In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Stephen Hicks. Dr. Hicks is a Professor of Philosophy at Rockford University and a Professor at Peterson Academy. He is the author of several books including, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault, Nietzsche and the Nazis: A Personal View, and Liberalism: Pro & Con. He is also the host of a podcast called Open College and has taught two courses at Peterson Academy; Modern Philosophy and Postmodern Philosophy.In our discussion, Dr. Hicks and I talked about his two courses at Peterson Academy, he gave an overview of both modern and postmodern philosophy, we talked about the Quakers and their influence on the modern church, and we discussed the decline of postmodernism and what comes after it. I hope you enjoy!Our first episode: https://youtu.be/KSEbaAIo8ks  Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode I got to talk with a reporter from WORLD News, Lauren Canterberry. Lauren recently wrote an article on the decline of local news across the country, especially in rural areas. We talked about why media and news communication is changing and how Christians can fill the void in local communities left by news outlets that no longer are reporting. We also discussed what is means to "love your neighbor" and how Christians can do that through knowing what is happening in their towns and cities and doing something to bring to change to the places and people closest to them.This podcast is sponsored by Rocketsled Studios. Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode, I sat down with Cris Krusen. Cris is a filmmaker, director, producer, actor, and writer - he is also the owner of Messenger Films. He has created many movies that have been viewed millions of times worldwide. We discussed his conversion to Christianity, his love of movies, and how the next generation of Christian filmmakers can reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.This podcast is sponsored by Rocketsled Studios.Learn more about Rocketsled Studios Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this podcast, Greg Silker (Producer) and Andy Schmitt (Producer) discuss the mission and vision of Rocketsled Studios and what it takes to create an animated children's series. They talk about the Tales of the Kingdom animated TV series, how they plan to create it, and how you can be a better storyteller! For more information on Rocketsled Studios: https://www.rocketsledstudios.org For more information on Tales of the Kingdom: https://www.rocketsledstudios.org/tales-of-the-kingdom Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode, I got to talk with Leah Savas. Leah is the life beat reporter for WORLD News Group. She reports on laws relating to abortion across the country. She is also the co-author of The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History from 1652-2022.In this podcast we discussed the 2024 election and the ten abortion amendments that were being voted on across the country. We also talked about the future of the pro-life movement in America and how we can unify around one vision for life after Roe being overturned. Finally, we discussed her book, The Story of Abortion in America, and how abortion has been normalized in society and even celebrated. I hope you enjoy. Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Robert P. George. Robert is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. He also served as chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and the President’s Council on Civil Rights. Dr. George is also the author of many books including Conscience and its Enemies and Making Moral Men. He is a former Judicial Fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States where he received the Justice Tom C. Clark Award. He has degrees from Oxford University, Swarthmore College, and Harvard University.In our conversation we talked about the results of the 2024 election and what direction Donald Trump is taking the Republican Party. We also talked about whether or not the Republican Party can be considered a Conservative Party any longer. We discussed post liberalism and Dr. George’s political philosophy related to natural law. We concluded the discussion with a conversation about the purpose of education and Dr. Robert P. George’s friendship with Cornel West. I hope you enjoy!This podcast is sponsored by Rocketsled Studios. Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode I state the obvious: you cannot vote for people who want to murder children and be a Christian. Vote Trump and vote red. The Hill Article: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4914235-minnesota-abortion-laws/ Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode I talked with Sara Patterson. Sara is the CEO of a Christian pregnancy center in Madison, WI, CareNet. Sara and I discussed how CareNet started, what its mission is, and how they aim to save the lives of babies and mothers in Dane County. We also discussed the biblical command to care for the poor and the widow and how many churches in Madison are not doing either of those things. We finally discussed how someone can get involved in saving babies’ lives at CareNet and how people can challenge their churches to give money and resources to ministries like CareNet who are truly doing the Lords work. Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Chris Bruno. Dr. Bruno received his PhD from Wheaton College and is the President and Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Oahu Theological Seminary. He is also the author of multiple books including Paul vs. James: What We've Been Missing in The Faith and Works Debate. Chris is a member of the St. John Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.In our discussion, Dr. Bruno and I talked about the study of divine Christology. We discussed the nature of Jesus, how the early church came to understand Jesus’s divinity, and how they articulated their theology in the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. We talked about what it means that “Jesus descended into Hell” and what Jesus meant when he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Finally, we talked about his new book, The Divine Christology of the Apostle Paul: Retrospect and Prospect. In this book, Dr. Chris Bruno, Dr. John Lee, and Dr. Thomas Schreiner explain the scholarly work done in the past 50 years related to the Apostle Paul’s Christology. I hope you enjoy! Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Austin Freeman, the Chair of Apologetics at Houston Christian University and Dr. David Deavel, the Chair of Theology at St. Thomas University in Houston, TX. Dr. Freeman is the author of Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology in Middle-Earth; a systematic theology based in Tolkiens' Middle Earth. Dr. Deavel is the author of Solzhenitsyn and American Culture: The Russian Soul in the West.In this discussion, we talked about two of G.K. Chesterton's books, Heretics and Orthodoxy. We talked about the overarching themes across both books and why Chesterton wrote them. We also discussed how Chesterton would have interacted with our modern culture. I hope you enjoy! Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)