RZIM: Thinking Out Loud Broadcasts

Last year's Christmas episode provides a study in contrast. Nathan and Cameron hosted a jovial discussion on Santa. This year, that kind of tone seems utterly out of place. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the nature of our celebrations in the midst of deeply surreal circumstances and consider the greater hope of Christ's promise to make all things new. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

For most of us, a significant part of Thanksgiving involves food and lots of it. More importantly, it involves a shared meal with those we love (and often struggle with). Of course, this year things looked a bit different. Some of us headed into the holiday with increasing levels of anxiety. Others chose to forego travels altogether this year. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss some of the complex dynamics surrounding shared meals in the midst of a global pandemic.Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

This week, Nathan and Cameron discuss the challenges of friendship in the digital world as well as the nature of their own friendship. (Cameron also tries not to take offense at Nathan's initial question about the status of their friendship). Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

In this re-run of a Thinking Out Loud episode recorded last year, Nathan and Cameron discussed the election and how to follow Christ through a turbulent time. While the US wait for the 2020 election results, we thought it would be an ideal time to re-air this episode recorded live from 2019. Though only a year has passed since this recording, the world in which the event took place now feels very distant. How do we follow Christ through it all? This live exchange from last year remains pertinent to our current political climate, so we invite you to take a deep breath and enjoy Nathan and Cameron trying to stay on their feet in front of a crowd. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Many Christians feel conflicted about Halloween, even as they usher their costumed kids out the door for tricks or treats. In this episode, an enthusiast (Cameron) and a naysayer (Nathan) try to make sense of this deeply strange American holiday, and consider the light that the gospel sheds on the matter.Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Nathan and Cameron feel a bit down in this episode and they have a feeling that some of you may be in the same boat. That's 2020 in a nutshell. In this episode, they discuss what it looks like to hold to Christian hope, even when there doesn't seem to be a clear light at the end of the tunnel. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

The term "religion" is wildly unpopular and many contemporary Christians sidestep the issue with the neat phrase "personal relationship with Jesus." While the phrase is not necessarily false, it leaves both Nathan and Cameron uneasy. In this episode, they discuss that unease and try to offer a more holistic response. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

For the first time in history, it's possible to "bracket death." But death is the one thing we can all be certain of. So, what does it mean to be mortal? Why do many struggle in Western culture with elderly care? Nathan and Cameron "think out loud" about these questions, pulling from Dr. Atul Gawande's book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End to take a timely and deeply helpful meditation on our mortal condition, end of life ethics, and more.Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

One of the surprising national pastimes that have emerged during the pandemic is a growing obsession with conspiracy theories. A phenomenon that touches all points of the political spectrum, what does this new hobby say about us? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron tackle this question.Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

In a time of deep cultural unrest, many of us long for "things to go back to normal." But if this is what our nation looks like under extreme stress, what does that say about our sense of normal? And what is the Christian posture in a time of wide-spread fear and division? Sound uplifting? Join Nathan and Cameron for a discussion of our troubled moment. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Few would dispute that the past few weeks have been some of the more tumultuous America has experienced in recent years. Far from merely political or cultural tensions, the most recent crisis is a matter of life and death and can be seen most clearly in the three faces of those who unjustly lost their lives: Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. These three names don't represent isolated incidents and the great travesty is that the list of names keeps growing. As has been repeatedly said, this is a fundamental human rights issue, one that goes to the heart of America's struggle with racism, prejudice, and discrimination. In this episode, Thinking Out Loud hosts Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister are joined by their colleague Brandon Cleaver for a candid discussion about this cultural moment and how Christ's life, death, and resurrection intersect with our current predicament. Listen to Part 1Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1Brandon Cleaver - @BrandonCleaver1

It seems 2020 has been full of difficult news. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron push pause on the relentless news cycle to discuss gardening. As usual, this seemingly light-hearted topic leads into a much deeper discussion of the human condition. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Few would dispute that the past few weeks have been some of the more tumultuous America has experienced in recent years. Far from merely political or cultural tensions, the most recent crisis is a matter of life and death and can be seen most clearly in the three faces of those who unjustly lost their lives: Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. These three names don't represent isolated incidents and the great travesty is that the list of names keeps growing. As has been repeatedly said, this is a fundamental human rights issue, one that goes to the heart of America's struggle with racism, prejudice, and discrimination. In this episode, Thinking Out Loud hosts Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister are joined by their colleague Brandon Cleaver for a candid discussion about this cultural moment and how Christ's life, death, and resurrection intersect with our current predicament. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1Brandon Cleaver - @BrandonCleaver1

We live in a cultural moment that vigorously punishes mistakes, often in a very public fashion. Indeed, this is one of the key aspects of our deeply polarized landscape. Yet, if we aren't allowed the freedom to make mistakes—to be wrong—moral growth is short circuited. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss how mistakes can be an occasion for tremendous growth, rather than simply shame and retribution. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Given the deep divisions that define our cultural moment, empathy is often touted as the central virtue of our age. But our growing tribalism continues to undermine our efforts to understand people who remain culturally remote. Add a pandemic to the mix and the difficulties are multiplied. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the limits and possibilities of empathy in our divided age. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

What distinguishes a home from a mere physical shelter? And why do so many of us long to escape our homes? Since COVID-19 continues to keep many of us confined to the places we live, Nathan and Cameron discuss how Christianity reframes our understanding of home. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Do you actually own your technological devices or are you just leasing the software that's running them? From Apple to John Deere, it's increasingly clear that these companies are securing their ownership through the very design of their devices. This is evidenced by the fact that we're entirely dependent on the providers for repairs. These machines are not made to be fixed by us. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the implications of this trend, as well as the disturbing possibility that what may initially appear to be an elaborate conspiracy is in fact simply an example of the cost of our demand for convenience. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Though Nathan and Cameron recorded this episode before the coronavirus received its official name (Covid-19), their discussion reflects the dynamic nature of this story—we still have way more questions than answers—and attempts to counter the growing anxiety and animosity with a Christian response. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

The world is still reeling from the tragic events that claimed the lives of nine people, including basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. For most of us, celebrities are people we feel personally attached to, but who remain strangers to us. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron talk about some of the complexities that arise when we grieve the loss of a celebrity. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Experts continue to point to a growing mental health crisis. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among teens, and depression and anxiety seem to be the rule, rather than the exception. On the face of it, this is a pretty odd state of affairs: Broadly speaking, we're more comfortable, connected, and healthy than ever. So what's wrong with us? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron wrestle with that question. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

December is upon us. Traffic is outrageous, stress levels are escalating, and budgets are taking a serious hit as we cross items off of our swelling Christmas lists. But what about the guy in the red suit who yells "ho-ho-ho" and showers us with presents if we've been nice? Is Santa just a bit of harmless fun, or is the question a bit more serious? Join Nathan, Cameron, and special guest Kasey Leander for a consideration of Santa's role in our holiday cheer. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

From the recent HBO documentary to the feature film starring Tom Hanks, Fred Rogers is having a moment. But why is this cardigan-donning TV host getting so much attention now? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron aim to push past the superficial answers and consider what's given Mister Rogers such staying power. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

In this special episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron discuss the upcoming presidential election before a live audience. The specific focus is on the Christian posture that characterizes our political lives. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Kanye West's latest album, JESUS IS KING, offers a striking reversal from his earlier work, and has inspired elation, fury, and bewilderment in nearly equal measure. Gone are tracks like "POWER" and "I Am A God," replaced by songs like "God Is" and "Jesus Is Lord." Given the shaky nature of celebrity conversions in our cultural moment, many people are understandably skeptical. Is Kanye sincere or is this this just a publicity stunt to boost album sales? Is the album even good? In this episode, we're joined by special guest Shawn Hart (co-host of the Cover to Cover podcast) for a discussion on Kanye West, the dangers of celebrity culture, and the unabashed faith on display in the album. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1Shawn Hart - @Shawnmhart

As our newsfeeds continue to fill with disheartening headlines about the state of the church in North America, Nathan and Cameron discuss the perennial challenge of hypocrisy, and argue that Christianity helps us make sense of our consistent moral shortcomings. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Recent remarks about "unhitching" ourselves from the Old Testament have renewed the controversy surrounding the challenging material found in these ancient pages. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron seek to redress some of the confusion by discussing the continuity between both testaments. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

HBO's massively popular Game of Thrones recently went out with a whimper, according to most fans. Due to its highly graphic nature, the show continues to ignite heated discussions among Christians. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss why they've chosen to forego the popular series, plus they take a look at how what we watch and consume has a power to shape and our imaginations and daily living. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

A wise man once said that "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die" (Ecc 3:1-2 NIV). The entire concept of "limitation" is categorically anathema to our culture. We would like to be able to do whatever we want, whenever we want. In this podcast, Nathan and Cameron ponder whether embracing the frailty and limitations of our time and abilities can actually give us a deeper sense of beauty and appreciation for the present moment. There are certain delights that are accessible to us only if we recognize them as delicate, and there is a certain hope that we have by acknowledging that future beauty is not limited by our limitations. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Cameron McAllister and Nathan Rittenhouse discuss author and speaker Rachel Held Evan's life and legacy, and then turn to consider the Christian understanding of the sanctity of life, and its bearing on the current abortion debates. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

With The Coddling of the American Mind, authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff offer a sobering diagnosis of the state of our universities, arguing that the best of intentions have led to severe consequences for many of today's young adults. Since the subtitle of the book is "How Good Intentions Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure," it's worth asking: Are the authors simply exaggerating the case to sell books? Is this just clickbait? Tune in to hear Nathan and Cameron discuss this provocative new title. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the tumultuous events surrounding Easter, and consider the light they shed on the power of the gospel in dark times. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the growing resistance to Christianity in North America, and offer a hopeful reminder of the ever-present tension of being in the world, but not of it. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

One of the byproducts of outrage culture is an increasing anxiety about humor. It's one of the reasons celebrities are more and more reluctant to host awards shows, and it's also why many of us are treading much more carefully when a joke comes to mind. Though being more thoughtful about our words and actions is certainly commendable, it's hard to deny that there's a stifling and even paranoid dimension to this cultural atmosphere. Join Nathan and Cameron as they traipse into this dangerous territory, and discuss our tense relationship with humor. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Nathan and Cameron begin with a lighthearted consideration of the Oscars, which quickly morphs into a searching conversation on the ability of the arts to tell us about what it means to be human. The two hosts then turn to consider the controversy surrounding actor Jussie Smollett, and the increasingly difficult task of distinguishing performance from reality. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

From Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to actor Liam Neeson, our news is filled with people seeking forgiveness for the misdeeds of their past. In this week's podcast, Cameron and Nathan wrestle with the ambiguity of what secular apologies actually mean and whether or not our nation believes that people can actually change. Is our character fixed in the past or is progress and redemption possible? Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

The recent New York abortion law known as the Reproductive Health Act, which allows for abortions as late as 24 weeks, has given new urgency to the debates surrounding the issue. The Virginia Bill aims to push the timeline even further. Given the volatile nature of the issue, how should Christians respond? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron wrestle with these developments, and aim to offer a hopeful rejoinder to our culture's view of human freedom. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Writer Anne Helen Peterson recently made waves with her BuzzFeed News article "How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation." In it, she draws on the psychological concept of "burnout" to describe the day-to-day condition of most people who fall into this generational category. Said condition might best be summed up as a kind of chronic exhaustion that emerges in a world where the traditional boundaries between work and play, public and private, professional and personal have all but vanished. It's a provocative thesis, but is she right? If so, does this fatigue only apply to so-called Millennials? Tune in to hear Nathan and Cameron to discuss these issues. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Recent years have seen a surge in people who self-identify as witches. From Netflix's wildly popular The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina to articles in Harper's Bazaar, it's hard to avoid this growing cultural obsession. Though it may sound exotic, many Christians are already dealing with questions raised by this issue. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss some constructive approaches to these surprising new conversations, sharing from personal experiences with neighbors and social media. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

The story of missionary John Chau's untimely death at the hands of North Sentinelese tribesmen has captured the public imagination in a startling fashion, inspiring opinion pieces in publications as diverse as The Washington Post and The New Yorker. Many of the responses have been hostile, arguing that Chau needlessly jeopardized his life and risked spreading diseases on the protected island. Subsequent information has painted a more complex picture of Chau's aims. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the unique tensions that erupt when a 21st century missionary seeks to share the gospel with an unreached people group. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

For those intimidated by Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor's doorstop-sized magnum opus, A Secular Age, Smith's book functions as a helpful primer. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss How (Not) to Be Secular, and consider some of the subtle ways in which many Christians begin to mirror the secular world around them, and how we might open our eyes to this insidious process. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter: Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Recently, three scholars submitted twenty bogus papers to the most prestigious, peer-reviewed journals in the field of cultural studies. Seven of these papers were published, and it's likely that more would have seen the light of print if the Wall Street Journal hadn't exposed the hoax, now dubbed "Sokal Squared." In this episode, Nathan and Cameron explore some of the implications of this elaborate hoax.

Recently, journalist and popular blogger Rod Dreher made waves with the publication of his book, The Benedict Option. In it, Dreher argues that the Christian church is far from immune to the precipitous cultural decline in the West, and that many Christians have lost sight of what it means to be in the world, but not of it. Drawing on The Rule of St. Benedict's, The Benedict Option mounts a complex argument for a strategic cultural withdrawal on the part of the Church. How feasible is Dreher's proposal? Aren't there already many examples of people practicing cultural withdrawal (Amish, the homeschooling movement, etc.)? How much is too much? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss Dreher's provocative thesis. Don't miss another episode, subscribe to the podcast on: iTunes or Google Play Music. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1