No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp

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Exploring what it means to live a good life. What does it mean to live a good life? What is true happiness? What are the habits, practices, and dispositions that contribute to authentic human flourishing? No Small Endeavor examines these questions with host Lee C. Camp.  You'll hear from best-selling authors, philosophers, scientists, artists, psychologists, theologians and even the occasional politician—courageous, impassioned people taking seriously the question of how to live a good life. Striving for a good life is No Small Endeavor, and we’re here with you on the road. Learn more at nosmallendeavor.com.

Russ Taff: Music, Addiction, and Redemption

“I was 24 when I won my first Grammy,” says Russ Taff. “And within an hour, all the joy is gone.” Russ is a legend in Gospel music circles. His accolades include six Grammys, sixteen Doves, and three inductions into the GMA Hall of Fame for his work as a solo artist and a member of multiple bands. But underneath—his career, his success, and his past, almost broke him. In this episode, Russ gets vulnerable about his childhood trauma, his self-hatred, his alcoholism, and his long road to recovery

Feb 17, • 48:39

Unabridged Interview: Alexandra Solomon

This is our unabridged interview with Alexandra Solomon. Is your love life in need of a tune-up?  Just in time for Valentine's Day, renowned relationship expert Dr. Alexandra Solomon joins us to share powerful insights from her book, "Loving Bravely."  Discover how self-awareness and understanding your past can dramatically improve your present relationships.  Dr. Solomon unpacks the secrets to thriving intimacy, from mastering the art of apology to staying truly present with your partner.  Plus

Feb 14, • 1:00:48

Alexandra Solomon: How to Have Flourishing Relationships

Is your love life in need of a tune-up?  Just in time for Valentine's Day, renowned relationship expert Dr. Alexandra Solomon joins us to share powerful insights from her book, "Loving Bravely."  Discover how self-awareness and understanding your past can dramatically improve your present relationships.  Dr. Solomon unpacks the secrets to thriving intimacy, from mastering the art of apology to staying truly present with your partner.  Plus, get practical tools for navigating the inevitable chall

Feb 10, • 48:47

Unabridged Interview: Shankar Vedantam

This is our unabridged interview with Shankar Vedantam. We all like to believe that we live our lives rationally, deliberately, consciously. But what if our conscious decision making is just the tip of the iceberg? “ I feel like I have a full picture of what's happening inside my own mind,” says Shankar Vedantam. But it turns out “there is a large portion of our mind that's working outside of our conscious awareness.” Shankar founded Hidden Brain Media in order to teach people what science has u

Feb 7, • 51:54

194: Shankar Vedantam: Hidden Brain

We all like to believe that we live our lives rationally, deliberately, consciously. But what if our conscious decision making is just the tip of the iceberg? “ I feel like I have a full picture of what's happening inside my own mind,” says Shankar Vedantam. But it turns out “there is a large portion of our mind that's working outside of our conscious awareness.” Shankar founded Hidden Brain Media in order to teach people what science has uncovered about our brains. In this episode, he

Feb 3, • 48:38

Unabridged Interview: Nadia Bolz-Weber

This is our unabridged interview with Nadia Bolz-Weber. “When I left the Christian Fundamentalism of my childhood, I became an activist.” Christian Fundamentalism is often looked down upon for its dualistic, black-and-white outlook, which is often used for policing behavior. But, Nadia Bolz-Weber explains, these are the same extreme tendencies that she found in secular activism after she left the church. Later in life, after working as a comedian and entering recovery, Nadia began to untangle th

Jan 31, • 1:17:21

Nadia Bolz-Weber: From Fundamentalism to Stand-up Comedy to Ordained Pastor

“When I left the Christian Fundamentalism of my childhood, I became an activist.” Christian Fundamentalism is often looked down upon for its dualistic, black-and-white outlook, which is often used for policing behavior. But, Nadia Bolz-Weber explains, these are the same extreme tendencies that she found in secular activism after she left the church. Later in life, after working as a comedian and entering recovery, Nadia began to untangle the mindset that had taken her from one extreme to the oth

Jan 27, • 48:08

Unabridged Interview: Esau McCaulley

This is our unabridged interview with Esau McCaulley.What is it like growing up Black in the American South? The question is too particular to answer with abstraction. Instead, Esau McCaulley answers it in the most personal, humble way available, by telling the story of his family in his new memoir, “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South.”  In this episode, Esau discusses what he uncovered from a season of digging deeply into family and

Jan 24, • 1:04:38

Esau McCaulley: How Far to the Promised Land? (Best of NSE)

What is it like growing up Black in the American South? The question is too particular to answer with abstraction. Instead, Esau McCaulley answers it in the most personal, humble way available, by telling the story of his family in his new memoir, “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South.”  In this episode, Esau discusses what he uncovered from a season of digging deeply into family and national history, and describes what the experience

Jan 20, • 48:06

Unabridged Interview: Tom Paxton

This is our unabridged interview with Tom Paxton. In the 1960s, during the folk music revival in a neighborhood of New York City called Greenwich Village, a small cafe called the Gaslight hosted many singer-songwriters who were up-and-coming at the time. You might know some of their names, like Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk. Among the regulars there was Tom Paxton, who, 60 years and 50 albums later, is still writing and performing folk songs that bear witness to profound societal truths. In this e

Jan 17, • 1:03:13

Tom Paxton: Greenwich Village, Folk Music, and 60 Years of Song

In the 1960s, during the folk music revival in a neighborhood of New York City called Greenwich Village, a small cafe called the Gaslight hosted many singer-songwriters who were up-and-coming at the time. You might know some of their names, like Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk. Among the regulars there was Tom Paxton, who, 60 years and 50 albums later, is still writing and performing folk songs that bear witness to profound societal truths. In this episode, hear from Tom what it was like to perform

Jan 13, • 48:41

Unabridged Interview: Makoto Fujimura

This is our unabridged interview with Makoto Fujimura. Makoto Fujimura occupies an unusual intersection of personal realities: He is an abstract expressionist artist who discovered his Christian faith as an art student in Japan. He continually finds himself trying to bridge the divide between religion and art. “I can't really talk about my faith with my artist friends, and I can't talk about art with my Christian friends,” he says. “But for me, it's never been that way.” In this episode, he talk

Jan 10, • 1:19:27

NSE Presents: A Breach Repairer’s Song

Today we want to share a new podcast.  In a world shaped by division, music has the power to bring people together. The new podcast, “A Breach Repairer’s Song” uncovers the harmonies of repair and reconciliation, sharing stories of those who use music to inspire change and heal broken spaces. Hosted by Yara Allen and Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, the show explores the transformative power of song, activism, and justice. The next thing you’ll hear is the first episode of the series, The Powe

Jan 8, • 53:02

Makoto Fujimura: Art and Faith

Makoto Fujimura occupies an unusual intersection of personal realities: He is an abstract expressionist artist who discovered his Christian faith as an art student in Japan. He continually finds himself trying to bridge the divide between religion and art. “I can't really talk about my faith with my artist friends, and I can't talk about art with my Christian friends,” he says. “But for me, it's never been that way.” In this episode, he talks about how he uses traditional Japanese methods of pai

Jan 6, • 48:19

Unabridged Interview: Oliver Burkeman

This is our unabridged interview with Oliver Burkeman. In an age full of lifehacks, self-help books, and productivity gurus, many of us only end up busier and more stressed than we were before. What if there’s a better way to live a full, fruitful life? "The world is bursting with wonder,” says Oliver Burkeman, “and yet it's the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all our frenetic doing might be to experience more of that wonder." In thi

Jan 3, • 1:04:09

Oliver Burkeman: In The New Year Embrace Wonder Not Productivity

In an age full of lifehacks, self-help books, and productivity gurus, many of us only end up busier and more stressed than we were before. What if there’s a better way to live a full, fruitful life? "The world is bursting with wonder,” says Oliver Burkeman, “and yet it's the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all our frenetic doing might be to experience more of that wonder." In this episode, he discusses his New York Times Bestselling

Dec 30, 2024 • 47:39

Unabridged Interview: Kelly Corrigan

This is our unabridged interview with Kelly Corrigan.“What percentage of all pain in the world is related to wanting to belong?” Kelly Corrigan - who you may know as a New York Times bestselling author and the host of a number of popular radio and TV shows - was a young mother of two when she and her beloved father were both diagnosed with cancer. It was, to say the least, an immensely difficult time. Yet, she found her way through it by relying heavily on her tendency to be vulnerable, rather t

Dec 27, 2024 • 55:38

Kelly Corrigan: The Power of Vulnerability

“What percentage of all pain in the world is related to wanting to belong?” Kelly Corrigan - who you may know as a New York Times bestselling author and the host of a number of popular radio and TV shows - was a young mother of two when she and her beloved father were both diagnosed with cancer. It was, to say the least, an immensely difficult time. Yet, she found her way through it by relying heavily on her tendency to be vulnerable, rather than hiding her pain from others. “It's just fodder fo

Dec 26, 2024 • 48:09

Unabridged Interview: Meghan Sullivan

This is our unabridged interview with Meghan Sullivan.What does it mean to live a good life, and how do we start? On our show, we make it a habit of repeating our tagline: “Exploring what it means to live a good life.” But in this episode, we address the issue head-on, with the help of Notre Dame Professor of Philosophy Meghan Sullivan. We discuss her book “The Good Life Method,” which gives helpful insight about the kinds of questions philosophers and theologians have been asking for millennia:

Dec 24, 2024 • 52:49

Meghan Sullivan: What It Takes to Live a Good Life

What does it mean to live a good life, and how do we start? On our show, we make it a habit of repeating our tagline: “Exploring what it means to live a good life.” But in this episode, we address the issue head-on, with the help of Notre Dame Professor of Philosophy Meghan Sullivan. We discuss her book “The Good Life Method,” which gives helpful insight about the kinds of questions philosophers and theologians have been asking for millennia: What does it mean to pursue a life worth living? What

Dec 19, 2024 • 48:36

Unabridged Interview: The Hillbilly Thomists

This is our unabridged interview with The Hillbilly Thomists.There aren’t many Billboard-charting bluegrass bands made up entirely of Catholic Dominican Friars, who play their shows clad in white tunics and rosaries. In fact, there is precisely one such band: the Hillbilly Thomists. “A Thomist is someone who follows the thought and theological teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas,” they explain. “We combine it with a little bit of humor about our human condition.” In this episode, they talk about th

Dec 17, 2024 • 56:03

186: The Hillbilly Thomists: Bourbon, Bluegrass, and the Bible

There aren’t many Billboard-charting bluegrass bands made up entirely of Catholic Dominican Friars, who play their shows clad in white tunics and rosaries. In fact, there is precisely one such band: the Hillbilly Thomists. “A Thomist is someone who follows the thought and theological teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas,” they explain. “We combine it with a little bit of humor about our human condition.” In this episode, they talk about their theology and vocation, as well as how they manag

Dec 12, 2024 • 48:03

185: Unabridged Interview: Audrey Assad

This is our unabridged interview with Audrey Assad.“Why shouldn’t I question that?”This was the question that started Audrey Assad on a journey away from the faith of her childhood and early adulthood. It’s a question that, years later, is still a guiding light for her towards healing and truth-seeking.But asking such questions after years as an acclaimed singer-songwriter in the Christian music industry comes at a cost. Today, Audrey discusses her unreleased memoir “Doubt Becomes Wonde

Dec 10, 2024 • 49:11

185: Drew Holcomb and Audrey Assad: Vulnerable Art

“Sometimes artists have to take a chance and be vulnerable.” Drew Holcomb and Audrey Assad are two such artists, whose brilliance is in large part due to their vulnerability. Drew was once heralded by Rolling Stone as “one of Americana’s most popular stars,” and yet he is quick to note that “the human heart was not built for notoriety.” He describes the complex road he took to full-time artistry, his relationship with his fans, the tragic loss of his brother, and more. Audrey found succ

Dec 5, 2024 • 48:07

184: Unabridged Interview: Peter Levine

This is our unabridged interview with Peter Levine. “In order to really move through trauma,” says Peter Levine, “we have to do that in the body.” As a psychologist with much of his own trauma to work through, Peter has spent his career researching ways to help himself and others come to healing and wholeness. In this episode, he discusses his memoir “An Autobiography of Trauma,” in which he uses his own life story to illustrate his findings. From a standing meeting with an imagined Alb

Dec 3, 2024 • 59:57

184: Peter Levine: How the Body Holds and Heals Trauma

“In order to really move through trauma,” says Peter Levine, “we have to do that in the body.” As a psychologist with much of his own trauma to work through, Peter has spent his career researching ways to help himself and others come to healing and wholeness. In this episode, he discusses his memoir “An Autobiography of Trauma,” in which he uses his own life story to illustrate his findings. From a standing meeting with an imagined Albert Einstein, to a host of life-changing dreams, lis

Nov 28, 2024 • 48:30

183: Unabridged Interview: Malcolm Gladwell

This is our unabridged interview with Malcolm Gladwell and Tracy K. Smith To prepare for family dinners and political conversations this holiday season, two guests offer us new ways of being humble and curious. First, well-known thinker and author Malcolm Gladwell reveals why we must learn humility if we are to understand each other. “Humility is a habit,” he says. “Habit is a really important word, because if it's a habit, it means it's something that you have to practice.” Then, forme

Nov 26, 2024 • 39:55

183: Malcolm Gladwell and Tracy K. Smith: Can Curiosity Save Your Holidays?

To prepare for family dinners and political conversations this holiday season, two guests offer us new ways of being humble and curious. First, well-known thinker and author Malcolm Gladwell reveals why we must learn humility if we are to understand each other. “Humility is a habit,” he says. “Habit is a really important word, because if it's a habit, it means it's something that you have to practice.” Then, former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith offers powerful poems that invite us t

Nov 21, 2024 • 48:47

182: Unabridged Interview: Kathryn Gin Lum

This is our unabridged interview with Kathryn Gin Lum. When is the last time you heard the word “heathen”? The word was originally used to delineate between European Christians who tended to be in urban centers and pagans in rural areas.  “Heathen exists in the mind of the person doing the labeling, right? It's a label that one people foists onto another.” Our guest today, Kathryn Gin Lum, walks us through the history of the term heathen and how it has utterly shaped the world. We discu

Nov 19, 2024 • 57:34

182: Kathryn Gin Lum: How The Label Heathen Shaped the World

When is the last time you heard the word “heathen”? The word was originally used to delineate between European Christians who tended to be in urban centers and pagans in rural areas.  “Heathen exists in the mind of the person doing the labeling, right? It's a label that one people foists onto another.” Our guest today, Kathryn Gin Lum, walks us through the history of the term heathen and how it has utterly shaped the world. We discuss her book Heathen: Religion and Race in American Hist

Nov 14, 2024 • 47:59

181: Unabridged Interview: Tim Shriver

This is our unabridged interview with Tim Shriver. On social media and the news, the narrative told about humanity is often one of violence, division, and dehumanization. But is that really who we are? Tim Shriver, best-selling author and chairman of the Special Olympics, doesn’t think so. “My view,” he says, “is that the versions of our lives that most of us lead most days are much more hopeful.” As the nephew of John F. Kennedy, Tim has known great privilege and great grief. As an edu

Nov 12, 2024 • 1:08:13

181: Tim Shriver: Living Life for Others

On social media and the news, the narrative told about humanity is often one of violence, division, and dehumanization. But is that really who we are? Tim Shriver, best-selling author and chairman of the Special Olympics, doesn’t think so. “My view,” he says, “is that the versions of our lives that most of us lead most days are much more hopeful.” As the nephew of John F. Kennedy, Tim has known great privilege and great grief. As an educator and social worker, he has seen the countless

Nov 7, 2024 • 48:48

180: Unabridged Interview: Philip Mangano

This is our unabridged interview with Philip Mangano. Is homelessness a problem that can be solved? Historically, efforts made to address homelessness in the US have taken a symptom-management approach, focusing on soup kitchens, clothing drives, and medical programs. But these well-intentioned efforts often have a paradoxical effect: over time, they end up serving more and more homeless people, rather than reducing the number of those unhoused. In this episode, Philip Mangano describes

Nov 5, 2024 • 1:05:35

180: Philip Mangano: Abolishing Homelessness

Is homelessness a problem that can be solved? Historically, efforts made to address homelessness in the US have taken a symptom-management approach, focusing on soup kitchens, clothing drives, and medical programs. But these well-intentioned efforts often have a paradoxical effect: over time, they end up serving more and more homeless people, rather than reducing the number of those unhoused. In this episode, Philip Mangano describes his longtime effort to approach homelessness in a new

Oct 31, 2024 • 48:23

179: Unabridged Interview: Christian Wiman

This is our unabridged interview with Christian Wiman. “Suffering, I think, catalyzes an intimacy that couldn't happen otherwise.” Christian Wiman, renowned poet and teacher at Yale Divinity School, does not say these words flippantly. Two decades ago, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and given a life expectancy of five years. He has lived the past twenty years in the shadow of death and the grip of despair. In this episode, while discussing his recent memoir “Zero at the Bon

Oct 29, 2024 • 1:01:59

179: Christian Wiman: Poetry Against Despair

“Suffering, I think, catalyzes an intimacy that couldn't happen otherwise.” Christian Wiman, renowned poet and teacher at Yale Divinity School, does not say these words flippantly. Two decades ago, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and given a life expectancy of five years. He has lived the past twenty years in the shadow of death and the grip of despair. In this episode, while discussing his recent memoir “Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair,” Christian explores f

Oct 24, 2024 • 48:11

178: Unabridged Interview: Russell Moore and David French

This is our unabridged interview with Russell Moore and David French. For the last decade of American political discourse, both the Left and the Right have each been developing fierce tribalism, in which it is increasingly costly for one to wage critique at one’s own group. Threats of canceling, doxing, and worse are everyday occurrences for those who speak out of step with their party. Russell Moore and David French have been in the dangerous business of insider critique for a while. A

Oct 22, 2024 • 1:27:54

178: Russell Moore and David French: How Should Christians Do Politics?

For the last decade of American political discourse, both the Left and the Right have each been developing fierce tribalism, in which it is increasingly costly for one to wage critique at one’s own group. Threats of canceling, doxing, and worse are everyday occurrences for those who speak out of step with their party. Russell Moore and David French have been in the dangerous business of insider critique for a while. As conservative Christians, their criticism of the Right (specifically

Oct 17, 2024 • 48:33

177: Unabridged Interview: Musa al-Gharbi

This is our unabridged interview with Musa al-Gharbi.  Society has never been more focused on equality and diversity… right? The last few decades have been marked by a drastic increase in what often gets labeled “social justice.” Companies and individuals perpetually take very public vows to defend progressive values and denounce all kinds of injustice. But somehow, in spite of all this, social and economic inequalities have only worsened. How is this possible? “The fundamental tension,

Oct 15, 2024 • 1:23:34

177: Musa al-Gharbi: We Have Never Been Woke

***Vote for us to win a Signal Award.Society has never been more focused on equality and diversity… right? The last few decades have been marked by a drastic increase in what often gets labeled “social justice.” Companies and individuals perpetually take very public vows to defend progressive values and denounce all kinds of injustice. But somehow, in spite of all this, social and economic inequalities have only worsened. How is this possible? “The fundamental tension,” argues Musa al-G

Oct 10, 2024 • 48:44

176: Unabridged Interview: Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley

This is our unabridged interview with Carissa Carter & Scott Doorley.We live in an era of runaway design, where tech that seemed to solve our problems has gone on to cause unintended consequences. Think about social media’s effect on our collective mental health. Or the once miraculous material known as plastic becoming an environmental hazard. But we can’t predict the future, so what can we do?In this episode, designers from Stanford’s d.school, Carissa Carter & Scott Doorley,

Oct 8, 2024 • 1:02:24

176: Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley: Assembling Tomorrow

We live in an era of runaway design, where tech that once seemed to solve all of our problems has gone on to cause unintended consequences. Think about social media’s effect on our collective mental health. Or the once miraculous material known as plastic becoming an environmental hazard. But we can’t predict the future, so what can we do? In this episode, designers from Stanford’s d.school, Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley, discuss their book “Assembling Tomorrow,” which thinks quite u

Oct 3, 2024 • 47:58

175: Unabridged Interview: Greg Boyle

This is our unabridged interview with Greg Boyle. How do you become truly loving? Father Greg Boyle teaches us to go to the margins. “You don't go to the margins to make a difference. You go so the folks at the margins make you different.” In the 80s and 90s, the city of Los Angeles was ravaged by what is now known as the "decade of death," a period of unprecedented gang violence, peaking at 1000 killings in 1992 alone. It was in the midst of this that Greg Boyle became pastor of the po

Oct 1, 2024 • 54:00

175: Greg Boyle: Cherished Belonging (Best of NSE)

How do you become truly loving? Father Greg Boyle teaches us to go to the margins. “You don't go to the margins to make a difference. You go so the folks at the margins make you different.” In the 80s and 90s, the city of Los Angeles was ravaged by what is now known as the "decade of death," a period of unprecedented gang violence, peaking at 1000 killings in 1992 alone. It was in the midst of this that Greg Boyle became pastor of the poorest Catholic parish in the city, in order to liv

Sep 26, 2024 • 48:33

174: Unabridged Interview: Meghan O’Gieblyn

This is our unabridged interview with Meghan O’Gieblyn.Will technology change what it means to be human?Thanks to the rise and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the common sci-fi trope of a machine-perpetuated apocalypse has taken on a new gravity in recent days. But is Chat GPT really going to rebel against humans, or even change things very much at all?“We're at the point where we do have technologies that are incredibly powerful,” says writer and commentator Meghan O’Gi

Sep 24, 2024 • 1:05:46

174: Meghan O’Gieblyn: Technology and Humanity (Best of NSE)

Will technology change what it means to be human?Thanks to the rise and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the common sci-fi trope of a machine-perpetuated apocalypse has taken on a new gravity in recent days. But is Chat GPT really going to rebel against humans, or even change things very much at all?“We're at the point where we do have technologies that are incredibly powerful,” says writer and commentator Meghan O’Gieblyn. “They're able to do things that they weren't pro

Sep 19, 2024 • 48:30

173: Unabridged Interview: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

This is our unabridged interview with Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.How can you respond to climate change with joy?Those two words—climate change—can fill us with a sense of dread, anxiety, and doom. Those advocating action are often fueled by a sense of breakneck urgency. But for many, such an outlook isn’t motivating. It’s paralyzing. But what if there was another way filled with joy and satisfaction?“This is the work of our lifetime,” says Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, “so why don't we find way

Sep 17, 2024 • 1:08:43

173: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: What If We Get Climate Action Right?

How can you respond to climate change with joy? Those two words—climate change—can fill us with a sense of dread, anxiety, and doom. Those advocating action are often fueled by a sense of breakneck urgency. But for many, such an outlook isn’t motivating. It’s paralyzing. But what if there was another way filled with joy and satisfaction?“This is the work of our lifetime,” says Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, “so why don't we find ways to make it delightful?” In this episode, she explains why t

Sep 12, 2024 • 49:04

172: Unabridged Interview: Edith Hall

This is our unabridged interview with Edith Hall.What if you’re wrong about what it means to be happy?In spite of unprecedented access to things that give pleasure - buy this pill, eat this food, go on this trip - mental health issues are increasing globally at an astonishing rate. It’s clear that the modern idea of happiness is lacking something.In this episode, Edith Hall offers an ancient definition of happiness from Aristotle that might just be the solution to our crisis of despair.

Sep 10, 2024 • 56:26

172: Edith Hall: How Ancient Wisdom can Change Your Life (Best of NSE)

What if you’re wrong about what it means to be happy?In spite of unprecedented access to things that give pleasure - buy this pill, eat this food, go on this trip - mental health issues are increasing globally at an astonishing rate. It’s clear that the modern idea of happiness is lacking something.In this episode, Edith Hall offers an ancient definition of happiness from Aristotle that might just be the solution to our crisis of despair. “It’s a way of life, it's not a psychological st

Sep 5, 2024 • 48:07

171: Unabridged Interview: Cyntoia Brown Long

This is our unabridged interview with Cyntoia Brown Long.On August 7th, 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long was released from the Tennessee Prison for Women.It was 13 years after she had been sentenced to life without parole for the murder of a man to whom she had been sex-trafficked.In this special episode, Cyntoia tells an uncensored account of the great personal and systemic brokenness which led to her imprisonment, and the dramatic, at times hard-to-believe nature of the grace and providence w

Sep 3, 2024 • 1:08:05

171: Cyntoia Brown Long: Free Cyntoia (Best of NSE)

On August 7th, 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long was released from the Tennessee Prison for Women.It was 13 years after she had been sentenced to life without parole for the murder of a man to whom she had been sex-trafficked.In this special episode, Cyntoia tells an uncensored account of the great personal and systemic brokenness which led to her imprisonment, and the dramatic, at times hard-to-believe nature of the grace and providence which brought her to faith and ultimate release.Please be

Aug 29, 2024 • 47:43

170: Unabridged Interview: Quincy Byrdsong

This is our unabridged interview with Quincy Byrdsong.How are the world’s poor and oppressed affected by inequity in healthcare systems?In the United States, “health inequity started with slavery,” says Dr. Quincy Byrdsong, himself a longtime healthcare professional. Since slavery was abolished, health inequities have not gone away, but have become more complex and subtle.In this episode, Dr. Byrdsong discusses how such cases as the infamous Tuskegee syphilis trials have allowed racism

Aug 27, 2024 • 50:09

170: Quincy Byrdsong: Tuskegee, Healthcare, Justice (Best of NSE)

How are the world’s poor and oppressed affected by inequity in healthcare systems?In the United States, “health inequity started with slavery,” says Dr. Quincy Byrdsong, himself a longtime healthcare professional. Since slavery was abolished, health inequities have not gone away, but have become more complex and subtle.In this episode, Dr. Byrdsong discusses how such cases as the infamous Tuskegee syphilis trials have allowed racism and classism to persist in healthcare systems, and wha

Aug 22, 2024 • 47:58

169: Unabridged Interview: Jerry Mitchell: Murder, Race, and Faith

This is our unabridged interview with Jerry Mitchell.In the 1990s, investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell started working on a handful of closed murder cases from the Civil Rights Era which he believed were never brought to justice. Since then, Jerry’s work has led to 24 convictions in Civil Rights murder cases.In this episode, he tells some of the most jaw-dropping stories from his life’s work, from the discovery of sealed spy records which reveal government involvement in racial murd

Aug 20, 2024 • 58:39

169: Jerry Mitchell: Murder, Race, and Faith (Best of NSE)

In the 1990s, investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell started working on a handful of closed murder cases from the Civil Rights Era which he believed were never brought to justice. Since then, Jerry’s work has led to 24 convictions in Civil Rights murder cases.In this episode, he tells some of the most jaw-dropping stories from his life’s work, from the discovery of sealed spy records which reveal government involvement in racial murder, to interviews with klansmen who made threats on h

Aug 15, 2024 • 47:56

168: Unabridged Interview: Clay Hobbs

This is our unabridged episode with Clay Hobbs.What if you knew you had one year left to live? With just 365 days left on earth, how would you spend them? After a terminal cancer diagnosis, host Lee C. Camp’s friend Clay Hobbs was faced with this exact question. Doctors estimated he would die before the year was out, and Clay took them literally. He chose a date, marked it on a calendar, and began planning accordingly. In today’s intimate episode, Lee shares several conversations with C

Aug 13, 2024 • 2:16:26

168: Clay Hobbs: The Wisdom of Numbering Your Days

What if you knew you had one year left to live? With just 365 days left on earth, how would you spend them? After a terminal cancer diagnosis, host Lee C. Camp’s friend Clay Hobbs was faced with this exact question. Doctors estimated he would die before the year was out, and Clay took them literally. He chose a date, marked it on a calendar, and began planning accordingly. In today’s intimate episode, Lee shares several conversations with Clay in the last year of his life. The friends d

Aug 8, 2024 • 47:51

167: Unabridged Interview: Amishi Jha

Our guest today says that for 50% of our lives, we are not paying attention to what we’re doing.In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, many of us are coming to terms with the fact that our capacity for paying attention is laughably weak. Our work, mental health, and relationships suffer because of it. But what if there was a tried-and-true way to change this, something like “push-ups for your brain?”Neuroscientist Amishi Jha has dedicated her career to studying this question, a

Aug 6, 2024 • 1:07:44

167: Amishi Jha: Push-ups for Your Brain

Our guest today says that for 50% of our lives, we are not paying attention to what we’re doing.In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, many of us are coming to terms with the fact that our capacity for paying attention is laughably weak. Our work, mental health, and relationships suffer because of it. But what if there was a tried-and-true way to change this, something like “push-ups for your brain?”Neuroscientist Amishi Jha has dedicated her career to studying this question, a

Aug 1, 2024 • 48:30

166: Unabridged Interview: Shai Held

This is our unabridged interview with Rabbi Shai Held.“I think part of what it means to live in an honest way with a religious tradition is to live with its ragged edges.”It’s not unusual to assume that one of religion's prime functions is to give us answers. But what if some of life’s hardest questions weren’t meant to be answered, but rather perpetually asked?In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held, author of the book, "Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life,” exemplifies

Jul 30, 2024 • 1:03:57

166: Shai Held: Judaism Is About Love

“I think part of what it means to live in an honest way with a religious tradition is to live with its ragged edges.”It’s not unusual to assume that one of religion's prime functions is to give us answers. But what if some of life’s hardest questions weren’t meant to be answered, but rather perpetually asked?In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held, author of the book, "Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life,” exemplifies this possibility, engaging the messiness and joy of l

Jul 25, 2024 • 48:36

165: Unabridged Interview: Peter Enns and Jared Byas

This is our unabridged interview with Pete Enns and Jared Byas.“It was our curiosity about the Bible that is now leading to conclusions that are no longer welcome in these institutions.”Pete Enns and Jared Byas host The Bible for Normal People, a podcast which is loved by some, lambasted by others. They started it as a way to have honest conversations about the Bible, for folks both religious and non-religious -- conversations that cost them both previous jobs at religious institutions.

Jul 23, 2024 • 1:11:37

165: Pete Enns and Jared Byas: The Bible for Normal People

“It was our curiosity about the Bible that is now leading to conclusions that are no longer welcome in these institutions.”Pete Enns and Jared Byas host The Bible for Normal People, a podcast which is loved by some, lambasted by others. They started it as a way to have honest conversations about the Bible, for folks both religious and non-religious -- conversations that cost them both previous jobs at religious institutions.In this episode, they discuss the complexity of the Bible, and

Jul 18, 2024 • 48:12

164: Unabridged Interview: Stanley Hauerwas (Part II)

This is our unabridged interview with Stanley Hauerwas (Part II).“This is my life. I want no other.”Time Magazine has recognized Stanley Hauerwas as the best theologian in America. But you don’t get that title by making everybody happy. Stanley's enigmatic personality is loved by some, lambasted by others. His dogged pacifism is laced with profanity. He’s a stereotypical Texan, but is a vocal opponent of gun ownership. Many think him to be a liberal, but he disavows liberalism. Others c

Jul 16, 2024 • 1:26:51

164: Unabridged Interview: Stanley Hauerwas (Part I)

This is our unabridged interview with Stanley Hauerwas (Part I).“This is my life. I want no other.”Time Magazine has recognized Stanley Hauerwas as the best theologian in America. But you don’t get that title by making everybody happy. Stanley's enigmatic personality is loved by some, lambasted by others. His dogged pacifism is laced with profanity. He’s a stereotypical Texan, but is a vocal opponent of gun ownership. Many think him to be a liberal, but he disavows liberalism. Others ca

Jul 16, 2024 • 1:14:50

164: Stanley Hauerwas: "America's Best Theologian"

“This is my life. I want no other.”Time Magazine has recognized Stanley Hauerwas as the best theologian in America. But you don’t get that title by making everybody happy. Stanley's enigmatic personality is loved by some, lambasted by others. His dogged pacifism is laced with profanity. He’s a stereotypical Texan, but is a vocal opponent of gun ownership. Many think him to be a liberal, but he disavows liberalism. Others call him conservative, but his extreme dislike for evangelicalism

Jul 11, 2024 • 48:14

163: Unabridged Interview: Jeffrey Rosen

This is our unabridged interview with Jeffrey Rosen.“In many ways, we're living in the founders’ nightmare,” says Jeffrey Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center. “All of the founders thought that we could not govern ourselves as a democracy unless we first achieved self-government as individuals.”For Independence Day, Rosen shares how the "pursuit of happiness" mentioned in the Declaration of Independence is defined differently than our contemporary notion of the word. It

Jul 9, 2024 • 49:55

163: Jeffrey Rosen: The Pursuit of Happiness

“In many ways, we're living in the founders’ nightmare,” says Jeffrey Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center. “All of the founders thought that we could not govern ourselves as a democracy unless we first achieved self-government as individuals.”For Independence Day, Rosen shares how the "pursuit of happiness" mentioned in the Declaration of Independence is defined differently than our contemporary notion of the word. It includes a life in pursuit of self-mastery as what w

Jul 4, 2024 • 48:18

162: Unabridged Interview: Emi Nietfeld

This is our unabridged interview with Emi Nietfeld.“When I was 13, I went to the psych ward for the first time,” recalls Emi Nietfeld.After a childhood spent in manipulative therapy, institutional facilities, foster care, and even times of homelessness, Emi got into Harvard, and then went on to get a great job at Google. This is the classic American rags-to-riches story, of someone overcoming misery to find success and happiness, right?Not exactly. “Those perfect human interest stories

Jul 2, 2024 • 1:08:57

162: Emi Nietfeld: Acceptance

“When I was 13, I went to the psych ward for the first time,” recalls Emi Nietfeld.After a childhood spent in manipulative therapy, institutional facilities, foster care, and even times of homelessness, Emi got into Harvard, and then went on to get a great job at Google. This is the classic American rags-to-riches story, of someone overcoming misery to find success and happiness, right?Not exactly. “Those perfect human interest stories are fictions,” she says. “We really do expect peopl

Jun 27, 2024 • 48:08

161: Unabridged Interview: Charles Duhigg

This is our unabridged interview with Charles Duhigg.How do you form a good habit? How do you change a destructive one?“It's up to us to decide which…habits that we wish to embrace,” says Charles Duhigg, author of the longtime bestseller "The Power of Habit." In this episode, he explains how to tackle new and old habits in an empowering way. Plus, Duhigg discusses his new book "Supercommunicators," in which he shares how to understand the type of conversation you're having with someone

Jun 25, 2024 • 51:28

161: Charles Duhigg: The Power of Habit

How do you form a good habit? How do you change a destructive one?“It's up to us to decide which…habits that we wish to embrace,” says Charles Duhigg, author of the longtime bestseller "The Power of Habit." In this episode, he explains how to tackle new and old habits in an empowering way. Plus, Duhigg discusses his new book "Supercommunicators," in which he shares how to understand the type of conversation you're having with someone and how to show them your listening—hint, it’s not wi

Jun 20, 2024 • 48:01

160: Unabridged Interview: Rev. James Lawson

“​​We started the public desegregation of the nation,” says Reverend James Lawson, “and we did it without hating anybody.”In this episode, the man who Martin Luther King Jr. called friend, mentor, and the very conscience and architect of the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend James Lawson, discusses the United States’ past and present, and what it took to organize a whole population across the country to fight back without throwing a punch. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Revere

Jun 18, 2024 • 2:14:19

160: Juneteenth Special: Fred Gray, James Lawson, and Willie James Jennings

Juneteenth celebrates the day that the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation was given in Texas, officially making slavery illegal in the U.S. But what factors led to the worldview that condoned slavery in the first place, and how might those factors still be affecting the country today?Martin Luther King Jr.’s attorney Fred Gray discusses his work against segregation in the South, particularly in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Yale professor Willie James Jennings describes th

Jun 13, 2024 • 48:30

159: Unabridged Interview: John Blake

What has the power to change our minds about the world? In John Blake’s case, it was a surprise encounter.“I knew I had a white mother,” says award-winning journalist John Blake. “Her name is Shirley, and her family hates black people… that's all I knew.”At age 17, John Blake’s father casually asked him if he’d like to meet his mother for the first time. Three days later, he found himself in the waiting room of a hospital. “The meeting is nothing that I expected,” he recalls. “It's incr

Jun 11, 2024 • 55:38

159: John Blake: More Than I Imagined

John Blake’s father was Black. The mother he never knew was white. The two met in Baltimore in the 60’s when interracial marriage was illegal.“I knew I had a white mother,” says the award-winning journalist. “Her name is Shirley, and her family hates black people… that's all I knew.” At age 17, John Blake’s father casually asked him if he’d like to meet his mother for the first time. Three days later, he found himself in the waiting room of a hospital where he uncovered a long held fami

Jun 6, 2024 • 48:03

158: Unabridged Interview: Naomi Shihab Nye

This is our unabridged interview with Naomi Shihab Nye.What do scientists and poets both agree on?On this show, we often host guests whose work is in scientific or concrete fields, such as psychology or sociology, which rely on experiments and research to come to helpful conclusions. But such conversations sometimes fall short of the wonder and beauty we experience in everyday life, and for such subjects, we turn to the poets.In this episode, award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye corrobor

Jun 4, 2024 • 51:20

158: Naomi Shihab Nye: The Life Changing Benefits of Paying Attention (Best of NSE)

What do scientists and poets both agree on?On this show, we often host guests whose work is in scientific or concrete fields, such as psychology or sociology, which rely on experiments and research to come to helpful conclusions. But such conversations sometimes fall short of the wonder and beauty we experience in everyday life, and for such subjects, we turn to the poets.In this episode, award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye corroborates what researchers have confirmed—the benefits of pa

May 30, 2024 • 48:22

157: Unabridged Interview: Kristin Neff

This is our unabridged interview with Kristin Neff. Is high self-esteem crucial to human flourishing, or, rather, a hindrance? “The biggest problem with self-esteem is that it tends to be contingent,” says Kristin Neff. “We only feel good about ourselves when we succeed.” Far too often, high self-esteem breeds narcissism, bullying, and prejudice. Kristin is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s also a prominent expert on the topic of self-c

May 28, 2024 • 44:06

157: Kristin Neff: The Power of Self-Compassion (Best of NSE)

Is high self-esteem crucial to human flourishing, or, rather, a hindrance? “The biggest problem with self-esteem is that it tends to be contingent,” says Kristin Neff. “We only feel good about ourselves when we succeed.” Far too often, high self-esteem breeds narcissism, bullying, and prejudice. Kristin is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s also a prominent expert on the topic of self-compassion, which her research has found to be much mo

May 23, 2024 • 48:25

156: Unabridged Interview: Amy-Jill Levine

This is our unabridged episode with Amy-Jill Levine. What happens when you get a self-dubbed “yankee Jewish feminist” talking about Jesus? Turns out, you get a fascinating conversation leaving folks of all faiths and worldviews with much to think about. Amy-Jill Levine is a brilliant professor of New Testament, and, perhaps surprisingly, a practicing Jew. In this episode, she uses her knowledge of Jewish culture to highlight common mis-readings of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s sta

May 21, 2024 • 1:55:32

156: Amy-Jill Levine: A Jewish Take on Jesus (Best of NSE)

What happens when you get a self-dubbed “yankee Jewish feminist” talking about Jesus? Turns out, you get a fascinating conversation leaving folks of all faiths and worldviews with much to think about. Amy-Jill Levine is a brilliant professor of New Testament, and, perhaps surprisingly, a practicing Jew. In this episode, she uses her knowledge of Jewish culture to highlight common mis-readings of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s stance on societal and gender norms, and how “Christian f

May 16, 2024 • 48:31

155: Unabridged Interview: Angela Williams Gorrell

This is our unabridged interview with Angela Williams Gorrell. What is joy? Is it equatable with happiness, or pleasure, or both? Is it to be found in a career, or a romantic partner, or a religion? And if we were to manage it, would our lives forever be free from sorrow, pain, and suffering? In this episode, author and professor Angela Williams Gorrell, who was teaching a class on joy at Yale when she lost three people that she loved in a four-week span, describes her personal experi

May 14, 2024 • 46:46

155: Angela Williams Gorrell and Miroslav Volf: On Joy and Sorrow (Best of NSE)

What is joy? Is it equatable with happiness, or pleasure, or both? Is it to be found in a career, or a romantic partner, or a religion? And if we were to manage it, would our lives forever be free from sorrow, pain, and suffering? In this episode, two guests discuss joy, describing both what it is and, perhaps more importantly, what it is not. Author and professor Angela Williams Gorrell, who was teaching a class on joy at Yale when she lost three people that she loved in a four-week s

May 9, 2024 • 48:33

154: Unabridged Interview: Karen Korematsu

This is our unabridged interview with Karen Korematsu. What is it like to be an Asian American? In light of the beginning of AAPI month, we present a re-airing of our episode from 2021 with Karen Korematsu and Eugene Cho, two Asian-Americans with unique stories of grief and hope. Karen Korematsu tells the story of her father Fred Korematsu, a famed Japanese-American civil rights activist who refused Franklin Roosevelt’s executive order to report to what FDR himself called “a concentr

May 7, 2024 • 43:03

154: Eugene Cho and Karen Korematsu: Asian American History is American History (Best of NSE)

What is it like to be an Asian American? In light of the beginning of AAPI month, we present a re-airing of our episode from 2021 with Karen Korematsu and Eugene Cho, two Asian-Americans with unique stories of grief and hope. Karen Korematsu tells the story of her father Fred Korematsu, a famed Japanese-American civil rights activist who refused Franklin Roosevelt’s executive order to report to what FDR himself called “a concentration camp” on American soil shortly after the bombing o

May 2, 2024 • 47:52

For Your Consideration: The Gist Featuring Sir David King

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from The Gist—hosted by Mike Pesca. Sir David King, formerly the UK's Government Chief Scientific Adviser, is now the Founder and Chair at Cambridge's Center for Climate Repair. He advocates carbon capture technology as part of the mix of solutions to climate change. Many environmentalists are not sold. Mike Pesca has established a seven-year connection to his audience as host of The Gist. For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself a

May 1, 2024 • 27:56

153: Unabridged Interview: Suzanne Stabile

This is our unabridged interview with Suzanne Stabile. What is the Enneagram, and how can it help us live a good life? “The unexamined life is not worth living,” said Socrates. But if that’s true, how are we to go about examining our lives, and what templates or metrics are we to use? One of the best places to start, suggests author and speaker Suzanne Stabile, is the ancient wisdom tool known as the Enneagram. What at first glance seems like a Myers-Briggs-esque personality test for

Apr 30, 2024 • 1:00:38

153: Suzanne Stabile: Exploring The Enneagram (Best of NSE)

What is the Enneagram, and how can it help us live a good life? “The unexamined life is not worth living,” said Socrates. But if that’s true, how are we to go about examining our lives, and what templates or metrics are we to use? One of the best places to start, suggests author and speaker Suzanne Stabile, is the ancient wisdom tool known as the Enneagram. What at first glance seems like a Myers-Briggs-esque personality test for grouping humanity into neat piles is actually a tool fo

Apr 25, 2024 • 48:22

152: Unabridged Interview: Bill McKibben

This is our unabridged interview with Bill McKibben. “If we are to take heart from the really good things about American history, we have no choice but to reckon first with the dark sides of it,” says Bill McKibben, journalist, author, and activist. One of the most prominent of environmental activists and authors, McKibben also discusses racial justice, the economic impact of suburbanization, and the relation of the Christian church to social change in America. Show Notes: Similar

Apr 23, 2024 • 54:01

152: Earth Day Special: Climate and Society

Believe it or not, a 2020 PEW study revealed that the most polarized issue in the US is climate change. How did we get here? How have the warnings of climate science been ignored by half the country? How serious is the climate problem, how immediate are the consequences, and what can regular people like us really do about it? In this episode, four voices discuss the subject from all angles. We hear from cognitive scientist John Cook on the history of climate misinformation, climate re

Apr 18, 2024 • 48:45

151: Unabridged Interview: Pádraig Ó Tuama

This is our unabridged interview with Pádraig Ó Tuama. What if, to be a peacemaker, one might have to wade into trouble and stir the waters oneself? What if, to be a theologian, one might have to leave some of the most troubling questions about God unanswered? What if, to be a poet, one might have to do away with flowery abstraction and accept the nitty-gritty of real life? Pádraig Ó Tuama, host of the podcast Poetry Unbound from On Being Studios, is all of these things - peacemaker,

Apr 16, 2024 • 1:01:09

151: Pádraig Ó Tuama: A Poet’s Work in Peace and Reconciliation (Best of NSE)

What if, to be a peacemaker, one might have to wade into trouble and stir the waters oneself? What if, to be a theologian, one might have to leave some of the most troubling questions about God unanswered? What if, to be a poet, one might have to do away with flowery abstraction and accept the nitty-gritty of real life? Pádraig Ó Tuama, host of the podcast Poetry Unbound from On Being Studios, is all of these things - peacemaker, theologian, poet. In this episode, he shares beautiful a

Apr 11, 2024 • 48:19

150: Unabridged Interview: Azim Khamisa

This is our unabridged interview with Azim Khamisa. How do you forgive the man who killed your son? In 1995, Azim Khamisa’s only son Tariq was shot and killed while delivering a pizza. The killer was a 14-year-old gang member named Tony Hicks, and due to a recent change of law in the state of California, Tony was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. But instead of responding with a call for outrage or revenge, Azim did the unthinkable: he forgave his son’s k

Apr 9, 2024 • 1:13:48

150: Azim Khamisa: Ending Violence Through Forgiveness (Best of NSE)

How do you forgive the man who killed your son? In 1995, Azim Khamisa’s only son Tariq was shot and killed while delivering a pizza. The killer was a 14-year-old gang member named Tony Hicks, and due to a recent change of law in the state of California, Tony was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. But instead of responding with a call for outrage or revenge, Azim did the unthinkable: he forgave his son’s killer, and he fought for his release. “My interpreta

Apr 4, 2024 • 48:09

149: Unabridged Interview: Dacher Keltner

This is our unabridged interview with Dacher Keltner. “Brief doses…help your heart, your immune system, your stress, your reasoning, your relationships,” says psychologist and bestselling author Dacher Keltner. And believe it or not, he’s not describing some new miracle drug or medical treatment. He’s talking about the experience of awe. He defines awe as “the feeling we have when we encounter vast, mysterious things.” It’s something we all have experienced, but often talk about rath

Apr 2, 2024 • 56:50

149: Dacher Keltner: How Awe Will Transform Your Life

“Brief doses…help your heart, your immune system, your stress, your reasoning, your relationships,” says psychologist and bestselling author Dacher Keltner. And believe it or not, he’s not describing some new miracle drug or medical treatment. He’s talking about the experience of awe. He defines awe as “the feeling we have when we encounter vast, mysterious things.” It’s something we all have experienced, but often talk about rather sheepishly. Dacher has spent considerable time seeki

Mar 28, 2024 • 48:31

148: Unabridged Interview: Philip Yancey

This is our unabridged interview with Philip Yancey. What do we do with the painful parts of our life story? Anybody familiar with Philip Yancey’s work knows that it has cost him more than time to be a bestselling author and journalist. It has cost him a lifetime of pain, loss, and deep spiritual struggle. Philip intentionally waited until recently to write down his story to protect some of the people in it, but now in his seventies, he’s released “Where the Light Fell,” his memoir t

Mar 26, 2024 • 1:05:17

148: Philip Yancey: Where the Light Fell

What do we do with the painful parts of our life story? Anybody familiar with Philip Yancey’s work knows that it has cost him more than time to be a bestselling author and journalist. It has cost him a lifetime of pain, loss, and deep spiritual struggle. Philip intentionally waited until recently to write down his story to protect some of the people in it, but now in his seventies, he’s released “Where the Light Fell,” his memoir that shares all the messy details about growing and bey

Mar 21, 2024 • 48:23

147: Unabridged Interview: Tara Brach

This is our unabridged interview with Tara Brach. How do you accept yourself fully, just as you are? And if you did, would you ever grow? “Being at peace with how we are in the moment is the precondition to transformation,” says psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach. In this episode she provides us with a simple practice to find peace and transformation known by the acronym RAIN. “We have amazing potential to change some of the habits that cause ourselves or others harm,” s

Mar 19, 2024 • 1:07:21

147: Tara Brach: Radical Acceptance

How do you accept yourself fully, just as you are? And if you did, would you ever grow?  “Being at peace with how we are in the moment is the precondition to transformation,” says psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach.  In this episode she provides us with a simple practice to find peace and transformation known by the acronym RAIN.  “We have amazing potential to change some of the habits that cause ourselves or others harm,” she says, “but we won't be able to access that if

Mar 14, 2024 • 48:23

146: Unabridged Interview: Malcolm Gladwell

This is our unabridged interview with Malcolm Gladwell. You may think you know Malcolm Gladwell. He is, after all, a New York Times bestselling author of “Outliers,” “The Tipping Point,” “Blink,” and other books. He’s the host of the wildly popular podcast “Revisionist History.” His work is heralded and his opinion asked by many folks on a wide array of issues. But what makes him so different that he has become one of the most successful journalists of our day? In this episode, Malco

Mar 12, 2024 • 1:26:06

146: Malcolm Gladwell: Becoming Malcolm

You may think you know Malcolm Gladwell. He is, after all, a New York Times bestselling author of “Outliers,” “The Tipping Point,” “Blink,” and other books. He’s the host of the wildly popular podcast “Revisionist History.” His work is heralded and his opinion asked by many folks on a wide array of issues. But what makes him so different that he has become one of the most successful journalists of our day? In this episode, Malcolm tells a host of stories - from receiving endorsement f

Mar 7, 2024 • 48:59

145: Unabridged Interview: Tim Alberta

This is our unabridged interview with Tim Alberta. At No Small Endeavor, we try to talk about the things that really matter to people. Two such things - politics and religion - are notoriously tricky to discuss without generalizing, proselytizing, or stoking division. But in an election year, we can’t ignore a sub-group in the United States that is adamant about combining faith and nation: Christian Nationalists. In this episode, we called in Tim Alberta, author of “The Kingdom, the

Mar 5, 2024 • 59:21

145: Tim Alberta: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory

At No Small Endeavor, we try to talk about the things that really matter to people. Two such things - politics and religion - are notoriously tricky to discuss without generalizing, proselytizing, or stoking division. But in an election year, we can’t ignore a sub-group in the United States that is adamant about combining faith and nation: Christian Nationalists. In this episode, we called in Tim Alberta, author of “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory” and an expert for the job. He

Feb 29, 2024 • 48:52

144: Unabridged Interview: Eboo Patel

This is our unabridged interview with Eboo Patel. “Diversity is a treasure,” says President and Founder of Interfaith America Eboo Patel. But what does “diversity” really mean? The term is found these days in public discourse and political debate, in boardrooms and on athletic fields. But Eboo argues that the way it plays out in the United States often misses the point entirely: instead of honoring identity and leaving room for disagreement, we settle for a flattening of culture, call

Feb 27, 2024 • 1:09:23

144: Eboo Patel: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy

“Diversity is a treasure,” says President and Founder of Interfaith America Eboo Patel. But what does “diversity” really mean? The term is found these days in public discourse and political debate, in boardrooms and on athletic fields. But Eboo argues that the way it plays out in the United States often misses the point entirely: instead of honoring identity and leaving room for disagreement, we settle for a flattening of culture, calling it “diversity.” “Coherent doesn’t mean univoca

Feb 22, 2024 • 48:20

For Your Consideration: Your Mama's Kitchen with John Batiste

Sharing an episode of Your Mama’s Kitchen, a podcast about cuisine and culture, ingredients and identities, and the meals and memories that make us who we are. Every week, host Michele Norris talks to guests like Michelle Obama, Glennon Doyle, José Andrés and more. Together they explore the complexities of family life and how their earliest culinary experiences helped shape their personal and professional lives—and of course, each guest shares a recipe for a favorite dish from their yo

Feb 21, 2024 • 43:58

143: Unabridged Interview: Anthony Ray Hinton

This is our unabridged interview with Anthony Ray Hinton. “I don’t care whether you did or didn’t do it. I’m going to make sure you’re found guilty.” These were the words that Anthony Ray Hinton says put him on Alabama’s death row for nearly 3 decades for a murder he didn’t commit. In 2015, after numerous appeals, he was released after the US Supreme Court vacated the charges, and the State of Alabama dropped the case. Mr. Hinton is author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Sun D

Feb 20, 2024 • 1:14:59

143: Anthony Ray Hinton: An Innocent Man on Death Row

“I don’t care whether you did or didn’t do it. I’m going to make sure you’re found guilty.” These were the words that Anthony Ray Hinton says put him on Alabama’s death row for nearly 3 decades for a murder he didn’t commit. In 2015, after numerous appeals, he was released after the US Supreme Court vacated the charges, and the State of Alabama dropped the case. Mr. Hinton is author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.” His

Feb 15, 2024 • 48:29

142: Unabridged Interview: Rob Reiner and Dan Partland

This is our unabridged interview with Rob Reiner and Dan Partland. What ideas mobilized people to storm the Capitol on January 6th? The new documentary “God & Country” from acclaimed actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland seeks to answer that question. Their journalism explores the motives, philosophies, and ideas behind Christian nationalism, and looks at the implications of those views and how they distort not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity

Feb 13, 2024 • 1:04:00

142: Rob Reiner and Dan Partland: Their New Film “God and Country”

What ideas mobilized people to storm the Capitol on January 6th? The new documentary “God & Country” from acclaimed actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland seeks to answer that question. Their journalism explores the motives, philosophies, and ideas behind Christian nationalism, and looks at the implications of those views and how they distort not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself. “We've got to find a way to live and not kill each other,”

Feb 8, 2024 • 47:54

141: Unabridged Interview: David Brooks

This is our unabridged interview with David Brooks. “We’re in the middle of some sort of social crisis,” says New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks. Politics and social discourse have become brutal. Loneliness, hopelessness, and suicide rates have been measured at all-time highs. Trust and friendship have been measured at all-time lows. But all is not lost, according to David. There is still a way forward, and it’s simpler than one might think. “The essential m

Feb 6, 2024 • 1:13:29

For Your Consideration: How God Works with David DeSteno

We're pleased on occasion to share with you an episode from other podcasts which we find important and helpful. You may have heard our episode with renowned psychologist David DeSteno, on his book How God Works. I very much enjoyed my conversation with Dave, and found his approach helpful and refreshing. On his podcast, by the same name—How God Works—Dave talks with religious leaders, scientists, and intellectuals from various fields and explores the overlap between scientific research

Feb 2, 2024 • 35:52

141: David Brooks: Can We Save Society By Knowing Each Other?

“We’re in the middle of some sort of social crisis,” says New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks. Politics and social discourse have become brutal. Loneliness, hopelessness, and suicide rates have been measured at all-time highs. Trust and friendship have been measured at all-time lows. But all is not lost, according to David. There is still a way forward, and it’s simpler than one might think. “The essential moral act is the act of attention,” he says. “Our goal

Feb 1, 2024 • 48:41

140: Unabridged Interview: John Dear

This is our unabridged episode with John Dear. How do you live a good life in a world of 30 wars, 13,000 nuclear weapons, 4 billion people in poverty, racism, gun violence, child hunger, and catastrophic climate change? This is the question posed by activist and Catholic priest John Dear. For years, John has taken part in peace movements alongside folks like Coretta King, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu. In this episode, he has some unbelievable stories that answer his question in

Jan 30, 2024 • 1:15:31

140: John Dear: How To Be Nonviolent (Best of NSE)

How do you live a good life in a world of 30 wars, 13,000 nuclear weapons, 4 billion people in poverty, racism, gun violence, child hunger, and catastrophic climate change? This is the question posed by activist and Catholic priest John Dear. For years, John has taken part in peace movements alongside folks like Coretta King, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu. In this episode, he has some unbelievable stories that answer his question in a provocative way. To live a good life, he argue

Jan 25, 2024 • 48:34

139: Unabridged Interview: Martin Sheen

This is our unabridged interview with Martin Sheen. In this episode, Lee sits down with the former President of the United States… At least, that’s how many listeners may know Martin Sheen, an award-winning actor known for his roles in “Apocalypse Now” and “The Departed,” and perhaps most famously for playing President Jed Bartlet in the hit TV series “The West Wing.” But offscreen, Martin is perhaps best described as an ardent Catholic peace activist who has been arrested over 60 ti

Jan 23, 2024 • 1:15:38

139: Martin Sheen: Actor and Activist (Best of NSE)

In this episode, Lee sits down with the former President of the United States… At least, that’s how many listeners may know Martin Sheen, an award-winning actor known for his roles in “Apocalypse Now” and “The Departed,” and perhaps most famously for playing President Jed Bartlet in the hit TV series “The West Wing.” But offscreen, Martin is perhaps best described as an ardent Catholic peace activist who has been arrested over 60 times. In this episode, he tells his whole story, full

Jan 18, 2024 • 47:52

138: Unabridged Interview: James Lawson

This is our unabridged interview with James Lawson. The US Civil Rights Movement, like Gandhi's Indian Independence Movement, was famously set apart by its employment of non-violent resistance methods. But have you ever wondered how such a movement was possible on so large a scale? In this episode, we are honored to have the man who Martin Luther King Jr. called friend, mentor, and the very conscience and architect of the Civil Rights Movement: Reverend James Lawson. Now in his 90’s,

Jan 16, 2024 • 2:14:25

138: James Lawson: The Architect of the United States Civil Rights Movement (Best of NSE)

The US Civil Rights Movement, like Gandhi's Indian Independence Movement, was famously set apart by its employment of non-violent resistance methods. But have you ever wondered how such a movement was possible on so large a scale? In this episode, we are honored to have the man who Martin Luther King Jr. called friend, mentor, and the very conscience and architect of the Civil Rights Movement: Reverend James Lawson. Now in his 90’s, he discusses the United States’ past and present, an

Jan 11, 2024 • 49:03

137: Unabridged Interview: Angela Duckworth

What do Olympic athletes, world-class artists, elite academics, and successful business executives have in common? Ivy League psychologist Angela Duckworth has spent her career researching this question, closely studying those folks at the top of their respective fields who are considered “high achievers.” Surprisingly, it turns out neither talent nor genius is the answer. “The common denominator,” she says, “is grit.” In this episode, Angela Duckworth explains what she means by “grit,

Jan 9, 2024 • 52:31

137: Angela Duckworth: Is Grit the Secret to Success? (Best of NSE)

What do Olympic athletes, world-class artists, elite academics, and successful business executives have in common? Ivy League psychologist Angela Duckworth has spent her career researching this question, closely studying those folks at the top of their respective fields who are considered “high achievers.” Surprisingly, it turns out neither talent nor genius is the answer. “The common denominator,” she says, “is grit.” In this episode, Angela Duckworth explains what she means by “grit,

Jan 4, 2024 • 48:16

136: Unabridged Interview: Elise Hu

This is our unabridged episode with Elise Hu. What is beauty, and what role should it play in our lives? Beauty has long been seen as one the three “transcendentals” (along with truth and goodness) which have been valued at all times, in all places, by all cultures. But these days, the word “beauty” is often equated with standards of bodily presentation that, in an increasingly globalized and technological world, are reachable only by extreme measures of constant labor or cosmetic sur

Jan 2, 2024 • 1:01:10

136: Elise Hu: Obsessed With Beauty (Best of NSE)

What is beauty, and what role should it play in our lives? Beauty has long been seen as one the three “transcendentals” (along with truth and goodness) which have been valued at all times, in all places, by all cultures. But these days, the word “beauty” is often equated with standards of bodily presentation that, in an increasingly globalized and technological world, are reachable only by extreme measures of constant labor or cosmetic surgery. In this episode, Elise asks the question

Dec 28, 2023 • 48:41

132: Unabridged Interview: Tom and Tony Bancroft

Twins Tom and Tony Bancroft grew up sharing a small bedroom, trying to out-draw each other. Today, they have long careers under their belts working for Disney, Warner Brothers, and many more esteemed animation studios. Their life’s work is a testament to the power of passion, imagination, faith, and brotherhood. In this episode, they discuss how they became animators at the world’s most famous companies, what it’s like to be storytellers for the masses, and what their faith has meant t

Dec 27, 2023 • 50:25

135: Unabridged Interview: Heather Holleman

This is our unabridged episode with Heather Holleman. How important is it to be a good conversationalist? In an age of widespread loneliness, close relationships are at a premium, and it’s harder than ever to find common ground, even with those we spend time with on a daily basis. According to Heather Holleman, this is due in part to the fact that we have lost the ability to have what she calls “good conversations.” “Good conversations create personal closeness,” she says. “When you

Dec 26, 2023 • 46:47

135: Heather Holleman: The Art of Conversation (Best of NSE)

How important is it to be a good conversationalist? In an age of widespread loneliness, close relationships are at a premium, and it’s harder than ever to find common ground, even with those we spend time with on a daily basis. According to Heather Holleman, this is due in part to the fact that we have lost the ability to have what she calls “good conversations.” “Good conversations create personal closeness,” she says. “When you have good conversations, it could intervene in the lone

Dec 21, 2023 • 48:36

134: Unabridged Interview: Rebecca DeYoung

This is our unabridged interview with Rebecca DeYoung. Sin. It's a word seen by many as a "religious word," one which evokes all manner of images. Like, maybe Las Vegas. Or the temptation of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. But many see it as an irrelevant word to their contemporary life. Our guest today has studied what are traditionally referred to as the seven deadly sins. She proposes that the medieval taxonomy of sin is actually -quite- relevant to our lives today; and that

Dec 19, 2023 • 1:03:22

134: Rebecca DeYoung: The 7 Deadly Sins (Best of NSE)

Sin. It's a word seen by many as "religious word," one which evokes all manner of images. Like, maybe Las Vegas. Or the temptation of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. But many see it as an irrelevant word to their contemporary life. Our guest today has studied what are traditionally referred to as the seven deadly sins. She proposes that the medieval taxonomy of sin is actually -quite- relevant to our lives today; and that it can steer us -away- from destructive ways of life, and

Dec 14, 2023 • 48:30

133: Unabridged Interview: Peter Harris and Jo Swinney

This is our unabridged interview with Peter Harris and Jo Swinney. “If you live in community, you have no choice but to tell a true story.” Peter Harris, Anglican clergyman and founder of environmental non-profit A Rocha, lost his beloved wife Miranda in a car accident in South Africa. Miranda left behind a grieving community, and an unfinished book. Their daughter, Jo Swinney, found her mother’s unfinished book, full of wisdom and stories from a life dedicated to hospitality. She fi

Dec 12, 2023 • 49:16

133: Peter Harris and Jo Swinney: A Place at the Table

“If you live in community, you have no choice but to tell a true story.” Peter Harris, Anglican clergyman and founder of environmental non-profit A Rocha, lost his beloved wife Miranda in a car accident in South Africa. Miranda left behind a grieving community, and an unfinished book. Their daughter, Jo Swinney, found her mother’s unfinished book, full of wisdom and stories from a life dedicated to hospitality. She finished and published it, and in the process, learned much about both

Dec 7, 2023 • 48:16

132: Unabridged Interview: N.T. Wright

This is our unabridged interview with N.T. Wright. How does art affect our theology? “Most Christians believe that the aim of the game is to go to heaven when you die. That’s wrong,” says N.T. Wright, Anglican bishop and bestselling author. In fact, he argues, most Christians have gotten it completely backwards. We don’t go there when we die - it comes to us when we live. In this episode, we discuss how such a drastic theological error can be widely accepted, and why the stories we t

Dec 5, 2023 • 29:00

132: N.T. Wright and the Bancroft Brothers: Theology and Poetry

How does art affect our theology? “Most Christians believe that the aim of the game is to go to heaven when you die. That’s wrong,” says N.T. Wright, Anglican bishop and bestselling author. In fact, he argues, most Christians have gotten it completely backwards. We don’t go there when we die - it comes to us when we live. In this episode, we discuss how such a drastic theological error can be widely accepted, and why the stories we tell each other through art have a greater impact on

Nov 30, 2023 • 42:05

131: NSE Thanksgiving Special: Conversation and Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving! How can one be grateful during difficult times? And how do we talk to one another in a polarized world? In this episode, we bring you four conversations to tee you up for a successful and meaningful time with family and friends. First, we hear from six-time Grammy-winner Amy Grant on her newfound gratitude in the wake of a traumatic bike accident. Then, Heather Holleman gives us all practical tips on having great bonding conversations that make people feel seen and

Nov 23, 2023 • 47:08

130: NSE Thanksgiving Special: No Small Endeavor Live at the Ryman

Every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, No Small Endeavor hosts a live variety show in downtown Nashville featuring esteemed musicians and guest speakers. In 2022, we were joined at the world-famous Ryman Auditorium by Americana duo Johnnyswim and psychiatrist Curt Thompson. It was a night of laughter, story, and song, all to celebrate hospitality, vulnerability, and gratitude. In this episode, we feature some of the highlights from that show. Show Notes: Similar episodes The

Nov 16, 2023 • 48:51

129: Unabridged Interview: Michael Budde

Should Christians condone war? There is a long history of debate among Christians regarding the use of violence. Is “turning the other cheek” an excuse to take oppression lying down? Should Christians adhere to national military obligations? Is there such a thing as a “just war,” or is all killing anti-Christian? Michael Budde has been studying these questions for a long time. In this episode, he discusses why he thinks Christians are called to total non-violence, why nationalism is r

Nov 14, 2023 • 47:42

129: Michael Budde: Is War Ever Just?

Should Christians condone war? There is a long history of debate among Christians regarding the use of violence. Is “turning the other cheek” an excuse to take oppression lying down? Should Christians adhere to national military obligations? Is there such a thing as a “just war,” or is all killing anti-Christian? Michael Budde has been studying these questions for a long time. In this episode, he discusses why he thinks Christians are called to total non-violence, why nationalism is r

Nov 9, 2023 • 48:14

128: Unabridged Interview: Jesuitical

This is our unabridged episode with Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless, co-hosts of Jesuitical. Do young people care about religion? Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless have good reason to think so. Together, they host the Jesuitical podcast, which explicitly calls itself “a podcast for young Catholics.” “Most people are left with trying to solve 27-year-old problems with an eighth grade religious formation,” says Zac. The solution, they believe, is not to take one’s religion less seriously,

Nov 7, 2023 • 50:33

128: Jesuitical: How Young Catholics See The World

Do young people care about religion? Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless have good reason to think so. Together, they host the Jesuitical podcast, which explicitly calls itself “a podcast for young Catholics.” “Most people are left with trying to solve 27-year-old problems with an eighth grade religious formation,” says Zac. The solution, they believe, is not to take one’s religion less seriously, but more. In this episode, they discuss the landscape of faith for young people in today's c

Nov 2, 2023 • 48:16

For Your Consideration: The Gist featuring Rainn Wilson and Eric Weiner

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from The Gist—hosted by Mike Pesca. Rainn Wilson is the host of Peacock's The Geography Of Bliss, based on the book of the same name written by Eric Weiner. Like Weiner before him, Wilson (who played the legendary Dwight Schrute on The Office) travels the world in search of locally sourced happiness secrets. For some reason, Mike gives them both a hard time, and everyone winds up angrier at each other than one might expect from an exploration of b

Nov 1, 2023 • 45:21

127: Unabridged Interview: Kelly Corrigan

This is our unabridged episode with Kelly Corrigan. “What percentage of all pain in the world is related to wanting to belong?” Kelly Corrigan - who you may know as a New York Times bestselling author and the host of a number of popular radio and TV shows - was a young mother of two when she and her beloved father were both diagnosed with cancer. It was, to say the least, an immensely difficult time. Yet, she found her way through it by relying heavily on her tendency to be vulnerabl

Oct 31, 2023 • 56:14

127: Kelly Corrigan: How Vulnerability Leads to Connection

“What percentage of all pain in the world is related to wanting to belong?” Kelly Corrigan - who you may know as a New York Times bestselling author and the host of a number of popular radio and TV shows - was a young mother of two when she and her beloved father were both diagnosed with cancer. It was, to say the least, an immensely difficult time. Yet, she found her way through it by relying heavily on her tendency to be vulnerable, rather than hiding her pain from others. “It's jus

Oct 26, 2023 • 48:19

126: Unabridged Interview: Jennifer Wiseman

This is our unabridged episode with Jennifer Wiseman. Astrophysicist Jennifer Wiseman is no stranger to wonder. Spending her days studying the formation of stars and planets, she often finds herself in awe of both the vastness of the universe and its intricate detail. She’s also a practicing Christian, who sees science as complementary rather than contrary to her faith. And did we mention she discovered a comet while on a college field trip? In this episode, taped in front of a live

Oct 24, 2023 • 1:11:17

126: Jennifer Wiseman: How Science Produces Wonder

Astrophysicist Jennifer Wiseman is no stranger to wonder. Spending her days studying the formation of stars and planets, she often finds herself in awe of both the vastness of the universe and its intricate detail. She’s also a practicing Christian, who sees science as complementary rather than contrary to her faith. And did we mention she discovered a comet while on a college field trip? In this episode, taped in front of a live audience at Nashville’s Sudekum Planetarium under a pro

Oct 19, 2023 • 48:40

125: Unabridged Interview: Meghan O'Gieblyn

This is our unabridged interview with Meghan O’Gieblyn. Are robots going to destroy humanity? Thanks to the rise and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the common sci-fi trope of a machine-perpetuated apocalypse has taken on a new gravity in recent days. But is Chat GPT really going to rebel against humans, or even change things very much at all? “We're at the point where we do have technologies that are incredibly powerful,” says writer and commentator Meghan O’Gieblyn.

Oct 17, 2023 • 1:05:46

125: Meghan O’Gieblyn: Will AI Destroy Humanity?

Are robots going to destroy humanity? Thanks to the rise and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the common sci-fi trope of a machine-perpetuated apocalypse has taken on a new gravity in recent days. But is Chat GPT really going to rebel against humans, or even change things very much at all? “We're at the point where we do have technologies that are incredibly powerful,” says writer and commentator Meghan O’Gieblyn. “They're able to do things that they weren't programmed

Oct 12, 2023 • 48:28

124: Unabridged Interview: Amy Grant

Five weeks before her 16th birthday in 1976, Amy Grant was offered her first record deal. Now, after tens of millions of record sales, six Grammy awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a receipt of Kennedy Center Honors, she is widely recognized as the “Queen of Christian Pop.” From the outside, one might assume that Amy must be a character with a personality larger than life. But in this exclusive interview, Amy opens up about her career as a singer, her family life, and he

Oct 10, 2023 • 1:03:50

124: Amy Grant: Fame, Vulnerability, and Staying Grounded

Five weeks before her 16th birthday in 1976, Amy Grant was offered her first record deal. Now, after tens of millions of record sales, six Grammy awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a receipt of Kennedy Center Honors, she is widely recognized as the “Queen of Christian Pop.” From the outside, one might assume that Amy must be a character with a personality larger than life. But in this exclusive interview, Amy opens up about her career as a singer, her family life, and he

Oct 5, 2023 • 47:45

Announcing NSE+

We’re excited to announce our new subscriber program NSE+, a $5/month subscription including a monthly bonus episode from Lee Camp, designed to give you practical steps based on the conversations we have on No Small Endeavor. PLUS, with a subscription you’ll receive ad-free listening and discounts to our live shows. This monthly bonus conversation between Lee Camp and producer, Jakob Lewis, highlights practices and habits they have learned from the many guests on the show over the year

Oct 4, 2023 • 7:10

123: Unabridged Interview: Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz

This is our unabridged episode with Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz. For all our modern so-called progress, global happiness levels have been consistently going down, especially in the richest and most developed countries. So what does it really take to be happy? Since 1938, Harvard scientists have been closely studying the lives of over 700 individuals to answer that very question. In this episode, two of the scientists who are now in charge of the study - Robert Waldinger and Marc

Oct 3, 2023 • 44:57

123: Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz: The Good Life - Lessons from the World’s Longest Study on Happiness (Best of NSE)

For all our modern so-called progress, global happiness levels have been consistently going down, especially in the richest and most developed countries. So what does it really take to be happy? Since 1938, Harvard scientists have been closely studying the lives of over 700 individuals to answer that very question. In this episode, two of the scientists who are now in charge of the study - Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz - discuss the results of what is known as the “world’s longest

Sep 28, 2023 • 48:58

122: Unabridged Interview: William Paul Young

This is our unabridged episode with William Paul Young. At age 50, William Paul Young wrote the New York Times best-selling novel “The Shack” as a gift to his kids—only printing copies for his family and friends. Today, it has sold 25 million copies and been turned into a major motion picture. 11 years prior to writing “The Shack,” Paul’s wife discovered he was having an extra-marital affair. With nothing left to hide, he began a journey toward healing and wholeness: dealing with chil

Sep 26, 2023 • 1:03:15

122: William Paul Young: Author of The Shack (Best of NSE)

At age 50, William Paul Young wrote the New York Times best-selling novel “The Shack” as a gift to his kids—only printing copies for his family and friends. Today, it has sold 25 million copies and been turned into a major motion picture. 11 years prior to writing “The Shack,” Paul’s wife discovered he was having an extra-marital affair. With nothing left to hide, he began a journey toward healing and wholeness: dealing with childhood abuse, religious trauma, a host of broken relations

Sep 21, 2023 • 48:55

121: Unabridged Interview: Esau McCaulley

This is our unabridged interview with Esau McCaulley. What is it like growing up Black in the American South? The question is too particular to answer with abstraction. Instead, Esau McCaulley answers it in the most personal, humble way available, by telling the story of his family in his new memoir, “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South.” When he was asked to give the eulogy at his father’s funeral, Esau was sparked to exa

Sep 19, 2023 • 1:04:27

121: Esau McCaulley: How Far to the Promised Land?

What is it like growing up Black in the American South? The question is too particular to answer with abstraction. Instead, Esau McCaulley answers it in the most personal, humble way available, by telling the story of his family in his new memoir, “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South.” When he was asked to give the eulogy at his father’s funeral, Esau was sparked to examine his own childhood and dig into his family’s past.

Sep 14, 2023 • 48:31

120: Unabridged Interview: Eddie Glaude

This is our unabridged interview with Eddie Glaude. Why are there different narratives around race in the United States? Some believe that the US is a “shining city on a hill” which stands as a beacon of truth and justice in the world. But those paying attention to the country’s inner conflicts - most notably its violent, graphic history of deep-seated racism - sense some major contradictions in such a narrative. To use the famous words of James Baldwin, such idealism is “The Lie” tha

Sep 12, 2023 • 46:24

120: Eddie Glaude: On James Baldwin's America (Best of NSE)

Why are there different narratives around race in the United States? Some believe that the US is a “shining city on a hill” which stands as a beacon of truth and justice in the world. But those paying attention to the country’s inner conflicts - most notably its violent, graphic history of deep-seated racism - sense some major contradictions in such a narrative. To use the famous words of James Baldwin, such idealism is “The Lie” that the country has been trying to preserve since its i

Sep 7, 2023 • 48:42

119: Unabridged Interview: David DeSteno

This is our unabridged interview with David Desteno. Does religion make you happier? These days, many of us are prone to see religion as an artifact of pre-scientific humanity, full of non-scientific claims. For that reason, religion often gets written off as having no measurable value for everyday life. But what if the so-called goods of religion could be studied? In his most recent book How God Works, psychologist David DeSteno, suggests that religion has indeed been studied in thi

Sep 5, 2023 • 55:44

119: David DeSteno: Can Religion Make You Happier? The Surprising Scientific Findings of Ancient Religious Practice (Best of NSE)

Does religion make you happier? These days, many of us are prone to see religion as an artifact of pre-scientific humanity, full of non-scientific claims. For that reason, religion often gets written off as having no measurable value for everyday life. But what if the so-called goods of religion could be studied? In his most recent book How God Works, psychologist David DeSteno, suggests that religion has indeed been studied in this way, and that the results could change the way relig

Aug 31, 2023 • 48:57

118: Unabridged Interview: Johnnyswim

This is our unabridged interview with Johnnyswim. What is it like to be a famous musical duo, on the road all the time, and married with kids? That’s the life of Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez, more widely known as folk-pop band Johnnyswim, whose eclectic life is put on full display in their two reality television shows, “The Johnnyswim Show” and “In the Kitchen with Abner + Amanda.” Amanda's mother was the legendary Disco Queen Donna Summer; meanwhile, Abner's family experienced the

Aug 29, 2023 • 55:35

118: Johnnyswim: Reality TV, The Cuban Revolution, and a Disco Queen Mother (Best of NSE)

What is it like to be a famous musical duo, on the road all the time, and married with kids? That’s the life of Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez, more widely known as folk-pop band Johnnyswim, whose eclectic life is put on full display in their two reality television shows, “The Johnnyswim Show” and “In the Kitchen with Abner + Amanda.” Amanda's mother was the legendary Disco Queen Donna Summer; meanwhile, Abner's family experienced the intense political turmoil of 20th century Cuba, em

Aug 24, 2023 • 48:37

117: Unabridged Interview: Oliver Burkeman

This is our unabridged interview with Oliver Burkeman. In an age full of life hacks, self-help books, and productivity gurus, many of us only end up busier and more stressed than we were before. What if there’s a better way to live a full, fruitful life? "The world is bursting with wonder,” says Oliver Burkeman, “and yet it's the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all our frenetic doing might be to experience more of that won

Aug 22, 2023 • 1:03:55

117: Oliver Burkeman: Time Management for Mortals (Best of NSE)

In an age full of life hacks, self-help books, and productivity gurus, many of us only end up busier and more stressed than we were before. What if there’s a better way to live a full, fruitful life? "The world is bursting with wonder,” says Oliver Burkeman, “and yet it's the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all our frenetic doing might be to experience more of that wonder." In this episode, he discusses his New York Times

Aug 17, 2023 • 48:46

116: Unabridged Interview: Charlie Strobel

This is our unabridged interview with Charles Strobel. On August 6th, 2023, at the age of 80, Charles Strobel, affectionately known as Charlie, left us. Today, we revisit our 2020 interview with him. A true Nashville icon, he was once hailed as "Tennesseean of the Year." As a Catholic priest and the visionary behind Room In The Inn, a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to offering hospitality, education, community, and employment to those experiencing homelessness, Charlie's impact w

Aug 15, 2023 • 1:34:18

116: Charles Strobel: Remembering a Life Well Lived

On August 6th, 2023, at the age of 80, Charles Strobel, affectionately known as Charlie, left us. Today, we revisit our 2020 interview with him. A true Nashville icon, he was once hailed as "Tennesseean of the Year." As a Catholic priest and the visionary behind Room In The Inn, a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to offering hospitality, education, community, and employment to those experiencing homelessness, Charlie's impact was immeasurable. Join us in this special episode where

Aug 10, 2023 • 48:13

115: Unabridged Interview: Elise Hu

This is our unabridged interview with Elise Hu. What is beauty, and what role should it play in our lives? Beauty has long been seen as one the three “transcendentals” (along with truth and goodness) which have been valued at all times, in all places, by all cultures. But these days, the word “beauty” is often equated with standards of bodily presentation that, in an increasingly globalized and technological world, are reachable only by extreme measures of constant labor or cosmetic s

Aug 8, 2023 • 1:00:42

115: Elise Hu: Obsessed With Beauty

What is beauty, and what role should it play in our lives? Beauty has long been seen as one the three “transcendentals” (along with truth and goodness) which have been valued at all times, in all places, by all cultures. But these days, the word “beauty” is often equated with standards of bodily presentation that, in an increasingly globalized and technological world, are reachable only by extreme measures of constant labor or cosmetic surgery. In this episode, Elise asks the question

Aug 3, 2023 • 48:37

114: Unabridged Interview: Tish Harrison Warren

This is our unabridged interview with Tish Harrison Warren. Does pluralism result in discrimination? Must one choose a political side, either on the Left or the Right? And how can an ordinary life be an exceptional one? These are all questions involving dichotomies that are commonly presented to us in our culture. But Tish Harrison Warren, an ordained Anglican priest and columnist for the New York Times, sees such dichotomies as false, and has spent her own life’s work breaking them d

Aug 1, 2023 • 57:27

114: Tish Harrison Warren: Beyond Left and Right

Does pluralism result in discrimination? Must one choose a political side, either on the Left or the Right? And how can an ordinary life be an exceptional one? These are all questions involving dichotomies that are commonly presented to us in our culture. But Tish Harrison Warren, an ordained Anglican priest and columnist for the New York Times, sees such dichotomies as false, and has spent her own life’s work breaking them down in whatever ways she can. In this episode, Tish discusse

Jul 26, 2023 • 48:04

113: Unabridged Interview: Angela Duckworth

This is our unabridged interview with Angela Duckworth. What do Olympic athletes, world-class artists, elite academics, and successful business executives have in common? Ivy League psychologist Angela Duckworth has spent her career researching this question, closely studying those folks at the top of their respective fields who are considered “high achievers.” Surprisingly, it turns out talent is not the answer. Neither is genius. “The common denominator,” she says, “is grit.” In t

Jul 25, 2023 • 51:14

113: Angela Duckworth: Is Grit the Secret to Success?

What do Olympic athletes, world-class artists, elite academics, and successful business executives have in common? Ivy League psychologist Angela Duckworth has spent her career researching this question, closely studying those folks at the top of their respective fields who are considered “high achievers.” Surprisingly, it turns out talent is not the answer. Neither is genius. “The common denominator,” she says, “is grit.” In this episode, she explains what she means by “grit,” discu

Jul 20, 2023 • 48:17

112: Unabridged Interview: Parker Palmer (Part II)

This is Part II of our unabridged interview with Parker Palmer. “Things didn’t come together vocationally for me until I was 50.” Now 84 years old, Quaker writer, speaker, and activist Parker Palmer has much to say about living a good life. And in his experience, a good life is often hard-won and counterintuitive. In this episode, Parker covers a lot of ground, offering wisdom gleaned from a life lived at attention to the makings of a good life. He tells about his experience seeking

Jul 17, 2023 • 1:23:53

112: Unabridged Interview: Parker Palmer (Part I)

This is Part I of our unabridged interview with Parker Palmer. “Things didn’t come together vocationally for me until I was 50.” Now 84 years old, Quaker writer, speaker, and activist Parker Palmer has much to say about living a good life. And in his experience, a good life is often hard-won and counterintuitive. In this episode, Parker covers a lot of ground, offering wisdom gleaned from a life lived at attention to the makings of a good life. He tells about his experience seeking a

Jul 15, 2023 • 1:21:37

112: Parker Palmer: Courage, Vocation, and Paradox

“Things didn’t come together vocationally for me until I was 50.” Now 84 years old, Quaker writer, speaker, and activist Parker Palmer has much to say about living a good life. And in his experience, a good life is often hard-won and counterintuitive. In this episode, Parker covers a lot of ground, offering wisdom gleaned from a life lived at attention to the makings of a good life. He tells about his experience seeking and finding vocation, discovering how a rich life entails the emb

Jul 13, 2023 • 48:08

111: Unabridged Interview: Judith Moskowitz

This is our unabridged interview with Judith Moskowitz. Stress, they say, is a silent killer. It sometimes feels as if our culture, all the way down to its very economic and social structures, is oriented toward increasing stress levels. Then add the challenges of various common life events–death of a loved one, losing a job, going through divorce – and sooner or later, overwhelming stress seems to come for us all. But might there be a way for us to flourish when stress hits us? Soc

Jul 11, 2023 • 56:52

111: Judith Moskowitz: How to Flourish Amidst Stress

Stress, they say, is a silent killer. It sometimes feels as if our culture, all the way down to its very economic and social structures, is oriented toward increasing stress levels. Then add the challenges of various common life events–death of a loved one, losing a job, going through divorce – and sooner or later, overwhelming stress seems to come for us all. But might there be a way for us to flourish when stress hits us? Social psychologist Judith Moskowitz has dedicated her life’

Jul 6, 2023 • 48:16

110: Unabridged Interview: Gretchen Rubin

This is our unabridged interview with Gretchen Rubin. What does it take to be happy? Our show is often over-academic in its approach to such questions. But what if there was a way to discover answers that work without bothering too much about definitions, drawn-out studies, and the search for a one-size-fits-all objectivity? In other words, what if the path to happiness includes some personal experimentation, fueled by good old fashioned trial and error? In this episode, Gretchen Ru

Jul 1, 2023 • 52:00

110: Gretchen Rubin: The Happiness Project

What does it take to be happy? Our show is often over-academic in its approach to such questions. But what if there was a way to discover answers that work without bothering too much about definitions, drawn-out studies, and the search for a one-size-fits-all objectivity? In other words, what if the path to happiness includes some personal experimentation, fueled by good old fashioned trial and error? In this episode, Gretchen Rubin describes what she called “The Happiness Project,”

Jun 29, 2023 • 49:39

109: Unabridged Interview: Rainn Wilson

This is our unabridged interview with Rainn Wilson. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica… and spirituality? Rainn Wilson is known for playing beloved misfit, paper salesman, and beet farmer Dwight Schrute on the hit TV show The Office. But in Hollywood, he’s known for being a bit of a misfit in another way… he frequently talks about religion in public. Recently, he wrote a book called 'Soul Boom' in which he calls for a spiritual revolution. “We've thrown the spiritual baby out with th

Jun 24, 2023 • 1:06:51

109: Rainn Wilson: Dwight Schrute Talks About Religion

Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica… and spirituality? Rainn Wilson is known for playing beloved misfit, paper salesman, and beet farmer Dwight Schrute on the hit TV show The Office. But in Hollywood, he’s known for being a bit of a misfit in another way… he frequently talks about religion in public. Recently, he wrote a book called 'Soul Boom' in which he calls for a spiritual revolution. “We've thrown the spiritual baby out with the religious bathwater,” he says, “but spiritual ideas

Jun 22, 2023 • 49:23

108: Unabridged Interview: Judith Shulevitz

This is our unabridged interview with Judith Shulevitz Why would anybody want to practice Sabbath? Over a decade ago, Judith Shulevitz wrote a book called 'The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time.' Before most of us had smartphones and remote jobs, she was calling attention to the troubling trajectory of an increasingly productivity-focused western culture. In a few years, she argued, we would simply be working all the time. Her prediction, it seems, has come true. T

Jun 17, 2023 • 1:01:42

108: The Power of Sabbath Rest: Judith Shulevitz

Why would anybody want to practice Sabbath? Over a decade ago, Judith Shulevitz wrote a book called 'The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time.' Before most of us had smartphones and remote jobs, she was calling attention to the troubling trajectory of an increasingly productivity-focused western culture. In a few years, she argued, we would simply be working all the time. Her prediction, it seems, has come true. The ramping up of 24/7 industry, news, and entertainment

Jun 15, 2023 • 47:46

107: Unabridged Interview: Azim Khamisa

This is our unabridged interview with Azim Khamisa How do you forgive the man who killed your son? In 1995, Azim Khamisa’s only son Tariq was shot and killed while delivering a pizza. The killer was a 14-year-old gang member named Tony Hicks, and due to a recent change of law in the state of California, Tony was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years in prison. But instead of responding with a call for outrage or revenge, Azim did the unthinkable: he forgave his son’s killer, fo

Jun 10, 2023 • 1:15:06

107: Ending Violence Through Forgiveness: Azim Khamisa

How do you forgive the man who killed your son? In 1995, Azim Khamisa’s only son Tariq was shot and killed while delivering a pizza. The killer was a 14-year-old gang member named Tony Hicks, and due to a recent change of law in the state of California, Tony was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years in prison. But instead of responding with a call for outrage or revenge, Azim did the unthinkable: he forgave his son’s killer, fought for his release, then gave him a job. “My inte

Jun 8, 2023 • 48:05

106: Unabridged Interview: Martin Sheen

This is our unabridged interview with Martin Sheen. In this episode, Lee sits down with the former President of the United States… At least, that’s how many listeners may know Martin Sheen, an award-winning actor known for his roles in Apocalypse Now and The Departed, and perhaps most famously for playing President Jed Bartlet in the hit TV series The West Wing. But offscreen, Martin is perhaps best described as a committed Catholic with a beautiful conversion story, and an ardent pe

Jun 3, 2023 • 1:15:36

106: Actor and Activist: Martin Sheen

In this episode, Lee sits down with the former President of the United States… At least, that’s how many listeners may know Martin Sheen, an award-winning actor known for his roles in Apocalypse Now and The Departed, and perhaps most famously for playing President Jed Bartlet in the hit TV series The West Wing. But offscreen, Martin is perhaps best described as a committed Catholic with a beautiful conversion story, and an ardent peace activist who has been arrested over 60 times. In

Jun 1, 2023 • 48:16

105: Unabridged Interview: Kristin Du Mez and David French

This is the unabridged Interview of Lee's conversation with Kristin Du Mez and David French. What happens when one of the country’s most outspoken critics of white male Christian political conservatism sits down with… well, a white male Christian political conservative? The answer: a really great conversation about politics, culture, and the desperate need for hospitality in the digital age. “With the decline of traditional media, everything's a competition for clicks,” says Kristin

May 27, 2023 • 57:07

105: Kristin Du Mez Sits with David French (Best Of NSE)

What happens when one of the country’s most outspoken critics of white male Christian political conservatism sits down with… well, a white male Christian political conservative? The answer: a really great conversation about politics, culture, and the desperate need for hospitality in the digital age. “With the decline of traditional media, everything's a competition for clicks,” says Kristin Du Mez, author of New York Times bestseller Jesus and John Wayne. She’s joined by David French

May 25, 2023 • 48:15

104: Unabridged Interview: Greg Boyle

This is the unabridged interview with Greg Boyle. How do you reteach love to a community that society has deemed unloveable? In the 80s and 90s, the city of Los Angeles was ravaged by what is now known as the "decade of death," a period of unprecedented gang violence, peaking at 1,000 killings in 1992 alone. It was in the midst of this unrest, fear, and finger-pointing that Father Greg Boyle became pastor of the poorest Catholic parish in the city, in order to live and work among gang

May 20, 2023 • 54:13

104: Burying 250 Friends: Greg Boyle on Community Amidst Gang Violence (Best of NSE)

How do you reteach love to a community that society has deemed unloveable? In the 80s and 90s, the city of Los Angeles was ravaged by what is now known as the "decade of death," a period of unprecedented gang violence, peaking at 1,000 killings in 1992 alone. It was in the midst of this unrest, fear, and finger-pointing that Father Greg Boyle became pastor of the poorest Catholic parish in the city, in order to live and work among gang members. This eventually led him to start Homeboy

May 18, 2023 • 50:25

103: Unabridged Interview: Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

This is our unabridged interview with Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Show Notes: Similar episodes Peace, Justice, Ice Cream: Ben Cohen Man Shall Not Live by Profit Alone: Jay Jakub The Business of War: Justin Barringer Resources mentioned this episode Above the Law by Ben Cohen PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Stitcher | Google | YouTube Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Follow Lee: Instagram | Twitter  J

May 13, 2023 • 49:46

103: Ben and Jerry's and a Better Capitalism: Ben Cohen and Jay Jakub

Is business just for making money? Famed economist Milton Friedman once argued in favor of such a view, and his economic theory has been the teaching basis for the last 50 years of American capitalism. But Ben Cohen, co-founder of world-famous Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, thinks differently. In this episode, he discusses how he and Jerry found groundbreaking ways to go against the grain of the business world, giving away unprecedented amounts of profit, incorporating justice work into t

May 11, 2023 • 44:12

102: Unabridged Interview: Anna Lembke

Our culture is brimming with wealth, upward social mobility, and endless access to massive hits of dopamine-fueled pleasure. So why are we still so unhappy? Access to pleasure is greater than ever in industrialized nations, and yet those same nations are seeing frightening rises in depression, anxiety, and “deaths of despair". In this episode, Anna Lembke, author of New York Times bestseller 'Dopamine Nation,' discusses why a life of endless, fast-paced pleasure seeking always comes at

May 6, 2023 • 57:40

102: The Price of the Pursuit of Pleasure: Anna Lembke and John Mark Comer (Best of NSE)

Our culture is brimming with wealth, upward social mobility, and endless access to massive hits of dopamine-fueled pleasure. So why are we still so unhappy? Access to pleasure is greater than ever in industrialized nations, and yet those same nations are seeing frightening rises in depression, anxiety, and “deaths of despair". In this episode, Anna Lembke, author of New York Times bestseller 'Dopamine Nation,' and John Mark Comer, author of New York Times bestseller 'The Ruthless Elimi

May 4, 2023 • 49:44

101: Unabridged Interview: David Hemenway

This is the unabridged interview with David Hemenway. After consistently eclipsing all other countries in the number of mass shootings per year, why is America still so obsessed with guns? And in the face of such a polarizing issue, what can be done to stop the killing? “A lot of people think we have a violence problem, but it doesn't seem to be the case; but where we are different is in terms of guns,” says Dr. David Hemenway of Harvard University’s Injury Control Research Center.

Apr 29, 2023 • 50:23

101: America’s Gun Epidemic: David Hemenway, Chris Hays, Carly Crouch, and Diane Latiker

After consistently eclipsing all other countries in the number of mass shootings per year, why is America still so obsessed with guns? And in the face of such a polarizing issue, what can be done to stop the killing? “A lot of people think we have a violence problem, but it doesn't seem to be the case; but where we are different is in terms of guns,” says Dr. David Hemenway of Harvard University’s Injury Control Research Center. He makes the case for a public health approach which trea

Apr 27, 2023 • 49:04

100: Healing The Earth: Debra Rienstra

What on God’s green earth does climate change have to do with living a good life? To answer such a question, says author and professor Debra Rienstra, we must first ask a more basic one: what is the good life? “We have assumed that it is affluence and upward mobility,” she says, “but that good life is not sustainable.” If a good life is one of purpose and healing, then it is precisely the Western ideal of success that is eating away our ability to live good lives. In this episode, we d

Apr 20, 2023 • 48:43

99: Unabridged Interview: John Dear

The unabridged interview version of Lee's interview with John Dear How do you live a good life in a world of 30 wars, 13,000 nuclear weapons, 4 billion people in poverty, racism, gun violence, child hunger, and catastrophic climate change? This is the question posed by Catholic priest and activist John Dear. For years, Father Dear has taken part in peace movements alongside folks like Coretta King, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond tutu. In this episode, he has some unbelievable stories th

Apr 15, 2023 • 1:15:13

99: Taking the Beatitudes Seriously: John Dear

How do you live a good life in a world of 30 wars, 13,000 nuclear weapons, 4 billion people in poverty, racism, gun violence, child hunger, and catastrophic climate change? This is the question posed by Catholic priest and activist John Dear. For years, Father Dear has taken part in peace movements alongside folks like Coretta King, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond tutu. In this episode, he has some unbelievable stories that answer his question in a provocative way: “To do the good means t

Apr 13, 2023 • 48:37

82: Rebroadcast - Doing Justice at The People’s Plaza: Justin Jones

We wanted to rebroadcast our interview with Justin Jones. Recently Justin was one of two Black lawmakers in the Tennessee House who were expelled for breaking decorum. You can watch the video of the debate and vote to expel them here. Since Justin is now the national face of a movement to end gun violence and racial discrimination we thought our interview might help provide some context to the man in the headlines.  This is a rebroadcast from before the name change to No Small Endeavor

Apr 11, 2023 • 41:41

91: The Power of Being Known: Curt Thompson (Best of NSE)

What does one’s past have to do with their anger and anxiety in the present? What do our bodies remember that our minds don’t? And what do our brains want more than chocolate, sex, or a sports car? Psychiatrist Curt Thompson discusses these questions from the perspective of both brain science and theology. A psychiatrist in private practice, Dr. Thompson has expertise in interpersonal neurobiology, and contends that a key to living a good life comes quite simply to this: “being known.”

Apr 6, 2023 • 48:26

98: The Good life - Lessons From The World's Longest Scientific Study Of Happiness: Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz

For all our modern so-called progress, global happiness levels have been consistently going down, especially in the richest and most developed countries. So what does it really take to be happy? Since 1938, Harvard scientists have been closely studying the lives of over 700 individuals to answer that very question. In this episode, two of those scientists - Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz - discuss the surprising results of what is known as the “World’s Longest Study of Happiness,” an

Mar 30, 2023 • 49:28

97: How Celebrity Culture is Hurting the Church: Katelyn Beaty

Christian culture in our day is full of superstars: authors, athletes, media personas, and even pastors with millions of followers and fans. Their success, and the devotion they receive, often rivals that of their secular counterparts. But what if such fame actually does more harm than good? Today, Katleyn Beaty explores this question at length, discussing how Christianity became an arena for celebrity, and why a celebrity-based culture makes little room for the traditional Christian v

Mar 23, 2023 • 51:42

96: Time Management for Mortals: Oliver Burkeman

We live in an age full of lifehacks, self-help books, and productivity gurus. But for all of the tips and tricks we adopt in order to squeeze every ounce of production out of our days, many of us only end up busier and more stressed than we were before. What if there’s a better way to live a full, fruitful life? "The world is bursting with wonder,” says Oliver Burkeman, “and yet it's the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all

Mar 16, 2023 • 57:56

95: Unabridged Interview: James Lawson

***This is the special release of the unabridged interview with American Civil Rights hero Reverend James Lawson. You can find the normal shorter produced version in our podcast feed. The American Civil Rights Movement, like Gandhi's Indian Independence Movement, was famously set apart by its employment of non-violent resistance methods. But have you ever wondered how such a movement was possible on so large a scale? In this episode, we are honored to have the man who Martin Luther Ki

Mar 11, 2023 • 2:11:28

95: The Architect of The American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson

The American Civil Rights Movement, like Gandhi's Indian Independence Movement, was famously set apart by its employment of non-violent resistance methods. But have you ever wondered how such a movement was possible on so large a scale? In this episode, we are honored to have the man who Martin Luther King Jr. called friend, mentor, and the very conscience and architect of the Civil Rights movement: Reverend James Lawson. He discusses America’s past and present, and what it took to org

Mar 9, 2023 • 55:33

94: What It Takes to Live a Good Life: Meghan Sullivan

What does it mean to live a good life, and how do we start? On our show, we make it a habit of repeating our tagline: “Exploring what it means to live a good life.” But in this episode, we address the issue head-on like never before, with the help of Notre Dame Professor of Philosophy Meghan Sullivan. We discuss her book “The Good Life Method,” which gives helpful insight about the kinds of questions philosophers and theologians have been asking for millennia: What does it mean to purs

Mar 2, 2023 • 49:11

93: Author Of The Shack: William Paul Young

Author of The Shack, William Paul Young, joins us on this episode of No Small Endeavor. At age 50, William Paul Young wrote the New York Times Best-selling novel “The Shack.” It went on to sell 25 million copies and was turned into a major motion picture. 11 years prior, Paul’s wife discovered he was having an extra-marital affair. With nothing left to hide, he began a journey toward healing and wholeness: dealing with his being abused as a child, dealing with the toxic “snow covered du

Feb 23, 2023 • 48:41

92: Forgiving My Mother’s Murderer: Sharon Risher

How do you forgive someone who committed unspeakable horror against someone you love? In 2015, 21-year-old white supremacist, Dylann Roof, was welcomed into a bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Minutes later, he opened fire and murdered nine members of the church. At his trial, the family members of those killed got the chance to speak to Roof publicly, voicing their pain; and some, in the midst of such anguish, publicly forgave him

Feb 16, 2023 • 49:16

87: Doing Justice Alongside MLK and Rosa Parks: Dr. Fred Gray (Best Of NSE)

In honor of MLK day, we're once again airing our conversation with Martin Luther King's first lawyer Fred Gray. We hope this episode celebrates the progress made toward justice and reminds us of the work yet to be done. Dr. Gray tells stunning stories of his work as a civil rights lawyer standing before the supreme court on multiple occasions, and what it was like to stand beside MLK and Rosa Parks in the fight for racial equity - a fight, he is careful to note, that is still ongoing.

Jan 16, 2023 • 21:49

91: The Power of Being Known: Curt Thompson

What do our brains want more than chocolate, sex, or a sports car? What does your memory of long past events have to do with the apparently unrelated arguments and anxiety you are experiencing these days? Psychiatrist Curt Thompson discusses these questions from the perspective of both brain science and theology. A psychiatrist in private practice, Dr. Thompson has expertise in interpersonal neurobiology, and contends that a key to living a good life comes quite simply to this: “being k

Dec 15, 2022 • 48:38

90: Reality TV, The Cuban Revolution, and a Disco Queen Mother: JohnnySwim

The folk-pop duo Johnnyswim, comprised of married couple Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez, discuss their reality television shows, their public marriage, their radically different childhoods, and their opinions about Christianity in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 8, 2022 • 53:31

89: When Justice Never Comes How Can We Begin Again? A Look at America Through The Life of James Baldwin with Dr. Eddie Glaude

Why are there different narratives around race in America? Some Americans believe that we are a “shining city on a hill” a beacon of truth and justice for the world, but anyone with eyes can see that there are some major contradictions in that narrative. James Baldwin called this “The Lie” and we discuss it in great detail with Dr. Eddie Glaude and his book Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and its Urgent Lessons For Our Own. The book is a powerful reckoning with America’s ongoing fa

Dec 1, 2022 • 48:32

88: Can Religion Make You Happier? The Surprising Scientific Findings of Ancient Religious Practice: David Desteno

Does religion make us happier? David Desteno discusses his book How God Works, in which he makes the argument, backed by research, that the wisdom of the world’s great religious traditions lines up with recent psychological and neuroscientific findings about what constitutes a good, flourishing life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 17, 2022 • 56:52

87: Doing Justice Alongside MLK and Rosa Parks: Dr. Fred Gray

The civil rights movement was led by a host of brilliant and courageous men and women, among their ranks the lawyer Dr. Fred Gray. He was MLK's first attorney, he successfully argued before the Supreme Court multiple times, and he was a close friend of Rosa Parks. Today, he shares those stories, along with his thoughts on the ongoing fight for equity in the United States. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 10, 2022 • 21:49

86: Kristin Du Mez sits with David French

What happens when one of the country’s most outspoken critics of white male Christian political conservatism sits down with a well-known white male conservative Christian political pundit? Find out, as Kristin Du Mez and David French discuss politics, culture, and the desperate need for hospitality in the digital age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 3, 2022 • 55:29

No Small Endeavor Trailer

Ethics professor and host Lee C. Camp explores what it means to live a good life by sitting down with some of the world's greatest thinkers, creatives, and everyone in between—from PRX, Tokens Media and Great Feeling Studios. For fans of On Being, The Daily Stoic, and Oprah's Super Soul.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Guests include: Malcolm Gladwell James Lawson Tara Brach Rainn Wilson Amy Grant David French Ayana Elizabeth Johnson David Brookes Greg Boyle Russell Moore www.no

Nov 1, 2022 • 1:06

85: The New Name: Why Living a Good Life is “No Small Endeavor”

The inaugural episode of No Small Endeavor, in which Lee discusses the reasons behind the name change, the mission entailed by the new name, and the centrality of conversation, courage, and community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2022 • 18:49

84: The End of the Tokens Show: Jason Eskridge, Michael Hicks, Odessa Settles

The final episode of Tokens Show (in a way). Jason Eskridge, Michael Hicks, and Odessa Settles discuss their experiences with tokenism, and Lee reveals why, given such realities, the Tokens Show has decided upon a new name.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 20, 2022 • 1:11:40

83: Why You Shouldn’t Punish—or Reward—Your Kids: Alfie Kohn

Are many parenting styles doing more harm than good? Alfie Kohn discusses the surprising psychology behind the widely practiced reward/punishment model of raising kids, and why we should “work with” our children instead of trying to control their behavior.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 13, 2022 • 52:38

82: Doing Justice at The People’s Plaza: Justin Jones

“Justice is what love looks like in public.” In this episode, Justin Jones discusses how his work for justice, particularly during a 62-day non-violent protest outside the Tennessee State Capitol, is itself an act of faith, steeped in self-denying love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 6, 2022 • 40:05

81: Bourbon, Bluegrass and the Bible, with the Hillbilly Thomists

What do bourbon, bluegrass, and the Bible have in common? Just ask the Billboard charting Hillbilly Thomists, a group of Catholic Dominican Friars, clad in white tunics and rosaries—playing bluegrass music. Their name, Hillbilly Thomists, is indebted to the Catholic Southern Gothic writer Flannery O'Connor whose mixture of morbidity and grace show up in their songs. We assembled at the Soultrain Sound Studio in Nashville, TN to hear about their vocation, what life is like on the road as

Sep 29, 2022 • 49:44

80: The Art of Conversation: Heather Holleman

“Good conversations create personal closeness,” says Heather Holleman. “When you have good conversations, it could intervene in the loneliness epidemic.” Today, she discusses the many tried-and-true methods for becoming better conversationalists – a skill that just might be a central key to human flourishing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 22, 2022 • 48:23

79: The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: Bill McKibben

“If we are to take heart from the really good things about American history, we have no choice but to reckon first with the dark sides of it,” says Bill McKibben, a prominent journalist, author, and activist. One of the most prominent of environmental activists and authors, McKibben also discusses racial justice, the economic impact of suburbanization, and the relation of the Christian church to social change in America.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 15, 2022 • 55:31

78: We’re Not as Good (Or Bad) as We Think We Are: Christian Miller

Are we as good as we think we are? Virtue theory suggests that things like compassion, honesty, and courage are the keys to living a good, happy life. But Christian Miller brings to light a troubling reality: though we all want to be virtuous, it turns out that it doesn’t take much to get us to forsake our values. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 8, 2022 • 53:47

77: The Price of the Pursuit of Pleasure: Anna Lembke

In a culture brimming with wealth, upward social mobility, and endless access to pleasure, why are we only becoming more anxious, depressed, and unsatisfied? Dr. Anna Lembke makes a claim many of us don’t want to hear, though we know to be true: “Every pleasure has a cost, and that cost is pain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 1, 2022 • 58:41

76: The Practice of Friendship

Is friendship really a key to being happy? We often make our quest for human flourishing a solitary one, focusing on making changes in our personal mindsets and habits. Yet, much ancient and modern wisdom suggests that we cannot do it alone. In this episode, Andy Gullahorn, Gabe Scott, and Antsy McClain share stories and songs – full of high fives and trailer parks – that showcase the importance of deep friendship and community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 9, 2022 • 46:13

75: The Practice of Humor

Might we all be happier if we stopped taking ourselves too seriously? Singer-songwriters Andy Gullahorn and Antsy McClain describe how humor can make us comfortable enough to be vulnerable with each other.

Jun 2, 2022 • 33:53

74: Past Hymns for the Present Moment: Phil Madeira, Leslie Jordan, Odessa Settles

Hymns are often sentimentalized in the American church, cast aside as merely retired songs with dated language, bearing no real appeal or relevance. But of course it may be that our old hymnals have some crucial things to say to us in our current cultural moment. This is the challenge I posed to Odessa Settles, Phil Madeira, and Leslie Jordan: find and perform some old hymns which might be both indicting and encouraging to the modern church, and to the world at large. Beautiful conversa

May 26, 2022 • 47:20

The Social Consciousness of Bluegrass: Bryan Sutton and Greg Reish

Bluegrass as “progressive”? Might bluegrass, supposedly the province of hillbilly white folks, be a great deal more than mere nostalgic banjo-picking and fiddle-playing? Music historian and professor Greg Reish explores the social consciousness of bluegrass along with legendary guitarist Bryan Sutton. They discuss the roots of bluegrass in African-American blues, as well as its cultivation of community, and attention to the plight of the poor. Plus, Bryan gathered a band of bluegrass greats at t

May 19, 2022 • 54:14

73: Listen, Love, and Turn the Other Cheek: Joy Oladokun

How music gives voice to people on the margins; how lament and hope co-exist in songwriting; and wondering what one is really supposed to do with “turn the other cheek,” all with Joy Oladokun. Plus, she performs five of her songs live from Nashville’s Sound Emporium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 12, 2022 • 49:57

Why The New Respects Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

The New Respects discuss racism, religion, and what it’s like to be musicians who don’t quite fit the music industry mold: a predominantly female, all-black, genre-bending family band. Taped at Nashville’s Sound Emporium, with live performances of five of their songs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 2022 • 49:49

72: Giving Away My Happiness: K.S. Rhoads

Instagram culture, internet extremism, the Seven Deadly Sins, the hard work of parenting, learning how to grieve, and much more. Plus, KS performs five beautiful songs live from Nashville’s famed Sound Emporium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 28, 2022 • 53:43

71: Seven Ways to Ruin Your Life: Rebecca DeYoung

Are the “seven deadly sins” merely a medieval-era reflection upon divine finger-wagging? Rebecca DeYoung explains why the “seven deadly sins” is better understood as a diagnostic tool which may instead facilitate a joyful and flourishing life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 21, 2022 • 1:02:44

70: Does Evolutionary Theory Destroy Morality?: Justin Barrett

Does evolutionary theory destroy morality? Barrett contends that evolutionary psychology might instead provide guidance toward practices of sociability, community, and love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 14, 2022 • 1:00:41

69: Enneagram Wisdom and Living Well: Suzanne Stabile

A helpful conversation with Suzanne Stabile on the Enneagram: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it can be a helpful tool for the flourishing of the self and the community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 7, 2022 • 1:00:44

68: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life: Edith Hall

Edith Hall offers timely commentary on the virtue ethics of Aristotle: and how contemporary society may be missing fundamental keys to living life well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 31, 2022 • 57:52

67: A Jewish Take on Jesus: AJ Levine

What do Christians get wrong about Jesus? Prof. AJ Levine discusses common mis-readings of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s stance on societal and gender norms, and how “Christian Fragility” impedes one’s ability to listen and learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 24, 2022 • 1:00:28

66: Conservatism without Trumpism: David French

David French discusses the culture of animosity in which he finds himself as a political commentator; what it’s like to critique conservatism as a conservative; and why he thinks America’s classical liberalism may yet be salvageable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 17, 2022 • 59:15

65: The Business of War: Justin Barringer

The commodification of almost everything is one fact of life in the late modern capitalist world in which we live in the west. But commodification even of war?  Justin Bronson Barringer joins us to discuss the business of war and the US military industrial complex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 10, 2022 • 56:24

64: Is Conservative Christianity Anti-Intellectual?: Molly Worthen

Is Conservative Christianity necessarily opposed to reason? Dr. Molly Worthen discusses the history of Protestant Evangelicalism, and how this tradition has often been “perhaps the most preoccupied with squaring reason with their understanding of faith.” A complex and fascinating tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 3, 2022 • 59:44

63: Women, Justice, and Preaching in the Deep South: Janet Wolf

“I did not go to divinity school to become a pastor. I went to figure out how people could read the Bible and not do justice.” Janet Wolf recounts her experiences doing justice and advocacy work in the face of misogyny, poverty, and racism as the first female Methodist pastor in Lawrence County, Tennessee.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 24, 2022 • 42:15

62: Against, and For, the Tribe: Russell Moore

“People are not so afraid of holding a wrong opinion, as they are of holding an opinion alone,” says public theologian Dr. Russell Moore, paraphrasing Soren Kierkegaard. In light of his recent book The Courage to Stand, we discussed the dangers of waging debate for the sake of hostility; the immense value found in cultivating the virtues of courage, prudence, and humility; and why he believes that “only the crucifiable self can find the courage to stand.” And these are not merely academ

Feb 17, 2022 • 58:03

61: Black Mothers: Marty Dodson & Stephanie Knight

Marty Dodson is an acclaimed country singer-songwriter in Nashville. A number of years ago, he and his wife felt compelled to move from their home in Franklin, a wealthy and predominantly white suburb, to East Nashville, a historically black neighborhood which has been the site of much gentrification over the past few decades. When they moved in, they were instantly welcomed by Stephanie Knight, their new neighbor, and a long-time resident of East Nashville. Following the tragic murder

Dec 9, 2021 • 44:11

60: Man Shall Not Live by Profit Alone: Jay Jakub

“What should the right level of profit be for a corporation?” In this episode, Jay Jakub discusses why this question must be asked in order for a business to thrive, and how a more holistic approach to capitalism might be adopted to unlock a company’s full potential. And maybe help save the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 2, 2021 • 58:30

59: Welcome Table: A Tokens Thanksgiving Special

A special episode reflecting on over a decade of Thanksgivings spent at Nashville’s historic Ryman auditorium, with some of our favorite performances, sketches, and memories which we’ve shared together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 2021 • 38:13

58: White Too Long: Robert Jones

Robert P. Jones discusses the ways his research has led to a shocking conclusion: “If you take your average white American, and you add Christian identity, they move up the racism index, not down.” And such a confession, he says, is a necessary starting point before there can be any reconciliation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 18, 2021 • 55:13

57: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: John Mark Comer

“Most people are too busy to live emotionally healthy and spiritually vibrant lives.” In this episode, John Mark Comer discusses the importance of taking seriously spiritual formation in a culture of noise and speed; why willpower cannot do what we want it to do; and practical ways we might find and live the good, the true, and the beautiful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 11, 2021 • 1:17:07

56: Homeboys, Delight, Gladness: Greg Boyle

Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-member rehabilitation program, in one of our most beautiful interviews to date. “You don't go to the margins to make a difference. You go to the margins so that the folks at the margins make you different." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 4, 2021 • 51:35

55: Diversity, Virtue, Healthcare: Dr. Andre Churchwell

What role might race play in today’s ever-increasing gaps of social and economic inequality? And what might we be able to do about it? In this episode, Dr. Andre Churchwell explains how a life of cultivated virtue and diversity might be necessary to equip us to address such issues of injustice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 28, 2021 • 49:48

54: Why Liberalism Failed: Patrick Deneen

What if the seemingly-opposite political forces of Left and Right are really two sides of the same philosophical coin? Patrick Deneen discusses the ways in which the modern West has taken for granted its long-held philosophy of Liberalism, and why this philosophy is starting to show signs of an inevitable failure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21, 2021 • 57:12

53: Peace, Justice, Ice Cream: Ben Cohen

“It has to be the joyful journey for justice,” says Ben Cohen, the world-famous “Ben” in Ben & Jerry’s. In this episode, we hear from Ben how starting an ice cream business has given him the means to do justice with hope and humor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 14, 2021 • 47:46

52: Free Cyntoia: Cyntoia Brown Long

A special episode, taped in front of a live audience, in which Cyntoia Brown Long chronicles her experience leading to and within the Tennessee prison system, and the dramatic, at times hard-to-believe nature of the grace and providence which led to her coming-to-faith and ultimate release. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Oct 7, 2021 • 56:51

51: The (Not Really) War Between Science and Faith: David Wilkinson

The X-CLUB, and the invention of the supposed war between science and faith, with astro-physicist and theologian David Wilkinson of Durham University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 30, 2021 • 53:51

50: Hope in the Age of Climate Change: Chris Doran

What does the resurrection of Jesus have to do with climate change? Chris Doran discusses why a rightly-seen eschatological hope should necessarily drive Christians towards climate care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 23, 2021 • 40:57

49: Self-Compassion: Kristin Neff

Ever wonder about “everybody getting a trophy” and the cult of self-esteem? Kristin Neff discusses the potential dangers of self-esteem—like bullying and narcissism—and the preferred practice of self-compassion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 16, 2021 • 44:18

48: Tuskegee, Healthcare, Justice: Quincy Byrdsong

“Health inequities started with slavery,” says Dr. Quincy Byrdsong in this episode on healthcare inequities. We discuss at length the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis trials, and the persistent issues in healthcare and social justice. We close with a personal conversation about his experience as an African-American man, and how he has emotionally and professionally navigated doing such work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 9, 2021 • 53:05

47: Guns, Economics, Public Health: David Hemenway

The US, says Harvard Prof. David Hemenway, does not have a “violence problem” in comparison to other high-income countries in terms of robbery, assault, or burglary. But we have much more homicide and gun-related problems: “A child in the United States is much more likely to be murdered with a firearm than children in these other countries: We are twenty-nine times higher.” From the perspective of public health, what practical helps might there be? Listener discretion is advised. See o

Sep 2, 2021 • 49:48

46: Bad Faith—Race and the Rise of the Religious Right: Randall Balmer

Professor of Religion at Dartmouth College Randall Balmer tells of a meeting in Washington, DC that changed the course of his academic career, and set him on an unexpected investigation: the Religious Right’s origins is not to be located in the issue of abortion. Instead, he concludes, the movement began “to defend racial segregation.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 26, 2021 • 45:51

45: The Opposite of Faith is Certainty: Christian Wiman

Poet Christian Wiman discusses doubt and faith; the role of poetry “when the world is burning”; ways in which being raised in west Texas made him the poet and person he is; how “destitution and abundance are two facets of the one face of God”; along with four poem recitations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 19, 2021 • 32:03

44: God and Guns: Chris Hays and Carly Crouch

Not so sure about Christians touting second amendment gun rights? A discussion with the editors of God and Guns: The Bible Against American Gun Culture, who challenge the too-easy pro-gun rhetoric of many American Christians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 12, 2021 • 50:46

43: Good Trouble: Ruby Amanfu, Matt Maher, Leigh Nash

“Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble,” said Congressman John Lewis. Leigh Nash and Matt Maher met for a song co-write honoring Lewis’s wisdom, hoping to speak to issues of race in America. Knowing their white perspective was not sufficient for an honest song, some awkwardness and vulnerability led to a request of their third co-writer Ruby Amanfu. That gave rise to their moving song “Good Trouble.” Includes live performance. See omnystudio.com/listener for

Aug 5, 2021 • 36:50

42: The Making of Biblical Womanhood: Beth Allison Barr

Conservative American Christianity insists we must not let the wider culture determine what we do, and yet we see that happening precisely in the patriarchy that characterizes much of American Christianity. So argues Dr. Barr, in her critique of the subordination of women in the church. Plus live satire from Tokens Show’s own Brother Preacher, aka Greg Lee. This and more, all playing off Dr. Barr’s book The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth.

Jun 3, 2021 • 50:25

41: Thou Shalt Not be a Jerk: Eugene Cho

Eugene Cho is a Korean-born immigrant to the United States and now activist and author. We discuss his moving and distressing childhood experiences at age six; his journey to Christianity; and how both those realities have given him insight and possibilities for service to the world, as well as put him at odds with both the right and the left in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 27, 2021 • 58:37

40: The Soul of Shame: Curt Thompson

Psychiatrist Curt Thompson joins Lee to discuss his book The Soul of Shame. They discuss the mechanism of shame, how it impedes joy, connection, creativity and human flourishing; and how vulnerability subverts shame. Don’t just listen to this one. Take notes, and try it…  But it’s not for the faint of heart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 20, 2021 • 59:06

39: Fear, Home and the Asian-American Experience: Eugene Cho and Karen Korematsu

In light of the recent rise of anti-Asian-American hostility and violence, we interview Dr. Karen Korematsu, daughter of famed civil-rights activist Fred Korematsu, the namesake of the infamous 1944 Supreme Court Case Korematsu v. United States. Mr. Korematsu, a Japanese-American and American citizen, refused to comply with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s executive order which would have forced his re-location to an American “concentration camp.” In addition, we talk to Korean-bor

May 13, 2021 • 49:15

38: The Gravity of Joy: Angela Williams Gorrell (with Miroslav Volf)

An interview with Angela Williams Gorrell, Professor of Practical Theology at Baylor University, and author of a new book entitled The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found. Angela recounts her own experiences with the sudden, tragic, and nearly simultaneous losses of three family members; how America’s current crisis of despair can be traced and understood through suicide and addiction rates; and the surprising ways in which gateways to joy can be found in the midst of deep g

May 6, 2021 • 56:48

37: Jesus and John Wayne: Kristin Du Mez

An interview with Kristin Du Mez, Professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University and author of a provocative new book entitled Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. In light of the fact that 81% of white evangelicals supposedly voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election, many have tried to make sense of how “family values voters” could have supported Trump. Du Mez, in contrast, claims that this support of Trump was not in c

Apr 29, 2021 • 57:39

36: “The most polarized issue in the United States”: Katharine Hayhoe

An interview with Katharine Hayhoe, one of the leading climate scientists in the United States, and author of a soon-to-be-released book entitled Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. Katharine and Lee discuss the supposed dichotomy between evangelical Christianity and climate science; the truth about some common climate change myths; and how Katharine, as an evangelical Christian herself, receives hate mail and death threats on an almost daily b

Apr 22, 2021 • 51:57

35: The Collapse of the Biosphere: Peter Harris

An interview with Peter Harris, Anglican clergyman and founder of the highly esteemed Christian conservation non-profit A Rocha International. Peter and Lee discuss why the political polarization of the climate crisis in the United States is more an accident of history than a theological necessity; the ways in which fundamental Christian orthodoxy supports ecological conservation; and how, the preservation, or decimation, of much of the biosphere is dependent upon the choices of evangel

Apr 15, 2021 • 53:03

34: Doubt Becomes Wonder: Audrey Assad

A frequent guest on Tokens Show, Audrey Assad joins Lee to discuss her new memoir Doubt Becomes Wonder: Embracing the Loss of Everything You Thought You Knew. They discuss healing from childhood wounds, and the consequent navigation of doubt; and Audrey’s experience as a woman in the church. PLUS: two live studio performances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 8, 2021 • 46:02

33: Fighting Dragons and Singing at Loss: Drew Holcomb

Drew Holcomb, whom the Rolling Stone recently called “one of Americana’s Most Popular Stars,” talks with Lee about his surprising road through academia to becoming a singer-songwriter; the tragic loss of his younger brother; and what it’s like to have courage and hope as a songwriter, artist, husband, and father in the midst of the current polarized cultural moment. PLUS! Live in-the-studio-performances of two of his most moving songs: “You Never Leave My Heart” and “Dragons.” See omny

Apr 1, 2021 • 39:56

32: Republicans, Roe v Wade, and the Pro-Life Failure: Bill Cavanaugh

Bill Cavanaugh, professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University, discusses with Lee his recent provocative article entitled "Electing Republicans has not Reversed Roe vs. Wade. It's Time to Change Our Strategy." in which Bill shares some shocking realities which are being little discussed and appear to be little known about the abortion debates in America. In addition, Lee and Bill discuss Bill’s book Torture and Eucharist on the Pinochet regime in Chile, along with a brief discussio

Mar 18, 2021 • 37:52

31: Addiction, Loss, Possibility: Megan Barry

An interview with Megan Barry, former mayor of Nashville. Lee and Megan discuss the tragic subject of addiction and how it led to the accidental overdose and death of her son Max; what it has been like to find hope and healing in both the midst and aftermath of such a tragedy; what there may be to learn, both personally and communally, about the various stigmas and statistics currently surrounding the issue; and the ways, both large and small, in which the current epidemic of addiction

Mar 4, 2021 • 41:21

30: Beyond Fake News: Justin McBrayer

An interview with Justin McBrayer, Professor of Philosophy at Fort Lewis College, Executive Director of the Society of Christian Philosophers, and the author of a new book entitled Beyond Fake News: Finding the Truth in a World of Misinformation. Lee and Justin discuss the current crisis of a world plagued with false information, made worse by new media and technology; some surprising ways in which we ourselves often contribute in oblivious fashion to such a crisis; and some practices w

Feb 25, 2021 • 46:51

29: Praying With Our Feet: Lindsey Glenn Krinks

An interview with justice-seeker Lindsey Glenn Krinks on her experience as an advocate for the incarcerated, the sick, and the homeless; what it has been like to be a woman interested in the male-dominated field of theology; stories she has lived as a co-founder of Open Table Nashville, a nonprofit which seeks to disrupt cycles of poverty; and her new book, Praying with Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 11, 2021 • 49:48

28: Science, Faith, and Einstein: Alister McGrath

An interview with Alister McGrath, esteemed professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and one of the world’s leading Christian apologists. Lee and Alister discuss one of the great modern dichotomies of our day: the supposed mutually exclusive choice between science and faith; why the teachings and writings of Einstein played a significant role in undermining McGrath’s own former atheism; and why adhering to a more holistic, incorporative view of science, religion, a

Jan 28, 2021 • 51:54

27: The Death Penalty

A special episode chronicling the capital punishment case of Pervis Payne, an inmate for over three decades on Tennessee’s death row; a similar story from former death row inmate Ndume Olatushani; and commentary from author and activist Shane Claiborne about the Christian church’s complex relationship with capital punishment. Plus musical performances by Buddy Greene, Sonya Isaacs, Vince Gill, and Odessa Settles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 3, 2021 • 48:46

26: Welcome Table: A Tokens Thanksgiving Special

Each year since 2008 we've spent the Sunday before Thanksgiving at Nashville's Historic Ryman Auditorium for an evening centered on gratitude and hospitality. This special episode of the Tokens Podcast reflects on over a decade of Thanksgivings spent at the Mother Church of Country Music with some of our favorite performances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 24, 2020 • 38:30

25: Pay Attention. Be Kind. Live Large: Naomi Shihab Nye

Naomi Shihab Nye is the author and/or editor of more than 30 volumes, the Young People’s Poet Laureate, and as we used to say in Alabama, the winner of more awards than you can shake a stick at. In this sort of wisdom-of-the-ages interview, Naomi discusses kindness, the joy which accompanies sorrow, paying attention, and living life large.  She also shares two of her well-known poems:  “Kindness,” and “Gate A4.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 19, 2020 • 45:04

Truth-telling, anger, and race: Vince Gill

A personal, unreserved and wide-ranging interview with Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill. Lee and Vince discuss why Vince has been writing songs of late about teen pregnancy, racial animosity, and sexual abuse; Merle Haggard as Vince’s “north star”; the time Vince opened for KISS; his own temper and his journey in understanding that temper; his public confrontation of the Westboro Baptist Church, and a question about his high-profile marriage with Amy Grant. Vince performs “Molly Brown” and

Nov 12, 2020 • 56:05

23: The 4:00 AM Combat Convoy Briefing: Diana Oestreich

Diana Oestreich, a combat veteran of the Iraq war, had a “desert experience” precipitated by her sergeant’s orders in a 4.00 a.m. combat convoy safety briefing. We discuss that story and the unfolding of her remarkable experiences deployed to a combat  zone, the exercise of a new kind of courage, and her new book entitled Waging Peace: One Soldier's Story of Putting Love First See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 5, 2020 • 43:36

22: The Christian Imagination: Willie James Jennings

An interview with Dr. Willie James Jennings, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Africana Studies at Yale University, on his book The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race. Jennings argues that the medieval European colonialist Christian vision imagined the entire globe in terms of a racist imagination; and that the continue to reap the consequences to this day; and that the Christian tradition does, in fact, have resources to re-imagine a new sort of world.

Oct 29, 2020 • 49:38

21: “What Could Possibly Produce Someone with a Soul That Shallow?”: Stanley Hauerwas

Stanley Hauerwas was once dubbed by Time Magazine with the moniker, “America’s Greatest Theologian.” This is ironic because he’s spent much of his life criticizing American Christianity. Join us for our evening with Stanley, a beloved, profane, beautifully grumpy theologian, as he shares about non-violence, the story of Billy Dick, and a brief commentary on Christians and Donald Trump. PLUS: Stanley Hauerwas makes his acting debut with a stand-up comedy with the Tokens Radio Players. S

Oct 22, 2020 • 37:08

20: The Facts of Life: Pádraig Ó Tuama

Irish poet, peace-maker and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama joins Lee for a discussion on practices of peace-making, including peace with oneself. They both discuss the great significance of John 21 for their own lives. And Pádraig shares readings from his poems “The Facts of Life,” “The Pedagogy of Conflict,” and “Shaking Hands.” LINKS: Padraig Books: In the Shelter Sorry For Your Troubles Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community Readings from the Book of Ex

Oct 15, 2020 • 58:26

19: “I’m a Black Feminist: I Think Call Out Culture is Toxic”: Loretta Ross

Loretta Ross is a black feminist, a human rights activist, and an advocate for most things for the American political left. But in a recent New York Times opinion piece, she argues that American culture is sick with calling out, cancelling, and virtue signaling. Co-host Lauren White joins Lee Camp for a provocative conversation sure to be simultaneously celebrated and criticized by both right and left, which prescribes “calling in”—a call for accountability with love—as a creative and p

Oct 8, 2020 • 39:10

18: What Hath Christianity to do with Psychology? Mark McMinn

Mark McMinn, Professor of Psychology discusses the presumed antagonism between Christianity and psychology; the recent new research findings which posit a much larger ground of overlap; The surprising consensus between new findings in psychology and traditional Christian virtue theory; one of the common denominators in cases of psychosis and depression; and Lee discusses some of his own experience with depression. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 1, 2020 • 46:55

17: “I Don’t Know if I Should Say It, but, well…”: Charlie Strobel

Charlie Strobel is a sort of elder-statesman in Nashville, a Catholic priest, and founder of Room in the Inn. In a moving conversation with Charlie about some of his most important life moments, Lee and Charlie discuss loneliness and solitude; therapy and the opening of the self; receiving hospitality from the homeless as a boy; and the murder of Charlie’s mother. Charlie shares things regarding which he says “Nobody really knows this, but I guess, I don't know if I should say it, but,

Sep 24, 2020 • 53:16

16: Most Outstanding Season Wrap: Lee C. Camp

Host Lee C. Camp in a recap of season one, wandering hither and yon through the archives: on the burning of the world; the apparent irrelevance of poetry, song, and story; the importance of shutting up and listening; on the refusal to practice “othering”; and the deep need for humility as a social virtue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 2020 • 30:50

15: I Am Not Your Enemy: Michael T. McRay

Author and story practitioner travels to some of the globe’s most contentious socio-political locales. He’s convinced you cannot argue people into a new way of seeing the world, you can only story them into new ways of thinking. In this compelling episode, we hear some of the troubling and violent, yet nonetheless hopeful, stories he’s learned. And we reflect upon personal practices of peace-making, with others and with ourselves.  LINKS: Link to Michael’s book Master Cours

Aug 6, 2020 • 58:30

14: “Does This Make My Butt Look Big?”: Ashley Cleveland

Grammy and Dove Award winner Ashley Cleveland holds back little, and discusses major life lessons: from her adolescent “bad habit of behaving badly” through the storm of subsequent consequences and recovery; plus a conversation about the south and race, a horrifying murder, and Anne Lamott’s wisdom about what we do, and do not, have time for.  Links: Master Course with Miroslav Volf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 2020 • 59:39

13: A Theology of Joy: Miroslav Volf

No theology of grumpiness here: Miroslav Volf (Professor of Theology, and Director of the Center for Faith and Culture at Yale University) sketches some initial direction for a Theology of Joy. Volf himself having suffered under a communist regime, and his father have imprisoned in a forced labor camp, he provides compelling possibilities for joy in some of the most difficult of circumstances. AND: Brother Preacher makes an (intrusive) appearance. LINKS: - Master Course with Miroslav V

Jul 23, 2020 • 32:21

12: Recovery, the Enneagram, and Being Human: Ian Cron

Ian Cron, host of the Typology podcast and author of The Road Back to You, discusses finding himself and helping others find themselves, through the gifts of both recovery and the Enneagram. Facing resentments, as well as one’s shadow side, turn out to be key practices in becoming more truly human. LINKS:  Ian’s Podcast, Typology Tokens Online Courses Tokens 2020 Subscriptions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 16, 2020 • 53:36

11: Feminism Crash Course: Lauren Smelser White

What do you get when a woman from north Alabama, raised conservative in most every way, goes to a private Christian college, earns her master’s degree in literature from another Christian college, and then earns a PhD in theology from Divinity School? A Christian feminist, of course. Get a crash course on feminism, and learn why and how Christianity made Lauren Smelser White a feminist.  LINKS: Join Tokens in 2020 for our online shows and courses: www.tokensshow.com/2020 See omnys

Jul 9, 2020 • 56:32

10: Jewish, Yankee Feminist, New Testament Professor: Amy-Jill Levine

Jewish Vanderbilt Divinity school Professor of New Testament AJ Levine, self-described as a Yankee Feminist, joins Tokens to talk about two of her books; but more, how she once wanted to be the pope, what she does not like about liberal Christians, and a marvelous telling of the parable of the Good Samaritan. LINKS: Amy-Jill's books: The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus https://amzn.to/38mDY3d Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Cont

Jul 2, 2020 • 30:47

9: Dirty Cop, False Arrest, and Unexpected Consequences

Andrew Collins, a white, dirty cop, falsifies his testimony. A black innocent man, Jameel McGee, gets sentenced to ten years in the Federal Pen. This is the story of the unanticipated consequences of a false-arrest gone bad, and then gone bad again. LINKS: Convicted: An Innocent Man, the Cop Who Framed Him, and an Unlikely Journey of Forgiveness and Friendship Tokens 2020 Subscriptions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 25, 2020 • 27:02

8: Dorothy Day: Traditional, Radical, Christian

In the only instance of a papal address to a joint session of Congress, Pope Francis heralded Dorothy Day as one of four Americans worthy of great emulation. Host Lee C. Camp interviews Martin Doblmeier on his new film about Dorothy Day, along with his work on two other American theologians and activists Reinhold Niebuhr and Howard Thurman. EPISODE LINKS: Pope Francis Address Dorothy Day Film Howard Thurman Film Reinhold Niebuhr film Tokens 2020 Subscripti

Jun 18, 2020 • 1:00:10

7: The Road to Character: David Brooks

New York Times columnist David Brooks reflects upon the major themes from his book The Road to Character, including the possibility of grace awakening the desire to live a better life, making commitments, mothers, and Saint Augustine. Lauren White joins Lee Camp for a first co-hosting stint. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 2020 • 30:37

6: Hospitality Wanted, Given, and Given When not Wanted: Leslie Garcia, Brian McLaren, and Odessa Settles

Three very different accounts of hospitality: one entails sneaking across the border in the back of a pick-up truck. Another entails seeking out a Muslim imam to say some things after September 11. And a third entails a radical subversion of southern racism through the exercise of both medical expertise, and kindness.  Our episode on hospitality comprises an interview with author Brian McLaren, a spoken word performance by Leslie Garcia, and an interview with beloved Nashville performer

Jun 4, 2020 • 29:56

5: Faith, Science, Humility: Rachel Held Evans, Francis Collins, and Ed Larson

The supposed conflict between faith and science, as typified in the debate between fundamentalist Christianity and the theory of evolution, turns out to be hiding some skeletons in its closet. This episode explores some crucial unknowns, and breaks down some false dichotomies, in conversations on site of the famed Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee with Pulitzer prize-winning author Ed Larson and celebrated activist and author Rachel Held Evans (who tragically passed away in 2019), as we

May 28, 2020 • 46:10

4: String quartet arrangement of Marie Howe's poem, "Part of Eve's Discussion"-BONUS

A follow-up to episode three with a special performance of Marie Howe's poem, "Part of Eve's Discussion" set to music by composer Stephen Lamb. Vocalist is Cindy Morgan, Alicia Enstrom and Katelyn Westergard on Violin, Kristin Wilkinson on Viola, Nicholas Gold on Cello. More about the Tokens Podcast at tokensshow.com/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 2020 • 8:52

1: Murder, Race and Faith: Jerry Mitchell

Host Lee C. Camp interviews the MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Jerry Mitchell on his new book Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era. The conversation discusses Jerry’s anger, his quest for justice, and the manner in which Jerry’s faith drove that quest, contributing to convictions in 24 of those cold Civil Rights era murder cases.  LINKS: - Website episode page: https://www.tokensshow.com/blog/s1e1 - Jerry Book link: https://www.amazo

May 21, 2020 • 59:03

2: Humility and the Art of Politics: Bill Haslam

Host Lee C. Camp invents a phrase: the “sunk-suffering fallacy.” Borrowing from the economists’ sunk-cost fallacy, the sunk-suffering fallacy provides a potential explanation for why some Christians tend to be so horribly partisan. Is there any way out of such a mess? Lee wonders about such questions in his interview with former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam. Haslam reveals an almost jarring key to the kingdom of doing public service, and some virtues to live by. LINKS: - Website epis

May 21, 2020 • 54:13

3: Poetry as Politics: Poet Laureates Tracy K. Smith and Marie Howe

A strange conversion experience has happened to religion here in the Bible belt: once known as a key to social transformation, these days it’s more likely the mechanism of socio-political conservatism. So perhaps one of the key questions to living life well in our contemporary world is how to get troubled. Poetry, anyone? The unlikely possibility that poetry could do anything of the sort is explored by former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, and former NY State Poet Laureate Marie How

May 21, 2020 • 38:46

Tokens Podcast Season One Trailer

Host Lee C. Camp divulges a professional lie: that he is, perhaps, not really an ethicist. And, that trying to be an ethicist is much less helpful to the public good than, perhaps, being a theologian. And, that he suspects that secularist critics of public theology are quite right, in some important ways. And, thus, a new podcast is born. Join the email list at www.tokensshow.com/podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 13, 2020 • 9:08