Podcasts about Context

The Context of White Supremacy hosts the weekly Compensatory Call-In 09/13/25. We encourage non-white listeners to dial in with their codified concepts, new terms, observations, research findings, workplace problems or triumphs, and/or suggestions on how best to Replace White Supremacy With Justice ASAP. This weekly broadcast examines current events from across the globe to learn what's happening in all areas of people activity. We cultivate Counter-Racist Media Literacy by scrutinizing journalists' word choices and using logic to deconstruct what is reported as "news." We'll use these sessions to hone our use of terms as tools to reveal truth, neutralize Racists/White people. #ANTIBLACKNESS White gun violence continued this week in the US, with presidential ally and Suspected Race Soldier Charlie Kirk being fatally gunned down in the Racially Restricted Region of Utah. The suspected killer, a 22-year-old White Man, was apprehended on Friday #WhiteOnWhiteCrime Kirk, who was Suspected of being Racist as a result of his public comments about non-white people, was gunned down during a public speech in front of a large crowd of White people. President Trump immediately condemned the murder as an act of "radical left political violence." The president linked Kirk's murder with Luigi Mangione's 2024 slaughter of insurance CEO Brian Thompson. Speaking of White Terrorist Violence, 16-year-old Desmond Holly opened fire at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Colorado. Yes. That's the same Jefferson County as the 1999 Columbine slaughter. Holly is reported to have been "radicalized" - possibly by walking to some the numerous neighborhood shrines to Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Maybe Desmond been kicking it with Sue Klebold? #EndStageWhiteSupremacy INVEST in The COWS - http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS Call: 720.716.7300 Code: 564943#

This week, Shaun is making good on a promise he made to David (of Shonen Flop fame) & finally showing Remington 5 episodes of Digimon Tamers, a mere week before his deadline! Meanwhile Remington has some misgivings concerning Betsumon. If you'd like to give us feedback, ask a question, or correct a mistake, send an email to AnimeOutOfContext@gmail.com. Like our show? Check out our friends Shonen Flop & AnimEighties for more anime & manga reviews! Visit our Patreon at patreon.com/AnimeoutofContext if you would like to contribute to the show and get bonus content ranging from clips from our pre-episode banter, bonus episodes (including the 12 days of April Fools), our prototype Episode 0, to even getting shout-outs in the show! Intro and Outro are trimmed from "Remiga Impulse" by Jens Kiilstofte, licensed by MachinimaSound to Anime Out of Context under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 which the licensor has modified for the licensee to allow reproduction and sharing of the Adapted Material for Commercial purposes  

091225 One More Thing Some More Context That's Important -What FBI Is Capable Of by Kate Dalley

The Context of White Supremacy hosts the weekly summit on Neutralizing Workplace Racism 09/11/25. Today marks 24 years since the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the downed plane in Pennsylvania. Gus strongly recommends that non-white people avoid any discussion about any aspect of these events with your co-workers - even if they are classified as non-white. Gus T. saw a report that strongly discourages purchasing lottery tickets in a pool with your fellow employees. Apparently, there are numerous cases of coworkers nabbing a millions of dollars from a winning ticket, but then arguing and squabbling about who is entitled to the payoff. Talk about disgruntled employees and violence on the job. #NoPoliticsOnTheJob INVEST in The COWS - http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS Call: 720.716.7300 Code: 564943#

In this introductory episode to their new series on the Parables of Jesus, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb explore the profound theological significance of Christ's parables. Far from being mere teaching tools to simplify complex ideas, parables serve a dual purpose in God's redemptive plan: revealing spiritual truth to those with "ears to hear" while concealing these same truths from those without spiritual illumination. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how parables function as divine teaching devices that embody core Reformed doctrines like election and illumination. As the hosts prepare to journey through all the parables in the Gospels, they invite listeners to consider the blessing of being granted spiritual understanding and the privilege of receiving the "secrets of the kingdom" through Christ's distinctive teaching method. Key Takeaways Parables are more than illustrations—they are comparisons that reveal kingdom truths to those with spiritual ears to hear while concealing truth from those without spiritual illumination. Jesus intentionally taught in parables not to simplify his teaching but partly to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy about those who hear but do not understand, confirming the spiritual condition of his hearers. The ability to understand parables is itself evidence of God's sovereign grace and election, as Jesus states in Matthew 13:16: "Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear." Parables vary in form and function—some are clearly allegorical while others make a single point, requiring each to be approached on its own terms. Proper interpretation requires context—understanding both the original audience and the question or situation that prompted Jesus to use a particular parable. Parables function like Nathan's confrontation of David—they draw hearers in through narrative before revealing uncomfortable truths about themselves. Studying parables requires spiritual humility—recognizing that our understanding comes not from intellectual capacity but from the Spirit's illumination. Understanding Parables as Revelation, Not Just Illustration The hosts emphasize that parables are fundamentally different from mere illustrations or fables. While modern readers often assume Jesus used parables to simplify complex spiritual truths, the opposite is frequently true. As Tony explains, "A parable fundamentally is a comparison between two things... The word parable comes from the Greek of casting alongside." This distinction is crucial because it changes how we approach interpretation. Rather than breaking down each element as an allegorical component, we should first understand what reality Jesus is comparing the parable to. The parables function as a form of divine revelation—showing us kingdom realities through narrative comparison, but only those with spiritual insight can truly grasp their meaning. This is why Jesus quotes Isaiah and explains that he speaks in parables partly because "seeing they do not see and hearing they do not hear nor do they understand" (Matthew 13:13). The Doctrine of Election Embedded in Parabolic Teaching Perhaps the most profound insight from this episode is how the very form of Jesus' teaching—not just its content—embodies the doctrine of election. Jesse notes that "every parable then implicitly teaches a doctrine of election," because they reveal spiritual truth to some while concealing it from others. This isn't arbitrary but reflects spiritual realities. The hosts connect this to Jesus' words in Matthew 13:16: "Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear." This blessing comes not from intellectual capacity or moral superiority but from God's sovereign grace. Tony describes this as "the blessing in our salvation and in our election that we are enabled to hear and perceive and receive the very voice and word of God into our spirit unto our salvation." The parables thus become a "microcosm" of Reformed doctrines like election, regeneration, and illumination. When believers understand Jesus' parables, they're experiencing the practical outworking of these doctrines in real time. Memorable Quotes "The parables are not just to illustrate a point, they're to reveal a spiritual point or spiritual points to those who have ears to hear, to those who've been illuminated by the spirit." - Tony Arsenal "Jesus is giving this message essentially to all who will listen to him... And so this is like, I love the way that he uses that quote in a slightly different way, but still to express the same root cause, which is some of you here because of your depravity will not be able to hear what I'm saying. But for those to whom it has been granted to come in who are ushered into the kingdom, this kingdom language will make sense." - Jesse Schwamb "But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. There's a blessing in our salvation and in our election that we are enabled to hear and perceive and receive the very voice and word of God into our spirit unto our salvation." - Tony Arsenal About the Hosts Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb are the regular hosts of The Reformed Brotherhood podcast, where they explore Reformed theology and its application to Christian living. With a conversational style that balances depth and accessibility, they seek to make complex theological concepts understandable without sacrificing nuance or biblical fidelity. Transcript [00:00:45] Introduction and New Series Announcement [00:00:45] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 460 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. [00:00:54] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. [00:00:59] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. New series Time, new series. Time for the next seven years that, that's probably correct. It's gonna be a long one. New beginnings are so great, aren't they? And it is. [00:01:10] Jesse Schwamb: We've been hopefully this, well, it's definitely gonna live up to all the hype that we've been presenting about this. It's gonna be good. Everybody's gonna love it. And like I said, it's a topic we haven't done before. It's certainly not in this format. [00:01:23] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know what, just, um, as a side note, if you are a listener, which you must be, if you're hearing this, uh, this is a great time to introduce someone to the podcast. [00:01:33] Tony Arsenal: True. Uh, one, because this series is gonna be lit as the kids say, and, uh, it's a new series, so you don't have to have any background. You don't have to have any previous knowledge of the show or of who these two weird guys are to jump in and we're gonna. [00:01:53] Tony Arsenal: Talk about the Bible, which is amazing and awesome. And who doesn't love to talk about the Bible. [00:01:58] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's correct. That's what makes these so good. That's how I know, and I could say confidently that this is gonna be all the hype and more. All right, so before we get to affirmations and denials, all the good ProGo, that's part and parcel of our normal episode content. [00:02:12] Jesse Schwamb: Do you want to tell everybody what we're gonna be talking about? [00:02:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, I'm excited. [00:02:17] Introducing the Parables Series [00:02:17] Tony Arsenal: So we are gonna work our way through, and this is why I say it's gonna take seven years. We are gonna work our way through all of the parables. Parables, [00:02:25] Jesse Schwamb: the [00:02:25] Tony Arsenal: gospels and just so, um, the Gospel of John doesn't feel left out. [00:02:30] Tony Arsenal: We're gonna talk through some of the I am statements and some of that stuff when we get to John. 'cause John doesn't have a lot of parables. Uh, so we're gonna spend time in the synoptic gospels. We're gonna just walk through the parables one by one. We're taking an episode, sometimes maybe two, sometimes 10, depending on how long the parable is and how deep we get into it. [00:02:47] Tony Arsenal: We're just gonna work our way through. We're gonna take our time. We're gonna enjoy it. So again, this is a great time to start. It's kinda the ground floor on this and you thing. This could really be its own podcast all by itself, right? Uh, so invite a friend, invite some whole bunch of friends. Start a Sunday school class listening to this. [00:03:04] Tony Arsenal: No, don't do that. But people have done that before. But, uh, grab your bibles, get a decent commentary to help prep for the next episode, and, uh, let's, let's do it. I'm super excited. [00:03:14] Jesse Schwamb: When I say para, you say Abel Para, is that how it works? Para? Yeah. I don't know. You can't really divide it. Pairable. If you jam it together, yes. [00:03:24] Jesse Schwamb: You get some of that. You can say, when I say pair, you say Abel p [00:03:27] Tony Arsenal: Abel. [00:03:31] Jesse Schwamb: And you can expect a lot more of that in this series. But before we get into all this good juicy stuff about parables, and by the way, this is like an introductory episode, that doesn't mean that you can just skip it, doesn't mean it's not gonna be good. We gotta set some things up. We wanna talk about parables general generally, but before we have that good general conversation, let's get into our own tradition, which is either affirming with something or denying against something. [00:03:54] Affirmations and Denials [00:03:54] Jesse Schwamb: And so, Tony, what do you got for all of us? [00:03:58] Tony Arsenal: Mine is kind of a, an ecclesial, ecclesiastical denial. Mm-hmm. Um, this is sort of niche, but I feel like our audience may have heard about it. And there's this dust up that I, I noticed online, uh, really just this last week. Um, it's kind of a specific thing. There is a church, uh, I'm not sure where the church is. [00:04:18] Tony Arsenal: It's a PCA church, I believe it's called Mosaic. The pastor of the church, the teaching elder, one of the teaching elders just announced that he was, uh, leaving his ministry to, uh, join the Roman Catholic Church, which, yes, there's its own denial built into that. We are good old Protestant reformed folks, and I personally would, would stick with the original Westminster on the, the Pope being antichrist. [00:04:45] Tony Arsenal: But, um, that's not the denial. The denial is that in this particular church. For some unknown reason. Uh, the pastor who has now since a announced that he was leaving to, uh, to convert to Roman Catholicism, continued to preach the sermon and then administered the Lord's supper, even though he in the eyes, I think of most. [00:05:08] Tony Arsenal: Reformed folk and certainly historically in the eyes of the reformed position was basically apostate, uh, right in front of the congregation's eyes. Now, I don't know that I would necessarily put it that strongly. I think there are plenty of genuine born again Christians who find themselves in, in the Roman Catholic, uh, church. [00:05:27] Tony Arsenal: Uh, but to allow someone who is one resigning the ministry right in front of your eyes. Um, and then resigning to basically leave for another tradition that, that the PCA would not recognize, would not share ecclesiastical, uh, credentials with or accept their ordination or any of those things. Um, to then just allow him to admit, you know, to administer the Lord's Supper, I think is just a drastic miscarriage of, uh, ecclesiastical justice. [00:05:54] Tony Arsenal: I dunno if that's the right word. So I'm just denying this like. It shows that on a couple things like this, this. Church this session, who obviously knew this was coming. Um, this session does either, does not take seriously the differences between Roman Catholic theology and Protestant theology, particularly reformed theology, or they don't take seriously the, the gravity of the Lord's supper and who should and shouldn't be administering it. [00:06:22] Tony Arsenal: They can't take both of those things seriously and have a fully or biblical position on it. So there's a good opportunity for us to think through our ecclesiology, to think through our sacrament and how this applies. It just really doesn't sit well and it's not sitting well with a lot of people online, obviously. [00:06:37] Tony Arsenal: Um, and I'm sure there'll be all sorts of, like letters of concern sent to presbytery and, and all that stuff, and, and it'll all shake out in the wash eventually, but just, it just wasn't good. Just doesn't sit right. [00:06:48] Jesse Schwamb: You know, it strikes me of all the denominations. I'm not saying this pejoratively. I just think it is kind of interesting and funny to me that the Presbyterians love a letter writing campaign. [00:06:56] Jesse Schwamb: Like that's kind of the jam, the love, a good letter writing campaign. [00:07:00] Tony Arsenal: It's true, although it's, it's actually functional in Presbyterianism because That's right. That's how you voice your concern. It's not a, not a, a rage letter into the void. It actually goes somewhere and gets recorded and has to be addressed at presbytery if you have standing. [00:07:17] Tony Arsenal: So there's, there's a good reason to do that, and I'm sure that that will be done. I'm sure there are many. Probably ministers in the PCA who are aware of this, who are either actually considering filing charges or um, or writing such letters of complaints. And there's all sorts of mechanisms in the PCA to, to adjudicate and resolve and to investigate these kinds of things. [00:07:37] Jesse Schwamb: And I'd like to, if you're, if you're a true Presbyterian and, and in this instance, I'm not making light of this instance, but this instance are others, you. Feel compelled by a strong conviction to write such a letter that really you should do it with a quill, an ink. Like that's the ultimate way. I think handwritten with like a nice fountain pen. [00:07:54] Jesse Schwamb: There's not, yeah. I mean, you know what I'm saying? Like that's, that is a weighty letter right there. Like it's cut to Paul being like, I write this postscript in my own hand with these big letters. Yeah, it's like, you know, some original Presbyterian letter writing right there. [00:08:07] Tony Arsenal: And then you gotta seal it with wax with your signe ring. [00:08:10] Tony Arsenal: So, and send it by a carrier, by a messenger series of me messengers. [00:08:14] Jesse Schwamb: Think if you receive any letter in the mail, handwritten to you. Like for real, somebody painstakingly going through in script like spencerian script, you know, if you're using English characters writing up and then sealing that bad boy with wax, you're gonna be like, this is important. [00:08:30] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, this, even if it's just like, Hey, what's up? Yeah, you're gonna be like, look at this incredible, weighty document I've received. [00:08:36] Tony Arsenal: It's true. It's very true. I love it. Well, that's all I have to say about that to channel a little Forrest Gump there. Uh, Jesse, what are you affirming or denying tonight? [00:08:44] Jesse Schwamb: I'm also going to deny against, so this denial is like classic. [00:08:49] Jesse Schwamb: It's routine, but I got a different spin on it this time, so I'm denying against. The full corruption of sin, how it appears everywhere, how even unbelievers speak of it, almost unwittingly, but very commonly with great acceptance. And the particularity of this denial comes in the form of allergies, which you and I are talking about a lot of times. [00:09:09] Jesse Schwamb: But I was just thinking about this week because I had to do some allergy testing, which is a, a super fun experience. But it just got me think again, like very plainly about what allergies are. And how an allergy occurs when your immune system, like the part of your body responsible for protecting your body that God has made when your immune system mistakes like a non-harmful substance like pollen or a food or some kind of animal dander for a threat, and then reacts by producing these antibodies like primarily the immunoglobulin E. [00:09:36] Jesse Schwamb: So here's what strikes me as so funny about this in a, in a way that we must laugh. Because of our, our parents, our first parents who made a horrible decision and we like them, would make the same decision every day and twice in the Lord's day. And that is that this seems like, of course, such a clear sign of the corruption of sin impounded in our created order because it seems a really distasteful and suboptimal for human beings to have this kind of response to pollen. [00:10:03] Jesse Schwamb: When they were intended to work and care in a garden. So obviously I think we can say, Hey, like the fact that allergies exist and that it's your body making a mistake. [00:10:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:10:13] Jesse Schwamb: It's like the ultimate, like cellular level of the ubiquity of sin. And so as I was speaking with my doctor and going through the, the testing, it's just so funny how like we all talk about this. [00:10:25] Jesse Schwamb: It's like, yeah, it's, it's a really over-indexed reaction. It doesn't make any sense. It's not the way the world is supposed to be, but nobody's saying how is the world supposed to be? Do you know what I mean? Like, but we just take it for granted that that kind of inflammation that comes from like your dog or like these particles in the air of plants, just trying to do a plant stew and reproduce and pollinate that, that could cause like really dramatic and debilitating. [00:10:49] Jesse Schwamb: Responses is just exceptional to me, and I think it's exceptional and exceptional to all of us because at some deep level we recognize that, as Paul says, like the earth, the entire world is groaning. It's groaning for that eschatological release and redemption that can only come from Christ. And our runny noses in our hay fever all prove that to some degree. [00:11:09] Jesse Schwamb: So denying against allergies, but denying against as well that ubiquity of corruption and sin in our world. [00:11:15] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, I just have this image in my head of Adam and Eve, you know, they're expelled outta the garden and they, they're working the ground. And then Adam sneezes. Yes. And Eve is like, did your head just explode? [00:11:28] Tony Arsenal: And he's like, I don't know. That would've been a, probably a pretty terrifying experience actually. [00:11:33] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's that's true. So imagine like you and I have talked about this before, because you have young children, adorable. Young children, and we've talked about like the first of everything, like when you're a child, you get sick for the first time, or you get the flu or you vomit for the first time. [00:11:45] Jesse Schwamb: Like you have no idea what's going on in your body, but imagine that. But being an adult. [00:11:49] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, where you can process what's going on, but don't have a framework for it. [00:11:52] Jesse Schwamb: Yes, exactly. So like [00:11:54] Tony Arsenal: that's like, that's like my worst nightmare I think. [00:11:55] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. It's like, to your point, 'cause there, there are a lot of experiences you have as an adults, even health wise that are still super strange and weird. [00:12:01] Jesse Schwamb: But [00:12:02] Tony Arsenal: yeah, [00:12:02] Jesse Schwamb: you have some rubric for them, but that's kind of exactly what I was thinking. What if this toiling over your labor is partly because it's horrible now because you have itchy, watery eyes or you get hives. Yeah. And before you were like, I could just lay in the grass and be totally fine. And now I can't even walk by ragweed without getting a headache or having some kind of weird fatigue. [00:12:23] Jesse Schwamb: Like I have to believe that that was, that part of this transition was all of these things. Like, now your body's gonna overreact to stuff where I, I, God put us in a place where that wouldn't be the case at all. [00:12:35] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Sometimes I think about like the first. Time that Adam was like sore or like hurt himself. [00:12:42] Tony Arsenal: True. Like the, just the, just the terror and fear that must have come with it. And sin is serious stuff. Like it's serious effects and sad, sad, sad stuff. But yeah, allergies are the worst. I, uh, I suffered really badly with, uh, seasonal allergies. When I was a a kid I had to do allergy shots and everything and it's makes no sense. [00:13:03] Tony Arsenal: There's no rhyme or reason to it, and your allergies change. So like you could be going your whole life, being able to eat strawberries and then all of a sudden you can't. Right? And it's, and you don't know until it happens. So [00:13:14] Jesse Schwamb: what's up with that? [00:13:15] Tony Arsenal: No good. [00:13:16] Jesse Schwamb: What's up with that? So again, imagine that little experience is a microcosmic example of what happens to Adam and Eve. [00:13:24] Jesse Schwamb: You know, like all these things change. Like you're, you're right. Suddenly your body isn't the same. It's not just because you're growing older, but because guess what? Sins everywhere. And guess what, where sin is, even in the midst of who you are as physically constructed and the environment in which you live, all, all totally change. [00:13:40] Jesse Schwamb: So that, that's enough of my rants on allergies. I know the, I know the loved ones out there hear me. It's also remarkable to me that almost everybody has an allergy of some kind. It's very, it's very rare if you don't have any allergies whatsoever. And probably those times when you think you're sick and you don't have allergies could be that you actually have them. [00:13:57] Jesse Schwamb: So it's just wild. Wild. [00:14:02] Tony Arsenal: Agreed. Agreed. [00:14:03] Theological Discussion on Parables [00:14:03] Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, without further ado, I'm not, I, maybe we should have further ado, but let's get into it. Let's talk about some parable stuff. [00:14:13] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, let's do it again. When I say pair, you say able pair. [00:14:17] Tony Arsenal: Able. [00:14:20] Jesse Schwamb: When I say [00:14:21] Tony Arsenal: para you say bowl. [00:14:24] Jesse Schwamb: That's what I was trying to go with before. [00:14:26] Jesse Schwamb: It's a little bit more, yeah, but you gotta like cross over like we both gotta say like that middle syllable kind of. Otherwise it's, it sounds like I'm just saying bowl. And [00:14:34] Tony Arsenal: yeah, there's no good way to chant that. Yeah, we're work. This is why Jesse and I are not cheerleaders. [00:14:39] Jesse Schwamb: We're, we're work shopping everybody. [00:14:40] Jesse Schwamb: But I agree with you. Enough of us talking about affirmations, the denials in this case, the double double denial. Let's talk about parables. So the beauty of this whole series is there's gonna be so much great stuff to talk about, and I think this is a decent topic for us to cover because. Really, if you think about it, the parables of Jesus have captivated people for the entirety of the scriptures. [00:15:06] Jesse Schwamb: As long, as long as they were recorded and have been read and processed and studied together. And, uh, you know, there's stuff I'm sure that we will just gloss over. We don't need to get into in terms of like, is it pure allegory? Is it always allegory? Is it, there's lots of interpretation here. I think this is gonna be our way of processing together and moving through some of these and speaking them out and trying to learn principally. [00:15:28] Jesse Schwamb: Predominantly what they're teaching us. But I say all that because characters like the prodigal son, like Good Samaritan, Pharisees, and tax collector, those actually have become well known even outside the church. [00:15:40] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. And [00:15:40] Jesse Schwamb: then sometimes inside the church there's over familiarity with all of these, and that leads to its own kind of misunderstanding. [00:15:46] Jesse Schwamb: So, and I think as well. I'm hoping that myself, you and our listeners will be able to hear them in a new way, and maybe if we can try to do this without again, being parabolic, is that we can kind of recreate some of the trauma. In these stories. 'cause Jesus is, is pressing upon very certain things and there's certainly a lot of trauma that his original audiences would've taken away from what he was saying here. [00:16:13] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Even just starting with what is a parable and why is Jesus telling them? So I presume that's actually the best place for us to begin is what's the deal with the parables and why is this? Is this Jesus preferred way of teaching about the kingdom of God. [00:16:30] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think, you know, it bears saying too that like not all the parables are alike. [00:16:35] Tony Arsenal: Like true. We can't, this is why I'm excited about this series. You know, it's always good to talk through the bible and, and or to talk through systematic theology, but what really excites me is when we do a series like this, kind of like the Scott's Confession series, like it gives us a reason. To think through a lot of different disciplines and flex like exercise and stretch and flex a lot of different kinds of intellectual muscles. [00:17:00] Tony Arsenal: So there's gonna be some exegetical work we have to do. There's gonna be some hermeneutical work we're gonna have to do, probably have to do some historical work about how the parables have been interpreted in different ways. Yes, and and I think, so, I think it's important to say like, not every parable is exactly the same. [00:17:14] Tony Arsenal: And this is where I think like when you read, sometimes you read books about the, the parables of Christ. Like you, you'll hear one guy say. Well, a parable is not an allegory. Then you'll hear another guy say like, well, parables might have allegorical elements to it. Right. Now if one guy say like, well, a parable has one main point, and you'll have another guy say like, well, no, actually, like parables can have multiple points and multiple shades of meaning. [00:17:37] Tony Arsenal: And I think the answer to why you have this variance in the commentaries is 'cause sometimes the parables are alleg. [00:17:44] Jesse Schwamb: Right. And [00:17:44] Tony Arsenal: sometimes they're not allegorical. Sometimes they have one main point. Sometimes there's multiple points. So I think it's important for us to just acknowledge like we're gonna have to come to each parable, um, on its own and on its own terms. [00:17:57] Tony Arsenal: But there are some general principles that I think we can talk about what parables are. So parables in general are. Figurative stories or figurative accounts that are used to illustrate, I think primarily used to illustrate a single main point. And there may be some subpoints, but they, they're generally intended to, uh, to illustrate something by way of a, of a narrative, a fictional narrative that, uh, helps the reader. [00:18:27] Tony Arsenal: Uh, or the hearer is just, it's also important that these were primarily heard, these are heard parables, so there are even times where the phrasing of the language is important in the parable. Um, they're helping the, the hearer to understand spiritual truth. And this is where I think it's it's key, is that this is not just. [00:18:48] Tony Arsenal: When we're talking about the parables of Christ, right? There's people tell parables, there's all sorts of different teachers that have used parables. Um, I, I do parables on the show from time to time where I'll tell like a little made up story about a, you know, a situation. I'll say like, pretend, you know, let's imagine you have this guy and he's doing this thing that's a form of a parable when I'm using. [00:19:08] Tony Arsenal: I'm not, it's not like a makeup made up story. It's not asaps fables. We're not talking about like talking foxes and hens and stuff, but it's illustrating a point. But the parables of Christ are not just to illustrate a point, they're to reveal a spiritual point or spiritual points to those who have ears to hear, to those who've been illuminated by the spirit. [00:19:29] Tony Arsenal: And I just wanna read this. Uh, this is just God's providence, um, in action. I, um, I've fallen behind on my reading in The Daily Dad, which is a Ryan Holiday book. This was the reading that came up today, even though it's not the correct reading for the day. Uh, it's, it's for September 2nd. We're recording this on September, uh, sixth. [00:19:48] Tony Arsenal: Uh, and the title is, this is How You Teach Them. And the first line says, if the Bible has any indication, Jesus rarely seemed to come out and say what he meant. He preferred instead to employ parables and stories and little anecdotes that make you think. He tells stories of the servants and the talents. [00:20:03] Tony Arsenal: He tells stories of the prodigal son and the Good Samaritan. Turns out it's pretty effective to get a point across and make it stick. What what we're gonna learn. Actually that Jesus tells these stories in parables, in part to teach those who have spiritual ears to hear, but in part to mask the truth That's right. [00:20:24] Tony Arsenal: From those who don't have spiritual ears to hear, oh, online [00:20:26] Jesse Schwamb: holiday. [00:20:27] Tony Arsenal: So it's not as simple as like Jesus, using illustration to help make something complicated, clearer, right? Yes. But also, no. So I'm super excited to kind of get into this stuff and talk through it and to, to really dig into the parables themselves. [00:20:42] Tony Arsenal: It's just gonna be a really good exercise at sort of sitting at the feet of our master in his really, his preferred mode of teaching. Um, you know, other than the sermon on the Mount. There's not a lot of like long form, straightforward, didactic teaching like that most of Christ's teaching as recorded in the gospels, comes in the form of these parables in one way or another. [00:21:03] Tony Arsenal: Right. And that's pretty exciting to me. [00:21:05] Jesse Schwamb: Right. And there's so many more parables I think, than we often understand there to be, or at least then that we see in like the headings are Bible, which of course have been put there by our own construction. So anytime you get that. Nice short, metaphorical narrative is really Jesus speaking in a kind of parable form, and I think you're right on. [00:21:25] Jesse Schwamb: For me, it's always highlighting some kind of aspect of the kingdom of God. And I'd say there is generally a hierarchy. There doesn't have to be like a single point, like you said. There could be other points around that. But if you get into this place where like everything has some kind of allegory representation, then the parable seems to die of the death of like a million paper cuts, right? [00:21:40] Jesse Schwamb: Because you're trying to figure out all the things and if you have to represent something, everything he says with some kind of. Heavy spiritual principle gets kind of weird very quickly. But in each of these, as you said, what's common in my understanding is it's presenting like a series of events involving like a small number of characters. [00:21:57] Jesse Schwamb: It is bite-sized and sometimes those are people or plants or even like inanimate objects. So like the, yeah, like you said, the breadth and scope of how Jesus uses the metaphor is brilliant teaching, and it's even more brilliant when you get to that level, like you're saying, where it's meant both to illuminate. [00:22:13] Jesse Schwamb: To obfuscate. That is like, to me, the parable is a manifestation of election because it's clear that Jesus is using this. Those who have the ears to hear are the ones whom the Holy Spirit has unstopped, has opened the eyes, has illuminated the hearts and the mind to such a degree that can receive these, and that now these words are resonant. [00:22:32] Jesse Schwamb: So like what a blessing that we can understand them, that God has essentially. Use this parabolic teaching in such a way to bring forward his concept of election in the minds and the hearts of those who are his children. And it's kind of a way, this is kind of like the secret Christian handshake. It's the speakeasy of salvation. [00:22:52] Jesse Schwamb: It's, it's coming into the fold because God has invited you in and given you. The knowledge and ability of which to really understand these things. And so most of these little characters seemed realistic and resonant in Jesus' world, and that's why sometimes we do need a little bit of studying and understanding the proper context for all those things. [00:23:12] Jesse Schwamb: I would say as well, like at least one element in those parables is a push. It's in, it's kind of taking it and hyping it up. It's pushing the boundaries of what's plausible, and so you'll find that all of this is made again to illuminate some principle of the kingdom of God. And we should probably go to the thing that you intimated, because when you read that quote from, from Ryan Holiday, I was like, yes, my man. [00:23:34] Jesse Schwamb: Like he's on the right track. Right? There's something about what he's saying that is partially correct, but like you said, a lot of times people mistake the fact that, well, Jesus. Is using this language and these metaphors, these similes, he speaks in parables because they were the best way to get like these uneducated people to understand him. [00:23:57] Jesse Schwamb: Right? But it's actually the exact opposite. And we know this because of perhaps the most famous dialogue and expression and explanation of parables, which comes to us in Matthew 13, 10 through 17, where Jesus explains to his disciples exactly why he uses this mode of teaching. And what he says is. This is why I speak to them of parables because seeing they do not see and hearing, they do not hear they nor do they understand. [00:24:24] Jesse Schwamb: So, so that's perplexing. We should probably camp there for just a second and talk about that. Right, and, and like really unpack like, what is Jesus after here? Then if, like, before we get into like, what do all these things mean, it's almost like saying. We need to understand why they're even set before us and why these in some ways are like a kind of a small stumbling block to others, but then this great stone of appreciation and one to stand on for for others. [00:24:47] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think you know, before we, before we cover that, which I think is a good next spot. A parable is not just an illustration. Like I think that's where a lot of people go a little bit sideways, is they think that this is effectively, like it's a fable. It's like a made up story primarily to like illustrate a point right. [00:25:09] Tony Arsenal: Or an allegory where you know, you're taking individual components and they represent something else. A parable fundamentally is a, is a, a comparison between two things, right? The word parable comes from the Greek of casting alongside, and so the idea is like you're, you're taking. The reality that you're trying to articulate and you're setting up this parable next to it and you're comparing them to it. [00:25:33] Tony Arsenal: And so I like to use the word simile, like that's why Christ says like the kingdom of God is like this. Yes. It's not like I'm gonna explain the kingdom of God to you by using this made up story. Right on. It's I'm gonna compare the kingdom of God to this thing or this story that I'm having, and so we should be. [00:25:49] Tony Arsenal: Rather than trying to like find the principles of the parable, we should be looking at it and going, how does this parable reflect? Or how is this a, um, how is this an explanation? Not in the, like, I, I'm struggling to even explain this here. It's not that the cer, the parable is just illustrating a principle. [00:26:10] Tony Arsenal: It's that the kingdom of God is one thing and the parable reveals that same one thing by way of comparison. Yes. So like. Uh, we'll get into the specifics, obviously, but when the, when the, um, lawyer says, who is my neighbor? Well, it's not just like, well, let's look at the Good Samaritan. And the Good Samaritan represents this, and the Levite represents this, and the priest represents this. [00:26:32] Tony Arsenal: It's a good neighbor, is this thing. It's this story. Compared to whatever you have in your mind of what a good neighbor is. And we're gonna bounce those things up against each other, and that's gonna somehow show us what the, what the reality is. And that's why I think to get back to where we were, that's why I think sometimes the parables actually obscure the truth. [00:26:53] Tony Arsenal: Because if we're not comparing the parable to the reality of something, then we're gonna get the parable wrong. So if we think that, um, the Good Samaritan. Is a parable about social justice and we're, we're looking at it to try to understand how do we treat, you know, the, the poor people in Africa who don't have food or the war torn refugees, you know, coming out of Ukraine. [00:27:19] Tony Arsenal: If we're looking at it primarily as like, I need to learn to be a good neighbor to those who are destitute. Uh, we're not comparing it against what Jesus was comparing it against, right? So, so we have to understand, we have to start in a lot of cases with the question that the parable is a response to, which oftentimes the parable is a response to a question or it's a, it's a principle that's being, um, compare it against if we get that first step wrong, uh, or if we start with our own presuppositions, which is why. [00:27:50] Tony Arsenal: Partially why I think Christ is saying like, the only those who have ears to hear. Like if you don't have a spiritual presupposition, I, I mean that, that might not be the right word, but like if you're not starting from the place of spiritual illumination, not in the weird gnostic sense, but in the, the. [00:28:07] Tony Arsenal: Genuinely Christian illumination of the Holy Spirit and inward testimony of the Holy Spirit. If you're not starting from that perspective, you almost can't get the parables right. So that's why we see like the opponents of Christ in the Bible, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, constantly. They're constantly confused and they're getting it wrong. [00:28:26] Tony Arsenal: And, and even sometimes the disciples, they have to go and ask sometimes too, what is this parable? Wow, that's right. What is, what does this mean? So it's never as simple as, as what's directly on the surface, but it's also not usually as complicated as we would make it be if we were trying to over-interpret the parable, which I think is another risk. [00:28:44] Jesse Schwamb: That's the genius, isn't it? Is that I I like what you're saying. It's that spiritual predisposition that allows us to receive the word and, and when we receive that word, it is a simple word. It's not as if like, we have to elevate ourselves in place of this high learning or education or philosophizing, and that's the beauty of it. [00:29:03] Jesse Schwamb: So it is, again, God's setting apart for himself A, a people a teaching. So. But I think this is, it is a little bit perplexing at first, like that statement from Jesus because it's a bit like somebody coming to you, like your place of work or anywhere else in your family life and asking you explicitly for instruction and, and then you saying something like, listen, I, I'm gonna show you, but you're not gonna be able to see it. [00:29:22] Jesse Schwamb: And you're gonna, I'm gonna tell you, but you're not gonna be able to hear it, and I'm gonna explain it to you, but you're not gonna be able to understand. And you're like, okay. So yeah, what's the point of you talking to me then? So it's clear, like you said that Jesus. Is teaching that the secrets, and that's really, really what these are. [00:29:37] The Secrets of the Kingdom of God [00:29:37] Jesse Schwamb: It's brilliant and beautiful that Jesus would, that the, the son of God and God himself would tell us the secrets of his kingdom. But that again, first of all by saying it's a secret, means it's, it's for somebody to guard and to hold knowledge closely and that it is protected. So he says, teaching like the secrets of the kingdom of God are unknowable through mere human reasoning and intuition. [00:29:56] Jesse Schwamb: Interestingly here though, Jesus is also saying that. He's, it's not like he's saying no one can ever understand the parables, right, or that he intends to hide their truth from all people. [00:30:07] Understanding Parables and God's Sovereign Grace [00:30:07] Jesse Schwamb: Instead, he just explains that in order to highlight God's sovereign grace, God in his mercy has enlightened some to whom it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. [00:30:17] Jesse Schwamb: That's verse 11. So. All of us as his children who have been illuminated can understand the truth of God's kingdom. That is wild and and that is amazing. So that this knowledge goes out and just like we talk about the scripture going out and never returning void, here's a prime example of that very thing that there is a condemnation and not being able to understand. [00:30:37] Jesse Schwamb: That condemnation comes not because you're not intelligent enough, but because as you said, you do not have that predisposition. You do not have that changed heart into the ability to understand these things. [00:30:47] Doctrine of Election and Spiritual Insight [00:30:47] Jesse Schwamb: This is what leads me here to say like every parable then implicitly teaches a doctrine of election. [00:30:53] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, because all people are outside the kingdom until they enter the Lord's teaching. How do we enter the Lord's teaching by being given ears to hear. How are we understanding that? We have been given ears to hear when these parables speak to us in the spiritual reality as well as in just like you said, like this general kind of like in the way that I presume Ryan Holiday means it. [00:31:12] Jesse Schwamb: The, this is like, he might be exemplifying the fact that these stories. Are a really great form of the ability to communicate complex information or to make you think. [00:31:21] The Power and Purpose of Parables [00:31:21] Jesse Schwamb: So when Jesus says something like The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, wow, we, you and I will probably spend like two episodes just unpacking that, or we could spend a lot more, that's beautiful that that's how his teaching takes place. [00:31:34] Jesse Schwamb: But of course it's, it's so much. More than that, that those in whom the teaching is effective on a salvation somehow understand it, and their understanding of it becomes first because Christ is implanted within them. Salvation. [00:31:46] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. [00:31:48] Parables as More Than Simple Teaching Tools [00:31:48] Tony Arsenal: I think people, and this is what I think like Ryan Holiday's statement reflects, is people think of the parables as a simple teaching tool to break down a complicated subject. [00:32:00] Tony Arsenal: Yes. And so, like if I was trying to explain podcasting to a, like a five-year-old, I would say something like, well, you know. You know how your teacher teaches you during class while a podcast is like if your teacher lived on the internet and you could access your teacher anytime. Like, that might be a weird explanation, but like that's taking a very complicated thing about recording and and RSS feeds and you know, all of these different elements that go into what podcasting is and breaking it down to a simple sub that is not what a parable is. [00:32:30] Tony Arsenal: Right? Right. A parable is not. Just breaking a simple subject down and illustrating it by way of like a, a clever comparison. Um, you know, it's not like someone trying to explain the doctrine of, of the Trinity by using clever analogies or something like that. Even if that were reasonable and impossible. [00:32:50] Tony Arsenal: It's, it's not like that a parable. I like what you're saying about it being kind of like a mini doctrine of election. It's also a mini doctrine of the Bible. Yes. Right. It, it's right on. [00:33:00] The Doctrine of Illumination [00:33:00] Tony Arsenal: It's, it's the doctrine of revelation. In. Preached form in the Ministry of Christ, right? As Christians, we have this text and we affirm that at the same time, uh, what can be known of it and what is necessary for salvation can be known. [00:33:19] Tony Arsenal: By ordinary means like Bart Iman, an avowed atheist who I, I think like all atheists, whether they recognize it or not, hates God. He can read the Bible and understand that what it means is that if you trust Jesus, you'll be saved. You don't need special spiritual insight to understand that that is what the Bible teaches, where the special spiritual. [00:33:42] Tony Arsenal: Insight might not be the right word, but the special spiritual appropriation is that the spirit enables you to receive that unto your salvation. Right? To put your trust in. The reality of that, and we call that doctrine, the doctrine of illumination. And so in, in the sense of parables in Christ's ministry, and this is, this is if you, you know, like what do I always say is just read a little bit more, um, the portion Jesse read it leads way into this prophecy or in this comment, Christ. [00:34:10] Tony Arsenal: Saying he teaches in parable in order to fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah. Basically that like those who are, uh, ate and are apart from God and are resistant to God, these parables there are there in order to confirm that they are. And then it says in verse 16, and this is, this is. [00:34:27] The Blessing of Spiritual Understanding [00:34:27] Tony Arsenal: It always seems like the series that we do ends up with like a theme verse, and this is probably the one verse 16 here, Matthew 1316 says, but blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. [00:34:40] Tony Arsenal: And so like there's a blessing. In our salvation and in our election that we are enabled to hear and perceive and re receive the very voice and word of God into our spirit unto our salvation. That is the doctrine of of election. It's also the doctrine of regeneration, the doctrine of sanctification, the doctrine. [00:35:03] Tony Arsenal: I mean, there's all of these different classic reformed doctrines that the parables really are these mic this microcosm of that. Almost like applied in the Ministry of Christ. Right. Which I, I, you know, I've, I've never really thought of it in depth in that way before, but it's absolutely true and it's super exciting to be able to sort of embark on this, uh, on this series journey with, with this group. [00:35:28] Tony Arsenal: I think it's gonna be so good to just dig into these and really, really hear the gospel preached to ourselves through these parables. That's what I'm looking forward to. [00:35:38] Jesse Schwamb: And we're used to being very. Close with the idea that like the message contains the doctrine, the message contains the power. Here we're saying, I think it's both. [00:35:47] Jesse Schwamb: And the mode of that message also contains, the doctrine also contains the power. And I like where you're going with this because I think what we should be reminding ourselves. Is what a blessing it is to have this kind of information conferred to us. [00:36:01] The Role of Parables in Revealing and Concealing Truth [00:36:01] Jesse Schwamb: That again, God has taken, what is the secrets that is his to disclose and his to keep and his to hold, and he's made it available to his children. [00:36:08] Jesse Schwamb: And part of that is for, as you said, like the strengthening of our own faith. It's also for condemnation. So notice that. The hiding of the kingdom through parables is not a consequence of the teaching itself. Again, this goes back to like the mode being as equally important here as the message itself that Christ's teaching is not too difficult to comprehend as an intellectual matter. [00:36:27] Jesse Schwamb: The thing is, like even today, many unbelievers read the gospels and they technically understand what Jesus means in his teaching, especially these parables. The problem is. I would say like moral hardness. It's that lack of spiritual predilection or predisposition. They know what Jesus teaches, but they do not believe. [00:36:47] Jesse Schwamb: And so the challenge before us is as all scripture reading, that we would go before the Holy Spirit and say, holy Spirit, help me to believe. Help me to understand what to believe. And it so doing, do the work of God, which is to believe in him and to believe in His son Jesus Christ and what he's accomplished. [00:37:02] Jesse Schwamb: So the parables are not like creating. Fresh unbelief and sinners instead, like they're confirming the opposition that's already present and apart from Grace, unregenerate perversely use our Lord's teaching to increase their resistance. That's how it's set up. That's how it works. That's why to be on the inside, as it were, not again, because like we've done the right handshake or met all the right standards, but because of the blood of Christ means that the disciples, the first disciples and all the disciples who will follow after them on the other hand. [00:37:33] The Complexity and Nuances of Parables [00:37:33] Jesse Schwamb: We've been granted these eyes to see, and ears to hear Jesus. And then we've been given the secrets of the kingdom. I mean, that's literally what we've been given. And God's mercy has been extended to the disciples who like many in the crowds, once ignorantly and stubbornly rejected God and us just like them as well in both accounts. [00:37:49] Jesse Schwamb: So this is, I think we need to settle on that. You're right, throughout this series, what a blessing. It's not meant to be a great labor or an effort for the child of God. Instead, it's meant to be a way of exploring these fe. Fantastic truths of who God is and what he's done in such a way that draw us in. [00:38:07] Jesse Schwamb: So that whether we're analyzing again, like the the lost coin or the lost sheep, or. Any number of these amazing parables, you'll notice that they draw us in because they don't give us answers in the explicit sense that we're used to. Like didactically instead. Yeah. They cause us to consider, as you've already said, Tony, like what does it mean to be lost? [00:38:26] Jesse Schwamb: What does it mean that the father comes running for this prodigal son? What does it mean that the older brother has a beef with the whole situation? What does it mean when Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed? How much do we know about mustard seeds? And why would he say that? Again, this is a kind of interesting teaching, but that illumination in the midst of it being, I don't wanna say ambiguous, but open-ended to a degree means that the Holy Spirit must come in and give us that kind of grand knowledge. [00:38:55] Jesse Schwamb: But more than that, believe upon what Jesus is saying. I think that's the critical thing, is somebody will say, well, aren't the teaching simple and therefore easy to understand. In a sense, yes. Like factually yes, but in a much greater sense. Absolutely not. And that's why I think it's so beautiful that he quotes Isaiah there because in that original context, you the, you know, you have God delivering a message through Isaiah. [00:39:17] Jesse Schwamb: Uh. The people are very clear. Like, we just don't believe you're a prophet of God. And like what you're saying is ridiculous, right? And we just don't wanna hear you. This is very different than that. This is, Jesus is giving this message essentially to all who will listen to him, not necessarily hear, but all, all who are hear Him, I guess rather, but not necessarily all who are listening with those spiritual ears. [00:39:33] Jesse Schwamb: And so this is like, I love the way that he, he uses that quote in a slightly different way, but still to express the same root cause, which is some of you here. Because of your depravity will not be able to hear what I'm saying. But for those to whom it has been granted to come in who are ushered into the kingdom, this kingdom language will make sense. [00:39:54] Jesse Schwamb: It's like, I'm going to be speaking to you in code and half of you have the key for all the code because the Holy Spirit is your cipher and half of you don't. And you're gonna, you're gonna listen to the same thing, but you will hear very different things. [00:40:06] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, the other thing I think is, is interesting to ponder on this, um. [00:40:12] The Importance of Context in Interpreting Parables [00:40:12] Tony Arsenal: God always accommodates his revelation to his people. And the parables are, are, are like the. Accommodated accommodation. Yeah. Like God accommodates himself to those he chooses to reveal himself to. And in some ways this is, this is, um, the human ministry of Christ is him accommodating himself to those. [00:40:38] Tony Arsenal: What I mean is in the human ministry of the Son, the parables are a way of the son accommodating himself to those he chooses to reveal himself to. So there, there are instances. Where the parable is said, and it is, uh, it's seems to be more or less understood by everybody. Nobody asks the question about like, what does this mean? [00:40:57] Tony Arsenal: Right? And then there are instances where the parable is said, and even the apostles are, or the disciples are like, what does this parable mean? And then there's some interesting ones where like. Christ's enemies understand the parable and, and can understand that the parable is told against them. About them. [00:41:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. So there, there's all these different nuances to why Christ used these parables, how simple they were, how complicated they were. Yes. And again, I think that underscores what I said at the top of the show here. It's like you can't treat every parable exactly the same. And that's where you run into trouble. [00:41:28] Tony Arsenal: Like if you're, if you're coming at them, like they're all just simple allegory. Again, like some of them have allegorical elements. I think it's fair to look at the, the prodigal son or the, the prodigal father, however you want to title that. And remember, the titles are not, generally, the titles are not, um, baked into the text itself. [00:41:46] Tony Arsenal: I think it's fair to come to that and look at and go, okay, well, who's the father in this? Who's the son? You know, what does it mean that the older son is this? Is, is there relevance to the fact that there's a party and that the, you know, the older, older, uh, son is not a part of it? There's, there's some legitimacy to that. [00:42:02] Tony Arsenal: And when we look at Christ's own explanation of some of his parables, he uses those kinds, right? The, the good seed is this, the, the seed that fell on the, the side of the road is this, right? The seed that got choked out by the, the, um, thorns is this, but then there are others where it doesn't make sense to pull it apart, element by element. [00:42:21] Tony Arsenal: Mm-hmm. Um, and, and the other thing is there are some things that we're gonna look at that are, um. We're gonna treat as parables that the text doesn't call a parable. And then there are some that you might even look at that sometimes the text calls a parable that we might not even think of as a normal parable, right? [00:42:38] Tony Arsenal: So there's lots of elements. This is gonna be really fun to just dig stuff in and, and sort of pick it, like pull it apart and look at its component parts and constituent parts. Um, so I really do mean it if you, if you're the kind of person who has never picked up a Bible commentary. This would be a good time to, to start because these can get difficult. [00:42:59] Tony Arsenal: They can get complicated. You want to have a trusted guide, and Jesse and I are gonna do our, our work and our research on this. Um, but you want someone who's more of a trusted guide than us. This is gonna be the one time that I might actually say Calvin's commentaries are not the most helpful. And the reason for that is not because Calvin's not clear on this stuff. [00:43:17] Tony Arsenal: Calvin Calvin's commentaries on the gospel is, is a harmony of the gospels, right? So sometimes it's tricky when you're reading it to try to find like a specific, uh, passage in Matthew because you're, you, everything's interwoven. So something like Matthew Henry, um, or something like, um, Matthew Poole. Uh, might be helpful if you're willing to spend a little bit of money. [00:43:38] Tony Arsenal: The ESV expository commentary that I've referenced before is a good option. Um, but try to find something that's approachable and usable that is reasonable for you to work through the commentary alongside of us, because you are gonna want to spend time reading these on your own, and you're gonna want to, like I said, you're gonna want to have a trust guide with you. [00:43:55] Tony Arsenal: Even just a good study bible, something like. The Reformation Study Bible or something along those lines would help you work your way through these parables, and I think it's valuable to do that. [00:44:06] Jesse Schwamb: Something you just said sparked this idea in me that the power, or one of the powers maybe of good fiction is that it grabs your attention. [00:44:15] The Impact of Parables on Listeners [00:44:15] Jesse Schwamb: It like brings you into the plot maybe even more than just what I said before about it being resonant, that it actually pulls you into the storyline and it makes you think that it's about other people until it's too late. Yeah. And Jesus has a way of doing this that really only maybe the parable can allow. [00:44:30] Jesse Schwamb: So like in other words, by the time you realize. A parable is like metaphorical, or even in a limited case, it's allegorical form you've already identified with one or more of the characters and you're caught in the trap. So what comes to my mind there is like the one Old Testament narrative, virtually identical, informed to those Jesus told is Nathan's parable of the You lamb. [00:44:52] Jesse Schwamb: So that's in like second Samuel 12, and I was just looking this up as you were, as you were speaking. So in this potentially life and death move for the prophet Nathan confronts King David. Over his adultery with, or depending on how you see it, rape of Bathsheba, and then his subsequent murder of her husband Uriah, by sending him to the front lines of battle. [00:45:10] Jesse Schwamb: So he's killed. And so in this parable that Nathan tells Uriah is like the poor man. Bathsheba is like the Yu a and the rich man obviously represents David. If you, you know what I'm talking about, go back and look at second Samuel 12. And so what's interesting is once David is hooked into that story, he cannot deny that his behavior was unjust as that of the rich man in the story who takes this UAM for himself and he, which he openly. [00:45:38] Jesse Schwamb: Then David openly condemns of course, like the amazing climax of this. And as the reader who has. Of course, like omniscient knowledge in the story, you know, the plot of things, right? You're, you're already crying out, like you're throwing something, you know, across the room saying like, how can you not see this about you? [00:45:53] Jesse Schwamb: And of course the climax comes in when Nathan points the finger at David and declares, you are the man. And that's kind of what. The parables due to us. Yes. They're not always like the same in accusatory toward us, but they do call us out. This is where, again, when we talk about like the scripture reading us, the parable is particularly good at that because sometimes we tend to identify, you know, again, with like one of the particular characters whom we probably shouldn't identify with, or like you said, the parable, the sower. [00:46:22] Jesse Schwamb: Isn't the Christian always quick to be like, I am the virtual grounds? Yeah. You still have to ask like, you know, there is not like a Paul washer way of doing this, but there is like a way of saying like, checking yourself before you wreck yourself there. And so when Jesus's parables have lost some of that shock value in today's world, we maybe need to contemporize them a little bit. [00:46:43] Jesse Schwamb: I, and I think we'll talk about that as we go through it. We're not rewriting them for any reason that that would be completely inappropriate. Think about this though. Like the Jew robbed and left for dead. And you know the story of the Grace Samaritan may need to become like the white evangelical man who is helped by like the black Muslim woman after the senior pastor and the worship leader from the local reformed church passed by like that. [00:47:05] Jesse Schwamb: That might be the frame, which we should put it to try to understand it whenever we face a hostile audience that this indirect rhetoric of compelling stories may help at least some people hear God's world more favorably, and I think that's why you get both like a soft. And a sharp edge with these stories. [00:47:20] Jesse Schwamb: But it's the ability to, to kind of come in on the sneak attack. It's to make you feel welcomed in and to identify with somebody. And then sometimes to find that you're identifying entirely with a character whom Jesus is gonna say, listen, don't be this way, or This is what the kingdom of God is, is not like this. [00:47:35] Jesse Schwamb: Or again, to give you shock value, not for the sake of telling like a good tale that somehow has a twist where it's like everybody was actually. All Dead at the end. Another movie, by the way, I have not seen, but I just know that that's like, I'll never see that movie because, can we say it that the spoiler is, is out on that, right? [00:47:54] Tony Arsenal: Are we, what are we talking about? What movie are we talking about? [00:47:56] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I don't, I don't wanna say it. I didn't [00:47:57] Tony Arsenal: even get it from your description. Oh. [00:47:59] Jesse Schwamb: Like that, that movie where like, he was dead the whole time. [00:48:02] Tony Arsenal: Oh, this, that, that, that movie came out like 30 years ago, Jesse. Oh, seriously? [00:48:06] Jesse Schwamb: Okay. All right. [00:48:06] Tony Arsenal: So Six Sense. [00:48:07] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. That movie came out a long time ago. [00:48:10] Jesse Schwamb: So it's not like the parables are the sixth sense, and it's like, let me get you like a really cool twist. Right. Or like hook at the end. I, and I think in part it is to disarm you and to draw you in in such a way that we might honestly consider what's happening there. [00:48:22] Jesse Schwamb: And that's how it reads us. [00:48:24] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And I, I think that's a good point. And, and. It bears saying there are all sorts of parables all throughout the Bible. It's not just Jesus that teaches these, and they do have this similar effect that they, they draw you in. Um, oftentimes you identify it preliminarily, you identify with the wrong person, and it's not until you. [00:48:45] Tony Arsenal: Or you don't identify with anyone when you should. Right. Right. And it's not until the sort of punchline or I think that account with Nathan is so spot on because it's the same kind of thing. David did not have ears to hear. [00:48:58] Jesse Schwamb: Right. Until he had That's good point. Ears [00:49:00] Tony Arsenal: to hear. [00:49:00] Jesse Schwamb: Good point. [00:49:01] Tony Arsenal: And he heard the point of the parable. [00:49:03] Tony Arsenal: He understood the point of the parable and he didn't understand that the parable was about him, right? It's like the ultimate, I don't know why you're clapping David, I'm talking about you moment. Um, I'm just have this picture of Paul washer in like a biblical era robe. Um, so I think that's a enough progam to the series. [00:49:20] Preparing for the Series on Parables [00:49:20] Tony Arsenal: We're super excited we're, we'll cover some of these principles again, because again, different parables have to be interpreted different ways, and some of these principles apply to one and don't to others, and so we'll, we'll tease that out when we get there next week. We're gonna just jump right in. [00:49:34] Tony Arsenal: We're gonna get started with, I think, um, I actually think, you know, in the, the providence of, of the Holy Spirit and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and then obviously the providence of God in Christ's ministry, the, the parable that kind of like frames all of the other parables,

In this episode of Summoning Insight, Thorin and Yamato break down another intense week of League of Legends esports action, covering everything from the LPL and LCK playoffs to the heated drama surrounding Bwipo and FlyQuest. The duo dives deep into FlyQuest's dominant run, Bwipo's controversial comments, and the ripple effects across the LoL competitive scene. They also analyze standout performances, strategic drafting in the Fearless format, and the challenges teams face ahead of Worlds 2025. Expect sharp insights, bold takes, and plenty of debate about player reputations, team culture, and how mental resilience shapes championship runs. Beyond the Bwipo controversy, the show dissects key playoff series across major regions, including T1's shaky showing in the LCK, the rise of underdog teams in the LPL, and high-stakes matchups in the LEC featuring KOI, Fnatic, and Karmine Corp. With expert commentary grounded in years of esports experience, Summoning Insight delivers the context and storytelling that fans of LoL crave. Whether you're here for the strategy talk, the inside scoops, or the drama that shakes the pro scene, this episode connects you to the heart of competitive League of Legends. If you're looking for unfiltered insights, bold predictions, and in-depth playoff previews, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/summoning and you can get up to four extra months FREE. Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off Ridge with code SI at https://www.Ridge.com/SI Get up to 10 FREE meals and a free item for life at https://www.hellofresh.com/lfn10fm Go to https://www.buyraycon.com/LFN TODAY to get up to 20% off sitewide!

Sean from Kingdom in Context returns to dig into Sabbath vs. Sunday, church tradition vs. Scripture, and why the early councils changed the culture of worship. We also get wild (and grounded) on AI + ancient tech—Talos, Greek automata, Odin's “destroyer,” and how myth, Nephilim lore, and end-times prophecy might rhyme today.We hit: Isaiah 2, Mark 7, Matthew 23, Revelation 12–13, Passover/Nicaea debates, Book of Jubilees/Enoch, Balaam's donkey (talking animals!), plus Sean's Investigating Babylon and Days of Noah projects. If you're into Bible history, church history, supernatural worldview, and modern tech's spiritual implications—this one's loaded.Guest links: Kingdom in Context (YouTube/Rumble/Facebook) DaysOfNoah.com (animated series)☠️ NEPHILIM DEATH SQUAD   Skip the ads. Get early access. Tap into the hive mind of dangerous RTRDs in our private Telegram channel — only on Patreon:

Welcome to Rest Day, Freetrail's occasional news pod covering the latest happenings in trail running. This week we're joined by Corrine Malcolm to talk about the Joyline Chepgneno doping case and what it means for the sport.   The Docket: 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation 01:12 Facts of the Case 03:00 Understanding the Substance and Its Implications 05:56 The Role of Coaches and Team Dynamics 11:32 Consequences for the Sport and the Athletes 21:44 Cultural and Economic Factors in Doping 29:27 Future of Doping Regulations in Trail Running 36:33 The Impact of Doping in Trail Running 48:54 Contrasting Doping Cases: Joylene vs. Stian 50:32 Francesco Puppi Accepts His Golden Ticket! 59:41 Looking Ahead: Future Races and Aspirations   Francesco's Substack on Joyline   Le Temps Article quoted in the episodes   JOIN FREETRAIL PRO   Sponsors: Grab a trail running pack from Osprey Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order of NEVERSECOND nutrition at never2.com Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts   Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava

Lance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-martin-64a33b5/ How Context Fails: https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/22/how-contexts-fail-and-how-to-fix-them.html How New Buzzwords Get Created: https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/07/24/why-the-term-context-engineering-matters.html Content Engineering: https://x.com/RLanceMartin/status/1948441848978309358 https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16aaXLu40GugY-kOpqDU4e-S0hD1FmHcNyF0rRRnb1OU/edit?usp=sharing Manus Post: https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Cognition Post: https://cognition.ai/blog/dont-build-multi-agents Multi-Agent Researcher: https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/multi-agent-research-system Human-in-the-loop + Memory: https://github.com/langchain-ai/agents-from-scratch - Bitter Lesson in AI Engineering - Hyung Won Chung on the Bitter Lesson in AI Research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orDKvo8h71o Bitter Lesson w/ Claude Code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lue8K2jqfKk&t=1s Learning the Bitter Lesson in AI Engineering: https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/07/30/bitter_lesson/ Open Deep Research: https://github.com/langchain-ai/open_deep_research https://academy.langchain.com/courses/deep-research-with-langgraph Scaling and building things that "don't yet work": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Jx4qvDoSo - Frameworks - Roast framework at Shopify / standardization of orchestration tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NHCyq8bBcM MCP adoption within Anthropic / standardization of protocols: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlEQ6Y3WNNI How to think about frameworks: https://blog.langchain.com/how-to-think-about-agent-frameworks/ RAG benchmarking: https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/04/03/vibe-code/ Simon's talk with memory-gone-wrong: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/6/six-months-in-llms/

Ireland's biggest sculpture event, Sculpture in Context, is currently taking place at the Botanic Gardens in north Dublin, with all the pieces located outdoors. But how different is outdoor sculpture to indoor work? Joining me now is artist Roisin de Buitlear, who is exhibiting at the event…

Greg answers questions about whether it's okay to quote a single verse, why Jesus didn't heal everyone, recommended study Bibles and commentaries, persevering with someone who isn't responding well, and whether couples should agree on secondary and tertiary issues.   Topics: Commentary: It's okay to quote a single verse...if you understand the context. (00:00) How many lepers and blind people did Jesus not heal, and why? (16:00) Which study Bible and commentary would you most recommend? (25:00) Should I keep trying to talk to someone who isn't responding well? (38:00) Should a couple agree on every secondary and tertiary theological issue? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Never Read a Bible Verse by Greg Koukl #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd, edited by Alan Gomes Institutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis Turretin Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem Why the Blood? by Greg Koukl

I interviewed Jack and Ryan from AJR, the band that has built one of the most original voices in modern music. We talked about how they use humor and vulnerability to write songs that connect on a deeper level, why embarrassment is often the best creative compass, how Broadway and magic inspire their live shows, and what they've learned about navigating TikTok, streaming, and the new economics of the music industry. We also explored their thoughts on AI, why imperfection makes art feel authentic, and how they've grown from writing dorm-room party songs to filling arenas around the world. If you want to understand the future of music, create art that's both playful and profound, or learn how to stay true to yourself in a world driven by algorithms, this conversation will give you a rare inside look at the creative process of AJR. 00:00:00 The truth in music 00:09:41 Embarrassment as creative fuel 00:20:05 Context is everything 00:29:24 From 2D to 3D songwriting 00:39:36 Live shows as the real artwork 00:49:42 Truth, AI, and the future of music 00:59:41 Haters, resilience, and regret-proof songs 01:09:27 Writing a thousand bad songs 01:18:58 Partnership and balance 01:28:32 Themes, loss, and the arc of Maybe Man Hey! I'm David Perell and I'm a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As grassroots "Block Everything" protests take place all across France, we examine the economic conditions that are partly fuelling the discontent. While the country has seen steady wage growth over the past 30 years, job insecurity is on the rise and the poverty rate has hit a new record: 15.4 percent of the population of mainland France. Also in this edition: the immigration raid against a Hyundai plant in Georgia is ringing alarm bells among foreign businesses looking to invest in the US.

https://linktr.ee/deepdrinksMUSIC: @dcuttermusic

In Luke 10:1–12, Jesus sends out seventy followers to prepare the way for his coming, teaching them to travel lightly, offer peace, accept hospitality, and proclaim that God's kingdom has come near. His instructions highlight both dependence on God and adaptation to the culture they enter—reminding us that ministry isn't about standing apart but about living among people so the gospel can be heard. Just as Paul later connected with Greek culture at Mars Hill, we too are called to love our neighbors, build relationships, and share Christ in ways that show we genuinely care. True witness flows not from preaching at people, but from living with them in humility, love, and service.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A%201-12&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

If you've ever heard the dreaded words, “I love you but I am not in love with you,” or, more bluntly, “I want a divorce,” you know what follows is a mental and emotional rollercoaster of epic proportion. But what you probably don't know is what to do if that day comes and what your rights might be when it comes to protecting yourself, your money, and your relationship with your children. My guest today, Attorney David Pissara, has made it his life's work to help men navigate what is likely the most difficult part of his life – post-divorce. Today, we talk about how to avoid conflict during these times while simultaneously protecting your rights, the emotional manipulation many men face and how to confront it, whether or not the family court system is biased and what to expect when dealing with the courts, what indicators to be on the lookout for you to recognize if a divorce is pending, and even how AI may change family law. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:17 – Introduction and Context 01:05 – Why Men Struggle in Divorce 02:58 – Men, Vulnerability, and Leadership 08:33 – Marriage as a Contract 12:37 – The Question of Fairness in Divorce Settlements 17:01 – What Men Should Look for in Women 20:18 – Predictors of Divorce and Commitment 21:27 – The Danger of Social Isolation 25:51 – Balancing Happiness and Sacrifice 28:15 – Feminism, Disney, and Unrealistic Expectations 31:12 – Dating Standards and Preferences 36:12 – The Dreaded “I Want a Divorce” Moment 37:00 – How Women Strategize Divorce 39:23 – Abuse vs. Violence in Relationships 43:40 – How Courts Handle Restraining Orders 46:06 – Why Men Rarely File Restraining Orders 49:40 – Civil vs. High-Conflict Divorces 52:02 – Should Men Stay or Leave the House? 54:38 – Resources for Fathers in Custody Battles 57:46 – Strategies for High-Conflict Personalities 59:39 – No-Fault Divorce and Its Impact 01:04:00 – Handling Loans and Slander in Divorce 01:06:52 – Bias in Family Courts and AI Judges 01:09:59 – Parental Alienation and Legal Strategy 01:11:00 – Wrap-Up and Post-Show Instructions Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready  

#FantasyFootball #NFL #FantasyFootballAdvice #Podcast Jacob and Dan are back bringing you all the recap position-by-position for Week 1. Who shined? Who struggled? Then, we look at all the gems on the Waiver Wire and even tell you who is safe to drop. Finally, we finish the show with some listener questions! 0:00 Intro 2:00 RBs in Week 1 4:15 Breece Hall 5:09 De'Von Achane 5:31 Bucky Irving 8:30 Christian McCaffrey 9:00 Javonte Williams 10:30 Travis Etienne 13:15 JK Dobbins 15:10 Jacory Croskey-Merritt1 7:15 Chubba Hubbard 17:45 Seattle Backfield 20:14 TEs in Week 2 20:25 Colton Loveland 23:05 Juwan Johnson 25:10 David Njoku 27:09 Brock Bowers 32:30 QBs in Week 1 32:50 Justin Fields 33:45 JJ McCarthy 37:00 Jayden Daniels 38:00 Michael Pennix 39:00 Drake Maye 39:35 Jordan Love 41:00 Trevor Lawrence 41:50 Box Nix 43:15 CJ Stroud 44:00 WRs in Week 1 45:05 Quinten Johnson 46:00 Michael Pittman 46:30 Keenan Allen 46:50 Marquise Brown 47:30 Puka Nakua 47:45 Jaxon Smith-Njigba 48:15 Jakoby Myers 48:45 Kayshon Boutte 49:17 Rome Odunze 50:00 Ricky Pearsall 50:20 Jayden Reed 50:45 Chris Olave 51:30 Malik Nabors 1:03:05 Waiver Wire Gems 1:08:00 Week 2 QBs 1:10:55 Week 2 RBs 1:12:50 Week 2 WRs 1:13:56 Week 2 TEs 1:16:00 Who to drop? 1:26:00 Listener Questions

What do we do when we are overcome with the brokenness in the world around us? Often, Christians respond in one of two ways: we separate or we assimilate. We remove ourselves from the culture so that we are not affected by the brokenness; or we assimilate so that we are not bothered by it. Both of these responses prevent us from being able to have any meaningful impact on the world around us. Instead, Jesus offers a third way: We call this contextualization.In Acts 17, Paul is overwhelmed by the brokenness that he sees in the city of Athens. But instead of isolating or conforming, he contextually engages the culture. As a result, the people of Athens hear the message of Jesus in their own language and are compelled to consider if Jesus is truly God and King of the world.

13. Study the ContextAs you read, seek to understand who wrote a book, when it was written, to whom it was written, and why it was written. That is the historical context, and the book introductions will cover such significant details. Also, use the study notes when you need light shed on people, places, and events far removed from our day. For example, when the Gospels talk about “lawyers,” they are referencing “experts in the Law of Moses” (the first five books of the Bible). The literary context is important as well. Literary context simply refers to what surrounds a text (what is said or happens in the verses before and after) and where the text is found in the whole of the book.For example, Jesus told the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31), in part, as a rebuke and warning to the Pharisees, who Luke informs us “were lovers of money” and who “ridiculed” Jesus (Luke 16:14) after he taught the parable of the dishonest manager (Luke 16:1–13), which concludes: “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”In sum, if you know the historical and literary context of the passage, you will have a better understanding of its meaning.For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

A description of my recent family holiday to Norway

The guys are cruising into a brand-new series, ready to park in 1 Peter for a while. Rooted in the Old Testament, this letter shows us how the gospel still speaks directly into our lives today. As exiled brothers and sisters in Christ, scattered across the globe, 1 Peter delivers a timely word for each of us. In this episode, the guys check the mirrors with some historical context and then shift gears into a conversation about predestination. Were you predestined to listen to this episode? There's only one way to find out…  

Send us a textThere is so much more to these verses in chapter 1.  We are pulling out the backstories from Genesis, looking at a map to see the movement of the people, discovering God's characteristics in His law, and redefining the purpose of His law (hint it's found in Isaiah 49:6). Join us we look at Moses's final words to the people as we start Deuteronomy.Our website is The Context and Color of the BibleWe are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | FacebookWe are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebibleWe are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTubeMusic: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this message from our “In Context” series, we unpack the true meaning behind the well-loved phrase, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” from Nehemiah 8:10. Often quoted as a personal encouragement, this verse is even better when you realize the context. This verse is about the Israelites returning from exile, hearing God's law, and feeling overwhelmed by their failures. Instead of calling them to mourn, Nehemiah commands them to celebrate together in God's presence—revealing that the joy found in communal celebration, brings real spiritual strength. Whether you're battling discouragement or craving deeper joy, discover how coming together to worship can renew your heart and empower you to keep going, no matter the challenges you face.

Are you struggling to break habits that hold you back? On this final episode of our addiction series, I sit down with my friend Cole Zick to uncover the truth about overcoming addiction. We dive into why habits persist, the role of environment, and how small and drastic changes can transform your life. This episode isn't about shame—it's about strategy, mindset, and freedom.We explore life-changing insights from studies like the New York subway revitalization, Vietnam veterans' heroin recovery, and the Rat Park experiments. Learn why context matters more than willpower and how your environment may be silently keeping you stuck. Whether you struggle with phone addiction, unhealthy friendships, or other habits, this episode gives you the tools to reset your life and win.I also share practical steps you can take today: changing toxic contexts, building new routines, embodying change, and tools like the Be Present app to limit screen time and regain focus. If you're ready to reclaim your strength, walk in freedom, and live the life you were made for, this episode is for you.Listen, share, and subscribe to Brave Co Podcast to never miss an episode! If this episode blesses you, send it to another man who could benefit—because transformation starts with one brave step.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why Masculinity is Under Attack01:00 - The Final Episode of the Addiction Series03:00 - Cole Zick: Experience in Addiction Recovery and Leadership05:00 - Redefining Addiction: Beyond Drugs and Alcohol07:00 - Understanding the Power of Context in Overcoming Addiction10:00 - The Subway & Vietnam Veteran Studies: Lessons in Context15:00 - Drastic Changes That Can Reset Your Life20:00 - Practical Tools: Changing Your Environment and Habits24:00 - Apps & Small Wins: Managing Phone and Screen Addiction26:00 - Closing Prayer & Final Encouragement for Brave Men

** Listen to our content warning at the beginning this episode, please! While we do not use any explicit language, the topic and discussion in general might not be appropriate for all ages. If you have pre-teens or teenagers though, we think it would be so fruitful for them to listen in! **In this episode of The GoodKind Podcast, the hosts explore the topic of cussing, discussing intentions behind speech, cultural expectations, family conversations, and biblical perspectives. They delve into the complexity of language, the importance of context, and how to teach children about appropriate language use. The conversation also touches on the relationship between language and emotion, the grace for slip-ups and those who speak differently than you, and the distinction between cursing and blessing in a biblical context.TakeawaysDifferent types of cussing or cursing exist and have different meanings and intentions. Context is crucial in determining the appropriateness of language.The Bible encourages wholesome talk and discourages crude language.Cursing can be seen as wishing harm, while blessing is about goodwill.Teaching kids about language involves explaining cultural meanings.Replacement words can help navigate sensitive language issues, and remaining sensitive to others' perspectives is important. Language is relational and should be used thoughtfully.Understanding the impact of words is essential in communication.

Do you really listen to ignite transformation, or are you listening to respond? When we think about our journey as a coach, one of the most powerful realisations has been that listening is not a passive act. It is an intentional, transformational choice that shapes the depth and quality of our conversations. In this episode we revisit listening as a critical coaching skill. Out of more than 200 episodes, we've only devoted 1 to listening before, which shows how easy it is to overlook this essential foundation of coaching. We explore what it means to listen not just with our ears but with our eyes, intuition, body, and presence. We reflect on Nancy Kline's idea that listening well is not about preparing your next response but about igniting something in another person. From the earliest stage of self-focused listening to Otto Scharmer's concept of generative listening, we walk through the levels of listening and share how they show up in coaching and everyday life. We reflect on moments when clients have asked us, “How did you know that?” They hadn't explicitly told us something, but deep listening allowed us to hear what was unspoken. That level of listening is about creating a space where clients can feel deeply seen and heard, sometimes hearing themselves clearly for the first time in a long while. We also challenge the myth that one level of listening is “good” and another “bad”. Context matters. For example, neurodivergent clients may experience listening as most supportive when a coach shares something of their own in return. Listening, then, is not linear. It's about attuning to the needs of the individual in front of you. This episode is both practical and reflective. We discuss summarising with the client's own words, listening for emotion as well as content, and noticing the subtle shifts in tone, silence, or energy that can reveal deeper truths. Listening is not just about technique, it is about presence, compassion, and the courage to step aside so the client's voice can emerge. If you've ever wondered what sets coaching apart from everyday conversation, this episode highlights why listening is the art and science at the heart of transformational coaching.   Timestamps: 00:50 – Why listening is the foundation of coaching 01:20 – Nancy Kline's perspective: listening to ignite, not to respond 03:11 – Listening with eyes, body, and intuition 05:02 – Helping clients hear themselves clearly 07:25 – Why context matters: different listening styles for different clients 10:40 – The difference between listening in coaching vs everyday conversation 13:28 – Listening beyond words: noticing silence, energy, and emotion 16:20 – The role of presence and unlearning in coaching conversations 19:36 – Giving clients time to find and hear their own voice 21:01 – Practising transformational listening in everyday life   Key Lessons Learned: Listening is not about waiting to respond, it is about creating space for transformation. Different levels of listening exist, from self-focused to generative, and each has a place depending on context. Deep listening involves presence, intuition, and attention to both what is said and what is unsaid. Coaching requires unlearning conversational habits such as rushing to fix, summarising for ourselves, or inserting our own agenda. Presence and listening go hand in hand, true transformational listening helps clients reconnect with their own voice.   Keywords: Transformational listening, levels of listening in coaching, Nancy Kline listening, generative listening, coaching skills, deep listening, presence in coaching, active listening techniques, emotional listening, effective coaching conversations,   Links & Resources: Take the quiz to find the right coaching qualification for you: mycoachingcourse.com Join The Coaching Crowd Facebook community: search for

A new MP3 sermon from Sovereign Outreach 4 Grace is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Context of the Two Mites Subtitle: Friday - 2020 Devotional Speaker: Douglas Salyer Broadcaster: Sovereign Outreach 4 Grace Event: Devotional Date: 3/6/2020 Bible: Luke 21:1-4 Length: 46 min.

The Context of White Supremacy hosts the weekly Compensatory Call-In 09/06/25. We encourage non-white listeners to dial in with their codified concepts, new terms, observations, research findings, workplace problems or triumphs, and/or suggestions on how best to Replace White Supremacy With Justice ASAP. This weekly broadcast examines current events from across the globe to learn what's happening in all areas of people activity. We cultivate Counter-Racist Media Literacy by scrutinizing journalists' word choices and using logic to deconstruct what is reported as "news." We'll use these sessions to hone our use of terms as tools to reveal truth, neutralize Racists/White people. #ANTIBLACKNESS Summer 2025 is done, and a brand new school year commences. Last week in Minnesota, a "transgender" White shooter killed two students and wounded many others in an effort to terrorize children. In this context, schools across the US are being targeted with bomb threats and fabricated attacks which are disrupting classes and forcing schools into unnecessary lockdowns. Non-white parents should talk to their offspring about these events and what's being done to preserve child safety at the start of a new school year. Speaking of schools, we hear reports from Greece to Gus's Seattle detailing how a dwindling number of children is forcing the closure of many schools. Dr. Frances Cress Welsing pinpointed this population trend as a critical component of White Genetic Annihilation. #EndStageWhiteSupremacy #INVEST in The COWS - http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS Call: 720.716.7300 Code: 564943#

Send us a text"All things... shall work together for your good."          For the Saints in the 1830s, Independence, Missouri, was literally the promised land. It was “the center place” of Zion (see Doctrine and Covenants 57:3)—the city of God on earth—which they were making great sacrifices to build. To them, the gathering of Saints there was an exciting and glorious prelude to the Second Coming. But their neighbors in the area saw things differently. They took issue with the claim that God had given the land to the Saints, and they were uncomfortable with the political, economic, and social consequences of so many people from an unfamiliar religion moving into the area so quickly. Soon concern turned into threats, and threats turned into persecution and violence. In July 1833, the Church's printing office was destroyed, and in November the Saints were forced to abandon their homes in Jackson County, Missouri.          Joseph Smith was over 800 miles away in Kirtland, and this news took weeks to reach him. But the Lord knew what was happening, and He revealed to His Prophet principles of peace and encouragement that would comfort the Saints—principles that can also help us when we face persecution, when our righteous desires go unfulfilled, or when we need a reminder that our daily afflictions will eventually, somehow, “work together for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3).See Saints, 1:171–93; “Waiting for the Word of the Lord,” Revelations in Context, 196–201.Support the show... Become a "Patron Saint"!! 

Context Matters, with Rev. Dr. Ken Evers-Hood. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: John 14:1-11.Join us this Sunday as Rev. Dr. Ken Evers-Hood shares a powerful message about trust, hope, and finding meaning in challenging times. We welcome everyone – online or in-person. Come as you are.Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend. Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don't ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.Keywords:Inter religious dialog, Vatican, Cyprian Concilio, friendship, faith traditions, scriptural interpretation, context, Jesus' statement, disciples, trust, faith, resurrection, uncertainty, Stanley Fish, Keep off the grass., presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregonFeaturing:Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Sharon Edwards, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, GuestsSupport the show

Pastor Levi Matteson kicks off our new sermon series, Everything is Meaningless... Or is it?, talking about Life Feels Like Cycles, The Context of Ecclesiastes, Vanity and Hevel, The Harsh Reality, The Gospel Pivot, Takeaways: From Vanity to Blessing, The Decision, and Which path Will You Choose? This podcast episode is a Sunday message from Evangel Community Church, Houghton, Michigan, September 7, 2025.

Pastor Kaye SimsOut of Context09.07.2025Crystal Beach Community Church, TexasVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqxi9pWf3LA&list=RDpqxi9pWf3LA&start_radio=1All Music Is Performed Under CCLI License: 5449184, or Public Domain.

This week, Shaun has been hypnotized by the announcement of Mega Victreebel and has been craving a show featuring a character with similar... endowment; and what better choice is there than a tanuki? So let's sit back and watch 3 episodes of With You and the Rain! Meanwhile Remington gives Shaun some dating advice. If you'd like to give us feedback, ask a question, or correct a mistake, send an email to AnimeOutOfContext@gmail.com. Visit our Patreon at patreon.com/AnimeoutofContext if you would like to contribute to the show and get bonus content ranging from clips from our pre-episode banter, bonus episodes (including the 12 days of April Fools), our prototype Episode 0, to even getting shout-outs in the show! Intro and Outro are trimmed from "Remiga Impulse" by Jens Kiilstofte, licensed by MachinimaSound to Anime Out of Context under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 which the licensor has modified for the licensee to allow reproduction and sharing of the Adapted Material for Commercial purposes

Communication is the foundation of all relationships. But what happens when we're speaking different languages without even realizing it? Often the result is confusion, frustration, and feeling misunderstood.Enter, the fascinating world of high context and low context communication styles. This framework can transform how you understand relationship patterns and help you traverse the complex terrain of negotiated relationships.In this episode, we talk about:— The difference between high context communication (relying on implicit messages, non-verbal cues, and shared knowledge) and low context communication (explicit, direct statements with less room for interpretation)— Why these aren't fixed personality traits but rather strategies we can learn and adapt— How our upbringing shapes our communication preferences (Joli was raised in a low context household but developed high context skills for safety, while Ken was raised in high context but never felt he mastered it)— The healing that can happen when partners understand and adapt to each other's communication needs— Why opening up relationships often requires a shift toward more explicit communication as the context changes— How to navigate the frustration that can arise when communication styles clash (like during special events or anniversaries)— The importance of having meta-conversations about how you communicate when you're in a "cool state," not in the middle of conflict— Why communication patterns aren't static—they evolve over time as relationships deepen and partners learn each other's cues— The safety component of communication styles and how different approaches can make people feel secure or insecure— Why neither style is inherently better—both have their place in healthy relationshipsResources mentioned in this episode:— Edward Hall's anthropological theory on high context and low context communicationJOIN The Year Of Opening® community for a full year of learning & support. Registration is open now at ⁠⁠www.TheYearOfOpening.com⁠⁠Learn the 5 secrets to open your relationship the smart wayAre you ready to open your relationship happily? Find out at www.JoliQuiz.comGet the answers you want to create the open relationship of your dreams! Sign up for an Ask Me Anything hereMusic: Dance of Felt by ⁠Blue Dot Sessions

A live, dice-driven episode of Wise_N_Nerdy where fatherhood truly meets fandom. Charles, Joe, and special guest Josh Cooper (Uploads of Fun) kick off with bad dad jokes, rule on a contentious Parliament of Papas case (Disney vs. Comic-Con), and trade stories about rewatching childhood movies as parents—TV edits, innuendo, and all. Audience mic stories bring the heat, from TMNT's rooftop to Robocop's cartoon tie-ins. The crew closes with practical strategies for overcoming sheltered upbringings: context, conversation, and teaching courage instead of fear.Bad Dad Jokes (rolled a 6)Icebreakers from stage and audience (dragons + fast food; “Poof! You're a drink.”).Ongoing bit: “There is no such thing as a good dad joke.”Parliament of Papas (rolled a 4)Reddit case: “Am I the buttface for going to Comic-Con after my wife took our kid (and her ex) to Disney without me—using our miles?”Panel reaction: finances + co-parenting ≠ unilateral decisions; ex attending without current spouse is a relational red flag.Consensus: wife = primary buttface; husband needs boundaries; bigger issue is relationship health.Daddy, Tell Me a Story (rolled a 2) — Rewatching childhood movies as parentsExamples: Caddyshack, Revenge of the Nerds, Three Fugitives, Firestarter, TMNT (1990 rooftop scene), Blankman, Transformers: The Movie ('86 toy-reset trauma), Robocop (how was this a cartoon?), The Ringer, Monty Python: Meaning of Life.Themes: TV edits vs. theatrical cuts; using IMDb Parents Guide; explaining dated humor; navigating innuendo in “family” animation; when to pause/skip with kids.How do I overcome my sheltered upbringing? (segued after gift moment)Hosts/guest share growing up Pentecostal/Southern Baptist/Mormon variations: satanic panic era (D&D, Magic cards), filtered DVD players, language rules.Parenting approaches now: teach context and timing for language; “if you don't know what it means, don't say it”; consent to discuss anything; “If it's on TV, it's not real.”Tools for fear/nightmares: teach lucid-dream control (look at your hand; give yourself a bazooka), anchor objects (a huggable TARDIS), model calm vs. catastrophizing.Live mic stories: rewatch shocks (Harry Potter attitudes, Severance tension without nudity, Blue Eye Samurai content surprise, 2001: A Space Odyssey at age six, Jaws jump scare), “that channel” confessions, schoolyard language, and representing disability positively in The Ringer.Parenting wisdom from audience: treat kids as autonomous humans; teach agency, not fear.Family-friendly doesn't mean sterile—context, conversation, and consent beat blanket bans.Rewatches are opportunities: talk era, edits, and what's changed culturally.Co-parenting logistics require transparency, not unilateral “surprises.”Teach courage over fear; give kids cognitive tools to manage scary media and language.“Everything I do is family-friendly—as long as you're my family.” —Charles“Teach time and place. Context turns ‘forbidden' into teachable.” —Josh“The second you posted to Reddit, you knew the answer—this is a relationship problem.” —Panel“If it's on TV, it's not real. And we can talk about anything.” —Charles

Everyone feels it. Cultural and political life in America has become unrecognizable and strange. Firebrands and would-be sages have taken the place of reasonable and responsible leaders. Nuanced debates have given way to the smug confidence of yard signs. How did we get here?In Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump" (Random House, 2025)Context (Random House, 2025), historian Molly Worthen argues that we will understand our present moment if we learn the story of charisma in America. From the Puritans and Andrew Jackson to Black nationalists and Donald Trump, the saga of American charisma, Worthen argues, stars figures who possess a dangerous and alluring power to move crowds. They invite followers into a cosmic drama where hopes are fulfilled and grievances are put right—and these charismatic leaders insist that they alone plot the way.The story of charisma in America reveals that when traditional religious institutions fail to deliver on their promise of a meaningful life, people will get their spiritual needs met in a warped cultural and political landscape dominated by those who appear to have the power to bring order and meaning out of chaos. Charismatic leaders address spiritual needs, offering an alternate reality where people have knowledge, power, and heroic status, whether as divinely chosen instruments of God or those who will restore national glory.Through Worthen's centuries-spanning historical research, Spellbound places a crucial religious lens on the cultural, economic, and political upheavals facing Americans today. Molly Worthen is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a freelance journalist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology

The Context of White Supremacy hosts the weekly summit on Neutralizing Workplace Racism 09/04/25. During this week's Labor Day "holiday," numerous protests were held around the US to "demand" better work conditions and less corporate welfare for White billionaires. ICE raids against non-white people born outside the US continue - with massive disruptions to many workplaces. Apparently, there are so many non-white people to round up, ICE is holding job fairs to recruit more workers. Much like "Alligator Alcatraz" and similar detention facilities, Gus T. is not sure he'd be willing to accept this form of employment. The report we examine says that approximately 50% of ICE officers are classified as "latino." Neely Fuller Jr. reminds us that "latino" is not a racial classification. Whether sporting an ICE badge or harvesting lettuce, all non-white people work for "The Man." #EndStageWhiteSupremacy INVEST in The COWS - http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS Call: 720.716.7300 Code: 564943#

The warning passages of Hebrews, especially Hebrews 6:1–6, have long puzzled interpreters and unsettled readers. Is it a threat to assurance? A theological anomaly? In this episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger, Professor of New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, joins us to explore the redemptive-historical framework behind one of the New Testament's most debated passages. Drawing on the insights from his new book, Impossible to Be Restored?: Temptation and Warning in the Epistle of Hebrews (B&H Academic), Dr. Mininger explains how the warning in Hebrews 6 fits not only within the argument of Hebrews but also within the broader flow of covenantal history. We discuss what the original audience was tempted to do, why returning to the old covenant to be right with God is impossible, and how this passage should shape pastoral ministry today. Along the way, Dr. Mininger helps listeners see how the “impossibility” language of Hebrews 6 is not a spiritual dead-end but a serious exhortation rooted in the once-for-all nature of Christ's redemptive work. If you've ever struggled with how to understand or teach Hebrews 6, this conversation offers clarity, theological depth, and pastoral wisdom. Watch on YouTube Chapters 00:00:07 Introduction 00:02:22 Impossible to Be Restored? 00:06:52 What Drew Dr. Mininger to this Subject 00:11:49 Starting in a New Field 00:17:28 Placing These Difficult Passages in Context 00:23:54 The Nature of the Temptation of the Original Audience 00:56:06 Relating the Warning Passages to the Application of Redemption 01:05:06 The Pastoral Application of These Passages 01:13:13 Conclusion

In this conversation, Eugenia Cheng discusses the importance of making math accessible and engaging for everyone, particularly those who have been discouraged by traditional education methods. She emphasizes the intersection of math and art, the dangers of oversimplifying complex issues with numbers, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of equality and fairness in society. Cheng also highlights the significance of mentorship and the impact of gender dynamics in mathematics, advocating for a more inclusive approach to learning and appreciating math as a creative and thoughtful discipline.Takeaways Many people are put off math due to early education experiences. Math and art should not be pitted against each other. Creativity is essential in STEM fields. Numbers can oversimplify complex realities. Understanding inequality requires recognizing its nuances. Context matters in mathematical reasoning. We often forget important details in data interpretation. Math can be appreciated without full understanding. Building confidence in math is crucial for everyone. Mentorship plays a vital role in academic success.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mathematical Laziness 04:21 The Journey of a Mathematician 06:57 Creativity in Math and Art 09:33 Understanding Inequality through Math 11:57 The Dangers of Simplifying with Numbers 15:07 Political Debates and Mathematical Perspectives 17:15 The Importance of Context in Math 17:44 Category Theory and Abstraction in Math 20:29 Neutrality and the Gray Areas of Equality 24:02 Exploring Equality and Its Nuances 25:17 Mathematics in Real-World Contexts 28:49 The Intersection of Math and Marginalized Voices 32:39 Overcoming Gender Bias in Mathematics 35:28 The Role of Gut Instinct in Math 37:54 The Surprising Aspects of Writing a Book 42:51 Building Confidence in Math for Everyone 46:15 Rethinking Fairness and Structural ChallengesFollow Eugenia on Twitter, BlueSky, and on her Website Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter, BlueSky, and InstagramBecome a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

BMW's new brain, Apple's thin win, Hue's glow-up, Legion's OLED leap, and Premiere in your pocket.   Today we break down:   BMW iX3: the first Neue Klasse EV with 800V charging, Gen6 batteries, and BMW's new “Heart of Joy” computer (The Verge). Apple's Sept 9 “Awe dropping” event: what to expect from iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and the rumored ultra-thin iPhone Air — plus Apple Watch Ultra 3 and AirPods Pro 3 (Bloomberg, The Verge, MacRumors). Philips Hue's mega-refresh: Bridge Pro, cheaper Essentials with Matter-over-Thread, and new brighter strip lights (The Verge). Lenovo Legion Go 2: a pricier handheld PC with OLED VRR down to 30Hz, a bigger battery, and sculpted controllers (The Verge). Adobe Premiere on iPhone: pro-level editing, Firefly AI, and one-tap exports to TikTok, Shorts, and Instagram (Adobe Blog, The Verge).     Context, takeaways, and a dash of context. ⚡️

In this episode, I finally connect with Nick Falbo to nerd out on the history of protected bike lanes and protected intersections in the United States, how we got so off-track, and how he is leveraging the Dutch cycle network design standards to build world-class infrastructure here in North America while working with the Dutch firm Mobycon.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):

AI Conversations Powered by Prosus Group  Nishikant Dhanuka talks about what it really takes to make AI agents useful—especially in e-commerce and productivity. From making them smarter with context (like user history and real-time data) to mixing chat and UI for smoother interactions, he breaks down what's working and what's not. He also shares why evals matter, how to test with real users, and why AI only succeeds when it actually makes life easier, not more complicated.Guest speaker: Nishikant Dhanuka - Senior Director of AI at Prosus GroupHost: Demetrios Brinkmann - Founder of MLOps Community~~~~~~~~ ✌️Connect With Us ✌️ ~~~~~~~Catch all episodes, blogs, newsletters, and more: https://go.mlops.community/TYExploreJoin our Slack community [https://go.mlops.community/slack]Follow us on X/Twitter [@mlopscommunity](https://x.com/mlopscommunity) or [LinkedIn](https://go.mlops.community/linkedin)] Sign up for the next meetup: [https://go.mlops.community/register]MLOps Swag/Merch: [https://shop.mlops.community/]#contextengineering #aiengineer #aiinfrastructure #podcast

A common challenge in data-rich organizations is that critical context about the data is often hard to capture and even harder to keep up to date. As more people across the organization use data and data models get more complex, simply finding the right dataset can be slow and create bottlenecks. Select Star is a The post Context-Aware SQL and Metadata with Shinji Kim appeared first on Software Engineering Daily.

Learn 3 proven cold call tactics to get past any gatekeeper and reach decision-makers without lying, pitching, or wasting time. These step-by-step strategies will help you control the conversation, boost your connect rate, and book more meetings.

This week, your deadicated hosts cover the classic Gothic novel Henry James' THE TURN OF THE SCREW, and its film adaptation THE INNOCENTS (1961)! We discuss director Jack Clayton, the incredible cinematography from Freddie Francis, and how to turn a vague novel into a cohesive film. The film stars Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave, Pamela Franklin and Martin Stephens. It's a biggie of an episode! Will your hosts reveal themselves as apparitionists or non-apparitionists? The one thing we definitely agree on: Miss Giddens is not okay! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:10:12; Discussion 1:27:04; Ranking 2:12:50

John Capobianco is back! Just months after our first Model Context Protocol (MCP) discussion, John returns to showcase how this “USB-C of software” has transformed from experimental technology to an enterprise-ready solutions. We explore the game-changing OAuth 2.1 security updates, witness live demonstrations of packet analysis through natural language with Gemini CLI, and discover how... Read more »

"The workweek is a modern cage — AI may break it open, and what emerges depends on whether we water the weeds or the flowers." What if you had an AI dream team running your business while you were free to live your life? In this profound conversation, Emily Fletcher sits down with Emmy Award–winning creator and futurist Natalie MacNeil to explore what it means to be human at the edge of massive change. From the dragonfly awakening metaphor, to the creation of an AI Dream Team that collapses time, to the end of the 40-hour workweek and the unraveling of scarcity-based systems, Emily and Natalie dive into the biggest questions of our time:

For fifty years, we've been told that nature is fragile — a porcelain Eden, easily shattered by the slightest human pressure. But history tells a different story. From the fall of Rome to the Black Death, from Chernobyl to Detroit, every time people retreat, the wilderness rushes back with astonishing speed. In this episode, we examine the reality that civilization is fragile while life on Earth is ferociously tenacious. Drawing on historians like Bryan Ward-Perkins and William Cronon, and ecologists like C.S. Holling, we discover how fast forests and animals can reclaim human spaces, and why the modern myth of a delicate planet misses the deeper truth. Nature is not fragile. Civilization is. If you like what I'm up to, please leave a five-star review wherever you listen, and consider signing up to support the show as a paying member on Patreon or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. As a supporter, you get access to lots of additional episodes and help keep Context ad-free. Thank you so much to those of you who've already taken that step - I hope you love today's episode.

In this episode covering Doctrine and Covenants 94–97, I talk about how the Lord gives us patterns—whether in building temples or in building our lives—and how following His plan brings blessings we can't find in the world's way of doing things. I share a listener's touching review about the power of the Book of Mormon, insights on the Lord being in the details, and lessons from Joseph Smith's insistence on building the Lord's house His way. We discuss chastening as a sign of God's love, Hyrum Smith's eagerness to begin the Lord's work, and how temples and Zion invite us to become pure in heart. Most of all, this episode reminds us that the Lord wants to refine, bless, and multiply us when we humbly follow Him.   See Saints, 1:169–70; “A House for Our God,” Revelations in Context, 165–73. Below is the talk I referenced, The Lord's Strange Act by Rex C Reeve. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/rex-c-reeve-sr/lords-strange-act/