Fermenting Opinions

On this episode I sit down with my friend and long time Fermenter, Kyle Robinson, who is the host of the new podcast, Amplified Silence. We discuss how his podcast series takes aim at overincarceration in America, the multitude of flaws in the criminal justice system, and the more philosophical questions of who deserves a … Continue reading S06E08: On Redemption with the Amplified Silence Podcast

Are you a moral realist? An antirealist? Have you ever even heard these terms before? Morality is a complex topic and its a central feature of the Great Debate on the existence God. On this episode I sit down again with Jaylen and Dylan of the Identity Christ-Is podcast to discuss morality, how we may … Continue reading S06E07: Discussing Moral Realism and Anti-Realism With The Identity Christ-Is Podcast

David Baker is running for county mayor of Maury County, Tennessee. On his public platform and his podcast he espouses a very pro-Christian view of governance, so much so that it may be a cause for concern for any of his potential constituents who happen to no be Christians themselves. In light of this, Mr. … Continue reading S06E06: A Pastor Running for Mayor and an Atheist Discuss Politics and Religion

On this episode I will be discussing the grand philosophical concepts of value and purpose and what may be entailed by regarding these topics through the lens of a Christian or atheistic worldview. Joining me in this discussion will be Jaylen Thompson and Dylan Schweitzer of the Identity Christ-Is Podcast. I’m very much looking forward … Continue reading S06E05: Discussing Value and Purpose with the Identity Christ-Is Podcast

This will be a conversation about what it’s like to approach matters of faith from the perspective of someone who is on the autism spectrum. To aid in this discussion I will be joined by Nick Peters of Deeper Waters Apologetics and author Erin Ruth who will be sharing their personal experiences on the matter … Continue reading S06E04: Theology on the Spectrum

For this interview I sit down with an old friend who happens to be Russian. We discuss the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Putin’s vision of a carved up nation that his likely desired endgame. Is victory possible for Ukraine? What can stop Russia’s march westward and will we see an escalation or will this … Continue reading S06E03: Russia, Ukraine, and Putin

Today on the Ferment we will be tackling the I”I do my own research” trope by talking to someone who does their own research. In a lab. On COVID. Zachary and I begin by discussing his background, professional work, and involvement on COVID-19. From there he goes on to explain what is involved in the … Continue reading S06E02: “I Do My Own Research” with Dr. Zachary Arden

This episode is going to be a little different. I’m bringing on a friend of mine who is a conservative with pretty strong opinions. We are going to talk about the breakdown between the left and right, if anything can or should be done about it, and if there is any advice that each of … Continue reading S06E01: Two Americas: Why the Left and Right Can’t Talk to Each Other

Okay, so this episode doesn’t exactly keep perfectly with the underlying theme of Fermenting Opinions but as I see Ben Shapiro as the worst kind of polemicist and grifter I think he has this one coming. If you see yourself as a person on the right or as a fan of Shapiro I encourage you … Continue reading S05E03: Ben Shapiro is an Idiot’s Vision of a Smart Person

Some people are not going to like this, and that’s okay. The issue of COVID vaccines and mask mandates have become an irrationally divisive issue and it’s killing us. So on this episode I sit down with lawyer and longtime friend of the Ferment, RJ Proie, to lay out both the legal case and the … Continue reading S05E02: Forcing the Vaccine

Hello, my people! I am back from a long hiatus to bring you a discussion on two of my favorite topics: deconversion and the lost art of civil discourse. Steven Dvorak is an old acquaintance and former theological debate partner of mine. I had recently come to find out that since our days at Bible … Continue reading S05E01: On Deconversion and Discourse

Is all media biased? How can you know who to trust? Is everything you disagree with #FakeNews ? There used to be a time where the news was just accepted as the news. It was regarded as factual, truthful, and unbiased. Whether or not people were being naive in that assessment that is no longer the case today. … Continue reading S04E11: On Media Bias, with Vanessa Otero

In this episode I’m joined by returning friend of the Ferment, Mariah Philips, to discuss her campaign for Tennessee’s State House in District 37.  We talk about how COVID has impacted the district along with the particular effects it’s had on jobs and public schools.  Mariah offers her insights on what could be done to improve school reopenings while … Continue reading S04E10: Mariah Phillips for TN State House

This episode’s guest is a man we’ll call “Brandon” and he joins me to discuss his recent experience at the Maury County Republican Party’s (MCRP), annual “Ronald Reagan” dinner. From the lack of basic health protocols to the insane conspiracy theories being peddled by the keynote speaker and others, this one is a howler from … Continue reading S04E09: Credulity, Conspiracy, and Rabid Tribalism: Meet the Maury County Republican Party.

Stacie Odeneal is a Child Welfare Law Specialist that works with the state of Tennessee’s adoption and foster care services. In March she wrote a column for the Tennessean in response to the passage of a bill that allows state funded adoption adoption agencies to discriminate on the basis of their religious beliefs. In this … Continue reading S04E08: Hurting Children in the Name of Religious Freedom, with Stacie Odeneal

Christopher Hale is a Democratic candidate for US Congress in Tennessee’s District 4 against Republican incumbent Scott DeJarlais. Unlike many modern Democratic candidates, Mr. Hale is outspoken about his Christian faith and how that inspires his involvement in politics. He’s also avowedly Pro-Life, which is surely a statement that will raise eyebrows. But he goes … Continue reading S04E07: Hale Yes! Christopher Hale for US Congress

Mark Viola is comedian, actor, and writer that is fed up with the two party duopoly and the odious electoral choices it has left us on offer in the upcoming 2020 presidential election this November. Mark joins me on this episode to talk about his refusal to vote for the lesser of two evils by … Continue reading S04E06: Bernie or Bust! Going Third Party with Comedian Mark Viola

Lindsey Boylan is running for US Congress in in New York’s District 10 as a primary challenger against establishment figure, Jerry Nadler. During our conversation Mrs Boylan shares what motivated her to become politically active and her reasons for running for US Congress in particular. With concerns for the future regarding the climate, income inequality, … Continue reading S04E05: Taking On The Establishment And COVID 19, with Lindsey Boylan

On this Episode I am joined by returning guest and friend of the Ferment, Ben Watkins of the Real Atheology Podcast. Ben recently participated in a couple of debates on Divine Hiddeness and the definition of Atheism so the first half of the recording is devoted to a breakdown of those arguments and a debate … Continue reading S04E04: Understanding The Political Evangelical, with Ben Watkins

On this episode I sit down with FO group member, Haji Shareef, to discuss his experiences as a black man and a military officer in the United States. Attached below is a post shared in FO as well as other places where he describes a number of events that would shock the conscience of many … Continue reading S04E03: On Racism and Perspective with Haji Shareef