Let's Go There: Reclaiming Conversation from Polarization: Recent Episodes
Stephen Appel
Many of today's most critical issues are so surrounded by tension and polarization that most of us avoid them altogether, hindering meaningful connection and progress. On this podcast, we take on those conversations from a Christian perspective with nuance and respect so we can learn well, love well, and leave better.
Stephen, Nik, and Jorde talk about how to process when we find out influential Christian leaders with successful ministries have dark secrets and how we should think about the role of Christian influencers in our lives.
In this cross-posted episode from the Fargo Christian Podcast (hosted by Jorde and Nik), we process the news about former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz's highly publicized affair and the reaction that followed.
In this episode Stephen, Jorde, and Nik continue their conversation about the conspiracy theory Q Anon, talking about what causes people to get caught up in it and how we can respond when that happens to somebody we know.
Stephen, Jorde, and Nik talk about the expansive viral conspiracy theory Q Anon that was largely behind the riots at the US Capitol, breaking down what it is, how it got so big so fast, and what that tells us about how culture is changing.
In a special episode that originally aired live on election night, Stephen shared some insights from the Hidden Tribes Report from More in Common that challenge our assumptions about division in America and some encouragement for the "Exhausted Majority".
Stephen shares how the recent experience of a friend challenged him to think about the subtle but critical difference between putting our faith in our beliefs about God and putting our faith in God the being.
Stephen hits all the key issues with a brief summary of where the candidates stand based on what they've said and done in the past.
Ben and Stephen talk about the potential dangers of the long-standing association between the Christian church and conservative politics and what it might look for Christians to view modern American politics through a "Kingdom of God" lens.
Stephen shares of brief overview of the background and politics of Kamala Harris, the woman Joe Biden picked as his Vice Presidential running mate, and why it matters.
Jorde and Stephen have an open conversation about the relationship between the Christian church and social justice issues and what they have been learning since the murder of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed.
In the first ever episode of Let's Go There, Ricky and Stephen talk about the social and political dynamics surrounding the wearing of cloth masks during the pandemic, and how it has come to represent deeper ideologies.