Today’s guest is Tom, a mechanical engineer from Chicago. We talk about the challenges we faced in becoming more socially savvy as young adults, and the challenges we face now in dating and meeting our spouses as American Christians. As Christians we say we want a spouse who loves Jesus, but let’s face it, we also want romantic and sexual tension as well. How do we reconcile these two desires? Exactly how important should physical looks and sexual attraction be? And why is it so hard to meet your spouse in church? Have churches erred in their guidance with dating? Has our community gotten stuck with incorrect patterns of thinking? How do we get out? And what does it mean to surrender dating to God? We also talk about the basics—how to build confidence, how to build a better profile, how to get more matches, do nice guys finish last, and more. If nothing else, we hope to show that men are capable of being fully open, and it’s totally okay. I hope you enjoy this one. Recorded October 17, 2020.

I spend Episode Lucky Thirteen reflecting on the last ten years as I move into a new decade and turn forty. What have I accomplished? Much! But oh man, I have a ton of regrets. What do I regret, and what do I hope to fix? If just one person learns from my mistakes and lives better, then my openness was all worth it. Recorded October 15-18, 2020.

Continuing our conservation with Nate about conservatism in 2020 and beyond. We also discuss Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy, and the impact Amy Coney Barrett will have on the Supreme Court. Recorded September 30, 2020.

(The first 1:41 of this talk is NSFW so discretion is advised.) I talk to Nate about conservatism and the direction it will take in 2020 and beyond. Should conservatives stick to their positions on issues such as abortion, healthcare, and the border? Or is it time for conservatives to change? And is it good for the church if Christians vote for Donald Trump? What more should the GOP do to gain more support among women and minorities? Join us for a discussion about the tough questions facing conservatism in 2020 and beyond. Recorded September 16, 2020.

The COVID crisis has exposed a huge question in religion today. As churches in California continue to be restricted from meeting indoors, it has caused believers to ask, exactly why do churches meet inside in buildings on Sundays? Do buildings still have a point? Or is it time for a new era, in which we find new paradigms to minister and make a difference in this world? Today I talk to Brian, who has volunteered as a catechism instructor and music director for the Catholic Church in Vacaville, CA. We discuss how God is physically present in the Catholic sacraments, and why it’s so important to be physically present in return. Brian also shares his insight into the Catholic Church in Japan and how it endured a period of persecution and no priests but still survived. Recorded July 29, 2020.

The COVID crisis has exposed a huge question in religion today. As churches in California continue to be restricted from meeting indoors, it has caused believers to ask, exactly why do churches meet inside in buildings on Sundays? Do buildings still have a point? Or is it time for a new era, in which we find new paradigms to minister and make a difference in this world? Today I talk to Kevin. For 14 years Kevin has been a sound engineer for various churches. He brings his insight into what it takes to create more effective religious community. Recorded September 2, 2020.

Today we introduce our friend Nate Oleson, a probate litigation attorney in Bakersfield, CA. Nate and his wife are survivors of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting which killed 61 people. It is now three years since that shooting. Nate shares his story of survival, sacrifice, and physical and mental healing. He also discusses gun policy at the end. Would you ever put your life on the line to save another? Join us for our most compelling episode yet. Recorded September 30, 2020.

This time John interviews me. I introduce to you my religious background, and we talk about why the Christian church has been a follower and not a leader in the year 2020, in the midst of the George Floyd crisis. Why has the church been relatively silent? Has the church lost its way? Should it still even be involved anymore in social and political issues? What can the church do to be more vibrant and effective again in American society?  I’ll give you my opinion on what the church has been missing. Recorded July 31, 2020.

We spend 10 minutes each on three topics—defunding police, raising minimum wage, and abortion control. Do these improve the lives of blacks and other minorities? My goal is that no matter what you believe politically, you’ll find good stuff that you like on this episode. Recorded August 3, 2020.

John and I talk about and critique several different proposed solutions to combat racism in America. Do they work? Will they really make a difference? Or are we playing victim too much? From reform of welfare, rehab of drug users, race preferences, to reparations, we got it covered. Recorded July 15, 2020.