This special episode features my wife, Mele Martinez, with whom I discuss a recent controversy over what some refer to as White Evangelicalism.  Hip-hop artist, Lecrae, recently began moving away from identifying as a Christian in that specific context and has instead opted to look at a form of Christianity that allows for multiple cultural expressions in the American church.  The decision generated articles from high-profile pastoral figures such as John Piper and has added something to the overall discourse that both Mele and I have wanted to address for a long time.

In this episode I examine violence as an innate part of who we are as human beings.  I acknowledge the death and destruction that comes with it, but suggest reasons we should not seek to rid ourselves of it completely.  It is struggle and risk and absolutely necessary.  We would not have made it to this place we enjoy without it.

In this episode, I critique an event unique to Tucson, AZ: The All Souls Procession.  I discuss it's similarity to Dia De Los Muertos (Day of The Dead) in Puebla, MX and suggest it may represent a borrowing of culture done the wrong way.  I analyze the Facebook page for the event and discuss what the marketing strategies may be for the organization that holds the event.

In this episode, I talk about why art isn't safe.  It has become disturbing to observe how ideological groups have engaged in creating art while simultaneously censoring art they don't like.  I tell the story of a poetry event I recently attended where we were encouraged to talk to management if anything that was said "triggered" (or offended) us.  I discuss why I'm against the idea that those observing art can talk to an authority figure to change the standards of art that is presented in that venue.

In this episode I discuss the allure of music....how it influences our thinking and our actions.  I recall how certain songs take me back to feelings or memories from childhood, and I discuss the good and bad of reliving them.  We all love music, but I suggest we should examine how any given piece of music influences the consistency with which we live out our lives in light of our moral and ethical codes.

In this episode I discuss the Scott Peterson trial and question whether or not the jury had been competant in determining his guilt.  I pose the question as to whether or not we should have a baseline measurement of intelligence when we select juries for trials that may lead to jail time and/or a death sentence for the accused.  Would the intelligence of the jury be important to you if you were the one on trial?

In this episode I discuss two controversial issues: DACA/immigration and campus sexual assault policies.  We tend to have emotional responses to an issue before we consider the nuance or complexity of all that's involved.  I discuss the danger of simplistic "taking of sides" and not giving due consideration to all aspects of a given issue.  I detail the good and bad of these two issues and make a case for developing a more well-researched, well-reasoned stance.

In this episode I focus on self-communication.  We think we know what we believe, but how can we be sure unless we articulate it somehow, even to ourselves in writing?  Have you ever said something you believed and immediately realized it was stupid?  I have.  I discuss my process of articulating to myself my own personal "heaven" to attain and "hell" to avoid using the Future Authoring program developed my clinical psychologists.  For more information, go to www.selfauthoring.com.

In this episode I sit down with Jared and Chuck of the Company Men podcast!  The Company Men regularly host people in their homes over meals and as a result, help to cultivate community amongst people from all walks of life.  We discuss why it's important to host, what it means to live a life that is consistenc with one's professed beliefs, and why it's so important to be involved in the community.

Following a podcast where I discussed the meaning of love, we find ourselves trying to make sense of a week of hate and vitrol between White supremacists and Antifa Marxist thugs.  In episode 14, I do not suggest denouncing racism with a caveat, but denouncing it while simultaneously condemning Antifa violence.  The murder of a protestor in the name of White supremacy is the worst of the whole affair, but it isn't the only detestable action in a day of repeated violence and refusal to communicate.