” movements affected the church’s message and approach.
• The need for the church to maintain its prophetic voice rather than becoming lukewarm.
• Quote:
  • “If the church doesn't wake up, I think it'll be gone. That's where I think we're at.” (36:46)

9. Role of Christians in a Darkening Culture (37:57–41:47)

• John’s advice:
  • Have families and instill a biblical worldview; don’t overly shelter children but teach them about both right and wrong doctrines.
  • Need for balance—truth and grace—and the importance of being vocal in the cultural conversation.
• “We're going to have to get loud if you want to save the West.” (39:14)

10. Christian Parenting in a Confusing World (42:28–46:26)

• The best way to raise Christian children: model the behaviors you want them to emulate (praying, worshiping, discussing faith openly).
• Notable Story:
  • “The best thing we ever did for our kids was that we would worship with our kids… My kids saw me cry out to God to ask them to save friends that don't know Jesus, that my kids also knew. And they began to pray for them.” (44:06)
• John illustrates with a moving story of his young daughter’s empathy and prayer for a grieving band member.

11. The Strength in Being Different (49:38–54:58)

• Isabel and John discuss embracing being different from the world and handling ridicule from both secular and Christian communities.
• Quote:
  • “Giving your life to Jesus is like an empty sheet of paper… you sign the signature line and you give it to God and you say, now you fill it in. Whatever you say, you're the boss.” (50:42)
• John encourages steadfastness: critics may call you “a weirdo” or “extremist,” but when crisis hits, you’ll be the one they call for help.

12. The Story Behind the Skillet Christmas Recording & Charlie Kirk (55:18–58:28)

• John reveals that during the heavy recording session for “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” he received a text about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
• Quote:
  • “Nothing illustrates what we were trying to express in our song more than that moment. And it all happened then.” (57:51)

13. Closing Thoughts (58:28–end)

• Isabel reflects on Charlie Kirk’s impact and the deeper, unpredictable ways God works through tragedy and creativity.
• She urges listeners to embrace their callings as Christians, reminding them that everyone can have a ripple effect for the Gospel.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (All timestamps MM:SS)

• “I will die on this hill. The Polar Express is terrifying.” – Isabel (02:14)
• “That was satanic, people. That was beautiful.” – Isabel (08:03)
• “People are dumb. That's all we need… The end.” – John Cooper (16:40)
• “God used Christian music to really keep me grounded in the faith.” – John Cooper (26:01)
• “There's really two choices. You can choose a way that leads to life. You can choose a way that leads to death.” – John Cooper (49:49)
• "When all hell breaks loose in their lives… you're the first person they're going to call.” – John Cooper (53:07)
• "Nothing illustrates what we were trying to express in our song more than that moment [learning about Charlie Kirk's shooting]." – John Cooper (57:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Setting the Stage & Christmas Hot Takes: 01:01–03:59
• Live Reaction to Skillet's Cover: 03:59–08:11
• Analyzing Criticism & Hysteria: 08:11–11:18
• Interview with John Cooper, Introduction: 15:31–16:53
• Making of the Song & Skillet’s Background: 16:53–19:13
• Addressing the “Satanic” Accusations: 20:07–23:53
• Music & Faith: 24:47–28:39
• Church & Cultural Shifts: 31:48–36:51
• Christian Response to the Darkness: 37:57–41:47
• Parenting & Modeling Faith: 42:28–46:26
• The Cost and Value of Being Different: 49:38–54:58
• Story of Recording During Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: 55:18–58:28
• Final Reflections & Farewell: 58:28–end

Tone & Language

• Frank, personable, energetic, and at times humorous.
• Isabel brings a mix of light anecdote and emotional sincerity and John Cooper’s candor, empathy, and encouragement shine through.
• Discussion is friendly and direct—no sugarcoating, but also anchored in hope and conviction.

Summary Takeaways

• Skillet’s “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is not satanic: the backlash is rooted in misunderstanding of style vs. substance.
• The discussion expands beyond one song, exploring deeper themes of how Christians can engage with modern culture, parent faithfully, and stand firm in their convictions—especially in the face of criticism from outside and within the church.
• John Cooper’s story and advice offer practical encouragement for raising families and staying bold in faith, especially in tumultuous times.

For more: Find Skillet on all music platforms and socials (@skilletmusic; John L. Cooper: @johnlcooper).

Closing encouragement:
Isabel: “As we continue to navigate the evil and the sin and the darkness… I pray that we all have the courage to be the Light and to continue proclaiming the good word of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ to the world as we await the coming of Emmanuel this year.” (60:50)