Lead Balloons: The Alchemy of Unpopular Opinions

The Leadiest of Lead Balloons

Trent and Joel are closing a chapter. Maybe the Leadiest of Lead Balloons. The poet William Blake inspires their conversation with the Proverbs of Hell. They discuss Blake's challenge to conventional morality and religious dogma. They revel in the repression of desire. And they glory in the distinction between wisdom and folly. What a bang to go out on!?

Is Theology Even Possible?

Trent and Joel discuss the difficulties of doing theology.  Joel gives an important backdrop of the transmission of the biblical text through the centuries and its relative reliability; Trent shows how systematic theology often fails to read biblical texts within their contexts.  They also discuss why great literature, the Bible included, tends to invite further debate while repelling clarity and closure.  Finally, Joel dishes on his experiences in presenting biblical ambiguities to his parishioners.  

Censorship & Free Thought in Academia

This episode features an interview with Miriam Thompson, Ph.D.  Miriam is Assistant Teaching Professor at UCSB in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology.  She wrote an essay titled “The Courage to Disagree in Academia”, published in Journal of Free Black Thought.  This essay grabbed Trent and Joel’s attention.In this discussion, Miriam argues for the need for free expression and facing disagreement in academic settings.  She talks about why she disagrees with the claim that impact matters more than intent.  She also discusses why tenure matters for professors and how she guides her students practically towards challenging their own belief systems.  Joel and Trent ask her about her background, what led her to her perspectives on free speech, and where things are headed in the future with respect to free speech in academia.Join us for this riveting interview that will make you consider the importance of confronting new ideas in one’s education.

Men Are in a Friendship Recession

Joel and Trent examine the decline in male friendship in recent decades.  They discuss what might be preventing men from being proactive toward finding and maintaining friendships.  They also cover the value of friendship, the importance of their own friendship, and how practicing vulnerability/authenticity might lead to more rewarding relationships.  

Jesus' Most Popular Sermon

Trent and Joel discuss Jesus' most well-known sermon from Matthew 5-7, known as "The Sermon on the Mount."  Topics include hidden righteousness, Jesus' reframing and reinterpretation of OT laws, non-violence, and money.  Joel reminds us of the need for a careful reading of this sermon: Jesus very likely did not deliver these words verbatim or all at once like this.  Gospel writers had their own theological purposes and rehashed his teachings in accordance with those purposes.  Trent wonders why Christians feel so certain about certain parts of Scripture, while appearing to not have even begun digesting Jesus' many sayings on the topic of wealth and money.  Joel introduces us to philosopher Dallas Willard's unique take on the Beatitudes, which Willard claims are not to be taken as a new legalism.

Stop Manifesting, Start Visualizing

This episode is a continuation to the previous episode as Trent and Joel explore the world of Sports Psychology. Not into sports? That's okay! These principles apply to daily living: work, relationships, coping with mistakes, and self-improvement. Trent highlights the psychological state of flow. Joel challenges the idea of manifesting and recommends visualization, instead. And don't miss Trent's hilarious story of almost pooping himself.  

Courting Sports

Joel and Trent dive into all the sporty words. Trent opines about the days when he was a speedster and Joel debates the value of G.O.A.T. debates. Towards the end, they dip their toe into Sports Psychology.

Is Diversity a Good Thing?

This discussion is about pluralism and whether it's a good thing.  Pluralism is an acceptance and perhaps embrace of divergent viewpoints, cultures, and religions within a society.  Trent and Joel talk about whether pluralism is a good thing and what kinds of skills and values it takes to find common ground with people who are different.  
This is not a rosy-eyed discussion of "why can't we all just get along".  The world has become super-connected and interdependent, and retreating into cultural cloisters is probably not as feasible as it may have been hundreds of years ago.  Join Trent and Joel for this intriguing and timely episode!

Is Trump Leading Us to War

Trent and Joel discuss violence in this episode.  Topics include just war theory, pacifism, instances of violence in the Old Testament, favorite war movies, non-violence in Scripture, terrorism, and why empathy signals advanced intelligence.

Interviewing Exvangelicals: Joshua Harris

Joel and Trent present to you...Joshua Harris!  In this interview, they ask Joshua Harris about what it was like writing the bestseller I Kissed Dating Goodbye, how his changing views led him to discontinue its publication and repudiate some of its core principles, and what he is up to in his life and work now.  They talk about the importance of admitting when you've been wrong and what it's like to make major life transitions that can be upsetting to people who have come to expect certain things from you.  In the recap, Trent and Joel talk about Joshua's unique candor and striving for authenticity.