You Can Talk About That?

Eric has lots of questions, and he likes to ask them!  On this episode of "You can talk about that?", Eric sits down with a veteran foreign counter-intelligence officer and gets his perspective on the current conflicts in Ukraine/Russia, Iran/Israel, and China/Taiwan.  His decades of experience provide him with a unique perspective on these conflicts, helping us understand the path forward.  Along the way, Eric and Guest stray into the topics of  Christians in the World, the Constitution, and Economics.  Enjoy!

This powerful episode is a compelling look at what it means to serve with both a brave heart and a faithful spirit.

In this podcast, I sit down with my long-time friend and brother in Christ, Tim. He has been a 24-year firefighter whose courage on the frontlines is matched by an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. 

Listen as Tim shares his passion for becoming a firefighter, what led him there, his thought process, and how his faith is not left behind when he steps on the job. Find out more details of the challenges he faces, a typical day, and the life advice he shares.

Through stories, encounters, and situations, he imparts how his belief in Jesus Christ fuels his strength, guides his decisions, brings hope, and provides peace in the face of danger. Whether battling a blaze or comforting a family in crisis, his faith is the steady force behind every act of service. Tim is devoted to Christ, his “at-home” family, his firehouse family, and the community he serves here and abroad. 

Although we tease that Tim gets paid to sleep and work out, his job goes beyond the call of duty and into a life of obedience to serve God first. Listeners will be inspired by his humility, resilience, and the ways he lives out his calling, both as a protector of lives and a follower of Christ. Tim is truly a hero in every sense of the word.

According to dictionary.com, the definition of a real friend is:

a person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty; an intimate, an acquaintance or associate.

In this podcast, Eric reopens the topic of friendship and dives deep on what a biblical friendship is and what it is not. 

Eric does not consider himself an expert, a guru, a professional, a master, or scholar of all things friendship. Nor that he has all the answers on the topic, but a deep desire to explore the Word as he seeks to figure out what the Lord calls us to in this concept of friendship. He will explore friendship in four categories.

1. Friendly
2. Acquaintance
3. Friends
4. Biblical friendship

Enjoy listening as he defines those four categories and expresses the desire for us to live in a fallen world, weaving ourselves in and out of these different levels of friendship, however, considering it a treasure when you have true biblical friendship.

In honor of George Washington's Birthday on 2/22, Eric offers up this difficult discussion on George Washington. 

What to do with George Washington?  Our founding father, most likely a follower of Jesus Christ, owned slaves.  Do we cancel him?  Did he believe slavery was a good thing?  Did he have any tangible thoughts on freedom for slaves?  Did he even struggle with the slavery issue?

Come hear the brief discussion!

To see the Video Interview click here:

https://youtu.be/83zO9CSk5fg

A continuation of our wonderful discussion on Child Sponsorships.  

Watch Video of this interview on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/2cAgI9qsVe4

In this episode of You Can Talk About That?, Eric and his guests tackle the topic of child sponsorship. Both Moises and Christina have American and Dominican Republic perspectives. They have been on the giving and and receiving end of sponsorship and come with a perspective that will help bring clarity and understanding to this very sensitive and interesting topic.

Here is what you can expect in today’s episode:

• Child sponsorship… What is it? 
• Is it helpful or hurtful? 
• Is child sponsorship producing thriving children who become productive adults and members of society? Can they provide for themselves once they are no longer part of the sponsorship program they are involved with? Or does the poverty cycle start all over again because the children never learned the skills they needed to break free from being sponsored?
• Furthermore is the cycle of needing money from Americans being broken as the children grow? 
• It can be argued that the number of children being sponsored should decrease overtime, however, the sponsorship companies thrive on growing numbers. How does this impact the children that are in need as they grow and become adults?

You will find this episode filled with fascinating information, a fresh perspective, and a growing knowledge of the impact that Americans are having in this industry.

 Eric is joined by one of nieces and daughter to explore this hotly debated and controversial topic! :) They ate eight different chocolates to taste test which one is the best!  They give you their top three.
Go to our instagram page @youcantalkabouthat to see an image and packaging of all the chocolates. 
The chocolate flavors are listed below (not in order of preference):
1.  World's Finest Chocolates:  Dark Chocolate
2. World's Finest Chocolates:  W.F. Crisp
3.  Hu: Vanilla Crunch
4.  LIly's Crisp Rice
5.  Beyond Good: 92% Pure Dark
6.  Endangered Species:  Carmel and Sea Salt
7.  Tony's Chocolonely: Ben & Jerry's Chocolate LoveA-Fair
8.  Chocolate XOXO:  Ruby Chocolate

Enjoy!

Watch video interview on Youtube @ https://youtu.be/gjtjD0Lh7hI
In this episode, Eric and his guest dive into the essentials of nonprofit organizations, clarifying what they are and how they function. They begin by explaining that a nonprofit is a type of organization that exists to serve a social, educational, charitable, or other community-driven purpose, rather than to generate profit for owners or shareholders.
Next, Eric & Andy explore many questions, "Can nonprofits be profitable?" “How transparent should non profits be?” “How involved should a tax payer be in NP financials?”
The episode also highlights the importance of checks and balances within nonprofit organizations. They discuss the significance/impact of nonprofit boards, regulatory oversight, and financial transparency; asking the questions about the accountability and integrity of the organization's mission. Are the NP’s goals and mission statement still intact with millions of dollars at stake?
They also touch on the original intent behind nonprofits, which was to address public needs and issues that aren’t adequately served by for-profit businesses or government entities. Lastly, they emphasize the mission of a nonprofit: to stay true to its core purpose of making a positive impact on the community and fulfilling its social, educational, or charitable goals. Is this happening?
Join Eric & Andy as they ask/answer/discuss challenging questions that probe on a much undiscussed topic.

Eric will give his opinion on which are the top 10 news stories of the year, and give a preview of the next 10 Episodes we can look forward to! 

Top Ten News Stories of 2024

1.  Donald Trump Election and he goes into disrupter mode
2.  Fall of Steve Lawson
3.  Worldwide Inflation-Economists 
4.  War, War everywhere:  Israel, Syria, Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia
5.  Near Trump Assassination
6.  Dodgers win the World Series
7.  The Olympics
8.  The rebrand of this Podcast occurs from “I love/hate when you are right” to “You can talk obout that.”
9.  The small and unnoticed righteous acts throughout this year
10.  Nothing changed the fact that the Lord is still on his throne and guiding everything in this world.

Next Ten Episodes of YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT?

1.  Anger 
2.  Biblical Friendship
3.  Non-profits
4.  Child Sponsorship Programs 
5.  Legos and Creation
6.  Church Budgets
7.  Government and the Believer
8.  The Best Chocolate?
9.  Unity in Christ
10. Christian Firefighter 

What the video version of this episode on Youtube @https://youtu.be/xM7sm4MlQeE

In part 2 of this important discussion, the host and guest dive deep into the complexities of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Though joys and perils exist, do not be afraid to see the beauty around you and applaud what a good God is doing. 
A strong encouragement is brought forth to stand out by using your gifts and talents. The conversation reflects on how seemingly insignificant moments can leave lasting impressions and make an unknown impact, shaping one's journey in unexpected ways. Amidst the struggle, the message is clear: though the world is broken and unjust, no matter the sector, (within Christian/faith based entertainment or out in the world) it is crucial to continue forging ahead with righteous anger, seeking to be a light in the darkness.

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