Did evangelicalism fail a generation? How do disillusioned Christians process their experiences in churches and hold on to their faith? How do families divided over Trump find common ground? 

In this revealing episode, I sit down with Jon Ward, journalist, author, and chief national correspondent at Yahoo! News, to discuss his latest book, Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Failed a Generation.

Jon Ward describes his life as being divided in half: two decades inside the evangelical Christian bubble and two decades outside of it.

In Testimony, Ward tells the story of his upbringing in, and eventual break from, an influential evangelical church in the 1980s and 1990s (more about that particular church below). Ward sheds light on the evangelical movement's troubling political and cultural dimensions, tracing the ways in which he believes the Jesus People movement was seduced by materialism and other factors to become politically captive rather than prophetic.

Full disclosure: the church Jon grew up in and which he strongly critiques in his book is the same that I joined at age 22 and went on to pastor for ten years. For me, this is a very personal conversation. Our discussion offers listeners a front-row seat to the intersection of faith, politics, and the challenges of reckoning with one's past. 

Interview Highlights: 

Whether you're entrenched in the evangelical community, just curious, or somewhere in between, this episode promises a candid exploration of faith, growth, and the complexities of human experience.

Learn More:

Website: Jonwardwrites.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonwardwrites/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonward11

Dive into the intertwined worlds of screenwriting for television and standup comedy in this podcast interview with Charla Lauriston. From the bustling writer’s room of NBC's “Grand Crew” to the vibrant stages of Comedy Central, Charla’s career is a masterclass in crafting clear, impactful messages that resonate.

This Vancouver and Los Angeles based talent shares her journey from Haiti to Hollywood. We discuss the nuances of comedic styles, how faith complements humor, and the challenges of writing for television. Charla also provides insights into finding humor in heavy subjects like race and politics. Plus, we delve into the recent writers’ strike, the delicate dance of capitalism and creativity, and her latest endeavor, The Werking Writer School. For anyone seeking to understand the art of capturing an audience through compelling stories and humor, this episode is a must-listen, shedding light on the power of a clear message in both comedy and screenwriting.

Learn More: 

charlalauriston.com

thewerkingwriter.com/school

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/charlalauriston/

https://www.instagram.com/thewerkingwriter

Leaving a job is never easy. It becomes even more complicated when your job is wrapped up in a spiritual tradition. Matt Davis, served as a Teaching and Executive Pastor for more than two decades in Orange County, California. After going through his own pastoral transition out of ministry, Matt learned the difficulty of this season. He helped start an organization that assists pastors who are transitioning out of pastoral ministry. 

Now churches and nonprofits are hiring Matt and his team to help give coaching, counseling, and career guidance to people whose lives have been upended by leaving their pastoral role. 

Interview Highlights: 

Learn More: 

Website: www.pastoraltransitions.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastoraltransitions/

Email: [email protected]

Can empathy be designed into society? Mayra Kapteijn thinks so and she's dedicated her career to the endeavour. Mayra is an Amsterdam-based social designer with a background in social psychology. At the age of 31, she has co-founded and jumpstarted multiple social impact platforms, such as 29k, which provides free evidence-based mental fitness tools, and Peerby, a neighborhood sharing app. Currently, Mayra collaborates with leaders in healthcare and wellbeing to develop cutting-edge platforms that foster a more connected and caring world, empowering individuals towards collective change.

Born out of a family of Argentinian revolutionaries, Mayra firmly believes that humans are not only the source of global challenges but also the key to finding solutions. Her philosophy is grounded in leveraging the power of design and technology to bring out the best in people, as a means to collectively build a more sustainable and just world.

Learn more:

www.hetverbond.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrakapteijn/

Is Instagram over? Join us for a little father-daughter debate about Instagram’s destiny. 

In today's episode of Clear & Loud, I'm diving into the ever-evolving world of social media, discussing the potential decline of Instagram and its impact on users. I'm bringing on a very special guest, my daughter, Emma Sato, a talented 23-year-old product designer, podcast enthusiast, and all-around amazing human, for a dynamic and insightful conversation on the intersection of tech, culture, and current trends.

Join us as we explore topics like:

• What sets Instagram apart from other social media platforms

• The evolution of the app and its effect on the user experience

• Instagram's integration into our daily lives and its unique strengths

• The impact of the platform on mental health and self-esteem

• A comparison between Instagram and its rival, TikTok

• The role of social media in shaping our society and culture

Interview Highlights:

- Emma's personal experience with Instagram and her extended break from the platform

- The challenges faced by young women on Instagram and its impact on mental health

- The rise of TikTok and its influence on Instagram and user engagement

- Instagram's role in shaping our collective understanding of the world

- Parental insights: If Emma had kids, would she handle their social media exposure differently?

Tune in for this lively discussion between a father and daughter, offering unique perspectives on the ever-changing landscape of social media and its role in our lives.

More about Emma: 

Website: https://emmasato.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmasato/

Can the art of winemaking teach us how to live a flourishing life? Nelson Boschman, author of "The Growing Season: Contemplations on Wine & The Soul," believes so. In this podcast episode, we explore the fascinating intersection of vineyard, cellar, and tasting room with the depths of the human soul. Nelson takes us on a journey of transformation that occurs from grape to glass, revealing the profound lessons this process holds for personal growth and spiritual well-being.

As a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, jazz musician, wine enthusiast, husband, and father, Nelson Boschman embodies the multifaceted nature of the human experience. Living in Vancouver, British Columbia, he serves as the pastor of spiritual formation at Artisan Church and is a partner of SoulStream.

Join us as we delve into the rich world of wine and contemplative spirituality, and discover how the wisdom of winemaking can inspire us to cultivate a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Website: nelsonboschman.com 

IG: @nelsonboschman, @artisan_church 

FB: nelsonboschman

Ever feel like you're flying blind when it comes to hiring? Ever agonized over the time and money wasted by hiring the wrong person?

Mike Moreau is on a mission to fix today’s broken hiring system. Most pre-employment personality tests measure the wrong things and the result is frustration for everyone—leadership, HR, management, and new hires. Mike’s company called TRAITS is built around a powerful psychometric assessment—a 15 minute test called the TRAITS Assessment— that helps predicts how a person works and how they’ll fit into a specific role.

If you lead a team, or you’re building a company, you’ll want to hear this interview.

Learn More:

Website: https://traits.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/traits-tools/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/traits_tools 

Facebook: facebook.com/TraitsTools/ 

Twitter: twitter.com/TRAITS_Tools