Atypical Talk

This week, we're talking about choosing hopeful skepticism isn't of letting cynicism be the lead in your life. We also talk about the launch of Artemis II and how it brought us together. And we talk about how Gen-Z women are declining in church attendance. We talk about why it's happening and what we can do better. Watch this week's episode and join in on the conversation!

Why ‘Hopeful Skepticism’ Is the Antidote to Cynicism

https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/why-hopeful-skepticism-is-the-antidote-to-cynicism/?_gl=1*hxnjse*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI2NDI0MDI3OC4xNzc2MTgyODU5*_ga_SWPHJZTR1W*czE3NzYxODI4NTckbzEkZzEkdDE3NzYxODI4NTckajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_YM1EPRVY8G*czE3NzYxODI4NTgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYxODI4NTgkajYwJGwwJGgw

I saw the stars too: The cultural implications of Artemis II

https://technicianonline.com/159585/culture/i-saw-the-stars-too-the-cultural-implications-of-artemis-ii/

Study: Gen Z women are losing their religion

https://religionnews.com/2026/04/15/study-young-women-are-not-flocking-to-church-they-are-leaving/

In this week's episode, we talk about staying optimistic amid everything that is happening around us. We also talk about a camel pageant that uncovered numerous contestants trying to cheat. And lastly, we discuss "me-centered" worship – what it really is and if churches have been leaning into it.

The Key To Staying Positive In A Negative World

https://www.forbes.com/sites/harrykraemer/2025/05/05/the-key-to-staying-positive-in-a-negative-world/

Camel pageant thrown into chaos after 20 competitors disqualified for using hump-plumping injectables

https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/camel-pageant-scandal-oman-hump-injectables-b2932979.html

Viral monkey Punch rejected by mother given stuffed orangutan

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c1d6ell32weo

The Dangerous Rise of Me-Centered Worship

https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/the-dangerous-rise-of-me-centered-worship/

Worship Bands:Jesus Culture

Red Rocks Worship

UPPERROOM

Gateway Worship

CeCe Winans

Jervis Campbell

Gable Price and Friends

Noah Paul Harrison

Isla Vista Worship

This week, we're talking about Eileen Gu, an American born athlete competing for China in the Olympics, and all the backlash she has received. We're also talking about incredible technological advances made so deaf fans can experience sporting events in a new way. And we talk about the comparison trap, something we've all found ourselves in and how to avoid it.

Eileen Gu says she's been 'physically assaulted' over representing China instead of US at Olympics

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/eileen-gu-physically-assaulted-over-representing-china-instead-us-olympics

How the sound of sport is being reimagined for deaf fans

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260216-how-the-sound-of-sport-is-being-reimagined-for-deaf-fans

The Comparison Trap Is Worse Than Ever — Here’s How to Get Out

https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/a-simple-trick-for-getting-over-the-comparison-trap/

This week, we're talking about following God when you struggling with seasonal depression. We also talk about weird Valentine's Day traditions. Would you bring any of them back? And we also talk about an OnlyFans star, who became a Christian and completely changed her platform around. Listen and join in on the conversation today!

How Seasonal Depression Affects Your Relationship With God

https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/wellness/mentalhealth/how-seasonal-depression-affects-your-relationship-with-god/

11 Odd Old-Timey Valentine’s Day Traditions

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/655143/odd-old-timey-valentines-day-traditions
From OnlyFans mega-star to evangelical darling, Nala Ray now hopes to reach other models

https://religionnews.com/2026/01/30/from-onlyfans-mega-star-to-evangelical-darling-nala-ray-now-hopes-to-reach-other-models/

This week we talk about loving those around us in different ways. We talk about who's responsibility it is to care for the poor and how it often falls to churches. We also talk about a restaurant in Florida who used their holiday party funds to show love to one of their employees. And we talk about the tragic killing of Renee Good and how we as Christians should process what is happening right now in our country. Watch and join in on the conversation today.

Whose Job Is It to Take Care of the Poor?

https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/church/whose-job-is-it-to-take-care-of-the-poor/

Restaurant Staff Cancels Holiday Party, Gives Funds to Coworker Adopting a Baby

https://www.today.com/food/people/restaurant-donates-holiday-party-money-to-coworker-adopting-baby-rcna250727

On the Sunday after Renee Good's killing, Minnesotans grieve through worship and song

https://religionnews.com/2026/01/12/on-the-sunday-after-renee-goods-killing-minnesotans-grieve-through-worship-and-song/

Welcome to the very first Atypical Talk Christmas episode! We're talking about why you shouldn't instagram your Christmas morning. We also talk about some odd Christmas traditions from around the world. And we talk about how the stars in the sky are amazing proof of God's love for us. Listen now and have a great Christmas and New Year!

A Case for Not Instagramming Your Holidays

https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/case-not-instagramming-your-holidays/

Joel’s embarrassing concert video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUnVPDc8PnM

The world’s 12 weirdest Christmas traditions

https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/worlds-weirdest-christmas-traditions/

The Incarnation Sheds Light on Astrophysics

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/the-incarnation-sheds-light-on-astrophysics/

This week, we talk about being thankful in the dark times and understanding that thankfulness and grief can share a space. We also talk about an incredible story of a man who, after 20+ years, chose to forgive and become friends with the man that almost killed him in an armed robbery. And we talk about the pause of SNAP benefits that happened and how we can help in times like that. Listen now and join in on the conversation!

I Give Thanks in the Bright Darknesshttps://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/11/i-give-thanks-in-the-bright-darkness-thanksgiving-grief/

A shooting survivor forgives the Louisiana man who tried to kill him. Now they're helping others rebuild.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/shooting-survivor-forgives-louisiana-department-of-corrections-victim-offender-dialogue-program/

Funding SNAP: Even religious leaders are divided over how best to provide for the poor

https://religionnews.com/2025/10/30/funding-snap-even-religious-leaders-are-divided-over-how-best-to-provide-for-the-poor/

This week, we're talking about banned books and how churches and libraries can work together to provide inviting spaces for people of all backgrounds. We also talk about how one of the newest baseball teams in the league with the Savannah Bananas will be right here in Indiana. And lastly, we talk about rage and how to use it for good instead of creating enemies. Listen now and join in on the conversation!

Scott Erickson

https://www.instagram.com/scottthepainter/?hl=en

Faith communities have a critical role in defending our nation’s libraries

https://religionnews.com/2025/10/08/faith-communities-have-a-critical-role-in-defending-our-nations-libraries/

The Indianapolis Clowns become the Midwest's first ‘Banana Ball' team

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/mlb/chicago-baseball/the-indianapolis-clowns-become-the-midwests-first-banana-ball-team/3837858/

Showing Grace in the Era of Outrage

https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/showing-grace-era-cultural-outrage/

This week, we talk about "rapturetok" – a trend focused on making fun of people who were sure the rapture was happening. Then we talk about the return of Reading Rainbow and how it sparked a love of reading in us and many others. Then we talk about how Christians are being killed in Nigeria and there is very little coverage of this. Listen and join in on the conversation!

How ‘RaptureTok’ amplified an extreme corner of faith

https://religionnews.com/2025/09/26/rapturetok-shows-how-tiktok-amplifies-extreme-corners-of-faith/

'Reading Rainbow' to return, with viral librarian Mychal Threets as its host

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/reading-rainbow-reboot-viral-librarian-mychal-threets-host-rcna234777

52,000 Christians Have Been Murdered in Nigeria — Why Is Nobody Talking About It?

https://relevantmagazine.com/justice/social-justice/report-more-than-7000-christians-killed-in-nigeria-this-year/

https://equippingthepersecuted.org/

https://www.persecution.com/nigeria/?_source_code=VSLEG11

https://globalchristianrelief.org/act/

Today we're talking about how "dream jobs" have started to fade away. We also talk about an Uber driver who sacrificed hours that he could be getting paid to stay with someone in need of a friend. And we talk about Jimmy Kimmel Live being taken off air temporarily and the comments from the FCC chairman that influenced that decision.

The Death of the Dream Job

https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/career-money/the-death-of-the-dream-job/

An Uber Driver Stayed by His Side When He Was Alone in the ER. 7 Years Later, They're Still Friends

https://www.today.com/parents/family/uber-driver-stayed-passenger-er-rcna231645

How Brendan Carr’s not-so-veiled threats could work in Jimmy Kimmel’s favor

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-fcc-chair-brendan-carr-jimmy-kimmel-first-amendment-rcna232325