Fearless Questions

If you are one of the many people who grimace when conversations turn political, I think you’ll enjoy getting the chance to hear a level-headed conversation on politics from someone who has actually served our country from the view of the White House.

Michael Wear is the founder of Public Square Strategies LLC and a leading expert and strategist at the intersection of faith, politics, and American public life.  As one of President Barak Obama’s ambassadors to American Christians, Michael directed faith outreach for Obama’s historic 2012 re-election campaign.  Michael was also one of the youngest White House staffers in modern American history.  Most recently, Michael has released an important book called “Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America”. 

Today on the Fearless Questions Podcast, Michael shares his personal stories and experiences of navigating a national conversation on faith and engaging the personal faith of President Obama. 

From the back hallways of the White House, Michael shares his political journey through the politics of abortion, elections, and interfaith considerations with great candor and tremendous insight. 

Regardless of your political leanings, listening to Michael will encourage you in hope for the future of faith in America and also challenge you to become more involved yourself.

Enjoy!

 

Today’s guest on the podcast is Carolyn Custis James.   Carolyn is a widely respected author and speaker who has a special gift for bringing to life the context and message of Bible stories that often slip through the cracks.  I first heard of Carolyn when I was sharing a conversation with author Sarah Bessey last year and then again while listening to Pete Enns this year.  When I hear other people whose work I respect referencing the same person, I want to check it out for myself…and I’m so glad I found Carolyn’s work!

Carolyn has just released her newest book entitled ‘Finding God in the Margins: The Book of Ruth’ that we discuss in our conversation today. She’s also written a number of books including ‘Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World’ which was Christianity Today’s 2016 book of the year and also ‘Half the Church: Recapturing God’s Global Vision for Women’ which won Outreach Magazines 2016 Resource of the Year.

Listening to Carolyn walk us through the book and story of Ruth is so helpful, because she helps us see that there is so much more going on than what is often portrayed as a Cinderella story.  We hear stories of patriarchy, refugees, love, honor, and hope that speaks directly to the same issues and pain we face in our world today.   And yet it still IS a love story…and you’ll want to here what that love might look like today.

If you are a American man of faith reading and wondering what a healthy way of engaging the #MeToo movement might look like, I highly encourage you to read this latest book of Carolyn’s.  You’ll find principles and examples on display that offer those of us with a lot of privilege on how to manage and share that privilege with others in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way.

I was so impressed with Carolyn’s wise and generous heart.  I’m sure that after listening you will be too.

Hope you enjoy listening-in today to my friend Wayne Jacobsen as we talk a little about his newest book Beyond Sundays.

When nearly half of Americans who consider themselves people of faith only operate outside of the institutional church…it’s worth talking about why.

 

I think you’ll find that Wayne offers tremendous insights to the backdrop of this American phenomenon, as well as a ‘what to expect’ for those who might be stepping away themselves.

Enjoy!

Our first podcast conversation of 2018 is a bit unique in that I’d like to introduce you to a professor that has really challenged my thinking in how we read the Bible (especially the book of Genesis). 

I’ve been stretched by Dr. John Walton’s books and as you listen along today, I hope that your thinking will be stretched significantly as well.

Dr. Walton is an expert in ancient literature and reads the Bible…particularly the Old Testament…through those eyes.  While he might challenge some of the mainstream evangelical understandings of Scripture, he does it as someone who holds a high view of Scripture.

My guess is that a few of you might feel a bit uncomfortable with the natural implications of his observations in Genesis, but I hope while listening you can remember the questions and reactions that rise-up in you.  In our conversation, John mentions that “We try to make the Bible answer questions it was never intended to”…I do wonder if you will resonate with that thought after listening today.

One (of many) fascinating observations Dr. Walton makes is that when talking about the traditional story of Adam and Eve, people often bundle a few issues together that he thinks should not be.  They include:

– the Biological Material Origins of Humankind

– the actual Historicity of Adam and Eve

– the Nature of the Image of God 

– the Origins of Sin

For some people, this might seem like a theological conversation best left to seminaries, but one of the real pleasures of Dr. Walton’s work is that while holding a high view of scripture, he is also able to make observations of the text from a non-religious technical and historical viewpoint. 

Walton’s work is the sort that has motivated well-known scientists like Francis Collins (head of the Human genome project) to advocate the way that Walton “elevates Scripture to a new level of respectable understanding, and eliminates any conflict between scientific and scriptural descriptions of origin.”

For any of you who have questioned the ability to hold a reasonable reading of Scripture together with today’s world of science, I think you’ll be grateful to get to know John Walton’s heart and research.

Remember:  You’re going to want to jot down a few questions or thoughts you have during today’s show to return to after listening!

Today on the Fearless Questions podcast we have the chance to talk with our friend Carlos Whittaker.  Carlos is a popular speaker, writer, musical artist, and People’s Choice Award winner who you will really enjoy getting to know.

Carlos has just released a new book called Kill The Spider that dives into the difference between dealing with behavior modification and the root causes of behavior.  You’ll hear him share personal stories from his journey that will drive home the (sometimes funny and sometimes painful) real-life situations that force us all, and especially those operating from a faith worldview, to move beyond the ‘cobwebs’ that are keeping us from living our best life available.

 

From accidentally ‘becoming a Christian’ at a church hosted magic show to navigating the pain and recovery from real trauma, Carlos gives us a behind the scenes perspective of a man cleaning out the corners of his heart as he looks to come fully alive.

 

Links from the show:

https://carloswhittaker.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-questions/id1185715430?mt=2

https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Spider-Getting-Really-Holding/dp/031033800X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1505229898&sr=8-1&keywords=kill+the+spider&linkCode=sl1&tag=chrispochiba-20&linkId=9334f0a93111dd58c43fed7f376a442c

Today, from the far side of the Atlantic Ocean, we are welcoming in Justin Brierley.  Justin is the Senior Editor of Premier Christianity Magazine in the United Kingdom and also host of the globally successful radio show and podcast called ‘Unbelievable?’.

In my conversation with Justin, we spend significant time talking about his experience of these past 12 years facilitating conversations between people of faith and atheists.  Justin has heard the best arguments against holding a Christian worldview, and yet…after all these years, he continues to argue his Christian faith makes the best sense of life as experienced in this world.  From mind-bending debates surrounding Stephen Hawking’s multiverse theory to pressing well-known atheist Richard Dawkins on his views of morality, I know you’ll be interested to hear Justin’s first hand experiences of discussing the biggest issues of faith, science, and God with many of the world’s foremost experts.

You’ll want to listen in and hear from this genuinely kind and open man who has shown the courage to seek truth regardless of where it leads him.

You’ll also want to pick-up a copy of Justin’s new book “Unbelievable?…Why After Ten Years Of Talking With Atheists I’m Still A Christian”.  It’s a unique view into Justin’s personal experience of wrestling with the big issues of faith that he can’t always share on air.  (You can also read the first chapter of his book for free by going to the book’s website (listed below).

It was a real pleasure speaking with Justin and I’m sure you will enjoy getting to know him and his work if you haven’t already.

 

Links from the show:

Follow Justin Brierley on Twitter @UnbelievableJB

Unbelievable Book Site:  unbelievablebook.co.uk  (or Amazon)

Justin’s radio show / podcast:  premierchristianradio.com/unbelievable

If someone said that you should be ‘On Fire for Jesus’, what would that make you feel like?  For some, it’s a call to full commitment of their faith and offering their entire life for a higher purpose…for others, it sounds like a misplaced and offensive religious call to martyrdom.  It’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot, especially in American religious communities.

Today on the Fearless Questions podcast, we have the chance to share a conversation with Addie Zierman where she shares her story of growing-up as an all-in Christian…the good, the bad, and the wake of questions it left behind.  From her first memoir, When We Were On Fire, to her follow-up book Night Driving, Addie offers us an uncommonly honest and personal account of a girl’s heart chasing after God. 

Some of you will resonate with her conversation surrounding the Christian youth culture of the 90’s, while others of you will be stopped in your tracks as you hear someone put into words what you have already experienced on your own…depression. 

Addie shares quite beautifully the journey of losing the faith you thought you needed for the unexpected gift of a faith that invites you into the unknown.

 

 

 

Links from the podcast:

Addie’s Blog: www.addiezierman.com

‘Ask Addie’ Column: www.offthepage.com

Addie’s Books:

When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over https://www.amazon.com/When-We-Were-Fire-Consuming/dp/1601425457/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509972388&sr=8-1&keywords=when+we+were+on+fire+by+addie+zierman

Night Driving: A Story of Faith in the Dark  https://www.amazon.com/Night-Driving-Story-Faith-Dark/dp/1601425473/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

In a world where there are thousands of orphaned and at-risk children, it can sometimes seem that institutional orphan care is the only practical solution available in less wealthy nations, but for John McCollum, there seemed to be a better way.

Somewhere on the journey of adoption (they adopted their first child from Vietnam) and navigating his own start-up business enterprise, John and Kori stumbled into what seemed like a much healthier option of family based orphan care.  That family model of orphan care (including children that are at-risk to be trafficked) became it’s own non-profit organization called Asia’s Hope…now serving children in Cambodia, Thailand, and India.  At Asia’s Hope, every site is established with indigenous leaders (they employ more than 200 full-time indigenous workers)…hosting a full-time mom and dad who stay in the home every day, all day.

Today on the podcast, I share a conversation with John where he shares his personal faith journey and the unexpected path to running an international non-profit organization.  John’s story is an equally amazing and surprisingly practical journey that emerged when hearts that are open to seeing the reality of people around them take one step at a time to love their neighbor.

Here are a couple of excerpts describing Asia’s Hope from their website:

These homes provide stable, long-term care for kids who can’t be safely reunited with extended family. Kids who are admitted to Asia’s Hope don’t get bounced around from home to home, family member to family member. Once they’re placed in an Asia’s Hope home, they can stay until they’ve finished high school. And after they graduate or complete their highest achievable grade level, Asia’s Hope pays for their university education or vocational training.

Asia’s Hope kids are achieving at an extraordinary level. Asia’s Hope kids are graduating high school, passing college placement tests and continuing on to university at a much higher rate than other kids in their country. In Cambodia, for instance, fewer than 20% of the general population can expect to graduate high school — but 90% of Asia’s Hope Cambodia kids are on track to complete grade 12. And nearly 90% of those graduates go on to higher education or further training, funded by Asia’s Hope.

I hope you enjoy getting to know John and the beautiful work being done through Asia’s Hope!

(John McCollum, co-founder and Executive Director of Asia’s Hope, lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Kori, and three kids, Chien, Pak and Xiu Dan.)

Sometimes you hear an incredible story and wonder to yourself if the people who lived it are really so incredible as it first seemed.  Then there are those rare times when you actually get to meet those same people and find yourself even more impressed than before.  Not because they are so grandiose, but because you get to feel the energy of deep strength behind their genuine humility. This has been my experience with both Mike and Kristin Berry…and I’m a big fan now.

Mike and Kristin run an organization called Confessions of an Adoptive Parent where they blog, podcast, and speak to weary adoptive and foster parents everywhere…sharing the support and validation those parents need to regain hope and finally stop feeling alone. 

Today I had the chance to sit-down with both Kristin and Mike to discuss their incredible journey of family and faith.  It’s an honest conversation of what life and faith look like while having fostered 23 children, adopted 8, and becoming grandparents in the process…all before the age of 40. 

It’s a story of what one family chose to do when the traditional idyllic suburban life was no longer viable.  As Mike puts it:

“We miss out on the life that’s waiting for us, because we’re so drilled down on the life we expect.”

It’s also a story of hope.

Hope for people who feel ostracized for living outside the standard suburban life plan.

Hope for parents who experience the struggle of raising a kid that operates outside the social norms of their age group.

Hope that love can actually grow strong in the midst of chaos.

You’ll hear Kristin share the challenging and sometimes painful journey towards hope that they walked through in raising their son who carries the serious effects of F.A.S.D. (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder).  She also shares from her book (Born Broken: An Adoptive Journey) how emotional strains can also lead to a depth of connection with others that allow you to laugh…even when you and your partner are spilling coffee all over the place together in public.

Kristin’s book is compelling (i.e. you’ll be sleepy the next day, because you couldn’t bear to stop reading and stayed up too late), and is a must read for anyone who is considering being a part of the fostering or adoptive parenting journey.  It’s an affecting story that at times feels like you are reading the personal diary of a fully invested woman who’s role is constantly changing…Mommy, advocate, counselor, friend, safety officer, and student…(to name a few).  It’s not always easy to hear the real-life hardships and pain that comes through parenting a child suffering from the effects of FASD, but as the Berry’s son said to Kristin before writing this book (with his permission) “Mom, you need to write the truth…People need to know what this is like…”

Mike has also written a book about their journey (titled: Confessions of an Adoptive Parent) that is currently available for pre-order.  (Again…if someone is connected to or considering the foster and adoptive journey…this book is worth your...

Today on the Fearless Questions podcast we have the wonderful opportunity to catch-up with Paula Faris.  Paula is well-known for her roles as a weekend anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America and also as a co-host on ABC’s daytime program The View.  She’s won multiple Emmy Awards, interviewed innumerable national leaders and celebrities, and has covered just about every major sports championship from the World Cup to the World Series.  But today…we get to hear Paula share more about her personal journey of faith. 

From early days in a variety of faith settings and working her way through the tough industry of journalism, to the challenges and clarity of purpose that comes along the way from engaging a complicated world with an open-heart…you’ll get to listen-in as Paula shares her heart for people to focus in on loving God and loving people rather than spending so much time judging each other.

I think you’ll be encouraged to hear Paula’s story and how even when your job puts you out in front of millions of people around the world every day…the same faith that grounds you at home with your family is the same faith that helps you operate with genuine care for those you work alongside each day…even in the Big Apple.

Anytime you are in a conversation that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Carl Lentz, Barbra Walters, Diane Sawyer, Sarah Haines, Joy Behar, Jim Harbaugh, and Caitlyn Jenner all come-up…you’ll know it’s been an eventful and fun time.  I hope you enjoy being a part of it…and that some of you will take Paula up on her request at the end of the program.

Cheers,

Jeff