New Persuasive Words
"The revival in religion will be a rhetorical problem - new persuasive words for defaced or degraded ones." - Thornton Wilder
Episodes
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Episode 311: The Birth of Tragedy
July 21st, 2024 | 30 mins 22 secs
In this episode, recorded minutes after Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, we talk Nietzsche. We think a bit Nietzsche's early work, The Birth of Tragedy. We try to think through what it might speak to a dramatic, polarized political situation, and what it might teach us about how both parties understand the human condition.
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Episode 310: Hulkamaniacs Are Running Wild!
July 19th, 2024 | 35 mins 5 secs
In this episode Bill and Scott talk about Donald Trump, his shooting, and his convention where he accepted the Republican nomination for President of the United States. We were both excited to see the Hulkster back in public life!
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Episode 309: Failure of Nerve
July 13th, 2024 | 28 mins 50 secs
In this episode we discuss a phenomenal text on leadership, Failure of Nerve. We think with the author about what's behind the emotional limitations to change in church, society, and our personal lives. We conclude with some Christian reflections on Rabbi Friedman's work, which we think could be useful inside and outside the church.
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Episode 308: Hamilton, Burr and Atheistic Arguments
July 11th, 2024 | 31 mins 45 secs
In this episode, recorded on the anniversary of the historic duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, we consider some of the best arguments against the existence of God.
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Episode 307: We're all Dogmatic...Get over It!
July 6th, 2024 | 29 mins 6 secs
In this episode we talk about the nature of faith in a modern and pluralistic world. What does it mean to have faith and have it challenged? What do you do when people call you dogmatic for believing? How do you share that faith in an inviting, reasonable, and humble way?
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Episode 306: Motel Six or Seal Team Six?
July 1st, 2024 | 29 mins 28 secs
In this episode we talk about recent Supreme Court decisions and their short term and long term implications for life in the Republic.
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Episode 305: Our First 2024 Post-Debate Show
June 28th, 2024 | 28 mins 16 secs
Continuing in the New Persuasive Words tradition, we bring you our legendary post-debate coverage.
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Episode 304: The French Connection
June 25th, 2024 | 28 mins 22 secs
In this episode we talk about the Presbyterian Church's "cancelling" of NY Times columnist David French.
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Episode 303: Israel, Antisemitism, and the War in Gaza
June 20th, 2024 | 45 mins 36 secs
In this episode, actually by listener request, we talk about Israel, Antisemitism, and the war in Gaza.
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Episode 302: By Popular Demand, We're Back Again!
June 19th, 2024 | 30 mins 41 secs
Bill and Scott are back after a bit of a hiatus. We talk about the current electoral climate, the politicization and polarization of everything, and the spiritual implications of it all.
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Episode 301: The Dove Awards and Underrated Neanderthals
October 19th, 2023 | 43 mins 52 secs
In this episode we discuss something neither of us are sure we care about or completely get: the 2023 Dove Awards. We also discuss recent scientific discoveries about human DNA in neanderthals , as well as the current state of leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Episode 300: We Celebrate Episode 300, with Benyamin Cohen
October 6th, 2023 | 47 mins 8 secs
In this episode we reflect on a multi-year journey that has led us to our 300th episode. In a change of pace, we are interviewed by renowned author and journalist Benyamin Cohen. Thanks to our listeners for making it all worth it!
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Episode 299: My Country for a Speaker!
October 4th, 2023 | 25 mins 23 secs
In this episode we talk about the historic motion to vacate the Speaker of the House of Representatives. What's next?!?
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Episode 298: Republican Debates and Original Sin
September 28th, 2023 | 32 mins 52 secs
In this episode we do a little post debate analysis. But first we stumble unexpectedly into a discussion of Original Sin. We conclude with a little Aristotlean reflection on the nature of politics. Thanks again for all your feedback recently. Keep it coming!
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Episode 297: The Day of Atonement
September 25th, 2023 | 40 mins 20 secs
In this episode, recorded on Yom Kippur 2023, we reflect a bit on the nature of atonement. We delve into the possibility of atoning for one's wrongdoings, whether or not it's possible and what Kant has to say about it. We also talk about the recent squabble involving Donald Trump, Howard Stern and Bill Maher. Again, glad to be back!
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Episode 296: We're Back!
September 25th, 2023 | 36 mins 10 secs
In this episode we return from our long hiatus. We're glad to be back!