In the last episode, I mentioned the first 2: Data and Analysis.

This brings us to the 3rd value-add: Insight. With the data collected and turned into information through analysis, now the job of finance is to delivery insight.

In this moderated discussion by Dr Josh Howard between "The Other Paul" Facey, Australian Anglican, and Filmmaker Nathan Anderson, they cover topics including:

Political Liberty OR A Protestant Franco

Spirit Transformation OR Coercive Imposition

Hey, neighbor, go listen to Luke and Missionary Ben on the China Compass podcast! (Ben is a fellow podcaster on the Fight Laugh Feast Network!)  Ben and Luke have a chat about basketball that never would have happened if Ben hadn't invited Luke to host his podcast...

Then: Luke recaps the NBA finals game that made him leap out of his chair.  And 9-year-old Emmi has been wondering whether marriage is really worth the steep cost...

Later:  John shares the MAJOR mistake that all of his comedy-writing students always make. (Spoilers: they only brainstorm 2 or 3 associations intead of hundreds. You need HUNDREDS!)  Let us share a couple more examples of hilarious associations made by beloved family members.

Do you have a question or comment for Comedian John Branyan or his (probably even more hilarious) family?  Email us at [email protected] . 

Today the Pugs discuss a provocative essay in the English publication, AirMail by Tara Isabella Burton. In this article she explores a new and very self-conscious religious disposition that is taking hold among tech elites in Silicon Valley. While there has been some buzz about a revival of interest in Christianity there, this is something very different, somewhat Gnostic, and very neopagan. Join the pugs as they reflect on it.

Article Referenced: https://airmail.news/issues/2025-5-24/the-view-from-herefbclid=IwY2xjawKsh8NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyVnZXc29rSGpwaEFsQjRsAR5DHSu0LY04GYS7rDcYlDWzeZXQYiZ7OxvHCNAxLWdcqmfN05x5VHG8P2U6Ww_aem_Oj0e41ftR3pRfMQGqMQrhA

Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

In all your undertakings, you want substance, not fluff. We're tempted towards fluff, but, as business owners, we really can't afford it. There's no place for it.

The temptation for fluff is especially true in Finance. Fancy charts and complicated spreadsheets masquerade as substance. Irrelevant ratios and misleading statistics might give a semblance of control. It's easy for fluff to arise from Finance.

So, what should your Finance department produce in order for it's output to be meaningful and valuable?

I have 4 things to work through.

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, coming to you from the Pacific Northwest! Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and either tag me in a message or send a DM. 

After discussing Pastor Wang Yi’s bold message for Dictator Xi (6:40), I explain how China’s “Great Leader” got Winnie the Pooh cancelled on the mainland (10:49). Then, after a promo for The Memoirs of William Milne (19:18), we look briefly at Trump’s not-so-wise position regarding China (25:43). Finally, we look at the Pray for China cities of the week (40:24), and I talk about the time I was taken in for “spying” on North Korea 22 years ago this summer (52:15).

Wang Yi Calls Xi Jinping to Repent and Trust in Christ

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/if-xi-jinping-does-not-repent-he

China’s Thin-Skinned Dictator and Winnie the Pooh

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/chinese-president-xi-jinping-winnie-the-pooh-taiwan-b1073403.html

https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/xijinpingwinniethepooh/

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3043614/xi-jinping-winnie-pooh-and-canadian-origins-bear

https://www.history.com/articles/the-true-story-of-the-real-life-winnie-the-pooh

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!)

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

Trump: Xi is Very Hard to Deal With

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114623632387180206

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114631295762726849

Pray for China (June 8-14)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-8-14-2025

Please follow/subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite platform. Also check out my books and everything else we’re involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!