• Learning to Disagree Well
    Jun 26 2025

    Today is Part 2 of the conversation with Dr. John Inazu about his book Learning to Disagree. We live in an increasingly divided world in which we resist nuance and have definitive opinions. If you look at public discourse, those who have differing opinions are not only adversaries but increasingly described as evil. We disagre with one another in destructive ways. Can we right the ship? Today we talk about disagreeing with people in a religious context. Is it toxic to disagree? Is it destructive? Can we still engage one another without describing people as Evil?

    Find out more about John Inazu from his website: https://www.jinazu.com/

    Explore his new book Learning to Disagree

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    22 mins
  • Non-toxic Disagreements
    Jun 19 2025

    Do you feel like it is hard to have proper conversations with people about challenging subjects? It seems to be getting harder! This is why we all need to read today's guest newest book: Learning to Disagree. Dr. John Inazu is a lawyer who brings us along into his law review classroom to learn how to disagree with others while not giving up on our convictions. And along the way, we find out how this is a necessary skill for people in the church to engage: the ongoing task of LEARNING and the process of healthy DISAGREEMENT.

    Find out more about John Inazu from his website: https://www.jinazu.com/

    Explore his new book Learning to Disagree

    Subscribe to his Substack Some Assembly Required

    Contact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.

    Join Cyndi Parker's Patreon Team!

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    24 mins
  • Exploring Literary Geography
    May 29 2025

    Join us for part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Jack Beck. Learn how themes like divine identity and historical events are intertwined with specific locations like Mount Herman and Shechem. Discover how geography can illuminate scripture, bringing fresh perspectives and profound understanding. This episode also explores how Jack's work with Our Daily Bread Ministries makes biblical geography accessible to millions worldwide.

    Discover more about Dr. Beck, his books, videos, or to sign up for his newsletter, click HERE

    Watch the wealth of options on Dr. Beck's YouTube channel HERE

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    26 mins
  • Historical Geography for the Win!
    May 22 2025

    Dr. Jack Beck is biblical geographer, professor, and prolific author. He is also and avid outdoorsman and the first person I have known to build and fly his own plane. From sailing and traveling to working on a dairy farm, he reflects on how these adventures fueled a restless curiosity that later shaped his approach to studying the Bible. We'll also explore the concept of literary geography and how understanding the geography of biblical texts can reveal deeper meanings. Whether you're a geography enthusiast or a Bible scholar, this episode promises thrilling insights and connections!

    Discover more about Dr. Beck, his books, videos, or to sign up for his newsletter, click HERE

    Watch the wealth of options on Dr. Beck's YouTube channel HERE

    Discover Dr. Beck's books HERE

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    28 mins
  • Music and Emotional Intelligence
    May 15 2025

    Dr. Mia Chung joins us for Part 2 of the conversation about the power of classical music to help with human flourishing. Today we explore the decline of musical education and its repercussions on holistic child development. Our discussion emphasizes how early training in music can prime the brain for better cognitive and social skills, addressing issues like executive function and intuitive learning. Today we also talk about links musical experience to spiritual growth, highlighting the harmonic similarity between music and language, and the deep emotional resonance music can bring.

    Find out more about Dr. Mia Chung HERE

    Discover more about the Octet Collaborative HERE

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    26 mins
  • Feeling the Music
    May 8 2025

    Dr. Mia Chung joins us to talk about how classical music is a foundational aspect of human flourishing. Dr. Chung is an internationally renowned pianist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician. She was on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and she is now a professor at Harvard. Additionally she is the founder and executive director of the Octet Collaborative, which is a community of students, faculty, and staff at MIT who are dedicated to human flourishing. And if that is not enough, she writes and speaks on the transformative impact of music on cognition, learning, and health.

    Find out more about Dr. Mia Chung HERE

    Discover more about the Octet Collaborative HERE

    Follow the Octet Collaborative and their podcast through their Instagram HERE

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    28 mins
  • Art and Spiritual Growth
    May 1 2025

    Scott Erickson is an artist who uses many mediums to communicate with this audience. Today we talk about his collaborative book project with Justin McRoberts, 'In the Low, Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons,' which provides spiritual support for those experiencing depression. Scott then shares personal anecdotes, including an impactful experience at the Wailing Wall, illustrating how art can serve as a medium for expressing inexpressible emotions. Scott's art, which has resonated widely to the extent of being tattooed by numerous fans, aims to communicate the complexities of faith and the human condition

    Find out more about Scott Erickson - his art, books, shows, and resources HERE

    Explore Scott Erickson's talks on his YouTube channel HERE

    Contact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.

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    27 mins
  • The Power of Art
    Apr 24 2025

    Scott Erickson joins us to talk about the power of art in our spiritual lives. Scott talks about growing up in a religious family with significant exposure to Christian traditions but feeling out of place due to his inclination towards art in a tradition that lacked visual representation. But then he found the old European cathedrals and realized art can be used as a significant medium for spiritual development.

    Today we talk about how he describes his job, the benefit of art in the church, and the "haunted" role of the artist.

    Find out more about Scott Erickson - his art, books, shows, and resources HERE

    Explore Scott Erickson's talks on his YouTube channel HERE

    Contact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.

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    27 mins