Jared, Jack, and Todd discuss the study of personality, in particular comparing two prominent models: the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator and the Big Five Personality Traits. While Myers–Briggs is more widely used, notably in the workplace, the Big Five is preferred in academia. Why is that? We discuss factor analysis, the nature of models, and the consistency and stability of personality. Would you rather see yourself as a thinking person or a disagreeable person? Should we think of certain personality traits as better or worse than others or are all personality traits equally valuable?

Rick and Todd discuss lessons of leadership from the great leaders of the Star Trek canon. What were the different leadership styles of Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and others? What worked? What didn't? We also discuss some of the other captains of the canon, including some who offer excellent lessons of how not to lead.

What is the Christian doctrine of Hell? How many people will be in Hell? Will they be there forever? Is it possible to repent once in Hell? Do you have to be Christian to be saved from Hell? Does it matter if you die as an infant before being baptized? Does it matter if you never hear the Gospel? Does it matter if your exposure to the Gospel is only cursory? Do you have to have a detailed understanding of the metaphysical nature of God? This episode surveys scripture and the history of Christian tradition on the subject.

I'll be releasing an episode soon with the title “Considering Hell and Confronting Sin”. Since it will be quite long I decided to make a short preview and summary version.

This episode in the philosophy of structure series looks at the way structure inheres in material substances. Starting with Aristotle's concept of hylomorphism (matter + form) we look at contemporary studies of this perspective in the thought of Kathrin Koslicki and Edward Feser. Most basic to this perspective is the idea of structures as the sorts of entities which make available positions or "slots" for other objects to occupy.

Rick and Todd get together to talk about humanoid origins in the Star Trek universe. We discuss two episodes. In "The Chase" the crew of the Enterprise discovers the traces of an ancient ancestor common, via panspermia, to humanoid species across the galaxy. In "Distant Origin" the crew of Voyager encounters a Voth scientist who has discovered that the Voth originated from Earth and are humanoid descendants of hadrosaurs.

Jeff and Todd discuss Count Dooku and his apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn. Two complicated and interesting characters. Both great Jedi who pushed the boundaries of the Jedi way. But one stayed in the light. The other crossed into the dark.

A life with the Holy Spirit is wonderful, exciting, challenging, and meaningful. One of my core beliefs is that there’s much more to reality and the possibilities of our existence than we can possibly imagine. Just a tremendous “more”. Greater in scope, finer in detail, richer in complexity and beauty. And this is something I can see most fully through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. It’s like something I never could have imagined possible before experiencing it. A taste of the overwhelming joy that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit goes a long way to shift a person’s perspective on what kind of life is possible. It changes everything.

In scripture Christ is called "the image of the invisible God". As such Christ is supremely important to our access to and understanding of God. As God made his goodness pass over Moses and declared his graciousness and compassion, Christ shows us the Father in his words and in his works. Three important philosopher-theologians: Origen of Alexandria, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas developed theories to explain the process of coming to see and know God in a form of "intellectual vision".

The Gospel of Mark starts off at a frenetic pace, matching the boundless and exuberant energy of John and Jesus as they announce the gospel message: "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Jesus called disciples to "Follow" and they did, immediately. This is a gospel, good news, whose power and import we can still sense today.