Inner Compass interview show (audio only)

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:06:48 -0500

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a remarkable young theologian and pastor in World War II Germany who joined the Resistance in several plots to assassinate Hitler. His devotional books are still best sellers today. That’s because, according to Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer was also a prophet. Metaxas, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, explains that term and what it means for all of us. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Ready for Robots?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:19:46 -0500

As people have fewer phone conversations, choosing instead to use texts and on-line social networking, anthropologist Sherry Turkle has noticed something. Director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and the Self, she researches how people interact with experimental sociable robots. People are growing more receptive to robots taking the place of some human relationships as we become more accustomed to our narrowing human interactions. Hear this and other observations from her book Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Karen Saupe hosts.

School & Housing "Choice" Programs.

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:52:49 -0500

The new wave of government voucher programs aims to correct segregation that happens all too often; the privileged move away from under-resourced public schooling or housing, leaving the rest wondering what their options are. Mary Pattillo, professor of sociology and African American Studies at Northwestern University, describes what hundreds of interviews in Chicago reveal about what works and what doesn’t with these programs. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Life as the Dutch Prime Minister

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:05:18 -0500

What would it be like to live in a Prime Minister’s mansion built by your own ancestors, meet with the queen once a week, and work out your decisions with the help of a cabinet made of three different political parties? Jan Peter Balkenende talks about the challenges and successes he experienced as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010. Karen Saupe hosts.

Does Sexual Orientation Equal Identity?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 6 Dec 2011 14:58:45 -0500

The practice of labeling people by sexual orientation--homosexual, heterosexual, etc.--started only a century ago. At times labels can help make sense of our world, but at other times labeling individuals can be dehumanizing and can even be a form of injustice. Our sexuality need not define us, argues Jenell Williams Paris, anthropology professor at Messiah College and author of The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex is Too Important to Define Who We Are. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Moral Injuries in War

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:52:44 -0500

We know that soldiers can be injured physically, or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. But there’s a third kind of injury that results when soldiers engage in actions that violate their own moral principles; it’s known as "moral injury." Herman Keizer, chaplain for the U.S. Army for over 40 years, tells about a movement seeking to change how the military regards and addresses injuries to the conscience. Karen Saupe hosts.

Healthier Healthcare Environments

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:45:15 -0500

When we think of the need for an improved healthcare system, often the focus is on the patients’ experience. But there can be no strength of care if the caregivers themselves are discouraged to the point of exhaustion. Bonnie Wesorick, founder of the Clinical Practice Model Resource Center in Grand Rapids, MI describes how a healthy work culture should feel. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

What's So Funny? Exploring Humor

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:45:14 -0500

Someone walking onto a stage trips and falls. Half the audience laughs, half doesn’t; and they’re even angry at the first half for laughing! Why do people respond so differently to humor, puns, and jokes? Calvin College philosophy professor Paul Moes explains what happens in our brains--and our relationships--when we share a laugh. Karen Saupe hosts.

Christian, Evolutionist, or Both?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 1 Nov 2011 14:22:20 -0400

Some scientific theories seem to matter a lot more to people than others. The theory of evolution has always gotten plenty of attention, especially from those who treasure the scriptural book of Genesis. Alvin Plantinga, emeriti professor from the Notre Dame philosophy department, describes some of the main controversies between of evolution, intelligent design, and creationism and whether Christians can reconcile some of these differences. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Democracy & Sharia Law: Can They Coexist?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Thu, 9 Jun 2011 17:22:45 -0400

As we watch Muslim countries consider new forms of government, many in America hope that democracy will win out. But some Muslim countries have used the voting process to establish Sharia law, which includes strict regulations pertaining to punishment, sexuality, religious obligations, hygiene, and personal finances. Jim Skillen, former president of the Center for Public Justice in Washington, DC, discusses current thinking on whether Sharia law can be combined with democracy. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Making Globalization Work

innercompass@calvin.edu — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:06:39 -0400

As the world’s markets become more intermingled, we see new kinds of foods on our grocery shelves and hear new accents in our business calls. But we also lose domestic jobs as they are moved to other countries, where workers now get their first taste of middle class living. Is it possible to grow economies and improve living conditions for one population without hurting another? John Tiemstra of the Calvin College economics department describes the moral choices that shape globalized trade. Karen Saupe hosts.

U.S. Environment: Our History with the Land

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:09:30 -0400

North American attitudes toward nature have shifted over time, almost as much as our natural landscape has. Donald Worster of the University of Kansas helped develop the intriguing new field of environmental history to track the intense relationship we’ve had with nature. He describes the patterns he’s seen and how America’s history has been shaped by its natural resources. Karen Saupe hosts.

"Look at Me!" Narcissism or Self-Esteem?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:08:59 -0400

Are teens posting risqué photos on the internet because they are starved for attention, or because they are convinced they’re HOT? Should EVERYONE on the team get a trophy? Jean Twenge of the San Diego State University psychology department, and author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement, warns that our culture of extreme encouragement may have gone too far. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Starting a Free African School

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:24:37 -0400

Thousands of children in Uganda don’t go to school because their parents can’t afford books, a uniform, or sometimes, just a pencil. The orphans there have even less of a chance. When Twesigye Jackson Kaguri was confronted with this picture, he and his wife decided to use their savings to establish a free school for orphans. Hear his adventures, also described in his book, The Price of Stones: Building a School for My Village. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

All Kinds of Minds

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:43:15 -0400

As a young adult visiting her aunt’s farm, Temple Grandin found herself able to intuit what the livestock feared as they experienced the regular stresses of farm life. Was it because of her autism? Now this Colorado State University professor is widely known both for her animal welfare research and for her many books on autism. She tells how she has dedicated her life to helping animals and people understand each other. Karen Saupe hosts.

Exchanging Gangs For Jobs

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:40:01 -0400

Finding a job may not seem the highest priority for most gang members, but Father Greg Boyle learned otherwise when he befriended gang members in his parish and started the largest gang intervention program in the U.S. His book Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion describes his personal experience working with Homeboy Industries in downtown Los Angeles for over twenty years, and he shares what those experiences have taught him. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Female Asian-Americans: Finding a Voice

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 1 Mar 2011 14:30:24 -0500

Handling the pressure from society’s expectations is challenging enough; add more demands because of your race, gender, immigrant parents, and religion, and it can be nearly impossible to find your own voice. Nikki Toyama-Szeto is co-editor of More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expectations, Relationships, Leadership and Faith. She describes the struggle and joys of finding one’s own calling and voice. Karen Saupe hosts.

Transforming Troubled Schools

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:15:10 -0500

A factory still using production systems from the 1950s would not make sense in today's technological world. Unfortunately, some K-12 schools still use decades-old educational techniques and policies. School turnaround specialist Sajan George describes progressive technologies and approaches currently under consideration to turn around troubled school districts. Karen Saupe hosts.

Creativity & Cultural Power

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:18:36 -0500

The more power people have, the more choices they have to use or abuse it. Although some believe the most spiritual path is to renounce power in favor of a life of service, Andy Crouch, contributing editor for Christianity Today and author of Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, suggests creative strategies for using power to help others flourish. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Justice for Cambodians

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 8 Feb 2011 15:15:32 -0500

January Series guest Theary Seng was imprisoned as a child during the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia. She barely escaped death; her parents did not. After emigrating to the U.S., she became a lawyer, then moved back to help rebuild a country still in recovery. She describes her experiences and motivations, which are also related in her book Daughter of the Killing Fields. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Speaking of Faith

innercompass@calvin.edu — Thu, 3 Feb 2011 16:05:13 -0500

After Krista Tippett graduated from seminary, she noticed a hole in the media. There was finally plenty of religion coverage, but the simplicity of the reports drove her to launch a public radio interview show, "Speaking of Faith" (now titled "On Being"). Tippet explains how she helps her guests reveal the complexities of their beliefs and values. Karen Saupe hosts.

An Unexpected Parenthood

innercompass@calvin.edu — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:02:46 -0500

Special needs children are labeled for the extra care they require. Observers may wonder how their families would cope with all those responsibilities. Faye Knol, whose son who was born 14 weeks premature and lived into early adulthood with severe disabilities, offers the rest of the picture. The title of her memoir Receiving David: The Gift of a Son Who Taught Us How to Live and Love, says it all. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Making it to College

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:12:03 -0500

For too many students, the hurdles to getting a college diploma are nearly insurmountable. Brandy Johnson, Michigan director of College Access Network, describes the national program designed to support, inform, and encourage students so they have a better chance at career choices and salaries they’d like. Karen Saupe hosts.

Engaging with Art

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:02:01 -0500

When artists create, how much consideration should they give to their audience? And, when viewers approach artwork, is it more important to respond to the piece first or to read the printed artist’s statement? Sheila Wyne, a visual artist from Anchorage, Alaska whose work has been installed permanently in public spaces and in several museum collections, describes how to engage with a piece of art, and how a visually literate community fosters the evolution of art. Karen Saupe hosts.

Navigating Conflict

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 11:51:05 -0500

What is your tendency when you see conflict coming--run and hide? Tackle it head-on? Bob Hall, founder of Learning to Live with Conflict, Inc., looks beyond winning and losing to suggest ways the very presence of conflict can help us learn and grow together. Karen Saupe hosts.

An Orphan's Story

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 6 Dec 2010 11:49:35 -0500

When a child has been abandoned by his or her parents, it leaves a wound that is hard to heal. Those nearby may feel there is nothing they can do. Rob Mitchell, author of Castaway Kid: One Man’s Search for Hope and Home, describes how several people made a significant difference during his childhood in an orphanage. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

U.S. Slavery in the North

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:50:30 -0500

When Katrina Browne was 28 years old and in seminary, she learned that her ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. And, they were not from the South; they had lived in Rhode Island. Katrina wrote to 200 family members, inviting them to explore their family's past. The result: an award-winning documentary, Traces of the Trade, made with co-producer Juanita Brown, who helped plan a journey to Africa for the group and facilitate painful conversations about their discoveries. Karen Saupe hosts.

Premarital Sex in America

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:57:09 -0400

According to several surveys, more than ninety percent of Americans in their early 20s are having sex before marriage. Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas at Austin sociology department, and co-author of the book Premarital Sex in America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate, and Think about Marrying, explains the choices and values of emerging adults today. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

The Good Life

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:55:21 -0400

You may long for the latest gadget or fashion, more because of the image it projects than for any other reason. Where do those images come from? Calvin College philosophy professor Jamie Smith, author of Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation, says our idea of “the good life” reveals a lot about us. Karen Saupe hosts.

America's Christian Roots?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:53:36 -0400

Every so often, there is a swell of complaints that America has strayed from its Christian roots. But others question whether the U.S. was ever designed to be a Christian nation. Notre Dame historians Mark Noll and George Marsden, authors of many works on early American history and on evangelical Christianity, consider current interpretations of the founding fathers. Skot Welch is guest host.

Lies About Ourselves

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:51:14 -0400

Too many people trudge through life battling mental accusations that trap them in destructive cycles. Anneshia Freeman, an addiction counselor who created the "Lies That Bind" program, describes how she helps people identify what may be blocking them from a more positive lifestyle. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Justice for Hondurans

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:49:22 -0400

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often function better in developing countries by working around broken governmental systems. But could more people be helped if the NGOs focused on fixing the broken systems? Calvin sociology department's Kurt Ver Beek, co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society, describes his team's inclusive approach to justice in Honduras. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

The Power of Writing

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:58:29 -0400

We hear about prisoners, but not so often from prisoners. When bestselling novelist Wally Lamb (She’s Come Undone, I Know This Much is True) tried his hand at teaching prisoners to write, he had no idea how many lives would be impacted. Hear how their compelling personal stories were published after considerable opposition from the prison. Karen Saupe hosts.

Feasting at a Food Pantry

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:20:54 -0400

Out of curiosity, a woman walks into a church. She’s offered communion, and it changes her life. She ends up turning the feast into a food pantry, which nurtures others (as well as herself) beyond what she ever imagined. Sara Miles, director of St. Gregory's Food Pantry in San Francisco, shares thoughts from her memoirs Take This Bread and Jesus Freak: Feeding Healing Raising the Dead. Karen Saupe hosts.

Bringing Hope to Prisoners

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:14:11 -0400

Imagine being asked to take charge of one of the bloodiest prisons in America, where cell-mates chose to sleep in shifts in order to protect each other. Burl Cain, Prison Warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola) was given this charge, and became committed to changing the reputation of the prison. He describes his winning mixture of devotion and discipline. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

African Solutions for African Problems

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 3 May 2010 10:09:14 -0400

People across Africa were actually living well until European colonialists took control of the natural resources to enhance their own wealth. Now that the occupiers are gone, new governments are still sending wealth offshore--into personal foreign bank accounts! Economist George Ayittey, President of the Free Africa Foundation and author of Africa Unchained: the Blueprint for Africa’s Future, shares his ideas for how Africa can take control of its own riches, starting in the village square. Karen Saupe hosts.

Should Reporters Embed?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:13:38 -0400

Journalists have been embedded in military units since the early stages of the Iraq War. While this positions them to show the complexities of war, it also exposes them to more danger. CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier, author of Breathing the Fire: Fighting to Report--and Survive--the War in Iraq, shares her perspective on the benefits and costs, including the day she and her colleagues became the top news story. Karen Saupe hosts.

Do We Need Free Enterprise?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:55:57 -0400

The US Constitution guarantees a host of freedoms. But as we watch the economic freedom of some people come at the expense of other people, many Americans are wondering if capitalism can exist more fairly. Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, suggests who deserves the blame that the free enterprise system gets these days. Karen Saupe hosts.

Making the Holy Land Holy

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 2 Mar 2010 15:24:38 -0500

We call it the Holy Land, and it’s an extremely important region to followers of several religions. But the relationships within it are anything but holy. Archbishop Elias Chacour of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Galilee has spent his life building bridges between the groups with amazing success. His landmark school for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim children reveals a story of unwavering vision for peace. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Wikipedia: Internet Democracy

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:11:04 -0500

Wikipedia began with the goal of distributing a free, high-quality encyclopedia to every person on the planet. This internet project, written collaboratively by volunteers in over 260 languages, is now over 10 times larger than Encyclopedia Britannica. Founder Jimmy Wales considers how the project is meeting its many ideals. Karen Saupe hosts.

Healthcare Around the World

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:07:48 -0500

Fans of U.S. health care reform point out that many other countries provide coverage for all their citizens, with not one bankruptcy over medical bills. But how exactly do these countries do it? Journalist T.R. Reid, author of The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care, tells of his travels comparing systems around the world. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Ethics of Hostage Negotiations

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 9 Feb 2010 14:56:42 -0500

An angry criminal takes a hostage and demands to speak with authorities. Who’s most qualified to take the phone? What strategy might have worked with David Koresh? Jim Botting, author of Bullets, Bombs and Fast Talk: 25 Years of FBI War Stories, describes the adventures and dilemmas of his seventeen years as hostage negotiator for the FBI. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

The New Face of Evangelicalism

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 2 Feb 2010 14:04:21 -0500

By 2050, the majority of the U.S. population will be nonwhite. The American church will make this transition even sooner, and if successful, will position itself as a model to the rest of society. Soong-Chan Rah, of North Park Theological Seminary and author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity, suggests ways we can make room for a richness that will benefit us all. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Pornography’s Destructive Path

innercompass@calvin.edu — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:00:18 -0500

Although viewing pornography is often dismissed as a rite of passage into adulthood, Michael Leahy, author of Porn Nation and Porn University, hears a different message from thousands of college students. Many are not prepared for the guilt, altered perspective, and addiction that often follow in pornography's wake. Leahy describes the destruction from first-hand experience, and suggests ways to begin rebuilding. Karen Saupe hosts.

Accomodating the Autism Spectrum

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:56:04 -0500

With the definition of autism now encompassing a wide range of behaviors, more people find themselves daily encountering those diagnosed with some version of this disorder. How can we make more room for differing styles of relating? Laurel Falvo of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding provides ideas for improving communication on all sides. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Passing the Plate: Tithing Practices

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:15:18 -0500

If American Christians gave away just ten percent of their income, the resulting eighty-five billion dollars could fund--and solve--many of the world's most pressing needs. Patricia Snell, co-author of Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money, describes the motives, practices, and myths of charitable giving. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Ethics of Young Adult Literature

innercompass@calvin.edu — Wed, 6 Jan 2010 11:12:21 -0500

Scowling cheerleaders and thirsty vampires beckon from the Young Adult bookshelves. How can concerned parents evaluate what their kids are reading? Newbury Honor-winning author Gary Schmidt of the Calvin College English department suggests ways to judge a book other than by its cover. Karen Saupe hosts.

Enfolding Ex-Prisoners

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:22:04 -0500

Forever defined by their worst choices, former prisoners re-enter a society that locked them up and tried to throw away the key. Harold Dean Trulear of the Howard University School of Divinity and The Center for Public Justice shows how churches across the nation work to provide a warmer return for these citizens. Karen Saupe hosts.

Religion & Reporters: Oil & Water?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:35:33 -0500

As religion becomes a central theme in the headlines of the day, many journalists find themselves to be under-informed. Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. describes how he brings religion experts and reporters together for some revealing conversations.

Forsaking the Fast Track

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:34:25 -0500

John Rodden, a scholar and writer who no longer specializes in one area of study, describes his motivations and adventures after walking away from a promising career as a professor in order to pursue his dreams. Karen Saupe hosts.

When Groups Play: Flash Mobs & Urban Experiments

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:14:51 -0400

What does it take to get thousands of people to show up downtown for a pillow fight? Rob Bliss, creator of The Rob Bliss Urban Experiments, tells how technology and social dynamics help him gather crowds for memorable happenings. Karen Saupe hosts.

True Community Development

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:01:24 -0400

When families climb out of poverty, they often leave their old neighborhoods behind. What can help an at-risk population when it loses its stabilizing core? Today we'll hear from long-time civil rights activist and author John Perkins, who holds 9 honorary doctorates for his tremendous success building up poor communities across the country. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Freeing Today's Slaves

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:51:46 -0400

Across the world, children as young as five are sold into brothels, and widows lose land and livelihood due to unenforced laws that could protect them. Human rights activist Sharon Cohn Wu tells stories of International Justice Mission rescuing victims in their own countries using local courts and litigation. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Connecting Cancer & the Environment

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:48:23 -0400

If a chemist could sample your body's chemistry, she would find scores of toxic chemicals picked up throughout your life, as early as in your mother's womb. Is this an unavoidable part of life on modern earth? January Series guest Sandra Steingraber is an ecologist, writer, and cancer survivor who promotes a different path. Karen Saupe hosts.

Plotting Paths to Power

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:53:14 -0400

Some people seem born to climb the ladder of success and power. Are leadership qualities innate, learned, bought? Michael Lindsay of the Rice University Center on Race, Religion, & Urban Life has interviewed hundreds of prominent public leaders; he shares his notes with host Shirley Hoogstra.

Are Christians Losing Touch?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0400

There's a growing skepticism among young people toward Christianity, and Christians don't even seem to be aware of it. Public opinion pollster David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group and author of unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity, explains what young adults are looking for and why they're not finding it at church. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Microfinance Miracles

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 7 Apr 2009 13:52:42 -0400

It may be hard to believe that $50 can lift a family out of poverty for life, but it’s happening every day around the world through simple microfinance lending partnerships. Robert Rooy has not only watched it happen—he has dedicated his life to helping others watch, too, through film. Karen Saupe hosts.

Presidential Character: An Ethical History

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:14:58 -0400

Is being a "natural politician" a mark of truth or falsehood? Better to forge ahead in the face of opposition, or to be swayed by the citizens? Presidential historian and biographer Richard Norton Smith draws on a wealth of stories to bring to light the issue of presidential character. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

What Marriage Does

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:13:03 -0400

Marriage is more than a piece of paper, yet it's more difficult to buy a new car than to wed someone for life. John Witte, Jr., director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University, traces the view of marriage throughout western history, suggesting ways to strengthen and enrich the institution today. Karen Saupe hosts.

Middle East Christianity

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:01:01 -0400

Christianity was born in the Middle East, yet it's a minority religion there. Egyptian minister Victor Makari, Middle East liasion for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), relays the challenges and dreams of Christians living there and how U.S. churches can partner with them. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

The Gifts of Art

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:57:17 -0400

Montreat College’s Jim Southerland is an artist who developed his own version of the camera obscura, an ancient predecessor to the camera. Anyone can use it to create drawings in correct proportion. Southerland guides host Karen Saupe as she gives it a try, and describes the joys of sharing art creation with underprivileged children around the world.

An Orphan Crisis

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 3 Mar 2009 13:53:01 -0500

Publicity abounds on the growing number of orphans overseas, but little is known about our domestic situation. Is our foster care system veiling a similar crisis? Kerry Hasenbalg, co-founder of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, brings the problems to light, offering ways to enfold orphans wherever they may live. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Giving Advice

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:47:51 -0500

What's a 17-year-old to do after lashing out at Mom? Ask Amy. Amy Dickinson’s Chicago Tribune column appears daily in more than 150 newspapers, replacing Ann Landers's long and legendary run. Dickinson gives advice about giving advice, and discusses her memoir The Mighty Queens of Freeville with host Karen Saupe.

Explaining Emergent Churches

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 12:17:08 -0500

Who is God? Do we dare answer, or does defining become confining? It's a big question of the emergent church; philosopher Peter Rollins, founder of the Ikon emergent community in Northern Ireland, offers big answers in his books How Not to Speak of God and The Fidelity of Betrayal. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Silent Racism

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:11:39 -0500

Is racism a thing of the past or is it still with us, something many people try to will away and out of sight? Barbara Trepagnier, sociology professor at Texas State University-San Marcos, discusses the subtleties of prejudice in her book Silent Racism: How Well-Meaning White People Perpetuate the Racial Divide. Karen Saupe hosts.

Setting Boundaries: Personal & Professional

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:09:10 -0500

Do you find yourself texting at soccer games? Do you avoid confronting an inefficient employee? Clinical psychologist and leadership consultant Henry Cloud, author of The One-Life Solution: Reclaim Your Personal Life While Achieving Greater Professional Success, examines the boundaries we cross at our own expense. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Socially Responsible Clothing

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:44:23 -0500

Buying a shirt? Basing your decision on the look and price? Shopping for clothing may feel like a straightforward venture, yet the story behind each garment is complex. Activist and entrepreneur Marta Swain, owner of a community-minded apparel store in Grand Rapids, weaves stories of sustainable farming and labor practices with advice for benefiting everyone involved in your purchase. Karen Saupe hosts.

Politics by the Bible

innercompass@calvin.edu — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:10 -0500

Whose job is it to ensure justice, human rights, and care of our neighbor? What does the Bible say that could guide our voting and political priorities? Steve Monsma of Calvin College’s Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics describes the possibilities from his book Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy. Shirley Hoogstra hosts.

Progressive Evangelical Politics

innercompass@calvin.edu — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:14:40 -0400

Some say the era of the American religious right is over. Which direction will evangelicals head next? Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners and author of the bestseller God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn¹t Get it, pinpoints a "moral center" and its corresponding political revival in America today. Karen Saupe hosts.

Questioning "Emergent" Churches

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:28:48 -0400

"Coffee, candles, and couches" is how some critics describe the style of emergent churches, which are popping up across the U.S. and Europe. As usual, popularity brings questions and concerns. Pastor Kevin DeYoung and writer Ted Kluck, from Lansing, MI, describe theirs for host Shirley Hoogstra as they discuss their book, Why We¹re Not Emergent (by Two Guys Who Should Be).

Evangelicals & Mary

innercompass@calvin.edu — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:04:57 -0400

In Protestant churches, Mary the mother of God takes the stage at Christmas, only to disappear backstage for the rest of the year. Should she play a leading role year-round? Christianity Today's Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, tells host Karen Saupe what evangelicals can learn from why Catholics revere Mary.

Striving Toward Multi-Ethnic Church

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 14:34:07 -0400

Martin Luther King, Jr. famously pronounced eleven o'clock Sunday morning as the most segregated hour in America. How can churches work to reverse this trend? Sociologist Gerardo Marti of Davidson College tells host Shirley Hoogstra about his research on what works and what doesn't.

IC820 - Christians in the Courtroom

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:03:10 -0400

Witnesses place their hand on the Bible before they testify: how would principles from that Bible play out if it were actually opened up and applied? Would prosecutors be arguing for forgiveness? Stephen Bloom, attorney with Irwin & McKnight law firm in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and author of The Believer's Guide to Legal Issues, wonders with host Karen Saupe how empty courtrooms might become.

IC819 - The Life of a Scientist Mom

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:49:27 -0400

Field biologist Margaret Lowman has balanced research and family in rainforest treetops around the world. Lowman, author of It’s a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops, tells host Shirley Hoogstra how her high-reaching adventures grounded her as a mother and advanced forest-canopy research for scientists, indigenous people groups, and the online student community.

IC818 Stand if Able: Disability and the Church

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:16:57 -0400

If the Church is the "body" of Christ, then church members function as its distinct yet complementary parts. When those roles aren't obvious, how can we help each other find them? Christopher Smit of the Calvin College communication department explores with host Karen Saupe how churches can progress beyond installing ramps to fully embracing the unique roles of the disabled.

IC817 Is More Better? Rethinking Consumption

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:10:45 -0400

America is the land of opportunity . . . to buy stuff. Yet all this spending isn't making us any happier, studies show, and it weakens our communities. Activist Bill McKibben discusses his latest book Deep Economy: the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future with host Karen Saupe.

IC816 Who is Gospel Music For?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:56:30 -0400

Many people have strong feelings about what kind of music is appropriate for church, and exactly how it should be performed. Performed for who? January Series guest James Abbington of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and executive editor of the African American Church Music series, takes host Karen Saupe on a tour at the piano.

IC815 Nuclear Power: Promise or Peril?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:16:19 -0400

France generates over 80% of its energy using nuclear power plants; the United States, 20%. Why the difference, and whose air is cleaner? Sigval Berg of UniStar Nuclear Energy, a joint venture of American and French power companies, details to host Karen Saupe the advantages and concerns surrounding the use of nuclear power as an energy source.

IC814 The Changing Face of Illegal Immigration: Mothers and Children

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:11:55 -0400

What if you were a constantly hungry child whose mother moved away for a job, to send you money for food and schooling? And what if that short separation turned into years, decades? Thus begins Enrique’s Journey, written by guest Sonia Nazario. She tells host Shirley Hoogstra of her adventures in covering this Pulitzer Prize-winning story of a Honduran boy’s odyssey to be reunited with his mother in the U.S.

IC813 - Does Humanitarian Relief Relieve?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:11:07 -0500

When we hear about devastating floods or earthquake overseas, Americans quickly respond. Not only does USAID offer to help, but individual citizens immediately start sending money and supplies. William Garvelink, until recently the overseer of USAID's worldwide humanitarian assistance programs, tells host Shirley Hoogstra what happens. He also describes his current work as U.S. ambassador to Democratic Republic of the Congo.

IC812 - Altering the Disabled: The "Pillow-Angel" Controversy

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:12:30 -0500

Many severely disabled children are cared for at home until they grow too large for their parents to be able to handle them. But what if a surgery could keep such a child mid-sized forever? Douglas Diekema, a Seattle physician and ethics consultant, tells host Shirley Hoogstra about such a surgery at his hospital and how people have responded to it.

IC811 - Space Exploration: What's it Worth?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:27:32 -0500

It's been 35 years since humans last touched the moon—ancient history to our young people. Host Shirley Hoogstra asks chief NASA administrator Michael Griffin about his dreams for the nation's space program and his concerns about its past & present.

IC810 - Religion's Role in International Relations

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 5 Feb 2008 08:47:08 -0500

No matter how much the U.S. may value its separation of church & state, many other countries either aren’t buying it, or are condemning us for it. Chris Seiple, president of the Institute for Global Engagement in Washington, describes for host Shirley Hoogstra his Council on Faith & International Affairs, which provides resources for today’s leaders about the role of religion in global issues.

IC809 - Women in Political Leadership

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:02:22 -0500

Is a woman strong enough to be President of the United States? To lead us into war, to stand up to terrorists? And can she do it all in a pink suit? Why does it matter what she wears? Host Shirley Hoogstra discusses women in political leadership with Eleanor Clift, contributing editor and columnist for Newsweek and co-author of Madam President: Women Blazing the Leadership Trail.

IC808 - Equality or Equity? Defining Justice

innercompass@calvin.edu — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:22:37 -0500

We're uncomfortable with the idea of inequality, yet we see it all around us, even in nature. Do we need to get more specific with our concerns about justice? Michelle Loyd-Paige, dean of multicultural affairs at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, suggests to host Karen Saupe a closer look at the term equity.

IC807 - Lower to Middle Class: Building Bridges

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:47:39 -0500

How would you like to walk up to a line of homeless people waiting for food, and offer a respectable job to everyone who wanted one? Ron Jimmerson, workforce diversity manager at plastics manufacturer Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids, MI got the chance to do just that. He tells host Karen Saupe how it turned out.

IC806 - Suffering in Marriage

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:46:40 -0500

It has been said that we don’t keep marriage vows; they keep us. David Gushee, professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University in Atlanta and author of Getting Marriage Right: Realistic Counsel for Saving and Strengthening Relationships, tells host Shirley Hoogstra how we can strengthen this kind of commitment in a culture where expectations run high and tolerance for suffering is low.

IC805 - What Are Schools For?

innercompass@calvin.edu — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:51:39 -0500

Does a grade label readily come to mind for what kind of student you were? Does that label accurately reflect you? David Purpel, author of The Moral & Spiritual Crisis in Education, wonders with host Karen Saupe why most schools are more interested in sorting students than in supporting and exhorting them.

IC804 - Moving to South Africa

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 5 Nov 2007 09:21:27 -0500

We hear stories of destitution and unnecessary death in developing countries. Perhaps you’ve thought of helping. But how about selling your home and moving there with your children? Jared and Jennifer Adams, business owners in Zeeland, Michigan tell host Karen Saupe about their upcoming move to South Africa to join AIDS and education projects in Finetown, a settlement near Johannesburg.

IC803 - Moral Messages of Disney Films

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:53:23 -0400

Why are Disney films assumed to be wholesome by so many? Dr. Annalee Ward of the Trinity Christian College communication arts dept., and author of the book Mouse Morality: The Rhetoric of Disney Animated Film, shows host Karen Saupe how parents can take a closer look at these films and provide better guidance for young viewers.

IC802 - Adults with ADD

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:22:36 -0400

Many of us know someone who can’t hold onto a job, an education program, or even a marriage. We might call them irresponsible. But what if all this could be set right with a daily dose of medicine? Dr. Oren Mason, of the Behavioral Medicine Center in Grand Rapids, tells host Shirley Hoogstra how adults are suffering with, discovering, and treating their A.D.D

IC801 - Christians in Palestine

innercompass@calvin.edu — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:04:59 -0400

In the place where Christianity was born, the number of Christians has now dwindled to less than 2%. Maria Khoury, a Greek Orthodox resident of Palestine, explains to host Karen Saupe what life is like there now, why so many Christians have fled the country, and what she is trying to do about it.