Winsome Conviction

Michael Whitenton (Ph.D.) directs the Bridgebuilding Fellows program at Baylor University, a program that seeks to help students to engage in healthy and virtuous civil discourse. Michael joins today’s episode to speak with Tim and Rick about the origins and aims of the program. Today’s episode helps listeners become aware of other groups and organizations who are responding to issues of polarization by championing the work of bridge building in civil discourse. Michael also gives examples on the art and value of constructive dialogue, and they discuss the importance and difficulty of achieving genuine disagreement. Show notes and a full transcript are available.

When we move from influencing an individual to influencing a community or a body of people, the field of communication studies would say we transition from persuasion to rhetoric. In this transition, we often find ourselves in “rhetorical situations.” Tim and Rick unpack the rhetorical situation, including elements and affects of this communication event. They also discuss how skills in rhetoric can help you make the most of those moments when you have an opportunity to speak to an audience.Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Sean McDowell, co-author of 'End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture To Meaningful Conversations,' discusses with Tim the need for productive conversations over winning arguments. They cover emotional beliefs, dangers of straw man arguments, and ways to remain hopeful amidst current challenges.

Some stories in the Bible are hard to understand, let alone approve. For those who are questioning and finding it difficult to trust the God of the Bible and certain historical events as recorded in the Scriptures, it helps to hear stories from people who have worked through their own questions and doubts to arrive at healthy, more firmly held beliefs and convictions. On today’s episode, History scholar Susan Lim (Ph.D.) speaks with Tim and Rick about her own journey of coming to love the Bible, and they speak about her book, Light of the World: How Knowing the History of the Bible Illuminates Our Faith.  Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Susan Lim (Ph.D.) is a history scholar and writer who decided to follow Jesus in her teenage years after having grown up in a Buddhist family. Susan joins today’s episode to share her story from Buddha to Jesus, and it’s a powerful story that has reverberated through her family. She also speaks with Tim and Rick on the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Christianity. They discuss what Buddhists get right that Christians can learn from, differing views on suffering, and what happened when Susan told her mom she had become a Christian. If you’re interested in learning how to communicate with your Buddhist family and friends, you're sure to gain insight by listening to today's episode.Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Exploring communication spirals and de-escalation skills in conflict resolution. Understanding triggers for negative communication and techniques to prevent escalation. Impact of mindset on communication dynamics and strategies for maintaining composure. Using breathing techniques and empathy in tense situations. Importance of equitable communication in resolving conflicts and preventing escalation.

Earlier this year, a convictional firestorm ensued over advice Alistair Begg, a prominent North American pastor and radio host of Truth for Life, gave to a woman about attending her grandchild's gay wedding. Bob Lepine, the on-air announcer for Truth for Life, joins today’s episode to speak with Tim and Rick about how this situation provides us with an opportunity to clarify our thinking around convictions and guidelines for faithful conduct. Bob provides a quick summary of what happened before they discuss some ideas to help foster biblically-based convictions around attending a gay wedding.Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Legal professor John Inazu discusses the value of legal education in navigating disagreements with empathy. Topics include the importance of fairness, empathy, and occupying the middle ground in disagreements, as well as being mindful of labeling others with whom we disagree.

Isaac Adams and Austin Suter are back on the podcast to recount a significant disagreement they experienced in their friendship. They go back into the disagreement with Tim and Rick and discuss issues of contempt, interpersonal differences, complexities and wounds, and spiritual battle. They caution against a bulldozer mentality and highlight how to press into hard conversations with gentleness in order to save and deepen a relationship rather than to abandon it.Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Artist and Connecticut state representative Treneé McGee discusses her experience as a pro-life Democrat, challenges faced in engaging the black community on pro-life issues, importance of local politics, and promoting independent decision-making in politics.