Persuasion

Latest Episodes:

Episode 200 | For God and Country? with Kaitlyn Schiess Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson kick off their fall series called For God and Country. Each episode of the series will tackle an aspect of how faith and politics collide. To get the conversation started, Erin and Hannah host fellow Christ and Pop Culture writer Kaitlyn Schiess. Kaitlyn is a seminary student and bright thinker with a new book releasing September 8 from InterVarsity Press titled The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor. She wrote this book to help fellow Christians recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us and then to help us recover historic Christian practices that shape us in faith so that our political engagement is more effective. Considering the stress most people experience in political conversations, this is one area we could all grow in!

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Episode 199 | Getting By... with Luke T. Harrington Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Humor has been rather hard to find in 2020. We've had month after month of very serious happenings. When the world is falling apart, laughter feels wrong—even callous. Serious things call for a serious countenance... right?

In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson kick off a late summer miniseries called Getting By. Each episode of the series includes a special guest who has something specific to share about how we can get by in life considering the world as it is today. Luke T. Harrington joins this conversation to help us see the value of humor—especially in dark times. His latest release from Thomas Nelson is titled Murder-Bears, Moonshine, and Mayhem: Strange Stories from the Bible to Leave You Amused, Bemused, and (Hopefully) Informed. This nonfiction humor book looks at some of the odd tales in the Bible, examining and casting new light on some of the Bible's stranger moments. Luke's work flows from a truly unique perspective on life and faith. And that perspective is one we all need if we are to move forward and remain emotionally stable during life's trials, both personal and societal. Humor is good for our psyche—relieving stress and disarming our defenses. Although humor may not come naturally to us, we can borrow the lens from friends like Luke. Is it OK to chuckle at the absurdities we see in the world? How about the ones we see in Scripture? Does humor discount suffering and sorrow? How does humor enrich our faith? Conversation touches on the importance of humor and how our faith can actually be strengthened when we learn to take ourselves—and life—a little less seriously. Listen in for dialogue on questions like these as we learn how to get by together. Then continue the conversation on Twitter @PersuasionCAPC or in the CAPC members-only community on Facebook.

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Episode 198 | Getting By... with Gina Dalfonzo Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Our current moment of political, social, and even religious upheaval has been isolating in many inexplicable ways. COVID-19 restrictions have eliminate many of our opportunities to build friendships and network with colleagues. Many of us are now working, schooling, and worshiping from home, severing limiting our social circles. As a result, psychologists are reporting higher rates of depression. More than ever, we can see the crucial role community and connectedness contribute to our well being. We need friends.

In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson continue their Getting By summer miniseries. Each episode of the series will include a special guest who has something specific to share about how we can get by in life considering the world as it is today. Gina Dalfonzo joins this conversation to help us see the value of nurturing friendships even in the most dire of circumstances. Her latest release form Baker Publishing, The Remarkable Friendship Between C. S. Lewis and Dorothy L. Sayers, provides a template for us. While Lewis is well known due to his Chronicles of Narnia series, Sayers may be relatively unknown. She was a wildly successful mystery novelist, best known for her Lord Peter Wimsey Series. This friendship is set against the backdrop of World War II; the unrest and uncertainty of their time parallels that of ours. By looking at their friendship—developed primarily via letters over a 15 year stretch—provides a picture of how we too could develop or maintain deep friendships even during difficult times. Conversation touches on the powerful way friendships can feed and shape our souls—as well as the trajectory of our very lives. Listen in for dialogue on questions like these as we learn how to get by together. Then continue the conversation on Twitter @PersuasionCAPC or in the CAPC members-only community on Facebook.

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Episode 197 | Getting By... with Wendy Alsup Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

In polite conversation, when someone greets you and asks how you are doing, the typical, benign reply is to say you "are doing just fine, thanks." But today, that reply feels disingenuous at best, considering the global pandemic, the racial reckoning across our nation, and the general polarization in society. Saying we are doing just fine, even when we're not, lines up with our country's indefatigable spirit. We are a nation of overcomers and go-getters—people who suck it up and keep moving ahead.

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Episode 196 | Just Getting By Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

After four months of navigating COVID-19 worries and addressing societal inequalities, it seems that most of us are embracing the reality that our world is forever changed. We're learning new ways to work, build community, celebrate milestones, and more. But none of it is easy or second nature. It's actually quite difficult. Most of us are getting by... but just barely.

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Episode 195 | Looking Ahead in a Viral Age Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

We’re a people that loves to manage every scenario and have backup plans for every contingency. So what happens when the whole world screeches to a near halt and all the data we’ve used for decision making is no longer valid? Well, for most of us, this has produced a not so insignificant level of anxiety. As much as we like looking ahead toward the next thing, it’s tough to come to terms with something when the variables are unknown. In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson wrap up their Growing Viral: Well-Being in the Age of Corona series.

For this conversation, Erin and Hannah discuss how we accept our new reality that is largely unknown to us. Despite experts best guesses, no one knows how long the pandemic will last, what impact it will have on our society for the future, or if our global economy will recover. Our normal may be long gone, leaving in its place room for something new.

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Episode 194 | Finding Goodness in a Viral Age Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Loss and grief are central to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve lost loved ones, jobs, freedoms, and security. Some have lost their wedding dates or vacations. Some have lost sleep or a sense of purpose. Discouragement is common as we all scramble to find meaning in the midst of a crisis. This collective grief weighs upon our society, stretching it thin. For this conversation, Erin and Hannah discuss the discouragement we are all experiencing. Without schedules to hem us in, we wander aimlessly through our days, wondering if there’s any reason to get up early or get dressed or even shower.

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Episode 193 | Releasing Control in a Viral Age Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

COVID-19 has taken away so much from us, including our sense of control. Our plans have been cancelled, and our movements are restricted. We can no longer go where we want when we want with whomever we choose. Loss of control may make us angry or fearful or frustrated (or all of those!). In its absence, we begin to play games of If Only or What If in an attempt to regain a bit of what we’ve lost. For this conversation, Erin and Hannah discuss the loss of control we are all experiencing. From rebelling against the restrictions to compulsively adhering to them, we all react differently to the way this pandemic is exerting its power over our lives.

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Episode 192 | Seeking Justice in a Viral Age Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Anger is on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic—and for good reason. Almost every aspect of our lives has been upended. We are now working and learning from home. All of our public gatherings have been cancelled or postponed, from weddings to funerals to sports to graduations. We have been asked to stay home with our family unit—and the lack of variety is enough to get on our last nerve. Anger is certainly understandable in this viral age.

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Episode 191 | Practicing Lament in a Viral Age, with John Starke Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

The world is grappling with a pandemic that is changing life as we know it. We are grieving the loss of loved ones. Those who have recovered are facing uncertain long-term health conditions. The global economy is struggling along with unknown ramifications for millions of employees. As the coronavirus runs its course, the only thing we know for sure is that life as we know it is forever changed. Yet, facing this reality is no easy task. John Starke joins this conversation to help us look at our use of denial in this season and how lament offers a more fruitful way forward.

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