The Dissonance Podcast

The Dissonance Podcast

By Brennen JohnsonSociety & Culture
Download on the App Store

The Dissonance Podcast episodes

  • The Deadly Connection Between Domestic Violence & Firearms (w/ Alicia Nicols)

    in 2022, i interviewed alicia nicols, lsw, deputy director of the national resource center on domestic violence and firearms, for an episode of my podcast, “last call with brennen johnson”. the focus on the season was going to be on guns in america. due to a number of personal and logistical reasons, the season was never completed or released… but this conversations we did record never stopped echoing in the back of my mind.


    today, i’m finally sharing the first episode, with the second one coming soon.


    in this episode, we talk about guns, not in the abstract or the political, but as they exist in the most intimate and dangerous places: our homes, our relationships, our silence. alicia shares critical insight into how domestic violence and gun access are inextricably linked in america, how mass shootings often start with intimate partner violence, and why the way we talk about these issues is part of the problem.


    we cover:

    • the laws not being enforced that allow abusers to keep firearms

    • how domestic violence is a leading indicator of mass violence

    • the stigma survivors face when seeking safety

    • what it would really look like to prevent this kind of harm


    this is not a comfortable listen, but it’s a necessary one. because behind every statistic is someone who didn’t survive. and every silence makes it easier for this cycle to continue.


    ⸻


    ⚠️ content warning (CW):

    this episode contains discussion of gender-based violence, coercive control, gun violence, partner abuse, sexual violence, and mass harm events. take care of yourself while listening—skip or pause if you need to.


    🕰️ note: this conversation was recorded nearly three years ago. while some statistics or policies may have evolved, the core of this conversation remains painfully relevant.


    huge thanks to alicia nicols for the interview, and to henry martin for filming, directing, editing, and desiging the graphic.


    ⸻


    💬 if this episode made you think, please like, share, and comment. your engagement helps more people find this info, and maybe helps someone feel less alone.


    📌 the second episode is coming next week

    53 min
  • 31. Stephen Mattson
    Brennen sits down with Stephen Mattson (Author of The Great Reckoning, and the upcoming On Love And Mercy) to talk about his soon to be released devotional, as well as the importance of social justice; both on the world at large, and especially in the hearts of those who follow after the example of Jesus. 
    Music provided by Josh Leininger
    Sponsored by Anchor.fm, Wesley Andrews, and Elevat.
    50 min
  • 30. The Shepherd & The Shrink - The Best Movies of The Decade (2009-2019)
    In February 2019 Brennen and Contessa sat down with their producer Jared Thompson to talk about the best movies of the previous decade for Dissonance's side podcast "The Shepherd & The Shrink. A month later the world imploded due to the Covid Pandemic and the episode slipped through the cracks to make way for a series on White Supremacy in the light of the murder of George Floyd. Now, in August of 2021, as Dissonance plans on coming back, we release the long-awaited "Best Of" episode! All at once, and unedited (enjoy a minute long conversation about mic placement to kick things off).
    This episode is sponsored by Wesley Andrews, Elevat, and Anchor.Fm
    Huge thanks to Contessa and Jared for waiting a year and a half to hear their podcast episode. 
    Look for more episodes coming soon on The Dissonance Podcast.
    3 hr 5 min
  • 29. Why Would Anyone Go To Church With Kevin Makins
    We sit down with pastor & author Kevin Makins to talk about his new book: “Why Would Anyone Go To Church?”. During our conversation we talk about how church has changed in the Covid Era, and why with all of its faults and issues neither Kevin nor I can give up on church. Huge thanks to our sponsors wesleyandrews.cc, anchor.fm, & elevatingtheglobe.org. Find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at The Dissonance Podcast. As well support us on Patreon.
    1 hr 11 min
  • 28. Julian J Flores - Post-Christian pt.6
    We sit down to talk to Julian about his journey through religion, and the slow realization that walking away from religion doesn’t mean walking away from morality. Huge thanks to our sponsors wesleyandrews.cc, anchor.fm & elevatingtheglobe.org! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at The Dissonance Podcast. As well, support us on Patreon.
    2 hr 50 min
  • 27. Sarah Billings - Post-Christian Pt.5
    We sat down with Sarah Billings to discuss their history and journey from being raised in the church to slowly not attending once they moved to Minneapolis. In this episode, they'll talk about the fact that Sarah was raised Lutheran - and Brennen definitely, most likely, probably wasn’t - and the landmark changes that took place in the Lutheran church when Sarah was younger that shaped the way they viewed the church through their current views and revelations.
    1 hr 14 min
  • 26. Aaron Bloom - Post-Christian Pt.4
    We sat down with Brennen’s former roommate - and current friend - Aaron Bloom, to talk about his journey from leading and organizing a youth group, homeless ministry, and a handful of other ministries all while slowly realizing that some don’t have a grey area when it comes to who gets grace and who doesn’t.
    1 hr 7 min
  • 25. "Ryan H." - Post-Christian Pt.3
    On today's episode, Brennen sits down with Ryan Higgins to discuss his life and relationship with God and church throughout his life. Along the way they discuss judaism, scholarly studies, humanism and more. As well as share a lot of laughs.
    Subscriptions & Links
    Wesleyandrews.cc/subscriptions
    Elevatingtheglobe.org
    Anchor.fm
    Facebook.com/thedissonancepodcast
    @thedissonancepodcast (Instagram & Twitter)
    Patreon.com/the_dissonance_podcast
    1 hr 38 min
  • 24. Umeko Motoyoshi - Remixed & Reloaded
    A re-release of a previous episode, with an added portion to the interview. We welcome (back) Umeko Motoyoshi to the show to talk about white supremacy in the specialty coffee world. Umeko discusses with us the issues of labor practices overseas on coffee farms, and here overseas in some of our favorite coffee shops. 
    * It should be noted that at around the 74 minute mark we have cut out the original Q&A and pasted in a new updated Q&A with the same question, only a more expanded answer by Umeko. Then we update each other on what's been happening in our communities in the wake of George Floyd's death and the protests that have erupted all over the world, and how that will affect our coffee community as well.
    Sponsors:
    www.wesleyandrews.cc/subscriptions
    Elevatingtheglobe.org
    Anchor.fm
    Find us on:
    Facebook.com/thedissonancepodcast
    @thedissonancepodcast (Instagram & Twitter)
    Patreon.com/the_dissonance_podcast
    1 hr 48 min
  • 23. Peace Sinyigaya
    On May 25th George Floyd was murdered by a police officer on charges of a potentially fake $20 bill, while three other officers stood watch and made sure no one intervened. The response by the people of Minneapolis, it's neighbor St. Paul, and the world over was overwhelming and as of this episode being published (June 18th, 2020) still going on. Brennen sat down with his friend Peace to talk about her perspective on George Floyd's death, the protests that came from it, the response by the police and the governing officials, and more. 
    In response to the recent events in our city, The Dissonance Crew has decided to forgo any advertisement for ourselves. It doesn't feel right to make money off of the words and experiences of our black and brown neighbors. Instead, we're taking our monthly earnings from Patreon for the month of June and donating it the Black Lives Matter organization.
    Please, as we're still reeling from Covid-19, and the death of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Ahmaud Aberu and so many countless others, we at Dissonance encourage you to learn more about black experiences, and black lives.
    1 hr 11 min

About The Dissonance Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Life is messy, chaotic, disorganized...and in the midst of all the back and forth arguments, maybe we can find some beauty in the dissonance. This is the Dissonance Podcast, a show where each season…