

No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
Tokens Media
What does it really mean to live a good life—in our politics, our faith, our work, and our relationships?
On No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp, we explore the ideas, practices, and public debates that shape human flourishing today. Each week you’ll hear thought-provoking conversations with bestselling authors, philosophers, neuroscientists, psychologists, theologians, artists, and political leaders—people wrestling with the biggest questions of meaning and purpose in our time.
Together we ask:
How can religion be a force for healing instead of division?
What does neuroscience reveal about happiness, habits, and productivity?
Where do politics and justice meet the pursuit of the common good?
How do truth, beauty, and goodness help us live well—personally and collectively?
If you care about faith, politics, social justice, science, or the search for meaning, you’ll find courageous, practical conversations here. Because pursuing a meaningful life is no small endeavor—and we’re with you on the road.
Learn more at nosmallendeavor.com.
On No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp, we explore the ideas, practices, and public debates that shape human flourishing today. Each week you’ll hear thought-provoking conversations with bestselling authors, philosophers, neuroscientists, psychologists, theologians, artists, and political leaders—people wrestling with the biggest questions of meaning and purpose in our time.
Together we ask:
How can religion be a force for healing instead of division?
What does neuroscience reveal about happiness, habits, and productivity?
Where do politics and justice meet the pursuit of the common good?
How do truth, beauty, and goodness help us live well—personally and collectively?
If you care about faith, politics, social justice, science, or the search for meaning, you’ll find courageous, practical conversations here. Because pursuing a meaningful life is no small endeavor—and we’re with you on the road.
Learn more at nosmallendeavor.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 12, 2024 • 55min
173: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: What If We Get Climate Action Right?
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a scientist and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, brings a refreshing perspective to climate action. She argues that facing climate change with joy and love can lead to more sustainable activism. Johnson shares her insights on the interconnectedness of life and the importance of community collaboration. She emphasizes the role of storytelling in inspiring change and presents hopeful narratives that advocate for innovative solutions. By integrating joy into our efforts, she encourages listeners to take proactive steps against the climate crisis.

Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 1min
172: Unabridged Interview: Edith Hall
This is our unabridged interview with Edith Hall.What if you’re wrong about what it means to be happy?In spite of unprecedented access to things that give pleasure - buy this pill, eat this food, go on this trip - mental health issues are increasing globally at an astonishing rate. It’s clear that the modern idea of happiness is lacking something.In this episode, Edith Hall offers an ancient definition of happiness from Aristotle that might just be the solution to our crisis of despair. “It’s a way of life, it's not a psychological state,” she says. “To live well…submit yourself to your own best self, and don't let transient temptations derail you.”Show Notes:Resources mentioned this episode:Aristotle’s Way by Edith HallSimilar No Small Endeavor episodes:Jeffrey Rosen: The Pursuit of HappinessMeghan Sullivan: What It Takes to Live a Good LifeGretchen Rubin: The Happiness ProjectRebecca DeYoung: The Seven Deadly SinsDacher Keltner: How Awe Will Transform Your LifePDF of Lee’s Interview NotesTranscript of Abridged EpisodeJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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Sep 5, 2024 • 54min
172: Edith Hall: How Ancient Wisdom can Change Your Life (Best of NSE)
Edith Hall, a world-renowned classicist from King's College London, dives into ancient Greek perspectives on happiness, suggesting that our modern pursuits are flawed. She emphasizes Aristotle's idea of happiness as a way of life rooted in virtue rather than fleeting pleasures. The discussion explores the importance of self-control, curiosity, and emotional awareness in achieving true fulfillment. Hall also critiques contemporary attitudes towards pleasure and encourages integrating ancient wisdom into modern ethical frameworks.

Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 13min
171: Unabridged Interview: Cyntoia Brown Long
This is our unabridged interview with Cyntoia Brown Long.On August 7th, 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long was released from the Tennessee Prison for Women.It was 13 years after she had been sentenced to life without parole for the murder of a man to whom she had been sex-trafficked.In this special episode, Cyntoia tells an uncensored account of the great personal and systemic brokenness which led to her imprisonment, and the dramatic, at times hard-to-believe nature of the grace and providence which brought her to faith and ultimate release.Please be advised this episode contains details upsetting to some listeners, including references to sexual assault and trafficking. Additional resources are available at NO MORE.Show NotesResources mentioned:"Free Cyntoia" by Cyntoia Brown LongThe JFAM FoundationSimilar NSE episodes:Emi Nietfeld: AcceptanceAnthony Ray Hinton: An Innocent Man on Death RowGreg Boyle: Homeboys, Delight, GladnessBill Haslam: Humility and the Art of PoliticsPDF of Lee’s Interview NotesTranscript for Abridged Episode JOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 29, 2024 • 53min
171: Cyntoia Brown Long: Free Cyntoia (Best of NSE)
On August 7th, 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long was released from the Tennessee Prison for Women.It was 13 years after she had been sentenced to life without parole for the murder of a man to whom she had been sex-trafficked.In this special episode, Cyntoia tells an uncensored account of the great personal and systemic brokenness which led to her imprisonment, and the dramatic, at times hard-to-believe nature of the grace and providence which brought her to faith and ultimate release.Please be advised this episode contains details upsetting to some listeners, including references to sexual assault and trafficking. Additional resources are available at NO MORE.Show NotesResources mentioned:"Free Cyntoia" by Cyntoia Brown LongThe JFAM FoundationSimilar NSE episodes:Emi Nietfeld: AcceptanceAnthony Ray Hinton: An Innocent Man on Death RowGreg Boyle: Homeboys, Delight, GladnessBill Haslam: Humility and the Art of PoliticsPDF of Lee’s Interview NotesTranscription LinkJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 27, 2024 • 55min
170: Unabridged Interview: Quincy Byrdsong
This is our unabridged interview with Quincy Byrdsong.How are the world’s poor and oppressed affected by inequity in healthcare systems?In the United States, “health inequity started with slavery,” says Dr. Quincy Byrdsong, himself a longtime healthcare professional. Since slavery was abolished, health inequities have not gone away, but have become more complex and subtle.In this episode, Dr. Byrdsong discusses how such cases as the infamous Tuskegee syphilis trials have allowed racism and classism to persist in healthcare systems, and what might be done in response to such injustice.Show NotesResources mentioned this episode:Tuskegee Syphilis StudySimilar No Small Endeavor episodes:Andre Churchwell: Diversity, Virtue, HealthcareWillie James Jennings: The Christian ImaginationTranscript of Abridged EpisodeJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 22, 2024 • 54min
170: Quincy Byrdsong: Tuskegee, Healthcare, Justice (Best of NSE)
Quincy Byrdsong, a seasoned healthcare professional, dives deep into the roots of health inequity, linking it to historical injustices like slavery and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. He reveals how systemic racism and classism have continued to shape healthcare today. The conversation highlights the detrimental effects of recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities and advocates for social justice in health equity. Quincy also discusses navigating privilege, the emotional toll on professionals, and the need to challenge societal stereotypes to drive change.

Aug 20, 2024 • 1h 3min
169: Unabridged Interview: Jerry Mitchell: Murder, Race, and Faith
Jerry Mitchell, an investigative journalist renowned for reopening closed murder cases from the Civil Rights Era, shares astonishing stories from his career. He reveals chilling discoveries, including sealed government records tied to racial violence, and recounts his face-to-face interviews with Klan members. Determined despite threats to his life, he highlights the emotional triumphs of delivering justice after decades of silence. Their exploration of systemic racism and voting rights in Mississippi sparks deeper conversations about accountability and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Aug 15, 2024 • 54min
169: Jerry Mitchell: Murder, Race, and Faith (Best of NSE)
Jerry Mitchell, an investigative journalist renowned for reopening closed Civil Rights-era murder cases, shares riveting stories from his career. He discusses his relentless pursuit of justice, uncovering sealed government records tied to racial murders. Mitchell recounts chilling encounters with Klansmen and highlights the tragic tale of civil rights advocate Vernon Dahmer. His transition from journalism to leading a nonprofit focused on prison reform also sheds light on systemic injustices and the power of storytelling in sparking social change.

Aug 13, 2024 • 2h 21min
168: Unabridged Interview: Clay Hobbs
In this heartfelt conversation, Clay Hobbs, a friend of the host and a terminal cancer warrior, shares his profound journey after facing a life-altering diagnosis. He discusses the power of counting down his days and embracing each moment. Clay reflects on how acceptance of mortality led to deeper connections and intentional living. The two friends explore the emotional weight of goodbyes, personal growth through illness, and the importance of gratitude. Clay's insights remind us all to cherish life and prioritize meaningful experiences.