Gather ‘round the campfire for an episode that flickers with heat, smoke, and truth. In this special fireside edition, we share true stories of people who were labeled criminals. The individuals presented in these stories were thrust in the situations they found themselves in, and they responded in kind. We explore how the lines between legality and morality blur when the law serves power over people. Morality can be messy and such a difficult concept to define, and it's through stories and recorded history that allows us to hone in on what that may look like. How often is justice found not in the courts, but in the courage to resist?

Through gripping tales and thoughtful discussion, we unpack the dangers of legalism and the transformative power of civil disobedience. Whether it’s confronting racial injustice, environmental destruction, or everyday ethical dilemmas, we ask: when is it not only acceptable—but necessary—to say no? This episode is a call to conscience, a spark of rebellion, and a reminder that justice sometimes starts with a simple act of defiance.

In this episode, we dive into the murky waters where religion and government collide, exploring how faith is being co-opted for political power. We examine the unsettling rise of religious rhetoric in policymaking and what it means for democracy.

From there, we tackle cognitive dissonance—how people hold conflicting beliefs and why it’s so hard to break out of that mental tug-of-war.

We also talk immigration, challenging some of the loudest myths and highlighting the real human stories behind the headlines.

And of course, no modern conversation is complete without addressing the wildfire spread of misinformation—who's pushing it, who's believing it, and how we can push back.

It’s a challenging episode, but one that digs deep into the heart of some of today’s most urgent issues.

In this episode, we take a wild ride through old college stories that are equal parts nostalgic and mildly incriminating. Then we shift gears to unpack the rise of Christian nationalism—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s showing up in culture and politics.

We also break down the controversial He Gets Us ads: sincere outreach or slick PR campaign? You decide.

And finally, don’t miss our tongue-in-cheek “Prophecy Hour,” where satire meets scripture and the end times have a surprising sense of humor. Come for the laughs, stay for the theological hot takes.

Joe Smith joins us this week as we discuss a whole slew of topics ranging from the passing of Pope Francis, racism, eugenics, deportations and nonviolent resistance. Find a comfy seat and stay for this conversation as we dig into these topics.

You can find Joe Smith:

Instagram @therealjoe.smith

Tik Tok @therealjoesmith

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Also check out his spouse's t-shirt business The Slippery Slope

Shift happens. But what do we do when life gets messy? How do we proceed when our foundations are shaken? Sometimes a shift in perception can make a world of difference. The way we tell our stories can be a powerful tool in how we perceive our reality. Let's be the change!

This is a bit of a unique episode as it is a snippet of a crossover episode with the Systematic Geekology podcast. They kindly invited me over to discuss Star Wars and the politics therein, as well as digging into the second season of Andor. If you like what you hear in this episode, be sure to check out Systematic Geekology wherever podcasts are found.

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Instagram @systematicgeekology

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Søren Kierkegaard once posed this scenario:

“In a theatre it happened that a fire started off stage. The clown came out to tell the audience. They thought it was a joke and applauded. He told them again, and they became still more hilarious. This is the way, I suppose, that the world will be destroyed-amid the universal hilarity of wits and wags who think it is all a joke.”

Life is good at producing absurdities. It’s easy to get bogged down in the mucky muck of it all, but what if we were able to find ways to step back and laugh at the oddities presented before us.

Omni joins us today as we discuss life, politics, family lineage, and finding discernment through it all.

In this new series called Bite Sized, I will be giving you more short form content that will be more easily digestible than my longer hour-plus long conversations with guests.

This episode explores those who made large contributions through the ordinary, everyday. Individuals who, despite the compounding impact they had for generations to come, were so easily forgotten amongst the noise of the world. Let's dare to be like them; not seeking prestige, but by being your best self for the sake of others.