Alpha-Bytes

In this episode both Zachary and Raysan share about their plant-based diets and the assumptions that follow. Is veganism an ethical imperative or just a healthy lifestyle? Either way it and other forms of socially conscious dining have changed how our communities eat. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

Zachary and Raysan examine the political, social, cultural, and theological ramifications of living in an urban context. Are cities becoming too large? What is the impact of investing in local communities? To help answer these questions, “non-expert” guest Jason Lim joins the conversation. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

However you look at it, the concept of time is difficult to define. Zachary expounds on the philosophical nature of time as merely a social construct plus some of the weird science, and Raysan shares his experiences with “island time” and “hurry sickness.” Yes, it is another one of those episodes. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity Resources Missing … Continue reading Alpha-Bytes Ep. 20 | T is for Time →

Raysan and Zachary are joined by special guest and professional counselor Jennifer Barlow for a very deep discussion into a sensitive topic. It's another eye-opener for them both as reality doesn't match pre-conceived notions. *This episode contains a detailed discussion about an extremely morbid topic. Listen at your own discretion. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity Helpful resources

Automation, the advancement of technology and its ever-increasing prominence in daily life raise a lot of questions and concerns. Raysan and Zachary, along with returning guest Doyle Cowart, go deep into the importance of responsible users, ethical developers, and if we are already cyborgs. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

WE’RE BACK!!! After a long hiatus, we are happy to be bringing you more full episodes. Get ready to dive deep with us in this next season. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

We are so close to launching the next set of episodes for you. There have been a number of delays and we apologize for the long wait. In the meantime, here is another mini-episode. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

Happy Star Wars Day! New episodes are coming soon. While you wait, here is a small bonus from us. May the Fourth be with you, always. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

Members of the LGBTQ+ community have long been and continue to unfairly be cast as outsiders. Special guest Doyle Cowart leads a discussion with Raysan and Zachary about carrying that burden, compartmentalizing identities and healthily engaging with those we think of as “queer”. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

This is an episode for all the pet owners and dog lovers out there. Raysan and Zachary reminisce about adopting their dog and the rough training that followed. Raysan draws parallels to parenting and Zachary eats some humble pie. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

It is a severely limited resource over which wars continue to be fought. So how did we end up in this predicament and how can we get out of it? Why does Zachary think not caring for creation is sinful? In this episode Raysan stays curious and Zachary gets a bit preachy. We do not … Continue reading Alpha-Bytes Ep. 15 | O is for Oil Dependency →

There’s a nerd alert going off at Alpha-Bytes. Raysan and Zachary host a round-table discussion about what is popularly called “nerd-dom.” Why are nerds so passionate? How did the fringe sub-cultures become mainstream and how does that affect its artistic integrity? Why won’t Hollywood showcase Asian superheroes? Worst episode ever! Check out Raymond’s YouTube and … Continue reading Alpha-Bytes Ep. 14| N is for Nerd →

By far the art form that has been most influential in both their lives, Zachary and Raysan share about their personal experience with music. Join them as they expound upon synchronicity among band members, the way music influences us through various elements, and learning guitar to score dates. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

How should we differentiate between morality and legality? Does the effectiveness of a law matter or is it purely an expression of desired values? Is there any merit to harm-reduction theory or decriminalization? Raysan and Zachary (joined by the self-proclaimed “podcast supervillain”) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of traditional systems in another controversial episode. alphabytespodcast.com … Continue reading Alpha-Bytes Ep. 12 | L is for Legality →

Get ready for more deep discussion on some serious and not-so-serious topics. The next batch of podcast is coming soon. Join us for some extended episodes as we expand our worldview. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

If you missed our special live episode on our Facebook community page, we got you covered. Zachary and Raysan share some ways last year impacted them in this bonus episode. It’s 20 minutes for 2020. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

Hey listeners, don’t miss our bonus 2020-in-review episode streaming live over on our community page facebook.com/alphabytescommunity Saturday, March 6th at 1:30 p.m. PST.

Zachary gives a quick philosophy lesson as he and Raysan explore existentialism. Was Abraham a murderer? How does the way we treat others affect our happiness? Was the Danish philosopher a time traveler? Does any of it even matter? Philosophize with us and find out. alphabyesbytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

It’s another tough conversation, and we aren’t shying away from it. We examine the disenfranchisement and downward spiral that follows incarceration, as well as consider questions of justice and punishment. Omar Shabazz joins us again to re-imagine the jail system. “Jail is often a finishing school for criminals.” -Omar Shabazz alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

It is everyone and no one. It is anything and everything so of course we are diving in deep. Author and media manager Micah Lambert joins the conversation on how the Internet is shaping culture. We discuss proper internet use and etiquette, setting healthy limits, and living in a jet-ski age. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity passportsandpaintbrushes.com

What is the problem? Is there a solution? We dive into the stigma associated with being “in homelessness” and discuss some of the underlying causes. Zachary throws out more statistics and Raysan drops a truth bomb. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity Ways to get involved: Jesus Cares Inc Urban Refuge Project 1:1

Raysan and Zachary are joined by special guest Eric Cope, a.k.a. Pop, for a friendly debate on the most controversial topic yet. Together they seek common ground in an attempt to define the role of firearms in American society and discuss modeling responsible ownership. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the … Continue reading Alpha-Bytes Ep. 7 | G is for Guns →

What does parenting, fathering specifically, look like in the modern age? Has it really changed? Should it change? Raysan shares his personal experience as a father as we examine various styles of child-rearing. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity Resources: https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_senior_for_parents_happiness_is_a_very_high_bar#t-1075579 https://www.verywellfamily.com/single-parent-census-data-2997668 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304140871_Fathers_Fatherhood_and_Fathering_Across_Cultures_Convergence_or_Divergence

Did you miss us? We have certainly missed you. Raysan and Zachary have been working hard to bring you more podcast. Get ready because six more episodes are coming your way! alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

Raysan and Zachary examine the paradigm shift happening in higher education. Is the cost worth it? Why is it so costly to begin with? Is the current educational model outdated? Also, Zachary goes on multiple philosophical rants. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity Resources: How playing an instrument benefits your brain Changing Education Paradigms

Our good friend Josh Sheahan joins us for a discussion about depression and mental health. We examine the varied nature of depression, argue different means for living with depression such as medication, as well as analyze the impact of cultural stigmas. “Depression in itself isn’t always sadness.” -Josh Sheahan alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

How have politics and religion become intertwined and what is the effect? We discuss what being a Christian should look like ideally vs. what we often see. The debate gets heated. Thank you to special guest Omar Shabazz for bringing the matches. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

We are joined by good friends Don Love and Sharyna Scott for a discussion about history and identity through the lens of black culture. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity

In our pilot episode we discuss what defines America as a country, its inhabitants, personal experiences, and the concept of change. alphabytespodcast.com facebook.com/alphabytescommunity