Episodios

  • Episode 377: When Persuasion Fails

    Episode 377: When Persuasion Fails
    Oct 3 2025
    A new NPR–Marist poll shows rising acceptance of political violence, distrust in institutions, and deep divides over truth itself. In this episode, we confront the cultural, spiritual, and theological stakes of a society where persuasion is breaking down. What happens when violence replaces discourse? And what resources—religious, moral, and communal—can help us reclaim a shared life before it’s too late?
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    34 m
  • Episode 376: The Poor Mind's Gnosticism

    Episode 376: The Poor Mind's Gnosticism
    Sep 26 2025
    In this episode, Bill and Scott dive deep into the provocative Wall Street Journal opinion piece “Candace Owens Is a Latter-Day Gnostic.” The article argues that today’s conspiratorial “truth seekers” echo the thinking of ancient Gnostics—believing that hidden, malevolent forces control the visible world—and places Candace Owens within that framework. They explore what it means to call someone a “latter-day Gnostic,” whether the analogy holds or stretches too far, and how modern conspiracy theories mirror the dualistic worldview of classical Gnosticism. They also wrestle with the way religion, metaphor, and symbolism shape political commentary. The article discussed on the show can be found here. (https://www.wsj.com/opinion/candace-owens-is-a-latter-day-gnostic-9afcac0c?st=g6EbGe&reflink=article_copyURL_share)
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    31 m
  • Episode 375: New Persuasive Words Live: America After Kirk

    Episode 375: New Persuasive Words Live: America After Kirk
    Sep 23 2025
    In this special live recording from Philadelphia’s Green Line Café, Scott and Bill take the conversation out of the studio and into the heart of the city. Against the backdrop of community and caffeine, they grapple with the shockwaves still reverberating from the assassination of Charlie Kirk. What does this moment mean for our public life? How do we make sense of the anger, polarization, and grief shaping the American imagination right now? With the energy of a live audience and the urgency of the moment, this episode invites listeners into a raw, reflective dialogue about where we go from here.
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    32 m
  • Episode 374: Hitler, Fascists, and Nazis: Naming Evil or Feeding It?

    Episode 374: Hitler, Fascists, and Nazis: Naming Evil or Feeding It?
    Sep 16 2025
    In the wake of the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, we take a hard look at the language of our politics. Is it ever right—or wise—to call our opponents Hitler, fascists, or Nazis? In a culture already boiling with suspicion and outrage, does this kind of rhetoric sharpen moral clarity or simply fuel more division? Bill and Scott wrestle with the weight of our words, the dangers of toxic labeling, and the challenge of disagreeing without dehumanizing.
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    36 m
  • Episode 373: The Shooting of Charlie Kirk and the Soul of America

    Episode 373: The Shooting of Charlie Kirk and the Soul of America
    Sep 12 2025
    In this episode of the podcast Scott and Bill wrestle with the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the deeper fractures in American life. Beyond the headlines and hot takes, they explore what this moment says about the condition of our politics, the rising tide of anger and alienation, and the spiritual vacuum shaping our national conversation. Can we find a way to move beyond violence, fear, and resentment toward a more life-giving vision of civic and spiritual renewal?
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    27 m
  • Episode 372: Do Our Rights Come From God?

    Episode 372: Do Our Rights Come From God?
    Sep 10 2025
    In this thought-provoking episode of New Persuasive Words, hosts Bill and Scott explore an op-ed by Bishop Robert Barron—published on September 7, 2025—titled “The dangers behind Sen. Kaine’s rejection of God-given rights as a founding principle.” Bishop Barron raises serious concerns about Senator Tim Kaine’s remarks during a Senate confirmation hearing—where Kaine questioned the idea that our rights originate from God, likening that notion to the theocratic governance of Iran. In response, Barron passionately reminds listeners that the Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson, affirms that our inalienable rights come from a Creator—and that government exists merely to secure them—not grant them. Bill and Scott unpack what’s really at stake. It’s a conversation about first principles, political theology, and why the question of where rights come from still matters. You can find the article we reference by Bishop Barron here. (https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/bishop-robert-barron-dangers-behind-sen-kaines-rejection-god-given-rights-founding-principle) .
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    33 m
  • Episode 371: Why Do So Many People Think Trump Is Good?

    Episode 371: Why Do So Many People Think Trump Is Good?
    Sep 5 2025
    In this episode, Scott and Bill discuss various topics ranging from personal anecdotes to serious public health issues, particularly focusing on vaccination mandates and public opinion. They explore the moral implications of leadership in contemporary society, the influence of Enlightenment thought on modern morality, and the challenges of navigating cultural and economic interests in politics. The conversation delves into the crisis of moral philosophy and the need for a more robust ethical framework in education, ultimately reflecting on the chaotic moral landscape of today's world. This episode was inspired by a David Brooks piece in The Atlantic which we reference in the show. You can find the piece here. (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/07/trump-administration-supporters-good/683441/?gift=sZvj1XC-iOeHn0fmX1G7ipBOW2AdFP2QoolYEJBnmTU)
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    39 m
  • Episode 370: Is Stoicism Christian?

    Episode 370: Is Stoicism Christian?
    Aug 12 2025
    In this episode of New Persuasive Words, Bill and Scott dive into the provocative little book The Let Them Theory (https://www.amazon.com/Let-Them-Theory-Life-Changing-Millions/dp/1401971369)and ask a big question: can the stoic mindset and the Christian vision really coexist, or are they fundamentally at odds? Along the way, they explore how “letting them” might be a healthy act of detachment—or a spiritual cop-out—and whether the calm of Marcus Aurelius can live in harmony with the compassion of the Gospels.
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    37 m