Inner Compass interview show (audio only)

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.