Q Podcast

As James K.A. Smith says, "you are what you love." In a similar manner, what you pay attention to forms how you think. Justin Barrett, founder of Blueprint 1543, joins us to talk about how we think and process new ideas. What ideas do we hold that we should keep? How do we discern when we should change our mind? Dr. Barrett explains how we can create a framework for this type of thinking. This episode is part 3 of our 5 part series on science and virtue.

Polarization is at the center of many of the national and local conversations we're having. What we lack in commonality feels like a hinderence. But what if our differences could come together in a confident pluralism? John Inazu, co-editor of Uncommon Ground, tackles some of these questions in today's first part of our 5 episode series on science and virtue. Subscribe for free to John's Substack to see his recent thoughts on pluralism in America: https://johninazu.substack.com/

Barna research has shown that 42% of pastors have considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year. Issues like stress, loneliness, and political divisions are driving factors in these considerations. In this tumultuous few years, pastors are needing encouragement, both personally and professionally. Josh Zeichik, director of church engagement at Focus on the Family, is looking to walk alongside pastors to do just that. 

Every smartphone will let you check your screen time. Many find the weekly reminder of the copious amounts of time spent jarring. For parents, the amount of screen time kids are consuming is even more front of mind. In this week's episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas from Daystar Counseling Ministries are joined by Erick Goss from Minno, to talk about how parents can manage their kids' screen time in a healthy and accessible way.  Learn more and try Minno for free at gominno.com.

Why has Christianity become more known for what it stands against than the love it invites people into? How did the world's greatest love story become known as a hate group?  Many of the current issues we're facing were directly addressed by the words and life of Jesus. Jason Vanderground has been working on a project called He Gets Us, where they have attempted to answer these questions. Listen in as he explains how they've been changing the script on modern evangelism.  Find out more about the project at hegetsus.com or start a free Bible reading plan on YouVersion.

In world bogged down by the 24/7 news cycle, cultivating happiness can seem like an impossible thing to do. It seems like there is always something bad happening no matter where we look. Joy Marie Clarkson, author of Aggressively Happy, shares 3 ways that she has found to begin to be a person truly content.  Use promo code QIDEAS at check out at bakerbookhouse.com for your exclusive 40% off the Aggressively Happy book.

Many of us spend a lot of time thinking about what our calling is and how we can live fully into how God created each of us uniquely. Whether you're considering a change in life or helping someone else discover their giftings, this short talk will help lay out some practical steps to moving that direction. Dr. Stephanie Shackelford, senior fellow at Barna, explains 3 practical steps to take to help discern your calling.  Learn more about You on Purpose at barna.org/youonpurpose

In this episode, Amy Sherman, director of Sagamore Institute's Center on Faith in Communities, talks about what it means to participate in God's redemptive call in every aspect of life. In this brief breakout, Sherman tells stories of hope to encourage Christians to keep fighting for the good, beautiful, true, just, prosperous, and sustainable- and why these matter. Amy Sherman's new book Agents of Flourishing: Pursuing Shalom in Every Corner of Society is out now.  Get 30% off and free shipping by using code QIDEAS22 at ivpress.com. Hurry, the code expires 8/25/2022.

Whether you're looking to hire someone or be hired yourself, the process can be exhausting to find the right fit. William Vanderbloemen, founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group, is the expert in staffing churches and values-based businesses. In this episode, he will offer 3 pieces of advice for those looking for the perfect candidate or those looking for a new career path. Learn more about their work at vanderbloemen.com/get-started. 

With the increase in both personal and national security threats, cybersecurity has become a major cause of concern in our culture. Moreso, the need for qualified, ethical workers to fight these threats is at an all time high. Paul J. Maurer, president of Montreat College, has been equipping his students to do just that. Through their cybersecurity program, Montreat aims to train their students with a technical, ethical, and moral framework necessary to become trusted leaders in the cybersecurity field. Paul will join us to help us better understand this issue and what we can do to protect our data. Watch this talk on Q Media. Start your free trial at qideas.org/trial

Human trafficking is one of the great evils of our time and often seems like an issue so big we don’t know how to respond. Is there a root cause behind human trafficking, and can the Church make a difference in stopping it? Agape International Missions (AIM) has been doing this, rescuing those in trafficking and helping with the arrest of traffickers. Co-founder Don Brewster will talk to us about this mission and how he has seen Jesus’ command to love our enemies play itself out in his organization. Visit aimfree.org/qideas to receive a free resource on how you can fight human trafficking right where you are. 

In a nine-minute talk, Anthony Hendricks covers 500+ years of history, starting in 1453 and ending in our present day. This not only provides us with context to better understand the long legacy of American racism; it also challenges us to create a more hopeful future where all are treated equally and equitably. Watch this talk and more from leaders like Lecrae, Danielle Coke, Duke Kwon, LaTasha Morrison and more on Q Media. Start your free trial at qideas.org/trial

Have you wondered how the intersection of mental health, science and faith converge? How we can strengthen our relationship with God, ourselves and others? Join Dr. Curt Thompson, board-certified psychiatrist, as he explores themes of interpersonal neurobiology and Christianity. NeuroFaith invites listeners to discover how their minds were built to function and how to implement healthy practices that confront fear and encourage mindfulness. In this episode, Jon Collins, co-founder of BibleProject, and his wife Tristen Collins, LPC, join Curt to talk about why emotions matter to God and how our emotions show our humanity.  Find NeuroFaith wherever podcasts are found. Presented by Q Ideas.

As changes to abortion laws continue to pervade the news every day, what can the Church do to help promote life and healing within culture? Studies show that while the majority of people on both sides of the political aisle support adoption, fewer actually adopt. Elizabeth Kirk, Director of the Center for Law and research associate at the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America, joins us to discuss why adoption is one way we can help remedy the issue and redeem childrens’ lives. Watch this talk and hundreds more on Q Media. Get a free trial at qideas.org/trial.

Often, there is confusion surrounding the United States’ governmental structure. With taglines like the Washington Post’s “Democracy Dies in Darkness” or the protest rally cry, “This is what democracy looks like!” it’s easy to see why. Where does the term “democratic republic” fit into all of this? In light of that, how does it change how we interact with the government? William B. Allen, professor of Political Philosophy at Michigan State University, will offer his insights in this conversation and help us understand these terms more clearly. Find hundreds of talks like this one on Q Media. Start your free trial at qideas.org/trial

At the pace our world moves, it’s often difficult to live in the moment. We would rather look forward to the next meeting, next gadget, or next vacation. Is there an alternate way to live as a Christian? Can contentment become real and tangible in our lives? Pastor Scott Sauls concludes our event by admonishing us to live from a place of wholeness and trust in where God has placed us. Find hundreds of talks like this on Q Media. Start a free trial at qideas.org/trial

Rashawn Copeland, founder of I’m So Blessed Daily and Without Walls Ministries, has spent his adult life teaching millions of people through social media and online content. Through his TikTok and social media accounts, he proclaims the gospel to people he runs across, asking them to share what Jesus has done in their life. He joins us to share his testimony and give an encouraging word on how we can partner with God in sharing the gospel and using our testimonies to bring signs of life to our communities. Find hundreds of talks like this on Q Media. Start your free trial at qideas.org/trial

Minimalism may be something you read about in self-help books or see on TV, but Jesus himself led a minimalist lifestyle. Many modern day Westerners, fed up with the consumerism of our day have embraced tiny house living as an alternative. Matt and Elizabeth Impola own a company called Handcrafted Movement, striving to go against the grain and build beautiful, sustainable tiny houses. Both Matt and Elizabeth will share their story with us and how they’ve seen their company bring signs of new life into our culture. Want more talks like this? Join our online learning community, Q Media, for a free 30-day trial at qideas.org/trial