Nate, a budding sci-fi writer, and Brian, a storyteller and life coach, dive into profound discussions about the essence of storytelling and human choices. They tackle the idea of narratives persisting in the afterlife and explore Nate's dystopian concept where no one lives past 18. Brian offers life advice on selecting a path, emphasizing action over paralysis, and how divine guidance reveals opportunities. They also reflect on human nature, success, and the lessons found in hardship, illustrating how life's journey is intrinsically linked to our stories.
The podcast emphasizes that storytelling is an intrinsic part of human nature, persisting even beyond our earthly existence.
Listeners are encouraged to actively pursue their passions and make choices aligned with their desires without succumbing to decision paralysis.
The discussion highlights the transformative potential of suffering, suggesting that trials can lead to personal growth and deeper faith.
Deep dives
Political Speculations
The potential for Kamala Harris to ascend to the presidency is contemplated, with some expressing hope for her to become the first female president, even for a short period. Discussions touch on the political maneuvering that might occur if it is perceived that having her in office could provide a strategic advantage. There's a suggestion that people may become unexpectedly fiscally conservative in such scenarios, questioning the need for a new inauguration. The conversation reflects a broader ambivalence about the shifting dynamics of political power and the implications of leadership.
Ashtown Burials and Logical Consistency
A question posed regarding the fictional 'dragon's tooth' invokes a deeper analysis of immortality versus mortality within the narrative of the Ashtown Burials series. The discussion underscores that the life-giving properties of the tooth cannot override its potential to kill even the immortal, illustrating that the threat of death holds precedence over the promise of eternal life. There is a clear assertion that holding onto the tooth during a fatal incident would result in death, reinforcing the importance of narrative consistency in storytelling. This analysis highlights how logical coherence plays a crucial role in the development of fictional worlds.
The Role of Stories in Resurrection
The conversation delves into the necessity of storytelling even in a hypothetical afterlife scenario, arguing that stories will continue to hold value beyond this earthly existence. Speculation arises about whether past life experiences will inform future narratives or if a totally new narrative will emerge in a transcendent state. The presenters emphasize that human beings, created with a need for stories, will carry those narratives into the future, challenging the idea that narratives will cease to matter. They suggest that, like caterpillars to butterflies, people will evolve and still engage with storytelling in meaningful ways.
Finding Direction in Life Choices
Listeners are encouraged to pursue their passions instead of feeling pressured to follow societal expectations regarding career paths. The hosts advise that individuals should seek God's guidance but also embrace what they truly want to do, whether that means aspiring to write or pursuing theological education. They emphasize the importance of making choices aligned with one's desires while allowing space for God's intervention in redirecting paths if necessary. The conversation promotes a proactive approach to decision-making, urging participants not to be paralyzed by potential outcomes but to engage actively in life's journey.
Suffering and Personal Growth
Discussions on suffering explore the transformative potential of hardship, suggesting that trials can lead to personal growth and greater wisdom. The presenters assert that every individual will face challenges that can either lead to a deeper understanding of faith or result in despair. By embracing suffering as a necessary part of life, they argue that people can find purpose and glory in their experiences. This perspective highlights the notion that while everyone will experience trials, the response to these trials shapes one's narrative and ultimately contributes to one's character.
Will we tell stories in heaven? Nate says the answer is so obvious it's a dumb question. Brian tries to make him answer anyway. Instead, Nate talks about a sci-fi story he is working on in which nobody lives past age 18. Turns out storytelling is fundamental to humanity, and we should be living like it now. Then Brian brings up a related listener question about how to choose what you're doing with your life now: What happens if you're working a blue collar job but you want to go to seminary and you also want to write? Prepare for an episode of Life Advice with Nate , and you best believe he's not sympathetic to decision paralysis. Pick what you want to do, and do it. God doesn't steer a parked car. You'll often get Open Doors when you least expect it, because your life is a story, and you don't get to know what happens in the future. The conversation blasts off into a conversation about human nature and winning the lottery, and how we love to complain in the midst of richness. You'll also get to know Grandpa Kohl's slogan, "Better than I deserve," and how you should look for God's choicest wines in the cellar of affliction (Rutherford). You'll also notice we opened this week's SASF with a new song just for fun: Check out Aaron Rench's "Fences" streaming everywhere now.
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