Podcasts about conversing

Grab your drink but remember to only have a little sip: Join Ev, Irvin, Taavi and our guest Margarete as they get giddy, reckless, and dangerously overconfident while discussing the most curious little potion called Felix Felicis. Join the discussion on our website In this episode: Potions affect yourself, as opposed to all other magic that can affect others Somehow, it's all Percy's fault Can a potion be omniscient? Do we trust men named Zugmunt? Do Slughorn's memories have an Autorecover feature? Felix Felicis makes drinkers act OOC Everybody hates moral philosophers How did Slughorn get the Felix Felicis? Was Snape swigging some Felix? How much coffee is a reasonable amount of coffee? Resources: Felix Felicis from the HP Lexicon Felix Felicis: Understanding Snape's Innocence by Brianna Leigh Woell Snape's Lucky Escape: Did the Felix Felicis Potion Really Fail? by Christy Morley Fantastic Potions and How They Helped Albus Dumbledore in HBP by Felicitys_mind Felix Felicis series at MuggleNet by Irvin Khaytman: Part 1: Felix's Helping Hand Part 2: Free Will and Felix Part 3: How Felix Works Part 4: Conversing with Slughorn Part 5: Fight with the Fat Lady Part 6: The Felix-Struck Tower Pub's Jukebox: "Felix Felicis" by Hawhtorn & Holly "Felix Felicis" by Harry and the Potters Contact: Website: https://threebroomstickspod.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threebroomstickspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threebroomstickspodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/threebroompod Email: 3broomstickspod@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/3broomsticks 

In this episode Heather and Dave talk to Debbie Barnet, who has had her own experiences in the family of hoarding. She has written a couple of books on the subject. One being Self Neglect and Hoarding.The other is a safeguarding book for those who deal with people with the challenges discussed here.Aside from being an author Debbie is also someone with AuDHD. From lived experience she has been able to give valuable insight and training to many

A lot of times I get to talk to the right people when I need to hear the messages the most. Today is one of those days. If you are looking for that spiritual “ah- ha” moment or you for guidance and getting no response todays' show is for you. Joanne DiMaggio is joining me today and she has written an amazing book that will give us the tools to tap into your own higher spiritual self and get the answers you need. The book is Soul Writing- Conversing with Your Higher Self – this technique is designed to access that deep knowing each soul holds within.  Book a past life regression with Joanne DiMaggio Find out more about Edgar Cayce's Associate for Research and Enlightenment ( A.R.E) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joann Diamaggio returns to the High Road to share her new book, Soul Writing, Conversing with Your Higher Self. Joanne is an inspired teacher and author, with a specialty in past life research and therapy. This updated book on Soul writing draws upon her own experiences and knowledge of the Edgar Cayce readings to support the quest for self discovery. Great Interview! Today on the show Joanne tells us her story. She tells us how soul writing is different from automatic writing and how it changed her own writing career for the better. She recommends that you always begin with a prayer. *There is also a companion journal to assist you on your soul writing journey. Joanne books private sessions. Visit her website: Joannedimaggio.com ************************************************************************* To request Nancy to speak at your next event email her @ nancyyearout@gmail.com To Book a psychic reading visit: NancyYearout.com Links to Nancy 's Books A Guide to Angel Communication and Spiritual Laws https://shorturl.at/DrVZq Wake up! The Universe is Speaking to You https://shorturl.at/1FBAB

Join me Saturday 4/25 for the Rosicrucian Astrology LIMINALSTREAM where I investigate the order's 1922 manual and compare current and natal transits:  https://www.youtube.com/live/zP5cCmYc5Dg?si=dXuoCz2kkRd2B78Q EDIT: AUDIO has been updated with a better mix--the intro monologue was recorded in a hushed rush during a late night somnambulant AirBnB stay, so better mixing was required! ∴∴∴∴ Transubstantiation of The Sacred Antenna & Traveling Temple This Aries stellium (re)birthed the long-divergent livestream faction of WE THE HALLOWED's broadckast & mutlimedia grimoire, PRAGMAGICK, long-dubbed and too-long-dormant: the LIMINALSTREAM. To be honest, I'm in sort of a crucible. My constant fight for time, energy, captial and time-energy capital to maintain the consistent output of projects such as We The Hallowed, Pragmagick, new albums and performances, micro-publishing Somatick Magicks for Patrons--all of it has had to be under dire review due to my stasis of having to work away from home just to maintain a home I'm rarely in. It's dire, drab, disheartening and all around heavy that the fight for supreme artistry in the face of a megalithic capitalist undertow seems both ever so necessary yet ever so unnoticed. The cost of running this site, let alone all the channels of which to create our arts without much qualms, if any really, or monetary issuance has proven to be an insurmountable affair as is. But I refuse to buckle or bribe or barter with the great machine, and have taken the heavy toll and burden to internalize why financial independence isn't afforded from these ventures alone. That probably isn't healthy either, yet I persist. After wilderness years spent toiling and tinkering with ways to charge the current, it has become all-too apparent that the livestream's capabilities of creating wholly intentional transmissions and 'third spaces' of performance, sermon and vexation without appeasing rent-mad venues, other people's intentions or allowance of artificial intelligence slop could nominally be achieved through the art magick adherence to the liminalstream transmission. And what better to initiate a new experimental era of a wide-spectrum of dipsatches than under this excitingly rare fire stellium currently transiting? Due to my increasingly laborious schedule largely spent away from the Dimming Room, it became all too apparent that my way through with keeping consistent tithes to ongoing projects, lifting connected artists and We The Hallowed haunts, and growing the burgeoning patreon base to hopefully one day not need to suffer so much survival in this monolithic capitalist nightmare structure, allow the liminalstream a wonderful spectrum of highly intentional, heavily produced to topic based, low-tech dispatches from the sacred antenna of the PRAGMAGICK broadckast current. Last week, I attempted a DIMMING ROOM dispatch that revealed a longtime telepathetic annoyance of an unwitting poltergheiszt, then streamed from the phone as I picked up the pieces and worked through this newfound revelation: https://www.youtube.com/live/xS6oqrlU6Gs?si=kao6bJ6LGBrtUhJ0 https://youtube.com/live/xS6oqrlU6Gs?feature=share Here, the attempted live ritual using a spiritbox and the in-room projections audio triggered of custom footage was finally due to to be shared with the world. The thesis and experimentation behind the scenes has long toiled with ways to imbue the communion with multi-sensory transmissions. This nominal release of the ritual where the objective was to contact LITTLE WIND (or more formally Z the Redreamer) concerning the intentions of this new era and current cosmick transits would not happen, however. For no discernable reason I was run ragged with technical issues throughout the premiere that I still have no calcuable way to avoid in the future, nor way to discern much of why two separate computers used for streaming fell due to never-before-seen internal errors, let alone the spiritbox actually breaking right after I had recovered the stream and was ready to push on! Alas, so many lessons learned that stream, one of which is that trying a huge array of objectives within one stream is not only suboptimal tech wise, but performance and demeanor-wise as acting host, producer and performer is far too hectic oversee whilst allowing the artistic heteronym to control this vehicle performing musick, initiate meditative videomancy sessions and tap into the gibber-gabber needed to monologue to an audience concerning all the intentions therein! Not only were there obscure and completely unfounded tech issues on the digital plane, but in the physical my spirit box literally broke right before the ritual tells me that I was radiating an unseen reckless energy like statick discharge from ungrounded finger tips. You see, this is a long-storied issue with my performances, and another reason I'm attempting to get the sea legs of confident performance through these liminalstreams; I know I'm radiating, emanating, manifesting a nervous energy that is poisonous to electrical currents. Intuitively, I know it's me. If only I had performed the intended current cleanse at the top of the show and rested my gheiszt a bit before spelunking into a deluge of wild sessions within one stream! So through wincing and frustrated tears I soldiered on and concluded with a makeshift altar/Dimming Room Current Cleanse to ward off whatever bad ghost juju projected from my unwitting self (or, for safety sake, some banishing of outside dark dudes too) with a musical saw bowed through effects and guitar pedals. Improvised magick is potent magick! https://youtu.be/2FQEUi8heVc?si=nTxikN2_zL6Q4M30 https://youtu.be/2FQEUi8heVc But all and all, as an induction ceremony to a new era of output, the liminalstream did it's job. The revelation of the nega-statik gheiszt that my intensity and anxiety unwittingly releases that has long caused obscure tech issues for my performances, alone, is worth the price of admittance. This very ex/o/rcise of the weekly liminalstream dispatches can help correct such energy diversions; and since, they've only gotten better if not more focused. It's this sort of deep, revelatory moment that makes the liminalstream so worthwhile to me as practitioner, aside from the usual experimental fare and art hexorcism the transmissions can dutifully provide. The next day, calm and collected and willing to show the lowtech side of the liminalstream spectrum, I went live as I repaired the spiritbox and discussed these revelations: https://www.youtube.com/live/eiGFmZKa-JA?si=Whq468SJtz9-GbEI https://youtube.com/live/eiGFmZKa-JA?feature=share This also introduced a rubric and schema to bookend the LIMINALSTREAM so that no-matter where it is dispatched, or the amount of production and featured topic, a sinew can bind and ordain the transmissions within the Liminalstream current: Each stream is construkted either behind the scenes prior, or during the stream itself, with the Divergent Magick Grimoire - this helps the anarchic contents find footing within a ritual schema and operating procedure whilst also keeping the expected torrential innards a little more approachable. It also bestows the title of each Rite as the title of each LIMINALSTREAM. Perhaps I can also utilize the Divergent Magick Online Rite Builder when the hard or paperback copy is not on hand, thus allowing viewers to peer into the process. In turn, each liminalstream that doesn't so much have a presupposed theme or even thumbnail artwork will utilize the DISRUPTION GENERATOR to reveal a divinatory theme and its respective image (Such as the title/artwork for the stream above has). This allows for two thirds of We The Hallowed's scripture troikatych (or threefold equation) to be continually charged and investigated while the newly formulated 'Tethers', or We The Hallowed connective ethos, is formulated for publishing. The finalizing of the 'TETHERS', in turn, will be a reoccuring and intermittent topic for future LIMINALSTREAMS as I have clued Patrons in on the formulation of this anarchic multimedia magickal collective's synthesis exalted within construction of The Tethers. PROSPEKTRE CURRENT COMMUNION: A SPIRITBOX/VIDEOMANCY RITUAL Session truly begins around 7 minutes in: https://www.youtube.com/live/dJlciIS6ywE?si=j39K1uYgM3Jf9WjC Around dawn, pacific time, I performed a “liminalstream” (public art magick ritual via Pragmagick youtube channel) showcasing a grounding-yet-road-opening initiatory Hauntomancy Ritual for this cosmick stellium that happens to be shuffling in my eighth house (if the natal chart birth time I've reverse-engineered is correct, of course.) I'm utilizing similar schema from my PROSPECTRE (sic) RITUAL by incorporating rubric from Listening Post Alpha (the solo “Estes Method” akin Spirit Box communion and the paramount and illucidating ALW Cipher Decoding post-session) yet not with audiomancy as I had previously interjected, but with hypnagogic inducing projections (think technicolor Dream Machine ala Gysin & Burroughs) of deeply intentional imagery (analog photography from dear friend and collaborator that adorned the ALGOL series of original musick I've recently released—who's New Mexican property holds a unique opportunity in our future) casted as in-room videomancy all captured by a VHS camcorder & analog dirty video mixer triggered by the Spiritbox transmissions. Stay tuned for decoding a deeper insight on what, or whom, came through. The ritual is not complete until the LISTENING POST ALPHA rubric of decoding using the ALW Cipher is drafted as a report. This may be a Patreon stream, specifically, while utilizing the public Liminalstream current to continue my weekly dispatches across a wide spektrum of production, focus and theme. Conversing with the spirit box for this new era using transmission triggered and live analog mixed/painted videomancy of custom footage and Logan Ford's analog photography (that accompanied Revelator Rosz's  ALGOL I) to create a hypnagogic rhythmic technicolor atmosphere projected in room for immersive communion (somewhat partially akin to the Brion Gysin & William S. Burroughs Dream Machine experiments) Hauntomancy / Videomancy Aspekts: This communion was initiated with the ultraterrestrial known as Z the REDREAMER (or more colloquially, Little Wind) who was introduced through Listening Post Alpha sessions. The being's identity is purely speculation, but has often hinted that they may be the supraself or temporally displaced self-spektre of Revelator Rosz. https://keatsross.substack.com/p/haunt-of-the-aspectre-haunt-manual Videomancy exalted Dimming Room truly 'DIMS THE TZIM-TZUM': https://wethehallowed.org/audiomancy-videocast/https://keatsross.substack.com/p/salvo-siempre-salvo-haunt-manual : Using custom footage casted and mixed with dead tech necromancy as time engines (60's B&W Cathode Tube Amp Camera, VHS Camcorder as main camera, 90's panasonic analog video mixer and other thought obsolete talismanik devices with unfinished business finally realized with new applications. By triggering footage containing analog photography taken by Logan Ford of New Mexico, a possible future is also charged and tickled with each transmission shift. By incorporating seemingly aimless B-Roll captured in this timeline, the dirty analog mix and photography gusts both anchors and peers at linear maybes.https://keatsross.substack.com/p/engram-eclipse-ellipses Dead Tech Necromancy will eventually showcase on the @hauntomancer channelhttps://keatsross.substack.com/p/hauntomancy-in-practice-vhspektres STAY TUNED FOR THE TRANSMISSION DECODE USING THE ALW CIPHER AND FURTHER REVELATIONS... This stream was made possible by https://wethehallowed.org Support the new musick and listen to the fully owned version at https://wethehallowed.org/eco-aspektre Future weekly streams will be topic based, can and will be casted from foreign places, share and investigate works, house in-camera and live guests, and so on. This week, at least for Patrons if not publicly as well, I plan on streaming from a work trip as this rhythm is my new normal. And this new normal is hectic, lonely, uncomfortable and all-too insurmountable if not married with artistic and psycho-spiritual insight. So let the Liminalstream be the anchor to an otherwise rough scape forward. As I finalize the official summation and primer of Hauntomancy with the Spektrivium, codify We The Hallowed's metaphysical tenets and machinations with the updated Tethers, publish and create Somatick media releases in physical formats, and continue the musickal hexorcisms as Revelator Rosz and Dakota Slim, there could be no better, egalitarian and approachable transmission than that of the art magick livestream, or liminalstream.  This month will see the release of the ALGOL hexkassette, a 90 minute collection of the Algol musickal series collected, with rarieties, thus far, for PATRONS and Somatick subscribers. Consider signing up to be privy to all dispatches, behind the scenes work, discord 'DIMMING HOURS' or "office hours" where we can work on our projects together, and so much more. Over 666 posts containing patreon only interviews, livestreams, full albums, and more! Become a patron and support the artgasms! https://patreon.com/pragmagick Now with the technical tenacity and callouses chapped via the experiential wilderness years surfing madcap witchery with unseen syncopation, let us remain constant in our broadckast and dispatch no matter where our bodies lay! All footage is custom and filmed by REVELATOR ROSZ via vhs, hi-8 or CCCD cameras unless it is found footage and old cinema transformed and acknowledged.follow on twitch:https://twitch.tv/pragmagickhttps://instagram.com/pragmagick_cast   This stream was ordained and administered using the DIVERGENT MAGICK GRIMOIRE and schema. You too can use it to construkt and deconstrukt your own anarchic art magicks:https://wethehallowed.org/divergent-magick-grimoire HAUNT ON Major thanks to the Patrons who make my art possible: All art is genuinely made possible by the Patrons of WE THE HALLOWED and affiliated media magicks. Major thanks to Eric J. Millar & Joel Hatmaker for the long partnership and support of WE THE HALLOWED and its website, among other things. Major thanks, in no particular order, to Temple of Babalon Choronzon (Bobby, Leah, Stashia & Groucho), Frater Perseus, Austin Atchley, Jeremy Bowlin, Kenned Doll, MetemPsychotic, Saroth The Mage, Lya & Azure Edwards, JJ Reine De Blanc, Jenny Rocky, Elena SorcerersHomie, Alex Leadbetter, Lynz Pinzer, Bibi, CW Chanter, Jonicide, Jilly Beans, Corrie Anne, Spooky, Vanessa Sinclair, Carl Abrahamsson, Tony Davis, Arnemancy, Brittany Brown, Veruca Galt and you, dear ghost, for your ongoing support. Revelator Rosz ALL LINKS: http://pragmagick.com WE THE HALLOWED (Multi-Media Collective): https://wethehallowed.org PAYPAL (One Time Donations): http://www.paypal.me/keatsross SUPPORT VIA PATREON: http://patreon.com/pragmagick

“Freedom no longer exists outside the systems, and it depends on the design. Coming back to the design, it’s about understanding that we need to distinguish between intelligent systems and agency.” –Dr Michael Gebert About Dr Michael Gebert Dr Michael Gebert is Chairman of the European Blockchain Association and co-founder of AI Expert Forum. He works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and institutional responsibility. His book 2079 – Designing Freedom is just out. Website: 2079.life LinkedIn Profile: Dr Michael Gebert What you will learn How the concept of freedom extends beyond politics and economics to personal agency in an AI-driven world Why cognitive sovereignty is essential for maintaining individual responsibility and accountability as intelligent systems become more pervasive The shift from making decisions ourselves to designing the frameworks and conditions for decision-making with AI involvement How to distinguish optimization from true human empowerment when integrating AI tools into personal and organizational life Practical routines and metacognitive strategies for individuals to retain agency when collaborating with large language models and intelligent systems Why organizational leaders must prioritize cognitive sovereignty and human potential early in AI deployment, not just technical efficiency Insights into the challenges and importance of embedding frameworks for freedom and cognitive sovereignty within corporate, governmental, and policy structures The critical need for ambassadors of freedom within institutions to promote reflection, ongoing discussion, and the integration of responsible AI practices across all levels Episode Resources Transcript Ross Dawson: Michael. It is awesome to have you on the show. Michael Gebert: Hey, great to be on the show. Thanks for having me. Ross Dawson: So we connected first, probably around 15 years ago, and we were both involved in crowds, creating value from many people. And I think, you know, there’s one of the interesting points now is, I guess, you know, we still live in a world of many people. We’re trying to create collective value. AI is laid over that. So it’s interesting to see that journey from where we’ve come to where we are today. Michael Gebert: Absolutely, and I really remember visually when we first had contact about this very exciting topic of crowdsourcing and empowerment of the crowd, and really making people believe, not only in themselves, but really in communities. And therefore, not only strengths in terms of crowdfunding, crowd investing, their financial gains, but also being empowered in what they do. And this is a very fundamental, I would say, even a right for humanity to reflect on and do that. I think the methodology and technology back then helped a lot. And to be honest, I’m still partly involved in some of those efforts. Even the big crowdfunding platforms, also here in Europe and in Germany, are vital and really active. Of course, not in that dramatic media shift hype that we experienced, but they’re still there, and it proves that it’s a concept that should stay. Ross Dawson: Yep, absolutely. You know, there’s obviously collective intelligence, amongst other facets. But this goes to, I think, the frame of your new book, 2079, Designing Freedom. So freedom is an interesting word, and something which I hope we all aspire to. Michael Gebert: Yeah, you know, freedom, of course, is one of those very multifaceted words, right? It could be translated in a political context. It could be translated in an economic concept, meaning monetary-wise. It could be translated—and this is my translation—in a very personal, one-to-one reflection about how do I as a human being see myself in that surrounding, bombarded not only by information but by intelligent systems, basically AI as we describe them, and all that is behind those systems. Ross Dawson: So there’s a few things I want to dig into here. And I guess there’s another word there: designing. Obviously, at a societal infrastructure layer, we want to be able to design the systems whereby we can all individually have that freedom of choice in how we live our lives. Michael Gebert: Yeah, and not always, I would say, looking at the world geopolitically, of course, there is sometimes no choice. And if you are able to generate those choices, first of all by understanding how to design them, that’s a very good first step. So when I wrote the book, the prior part was basically a research paper I did, a small research paper also on ResearchGate. This is the foundation where I started thinking and reflecting. Basically, the core there is about a question that I think is becoming unavoidable now and for the future. The question is: if more and more cognition or judgment and action are delegated to intelligent systems, what has to be true for human beings in order to remain genuinely free? So the book is really about freedom, agency, responsibility, and at the end, about belonging in a world of increasingly disruptive intelligence. Ross Dawson: Yeah, yeah. So the word agency is obviously very much of the moment, in lots of ways. But I think human agency is absolutely critical. One of the central things you lay out in the paper, which I think is really, as you were saying a moment ago, is on everyone’s minds. You’re saying this idea of agency used to be about making decisions, whereas now, as you describe it, agency is shifting to authoring the conditions for decision making. So we’re not necessarily making the decisions ourselves, but we do control and guide the conditions, the context, or the structures for decisions so that we retain responsibility and accountability, and those decisions are the ones we would want. So how do we do that? Michael Gebert: Yeah, you know, the question before asking how is really to understand under what conditions do human beings remain authors of their lives when more and more of those decisions are shaped by, as you say, agency systems or whatever name they go by, whether fancy, new, or already existent. So the how—and it’s not about lifting a secret—is about going back to cognition and having that cognitive intelligence and cognitive roots, which are in us, but which, over the years—and you reflected on the last 15 years, especially the generation after 2008, meaning after the iPhone—have lost large parts of that ability, which is very human. So it’s not really a reshaping or something new. It’s also not a book advising how to; it is really a finger going up and saying, people, please remember that the deeper question is under what conditions do human beings remain genuinely free when more and more cognition, judgment, and action is to be owned back and not delegated to the systems. This is, of course, very formal in the need and in the demand, but especially, as you mentioned, when laying it out into organizations or government structures, it is hardcore policy and hardcore principle. You can write a lot of things in your genuine AI policies, but what I see right now is that in reality, first of all, nobody’s really reading them in depth. Secondly, there is really no reflection point on this cognition, judgment, and delegation. Therefore, this is really prior before any interest in how-to in terms of technology and what LLM to choose. This is really prior—it’s day zero—when you think about what’s going on, and when you think about how to position yourself, your company, and your team in there. Then this is the next step of thinking. Ross Dawson: So I want to come back to that, but I think one of the phrases you use is cognitive sovereignty, and this is in a context where one of the most shared papers recently is around cognitive surrender. Cognitive sovereignty is the opposite of cognitive surrender. But the reality is that in interacting with LLMs, it does change our cognition. Michael Gebert: As long as we, yeah, as long as we delegate cognition, basically. The auto effect is— Ross Dawson: Conversation with a human changes our cognition too, and I think we need to recognize that. So it’s not just conversing with LLMs. Conversing with a human changes the way we think, which is a good thing because we’re getting more diverse opinions. But obviously, LLMs are not humans, and while possibly that interaction could enhance our thinking, if we get some great ideas and different perspectives from an LLM, then we’re still retaining cognitive sovereignty. So let’s frame this: how do we as individuals get to cognitive sovereignty? What does that look like? Michael Gebert: Yeah. So first of all, I think we need to understand that when we delegate cognition to an AI, we redesign responsibility. This is undisputably non-negotiable. This is a fact. When you compare it to a human interaction, there is no default responsibility redesign necessary. It’s a reflection point, it’s a discussion. If it’s a good conversation, it’s uplifting for both ends. You go out of this conversation and you have, yeah, uplifted cognition. Surrendering cognition, as you said, is a very factual statement that brings a lot of views, but it’s basically raising the white flag and saying, I surrender. What I say is, no, it’s not time to surrender. It’s time to appreciate, and it is time to understand that freedom no longer exists outside the systems, and it depends on the design. Coming back to the design, it’s about understanding that we need to distinguish between intelligent systems and agency. We need to separate the capacity for governance. Therefore, we should distinguish between formal freedom and substantive freedom. The difference there is that there are two parts: assistance and substitution. Understanding that there is a very important difference, and really feeling that difference personally with input, makes it powerful. When we think about AI and all those systems, we often confuse optimization with empowerment, and this is one of those very dangerous paths. Even, you know, you are very active on LinkedIn, I’m a little bit active on LinkedIn, and we see all those posts. To be honest, I would say since the start of ChatGPT and all the other LLM models, 80–90% of those posts and comments are now AI-driven, and you see it, you read it, once you’ve been longer on those platforms. Therefore, people think they feel empowered, but it is not empowerment. It is maybe optimization, but it’s not a reflection point. Coming back to your core question of cognitive sovereignty, cognitive sovereignty would be really going back and abstracting and saying, all right, AI can absolutely expand human possibility, but it is hopefully about human potential and not about completely outsourcing and empowering the systems. Ross Dawson: So, so what? Let’s just—what does an individual do when they’re working with an LLM? What are the practices that enable them to retain cognitive sovereignty? Michael Gebert: Yeah, I think, first of all—and this is, of course, a lot of work—every output of any system is a suggestion. Treat it as a suggestion. Compare it to a conversation: if you have a conversation with a very wise person, very reflective, very well known, normally you don’t instantly believe what’s coming out of their mouth. It depends, of course, on your dependency on that person, but normally, you reflect. What we see right now is a dramatic shift towards instant reputation and instant recognition of AI output. Even though I’m not a skeptic about augmentation, I’m skeptical about unexamined delegation. That means there is human flourishing everywhere possible, but it does not emerge automatically from capacity. This is the reflection point, and it is, as I said, not easy. It’s a routine. It’s basically a self-delegated routine, saying, all right, this is the output, that’s interesting. Maybe it’s misleading. Maybe it is another opinion. Maybe it really substitutes my argumentation. It feels like empowerment, but at most it’s optimization. Ross Dawson: So, you know, obviously this requires that metacognition, as in, to be aware of your own thinking processes, individually and with the machines and with others, and at which point you can start to observe and reflect. Michael Gebert: It’s, you know, Ross, to be honest, it’s hard work. Because in the daily life, for a regular person at work, there’s time pressure, social pressure, work pressure—there’s a lot of pressure. The core motivation for most companies is efficiency: to integrate AI and AI systems to be faster, easier, leaner, to make more profit. So the human factor is not in the center. We learned that also from crowdsourcing and crowd intelligence. My PhD about crowdsourcing integration in companies many years ago was about the same reflection: once people have those pressure points triggered, then the reflection within that, that is needed as we talked about, goes down massively. So the things that are coming now, historically and consequentially, is that the whole AI should not be a technological footnote. It should be really a core issue, to integrate that cognitive sovereignty, and out of that, basically the designing process—what I call now freedom—is ongoing. Because it’s kind of then on auto-shift at some point. But really, there are a lot of stakes that become reasonable here in the Western civilization and in our civilization. So it’s not about tools. The point is at which a tool becomes an environment. This is really what I think a lot about, and it is mind-blowing on the one hand, and on the other hand, really frightening to see, as you say, also the opposite that is happening. Ross Dawson: Yep, yep. So we’ll come back to that. We’ve still been talking about, in many ways, these decision structures. So, I guess, in an organization, let’s say a head of transformation or CEO says, “Okay, we need to move to what I call humans plus AI decisions,” where humans are involved and AI is involved, and we get to decisions that may be better, faster, cheaper, but also still retain governance, meeting your ethical and compliance requirements, and that the humans are accountable. Of course, there are many types of decisions, and so that will play out in different ways across different types of decisions. But what is the process for just thinking through and implementing those decision structures or conditions whereby you can have better decisions while still maintaining that control or freedom, as well as accountability? Michael Gebert: Yeah, first of all, I think the real leadership challenge is not just to deploy, right? It’s about preserving agency while doing so. This is the critical factor. I don’t know if you can recall in history, but from my understanding, it’s the first time that we have this hyper-integration of AI usage in both private and commercial business environments. There is no real cut, meaning that the person, the human, is using AI systems privately—shopping lists, optimization, planning, automation, personal agents—and it’s used in the company. Therefore, two things should happen structurally. First of all, the reflection on how to integrate cognitive sovereignty has to be ramped up, learned, taught, and really developed within the organization. Optimal would be beforehand, but to be realistic, while deploying AI with that knowledge, this is a training program. So how is it? It is a training program. I know that you are a fan and you have superb pictorials and structural views that you post on LinkedIn, and this would be a perfect example of producing such a roadmap, basically saying, “All right, these are the basic steps. You may not be able to follow them 100%, but just to give you a core idea of step 1, 2, 3,” and then follow the roadmap, a framework. But now, with the difference that as it is so integrated, the person understanding the framework can reflect the framework also for their private lives, meaning with their children, godchildren, partners. This is why it’s so interesting, because it’s core learning. Right? So basically—and I know you have a couple of those already in existence—so it’s kind of the next step. What should come out, or should be produced, is a combination, saying, “Okay, this is the addition to that framework, in combination with that framework, understanding what myself and others try to explain here.” Ross Dawson: Fantastic. I interrupted you, and you were at the point of saying, okay, this training or these frameworks are assisting people to have agency in this process. Let’s come back to that. You’re helping people to frame or to have agency themselves, but this is part of a process where you are starting to bring AI into decisions. So where does that take us? Michael Gebert: It takes us to a very fragile and really hard-to-judge state where we are at the moment. I just can really reflect on my experience right now with training and with conversations within organizations—not just because maybe the book is a foundation, but because I’ve been doing that for the last 30 years. Having that reflection point, I would say it has never been easy to have a disruptive framework implemented in a running ship. The company is moving. There are goals. There are different goals. There may be goals that are totally the opposite to what the framework says. But realism kicks in very easily. My first door opener is saying, if you as a company want in a possible future to integrate human potential into your upcoming company framework, then we have to talk and put a framework about cognitive sovereignty and understanding of systems of agency into your existing and upcoming, mediated, intelligent systems. Otherwise, if that is not understood, then we will have a dependency on decision, which is not only bad for your employees, but in the medium term, maybe even in the short term, depending on where you integrate the AI systems, can be very destructive for the whole company. This understanding is a massive shift from a regular decision, which is mostly still coming out of the technical department—meaning the CTO or the CIO are fascinated by the possibilities, they report it to the board, the board sees efficiency, and out of that, a testing period and pilots are developed, and then the rollouts begin. Which is all fine in the old thinking, because it doesn’t price in what’s happening on the cognitive and human potential side. So it’s an additional card that has to be integrated very early on. Ross Dawson: So are there any organizations that you have seen who are doing any of this well, or even just a little bit well, in terms of even just taking this framing into how they’re trying to approach it? Michael Gebert: You know, in general, I would say there are a couple. I have one from a city company who is worldwide active, who is doing, on a department level, a very good job. Generally, overall, the whole company is fragmented, and therefore decision making is fragmented. Therefore I cannot really judge on how they are doing as a whole, as a company. Ross Dawson: Just on the department. If they were doing it well, what were they doing? Michael Gebert: In that specific company, they understood—and maybe that is the interesting part—they understood relatively early, due to the fact that they are coming from a very human-side factor of product, meaning pharmaceuticals. Because whatever you take in, a pharmaceutical elevates or alters your human condition, and therefore they have this sensitivity for the topic very early on, which made it very helpful to attract attention and also understanding within the leadership and decision making to integrate, in the development and R&D departments for future potential aids and medicals, that thinking. Which I think is perfect and fascinating and it fits, but the foundation was a preset of basic understanding which is bounded to the product, or bounded to the industry itself. The other one was automotive. You know, I’m in Munich, so there are, and in Germany, there are still a couple of automotive companies left, and they understand that there is a big shift on robotics, FSD, and there is the other shift of human-centric driving. But still, in the car is a human person, so somebody has to be transported from A to B. The department there on AI and future development understands this cognitive sovereignty also very well, because their approach is coming from a very human angle. What I want to say is, it benefits a lot once you have that framework integrated into existing acceptance of the importance of the topic. What I found is that especially in the financial sector, it is, at the moment, not really recognized. It’s very product-focused, very output-focused, very efficiency-focused. It’s not really focused on preservation of human intelligence and reflection and agency, and therefore, you know, designing their cognitive sovereignty—aka freedom. I think that will fall back massively, but we will see. This is just a reflection point now in Europe, or especially in Western Europe, like Germany. But the similarities appear to be there on a global scale, because the systems tend to be very similar that are being used. Ross Dawson: So which kind of just takes us to round out, the big picture. Your book is for, amongst others, policymakers, and we’ve talked about the individual and organizational level. So now pulling it up to the macro level, as those who are creating the policies for governments and supranational organizations and so on, what are just a few core lessons or insights for how we design policy to enable human freedom, agency, and dignity? Michael Gebert: Yeah, maybe I’ll give you some really concrete examples, because I presented the book this year in Davos at the World Economic Forum. I had a reading session there. Of course, it’s kind of a competition between giants, so I was humbled to have a couple of people there, but not as many as I wished, to be honest. Still, I was there talking to a couple of those macro-level, high-end policymakers, and what they said is very similar to what I heard back in my crowdsourcing research: they have the data, they know the importance, they sometimes even have a hint of a framework to do it. However, inside the rollout pattern and inside the organizations themselves, there are a lot of—not risks, but—hindering mechanisms that tend to prevent an instant understanding. What they sometimes do—and this was a gentleman, interestingly enough, from a country in Africa—he said, “We need to have, like in the old days, ambassadors of freedom within the organization at all levels.” Basically, they are the spearheads, they’re the flag keepers and the wisdom keepers, in a very front-end way, understanding the core concept and elevating the rest of the crowd, of the team, to a level where they are open to discuss, understand, and integrate. This, I think, was one of the most hands-on approaches I’ve heard, because all the others about training and retraining and certification—it’s all good, but it doesn’t really guarantee integration. Ross Dawson: Yeah, yeah. So, Michael, where can people go to find more about your work and your book? Michael Gebert: So, basically, if you have a ResearchGate account, the free prelude—the research there—can be downloaded for free. It’s a PDF. I would be happy to extend or expand it. If there are researchers or organizations out there that want to use that as a foundation or expand it to their special needs, I’m more than happy to assist. The book itself is at 2079.life. It’s a dedicated website for it, and you can buy it, of course, online or from any dealer that you want. Interestingly, with that book, I really have lifted it to a hardcover version—not that I’m old school, but I think there is something about seeing it physically, marking it. I’ve seen it now, when I did the promotion, I gave it to a couple of people who normally don’t really read so much because they have audiobooks or PDFs and a lot of work but no time. But with that book, they came back to me and made photos where they really underlined things, marked it, put their reflection points. I think this is what this book is about, because it’s not a 300-plus page book. It’s quite condensed, but it should bring you, in basically every paragraph, to rethinking about your approach to the topic. When that is reached, the book is 100% where I want it to be. It’s definitely not a how-to book—how to be great, or “in 30 minutes you’re an AI prompt magician,” or anything like that. It’s quite the opposite. It really goes way deeper. A lot of books kind of flag it at some point, but not in that condensed area. As you may have read, there’s no version 4.0. When I started thinking about it, it was COVID times, and the first version I gave to you has nothing to do with the current version. The first version was a blue pill, red pill approach—really, there will be a dystopian version and there will be a freedom version. Over the years, now in the fourth year after COVID, with all that’s happened on the technology side, geopolitical, and human side, this is the output now, a development. So the book itself is not a still space; it is a development space. Ross Dawson: Fantastic. Well, thank you so much for your time and your insights on the call today and the very important work, because obviously freedom is something which we need to work on. Thank you, Michael. Michael Gebert: I think that’s the core. Thank you so much, Ross. And have a great day. Thanks for having me. The post Michael Gebert on designing freedom, human self-determination, cognitive sovereignty, and systems of agency (AC Ep40) appeared first on Humans + AI.

Send us Fan MailGuests:The Dental C-Suite PodcastApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dental-c-suite/id1879638628Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/37sqQuk4OhGtzbAa7Pmdtc?si=355afc37373c498fThe Dental C-Suite Podcast Hosts:Jessica Bereti, Modern HR Solutions Inc. - FounderLinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/jessica-beretiWebsite: https://www.modhrsolutions.com/email: hello@modhrsolutions.comKyle Hamilton, The Dental Marketing Company - FounderLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iamkylehamiltonWebsite: https://thedentalmarketingcompany.com/email: hello@thedentalmarketingcompany.comCharlei Beaulieu, Tidal Accounting - FounderLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliebeaulieuWebsite: https://www.tidalaccounting.ca/email: charlie@tidalaccounting.caBob Piercy - hostphone - 780-965-2232email - co.travelpodcast@gmail.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertpiercy/Website - https://robertpiercy.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/BobPiercyCoTravelPocastProfessional Practice Sales: Dental Office Valuations & Brokeragehttps://www.ppsales.com/

Pastor Danny concludes his conversation with Pastor Gary Hendrickson and Christina Cavazos, fellow staff members at GHBC. Gary is pastor of the young adult ministry, and Christina serves as both Gary's admin and the church's community outreach director. They finish discussing how they approach ministering to different generations, what is unique about the current generation of young people, and other related topics. Be sure to check out Part 1 of this conversation if you haven't already! ---- If you like our podcast, share it with your friends! ...and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! If you want to learn more about Pastor Danny and DFEA, check out https://www.dfea.com

On this payday, Amber and Erika pause to reflect on the season opening conversation with their mothers. We discuss the wisdom we gleaned while also noting the parts of their legacy that felt unacknowledged or minimized. Our hope for this conversation is to speak the truth while illuminating how our own entrenchment in patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism often prevents us from fully recognizing their impacts on our actions and the normalization of harm. Through interrogating the legacies our mothers left to us, we endeavor to carry on with the good while courageously discarding actions and mindsets that no longer serve us or lead to liberation. Listen in to join the conversation!

Pastor Danny welcomes to the show two fellow staff members of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, TX: Pastor Gary Hendrickson and Christina Cavazos. Gary is pastor of the young adult ministry, and Christina serves as both Gary's admin and the church's community outreach director. Gary and Christina join Danny to discuss how they approach ministering to different generations, what is unique about the current generation of young people, and more... and it wouldn't be REvangelical without starting with testimonies and what brought them into full-time ministry! Don't miss this great conversation! ---- If you like our podcast, share it with your friends! ...and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! If you want to learn more about Pastor Danny and DFEA, check out https://www.dfea.com

Wednesday, 18 February 2026   Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4   “And answering, Peter, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, good, it is – us to be here. If You desire, we will make here three tabernacles: You one, and Moses one, and Elijah one'” (CG).   In the previous verse, it was noted that during the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Matthew next records, “And answering, Peter.”   All three gospel narratives agree that it was Peter who spoke to Jesus. However, each will show the individual preference of how Peter addressed Him. Matthew continues the narrative with, “he said to Jesus, ‘Lord.'”   Matthew records the word, kurios, lord. It is derived from kuros, supremacy. Mark records the word rhabbi. It is derived from the Hebrew rab, abundance, which is fixed to a pronominal suffix. The meaning then is “my master,” with the intent of “my great one,” or “my Mr. Full of Knowledge.” Luke records the word epistates, master. That is derived from epi, upon or over, and histemi, to stand. Thus, it is one who stands over another.   Each of them gives the same general meaning but is taken from the author's own well of knowledge when penning the account. The word spoken by Peter would have been in Aramaic, thus rhabbi is probably what was said. With that stated, Peter next says, “good, it is – us to be here.”   The meaning probably isn't, “It is good to be here, because...” Rather, Peter's intent seems more akin to “What a satisfying experience it is for us to be here.” To bolster that thought, he next says, “If You desire, we will make here...”   Some manuscripts say, “I will make.” Scholars who lean toward this as correct indicate it is in line with the impetuous nature of Peter, as if “I will handle this.” However, that doesn't change with “we.”   Depending on the situation, there is no less impetuosity if Peter volunteered others. However, it isn't certain that we have all that was said. Rather, the gospel focuses on particular things while probably ignoring other things that may have transpired. Understanding this, Peter continues, saying, “three tabernacles.”   It is a new word, skéné, a tent. In this case, it would be referring to a tabernacle built out of whatever branches could be obtained by the disciples. The word can be used literally, as it is here, or it can be used figuratively, such as in Hebrews 9:11. Peter, assuming this may be an extended stay for them, or maybe hoping it can be extended by his suggestion, offers to build three tabernacles, which are, “You one, and Moses one, and Elijah one.”   The offer to build tabernacles, akin to the sukkah made for the Feast of Tabernacles, is made. Mark adds to the thought, saying, “For not he had known what he should say. For terrified, they were.” Luke says, “not having known what he says.”   In other words, there was confusion in his mind about how to address the issue at all, and he blurted out his words, probably in an attempt to bring some sort of control to the events around him that he could not fully understand.   Life application: One of the most common things passed on in Christian circles from this verse, and which has been repeated in innumerable sermons and commentaries, and then which is passed on by lay people, is that everyone will know everyone else in heaven immediately because Peter knew who Moses and Elijah were without being told.   How anyone can come to that conclusion is hard to figure out, but it now permeates Christian thinking. The account has already said that Moses and Elijah were conversing with Jesus. Conversing means... anyone? Having a conversation. It could have gone on for five minutes or an hour. And yet, not a word of what was said is recorded.   The general tenor of the conversation was that they “spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). But that is just what the conversation was about, not the details that were conveyed.   For all we know, Peter was listening and heard the names of Moses and Elijah stated by Jesus. Maybe Jesus introduced the two, saying, “Moses, this is Elijah. Elijah, this is Moses.” Or maybe the two were wearing name tags. To jump to the conclusion that everyone will know everyone else assumes too much.   It is not a good policy to make such statements without qualifiers, such as “Maybe...” The fact is, we have no idea whether we will know everybody's name or not.   Use discretion when passing things on. To insert thoughts that may or may not be correct can only lead people down incorrect paths of thinking. One idea, such as this, can, and normally will, lead to other unfounded suppositions.   Lord God, it is good to be in Your presence and to share in Your tenderful blessings and mercies each day. We are the recipients of all of Your goodness toward mankind because of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Help us to remember this in times of troubles, trials, and difficulties. What we have coming will forever replace anything we are now suffering. Thank You for this great hope we possess. Amen.  

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Dr. Daniel Pitt and his imposing mustache joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to explore the similarities and differences between American and British conservatism, proto-Burkean "conservative" thinkers, Pitt's personal relationship with Sir Roger Scruton, and the importance of unchosen obligations in a free society, all offered up in a wonderfully meandering conversation that nonetheless stays within the broader parameters of some conceivable structure analogous to the conservative vision of ordered liberty.  Undoubtedly, Michael Oakeshott would have been proud.   About Daniel Pitt Dr. Daniel Pitt is an honorary research fellow at the University of Buckingham and is also a member of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull.  He was a former graduate student of Sir Roger Scruton and the co-editor of Intellectual Conservatism: From Burke to Scruton.  You can follow Daniel on Twitter @DanJTPitt  

What happens when a long pastoral calling ends, friendships fade, and the church faces cultural fracture? Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer (42 years in ministry at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, CA) joins Mark Labberton for a searching conversation about retirement from pastoral ministry, loneliness, leadership, and the meaning of credible witness in the Black church today. "Ministry can be a lonely business." In this episode, Bishop Ulmer reflects on the stepping away after four decades of pastoral leadership, navigating aloneness, disrupted rhythms, and the spiritual costs of transition. Together they discuss pastoral loneliness, friendship and grief, retirement and identity, church leadership after elections, authenticity versus attraction, political division in congregations, and whether the church still centers Jesus. Episode Highlights "Ministry can be a lonely business." "[Boy, pointing to a church] Is God in there? [Pastor] Sometimes I wonder." "There's a Moses in you that will see farther than you'll go." "The tension is authenticity versus attraction." "Jesus is the answer for the world today." About Kenneth C. Ulmer Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer is Bishop Emeritus of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California, where he served as senior pastor for more than four decades. A nationally respected preacher, civic leader, and mentor, Ulmer played a significant role in the spiritual and economic life of Los Angeles, including the preservation of the Forum as a major community asset. He has been a prominent voice in conversations about the Black church, urban ministry, and faithful Christian leadership amid cultural and political change. Ulmer continues to teach, preach, and advise leaders while reflecting publicly on vocation, aging, and wisdom in ministry. Learn more and follow at https://www.faithfulcentral.com Helpful Links And Resources Faithful Central Bible Church: https://www.faithfulcentral.com Conversing with Mark Labberton: https://comment.org/conversing Credible Witness podcast: https://faith.yale.edu/credible-witness Show Notes Long pastoral tenure ending after more than four decades of leadership Friendship formed through shared grief and the loss of trusted companions Prayer, friendship, and ministry forged "on our knees" at Hollywood Presbyterian Loss of regular companionship revealing unexpected loneliness and aloneness "Ministry can be a lonely business." Absence of trusted friends exposing a deep relational void Final sermon titled "I Did My Best," echoing 2 Timothy imagery and the words on Kenneth Ulmer's father's grave "I fought a good fight" as closing vocational reflection Disrupted spiritual rhythm after forty-one years of weekly preaching "My rhythm is off." Identity shaped by Sunday coming "every seven days" Question of where and how to worship after stepping away Public recognition colliding with uncertainty about purpose Therapy as a faithful response to grief and transition Energy and health without a clear channel for vocation Question of "what do you do now?" after leadership ends Seeing farther than you will go as a leadership reality Deuteronomy 34 and Moses viewing the Promised Land "There's a Moses in you that will see farther than you'll go." Passing vision to a Joshua who will go farther than he can see Grief of cheering from the sidelines while no longer on the field Wrestling with authenticity versus attraction in church leadership John 12:32 and the tension of lifting up Jesus to draw others "The tension is authenticity versus attraction." Fear of entertainment, production, and celebrity eclipsing Christ Question of whether churches are built on preaching or personality Political polarization dividing congregations and pulpits Question pastors must ask: "Who am I going to be after this ballot?" Kingdom identity beyond donkey or elephant, only the Lamb "Holding up the bloodstained banner" as faithful witness Doors of the church open—how wide are they, and for whom? Concern for credibility after the benediction and after the election Civic engagement without surrendering theological center Preserving community good beyond church walls and buildings Forum purchase as economic stewardship, not church expansion Question of whether God is still "in that house" How much of the God inside gets outside into the neighborhood? Jesus as the enduring answer amid cultural confusion Worship song, "We Offer Jesus" "Jesus in the morning, Jesus at noonday, Jesus in the midnight hour." Call to be the extended incarnation in ordinary life: "You are the temple." "Who are you turning away that he [Jesus] would not turn away?" #KennethCUlmer #PastoralLeadership #ChurchAndCulture #CredibleWitness #FaithAfterRetirement #AuthenticityVsAttraction Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

This is a special episode of For the Good of the Public, cross-posted with "Conversing with Mark Labberton." https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversing-with-mark-labberton/id1161564408 Can joy be anything but denial in a rage-filled public life? Michael Wear joins Mark Labberton to reframe politics through the kingdom logic of hope, agency, and practices of silence and solitude. As 2025 closes amid political discord, we might all ask whether joy can be real in public life—without denial, escapism, or contempt. "… Joy is a pervasive and constant sense of wellbeing." In this conversation, Michael Wear and Mark Labberton reflect on joy, hope, responsibility, and agency amid a reaction-driven politics. Together they discuss the realism of Advent; the limits of our control; how kingdom imagination reframes anger; hope beyond outcomes, dignity under threat, and practices (including silence and solitude) that restore clarity. About Michael Wear Michael Wear is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan nonprofit that contends for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. He has served for more than a decade as a trusted advisor to civic and religious leaders on faith and public life, including as a presidential campaign and White House staffer. He is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life and Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America. Learn more and follow at https://www.michaelwear.com. Helpful Links and Resources Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics https://www.zondervan.com/9780310367239/the-spirit-of-our-politics/ Michael Wear, Reclaiming Hope https://www.thomasnelson.com/9780718082338/reclaiming-hope/ Center for Christianity and Public Life https://www.ccpubliclife.org/ A National Call to Silence and Solitude https://www.silenceandsolitude.org/ Dallas Willard: "Personal Soul Care" https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/personal-soul-care Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited https://www.beacon.org/Jesus-and-the-Disinherited-P1781.aspx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How should Christian faith shape work in an era of pluralism, fear, and systemic inequality? Sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund (Rice University) is presenting new insights for faith at work through data, theology, and lived experience. "People love to talk about individual ethics … but what was really hard for them to think about was, what would it mean to make our workplace better as a whole?" In this episode, Ecklund joins Mark Labberton to reflect on moving from individual morality toward systemic responsibility, dignity, and other-centred Christian witness at work. Together they discuss faith and work, the gender and race gaps created by systemic injustice, fear and power, religious diversity, rest and human limits, gender and racial marginalization, and the cost of a credible Christian witness. Episode Highlights "People love to talk about individual ethics." "What would it mean to make our workplace better as a whole?" "People are much more apt to take us seriously if we first take them seriously." "Suppression of faith in particular is not the answer." "God is God and I am not." About Elaine Howard Ecklund Elaine Howard Ecklund is professor of sociology at Rice University and director of the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance. She is a leading sociologist of religion, science, and work whose research examines how faith operates in professional and institutional life. Ecklund has led large-scale empirical studies on religion in workplaces and scientific communities, supported by the National Science Foundation, Templeton Foundation, and Lilly Endowment. She is the author or co-author of several influential books, including Working for Better, Why Science and Faith Need Each Other, and Science vs. Religion. Her work informs academic, ecclesial, and public conversations about pluralism, justice, and moral formation in modern society. Learn more and follow at https://www.elaineecklund.com and https://twitter.com/elaineecklund Helpful Links And Resources Working for Better (IVP): https://www.ivpress.com/working-for-better Why Science and Faith Need Each Other (IVP): https://www.ivpress.com/why-science-and-faith-need-each-other Elaine Howard Ecklund website: https://www.elaineecklund.com Rice University Boniuk Institute: https://boniuk.rice.edu Conversing with Mark Labberton: https://comment.org/conversing Show Notes Sociological study of religion, work, and group behavior Christian faith taken seriously at personal and academic levels Ecklund's former research focus on science as a workplace environment Expanding faith-at-work research beyond scientific communities Compartmentalized Christian faith and the fear of offending colleagues Friendship and collaboration emerging from leadership retreats Large-scale data-driven study on religion in changing workplaces Religious pluralism at work and changing workplace demographics Writing for Christian audiences shaped by empirical research From individual ethics toward systemic responsibility at work "People love to talk about individual ethics." Systemic injustice blind spots Moral shorthand focused on time sheets and office supplies Organizational leadership and culture change Difficulty imagining organizational or structural workplace change Fear of retaliation when confronting unjust systems Responsibility for workplace realities Power underestimated by those holding leadership positions Costly examples of speaking up against workplace injustice Christian fear of marginalization in pluralistic environments Suppression of religious expression as common workplace response Suppression versus accommodation: "Suppression of faith in particular is not the answer." Religious diversity as unavoidable reality of modern work Other-centered faith rooted in dignity of every person Imago Dei shaping engagement across religious difference "People are much more apt to take us seriously if we first take them seriously." Racialized religious minorities: the double marginalization of racial minorities of faith Gender inequity and underexamined workplace power dynamics Faith-based employee groups Fear masquerading as anger in cultural and religious conflict Workplaces as rare spaces for meaningful civic encounter Justice beyond activism Rest as theological foundation for justice and leadership Limits, Sabbath, and resisting productivity as ultimate value "God is God and I am not." Human limits in leadership Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary. #FaithAndWork #ElaineHowardEcklund #ChristianEthics #WorkplaceJustice #ReligiousPluralism #RestAndFaith

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas.Support the show

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas.Support the show

In this Thanksgiving reflection, Mark Labberton opens up about a period of darkness and despair, when as a younger man he considered ending his life. But when he was invited to share Thanksgiving dinner with a local couple, his eyes were opened to concrete acts of hope, friendship, and joy—all embodied in the simple feast of a community "Friendsgiving" potluck. Every year since, Mark calls these friends on Thanksgiving Day, in gratitude for and celebration of the hospitality, generosity, beauty, friendship, and hope he encountered that day. Here Mark reflects on the emotional and psychological difficulties he was going through, the meaning and beauty of friendship, how every dish of a Thanksgiving dinner is an act of hope and community, and how hospitality and generosity can uplift every member of a community. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or considering suicide, there is help available now. Simply call or text 988 to speak with someone right away, share what you're going through, and get the support you need. About Mark Labberton Mark Labberton is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Fuller Seminary. He served as Fuller's fifth president from 2013 to 2022. He's the host of Conversing. Show Notes A story about Thanksgiving Day many years ago, during Mark Labberton's master of divinity degree at Fuller Seminary "… not just overwhelmed, but really undone" " … the possibility of ending my life …" Every Thanksgiving dish as an act of hope and community Beauty of friendship A magnificent extravaganza Sharing not just food but hope "Things had radically changed. And that in fact they had, they had not only changed my mindset, but they had saved my life." "For me, Thanksgiving Day holds this deep and pensive awareness that Thanksgiving doesn't always come easy, that often it's a difficult act, that it involves things that are sometimes impossible for certain people to carry. And at the same time, it's possible for other people to carry them in our place, which is what these friends did for me that day." If you're feeling despair, seek professional help. Call or text 988 for an immediate response with a counsellor. Seek community. "Whether you're in darkness or in light, whether your heart feels full of gratitude or whether it may not, I just hope that you'll be aware that God is with you, that you are not alone, that there are people that want to support you and help you, and that there are people that know you who would welcome you into a circle of celebration and gratitude today." Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas. Support the show

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas. Support the show

I like to talk to the crows, though I don't know what we're talking about. Researching the subject, I learned that they have over 250 different calls.

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas. Support the show

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas. Support the show

Starting a new chapter of COD with bible study! Join us! Scripture: Psalm 34:18; Ecclesiastes 3:1–4Theme: Acknowledge grief as a natural, God-understood part of life.Leader Notes: Begin with an open discussion about recent losses or emotional struggles participantsmay have faced. Emphasize that grief is not weakness but part of being human.Discussion Questions:• How have you processed loss or pain in your past?• Why do men (or believers) sometimes hide grief instead of expressing it?• What can honesty about grief teach others about faith?

Check out the latest episode with special guest Angela Jamieson!!Website: https://www.angelajamieson.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angejamiesonFreebie: The 5 Biggest Regrets of High-Achievers—And How to Avoid Them https://www.angelajamieson.com/5regretsfreeI'm running the Relaxed Productivity Course with LIVE calls (usually self-study) starting Nov 6. I think you're dropping the podcast on Nov 7, so it's still not too late to join in. (https://www.angelajamieson.com/rpcourselive) They could just contact me. Module drops on Nov 6 but first live call is Nov 12. If you think you can include this, then great, otherwise, information on the course and membership will be on my website and that stuff is evergreen.

Summary:In this episode, Brian and Chad talk with Christian apologist and evangelist **Eric Hernandez** about his book *The Lazy Approach to Evangelism: A Simple Guide for Conversing with Non-Believers*. Eric discusses how evangelism and apologetics intersect, why every believer is called to defend the faith, and how to engage with skeptics effectively and biblically.Key Topics Covered:* Eric's philosophy of evangelism and how apologetics fits into it* The danger of emotion-based evangelism vs. truth-based evangelism* Understanding “strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10) as false ideas that block people from knowing God* Identifying and addressing major worldviews: postmodernism, scientism, and naturalism* Paul's example of adapting to the audience (1 Corinthians 9:20–23)* “The Lazy Approach”: asking the right questions instead of having all the right answers* The importance of theological triage—keeping the main thing the main thing* Understanding the **burden of proof**, **rebuttals vs. refutations**, and **logical fallacies*** Using Colossians 4:5–6 as a biblical foundation for gospel conversations* How Jesus modeled effective apologetics with both compassion and precision* Encouragement for Christians who feel intimidated by evangelism or apologetics* Why apologetics isn't optional—it's commanded and part of loving God with all your mindQuotes:“If you're not engaging in apologetics, you are in rebellious disobedience to the Word of God.” – Eric Hernandez
“You don't need to know all the right answers; you need to learn how to ask the right questions.”
“Evangelism isn't about winning arguments—it's about tearing down strongholds.”Mentioned in This Episode:* *The Lazy Approach to Evangelism* by Eric Hernandez* Previous Apologetics315 episode: *Eric Hernandez on the Soul** Greg Koukl – *Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions** J. Gresham Machen on false ideas as the greatest obstacles to the gospel* 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5; Colossians 4:5–6Resources:* Book: *~[The Lazy Approach to Evangelism on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/)~** Eric Hernandez's YouTube Channel: ~[Eric Hernandez Ministries]* Support Eric's Ministry: Details and updates available via his upcoming newsletter and website relaunchTakeaway:
Apologetics isn't for specialists—it's for every Christian. The “lazy” approach isn't about being passive; it's about being wise. Ask questions, listen well, keep the main thing the main thing, and let truth do the heavy lifting.================================We appreciate your feedback.If you're on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Cara T and Raquel for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas. Support the show

Send us a textJoin Mericha, Joinae and Cara T for Girl Talk....Conversing about life, womanhood, marriage, singleness, relationships, family, children, careers, faith and spirituality. This podcast broadcasts live from Glory 93.9FM Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas. Support the show

Conversing with pets. How many slices of pizza we each devour in a year. And beating PICA! That's what Paul is BuZzin' about today on The Daily BuZz!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St. Paisios provides guidance on essential questions about the inner life of thoughts that we deal with our entire lives. A reading from Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle by St. Paisios, p. 62-760:12 Spiritual Life is Based on Thought8:03 Cultivating Good Thoughts12:07 The Purification of the Mind and the Heart14:28 We Must Not Be Suspicious21:23 Conversing with Thoughts24:30 Consenting to Thoughts

In this episode of RPG, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with writer and designer MJ Newman to dive into the many sides of RPG writing. Known for her work across different properties, MJ shares her experiences navigating the unique challenges of creating for both big corporations and small publishers. The conversation covers everything from the business of selling RPGs in a niche market, to adapting mechanics that capture the right atmosphere, to what makes horror RPGs stand out. Whether you're curious about writing for games or just love learning how stories and systems come together, this episode offers insights, behind-the-scenes details, and advice for aspiring creators.

The church is so much more than a building—but when it comes to managing the physical property of church real estate, we often overlook the great good that can emerge from the land and structures. In this episode, social entrepreneur, strategic executive, and author Mark Elsdon joins Mark Labberton on Conversing to explore how churches and faith communities can reimagine their assets—land, buildings, and money—as instruments for mission, community transformation, and spiritual flourishing. From his decades of work at Pres House in Madison, Wisconsin, to his role as consultant, author, and co-leader of RootedGood, Elsdon shares stories of innovation, courage, and the hard but hopeful work of repurposing property and resources for God's mission in the world. Episode Highlights “It isn't about property, nor is it about money. It's about people's lives and it's about God's work in people's lives.” “We often have the faith of our forebears in the church. But the question is, do we have the courage of them?” “I don't think God's going away. I don't think God's declining. But the way people are engaging their faith is really changed and is changing.” “Sometimes I talk about this as like the Blockbuster Video moment… People still want experiences of the divine. They just don't want to access it primarily on a Sunday morning.” “Constraints can produce creativity and, in the life of faith, can also produce a willingness to trust.” Helpful Links and Resources Mark Elsdon's Website *We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry,* by Mark Elsdon *Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition,* by Mark Elsdon RootedGood - resources for congregations, judicatories, and other church leaders related to social enterprise and church property Good Futures Accelerator course How-To Guides Threshold Sacred Development - A mission-aligned property development company focused on supporting churches doing community-oriented development About Mark Elsdon Mark Elsdon lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, non-profit executive, author, and speaker. He is the author of We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry (2021) and editor of Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition (2024). In addition to his role as a director with RootedGood, Mark is also executive director at Pres House, where he led the transformation of a dormant non-profit into a growing, vibrant, multi-million-dollar organization. Mark has a BA in psychology from the University of California–Berkeley, a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin School of Business. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark is an avid cyclist and considers it a good year when he rides more miles on his bike than he drives in his car. Show Notes Mark Elsdon reflects on thirty years of ministry, beginning with campus work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Launch of a $17 million student housing project that became a transformative ministry for thousands of students. Elsdon's discovery: “It isn't about property, nor is it about money. It's about people's lives and it's about God's work in people's lives.” Creation of a sober housing program at Pres House that has saved the state of Wisconsin more than a million dollars in addiction-related costs. Innovative blend of mission, ministry, and real estate development to foster student flourishing. The unique impact of housing students in recovery alongside the wider student population. Elsdon's MBA studies at UW–Madison and his calling at the intersection of money and mission. The “Blockbuster Video moment” for American Christianity: people still seek meaning, community, and transcendence, but not in traditional formats. Challenges churches face with aging buildings, declining attendance, and financial strain. How repurposing property reveals new opportunities for mission and ministry. RootedGood's “Good Futures” Accelerator course: helping churches rethink land, buildings, and resources for social enterprise and revenue generation. Example of two congregations in Madison merging to create an environmentally sustainable multifamily housing project and community center. Redefining church property as community space: “flipping the script” so the building belongs to the neighborhood, with the church as anchor tenant. Courage, risk-taking, and letting go of past models are essential for churches to reimagine their future. The critical role of pastoral and lay leadership in sparking change and vision. Storytelling as central to church renewal: “We often have the faith of our forebears in the church. But the question is, do we have the courage of them?” Learning from the pandemic: every church has the capacity for innovation and adaptation. Honouring grief and loss while embracing resurrection hope in church property transitions. Example from San Antonio: members resisted redevelopment until their need for funerals in the sanctuary was acknowledged—turning “either/or” into “both/and.” Affordable housing crisis intersects directly with church land opportunities. Turner Center study: California churches and colleges hold land equal to five Oaklands suitable for affordable housing development. Elsdon warns against cookie-cutter “models” and emphasizes local context, story, and creativity. Forecast: up to 100,000 church properties in the US may be sold or repurposed in the next decade. Elsdon's hope: more repurposing than selling, with land and buildings becoming assets for life-giving mission. The value of constraints: “Constraints can produce creativity and, in the life of faith, can also produce a willingness to trust.” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

Managers are stretched thin, but remain the most powerful voice for employee trust. In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP, Advisory Alexandra Earl introduces the 4 C's of Manager Communication Competencies: Championing, Coaching, Conversing and Connecting. From helping employees link strategy to daily work, to creating true two-way dialogue, Alexandra outlines a clear framework to elevate communication and improve team engagement.   Tune in to discover: Why managers remain the most effective communication channel The 4 essential communication competencies every manager must build How contextualization helps employees see themselves in strategy Practical steps for self-assessment and peer support networks   Dig deeper: Learn more about Gartner for Communications Leaders Benchmark yourself with the Gartner Communications Score Tool Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

Why should Christians tell the truth? Is doing so narrowly a matter of being like Christ? If not, what other considerations and dynamics come into play? Should Christians ever tell a lie? Or, could Christians tell a lie if it was for the sake of love? What Scripture verses come into play on the matter of truth telling and lying? What kind of ethical schools of thought come into play as we work through speaking the truth? Why were so many Christians deceived by the media and politicians over the last 5 years? Come join me and my long-time friend, Mark, as we think aloud together about the importance of truth telling.

Faith matures when mind and heart pursue Jesus together. Study deepens understanding, sharpening our ability to discern truth and engage culture with wisdom. And in today's message, Pastor Gary will also remind you that relationship—not mere knowledge—fuels transformation. Conversing with Christ through prayer, worship, and obedient living turns learned concepts into lived convictions. You can discover a vibrant faith that is well-versed and walks closely with the One who calls you friend.

“Habit eats willpower for breakfast.” As the apostle Paul says in Romans 7, we do the evil we don't want to do, and we don't do the good we want to do. Pastor and author John Ortberg joins Mark Labberton on Conversing to discuss his latest book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough. Drawing on decades of pastoral ministry, the wisdom of the Twelve Steps, and the profound influence of Dallas Willard, Ortberg explores the limits of willpower, the gift of desperation, and the hope of genuine transformation. With humour, honesty, and depth, he reflects on why human will is insufficient, why churches struggle to embody desperation, and how communities of honesty and grace can become places of real healing. Episode Highlights “Habit eats willpower for breakfast.” “The first step is a deeply despairing step. I can't, and it feels like hell and death—and that opens people up to God.” “If you have a wimpy step one, you will have wimpy steps two through twelve.” “Desperation really is a gift.” “Failure and pain so often become helps in our meeting God.” Helpful Links and Resources Find more from John Ortberg at becomenew.com John Ortberg, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart Kent Dunnington, Addiction and Virtue: Beyond the Models of Disease and Choice Stephen R. Haynes, Why Can't Church Be More Like an AA Meeting? About John Ortberg John Ortberg is a pastor, speaker, and bestselling author dedicated to spiritual formation and transformation. He served as senior pastor at Menlo Church from 2003 to 2020, and has written numerous books, including The Life You've Always Wanted and Faith & Doubt. He studied at Wheaton College and Fuller Theological Seminary and has been a trustee at Fuller. His most recent book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough, reframes the Twelve Steps as a wisdom tradition for all seeking deeper life with God. Show Notes The Nature of Willpower and Habit John Ortberg reflects on Dallas Willard's framework for understanding persons. “Habit eats willpower for breakfast.” The human will is essential, but terrifically weak when confronting sin, ego, or deep habits. The Gift of Desperation and the Twelve Steps First step: “We admitted we were powerless.” “The first step is a deeply despairing step. I can't, and it feels like hell and death—and that opens people up to God.” Desperation becomes a gateway to spiritual power. “If you have a wimpy step one, you will have wimpy steps two through twelve.” Comparing church and AA Ortberg: “Desperation really is a gift.” The church often resists being a community of desperation. Honesty is not the same as desperation; both are needed for transformation. Why AA's structure works: fellowship plus program. “Failure and pain so often become helps in our meeting God.” Storytelling and Transformation Testimonies and stories at the center of AA's power. Why narrative makes meaning for human life. “Story is the essential unit of meaning for personhood.” Spiritual Practices and Confession Step 5: “Confess to God, ourselves, and one other person the exact nature of our wrongs.” John recalls confessing to a close friend: “John, I love you more right now than I've ever loved you before.” The liberating power of being fully known and loved. Addiction, Sin, and Disease The debate: is addiction a disease, a habitus, or sin? Disease language reduces shame but risks erasing agency. The overlap of sin, brokenness, and habit. The challenge of shame, judgment, and superiority in church contexts. Fellowship and Program “If you have program but not fellowship, you're dead. If you have fellowship but not program, there is no hope.” AA as a model for church life: communal honesty plus concrete practices. The gospel calls for grace-filled action, not passivity. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

What should be a Christian's position on murder and its punishment? In this second episode where I converse with my old friend Mark, we work through the biblical framing on killing vs murder. Is the New Testament full of mercy whereas the Old Testament was full of vengeance? Were there two different Gods, and Jesus brought with him news of a loving God? Do most people live according to love or fear? Why? Why is an appropriate level of fear not only helpful but necessary for society to flourish? Or, here's a hard question: is the anti-capital-punishment church of today more wise and/or virtuous than the church of seventeen hundred years? More locally, how did the recent plea bargain deal offered to the Moscow murderer play here in Idaho? How'd that plea bargain play with some of the family members of the murdered? Let's think through this difficult topic from a biblical angle. Come laugh and think with myself and Mark.

In this passionate solo episode, Brad Zerbo dives deep into global tremors, both literal and political. He kicks off with a breakdown of a record-shaking 8.8 earthquake and unpacks the lingering speculation around tectonic weapons and government capability to influence seismic activity. From there, Brad barrels into the psychological war waged on the American people, calling out Obama-era treason, the psychological impact of the Russia hoax, and the relentless persecution of Trump and General Flynn. He delivers a no-holds-barred account of the COVID-19 narrative, tying it back to Event 201 and the powerful global institutions that orchestrated the pandemic simulation just months before the outbreak. Brad reflects on personal losses, like the death of his father and public figures like Ryne Sandberg, while battling leftist gaslighting and vaccine denial with historical evidence. The episode ends with a heartfelt celebration of America's forgotten Founders and a preview of Brad's massive new docu-series debuting at Deadwood. This is classic Brad, raw, researched, and ready to break the cycle of mass manipulation.

Introducing Credible Witness, a new podcast produced by Mark Labberton and the Rethinking Church Initiative. In this episode of Conversing, Mark features the full premiere episode of Credible Witness, and is joined by host Nikki Toyama-Szeto and historian Jemar Tisby. Exploring how Christian witness to the gospel of Christ has become compromised—and what might restore its credibility. Reflecting on five years of candid, challenging conversation among diverse Christian leaders during the wake of George Floyd's murder and rising Christian nationalism, the three discuss the soul-searching, disillusionment, and hope that emerged. Together, they examine the cultural fractures, theological tensions, and moral failures that have pushed many to extremes, elevating strident voices as an increased number of people to leave the church. They articulate the mission and vision of Credible Witness, testify to a persistent hope in Jesus and the power of honest community, face painful truths, and imagine a church that more truly reflects the love, justice, and mercy of God. Key Moments “We absolutely get that… but we're still on board with Jesus. And Jesus has always been with us and hasn't left us.” “This isn't about leaving Jesus. This is about following Jesus.” “We've got a better story to tell.” “It was the church that was putting the church at risk.” “The church has a reputation in the United States… and not a good one by and large.” About the Guests Nikki Toyama-Szeto is the host of Credible Witness, and is executive director of Christians for Social Action, equipping the church to pursue justice and follow Jesus in the tension of our times. Jemar Tisby is the author of The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism, and founder of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective. He is the host of Pass the Mic. Show Notes “This isn't about leaving Jesus. This is about following Jesus.” —Jemar Tisby Nikki introduces Credible Witness as a space for honest stories of faith amid moral complexity and social tension Mark recalls the origins of the conversation in summer 2020: COVID-19, George Floyd, church division, and racial injustice Jemar Tisby clarifies the mission for imagining a more credible Christian witness Nikki reflects on trust-building in a space that welcomed “tricky truths” and honesty without pretense The group's five-year journey begins as a short experiment but grows into a lasting community of deep discernment “We weren't trying to replicate any harm.” —Jemar Tisby The group names white Christian nationalism and silence on injustice as threats to the church's credibility Ephesians 2 and the power of “coming together of the unlikes” as a witness to the resurrection “It was the church that was putting the gospel at risk.” —Mark Labberton Nikki explains how church neutrality began to speak volumes: “Choosing silence was actually a loud voice.” Discussion on the failure of integrity: “Too many things in isolation” eroded credibility Jemar highlights story as central to public theology: “We've got a better story to tell.” The group wrestles with algorithmic distortion and toxic digital narratives shaping Christian identity “Not just message, but embodiment”: The church's credibility depends on lived ethics, not just theological claims Mark emphasizes self-examination: “Are we credible?” Dissonance and disagreement as gifts: “What kept people in the room was the gift of dissonance.” —Nikki Toyama-Szeto Jemar recalls moments of tension over how to prioritize justice issues while remaining unified in Christ The group's diversity as a deliberate strategy: different traditions, backgrounds, and responsibilities within the church Nikki names divine timing: the conversation is more urgent now than when it began “We're not all supposed to be the same... That's how everything gets covered.” —Jemar Tisby Mark frames the church's failure as internal implosion—not external threat “Why is the church seemingly so unchanged?” —Mark Labberton Nikki describes how marginalized voices carry wisdom for the way forward Jemar articulates the podcast's goal: a mirror and a window for listeners to see both themselves and the larger church Nikki closes with an invitation to slow down and listen generously: “Pull up a chair...” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:00:00 GMT http://relay.fm/connected/561 http://relay.fm/connected/561 The Stephenlympics 561 Federico Viticci, Stephen Hackett, and Myke Hurley John Voorhees joins Federico and Myke for The Stephenlympics! What will Stephen be up to a year from now? They make their predictions. John Voorhees joins Federico and Myke for The Stephenlympics! What will Stephen be up to a year from now? They make their predictions. clean 4577 Subtitle: Because Dave SaidJohn Voorhees joins Federico and Myke for The Stephenlympics! What will Stephen be up to a year from now? They make their predictions. This episode of Connected is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CONNECTED. Guest Starring: John Voorhees Links and Show Notes: Get Connected Pro: Preshow, postshow, no ads. Submit Feedback GOV.UK Design System The deluge of faster Qi2.2 wireless chargers is here | The Verge Apple's leaked MagSafe charger is first to support Qi2.2 | The Verge Apple PR Speak vs Tech YouTube! | Linus, MKBHD, Scott the Woz & Snazzy Labs - YouTube The Pleasures of Conversing via Voice Text - MacStories iPhone 17 Pro leak reveals brand new colors that could be coming - 9to5Mac Sonny Dickson on X: "iPhone 17 lens protection cover will match the phone color" / X iPhone 17 colors confirmed! See all of Apple's 2025 options right here | Macworld iPhone 17 colors corroborated by 'internal document' – here they are – 9to5mac All 15 New iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Colors Revealed in Latest Leak - MacRumors Stephen Hackett | The Relay Wiki | Fandom Analogue's 4K N64 has been delayed again, but only by a month | The Verge Planned Obsolescence and the Death of Great Products - Casey Neistat - YouTube Stephen Hackett's Computer Collection - Google Sheets NPC: Next Portable Cons

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:00:00 GMT http://relay.fm/connected/561 http://relay.fm/connected/561 Federico Viticci, Stephen Hackett, and Myke Hurley John Voorhees joins Federico and Myke for The Stephenlympics! What will Stephen be up to a year from now? They make their predictions. John Voorhees joins Federico and Myke for The Stephenlympics! What will Stephen be up to a year from now? They make their predictions. clean 4577 Subtitle: Because Dave SaidJohn Voorhees joins Federico and Myke for The Stephenlympics! What will Stephen be up to a year from now? They make their predictions. This episode of Connected is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CONNECTED. Guest Starring: John Voorhees Links and Show Notes: Get Connected Pro: Preshow, postshow, no ads. Submit Feedback GOV.UK Design System The deluge of faster Qi2.2 wireless chargers is here | The Verge Apple's leaked MagSafe charger is first to support Qi2.2 | The Verge Apple PR Speak vs Tech YouTube! | Linus, MKBHD, Scott the Woz & Snazzy Labs - YouTube The Pleasures of Conversing via Voice Text - MacStories iPhone 17 Pro leak reveals brand new colors that could be coming - 9to5Mac Sonny Dickson on X: "iPhone 17 lens protection cover will match the phone color" / X iPhone 17 colors confirmed! See all of Apple's 2025 options right here | Macworld iPhone 17 colors corroborated by 'internal document' – here they are – 9to5mac All 15 New iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Colors Revealed in Latest Leak - MacRumors Stephen Hackett | The Relay Wiki | Fandom Analogue's 4K N64 has been delayed again, but only by a month | The Verge Planned Obsolescence and the Death of Great Products - Casey Neistat - YouTube Stephen Hackett's Computer Collection - Google Sheets NPC: Next Por

We are creeping closer to the weekend with a guy who did EVERYTHING wrong in the Ill-Advised News and a cop who committed a crime with his bodycam on. We hear about why someone plans to eat a 77-year-old cake, discuss the new iPhone update that will try and stop your sexting, and we learn the new method of conversing that is straight out of a video game. We have a second Ill-Advised News with why not to fight an NHL enforcer and a naked man with wood. Support the show and follow us here Twitter, Insta, Apple, Amazon, Spotify and the Edge! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 129th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to welcome our guest, Neale Donald Walsch. Neale has written 40 books on contemporary spirituality and its practical application in everyday life, including his new book GodTalk: Experiences of Humanity's Connections with a Higher Power. Neale is the bestselling author of the Conversations with God series, of which seven of the nine books made the New York Times bestseller list. Book One remained on that list for 134 weeks. His titles have been translated into 37 languages and have been read by millions of people around the world.In this conversation, Neale discusses his journey in exploring humanity's relationship with God, emphasising that neither God nor love is transactional. He also shares the experiences that led to his first bestselling book and the life mission that emerged from those dialogues.This conversation invites us to engage with life in a way that contrasts with many cultural norms—by embracing love, deep understanding, and meaningful connection with others.For more of Neale's work, check out the following:Website: http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/Books: http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/Store/BooksContact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, my 5-week group courses, or to discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams.- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/- Exploring one-on-one coaching: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/one-on-one-coaching- What is a Good Life? Course: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-what-is-a-good-life-course00:00 How we are misunderstanding God04:20 A theologically revolutionary idea10:10 God's love demands nothing in return13:40 Questioning religion but not a belief in God22:15 Conversing with God29:00 Not a case of right & wrong but what works & doesn't33:22 The importance of our imagination41:10 God is speaking to us all the time44:45 The bias against a possibility48:30 Sharing conversations with God53:10 Reflecting on the success of the first book56:30 Discovering his life mission1:03:10 What is a good life for Neale?

What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)? And what does it have to do with conservative political power in the United States and abroad? Leah Payne and Caleb Maskell join Mark Labberton for a deep dive into the emergence and impact of the New Apostolic Reformation—a loosely affiliated global network blending Pentecostal Christian spirituality, charismatic authority, and political ambition. With their combined pastoral experience and scholarly expertise, Payne and Maskell chart the historical, theological, and sociopolitical roots of this Pentecostal movement—from Azusa Street and Latter Rain revivals to modern dominion theology and global evangelicalism. They distinguish the New Apostolic Reformation from the broader Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, and explore the popular appeal, theological complexity, and political volatility of the New Apostolic Reformation. Episode Highlights “Isn't this just conservative political activism with tongues and prophecy and dominion?” “At no point in time in the history of these United States … have Protestants not been interested in having a great deal of influence over public life.” “You can be super nationalistic in Guatemala, in Brazil, in India, and in the United States. … It is a portable form of nationalism.” “They are not moved by appeals to American democracy or American exceptionalism because they have in their mind the end times and the nation of Israel.” “Charismatics and Pentecostals, unlike other forms of American Protestantism … do not have a theological value for democracy.” Main Themes Pentecostalism's history and global influence Charismatic Christianity versus Pentecostalism Defining and explaining the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) C. Peter Wagner, Lance Hall, and Seven Mountain Mandate Dominion theology, Christian nationalism, and the religious Right Pentecostals and Trump politics Zionism in charismatic theology Vineyard movement, worship music, and intimacy with God Linked Media References About Vineyard USA God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne The New Apostolic Churches by C. Peter Wagner This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti Atlantic Article: “The Army of God Comes Out of the Shadows” by Stephanie McCrummen Bonhoeffer's America: A Land Without Reformation, by Joel Looper Another Gospel: Christian Nationalism and the Crisis of Evangelical Identity, by Joel Looper Show Notes Leah Payne defines Pentecostalism as “a form of American revivalism” William J. Seymour Marked by interracial desegregated worship and spiritual “fireworks” like tongues and prophecy Mystical experiences of God Desegregation and physically touching one another in acts of miraculous healing The Azusa Street Revival (1906) identified as a global catalyst for Assemblies of God denomination There is no founding theological figure, unlike Luther or Calvin Caleb Maskell emphasizes Pentecostalism's roots in “a founding set of experiences,” not a founding theological figure “Limits to what makes a church” Lack of ecclesiological clarity leaves Pentecostalism open to both renewal and fragmentation Leah highlights Pentecostalism as “a shared experience … a shared series of practices.” “Holy Rollers” and being “slain in the Spirit” “A different way of knowing” “Christians are made through an encounter with Jesus.” The global “charismatic movement” and how it has had cross-denominational Influence “Charismatic” was a mid-twentieth-century term for Spirit-led practices arising within mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions Charismatic means “gifted” or “being given gifts” “‘Charismatic' has typically been a more inclusive word than ‘Pentecostal.'” Emphasis on personal spiritual gifts and intimate worship styles “They are not respecters of institutions.” Figures like Oral Roberts and Amy Semple McPherson were “too big” for denominational constraints “Too-bigness” as driven by both an over-inflated ego and spiritual mysticism Frederick Buechner: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” Spellbound, by Molly Worthen (see Conversing episode 212) What are the origins and key ideas of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)? New Apostolic Reformation: “a form of institutionalized charismatic identity that builds on grassroots consensus.” “NAR” coined by C. Peter Wagner at Fuller Seminary in the 1990s Wagner promoted post-denominationalism and “reality-based” church governance centred on individual charismatic gifts Emerged from a “larger soup” of charismatic ideas—often practiced before being systematized. Closely tied to the “Seven Mountain Mandate”: that Christians should influence key societal sectors—family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government The role of dominion theology and political alignment “The convergence of egos, the convergence of ethos … is a natural thing to see emerging.” “Dominion is really just two or three logical steps from an obsession with cultural relevance.” Payne sees dominionism as a Pentecostal-flavoured version of a broader conservative political strategy. “Charismatics and Pentecostals are everywhere … so we should expect them on the far right.” Many deny the NAR label even as they operate in its mode. ”When Bob Dylan's in your church, suddenly your church is relevant, whether you like it or not.” Defining “Dominionism” “Dominion is really just two or three logical steps from an obsession with cultural relevance. Cultural relevance says church should fit—not prophetically, but should fit all but seamlessly—into modes of culture that people are already in.” What are the “Seven Mountains of Culture”?  Family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government—”the world would go better if Christians were in charge of each of those arenas.” “At no point in time in the history of these United States and the history of European settlers in the new world have Protestants not been interested in having a great deal of influence over public life.” Trump, Zionism, and global Pentecostal nationalism Christian nationalism versus religious Right “They are not moved by appeals to American democracy. … They think the nation of Israel is the nation of all nations.” “Isn't this just conservative political activism with tongues and prophecy and dominion?” Anti-institutional and anti-structural How Trump seeks power and ego affirmation Christian theocratic rule? ”It may simply be a part of what it is to be a Christian is to say, at some level, within the spheres that I'm given authority in, I ought to have the right kind of influence, whatever it is.” “ I think what's scary about the moment that we're in right now is in fact the chaos.” A book about Donald Trump—God's Chaos Candidate, by Lance Wall ”The beliefs in divine prophecy are so widespread that they transcend partisanship.” Black Pentecostalism: immune to the charms of Trump and populist conservatives Trump's Zionist overtures strategically captured charismatic loyalty The rise of global Pentecostal nationalism in countries like India, Brazil, and Guatemala parallels US patterns. “They don't actually care long-term about American democracy.” “They are not moved by appeals to American democracy or American exceptionalism because they have in their mind the end times and the nation of Israel.” Prosperity gospel Dominionism and the Roman Catholic “doctrine of discovery” The gospel of Christ as “sorting power” “It is a portable form of nationalism.” Concerns about power, order, and eschatology Mark Labberton reflects on Fuller Seminary's controversial role in NAR's intellectual development. Payne critiques the equation of widespread Pentecostal practices with far-right dominionism. “What's scary … is the chaos. And a number of people associated with NAR have celebrated that.” NAR theology often prioritizes divine chaos over institutional order. Warnings against super-biblical apostolic authority and spiritual authoritarianism. Pentecostalism beyond politics “There's a vivid essentialism—make everything great and all the nations will gather.” Vineyard worship as a counterweight to dominionism—emphasizing intimacy and mystical union with Christ. “That emphasis on Jesus as a friend … is a really beautiful image of God.” Vineyard music helped export a gentle, intimate charismatic spirituality. About Leah Payne Leah Payne is associate professor of American religious history at Portland Seminary and a 2023–2024 public fellow at the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). She holds a PhD from Vanderbilt University, and her research explores the intersection of religion, politics, and popular culture. Payne is author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford University Press, 2024), and co-host of Rock That Doesn't Roll, a Public Radio Exchange (PRX) podcast about Christian rock and its listeners, and Weird Religion, a religion and pop culture podcast. Her writing and research has appeared in The Washington Post, NBC News, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today. About Caleb Maskell Caleb Maskell is the associate national director of theology and education for Vineyard USA. Born in London, he immigrated with his family to New Jersey in 1986, at the age of nine. Caleb has been involved in leadership in the Vineyard movement for twenty-five years. After spending a gap year at the Toronto Airport Vineyard School of Ministry in 1995, he went to the University of Chicago to study theology, philosophy, and literature in the interdisciplinary undergraduate Fundamentals program. While there, he joined the core planting team of the Hyde Park Vineyard Church, where he served as a worship leader, a small group leader, a setter-up of chairs, and whatever else Rand Tucker asked him to do. After college, full of questions that had emerged from the beautiful collision of serious academic study and the practical realities of church planting, Caleb enrolled in the MDiv program at Yale Divinity School. For four years, he immersed himself in the study of theology, church history, and Scripture, while also leading worship and working with middle school and high school youth groups. After graduating in 2004, he worked for three years as the associate director of the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University. In 2007, along with his wife Kathy and their friends Matt and Hannah Croasmun, Caleb planted Elm City Vineyard Church in New Haven, Connecticut. That year, he also began a PhD program at Princeton University, focusing on the history of American religion, with an additional emphasis in African American studies. After moving to Manhattan for four years while Kathy went to seminary, the Maskells ended up in suburban Philadelphia, where Caleb completed his PhD while teaching regularly at Princeton Theological Seminary, and serving as the worship pastor at Blue Route Vineyard Church. Since 2010, Caleb has led the Society of Vineyard Scholars, which exists to foster and sustain a community of theological discourse in and for the Vineyard movement. Caleb is passionate about developing leaders and institutions that will help to produce a healthy, courageous, and hospitable future for the church in the twenty-first century. Caleb and Kathy now live with their two kids, Josiah and Emmanuelle, in the heart of Denver, where Kathy pastors East Denver Vineyard Church. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

“Leadership is defined by listening.” In this Conversing Short, Mark Labberton explains the essential role listening plays in leadership and successful communication.  Leaders are often known for what they've said publicly or privately, but in actual fact, the experience of leadership and the effectiveness of leadership is determined by the mutuality of listening and learning that goes on between the primary leader and the team that they're working with at any given time. Here, Mark shares from his decades of leadership experience as a Presbyterian minister and seminary president. About Conversing Shorts “In between my longer conversations with people who fascinate and inspire and challenge me, I share a short personal reflection, a focused episode that brings you the ideas, stories, questions, ponderings, and perspectives that animate Conversing and give voice to the purpose and heart of the show. Thanks for listening with me.” About Mark Labberton Mark Labberton is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Fuller Seminary. He served as Fuller's fifth president from 2013 to 2022. He's the host of Conversing. Show Notes Relationships of trust “ Listening is as critical to the existence of leadership as it is to the partnership of leadership.” “ If we don't have listening, then the partnership that leadership requires simply can't exist.” What leadership is really about: the people you're leading are known, served, discovered, changed, renewed Tone-deaf leaders: leaders who are out of touch If you don't want to be out of touch or tone deaf, “enter the room listening.” “Leaders are often known for what they've said publicly or privately, but in actual fact, the experience of leadership and the effectiveness of leadership is determined by the mutuality of listening and learning that goes on between the primary leader and the team that they're working with at any given time.” Mutuality of learning and listening together—adding oxygen to the room Bringing part of yourself versus bringing your whole self to a leadership relationship “ Let's not listen to one another first critically and negatively. Let's listen to one another with hope, with earnestness, with a genuine desire to receive their perspective and letting that actually inform how we lead.” “When I ran into people who are having difficulties with their senior leader, it's almost always around the leader's failure to listen. At one level or another, they are not hearing the people that they're leading.” “A leader who doesn't listen is like a person deciding to jump off a cliff. …  The longer they don't listen, the more they are isolated by themselves and at risk.” Leadership enriched by an understanding of each other “A shared communion of decision making” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

“If I'm actually seeing you and then I'm hearing you, then it doubles the thickness of that communication moment.” In this Conversing Short, Mark Labberton reflects on the full-bodied, empathetic nature of listening and the communication process. He reflects on good listening, the empathy it requires, and what it means to truly recognize and successfully understand each other. Listening and perceiving are bound up together in a fundamental way, offering us an opportunity to enter into another's experience, truly seeing and recognizing them and receiving who they are. About Conversing Shorts “In between my longer conversations with people who fascinate and inspire and challenge me, I share a short personal reflection, a focused episode that brings you the ideas, stories, questions, ponderings, and perspectives that animate Conversing and give voice to the purpose and heart of the show. Thanks for listening with me.” About Mark Labberton Mark Labberton is the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Fuller Seminary. He served as Fuller's fifth president from 2013 to 2022. He's the host of Conversing. Show Notes “Listening is almost always seeing.” Full-bodied listening and how perception adds to our understanding of each other “If I'm actually seeing you and then I'm hearing you, then it doubles the thickness of that communication moment.” Examples of bad listening: “pinning words on the speaker.” Recognition for the speaker: “My listening reflects that I'm actually perceiving them.” The fun and joyful work of communication Total body experience of listening and perceiving is about empathy. Empathy and entering the speaker's world and experience The difference empathy makes “Empathy, even when you're wanting to give it doesn't make it automatic.  It often has to be something that emerges out of the communication experience itself.” Hearing, perception, and full-bodied communication “How we see and receive another person's being…” Achieving a communication breakthrough: “Oh, I see!” ”It is like amazing grace is playing in the background. And I want to say ‘I once was blind, but now I see' that's what it feels like a real revelatory discovery.” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

What happens when you have a conversation with a genuinely advanced AI? Michael Stelzner finds out in this special episode! He dives into an experiment with Sesame Research's AI voice assistant, "Maya," and the results are incredible. Hear their conversation, exploring everything from social media marketing to persuasive techniques. Experience the nuanced, human-like quality of Maya's voice, and you'll understand why Michael is so excited about the potential of this technology. Tune in to hear a glimpse of tomorrow, today!Try Sesame: https://sesame.com/researchCheck out Social Media Marketing World 2025 coming March 30th: http://socialmediamarketingworld.info/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Tuesday, don't miss a special highlight episode as we gear up for an unforgettable conversation dropping this Thursday.Wesley Huff, Central Canada Director for Apologetics Canada, shares with the guys how his debate with Billy Carson unexpectedly led to an invitation from Joe Rogan to appear on his podcast. During their conversation, Rogan seemed more open to Christianity than in the past, acknowledging Jesus as a historical figure and recognizing Christianity's value. Wes and the guys discuss the reliability of scripture, citing historical accuracy and external evidence, and recommend Scribes and Scripture for further exploration. They note a cultural shift from atheism to seeing Christianity as useful, as seen in figures like Jordan Peterson, and express hope that God is working through them. Emphasizing that salvation comes through faith rather than intellectual arguments, Wes explains that even those who witnessed Jesus' miracles did not always believe. He also touches on the formation of the biblical canon, explaining how early Christians carefully discerned which writings were truly inspired to preserve the integrity of God's word.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro