Episode 53 – Scandalous
Have you ever had a bad vacation? I think Cynthia Lennon has a story that qualifies as the worst vacation ever. I dig into the Read More
Episode 52 – The Lie About Beauty
I bite off a huge task by defining both “art” and “beauty”. They aren’t the same thing and sometimes they should have nothing to do with one another. You’ll discover that you most likely believe a lie about beauty and I hope I can convince you to spit it out of your mouth. I also discuss a friendship that went wrong in some really gross ways.
Episode 51 – Why Would You Buy an NFT?
What the heck is an NFT? Why would anyone spend any money on a digital file that can be easily downloaded by everyone on the internet? I’m here to remove the mystery and give you a pleasant memory of “Charlie Bit My Finger.” Plus a dive into some scandals in art buying and Baseball Hall of Fame voting.
Episode 50 – The Movies are Dead
Film Expert Jeremy joins me to discuss the potential death of movies. Will you ever see a movie again? We give you some film recommendations that you might have missed and we dive into the ethics of editing offensive content out of movies with VidAngel.
Episode 49 – Red Roe Over
Ruth Bader Ginsburg thought that Roe vs. Wade was poorly decided and as a result would face a constant threat. That threat has materialized in Dobbs vs Jackson, a case the Supreme Court will soon hear that may overturn the legalization of abortion in all 50 States. The lovely Wendy joins me to discuss why Roe is under threat and why it will mean not much will change in the near future regarding abortion.
Episode 48 – The Gambler’s Other Fallacy
I have a unifying theory on how to make a bad super hero movie. Follow these simple steps to turn an action movie plot into garbage.
If you want to catch an Evangelical’s attention just throw a quote from CS Lewis at them. It doesn’t have to be a real quote, just use his name. I dive into some fun misquotes and set the record straight on their true origin.
Episode 47 – Regulators, Mount Up!
No one loves regulation like Big Business. What do they stand to gain from more and more government intrusion into what they do and how they do it? Special guest host Larry helps me dive into some of our favorite Aesop’s Fables and solve a rather disturbing mystery involving floating shoes.
Episode 46 – Gain of Function Liar
Liar, liar pants on fire! I get explain the specifics of the gain of function research and declare a liar. I also discuss the dystopian present where women are forced to bear children for wealthy elites. Plus, cocaine hippos roam the earth and someone has to do something about it.
Episode 45 – The Alphabet War on Women
“Let’s Go Brandon!” What’s that supposed to mean? And when I find out what should I do if it hurts my feelings? All this and a discussion on the extinction of women.
Episode 44 – Snake Oil Liberalism
Liberals aren’t what they used to be. I dive into the problems for Conservatives and Liberals caused by the shift away from liberalism. To my great surprise snake oil really works and you might want to look into using it, or at least, something like it.
Episode 43 – Charisma and The Death of Joseph Smith
Charisma is a powerful force. What is it? How do I get it? Once wielded it has the power to make a person rich, famous, and powerful. I talk about all three categories in this episode.
Episode 42 – What Could it Mean?
Check out this bizarre image. I’ll tell you exactly what it means and so much more. The thing about public symbols is that they are difficult to control. Once an icon is made a part of the public discourse it’s impossible to control what it means and who can use it. In addition I talk about what Planned Parenthood and the LDS church have in common.
Episode 41 – Vaccine Smack-down
Based on comments from a listener, I do a complete smack-down on the vaccine. Why isn’t it as effective as promised? What about the risks? Who can say you should get it. I also offer a Christian defense of Atheist chaplains.
Episode 40 – The Hidden Politics of The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz contains a political message that continues to play out today. Movies, Recalls and Popular Opinion, Oh My! I dive into the allegory of the Wizard of Oz and 19th Century politics and how it all relates to the recall of Gavin Newsom, mask mandates, and the rise of authoritarian leaders.
Episode 39 – We Are Better Than This
The fall of Afghanistan is the American biggest foreign policy failure in a very long time. It’s hard to estimate how devasting this will be Read More
Episode 38 – The Idolatry of Americans
I take a whack at idolatry in American culture, but not at the usual culprit. Does a fish know he’s wet and does an American know he lives in freedom. Also an important thing to do if you’re ever scammed. And don’t forget, everyone needs a hot take on Simone Biles and the Olympics.
Episode 37 – Britney and Bezos Bonanza
What do Britney Spears and Jeff Bezos teach us about homelessness? Quite a bit if we think about them together. I dive into Britney’s conservatorship battle and the ethics of space travel. Plus, a follow up on the election fraud episode, it turns out I was wrong.
Episode 36 – The Voter Fraud Blowout
Claims of voter fraud continue, with the help of a friend who deeply believes the election was stolen I cover the claims and give my take on it. Hold on to your butts. This is a deep dive into the dynamics of the election and the claims of voter fraud. I begin the episode with a story about foreign seeds showing up in people’s mailboxes. You can hear more of the story from The Experiment.
Episode 35 – No Soliciting
After years of experimenting I have perfected the art of turning away door to door salesman. Follow these simple steps and they will walk away on their own accord and with warm feelings on their interaction with you. I have had a 100% success rate with this method and it doesn’t involve ignoring them or slamming the front door. I also give an overview of the major events involving Mormonism over the last 20 years.
Episode 34 – Amateur Sports is Dead
College sports is about to change in a massive way. Athletes are going to get paid and there’s nothing the NCAA can do to stop it. I also dive into the problem of Fundamentalism and why it will never die. Bonus: a rant on creepy drivers!
Episode 33 – The Evangelical Civil War
It’s now okay to talk about the possibility of a Chinese lab leak; this and a professional wrestler’s apology might bring the United States an opportunity for cultural unity. I answer a question about Black Lives Matter and explore the cultural divisions emerging in American Evangelicalism. I also talk about a job you don’t want.
Episode 32 – What the Heck is Critical Race Theory?
CRT or Critical Race Theory is all the rage these days. I provide a simple explanation of what CRT is, where it came from and why it’s become so controversial. As with most issues, one of the toughest problems is defining it. I also talk about an encounter with real life nut-picking and explain why I don’t think I should call myself and Evangelical even though my beliefs and faith have not substantially changed.
Episode 31 – Killing Cults Better
There was a serious deficiency in Evangelical counter-cult education starting with Walter Martin’s “Kingdom of the Cults”. I’m here to set forth a new standard for protecting Christians from spiritual abuse. I also hijack this space to explore some thoughts on primal responses to natural disasters and an old trope on aging athletes.
Episode 30 – Billy Goat Post
I’ve decided that I’ve found the worst behavior on social media. It isn’t vaguebooking, or selling snake oil. It’s something I’ve named the Billy Goat Post. I also talk about the dynamics of multi-racial and international adoption and why you shouldn’t use children as a prop. Finally, I utter words I didn’t imagine I’d find myself with the courage to speak; William Lane Craig is wrong. I react to an article he wrote on Reasonable Faith.org. I dive in deep and explain why Dr. Craig’s thinking is not only simplistic, it’s wrong.
Episode 29 – A Rant or Two
When Christians were encouraged to worship God, did that mean they had to go to a $10 million, temperature-controlled auditorium that can seat a thousand people? Is that the only way to have church in a pandemic?
Episode 28 – What It Means to be Human
The very idea of being a human is about to be a giant question mark. How will you face the options presented to you by technology? Plus I want you to know that you’ve actually been watching space westerns.
Episode 27 – I Was Wrong
Confession: I’ve come to realize I was wrong about something. It’s no set up for a punchline. It’s the truth and I’m not sure how to fix it. Also included are some fun facts about Alfred Hitchcock and the true story of the Washington Redskins.
Episode 26 – America! the Religion
I dive into the indubitably refreshing perspective that All Lives Matter and how I’m handling calls to “Defund the Police”. But most importantly I push over some sacred cows and illuminate the difference between civil religion and Christianity. I promise you’ll hear our National Anthem in a new way and think of me whenever you swear on a Bible.
Episode 25 – Slow to Speak
In this episode I practice the spiritual discipline of being quick to listen and slow to speak. Highlighted are four black voices reflecting on the death of George Floyd and the protests and riots that followed. Listen to Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Killer Mike, Dr. Cornel West and Pastor Miles McPherson.
Episode 24 – Rescuing, Enabling, Know-It-Alls, and What Happens Next
My guest host does the heavy lifting this week by describing the differences in enabling and helping in a disaster situation. Plus, prepare yourself for the next phase of social media outrage. You haven’t seen anything yet. . . but at least you can be prepared.
Episode 23 – ALL the Coronaspiracies
A quick overview of all the conspiracy theories surrounding Covid-19. With a special focus on the theories most popular in the United States: The Virus was created in a Chinese Lab, 5G Cell phone towers are causing people to get sick, and Bill Gates is an evil mastermind.
Episode 22 – Tiger King, Conspiracies, and Why I Hate Projections
Like everyone else in the world, we have an opinion on Tiger King but it’s unlike any you’ve heard. Plus we take down some Coronavirus conspiracies and explain why projections are making all the decisions in our lives right now.
Episode 21 – Pangolins Are Trying to Kill Us
Special Guest, Wendy, joins me as we banter about life in a pandemic. We discuss the origins and consequences on Covid-19. What’s driving us crazy on social media? What are we doing to protect ourselves and help other people?
Episode 20 – True Bernie Has Never Been Tried. What is Socialism?
What exactly is Socialism? Is it just another name for Communism? Is Bernie Sanders really a Socialist? Is America already a Socialist country? I dig in and try to figure this out because there seems to be a lot of confusion on social media about it. I also tell you what Ricky Martin has in common with Covid-19.
Episode 19 – How to Make an Argument in Favor of Slavery
Yes, people make real arguments in favor of slavery. No matter how right they might be, they’re still wrong. Plus I get giddy about the prospect of political chaos and explain what’s making David Miscavige curse his accountants.
Episode 18 – Believe Nothing is True So That You Can Believe Everything is True
Who is manipulating us and how are they doing it? How hard is it becoming to discern truth from reality? It’s getting tougher, which requires us to be wiser. I discuss the rise of deep fakes and social media manipulation. Plus some news about Michael Bloomberg caused me to reflect on the career of “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase. I also field a listener comment about the death of Kobe Bryant.
Episode 17 – What Do We Talk About When We Talk About Kobe? #GirlDad
When a celebrity falls from grace, can we still laugh? Can we still cheer? Are we still inspired? We don’t have a good way to hold the bad with the good. Too often we ignore one side or the other because we can’t stand the conflict in our own minds. We need a better way and the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant reignited those questions. Is he allowed to move forward in life and death without the allegations of rape (or at least blatant infidelity)? How do we talk about his victim? What about Bill Cosby, Martin Luther King Jr., and Michael Jackson. Is there a point when excellence surpasses sin? Are there sins that negate excellence?
On the lighter side of the episode I discuss the emergence of Coke Zero amist the absence of New Coke. We also listen in to a portion of Arthur Brooks’ address at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Episode 16 – The Old Lady Cult, Barking Dogs & Zombie Culture
My violent heart gets exposed by a barking dog and as a result I’m left pondering Zombie Culture. Plus the wacky story of a small religious commune made up of old ladies.
Episode 15 – Pro-Life, Pro-Trump, No Exceptions?
Must a Pro-Life voter side with Donald Trump? Is he their only choice? It seems like a no-brainer to most. I’ve got a different take on the matter than what you’ll hear in most places. Plus, I tell you a phrase I can never hear in the way it’s intended and I give you your best shot at predicting the Super Bowl winner.
Episode 14 – Trolling a Troll, Lying Liars and Just Justice
Is it better to do the right thing for the right reason, right away. . .or is it better to wait? That doesn’t seem like a hard question, but in some circumstances it might be better to wait things out and let other people take care of it.
How do you take on the master of Twitter? Someone figured out how to take on the master at his own game with funny results. Plus, what you need to know about the Astros sign stealing scandal and why all pitchers are liars.
Episode 13- That Time I Dog-Murdered a Cat
It’s time you know about the worst thing I ever did. I’m not saying I’m proud of it, but at least it was terrible. Plus, why you’ll never change my mind about anything ever. Stop trying.
Episode 12 – How to Get Really Good People to Do Really Bad Things
You too can run a highly efficient business and I’ll teach you the basic premise to make it happen but you shouldn’t lie to people while you do it. Plus, the answer to the mystery of why good people do bad things.
Episode 11 – Hitler’s Mustache, Boris Johnson’s Missing Punchline, & The Iran Nuclear Deal
Discover the biggest problem with Hitler’s mustache. Find out what happened to Boris Johnson’s long forgotten punch line and discover what may or may not be the biggest benefit to the Iran Nuclear Deal according to someone, somewhere.
Episode 10 – Free Speech and Protests, The Funniest Story of All Time and Baseball Phenom Shohei Ohtani
What’s the limit to free speech and to what extent should we go to keep bad speech out of our culture? Are public protest movements beneficial to a cause or harmful? Don’t miss the funniest story you will ever hear and catch up on the newest baseball sensation Shoehei Ohtani, the Japanese Babe Ruth.
Episode 09 – Killing Granny, Headless Chickens, The Losing Team is the Better Team and Gerrymandering
When is it okay to encourage Grandma to kill herself? We dive into the complex and emotionally charged topic of doctor-assisted suicide but do our best to make it as light-hearted as possible.
We also discuss the phenomena of headless chickens. Can a team lose and still be the best team? The NCAA Basketball Tournament gives us the perfect test case. Plus, we have all the answers on how to fix the problem of gerrymandering.
Episode 08 – Know Your Rights, Church Gossip, Switching Cell Phones and the Future of the Humanities
There’s a lot of talk about additional rights that are currently lacking for citizens. What are your rights? When is it wrong to claim a right? We discuss the basis for these rights and what the government can and can’t do to actually provide them. Is it gossip to share the news of a religious leaders failings? What motivates us to talk about people’s personal weaknesses? How do you decide to switch from one operating system to another? Is it possible to dump your iPhone for an Android? Plus a discussion on the decision for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to drop thirteen majors in the Humanities.
Episode 07 – Bruno Mars Isn’t Black, Wearing the Wrong Color on St. Patrick’s Day, the Death of a Puppy and a Student’s Perspective on the National Gun Walkout
Gain a student’s perspective on the National Gun Walkout that happened at school’s across the country. Plus we talk about who should be allowed to dress up like Moana and untangle Bruno Mars’ ethnicity and whether or not it should matter. Don’t miss our reactions to the death of a puppy on an airplane and Tim’s controversial St. Patrick’s Day choice.
Episode 06 – Gender-Based Acting Awards, Sneeze Fights, Trump’s Tariff, and Job Interview Skills
Why are there different awards for male and female acting? Is there something inherently different between actors and actresses? If men and women are exactly the same why should we be concerned to see more women involved in film making? We tackle this tangled issue along with a fist fight that broke out over a sneeze. Need some job interview tips? We’ve got something you’ve never considered. We also tackle the fruit of President Trump’s new tariff on steel imports.
Episode 05 – Poo Watch, Polygamous Mormons, and the Bad Fruit of Boycotts
Today’s topics start off with the latest updates from England on “Poo Watch”. Tim attended a public interview with the son of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. Tim shares the latest shocking events from that religious community. Finally we wrap things up with the poorly conceived benefits of large scale boycotts. Inspiration for the discussion thanks to Joy Behar, Mike Pence, Omarosa, the NRA, Delta Airlines and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Episode 04 – Fergie’s National Anthem, Benny Hinn Regrets the Prosperity Gospel, and Defeating the Defeater
Everyone seems to know this “one cool trick” for winning every argument about politics. Today we defeat the defeater. Listen in on how to thwart this simple rhetorical trick. We also give our opinions on Fergie’s version of the National Anthem and opine on Benny Hinn’s disavowal of the Prosperity Gospel.
Episode 03 – Lil Pump, Parkland High School, #MeToo & the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
This week we talk about the strange reasons Lil Pump was sent to juvenile hall The nation is rocked by the Parkland High School shooting; we discuss what can be done to prevent mass shootings from happening in the future. Angie gives her review of the second season of Stranger Things. Finally we round out the discussion by talking about the #MeToo Movement and the irony of fighting sexual assault with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Episode 02 – Benching Butler, The Winter Olympics & Doctors Refusing to Treat Unvaccinated Patients
Tim and his special guest host Angie, discuss whether or not you should bench a football player in the Super Bowl, the Russians being excluded from the Winter Olympics and whether or not doctors should refuse to treat children without vaccinations.
Episode 01 – Donald Trump, Super Bowl 52, and Intersectionality
Tim is joined by his special guest host Angie, his teenage daughter. Together they discuss the latest sexual misdeeds of the President, stagger into their Super Bowl predictions and explore the moral depths of Intersectionality.