Conversations About Life

Lillian is a wife, mom and horticulturist who currently resides in Flordia.  We talk about her growing up experience, enjoying God, the problem of pain, and remembering experiences with God. w/ Lillian

Lucas is a young man in cyber security.  He's also a Christian and used the word "saved".  I asked him what he meant by that.  We ended up rock climbing after the episode and had a very nice time. Lucas

Alex is a Navy veteran, studying in exercise science, a rock climber, and holds to the philosophical theory of absurdism.  We talk about that and religion as well. In the conversation I mention Alex O'Connor (atheist), Gavin Ortlund (theist) as well as Alvin Plantinga (philosopher). This video on animal suffering mentions all 3, for anyone interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxUu4ncP-JM Alex

Julie and Bella are the mother and oldest daughter of a 13 person family. We discuss how their family developed its lifestyle of homesteading. Julie & Bella

Fritz is a diver, veteran, former lawyer and judge and VFW Commander-In-Chief ... also, a philosophy major.  We talk about life, purpose, God, the Good Life, and more. Fritz

Terry was a guest October 14th, 2020.  At the time he was active as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or the Mormon church.  Since then, he has left and is not a part of a church in traditional Christianity, a non-denominational protestant church.  We talk about he journey from where he was to where he is now. Terry

Tom is a Vietnam veteran.  We talk about his recreational activities, mental health, and God. Tom

Rick grew up in a big Catholic family on a farm in the Midwest.  We talk about how Christianity became "alive" for him, adventure and relating to people. Rick  

Zeke is 21 and a neighbor.  He is currently in school, studying to be a physical therapist. Zeke

Thomas and I discuss the Roman Catholic faith and how it differs from Protestantism.

Cindy is founder of Cindy Jackson Integrated Health & Wellness.  Her website is at www.cindyjacksonwellness.com Cindy Jackson

David is a Jewish man, born in New York , raised in Israel, now in St. Louis.  We talk about Jewish rituals and beliefs. David

Timothy grew up in Christianity but ran into a crisis of faith when he encountered other world views.  He spent a few years as an agnostic trying to figure things out.  Timothy eventually landed on Christianity, but only intellectually convinced.  It was a while after that before he experienced the power and transformation of his heart that comes from Christianity. Timothy now writes articles related to the Christian faith.  You can read his blog at trinitariannut.wordpress.com or listen to his YouTube channel at YouTube Channel. Timothy  

Steve is a Christian and found fulfillment in serving as a RN. Steve

Austin is a thoughtful person about experiencing life.  He's struggled with eczema, enjoys rock climbing, and is attuned toward joy. Austin

Shane and I talk about our particular understandings of Christianity and how they differ.  I think Shane's understanding of Christianity is an example of Mainline Christianity.  According to Google's AI Overview, Mainline denominations beliefs are ... "Mainline denominations emphasize the Bible's concept of justice. They tend to be more accepting of gender and sexuality than more conservative Protestant churches.  They tend to de-emphasize evangelism and have more flexible standards." Shane, Will

Ja'Nae grew up fast, becoming emancipated at age 15, married and 17, working two jobs and going to high school.  Ja'Nae talks about her life thus far. Ja'Nae

Sandy, my neighbor, talks about the different stages in her life, her marriage now to Wally, life as an older person, and grandkids. Sandy  

When I first met Mac, I asked him how he was, and he said, "Better than I deserve".  We talk about what prompted that response and life changes. Mac

Michael Shepherd Jordan hikes, climbs rock, and is an  author and actor.  We talk about all of that plus Michael's thoughts about what life is all about. Michael's website is at www.michaelshepherdjordan.com Michael Shepherd Jordan    

Todd started experiencing the loss of his peripheral vision as a young man.  That increased to blindness.  We talk about that experience and about Todd's thoughts about life. Todd  

Jason was a guest in February of 2022.  A lot has happened since then.  We catch up.  Jason's first conversation is at Free Market Economics w/ Jason Hayden. Jason  

Ricky Cruz is a professional wrestler from Puerto Rico.  We talk about that and life influences. Ricky Cruz  

Ed is a Christian  apologist, meaning he gives a defense for why it's reasonable to believe in God.  Dan use to be a Christian, but all of that has fallen away for him.  They both give a summary of how they got to where they are now.  Then there's a bit of debate about if it's reasonable to believe in God. Ed and Dan  

Gracie grew up in a Christian family.  We talk about how Christianity became personal for her.  We also talked about adventures and rock climbing. Gracie

Tony grew up in San Diego with his family.  They all had a spiritual encounter with God when Tony was 19.  Many turns in life has led Tony to where he is now. Tony

Carol had a spiritual awakening as a girl.  Then at 19 she attended a Bible study that made everything click.  We also talk about fighting against anger. Carol

Z is a rock climber.  We talk about that and how we all have different perspectives on life and other things.  Z is from India. Z

Khaled grew up in Saudi Arabia and Islamic culture.  After coming to the United States he started to study history and other religions.  Khaled also started looking into the Bible.  Khaled's journey led him to a special relationship with God. Khaled

Jon Richard is senior guide and founder of Vertical Voyages of Saint Louis.  We talk about his life in rock and tree climbing, identity, the Warrior Way, adventure and the unknown. Vertical Voyages website is at verticalvoyages.com Jon Richard of Vertical Voyages

Jeff is from Washington State, interested in philosophy, a member of the band, "Dysfunctional Empire", and also attends a Christian church.  Jeff believes there are many paths to God. Jeff

Leisa spent her life competing in rodeos until she discovered a better direction for her energies, serving God in a relationship with him. Leisa

Billy lives on the Texas/Mexico border and works at the Rio Grande Bible College leading a video/photography team. We talk about the state of the Christian church in the world, church planting and evangelism. Billy

Tristin grew up in Northern Illinois with an abusive mother. We talk about his college years, friendship, and becoming a Christian. Tristin

Toni grew up in Christianity but began questioning that in her teens and early 20's.  She is now an atheist and involved in anti-religion activism.  We talk about all that, what Toni thinks of the biblical God, and biological sex. Toni is from Alberta

Ron talks about divorce, impacts in his life and his relationship with God. Ron

Art has stayed active through his life and now in his 80's, he's still going.  Art enjoys endurance activities like power walking and cycling. Art

James Barnett is founder and executive director of Neighborly, and organization that exist to help others see, love, and join those in the margins.  James talks about following Jesus. Neighborly's website is at thatsneighborly.org James Barnett

Pastor Jake started working out what he believed early, concerning Christianity.  It diverged a little from the church and community he grew up in.  After trying teaching and experiencing the worst year of his life, Pastor Jake started pastoring, which is what he desired to do all along. Pastor Jake

Ahmad is a rapper.  Marcus and Nick support Ahmad in his art.  Ahmad was in St Louis for a performance and we sat down to talk about life. Nick, Marcus, Ahmad

Addie and her husband, Stetson, recently discovered a new life in knowing God.  Addie tells of that process of discovering God with her husband and what life is like for her now. Addie

Allison Knaup works with LegalShield and is also a school tutor.  We talk about her adventures, growth, influences, life purpose, and friendship. Allison's website with LegalShield - aknaup22.ladiesofjustice.com Allison

Stetson grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism) but left the church in teenage rebellion at the age of 16.  He was an agnostic for many years enjoying sin.  After marriage and the birth of his first son, Stetson began looking for something to ground his life in.  At the request of his wife, Stetson and his wife began reading the Bible and was immediately convinced of it's truth.  That began their journey in Christianity.  We also talk about how Stetson has experienced the difference of Christianity. Stetson

Natalie is educated in music therapy and we talk about her experience with it.  We also talk about suffering, and why Natalie is a Christian. Natalie

Texanne and Daniel rescue monkeys from bad situations and host them in a monkey sanctuary. Texanne and Daniel

William of Confluence Kombucha creates many wonderful and interesting flavors of Kombucha and other fermented food.  William share his own story, how that ended up with Kombucha, and where he's moving next. William

Julian is the podcast host of Theological Touchpoints and writer of a blog by the same name.  We talk about Julian's beliefs about authority of Scripture, his own experience with Christianity, and the distinctives of Anabaptist Mennonite Christianity. Julian's blog is at theologicaltouchpoints.com Julian

Rev Joe is a pastor of Rock Presbyterian, a PCUSA church, and a hospital chaplain.  We talk about the distinctives of mainline churches, Rev Joe's personal beliefs, serving as a chaplain, and regarding Scripture. Rev Joe

Clyde recently started jiu-jitsu at age 63.  His philosophy of life is about figuring things out and moving forward.  We talk about what that has looked like in his life. Clyde

Ann Visser is a life coach, speaker and trainer with 4 Better 4 Ever.  She's on a mission to equip Christian women to communicate confidently and clearly for a closer connection.  We talk about marriage and communication. Ann's website is www.4better4ever.com Ann Visser  

Jacob is a young man who enjoys a solid, loving family.  We talk about his growing up, conversion to Christianity, is love of fishing, relationships, and how he tries to grow in these different areas of life each year. Jacob