In my trip to Savannah, Georgia this summer, I was once again amazed at the beauty of the south. But as you stroll down the historic Savannah River, there is an haunting duality you can feel – something in the pit of your stomach. It’s difficult to describe, but it’s a feeling somberness that is superimposed with terror – the ghosts of our nation’s past whispering to our souls – reminding us of the inhumane commerce that once took place... Read more
Episode 8 is here! This episode features a conversation with Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor of History of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. A former Peace Corps volunteer and high school social studies teacher, he holds a Ph.D. in history from the Johns Hopkins University. His scholarship has focused broadly on the ways that different peoples have imagined and debated education across time and space. He has authored books about sex and alcohol education, history and religion in the curriculum, Americans who... Read more
Duran Duran still rocks my world. On the Venn Diagram of deep lyrics, somber tone, and rock/pop fusion, I still rank them as legendary. It’s no surprise as their sound blends tones of Punk, New Romantic, New Wave, Rock, Pop, and Synth-Pop [1]. “Ordinary World” is an epoch song on loss from their Wedding Album in 1993. Give it a listen as you read, it will rock your world as well. Lead singer Simon Le Bon described it as “trying... Read more
Free speech appears to be going in the wrong direction. Not just access to it, but the privilege to express it without fear, harm, or retribution. Not only an essential read, but a timely one – I’m loving what Johnathan Zimmerman is laying down in his book Free Speech: And Why You Should Give a Damn. Something incredibly stupid and weak happens when ideas and speech are censored: we remain stupid and weak. Perhaps its the philosopher in me; perhaps... Read more
Another epoch quote from Lincoln: “Don’t criticize them; they are just what we would be under similar circumstances.” Make no mistake; this position is far from relativism; his legacy has clearly proven that out. And yet, despite his assertiveness on standing up for truth, there is an incredible tone of empathy for those on the opposite side of your views. From his 1st Inaugural Address: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have... Read more
I’ve always enjoyed Matthew McConaughey’s performances. I became a fan of him personally after his Oscar Winning Speech for best actor in the Dallas Buyers Club. In his speech, he inspirationally described three things that he needs each today: “something to look up to”, “something to look forward to”, and “someone to chase”. When his autobiographical book Green Lights came out, I had to indulge. On the topic of adversity, here’s a gem from the book: “The problems we face today eventually... Read more
Episode 7 is here! This episode features a conversation with Dr. Hanni Stoklosa. Hanni is the Executive Director of HEAL Trafficking, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) with appointments at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Dr. Stoklosa is an internationally-recognized expert, advocate, researcher, and speaker on the wellbeing of trafficking survivors in the U.S. and internationally through a public health lens. She has advised the United Nations, International Organization for Migration, U.S. Department of... Read more
It’s a memorable quote from Shawshank Redemption, one of my favorite movies. The lead character Andy Dufrense (an innocent man who is incarcerated for murdering his wife) is having a dialogue with his friend Red on his plans of spending the rest of his life in coastal Mexico upon his release. Red, unlike his friend Andy, worries about parole; ultimately released when he has very little life left to live. In contrasting perspectives, Red chastises Andy on the dangers of... Read more
To celebrate his legacy, another gem from Martin Luther King Junior in Strength to Love, on the measure of one’s character, along with what a true leader is: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.” Character, like physical structures, is revealed only... Read more
A mic drop for universalism, whether or not you’re attracted or revolted by the concept, from David Bentley Hart’s That All Shall be Saved: “The position I want to attempt to argue, therefore, to see how well it holds together is far more extreme: to wit, that, if Christianity is in any way true, Christians not doubt the the salvation of all, and that any understanding of what God accomplished in Christ that does not include the assurance of a... Read more
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