Avsnitt
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With the inevitability of pain and suffering in our world, a typical human response is to avoid it or try to make meaning of it. In this episode, we attempt to face hard questions head-on as we discuss insights from C.S. Lewis from his book “The Problem of Pain.” We are joined by Dr. Jerry Root, an expert on Lewis’s writings, to dive deep into ideas of how to approach pain with a sense of hope instead of despair.
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Dr. Jerry Root is professor emeritus at Wheaton College, and for over 41 years, Dr. Root has lectured on C.S. Lewis topics at 78 universities in 18 countries. He is the author of numerous C.S. Lewis-focused books, articles, and publications. He is married to Claudia Root and together they have four married children and 15 grandchildren.
Connect with Jerry Root on his website: https://www.drjerryroot.com/
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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C.S. Lewis quotes from The Problem of Pain:
“Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.”
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say ‘My heart is broken.’ “
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Books and resources Dr. Root recommends for further reading:
Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy. Aegitas, 2017.
———. The Convivio of Dante Alighieri. JM Dent and Company, 1912.
———. De Monarchia: Of Monarchy. Jazzybee Verlag, 2019.
Alighieri, Dante, and Andrew Frisardi. Vita Nova. 2012.
Aquinas, Thomas. On Evil. Oxford University Press, 2003.
Beirne, Margaret. "St Irenaeus and the Scriptures." Phronema 34, no. 2 (2019).
Bliss, P. P., Horatio G. Spafford, and W. H. Sims. It Is Well with My Soul. Good Life Publications, 1982.
Boethius, Anicius, and Scott Goins. The Consolation of Philosophy: With an Introduction and Contemporary Criticism. Ignatius Press, 2011.
Chesterton, G. K. Tremendous Trifles. Dodd, Mead, 1917.
The quote, "The world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder," appears in the essay "The Wind and the Trees" found in Tremendous Trifles (1909).
Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. The Brothers Karamazov. Penguin UK, 2003.
Ivan posits that if there is no God, there is no morality, and everything is permissible. His brother Alyosha senses the presence of God but faces a crisis of faith, finding resolution through suffering. The novel delves into deep philosophical and theological questions. — Jerry Root
Frankel, Estelle. The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Discovering a Life of Wonder by Embracing Uncertainty. Shambhala Publications, 2017.
Lewis, C. S. Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1956.
———. Reflections on the Psalms. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1958.
———. Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer. 1964.
———. The Abolition of Man. Zondervan, 2001.
———. The Problem of Pain. Zondervan, 2001.
———. A Grief Observed. Zondervan, 2001.
———. The Chronicles of Narnia. Harper Collins, 2001.
———. The Allegory of Love. Cambridge University Press, 2013.
———. The Great Divorce. DigiCat, 2022.
Pascal, Blaise, and Hugh F. Stewart. Pascal's Pensées. Routledge, 2020.
Pascal emphasizes that Christ's humility in the Incarnation and crucifixion is central to understanding God's love.
Spisak, April. "The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien by John Hendrix." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 78, no. 1 (2024): 3–4.
Thompson, W. H. The Gorgias of Plato. Whittaker, 1871.
Plato explores rhetoric and its relationship to justice, virtue, and manipulation.
Vanauken, Sheldon. A Severe Mercy. Bantam Books, 1979.
This memoir recounts Vanauken's love story, conversion to Christianity, and friendship with C. S. Lewis.
Vujicic, Nick. Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life. WaterBrook, 2012
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Do you have complicated feelings about the holidays? You’re not alone! While we’re busy making the season merry and bright, we often end up crushed by a stressful load of gift lists, festive events, baking extravaganzas, and family gatherings. In this episode we talk about ways to honor the reality of grief and overwhelm while setting realistic expectations and finding moments of peace.
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Produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Can woodland creatures and a task-oriented robot work together for a common purpose? What
possibilities lie in the intersection of nature and technology? Find out in this family-friendly film,
The Wild Robot. We enjoyed watching the movie together and we hope you’ll join us for a chat
about some funny moments, favorite characters, and deep universal themes. We’ll also explore
the beauty and brutality of the natural world and discuss the film’s unexpectedly on-point
depictions of parenthood and identity formation.
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Check out The Wild Robot movie trailer here:
https://youtu.be/njPNg0A9VpY?si=7engHk_OLJs7JMd-
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We’d love to hear from you!
Contact us with suggestions, feedback, or just to say hello at [email protected]
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Deep in the fog of jet lag, we share the joys and challenges of living and working across cultures. We discuss the profound impact of embracing life outside your comfort zone, from the fun of exploring new locations and foods to the challenges of loneliness and culture shock.
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Produced by Zach Van Dyke
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In this episode we discuss the transformative power of saying "Yes, and..." with improv expert Jeff Ash. Join us as we learn how improvisational skills can cultivate human connection, encourage self-discovery, and enhance professional and personal interactions.
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Jeff Ash is an improv performer, theater owner, and professional speaker with over 25 years of experience in improvisation. As the owner of Westside Improv in Wheaton, Illinois, Jeff has spent the past 10 years developing performers and bringing improv to Chicago's western suburbs.
Jeff has extensive experience applying improv principles in corporate settings, conducting training sessions, and speaking on the instrumental techniques of improvisation to positively influence behavior, enhance team dynamics, and improve both personal and professional relationships.
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Find out more about Jeff’s work and the world of improv comedy at Westside Improv (westsideimprov.com)
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Produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Unrealistic expectations and the pursuit of perfection can lead to extra stress and shame in our lives. In this episode, we explore how comparing ourselves with others can set us up for feeling like a failure. What if we let go of the need to win and instead embraced vulnerability and a values-based approach to success? Join us as we explore the benefits of authenticity over perfection.
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We’d love to hear from you! Check out our website www.withuprojects.com, or email us at [email protected]
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Produced by Zach Van Dyke
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We end up on some of life's paths by choice, and some not so much. We find that we need extra motivation and equipment for the uphill battles or daunting tasks. Whatever path you're on, we hope that after spending some time with us you'll feel less alone and believe you've got what it takes to see it through.
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Do you see play as frivolous, extra, or even a waste of time? In this episode, we explore how play is not just for children. As adults, we need it for brain growth, creativity, relational health, and stress relief. We have so much to gain from play, and yet it can be the first thing to go when life gets busy. Join us today as we discover new ways to seek playfulness and fun.
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“Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul” by Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan
***Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Bertenshaw, E. J., & Brauer, K. (2018). The positive relationships of playfulness with indicators of health, activity, and physical fitness. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1440.***Brauer, K., Stumpf, H. S. C., & Proyer, R. T. (2024). Playfulness in middle-and older age: Testing associations with life satisfaction, character strengths, and flourishing. Aging & Mental Health, 1-10.
***Tandler, N., Schilling-Friedemann, S., Frazier, L. D., Sendatzki, R., & Proyer, R. T. (2024). New insights into the contributions of playfulness to dealing with stress at work: Correlates of self-and peer-rated playfulness and coping strategies. New Ideas in Psychology, 75, 101109.
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Coming fresh from supporting the birth of our first grandchild, we dive deep into the topic of physical and emotional pain, and explore how it serves a purpose in our lives and relationships. Using personal stories and professional experiences, we highlight the difference between pain and suffering, explore the role of support and connection in reducing pain's impact, and stress the value of facing pain with understanding to encourage growth.
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Feedback of questions? Please email us at [email protected]
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Produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Gone but not forgotten are the million people who died during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. During our visit to this beautiful country, we heard stories from almost everyone we met about how the events of their past still affect their lives today. Our guest, John Bosco Rumanzi, shares his story of being born as a refugee in Uganda and what it was like to come back to his country and learn about family members he would never meet. He tells us what he’s learned about the power of human dignity, cooperation, and hope.
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Check out the video of this podcast at the With U Podcast YouTube channel
Find extra photos of people & places mentioned in this episode at Withupodcast.com
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We’d like to introduce you to the projects and people we visited through the links below. Each of these organizations, people, or ministries is doing amazing and transformative work. Please look through the links, read the stories, and if you’re as inspired by them as we are, consider sending a donation that will make a big difference.
John Bosco Rumanzi, Navigators Rwanda
Emmanuel Ndolimana, Africa Bora Ministries
Pascal Ndagijimana, Humura Mission Agency
Jamie Boiles, Belay Global
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Sometimes you need to just push way outside what’s normal in your life. We’ve gotten pretty comfortable traveling, but a recent trip to Africa really stretched and challenged us. We made mistakes (hello, visa expediting fee!), met amazing people, and ate stuff we will probably never eat again. Tara resurrected her fear of baboons, David learned to push a truck out of the mud with a leopard lurking nearby, and we both ended each day grateful to be in it together.
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Check out the video of this podcast at the With U Podcast YouTube channel
Find extra photos of people & places mentioned in this episode at Withupodcast.com
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The people of Kenya are even more amazing than the beautiful landscapes and wild adventures we had. We’d like to introduce you to the projects we visited through the links below. Each of these organizations, people, or ministries is doing work we really believe in. We’ve seen them, eaten meals with them, talked to them, heard their struggles, and caught their vision for bringing hope and change to their country. It’s incredible how even the gift of hygienic products or a goat or skill training can radically change a life and a community. Please look through the links, read the stories, and if you’re as inspired by them as we are, consider sending a donation that will make a big difference.
Malooi Demonstration Farm, Kioko Mwangangi > Donate Here
Oasis Africa, Gladys Mwiti > Donate Here
Hope for Life Kenya, Josephine Kiarii > Donate Here
Maasai Transformation Project, Saruni Lemargeroi
Dignity 4 Girls, Sandi Helm > Donate Here
Second Chance Education Center, Kiplagat Misik > Donate Here
Youth Love, Max Njuguna > Donate Here
And, a shout-out to our wonderful driver, George Mutabari, who got us safely everywhere we needed to go. We’re not sure if he has a website, but if you ever take a trip to Kenya, you’d be in good hands with George at the wheel.
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Produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Join David & Tara as they talk about building the video podcast studio with an epic trip to IKEA. David learns to enjoy vegetarian meatballs and Tara puts the kibosh on setting a world record of living in the display rooms.
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We’re about to do something new! But first, a review: as we record episode #50 of the podcast, we are thankful for you coming along with us for connection, resources, and hopefully a few laughs. We will take a short hiatus for 2 months as we travel and teach. In the meantime, we need to hear from you! Please rate, review, and share the podcast to give us a boost and the will to go on — ha ha! No, really!
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
(He does amazing work! Drop him an encouraging message at [email protected])
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With U Podcast season 5 is coming up with some exciting new developments in September 2024. During our summer break as we prepare our new studio, we need to hear from you! We’ve listed links below to make it easy.
Post a Google review! If you’ve ever taken a class with David or Tara, or heard us speak, or had Tara’s support at your birth, a review or story here would be most helpful.
Rate & review the podcast.
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Follow us on Instagram
Email us with topic ideas: [email protected]
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How do we form our sense of self? In the movie Inside Out 2, we go deep inside the brain of a teenager to find out how self is constructed from memories, messages, and beliefs. As we follow the main character Riley into adolescence, we discover the importance of integrating both positive and negative experiences into our identity. Join us on this wild rollercoaster of emotional exploration!
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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promotional pic by Disney
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We’ve been employed in many unique ways, from washing cars to working on a Hollywood movie set. Sometimes the path to a career can be full of unexpected turns, but each workplace can teach us something valuable to prepare us for the next step. We hope our stories of odd jobs — sometimes hilarious, sometimes grueling, and sometimes downright sketchy — will take the pressure off anyone who is still searching for their dream job.
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Do you want to see us working as extras in a French music video? You'll have to see it to believe it! (Hint: David is a camera operator and Tara is the dancing silhouette on the right.) Head on over to the show notes page on our website: With U Projects to check it out.
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Would you like to hear a dad joke? Dads and their corny jokes may be fun to tease, but we are thankful for fathers and their important role in our lives. Join us for memorable lessons learned from our own dads, ideas for fun father’s day celebrations, and a surprise tribute to David from our kids.
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see fun photos at With U Projects
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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How is David surviving the Great Cicada Invasion of '24? While a horde of insects invading our home town, why is Tara far away in a Boise birth center? While we've been busy teaching and training in different states this week, we invite you to join us on a call as we check in with each other and compare our parenting responses to our daughter's epic Amtrak adventure.
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Picture of actual cicadas in our back yard. Now imagine one million of them flying around your head. Fun fact: cicada noise levels have been measured at up to 105 decibels.
See more fun photos at WithUPodcast.com
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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Have you ever wondered what is the right thing to say to someone who is going through a hard time? Do you struggle with the line between persistence and intrusion when trying to provide support? We've been there, and we treasure the lessons we've learned along the way. Listen in for some practical tips that will help you foster deeper, more caring relationships.
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An effort to discover David’s family roots led us to more than just a meal of pickled herring on farm in the Netherlands. We also gained a deeper appreciation for the profound impact of family history on personal identity, We explore the ways we can learn from patterns in our family history and build on the strengths of previous generations while also writing our own story.
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Resources for researching your family history:
Local libraries
City courthouse records
National archives
Ancestry.com
Ancestry DNA tests
Familysearch.org
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
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From aquatic frogs to a pet shop puppy, we've hosted a variety of household animals. Though we weren't always on the same page about pet ownership, we agree that animals have enriched our lives and enhanced our families. We reveal some research that shows the true health benefits of pet companionship, and share our personal stories of pets that left their paw prints on our hearts.
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CDC article about health benefits of pets
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produced by Zach Van Dyke
- Visa fler
