From our work habits to the competitive way we rest, Americans are notorious for our “hustle and grind” culture. But what is this approach to life costing us, and is there a better way? In today’s episode, Brian and social worker Steffanie Altenbern consider alternatives from other countries, the origins of the American work ethic, and the value of putting aside optimization in favor of what truly matters.

New York Times article, “The Europeans Have Some Notes About American Sauna Culture”: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/well/european-american-sauna.html

Steffanie Altenbern is a social worker in Portland, OR and teaches at George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/socialwork/faculty/altenbern.html

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.html

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Is Gen Z on the brink of an old-school revival? How are social media and AI shaping how Christians share their faith? Is exile the perfect metaphor for Christians in Portland, Oregon, today? George Fox Talks pays a visit to Palau, the global evangelistic ministry founded by Luis Palau, for a conversation with current president and CEO, Kevin Palau.

Check out Kevin’s book, Unlikely: Setting Aside Our Differences to Live Out the Gospel: https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Setting-Aside-Differences-Gospel/dp/1476797269

Kevin Palau is president and CEO of Palau, a global evangelistic organization based near Portland, OR: https://www.palau.org/kevin

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.html

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Death, destruction, and dismemberment in…Christian art? Artist, author, and performance speaker Scott Erickson joins Brian for a deep dive on the strange and complex season of Lent. Fueled by personal experiences of grief and loss, Scott’s “Stations in the Street” project demonstrates that facing the Bible’s darkest story (in all its gory detail) deepens our connection to Jesus Christ as “God with Us.”

Check out Stations in the Street in its entirety: https://www.scottericksonart.com/arts/stations-in-the-street

Scott Erickson creates art and moments that speak to our deepest experiences: https://www.scottericksonart.com/

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.html

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.