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In this thought-provoking episode, Tony and Jesse delve into Jesus's twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price from Matthew 13:44-46. They explore the profound economic metaphor Jesus uses to illustrate the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through careful examination of both parables, they discuss what it means to "count the cost" of following Christ while simultaneously recognizing that no earthly sacrifice can compare to the infinite worth of gaining Christ. The conversation moves between practical application—considering how believers assess value in their spiritual lives—and deeper theological reflections on Christ's perfect sacrifice that makes our entrance into the Kingdom possible in the first place. Key Takeaways The Kingdom of Heaven has such surpassing value that sacrificing everything to obtain it is considered a joyful exchange, not a loss. Both parables show different paths to discovering the Kingdom (unexpected finding vs. intentional seeking), but identical responses: selling everything to obtain the treasure. The parables are not primarily commanding material poverty, but rather illustrating the "sold-outness" required in pursuing the Kingdom of God. Counting the cost of discipleship is not only permissible but necessary to fully appreciate the value of what we gain in Christ. The ultimate treasure we receive in salvation is not merely benefits like eternal life, but God Himself—union with Christ and fellowship with the Trinity. Christ Himself is the one who ultimately fulfills these parables perfectly, giving everything to purchase us as His treasure. The irresistible draw of the Kingdom illustrates how God's grace works in the heart of believers, compelling joyful surrender. Exploring the Incomparable Value of the Kingdom The economic metaphor Jesus employs in these parables is striking—both the hidden treasure and the pearl are deemed so valuable that the discoverers "sell all they have" to obtain them. As Tony and Jesse point out, this transaction reveals something profound about how we should view the Kingdom of Heaven. It's not simply that the Kingdom is valuable; it's that its value so far exceeds anything else we possess that the comparison becomes almost absurd. As Tony notes, "For sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine... there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how worthwhile it is." This perspective transforms how we understand sacrifice in the Christian life. When opportunities or comforts are foregone because of our faith, we're not simply losing something—we're experiencing the reality that we've chosen something infinitely more valuable. The parables teach us to view these moments not with regret but with a clearer vision of the treasure we've received in Christ. The Ultimate Prize: God Himself Perhaps the most powerful insight from the discussion is the realization that the ultimate treasure of salvation is not the benefits we receive, but God Himself. As Tony eloquently states: "All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God... we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." This perspective reshapes how we understand the value proposition of the gospel. It's not merely that we receive eternal life, freedom from suffering, or other benefits—though these are real. The pearl of great price is relationship with God Himself. This helps explain why both men in the parables respond with such dramatic, all-encompassing sacrifice. When we truly grasp what's being offered, nothing seems too great a price to pay. Memorable Quotes "What we get in salvation ultimately is we get God. We get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." — Tony Arsenal "I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value... it's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We'll just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it." — Jesse Schwamb Full Transcript [00:00:08] Tony Arsenal: All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. We get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. [00:00:47] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 469 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. [00:00:54] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. [00:00:59] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. Discussing the Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:01:00] Jesse Schwamb: Speaking of ears to hear, we're back at it again with a whole new, or let's say different parable from our Lord and Savior Jesus. And we've been talking about how really these parables give us this view of the face of heaven through these earthly glasses. And I am pretty interested in our conversation about what's coming up because sometimes we don't like to put too fine a points to our, our point of question to our faith. And in this case, we're gonna get to ask the question, what is it all worth, this kingdom of heaven, this rule and reign of Christ? What is it all about? Who are the beneficiaries of it? And what is it all actually worth? There's a little bit of economics in this, so we're gonna get there. And while we talk and do a little affirming or denying, you should just go ahead write to just skip, go. Do not collect $200 or maybe. Pass, go and collect $200. I dunno. But just go to Matthew chapter 13 and hang out there for just a second. Affirmations and Denials [00:01:58] Jesse Schwamb: But first, I'm always curious to know whenever we talk, are you gonna affirm with something or are you gonna die against something? We've been on a string of lots of affirmations, but I'd like to think that's just because we're fun, loving, optimistic people. But there was a day where we had to do both. And now that I only have to choose one, I do find myself gravitating almost naturally toward the affirming width. But I leave it to you, Tony, are you affirming with or denying against? [00:02:22] Tony Arsenal: I, unfortunately am denying tonight. Technical Issues with Apple Podcasts [00:02:25] Tony Arsenal: So you and I already talked about it a little bit, but uh, I'm denying Apple Podcast Connect. Oh yes. So, uh, I. Obviously, like if you're affected by this, you're not hearing the episode 'cause it's not updating for you. But, uh, if you happen to be using Apple to listen to the podcast and for some reason you're listening somewhere else, maybe you realize that the podcast has not been updating for several weeks. And so you went to a different podcast catcher. Um, apple just decided for some reason that none of our feeds were gonna update. No good reason. So I've got a ticket out to Apple and hopefully we'll get it fixed. Uh, if you do know someone who listens to the show and they use Apple, please tell them to subscribe to something else or to, uh, go to the website. You can get all of the, all of the episodes on our website. You could go to Spotify, you could do something like, uh, overcast or PocketCasts. Um, it really is just Apple. It's, it's the actual account that we use to, uh, to access. Apple's Directory is not pulling new episodes and it's not pulling new episodes on another show that I run as well. So, uh, it's not just this show, it's not our RSS feed. These things happen. It'll, you know, you'll get four or five episodes all at one time. When it, when it corrects itself, usually they're pretty quick. I put in a ticket like late on Friday afternoon, so I didn't expect them to get to it on, uh, Saturday or Sunday. So hopefully by the time you're hearing this, uh, it's resolved. I would hope so, because that means it would be about a week from today. Um, so hopefully they'll have a resolve. But yeah, it's just th thorns and thistles. This is our own, our own, uh, manifestation of the curse here in this little labor that we do. It's, it's thorns and thistles right now, but no big deal. Just, uh, catch up when you can. And, uh, yeah, so denying Apple Podcasts now, really, it's, it's a great service and this is a, a little glitch. It's, it's just a little frustrating. [00:04:20] Jesse Schwamb: The sweat of our brow. Yes. Here it is. We're just toiling over getting Apple to please release our episodes. Well, it'll be your happy day if you use Apple Podcasts and then get a bunch of them all at once. That's fantastic. It's like the gift that is over in abundance. Supporting The Reformed Brotherhood [00:04:36] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, it is a good reminder that you just said, Tony, that everybody should go, just take some time. Head on over to our form brotherhood.com. You can find all the other 400 some odd episodes living over there. And while you're over there and you're perusing or searching by topic to see what we've talked about before, you're probably gonna think to yourself, this is so incredible. How is this compendium, this omnibus of all these episodes just hanging out here free of cost? And I'm so glad you're thinking about that because there are so many lovely brothers and sisters who have decided just to give a little bit to make sure that all that stuff gets hosted for free for you Yeah. And for us, so that anybody can go and explore it and find content that we hope will be edifying. So if that's something you're interested in, maybe you've been listening for a while and thought, you know what? I would like to give a little bit one time or reoccurring, we would love to, for you to join us in that mission. You can go to patreon.com/reform brotherhood, and there's all the information for you to give if that's something that you feel you would like to do, and we would be grateful for you to do it. [00:05:32] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. We, we have a group of people who support the show. They make it possible for your, uh, your ear holes to be filled with our voices. And, uh, but again, you know, the costs are going up all around and, and we would, uh, certainly love to have people partner with us. Um, we've committed to making show that the, making sure that the show is free and available. Um, it's never our intention to put anything behind a paywall or to, to barrier and in that way, but we can only do that if there's people who are supporting the show and making, making sure that we've got the funding that we need to, to keep going. So, thank you to everybody who gives, thank you to anyone who's considering it, uh, and thanking anybody who decides to, uh, jump on board with that. [00:06:11] Jesse Schwamb: Right on. We're appreciative who we really are. [00:06:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. So Jesse, what are you affirming or denying today? Exploring Open Webcam DB [00:06:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, this is what I've kind of done before, but I think I've found a new place for it. I just am continually impressed and fall in love with how great and big and lovely God's world is. So I love these types of sites that give you insight into this great big world, even if it's in unexpected places or maybe in strange places. So I'm affirming with a website called Open webcam db.com. Open webcam db.com. And it's exactly like what it sounds like. It's a database that has something like 2000 live cameras streaming daily from over 50 countries, all searchable by a category. So you can find natural landscapes, airports, construction sites, and one of my recent favorites, honestly, and this is. It's so strange, but kind of awesome is this warehouse, it's called Chinese Robotic Warehouse Buzz, and it's just robots moving pallets around or like stacks of all of these items. It's mesmerizing. But I would encourage you go to open webcam db.com, search for like your stage or your country. You'll find so many amazing things. So I've sat and just watched, you know, between tasks or when you know you just need a break or you're just curious about the world. Like I look, I watched the Krakow Maine Market Square quite a bit because it's. Beautiful and brilliant, and to think about the people moving to and fro and what they're doing, what their lives are like. There's some great scenes from San Francisco Bay. There is a bird feeder in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that I often watch. So of course, like go out as we've said, and live and breathe and be in your own communities. And as well, if you're looking at scratch that itch of just seeing all these different places, all the different things that are happening in God's created world, I can firmly and unreservedly recommend open webcam db.com for that. [00:07:58] Tony Arsenal: Nice, nice, uh, little known fact at one point, Dartmouth Hitchcock, which is the hospital that I worked for, had to block a penguin cam, uh, because it was causing such a productivity drain combined with an actual measurable decrease in internet bandwidth at the hospital. 'cause so many people were watching this little penguin cam at some zoo in Boston. I think it probably was. Yeah, I, I love this kind of stuff. I think this kind of stuff is great. Uh, I use, uh, Dartmouth College has a, like a live one that I use all the time, especially when we're trying to figure out what the weather's gonna do. You can see it on the camera. Uh, we, we often will, you know, see, especially as we get closer to the season when we're talking about traveling to the beach and whatnot, uh, often look at the ocean grove. Oh, that's right. Uh, pier cam. So yeah, check it out. Uh, sounds like a fun time. Do not share it with too many of your friends at work. Or it may crash the network and Yeah. But [00:08:53] Jesse Schwamb: yeah, for [00:08:54] Tony Arsenal: sure. That was a funny email that they had to send out. I remember that [00:08:57] Jesse Schwamb: for sure. Use, use the penguin cam responsibly. I just did a quick search. There are four different penguin cams. Uh, three of them are in the United States, one is in New Zealand, and you better believe I'm gonna be checking those bad boys out. Yes. I didn't even think about. The penguin feature here and penguins are an amazing animal. Like we could stop right now and just shift our topic to penguins if you want to. [00:09:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. ' [00:09:16] Jesse Schwamb: cause there's so much there. And the spiritual truths are so broad and deep, but I just think penguins are kind of undervalued. Birds. Everybody should go check them out. [00:09:26] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. They're, they're pretty cool. [00:09:28] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Um, I'm like, I will watch any Penguin documentary and just be astounded by Penguin. Like, whether they're Emperor Penguins or South African Penguin, wherever. I just think they're phenomenal and hilarious and seem to be living the dream. And he doesn't want a little bit of that. [00:09:46] Tony Arsenal: You just gotta get Morgan Freeman to do the voiceover in any documentary or, or nature documentary is better with Morgan Freeman doing the voiceover. [00:09:55] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I all, this might be a deep cut real quick, but I just learned this, and I'm guessing some of our listening brothers and sisters probably already know this. Maybe you do too, Tony. So, Benedict Cumberbatch, do you know where I'm going with this? Yep, [00:10:06] Tony Arsenal: yep. Pen wing. [00:10:07] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I didn't. I cannot say that word or stumbles over its pronunciation. He did some kind of big documentary in which Penguins played at least some part. Yeah. And they were in an interview. They were giving him such a hard time because they played his reading of it like within the same kind of five minutes. And his, the word just kept degenerating in his mouth every time he said it. So it became like almost undistinguishable from the actual word. And it's like initial pronunciation. It was so hilarious. Apparently it's a big joke on the internet and I just didn't know it. [00:10:38] Tony Arsenal: Especially for someone like Bent Cumberbatch who just is, uh, like he's a world-class voice actor. [00:10:44] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:10:45] Tony Arsenal: And like a super smart ude guy and he just can't say the word penguin and penguin. Yeah. [00:10:51] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. He said, you got everybody go look it up. 'cause it is super hilarious. And now it's kind of gotten stuck in my head. But um, again, this suddenly became like the All Penguin episode all of a sudden. [00:11:01] Tony Arsenal: I mean like, he can pronounce his own last name just fine, but the word penguin escapes him. I like to call 'em blueberry crumble bottom or whatever. Crumble bunch. [00:11:11] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, see that's the good stuff right there. That's what everybody we know. This is what you all tune in for. This is what you're missing when Apple Podcast doesn't send everything out on time. Yeah. You're welcome. [00:11:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl [00:11:23] Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, why don't we, why don't we get into it? Because you know it, it's interesting. Let's [00:11:27] Jesse Schwamb: get into it. [00:11:28] Tony Arsenal: Well, it's interesting because when you, you know, you kind of, we, we sort of do the little lead to the episode and I, I suddenly realized that I think I've been interpreting this parable very differently than maybe you have or other people. Great. Do, uh, because I, I think I, I think I might have a different take on it. Let, let's do it. Yeah. So let's get into it. Uh, do you have the, the text in friend you wanna read? Uh, why don't we just do 44 all the way through 46? We'll do both parables in one reading. We'll come back and talk about it. [00:11:54] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Sorry, everybody. So here's a two for one for you. Beginning in where we're in verse 44 of Matthew chapter 13. This is Jesus speaking. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field again. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Interpreting the Parables [00:12:22] Tony Arsenal: I think maybe this is the, like the beauty of parables, uh, when Christ doesn't give us a interpretation. I, I think we're, we're, we're not free to like make up whatever we want, but these kinds of teaching tools are useful because the fact that there can be multiple interpretations actually is, is probably intentional. [00:12:43] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:12:43] Tony Arsenal: So it's funny because I think when you intro the episode here, it sounds like you're going to the kingdom of Heaven being a treasure hidden in a field, being something that we should sell everything we have and go after. And when I read this, I read it as the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden a field. And the man who is Jesus goes and sells all that. He has. He gives all that he has and buys the field. So, and I, I think this is one of those ones where like. Probably both of those things are in play. Sure. But it's interesting 'cause I've never, I've never really read this and thought about myself as the person who buys the field. [00:13:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Interesting. [00:13:20] Tony Arsenal: I've probably heard sermons or read devotionals where people have said that and it just never clicked. And it didn't register until just now. And you were, when you were, uh, introing the parable that maybe you are the, maybe your way of introing your, your interpretation. Maybe that's the dominant one. So I, I looked at a couple quick, um, commentaries while you were speaking and I didn't get a chance to do my commentary reading before the episode. It seems like I'm the weird one. So, but it's interesting, um, 'cause again, I think that's the, kind of the beauty of parables is that sometimes the, the, um. Ambiguity of what the possible meaning could be, probably plays into the, the, um, teaching technique itself. [00:13:58] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I, I think that's fair. I totally can take and understand what your perspective is on this. What I find interesting is that these, we've got these two abutting each other, like the cheek to cheek parallel approach here, and in doing so, there seems to be like kind of an interesting comparison between the two. Actors in this. And I think we should get into that. Like why in one case Jesus is talking about a person who finds this in a field, which by the way, I think the, the thing that jumps out to me first about that person is this person doesn't actually own the field at first. Right. That the treasure is in. So that is interesting. I'm totally with you. But then the second one, so in the first one there's kinda almost like this sense, and I don't wanna like push this too far, but that this person who finds this treasure does so very unexpectedly, perhaps like he's even the hired hand and of course not the one who owns the field. [00:14:48] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:14:49] Jesse Schwamb: And in the second case, we have somebody who almost is volitionally looking for this thing of great value, but finds the one thing above all the other things that they're used to looking for that clearly has the greatest and most. You know, essential worth and therefore the end is always the same in both of 'em. They give everything they have. They're willing for forsake all other things with great joy, recognizing the great value that's in front of them. I think there is a place to understand that as Christ acting in those ways. I think there's also interesting, again, this comparison between these two people. So I'm seeing this as we've got these varied beneficiaries of the kingdom. They both come to this place of the incomparable value of the kingdom, but then there's also like this expulsive power of the kingdom. All, all of that's, I think in there, and again, these are really, really, really brilliant, I think, because the more that you spend time meditating on these, the layers just kind of come and they fall away and you start to really consider, well, why again is Jesus using these two different characters? Why is he using this kinda different sense of things of, of worth what the people are actually after? I think all of it's in play. You're totally right. [00:15:54] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. The Cost and Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:15:55] Tony Arsenal: So I think, you know, when we think about the kingdom of heaven, when we think about these perils, we made this point last week, we shouldn't, um, we shouldn't restrict, we have to be careful not to restrict the comparison to just like the first noun that comes up, [00:16:08] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:16:08] Tony Arsenal: So it's not just that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, it, it is like a treasure, but it's like a treasure that's hidden in a field. Yes. And it's not just like a treasure that's hidden in a field, it's a treasure that's hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Right? So, so like we have to look at that whole sequence. And I think, I think, um, you know, obviously like the, the interpretation that we are the, we're the man who finds the kingdom of heaven and we, you know, we go and buy the field. Um, that, that obviously makes perfect sense now that I'm looking at a few different commentaries. It seems to be the predominant way that this gets interpreted. And we, we look at it and we say, what, well, what does this mean for like our Christian life? Like. What does it mean? Do we have to, do we have to give everything away? Do we have to sell everything we have? Is that the point of the parable? I think some people make that the point of the parable. Um, I'm not convinced that that actually is the point of the parable. Um, because it, you know, it, it, it just, there's lots in the scripture that, that, uh, doesn't seem to require that Christians automatically like, give away everything they have. Um, maybe that's your calling. Maybe it is something that God's calling you to do to sort of, um, divest yourself of your, your belongings, either to sort of fight materialism or greed or, or just because like you're gonna need to have that fluidity and liquidity to your assets 'cause you're gonna need to move around or whatever it is. But I don't think we look at this parable and have like a, like a, a command for a life of poverty or something like that. Right. Um, really this is more about the. Utter sold outness of the Christian to pursue and seek the kingdom of God. [00:17:48] Jesse Schwamb: Right? Right. [00:17:49] Tony Arsenal: And and I think that that's the same in both, even though the way that the person in the parables comes a, comes across the kingdom or they come across this, this thing of great value or thing of great price, that they find their response in both parables is the same. And to me, that that actually tells me that that's more the point of these parables. Um, or, or maybe we shouldn't even think of these as two parables, right? Some of the introductory language that we see in when we transition from one parable to another, we don't really see that here. Uh, and if, if we're gonna follow that, actually we would be going to the next parable would also kind of fall into this. But he says the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure. And then in 45 he says, again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. We're gonna run into something like this later on when we get to like the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of lost coins. Where there are these distinct parables, but they're kind of stacked on top of each other in order to make a specific point. All of the parables that are sort of in these parable stacks are making the same point. And so I think it's not so much about like, how do we find the Kingdom of Heaven or how do we come upon the kingdom of heaven? It's more about what do we do once we've come upon it? Once we've thrown it's, that's the point of the parable that we need to unpack. [00:19:03] Jesse Schwamb: That's right. And I would add to that, like who is it that is the beneficiary of this kingdom? We have two different, very different individuals, which I, again, I think, we'll, we'll talk a little bit about, but I'm totally with you. I, I think it's, it's easier, it's almost too narrow and too easy to say. Well, this is really just about like physical ma or about wealth. Like in some way the, what we're being taught here is that you have to get rid of everything of value in exchange for this. In some ways, that almost feels too transactional, doesn't it? As if like what, what we need to do is really buy the kingdom. We express our seriousness about this kingdom or the rule and reign of God by somehow just giving up everything that we own as if to prove that we're really worthy of receiving that kingdom that we prayed enough. Right. That we've done enough, even though that we're contrite enough. Yeah. And all that stands like in direct opposition to the mercy and grace, which God gives to us through his son by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us into this kingdom. So we know it can't really be about that. And so that leads me back again to just like the lovely details here. And like you've already said in the first case, here's what really strikes me is. For probably most of us in the West, this idea of treasure is novel and maybe romantic. There's a adventure and an energy to it. Because we've all heard stories about this, whether it's like, I don't know, pirates of the Caribbean or the county Mount Cristo. Like there's something about treasure finding some kind of, or national treasure. Sorry, that just came to my mind. Like I couldn't go any further without mentioning Nick Cage. So you know, like there's something there that pulls us in that finding this thing almost unexpectedly in a hidden place of immense worth and value is, has a real draw to it. But I imagine that in Palestine being like a war torn region in Jesus' day, in the way people might store goods of great value in the fields they own. And then of course the owner may never be able to achieve for lots of reasons, including death. And then somebody might stumble upon it. And as I understand the, the laws there, of course, if you were to stumble upon something. I was in somebody else's property and and on earth that thing take it out of the ground. In this case, you would be by law required to bring that back to the person who owned the field. So there's something interesting here that this first person, probably the more meager and humble of the two with they at least respected, like their socioeconomic status is let's, we could presume maybe going about their normal work. They find this unexpectedly in the field and it's immediately recognized to be something of great value that it is to stop and to, again, there's like a measuring that happens behind the scenes. This person at least is measuring of all the things that I own, all things I could possibly own. The better thing for me to do is to consolidate all the rest of my wealth. And this case, again, it's not the message of the story to do this, it's the exemplification of what's happening here. This person is so sold out to ensure that they acquire this great treasure that they stumbled upon, that they will take literally everything else of value that they own to exchange it for this very thing. So I'm totally with you because I think the predominant message here is not like take all your wealth and make sure that you give it to the church or that it goes to ministry or to missions. That may all be well and good and it may all be the kind of calling that you receive. However, I think the principle message here is the kingdom of God is so valuable that losing everything on earth, but getting the kingdom is a happy trade off. Like that's actually a really, really good deal. And so having the omnipotent saving reign of Christ in our lives is so valuable that if, if we lose everything in order to have it, it would be a joyful sacrifice. [00:22:20] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I think, um, I think there is a level of. Encouragement in Sacrifice and Joy in the Kingdom [00:22:27] Tony Arsenal: Sacrifice that happens for every Christian and. I mean, I, I know there's a lot of people who they, uh, come to faith as young children and we've kind of talked about that as like, that's that testimony that, you know, I think everybody really wants is like they wish they never had a time that they didn't know Jesus and Right. I don't know any parent that I've ever spoken to, and I'm certainly not any different here that doesn't want that testimony for Jesus, but, or for, for their kids in their relationship with Jesus. But. I think most people who come to faith at some point in their life when they're able to remember it, like they, they have a conscious memory of their conversion experience. There is this sort of sense of sacrifice and e even a sort of a sense of loss. Um, I think there, there are times where, and, and you know, I think maybe, um, even people who've always been in the faith, um, they probably can resonate with this. I think there are times when we might look at how our lives could have been different or could be different if we weren't in the faith. Um, and, and sometimes there's a sort of wistfulness to that. Like being a Christian can sometimes be difficult right On, um, you know, maybe you miss a promotion opportunity because you're not willing to work on the Lord's day or because you're not willing to do something unethical. Like you, you miss out on some sort of advancement and you think, well, if I could just, you know, if I could have just gotten past that, like my life would be much different. And what this parable teaches us is. That's an understandable, like that's an understandable emotion or response. Um, and there is this weighing of the cost. And in the parable here, he, like you said, there's this calculation that goes on in the background. He finds this treasure, he makes the calculation that to have this treasure is worth. Everything it's worth everything he has. He sells everything he has, and he buys the field in order to get the treasure right. And, and there's some interesting textual dynamics going on through this chapter. We've talked about how the parables kind of like the imagery across the parables in chapter 13 here of Matthew, they kind of flip certain figures around and almost, it's almost intentional because he is getting the treasure and the treasure. The kingdom of heaven here is like the treasure, but he's also getting the field right. And the kingdom of heaven is, is the field in other parables. Um, but this, this calculation that happens, um. I don't know, maybe my heart is just sensitive to this right now. I, I, I, I feel like a lot of times we look at that sort of wis wistful second glance at what could have been if we were not Christians, and we automatically feel like that's gotta be a sinful impulse. Like, how could I ever even consider what life might have been? Like this parable implies that that's the thing we actually have to do. You have to know and consider what it is you've sacrificed or will be sacrificing in order to make this transaction happen. You can't just blanketly say like, oh, of course. You know, you've gotta, you've gotta count the cost, as it were, and then you have to actually make the purchase. So I think we should look at this as a source of encouragement. Um, like I said, I'm not sure why. I feel like maybe there's, maybe there's just a, a. I dunno, I'm feeling a little weird and charismatic right now. I feel like this is something that I definitely need to be saying, like, I feel like someone needs to hear this. Maybe it's just me that needs to hear this. And that's, I'm tricking myself by thinking of someone else. But we are able, as Christians, I think God permits us and in some sense, maybe even expects and commands us to recognize what we have given to be Christians in order that we might realize how much we have gained with that transaction. It's not just this like remorse or regret, um, for the sake of remorse or regret. It's to be able to see how good and how beautiful and how worth it is the kingdom of God, uh, to, to, to claim that. [00:26:23] Jesse Schwamb: I like that there is a great discipline and a great joy in remembering worth and worthiness. So there's gonna be times, like you said, when it's hard and if you look back, look back at the ministry of Jesus, I've often thought that he's like a poor evangelizer from like modern standards. Yeah. Because often people come to him and say things like. I, I wanna be part of the kingdom of God. Well, what do I need to do to enter the kingdom of God? And here you have like a seemingly a willing convert. And he always says things like this, like, you gotta go count the cost. Yeah. Like is, is this worth it to you? Like you have to deny yourself, you have to hate your own father and your mother, and your wife and children, and brothers and sisters, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And in this kind of language, it's clear that Jesus is saying you fail often. And maybe this goes back like you're saying, Tony, it's like the parable of the soil that you fail to really take into account what it means to follow with full fidelity, to commit yourself in a fully unencumbered way. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to consider that? And as human beings, we're just not good often at counting costs. We're not good at thinking about opportunity costs. And it's interesting here that we're called out to say, even if you've already purchased the field as so to speak, that as if you've been saved by Christ, to continue to remember how good it is to be in the kingdom of God. And that the joy. Of knowing as like the Heidelberg Catechism says in the first question that all things are subservient to our salvation. Yeah. That incredible worth of, that should be a source of encouragement in times of great trial and tribulation, no matter how big or small, so that this joy that this person has when they go and sells everything he has and he buys this field, you know those details, like you're saying, do press us. It really comes to us with this idea that we should be able to see plainly why having Christ is more valuable than all other things. If the omnipotence all wise, God is ruling, ruling over all things for our joy, then everything must be working for our good, no matter how painful and in the end, God is gonna triumph over all evil and all pain. So this kingdom is a real treasure. Like it is a, it is a real. A real quantity in our life and our wellbeing and in our spiritual consistency, that'll ought demand some reflection of how valuable it truly is. And then knowing that in our minds, that like influencing our behavior, our other thought patterns, and then our actual feelings about stuff. So that when, like you said, we're passed over, we're looked over, we're ridiculed for something, we go back and we count it all joy to be worthy of being part of God's kingdom, knowing that it was because of the entrance and acceptability and the identity in that kingdom that we experience. Those things, those hardships begin with. [00:29:05] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And, and I, um, I don't want us to miss out on the fact that even as the parable may be encouraging or forcing us to think about. The cost. It, it really is trying to emphasize the great value of the kingdom. Right? Right. We, like I said, we, we don't just count the cost. In order to count the cost for its own sake. We count the cost in order to understand the great blessing that is ours in Christ. Right. All I, I count all that I have as a loss compared to the greatness of Christ Jesus. And, um, I think we just don't often do that. I, I, I think as Christians, that's probably a thought that is in our head more as young Christians, especially if we come to the faith in, in a time in our life where we're aware of things like that. We think about things like that. Reflecting on the Cost of Faith [00:29:59] Tony Arsenal: You know, I was 15 when I first came to faith and, um, I, I don't think I was in a frame of mind as a 15-year-old boy to think about, like. The cost of what I was doing, right? It's not like I was a particularly popular kid. I didn't have a, you know, I didn't, I wasn't unpopular, but it wasn't like I lost a ton of friends when I became a Christian. I didn't really lose anything that was measurable. Um, but I do think that, as, you know, someone now in my forties, looking back at, you know, 15, 20, 25 years of, of Christian life, it's easy to see that things could have been different on a sort of temporal scale. Like my, my life could probably be more comfortable in terms of wealth or opportunities or other things that might, uh, aren't, aren't even bad things necessarily. There is a sense of sacrifice. But again, God has brought us into this kingdom and he's given us parables like this and given us the ability to recognize. That we do have a cost, that there is a cost to be counted in order that we might now look at it and praise him for how great and glorious and valuable the gift that he's given us is. Understanding the Parable of the Pearl [00:31:08] Tony Arsenal: And so I think, you know, I think that's the same basic meaning of this second, second half of the same parable. I guess the, the pearl of great price or the pearl of great value. But it's not exactly the same, right? It's not like Christ is just repeating the same ver, you know, parable with, with different words for variation. Um, every word is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching correction, reproof, and training and righteousness. And I had a, I had a prophet in, uh, in Bible college who would say like, difference means difference. And he was often talking about like minute things, like the difference, um, or why, why is this word used instead of that word? This word would've worked. And, and the author chose that one. There's a reason for that. Difference means difference, but. Christ here chooses to, to tell the parable a second time, um, in a slightly different way. Uh, and Matthew chooses to record these in the same sense next to each other in slightly different ways. So what, what do we, what do we wanna pull out of this second parable that's different and what do we think it's telling us that's a little bit different than the first version Y? [00:32:14] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's a great question. Diverse Approaches to the Kingdom of Heaven [00:32:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, I love this idea because not until really, I was thinking about it this week when I read through them, was I really, again, drawn to the differences between these two main characters. Interestingly, I think in both, and we can make the case that the, the treasure, the kingdom of heaven here represented in both this pearl or in this literal treasure is in a way hidden. Certainly the first man is not necessarily looking for, it's still revealed to him, but the second in a way. And on the other hand, he knew this guy knows treasure. He's been seeking it with diligence in vigor, or at least like this is what he does for a living in his vocational career. He's out there trading pearls, presumably, and he knows something about them and how to evaluate them effectively. And so it's his business and he's dedicated himself to finding them. And apparently he's seen plenty of them over the years. But then all of a sudden, and this is wild, the beautiful, all of a sudden, clearly the search comes to like an abrupt end because he finds this one of immeasurable value, so much beauty exceeding and value exceeding all the other ones. And he doesn't need to search anymore. He just finds the one pearl that he can retire on a pearl with more than everything else. Or anything else that he's ever possessed and he gets it again. He does. And this brings him into symbol two with the first man. He does the same thing, then liquidate everything else and go after this one. Great pearl. So to me, and I'm curious your perspective on this, I'm not necessarily promulgating that. Well, the first one is not a seeker and the second one is like a seeker of of God things. Right? There is though, like you said, a difference in their approach and what they're after. And so I think what we can take from this, at the very least, is that there is diversity in these beneficiaries of the kingdom of God that's covering everybody. And just by these two kind of bookended or polar examples, that's what Jesus draws us to. But I would turn the question back to you. What do you think about this second guy? What do you think about the fact that his business is searching after these things? What? What do we take away from that? [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Ultimate Value of the Kingdom [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: And you know, the thing that drop that jumps out to me immediately in the first parable, the kingdom of heaven is, is like the treasure hidden in the field, [00:34:16] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:16] Tony Arsenal: In the second one, the kingdom of heaven is the merchant who's searching, [00:34:20] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:20] Tony Arsenal: Right. The kingdom of heaven is like the merchant in search of fine pearls who finds one. That's right. And so I think that they kind of are like, almost like mirror images of each other, right? One of them is about the treasure and what it takes to come upon it and then obtain it. The second is about the person who is coming upon the treasure and, and finding it. And then what it takes again to obtain that treasure. And I think, I think you're right, there is an element here that. Um, in this second parable, the person who is seeking for this treasure is one he's seeking for the treasure, right? Right. You get the image in this, in this first parable that the dude just kind of stumbles upon it. Um, I've heard this Todd as like, it's actually more like a guy who's just walking through a field rather than like a person working the field. And I'm not sure that matters that much, but there is this sense in the first parable that the guy kind of stumbles upon it. He wasn't looking, it wasn't what he was trying to do, but you're right in the second one, the kingdom of heaven, and this is where I, this is where I think I need to think more about it, is what does it mean for the kingdom of heaven to be like a merchant searching for fine pearls right [00:35:23] Jesse Schwamb: on. [00:35:23] Tony Arsenal: Rather than the pearls being the kingdom of heaven, which is what we see in the first bearable. Um, and I don't know the answer to that question. I think I need to, need to think about it and study it a little bit more. But I do like this distinction that in, in the first case, it's sort of a happy accident. And in the second case, this is, this is the life, this man's life work. He finds he's, he's in search of fine pearls. I'm not sure I know exactly what he's trying to do with the fine pearls. It seems like it implies that he's a pearl merchant or a pearl trader, but then he finds this pearl. He doesn't seek to sell it. He buys it. Right. [00:36:00] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:36:00] Tony Arsenal: And, and the, the, the fact that the parable stops with him buying it sort of implies that like. He actually is not going to sell it. He's just gonna keep this pearl. Now before the, the pearls, the, the source of the value of the pearls was kind of in the, the financial gain that selling or trading them could bring. But now he suddenly finds this pearl that is so valuable. It's so great, it's so beautiful. Everything he was working to obtain before all of the money he's gathered by finding and selling pearls in the previous like mode of living. He now gets rid of all of that just to purchase this one pearl and presumably to keep it. And I think that again, is kind of a, kind of a, um, statement on our Christian life is that we, we probably have all sorts of things that we've been doing our whole life and we are seeking to, to move forward in our life. And the kingdom of heaven is kind of the ultimate goal of all of that, for those who are in Christ, for those who are called according to his purpose. The purpose is not just to accumulate wealth. It's not even necessarily, uh, in and of itself to like grow in righteousness. It's to be transformed to the, uh, to the image of God's glory son, for the purpose of making him great, making his name renowned. Right. When we look at that passage in Romans that have kind alluded to, he's, he would transform into the image of Christ so that he might be the first born among many brothers. The Incomparable Worth of Salvation [00:37:24] Tony Arsenal: Ultimately, our, our sanctification and glorification is about making Jesus great and glorified, um, to give him glory, to have our glorification reflect his already intrinsic glory and the gift that he gives us, and I think that's kind of, kind of in play here, is that. Uh, we might have all sorts of goals in our life. We might have goals in our Christian life, um, that are good things that we should strive for, but at the end of the day, all of those things only serve to bring us to the kingdom of heaven, which is this pearl of great price that we, we purchase, we buy it and we just kind of hang onto it. It is its own treasure and it's, it's not about what this, this treasure can bring to us, right? Which is what the fine pearls were before they were about what the merchant can find and sell. It's, it's now about just obtaining the pearl and enjoying that pearl. Um, which I think is a little bit different than, than, um, what I would've thought of with the par before. [00:38:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I totally agree with you. I think, I think you're actually onto something with the distinction because I think of. So much of my career has been spent in financial services among people who are buyers and sellers of things. They're traders. And the way I read this was very similar to what you were saying to me. What resonated was if this gentleman or this person is. Trading, collecting these pearls. Presumably they have appreciation for the beauty of the pearl itself. So there is like something innate that draws them to this particular thing. And with that experience and with that knowledge and with that, that appreciation of that beauty. I think when they see this other pearl, it moves from, well, why would I ever sell that? I've seen everything. This is the most beautiful pearl I've ever laid my eyes on. And now I want to keep it for me. I want to have it in my possession. I want to cherish it and not just keep it in the inventory and then turn around and sell it for markup, presumably, because there is no nothing that would be of greater value to this person. 'cause they just sold everything else that they had. So they, it's appreciation for the pearl itself. It's going after that finding and seeking that great beauty. And then that led me right into Philippians chapter four, where Paul writes the church in Philippi, beginning of verse eight. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever's honorable, whatever's just whatever's pure, whatever's lovely, whatever's commendable. If there's any excellence, if there. Anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Practice these things and the god of peace will be with you. So this idea, like you and I, Tony, have talked about like the world has great wisdom, it has great knowledge, it has things that can lead us by way of common grace into certain amounts of peace. But the pearl of great price, the seeking after the going after all these great things is to find the gospel, to be given the gospel it revealed to you. And then say everything else I count as a loss. Everything else is worthless compared to this thing. And if you're a person that can appreciate even just by turn of mind or God's influence in your life, you know, knowledge and wisdom, and you're seeking after that, which is the ultimate expression and representation of those things, and then you find you come upon this pearl of great price, the gospel wisdom and the beauty of God represented in his son Jesus Christ. And you say, this is it. I, I know enough to know, again, by the regeneration that comes through the spirit, this is the real deal. Then I think the message still stands. We come through two different directions into the same final culminating point, which is there is a condition for having this kingdom of God, for having the king on your side as your friend, but the condition isn't like wealth or power or negotiating or intelligence or even good trading behavior or going out and finding the right thing. The condition is that we prize the kingdom more than anything else we own. The point of selling everything in these parables is to simply show where our hearts are at. And so I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value. Actually, it's true for everything that we. We presumably spend our time or our money on cost only matters in the absence of value. And I think like you and I could do a fun little experiment where I don't know, you ever talking to somebody about something and you're paying a cost to have that service delivered to you and you're, and you're just like totally worth it, like I would do totally worth it. Like, yeah, that's kind of the vibe I'm getting here. It's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We're just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it, that that's what we'll be saying for all of eternity as we worship him. [00:41:45] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think even more than saying, totally worth it. I think when we are given our new eyes to see, and we no longer see through a da a glass dimly, we're gonna recognize saying that it was worth, it is is like it's a pale, like it's a faulty answer to begin with because the, for sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine. And in our, you know, locked in little meat brains that we have now, we're kind of com we're just comparing it to. You know, like what, what we could have had or what we, what we've given up. Um, it, it's gonna be an incomparable comparison. Like there's no, there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how, how worthwhile it is. And, you know, we've, we've made a point of it, like the, the blessing of salvation and, and really like what it is that we're getting, uh, in, in the. You know, the Christian understanding of salvation, it's not, it's not an eternal destiny. It's not bigger mansions in heaven. It's not freedom from death. All of those things come with it. All of those things are attending gifts. That's right. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. Uh, not, not in the, you know, like. Eastern Orthodox deification sense, although I think there's a proper way we can talk about deification. Um, but we get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. There's nothing that we could ever point to. Um, it's funny, my, my wife and I, um, this is a little corny, but, um, we'll often say to, to each other instead of saying, I love you more than anything, we'll say, I love you more than everything. Right. And, and it's, it's a way to say like. You could take all that there is in the world, everything that I have that I could possibly consider and sum up the value. And I love my wife more than that. I love my children more than that. So it's not that I love them more than any one thing, it's that I love them more than everything combined. And this is even greater than that, right? We, we will look back at our lives and if, if it's even in our mind, if we even can, can comprehend anymore. The idea of thinking about what it costs us to obtain this pearl of great value, which is the kingdom of heaven, which is just another way to say, is just fellowship with the God of the universe. Um, we'll look at it and say no matter what it was. No matter what it could have been, I would give everything I, I love God more than everything. Right. Right. There's nothing that could ever possibly be considered that even comes close to what we gain in, in Christ Jesus, in union with, with God. And I think that's the point of this, like I think the guy who, um. Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and Our Response [00:44:58] Tony Arsenal: I think about what it would take for me to even like to sell everything, like the concept of selling everything I own. I'm not even sure how I would do that, to be honest with you. Like, I don't even know the mechanism for that kind of thing. But the idea that there's anything that could be valuable enough that I would just sell every piece of human property that I have, there's probably nothing like that in this world. Like, there probably isn't. And to, to take that comparison and then basically say like, that's just what the kingdom of God is like. 'cause that's the other thing I think we miss about parables is you, you only make a comparison when you can't describe something, um, analytically, right? There's the difference between analogically and analytically Ana lot analytically means we're able to actually quantify and explain it kind of in strict terms, right? I can, I can say that, um, uh, a heavy object ways, X number of grams or it, you know, or, um. Pounds or whatever. I can, I can measure that and make an analytical statement, or I can make an analogy, an analogy that is comparative. Uh, but by definition, or almost by by nature of the thing, when you make that comparison, you're kind of saying like, not only is it like this, but it's actually it, like it's more like this than I can even describe. Right? So when we're talking about the kingdom of Heaven here, and we say it's, it's like, it's like a man who goes, he finds a treasure and then he sells everything. He has to get that treasure. It's infinitely more like that than it actually can be described. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm rambling on that a little bit. Maybe trying to describe something that can't be described is, is hard to do. [00:46:35] Jesse Schwamb: It's, that's, yeah. But yeah, that's, that's very difficult to do. I'm actually totally with you on this. I think I understand clearly what you mean, this idea that no matter how hard we actually try to value it, we'll be incapable of doing so. Yes. And at best, it almost seems like this is a strange command in a way because it's, it's asking us to do in some ways a thing that is impossible for us to do. However, I think what you're saying is it doesn't mean that we shouldn't turn our minds toward that. We're a bit like people who, I don't know if this show is still on PBS, but like, do you know that show, remember that show The Antiques Road Show? Yeah. Where people would like come, they'd ran ransack their homes or their garages with these old antique items and they bring them to this road show where there'd be experts who would value them. And inevitably we'll be like those people who come with what we think is like a. A thousand dollars clock that we got at a garage sale thinking, wouldn't it be great? I know this is valuable. It's probably a thousand dollars. It'll be, look at the return, tenfold return, I'll get on this item, and then instead finding that it's worth $10 million when it's appraised. Yeah, I assume it'll be just like that in the Beautific vision that even maybe for all of eternity will be growing in our appreciation for just how valuable this great salvation is. And yet at the same time, I think what this should encourage us to do is to pray things like God make us real in seeing and savoring Christ in his saving work above all the other things. Yeah. So that, as you said in your example, we would cherish him above everything, above all things that you have that right place in our hearts or that we be inclined to undertake that posture, which says, God, though I cannot understand it in full. Would you help me to see that? Encouragement in Our Spiritual Journey [00:48:08] Jesse Schwamb: And I wanna just say like, as a word of encouragement, maybe I'm speaking more to myself here so everybody else can disregard this if you like, but I think sometimes there can be a little bit of intimidation then when you hear these things and say like, ah, I'm just not, I just dunno if I love God enough, like I wanna love him, or I want to want to love him more. And I think even that posture is appropriate. Yeah. Sometimes there, oftentimes in my personal life, I'll pray something like, God, help me to know how much you love me and would you give me the strength to love you back? So that even that awareness, that energy, that volition, that vitality, that, that heat, all of that, that fire itself is kindled by the Holy Spirit. It's not like we need to like try to again manufacture here. Because the point of these, these stories is not again, that we just find the means to do a transactional exchange here, but that instead we really just sit in the full promises of God. And of course to that, I would say we always need to go back to, to something like Romans eight. I mean, I know that we should, like you said, Tony, the. The standard description we give for the Bible is the one that gives itself, which is that all of it, all of it's is carried along by the Holy Spirit. All of it is God breathe. All of it is useful for something. And yet, of course, I say somewhat tongue in cheek that, you know, if I have 10 minutes to live, I'm probably not gonna the s descriptions of reading a genealogy, I'm going straight from Roman and say, Romans say, I think it's just like the pinnacle of the scriptures. And so just a couple of verses at the end there, because I think this is, this is leading us into what is this great treasure? What is the kingdom of God? Why do we value it so much? What is the saving power? And uh, these verses, I mean, always just entirely get me ready to run through a wall. So this is the end of, of Romans eight beginning verse 35. Who shall separate us from the law of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword as it is written for your sake. We are being killed all the day long. We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No. In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us for I'm sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from a love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. [00:50:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's a good word. And I, I, I like what you're saying too, is, is I think we, we can. There's this paradoxical thing that happens when the scriptures is trying to encourage us to do something, is we often like to get our, in our own way. And, and actually that becomes a source of discouragement for us. The Bible calls us to something and we know we can't live up to it. And that's actually like part and parcel of, of reform theology to recognize that this is law, like the, the, the, the, you know, maybe not in like the strict sense, like when we talk about dividing the scripture into law and gospel, um. It may not be that this particular passage would fall under that rubric of law normally, but this idea that we need to count the cost and that we need to be treasuring Christ more and more, and then when we feel like I'm just not getting it. I'm just not there. Like, I don't, I don't treasure Christ as much as I so should. Um, that Yeah, that's right. Nobody does. Nobody can, like, that's, that's kind of the point of this, and that's why it's law is it's, it shouldn't drive you in Christ. It should not drive you to despair. Right. It should not drive you to discouragement. It should drive you to gratitude that God saved you anyways. That, that this pearl of great value is still yours even though you can't possibly deserve it. Um, you know, we're, we're a little bit different than the, the merchant and the man who finds the treasure in the field in that we can't sell everything we have and obtain it like they have the ability to do that in the, in the parables. Right. Um, we, we don't, and we never will. And so rather than let that drive you to being discouraged that like you're just not getting. I recognize God is of infinite value and we are finite creatures. So we, we could, uh, value God perfectly. Like whatever that means, and I don't even know what that means, but we could value and cherish and love God perfectly as far as our capacities are concerned, and it still would not be enough to sufficiently merit God's favor for us. Like as much as we can, even in, even in eternity. As much as we can value and worship and love and praise Jesus, he is worth infinitely more than we could ever give, even when we do it perfectly. And this is, this is why you know Christ coming to die, to live on our behalf, to die in our place. Why that's necessary is because only this is a, maybe a different take on it. We, I think we talk a lot about how, um. Only God could, could carry, bear the wrath of God and not be destroyed. Right. Right. Only God could, um, could stand up under his own wrath, could stand up under the wrath of God and bear that punishment and not be destroyed. And so therefore, um, Christ had to be not just a man, but had to be God. But on the flip side. And God requires perfect perpetual obedience, which involves loving the Lord your God, perfectly with your whole heart at all times. Right? Only God can do that too. So it's not just that God. It's not just that G

This DermSurgery Digest bonus content, aptly named “At the Microscope,” shares the latest research and techniques in dermatopathology. In this episode, we will review tumor upstaging related to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Contributors to this podcast include Naomi Lawrence, MD, Dermatologic Surgery Digital Content Editor; Ashley Elsensohn, MD, MPH, DermSurgery Digest at the Microscope co-host; Christine Ahn, MD; Jeff Gardner, MD; Marina K. Ibraheim, MD; and Michael P. Lee, MD. Articles featured in this episode include: Pham D, Tabba D, Zhou C, Chow C, Elsensohn A. Histopathological discrepancy of biopsy specimens compared to subsequent Mohs surgery or wide local excision specimens. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Sep;91(3):518-519. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.04.047. Epub 2024 Apr 27. PMID: 38685403. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38685403/Lim GF, Perez OA, Zitelli JA, Brodland DG. Correlation of basal cell carcinoma subtype with histologically confirmed subclinical extension during Mohs micrographic surgery: A prospective multicenter study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Jun;86(6):1309-1317. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.02.037. Epub 2022 Feb 26. PMID: 35231546. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35231546/Knackstedt TJ, Brennick JB, Perry AE, Li Z, Quatrano NA, Samie FH. Frequency of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) invasion in transected SCC in situ referred for Mohs surgery: the Dartmouth-Hitchcock experience. Int J Dermatol. 2015 Jul;54(7):830-3. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12867. Epub 2015 Apr 27. PMID: 25920731. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25920731/Jackett LA, Gullifer JP, Scolyer RA. Evaluation of Multiple Tissue Levels Frequently Upstages Patients With Clinically Localized Thin Primary Cutaneous Melanoma. J Cutan Pathol. 2024 Oct 2. doi: 10.1111/cup.14726. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39357975. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39357975/ Your feedback is encouraged. Please contact communicationstaff@asds.net.

‘Dartmouth-Hitchcock's epidemic that wasn't raises overlapping questions. If this could happen in one hospital, why not two? If two, why not four? If four, could the hospitals in an entire county or state be put on high alert, with staff isolated and vaccines distributed. And if the procedures put in place to deal with the epidemic actually started to cause harm, thereby confirming the epidemic is real - what's to stop the mass panic spreading over the entire globe?'   Faith in Quick Test Leads to Epidemic That Wasn't, New York Times: https://web.archive.org/web/20200806015144/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/health/22whoop.html   Measuring the Mandates:  https://www.deepstateconsciousness.com/measuring-the-mandates

Audible Bleeding editor Wen (@WenKawaji) is joined by 1st year vascular surgery fellow Richa Kalsi (@KalsiMD), 3rd year medical student Nishi (@Nishi_Vootukuru), 4th-year general surgery resident Sasank Kalipatnapu (@ksasank) from UMass Chan Medical School, JVS editor Dr. Forbes (@TL_Forbes), JVS-VLD associate editor Dr. Arjun Jayaraj and JVS social media liaison Dr. Haurani to discuss some of our favorite articles in the JVS family of journals.   This episode hosts Dr. Amy Felsted, Dr. Salvatore Scali, and Dr. Arjun Jayaraj, the authors of the following papers. Dr. Arjun Jayaraj and Dr. Haurani will also spend time discussing a virtual special issue, centered around iliofemoral venous stenting published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Venous and Lymphatic Disorders that includes six articles published between August 2023 and May 2024.    Articles: Part 1: A patient-centered textbook outcome measure effectively discriminates contemporary elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair quality by Dr. Felsted, Dr. Scali and colleagues.    Part 2: Virtual special issues on contemporary role of iliofemoral venous stenting    Show Guests  Dr. Amy Felsted (@aefelsted): Completed fellowship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Currently an assistant professor of surgery at Boston University School of Medicine and practicing vascular surgeon at the VA in Boston   Dr. Salvatore Scali: Professor of Surgery at University of Florida Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, program director of the vascular fellowship at University of Florida.   Dr. Arjun Jayaraj: Vascular surgeon at the RANE Center in Jackson, Mississippi with a focus on the management of venous and lymphatic diseases, Associate Editor of JVS-VL.  Follow us @audiblebleeding Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.

This episode's Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow' Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE—Episode Overview: How can virtual care and innovative technology transform healthcare delivery? According to our next guest, Dr. Sarah Pletcher, it requires reimagining care models by leveraging cutting-edge solutions. As System Vice President and Executive Medical Director for Strategic Innovation at Houston Methodist, Dr. Pletcher leads the nationally renowned health system in developing and accelerating pioneering care strategies for the next decade.An accomplished surgeon and telehealth trailblazer, Dr. Pletcher shares her valuable insights on virtual nursing programs reducing burnout, wearables enhancing patient monitoring, expanding hospital-at-home offerings, implementing ambient AI for safety, and rolling out system-wide virtual rounding capabilities. Join us to learn how Dr. Pletcher is driving innovation at Houston Methodist, enhancing experiences and outcomes through tech-enabled, forward-thinking care delivery. Let's go!Episode Highlights:Pioneering virtual nursing programs that reduce burnout and retain staffLeveraging wearable sensors and remote monitoring to enhance patient careExpanding "hospital at home" and virtual care offerings to improve accessImplementing ambient AI and computer vision for safety and efficiencyRolling out system-wide virtual rounding capabilities in every patient room About our Guest:Dr. Sarah N. Pletcher is the System Vice President and Executive Medical Director for Strategic Innovation at Houston Methodist. In this role, she leads the health system on strategy, development, acceleration and execution of new care models and innovations that will move the health system into its next decade. Prior to joining Houston Methodist, Dr. Pletcher was the founder of the Centers for Connected Care & Telehealth at Dartmouth- Hitchcock, where she led the health system in the selection and implementation of new strategies utilizing telehealth technology platforms, and developed new clinical products and telemedicine programs across multiple specialties, and in multiple settings. This work includes a national scale telemedicine program which includes more than 60 specialties and six 24/7 hospital service lines, covering 100 hospitals across 10 states, and providing care through 20,000 patient encounters every month. As a consultant, Dr. Pletcher has advised health systems, policymakers, and investors about disruptive technologies and new business models that can provide value in serving populations. With over 25 years of healthcare innovation experience, she is frequently sought as a thought leader and invited speaker in areas of telemedicine, mhealth, innovation, clinical quality improvement, provider education and rural program development; and has been the principal investigator on over 15 million dollars of grant and foundational funding to advance these initiatives.Links Supporting This Episode:Houston Methodist website: CLICK HEREDr. Sarah Pletcher LinkedIn page: CLICK HEREHouston Methodist Twitter page: CLICK HEREMike Biselli LinkedIn page:

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 13 on November 17, 2022, entitled, “Association of fall rate and functional status by APOE genotype in cancer survivors after exercise intervention.” Cancer treatment survivors often report impaired functioning and increased falls. Not all survivors experience the same symptom burden, suggesting individual susceptibilities. APOE genotype is a potential genetic risk factor for cancer treatment related side effects. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity can mitigate the effect of APOE genotype on measures of clinical interest in individuals without a history of cancer. In this new study, researchers Gwendolyn J. McGinnis, Sarah Holden, Betty Yu, Charlton Ransom, Carolyn Guidarelli, Brian De, K Diao, David Boyce, Charles R. Thomas Jr., Kerri Winters-Stone, and Jacob Raber from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Oregon Health and Science University and Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Dartmouth Cancer Center tested the hypothesis that APOE genotype influences cancer treatment related side effects and symptoms as well as response to exercise intervention. “In the current analyses, the modulating effect of apoE genotype on functional status and symptom burden in response to exercise intervention was investigated in a subsample of trial participants.” Data from a subsample of a study of fall prevention exercise in post-treatment female cancer survivors aged 50–75 years old (https://clinicaltrials.gov NCT01635413) were used to conduct a secondary data analysis. ApoE genotype was determined by serum sampling. Physical functioning, frequency of falls, and symptom burden were assessed using survey instruments. Data from 126 female cancer survivors a median of 49 months out from cancer diagnosis were analyzed. ApoE4 carriers trended toward a higher fall rate at baseline (p = 0.059), but after exercise intervention had a fall rate lower than E4 non-carriers both immediately after structured intervention (p = 0.013) and after 6 months of follow up (p = 0.002). E2 carriers did not show improved measures of depressive symptoms and self-report disability after exercise intervention. E3 homozygotes showed increased self report physical activity after the 6 month exercise intervention, but E4 and E2 carriers did not. “The study findings suggest that APOE genotype may be associated with presence and severity of cancer treatment-related side effects and symptoms and also influence the response to exercise-based interventions in cancer survivors.” DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28310 Correspondence to: Jacob Raber - raberj@ohsu.edu Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvN9ZDWymz8 Keywords: apoE, breast cancer, exercise intervention, fall rate, functional status About Oncotarget: Oncotarget (a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal) aims to maximize research impact through insightful peer-review; eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology, cancer research and biomedical sciences; and foster application of basic and clinical science. To learn more about Oncotarget, visit Oncotarget.com and connect with us on social media: Twitter – https://twitter.com/Oncotarget Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/OncotargetYouTube Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget/ Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ LabTube – https://www.labtube.tv/channel/MTY5OA SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/oncotarget For media inquiries, please contact: media@impactjournals.com

Joanne Conroy, M.D. is the CEO and President of Dartmouth Health. She was also recently elected by the American Hospital Association (AHA) to be their chair-elect designate. Prior to Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Dr. Conroy served as CEO of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center (formerly the Lahey Clinic). She also served as Chief Health Care Officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Dr. Conroy received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Dartmouth College and an M.D. from the University of South Carolina.  Key Insights:Dr. Conroy discusses her new role with the American Hospital Association and her overarching vision for leadership in healthcare. Work Force Challenges. One of the AHA's top issues is the work force. There has been a significant decrease in healthcare workers across the country and we need to be creative about building pipelines for new workers as well as initiatives for retention.COVID-19's Lasting Impact. There are two silver linings from the pandemic. First is the expansion of telehealth. COVID-19 vastly accelerate the timeline for telehealth adoption and use. Second is the growth in remote work. Remote options give organizations a recruiting advantage, allowing them to select from a national pool of applicants. Equity of Opportunity. To develop the next generation of women leaders requires developing leadership training and programing to identify future leaders, as well as creating opportunities for those people to demonstrate their leadership. Training isn't useful with the opportunity to apply it.  Relevant Links:Follow Dr. Conroy on TwitterRead “AHA Board Names Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., as Chair-Elect Designate”

Meet Dora Mills:Dora Mills, M.D. is the Chief Health Improvement Officer of MaineHealth. Previously, she was the Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Director for the Center of Health Innovation at the University ofNew England. She also served as the Medical Director of MaineCare, and the Director of Public  Health for the Maine State Government. Dr. Mills received a Bachelor's in Biology and Russian from Bowdin College, an M.D. from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University.Key Insights:Dr. Mills' experience exemplifies the power of partnerships in healthcare and public health. • Words of Encouragement. One day in college, the head of the Biology Department  told Dr. Mills she should consider medical school. It was the first time someone  encouraged her to think about a medical career, and it gave her the confidence to  pursue one. Today, Dr. Mills tries to provide the same encouragement as a mentor. • Public-Private Partnerships. Maine achieved high levels of vaccination through  partnerships. Companies like L.L. Bean lent employees to staff vaccine clinics.Additionally, breweries and restaurants across the state hosted clinics, offering free  beer and food to those who got vaccinated. • Women in Public Service. Dr. Mills has seen many great women leaders, including  her sister, the current Governor of Maine. For women interested in running for  office, there are programs to help. And if you run for office, seek out advice, butmake sure to still be who you are and use your own voice. This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and serves as the CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. 

Meet Amber Barnato, M.D.:Amber Barnato, M.D. is the John E. Wennberg Distinguished Professor and the Director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She is trained in two medical specialties, public health and preventive medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine. Dr. Barnato received a bachelor's from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, an MPH from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MS from Stanford University. Key Insights:Amber Barnato, M.D. explores how her medical career experiences led her to the focus of palliative and end-of-life care.  Expanding Horizons. Dr. Barnato took a year before medical school to be a research assistant and speech writer for Assistant Surgeon General Dr. McGinnis. That experience expanded her horizons, exposing her to the policy process, and Dr. McGinnis served a sponsor, improving her medical school candidacy.Path to Palliative Care. Dr. Barnato was morally distressed by the end-of-life care she saw in her general surgery internship, which lacked emotional support, conversations with family, and concerns over quality of life. After listening to a story about end-of-life care research on the radio, she decided she wanted to join the research effort herself. Next Steps for the Dartmouth Atlas. The Dartmouth Atlas focuses on overuse and unwarranted variation of healthcare. However, Dr. Barnato wants the Atlas to expand to underuse and unjust variation. She would like to see a focus on health equity.  This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and is the CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Relevant Links:Learn more about Dr. Barnato and her researchFollow Dr. Barnato on Twitter

Key Insights:Suzanne Barakat, M.D. experienced personal tragedy, and was forced to fight through her grief to combat islamophobia in medicine, media, and society. Reluctant Activist. Dr. Barakat's Brother, his wife, and her sister were murdered by a white supremacist for being Muslim. Additionally, two of Dr. Barakat's relatives were assassinated for their political activism and journalism, presumably by the Assad regime. Neither case received much media attention, and Dr. Barakat became a reluctant activist, fighting for media coverage and that the cases be investigated.Health and Human Rights Initiative. This initiative provides pro bono forensic medical evaluations for asylum seekers. Medical professionals perform a full physical exam and psychological evaluation to corroborate the stories of violence from asylum seekers. This process greatly increases the likelihood of obtaining asylum.What Leaders Can Do. Healthcare leaders have a responsibility to ensure that their workforce represents their patient demographic, this leads to better health outcomes and quality of care for patients. Additionally, leaders must play a role in making their staff feel valued and supported, and implement safe and anonymous ways to report violations. This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and is the CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Relevant Links:Learn more about the Health and Human Rights InitiativeWatch Dr. Barakat's TED talk: “Islamophobia killed my brother. Let's end the hate”

In this episode, Fabrizio Billi, Director of Orthopedic Research at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, discusses six papers on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as part of the 2022 DocSF Digital Orthopedics Conference in a two-part panel with experts in health tech and orthopedics. He is first joined by Peter Schilling, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and Thomas Peterson, director of UCSF Reach Informatics Core and the Laboratory for Digital and Computational Health Sciences in the Orthopedic Surgery Department. They discuss three papers on artificial intelligence used for prediction and optimization, the definition of the most appropriate machine learning models, and the role of synthetic data. They predict AI tools will make doctors' and clinicians' practices more manageable and help them make more accurate predictions in the future. For the second part of the panel, he is joined by Stefan Kreuzer, an orthopedic surgeon from Innovate Orthopedics in Houston, and Jennifer McCaney, a mechanical engineer innovator and Executive Director of UCLA Biodesign. They discuss three papers on surgery robotics, automation, and precision enhancement for recognition and improvement of gestures and movements. They predict that doctors will be able to create better delivery models with robotic solutions, improve implant design with 3D printing, increase precision and automate more surgical procedures.  Join this fantastic conversation about artificial intelligence and robotics at the 2022 DocSF Digital Orthopedics Conference, and learn how these tools can make practices easier and won't replace your jobs!

On MedAxiom HeartTalk, we are diving deeper with part two on the PEARLS Paper - a blueprint structural heart programs can use to optimize care. Host, Melanie Lawson, speaks with Elizabeth Perpetua, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC, Patricia Keegan, DNP, NP-C, AACC, Roseanne Palmer, MSN, RN, and Susan Schnell, MSN, ACNP-BC, all co-authors of the paper. They share how their geographical challenges influenced their perspectives writing the paper and discuss practical steps that organizations can take now, to implement guidelines and care pathways for future crises.Guest Bios: Elizabeth Perpetua, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC: Founder of Empath Health Services and faculty at University of Washington in Seattle – Dr. Perpetua led the efforts and development of the PEARLS paper and the first published study describing the Structural Heart Coordinator role and Coordination in the U.S. She is a Doctor of Nursing Practice with 15 years of experience in structural heart program development and research. She was the Director of the structural heart programs at Swedish Medical Center and University of Washington before starting her work in consulting and education. Dr. Perpetua has trained thousands of nurses, physicians, and administrators in structural heart disease. Patricia Keegan, DNP, NP-C, AACC: the original coordinator and nurse practitioner at Emory Healthcare with the PARTNER trial, now the Director of Strategic and Programmatic Initiatives across all of Emory Heart and Vascular (system-wide). Many areas of expertise including but not limited to structural heart, congenital heart disease, nurse-led sedation, minimalist approach, same day discharge, program efficiencies, quality improvement, and clinical program development. Roseanne Palmer, MSN, RN: the original coordinator and nurse leader at Dartmouth Hitchcock with the PARTNER trial, now the Program Manager for Structural Heart. Many areas of expertise including but not limited to structural heart, shared decision making, patient stated goals, crisis management including work with the Red Cross, clinical program development. Susan Schnell, MSN, ACNP-BC: the original coordinator and nurse practitioner at Columbia University Irving Medical Center at the time when TAVR was in the first-in-man experience in 2007 (REVIVAL trial, preceded the PARTNER trial). Sue is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Columbia HeartSource. Many areas of expertise including but not limited to structural heart and interventional cardiology, system wide healthcare quality improvement and change management, clinical program development.  Bonus Links:PEARLS Paper - Elsevier: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2474870622008089 PEARLS Paper Video Extras - TCT: https://www.tctmd.com/PEARLShttps://www.tctmd.com/videos/pearls-the-heart-team-in-action.6270320173001

Re-meet the Hosts:This episode showcases the Her Story Advisory Council. Ceci Connolly is the President & CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans. Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., serves as CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Kristi Ebong is the head of Partnerships and Market Development at Define Ventures. Julie L. Gerberding, M.D. is Chief Patient Officer and Executive Vice President at Merck. Sanjula Jain, Ph.D. is a co-founder of Think Medium and is an SVP of Market Strategy and Chief Research Officer at Trilliant Health.Key Insights:For young professionals starting their careers, to established leaders looking to refine their skills, Her Story is the show for you. We tell stories by women, for women, to expand the vision of what is possible in healthcare.Bringing Others Along. Ceci emphasizes that women leaders should play a role in supporting and advancing the next generation of leaders. (1:01)Women Together. Dr. Conroy describes how groups of female leaders can help each other find their purpose, create impact, and make meaningful goals a reality. (2:38)Competitive Advantage. Kristi points out that being a woman can be a competitive advantage in male-dominated fields, by providing an outside perspective on the industry. (5:42)Building Your Toolbox. Dr. Gerberding encourages leaders to think of their career as a toolbox – each experience should add a new tool. The more versatile you are, the more opportunities you will have long-term. (7:39)Navigating Healthcare. Dr. Jain describes how healthcare is a complex industry. Her Story explores the multitude of career paths within and associated with healthcare. (9:52)

A new healthcare pre-apprenticeship offers high school students the chance to prepare for a registered apprenticeship in one of three fields while working at Dartmouth Hitchcock in Lebanon and taking classes at River Valley Community College in Claremont. It's one of several partnerships and initiatives designed to address the healthcare worker shortage and open doors for students.

Cameron Hult of the Concord Police Department and Jaclynn Rodriguez, Executive Director, Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Interim Fund Raising Events Director, Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Cameron and Jaclynn discussed the upcoming CHAD Hockey game between Police and Fire at SNHU Arena in Manchester.

As we transition into our new normal of living with COVID-19. We envision a state where diagnostic tests and oral medications are readily available for the community with an overall goal of increasing access to life-saving treatments that need to be given quickly to be effective. Dr. Rebecca Wang, infectious diseases physician and medical co-director of the comprehensive antimicrobial program, and Craig Worby, infectious disease clinical pharmacist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and co-director of the comprehensive antimicrobic program, walks us through currently available outpatient COVID-19 therapies. The information shared in this episode is meant for medical education and should not be considered as medical advice.

In this episode of the Med Inspired podcast I sit down with Dr. Evie Marcolini and disuss all things dizziness. Dr. Marcolini practices emergency medicine and neurocritical care at Dartmouth Hitchcock in Hanover, New Hampshire. She is a national and international speaker and faculty advisor to wilderness medicine interest groups at the University of Maryland and Yale. We discuss all things dizziness. From distinguishing central vs peripheral causes to the red flags of posterior stroke to the HINTS exam. WE also delve into some tips and tricks on how to perform a better neurological exam to asssesing the posterior circulation, and a common sense approach to risk stratifying dizziness. 

What we cover: Harvey shares his personal and professional background and how he became interested in working with this population The creation of the Gender Diverse Care Coalition of NH and understanding the offerings and opportunities for the community The definition of Gender Affirmative Care Common mental health struggles and risks within the LGBTQIA+ community How mental health providers can better support this population Resources for both listeners and mental health professionals to get involved How to reach Harvey: https://www.harveyfeldmancounseling.com https://genderdiversecarecoalitionnh.com/ harveyfeldmanlcmch@gmail.com Harvey Feldman (he/him) is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the State of New Hampshire (#2128). He holds a Master's degree in counseling from Goddard College (Plainfield, Vermont) with a focus on clinical issues of gender and sexuality. Harvey is a member of the Community Advisory Board for Dartmouth Hitchcock's Transgender Health Program, and a founding member of the Gender Diverse Care Coalition of New Hampshire. Additionally, Harvey holds a Master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University and an undergraduate degree from Smith College. We would love to connect with you! If you listen to this podcast, please hit the subscribe button so that you never miss an episode and share this podcast with your community and friends. Tag us so we can give a shout out and if you really enjoyed this episode, feel free to share the love and leave a review. The podcast officially has its own handle and page! Connect with us here: https://www.instagram.com/hillaryandchristina/ Check out Christina's website at: https://www.christinaennabe.com/. And as always, stay well!

Meet Marna Borgstrom:Marna Borgstrom is CEO of Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Health. She started her career at Yale New Haven over 40 years ago, and advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in administration, management, and operations. In 2005, she was selected to serve as CEO, and after 17 years will be retiring in March of 2022. She received a Bachelor's in Human Biology from Stanford and a Master of Public Health from Yale University School of Medicine. Key Insights:Marna Borgstrom has decades of experience in healthcare. She reflects on her career journey and leadership, and shares what she will do next. Operations and Strategy Inform Each Other. Good healthcare leadership requires both operations and strategic expertise. Being a good operator requires the strategic foresight to innovate, and being a good strategist requires understanding the business. (5:00)How to Develop Talent. Marna shares that she spent at least 25% of her time as CEO on talent development. Yale New Haven created a Lean In group to promote mentorship for both women and men. This work strengthened company culture and promoted internal succession. (15:42)Is Retirement the End? Not for Marna! After 43 years at Yale New Haven, she is excited to leave the organization in good hands. She is working on becoming a career coach, taking bucket list tips, and continuing her volunteer work with the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology (21:16)This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and is the CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health.Relevant Links:“YNHHS CEO Marna Borgstrom to retire in 2022”Read “Parting thoughts, advice from Yale New Haven Health's retiring CEO”Listen to “'It's Important to Have a Vision:' Retiring Yale New Haven Health CEO”

Host Lisa Miller is joined by Jason Vallee, PhD, VP at Cheshire Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Topics include the definition of the patient experience, the role of the JUSST model, and the potential impact of Press Ganey rankings that no hospital can afford. Jason also explains how the ‘'sprinkler experience'' informed his understanding of mapping the patient journey and why choosing the right language is vital to build patient trust. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play HealthcareNOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

John lived in a world where mental health wasn't recognized—until his son faced severe struggles with alcohol. Now, he talks to thousands of youth and parents with the goal of breaking the stigma clouding mental illness. He shares his journey here. *Support the Dartmouth-Hitchcock campaign which John Broderick leads*: https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/about/react-awareness-campaign (also contains the 5-signs campaign). Data mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0011 https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to increase, driven by the Omicron variant making it more important for individuals to keep up-to-date with the most recent public health recommendations. However, keeping up with the ever changing guidelines is not only challenging for some but also confusing and frustrating given the many nuances that come with the changes. In this episode, host Jessica Swain, senior infection preventionist at Dartmouth Hitchcock, talks to Dr. Aalok Khole, infectious disease physician at Cheshire Medical Center, to help us navigate through the CDC's updated mask recommendations, & isolation and quarantine guidelines. Dr. Khole also walks us through how to interpret home antigen test results and shares highlights about new therapy against COVID-19 infection. The information shared in this episode is meant for medical education and should not be considered as medical advice.

Former New Hampshire Chief Justice and current mental health advocate, John Broderick joins Kathryn Wickersham to discuss all things mental health. The former chief justice vulnerably recounts his own experiences as a parent dealing with his son's mental health crisis. Broderick also gives advice on how we can destigmatize mental health, and signs to be on the look out for if you think someone close to you might be struggling. Trigger Warning: Talks of mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and suicide Resources: John Broderick's REACT campaign in partnership with Dartmouth Hitchcock: https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/about/react-awareness-campaign The Reconnection Project: https://www.jefflevincoaching.com/the-reconnection-project/ If you or a loved one needs help: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Contacts: John Broderick- johntbroderickjr@gmail.com Jeff Levin- jeff@jefflevincoaching.com Fellsway Wanderers- fellswaywanderers@gmail.com

Meet Senator Jeanne Shaheen:Senator Jeanne Shaheen is the sitting U.S. Senator for New Hampshire. She is a member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Select Committee on Ethics. Previously, Sen. Shaheen served as the Director of Harvard University's Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government. She was also elected Governor of New Hampshire, and is the first woman in U.S. history to be elected both a Governor and United States Senator.Key Insights:Senator Jeanne Shaheen is an accomplished politician. She is the highest-ranking woman on the Armed Services Committee, and has been an elected public servant for over two decades.Raise Your Hand. While at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School at Harvard, when she asked which student want to run for office, almost every male hand would go up, but only a third of women. Sen. Shaheen emphasizes the importance of having women in office, so policy decisions reflect women's experiences (4:42)Compromise. Reaching compromise requires a willingness to listen to other points of view, to find common ground, and to be respectful. (16:30)Public Service. For women interested in public service careers, Sen. Shaheen recommends that you reflect on what issues you care about most, and find related work. This is the best entrance into what you might want to do next in politics, policy, or public service. (17:51)This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story is the CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health.Relevant Links:Learn more about Senator Shaheen's campaignFollow Senator Shaheen on Twitter“Partisan politics compromise the bipartisan consensus around energy efficiency” by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen 

See what's coming up on Her Story Season 3! Trailer features: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH) Dana Udall, Chief Clinical Officer, Headspace Health Yasmeen Long, Director, Milken Institute, FasterCures Nimisha Kalia, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, GE Deena Shakir, Partner, Lux Capital Marna Borgstrom, Former CEO, Yale New Haven Health Season 3 hosts include: Joanne Conroy, M.D., President and CEO, Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans Kristi Ebong, Head of Partnerships and Market Development, Define Ventures Julie Gerberding, M.D., Chief Patient Officer, Executive Vice President, Population Health & Sustainability, Merck Sanjula Jain, Ph.D., Co-founder, Think Medium; SVP, Market Strategy & Chief Research Officer, Trilliant Health Tune in for Her Story Season 3 on January 5th!

The omicron variant is now the predominantly circulating variant of concern in the United States. It is more transmissible and may have the ability of immune escape. Time will tell if it leads to a more severe disease, but regardless of disease severity, we need to remain vigilant and get the vaccine, get boosted, wear our masks, and wash our hands. These are all additive layers of protection to prevent the spread of infection. We are joined by Caitlin Adams Barker who is a senior infection preventionist at Dartmouth Hitchcock. We talk to Caitlin about how we can reduce the likelihood of transmission as we plan to spend time with family through the holidays. Dr. Justin Kim also joins us for this episode. He is the hospital epidemiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock and he gives us some higlights about the omicron variant and novel therapies for COVID-19. The information shared in this episode is meant for medical education and should not be considered as medical advice.

"As I scientist I ask-- where's the data on COVID vaccines? How many women, how many men, how many shots? Which arm? Did it cause their diabetes to get better? Did it affect their time off of work? What kind of reaction? We need to know this." Renowned physician and executive Dr. James Weinstein is here, talking public health, policy, wasteful spending, and transparency— or lack of— in our medical system. Life can throw us medical curveballs, sometimes one after another. How is a patient, regardless of having healthcare or not, supposed to know what is best for him or her? Jim Weinstein's model, conceived at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, is one he calls “informed choice.” Can doctors and patients work together to find a way to better decision-making? Where is the basic data on responses to mRNA vaccines that the public can access and look through? Why is public messaging often so muddled? With a deeply personal story interwoven with family tragedy and a wealth of expertise in the corporate and academic medical worlds, this is a unique perspective on the complex inner workings of the system most close to us all— our health. If you like what we do, please support the show. By making a one-time or recurring donation, you will contribute to us being able to present the highest quality substantive, long-form interviews with the world's most compelling people. Dr. James N. Weinstein joined Microsoft in July 2018 as Senior Vice President, Microsoft Healthcare, leading strategy, and innovation. During the pandemic, he has worked with Operation Warp speed and various organizations around the world, including, WHO, CDC as well as state and local government efforts to bring the Microsoft vaccine platform for enrolling, disseminating, and tracking vaccine participants. He serves as executive sponsor for some the largest health delivery systems in the world, including, NHS, HCA, CVS, MGB (the Harvard system), John's Hopkins, Centene, Kaiser and many others. Dr. James N. Weinstein is the immediate past Chief Executive Officer and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. The $2.5 billion system includes New Hampshire's only academic medical center and a network of affiliated hospitals and clinics across Vermont and New Hampshire, serving a patient population of about 2 million. Under his leadership, Dartmouth-Hitchcock worked to create a “sustainable health system” for the patients and communities it serves, for generations to come. As leader of a bi-state health system, he created an operating model based in population health locally and nationally. The 7 hospital system ranked in the top 1% for quality. He created a joint venture with Harvard Pilgrim to create a new health plan for Northern New England. He worked with Congress during three prior administrations, and helped lead the ACO, population-based strategies and led national efforts in Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM's) and Health Equity. In the past few years, he's helped lead the formation of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), funded initially by an $80 million grant from the Department of Defense and more than $300 million in private sector funding. ARMI uses 3D technology to print human organs, a development that could transform the world of organ transplantation and the lives of millions affected by diseases such as kidney disease and diabetes. He is a member of the Board of Directors of ARMI/BioFab.

Holly Gaspar of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Chelsie Rommell of NH Legal Assistance discuss a new medical-legal partnership being launched in the Upper Valley and Sullivan County. The two-year pilot project will identify health disparities in those communities and make civil legal assistance accessible to young families in need in those communities. This week's episode is sponsored by TFMoran (www.tfmoran.com), a leading land planning and engineering firm with offices in Bedford and Portsmouth, NH.

In this episode, We talk to Dr. Susanne Tanski, section chief and vice chair of pediatrics at Dartmouth-Hitchcock about the recently approved Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years old. She talks to us about the safety and efficay of the vaccines, how to weigh the risks and benefits, and what this means for our kids growth and development. The information shared in this episode is meant for medical education and should not be considered as medical advice.

On episode 107, Leon speaks with Dr. Rachel Zoffness about the medical history of pain management; how the opioid crises is fueled by a purely biological understanding of pain; the emotional, social, and biological components of pain; the neurological anatomy of pain; the unhealthy thoughts and actions associated with pain and how changing them helps us modulate it; why therapists often fear treating chronic pain; the negative correlation of opioid use, wherein opioids cause us to become more sensitized to pain as we become desensitized to them; why thoughts and emotions are physical and should be discussed in relation to our bodies; and the critical components of CBT for chronic pain. Dr. Rachel Zoffness is a Health and Pain Psychologist, international speaker, author, and thought-leader in pain medicine. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF School of Medicine, lecturer at Stanford, pain education faculty at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and a 2021 Mayday Fellow. Dr. Zoffness was trained at Brown, Columbia, NYU, UCSD, and Mt. Sinai Hospital. Dr. Rachel Zoffness | ► Website | https://www.zoffness.com/ ► Twitter |  https://twitter.com/DrZoffness ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/therealdoczoff ► The Pain Management Workbook: https://amzn.to/3my4L5C Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Experts continue to do research on drugs that can help save lives of infected people and perhaps even prevent them from getting sick in the first place. In today's episode, we will be talking about updates on the treatment options for COVID-19. Host Jessica Swain, senior infection preventionist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, is joined by Dr. Rebecca Wang Infectious Disease physician at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and medical co-director of the Comprehensive Antimicrobial Program. The information shared in this episode is meant for medical education and should not be considered as medical advice.

Guest Co-Host Robin deAlmeida, Project Director of Communications and Family Engagement at the Parent Information Center of New Hampshire, joins the show to talk about parenting and finding your family voice. And later, Dr. Erik Shessler, Pediatrician with Dartmouth-Hitchcock, discusses the intersection of family voice, the art of listening, and what good health care looks like.Support the showLISTEN on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ask your smart speaker to play NH Family NOW!

Vermont's plan for back-to-school. Plus, Dartmouth-Hitchcock to require vaccines for employees, Vermonters in Tokyo, and remembering Elka Schumann.

C. difficile is a germ that causes severe diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. It's estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States each year and about one in six patients who get a C difficile infection will get it again in the subsequent two to eight weeks. In this episode, senior infection preventionist, Caitlin Adams Barker talks to Cameron Griffin who is an infection preventionist and chair of the C. difficile prevention committee at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dr. Michael Calderwood who is an infectious disease physician and the chief quality officer for Dartmouth Hitchcock about the treatment and prevention of C. difficile infections. The information shared in this episode is meant for medical education and should not be considered as medical advice.

*From time to time we'll re-air a previous episode of the show that our newer audience may have missed.* In this episode of Her Story hosted by Dr. Joanne Conroy, President and CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, we sit down with Kim A. Keck, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Joanne and Kim discussed how Kim's unconventional path ultimately led to her appointment as the first woman to serve as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's president and CEO since the organization was founded four decades ago.

Season 1 | Episode 22 | July 7, 2021In this week's episode, Dr. Trey Dobson hosts Jeffrey Parsonnet, MD, an infectious disease physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the leader of a clinic designed to help people with enduring COVID symptoms. Dr. Parsonnet arrived at Dartmouth in 1990, having completed his Infectious Diseases (ID) training at Brigham and Women's/Beth Israel Hospital.  He is currently Professor of Medicine at Geisel School of Medicine and an attending physician in the ID Section at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.  His research interests have included toxic shock syndrome and treatment of septic shock, and areas of special clinical interest include HIV infection, Lyme disease, and bone and joint infections.Underwriter: Mack Molding

In this episode, We talk to Dr. Lauren Gilstrap who is a heart failure and transplant cardiologist. Dr. Gilstrap walks us through cardiovascular risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 disease, acute and chronic cardiovascular complications of COVID-19, and the benefits of the vaccine for patients with heart disease. Marshall Ward, MD is a staff hospitalist and Associate Section Chief of Hospital Medicine at at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Amogh Karnik, MD is a Chief Medical Resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. If you have any questions for us, drop us a line at thecure@hitchcock.org!

In this episode, Amogh and Marshall chat with Dr. Ellen Eisenberg, Interim Section Chief of General Internal Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at Geisel, and Dr. Jeffrey Parsonnet, attending Infectious Disease physician and Professor of Medicine at Geisel. They discuss the post-acute complications of COVID, and how DH-H is working to provide a new avenue for patients with long term symptoms after acute COVID-19 through a collaborative, multidisciplinary clinic. Patients can be referred to this clinic directly by their primary care providers. For more information about this program, contact postCOVID@hitchcock.org. Marshall Ward, MD is a staff hospitalist and Associate Section Chief of Hospital Medicine at at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Amogh Karnik, MD is a Chief Medical Resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. If you have any questions for us, drop us a line at thecure@hitchcock.org!

In this episode, Amogh, Jose, and Rima chat with Dr. Richard Zuckerman. Dr. Zuckerman is an Infectious Disease specialist and the director of the Transplant and Immunocompromised Hosts Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. They review the data on tocilizumab, sarilumab, and other novel treatments that are being studied to treat COVID-19 infection. Rima Mercado, MD is a staff hospitalist and the Medical Director of the Medical Specialties Units at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Jose Mercado, MD is a staff hospitalist and Associate Hospital Epidemiologist at DHMC. Amogh Karnik, MD is a Chief Medical Resident at DHMC.

Ultrasound is essential in hospital medicine, but can it be used in wilderness and austere settings?  What are the advantages and what are the challenges of bringing ultrasound into the backcountry? Listen as  Nicholas Weinberg, MD, Johndavid (Jd) Storn, MD and Jennifer Wray from the Emergency Medicine Department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock discuss this exciting topic. 

Mahathi, Amogh, Marshall, and Jose sit down with John Dick, MD, a staff hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and is the interim Associate Dean for Medical Education at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (among many other things). They discuss the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical education system as a whole, the role of students in the pandemic, and how medical education is looking to change as we look to the future.  Mahathi Komaragiri, MD is a staff hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Amogh Karnik, MD is a chief medical resident at DHMC. Marshall Ward, MD is a staff hospitalist and Associate Section Chief of Hospital Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Jose Mercado, MD is also a staff hospitalist and is the Associate Hospital Epidemiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.  Questions? Drop us a line at thecure@hitchcock.org!

This week, NH Business Review editor Jeff Feingold talks with the hosts of Dartmouth-Hitchcock's new COVID-19 podcast, The Cure, including Jose R. Mercado, MD, Rima Mercado, MD, Amogh Karnik, MD, and Marshall Ward, MD. The team discusses how the podcast aims to combat misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine, they break down the logistics of vaccine distribution in New Hampshire, and talk about the long term. This week's episode is sponsored by TFMoran (www.tfmoran.com), a leading land planning and engineering firm with offices in Bedford and Portsmouth, NH.

In this episode, Rima, Marshall, and Amogh chat with Dr. Gary Schwartz, a medical oncologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Dr. Schwartz sheds some light on the safety and efficacy of the available COVID-19 vaccines as it relates to patients with cancer on chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy. Rima Mercado, MD is the Director of the Medical Specialties Unit and a staff hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center . Marshall Ward, MD is the Associate Section Chief of Hospital Medicine and a staff hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Amogh Karnik, MD is a chief medical resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Questions? Drop us a line at thecure@hitchcock.org!

In this episode, Amogh, Marshall, and Rima check in with Dr. Deborah Ornstein, the director of the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. They discuss why COVID-19 seems to be associated with increased risk of blood clots and strategies for preventing clots in patients. Amogh Karnik, MD is a chief medical resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Marshall Ward, MD is Associate Section Chief of Hospital Medicine and a staff hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Rima Mercado, MD is unit director of the Medical Specialties Unit and is also a staff hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Questions? Drop us a note at thecure@hitchcock.org!

In this mini-episode, Marshall Ward, Mahathi Komaragiri, and Rima Mercado chat with Erin Reigh, an Allergy/Immunology specialist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock to get her perspectives on the vaccine and the risk of allergic reactions as we see our initial wave of vaccine distributed around the country. Questions? Drop us a line at thecure@hitchcock.org!

We're back after a long break for our semester programs.  Sorry for the wait, but we're glad to be back. In this episode, I'm joined by Nick Daniel of Dartmouth-Hitchcock in New Hampshire. Nick has taught AWLS courses regionally and internationally and has taught wilderness medicine in such locations as the Adirondacks, White Mountains, Mexico, Africa, Guatemala, Russia, and Panama. He spent a month in the Indian Himalayas teaching medical students while providing medical care, as well as time in Haiti. He has completed his FAWM and earned a diploma in mountain medicine. Nick's research interests in wilderness medicine include hypothermia, frostbite, altitude medicine, mountaineering psychology, and hiker preparedness. Recently, he and his coworkers from Dartmouth's wilderness and emergency medicine program came out to our campus for an introduction to wilderness living/survival skills.  Our conversation ranges from talking about Nicks's background and experience in the outdoors, the program for wilderness medicine fellowships at Dartmouth, as well as some insight into the psychology behind who finishes trips and who doesn't, and why that is.  I had a great time talking with Nick, and working with him on the course here at our campus in southern VT. I'm pretty sure you'll get a kick out of our conversation as well. If you like the podcast, please leave us a review, and to learn more about our programs please visit Schooloftheforest.comLinks;Deep Survival by Laurence GonzalesWilderness Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock

Hilary Ryder, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Education and Director of the internal medicine residency program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Ryder completed her medical school from Yale University School of Medicine and her internship and residency training in internal medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock before joining the faculty in the Section of Hospital Medicine where she focuses on end of life care, medical decision making and medical ethics. She is a nationally certified Health Care Ethicist and was the chair of the clinical ethics committee. Dr. Ryder has a keen interest in medical education and also served as Medical Editor for SIMPLE, the most widely used on-line, case-based third-year medical clerkship curriculum. Her current work focuses on meaning and understanding of assessments and evaluations, understanding how medical students learn (including mastery of hidden curriculum), and improving clinical systems to maximize education. When Dr. Hilary Ryder was in second grade, she refused to sit at a table with a child in her class that was bullying her. Her mom—her first mentor—sat with her in protest outside of the classroom until the bully was moved to a different table. It was there that Dr. Ryder experienced how mentors are advocates for mentees. When mentees are faced with obstacles that inhibit their learning or well-being, it is the role of the mentor to stand behind them in support until those obstacles are removed. Since then, Dr. Ryder has practiced supporting her mentees in the same way. When we face “stumbling blocks” in medicine, we can count on strong mentors to help us remove them—and realize our potential. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Mentors help us remove our “stumbling blocks”. When obstacles come our way, good mentors stand behind us and help remove them, and then we realize our potential. 2. As Ruth Bader Ginsberg would say, “you can have it all in your lifetime, but you can't have it all at once.” Think critically about your core values, and your priorities, as you make decisions along the way. 3. The attitude of gratitude is a driving force for fulfillment. And realizing that we are so privileged to have been given so much so far, should push us to want to give back in return.

Dr. Ed Merrens is Chief Clinical Officer and a Hospitalist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, and Board Member of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). He shares his perspective on challenges in anti-doping, the impacts of COVID-19 on sport, and exciting developments in anti-doping. Ed also discusses his role on the Board of USADA and his experiences as a team physician for U.S. Biathlon and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Dr. Joanne Conroy '77, CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health  talks about the coronavirus's arrival in the Upper Valley, her vision for the future of health care, and tells stories from her own time as a medical student. It's a conversation full of hope and reassurance. 

6:55 “If the Bible is sufficient, then why do we have a bookstore at our conference?” 8:50: “Are there any benefits in psychology that we can use to help the heart restoration of our broken counselees?” 13:26: “In light of recent events, how is you talking about the differences between biblical counseling and integration not speaking the truth in love?” 19:28: “Seven years ago I was having what seemed like focal seizures. I was tested by two neurologists and was told there was nothing wrong with me. I sought counseling from a NANC counselor who recommended more Bible study and that I should search to relieve these symptoms. My seizure activity continued and with the improvement of technology and an impatient week at Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital, it was found that I've had a brain tumor and a frontal lobe epilepsy deep in my brain. The scans confirmed and clearly showed the medical evidence. Here is my question or concern with your ministry: for seven years I was told that I did not need medication, but that this was a spiritual issue. How can you really know if something is medical or not? My experience has left me with bitterness for NANC counseling when it comes to what are perceived as “mental issues.” Please provide input as our church is considering being a part of your ministry and I have some deep concerns. I do appreciate your counseling ministry and have seen wise and fruitful results for many.” 26:24: “Where is the best place to start with a new church that is trying to start biblical counseling within their church?” And we had another question that's similar: “How do you introduce biblical counseling to a church?” 29:36: “Do you feel that promoting certification creates an unnecessary bar for people who want to help other people by making them feel like they are not competent to counsel unless they have received extensive training?” 36:14: “What are some, if any, differences between ACBC and CCEF?” 38:39: “What is the role of women in biblical counseling?” 44:56: “Do you think there is a time for separation in marriage other than when there is imminent danger (i.e. emotional abuse, sexual addiction, etc.) and what would be your biblical defense for your position? If your answer is no, how would you suggest a woman can be best shepherded when extreme cases arise and there is much to sort out but there is not physical violence?” 51:02: Why would ACBC or the Bible not be supportive of trying to go and dig up suppressed memories? And if the person can't remember abuse, they need to try to figure out how can they be healed.” 53:46: “How can we discern whether someone suffering from a transgender identity (gender dysphoria) is struggling with mental illness, a physical disorder between the brain and the body present since birth, or a spiritual identity issue? These seem like real possibilities to me.” 59:15: “What is the theme of next year's conference?” 1:00:16: “How can people listen to this podcast on a weekly basis?”