The Commentators' Podcast

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Mann talk masculinity. Alpha Males, alpha wolves, and beta fish beware. How old were you when you started being? Support the show

In this episode of the pod, WE ARE SO BACK! Over the last three years, we’ve missed you, we’ve missed our deep and slightly philosophical conversations, and we’ve found ourselves going through changes. Question for you: If life brings change, which is the catalyst for self-transformation, what do you do with that? Become someone new or cling to the person you once were? Join us as we dive into a n...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by Pastor Jon Middendorf who is the Lead Pastor at Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene. The guys tackle some serious questions about the Book of the Revelation, doomsday preppers, and what sorts of things the church can do to remedy the ways that they’ve hurt the very people they’ve been trying to save. This is both the last episode of...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by grief specialist and licensed therapist, Jordan Hobbs Park. The three have a conversation about the inevitability of the end, the kinds of immortality that are attainable, and the lengths to which we go to deny our own demise. You can email Jordan Hobbs Park here: jordan@calmwaters.org The Denial of Death https://g.co/kgs/h1TkLh Please don’...

In this episode of the pod, The Commentators’ A Team—also known as Cam, Emma, and Jordan—walks us through conversations around adolescence, the uniqueness of shared experiences, and the beauty of deep friendships. This episode purposefully centers womens’ voices and experiences for a couple of reasons: 1.) We believe that we are at our best when we choose to listen to, and take seriously, the thou...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by their former pastor, Michael Pigg, as they try to examine the intricacies of narrative and the role it plays in society.  http://patreon.com/thecommentatorspodcast Support the show

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by amateur expert in attachment styles, Madysen Shifflett, as they embark on a journey with only one goal in mind: better understand the way that our relationship with our primary care giver effects every other relationship we have. Oh, and maybe better understand the mystery of love along the way. Sources https://www.cambridge.org/core/journa...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by pastor and advocate for criminal justice reform, Tyler Stark, for a conversation about everything from having to sit at the quiet table in elementary school to the curious and depressing case of Julius Jones. The explicit goal of this podcast was to have a candid conversation about criminality, justice, and the hope of rehabilitation. Howev...

In this episode of the pod, Manny and Micah are joined by two special guests, Rebekah Spell and Connie Turner, as they wrestle with ableism and the challenges presented when we’re confronted with different perspectives. Support the show

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by two familiar voices as they explore the dilemma-filled realities of their own ethical framework. Emma Wright and Cameron Walker help walk us through the wild world of morality. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/ https://iep.utm.edu/divine-c/ https://iep.utm.edu/util-a-r/ https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism/ htt...

“This episode is a special one because we get to visit with our friend and mentor, Aaron Bolerjack! In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny learn about history, the patriarchy, and Aaron’s special connection with a specific Canadian children’s story. Sources: Theology: “Thy Queendom Come: Breaking Free from the Patriarchy to Save Your Soul,” Rev. Kyndall Rothaus + The Junia Project ( www.junia...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny continue the HUMAN series with a discussion on the self and what it means to be a subject who believes they’re an object in a world full of other subjects who believe they’re objects. This podcast description would be far too long if every idea covered on the pod were listed herein with sources and references. Instead, we’ll link some sources to some of...

In this episode of the pod, Manny and Micah kick off the Human series with a discussion about being and failure. The boys tackle questions around the separation between the ideal and the reality as well as constraints and limitations around being human, Tiger Woods teaches us how to do more than golf, and we get permission to be. This one is a little sappy, but it’s important.  If there are any to...

In this episode of the pod, the guys talk about a book that Micah suggested: To Shake the Sleeping Self by Jedidiah Jenkins. This memoir has a beautifully simple message which the guys work to bring into language. In the words of Manny "Maybe it isn’t about the destination. But maybe it also isn’t about the journey.”  For any questions or to reach out, you can email us at thecommentatorspodca...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny are joined by renowned literary expert, Emma Wright, as they dive into “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” Their analysis of the story brings to light some of the deeply humanist notions found in a book about Androids. This conversation goes from the Haunting of Hill House to Heidegger so you can be sure it’s a good one. Source Material: Do Androids D...

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny deconstruct some of the ideas around superstition. This conversation brings the guys from conspiracy to neuroscience and everything in between.  Please shoot us a dm and let us know what type of merch you’d like to see. Support the show

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny talk to grief expert, Jordan Hobbs Park, about complications around grief, mourning, weddings, and funerals.  This one is a little sad and contains some hard topics and may be best listened to while sitting next to a box of tissues. https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief#anger  https://whatsyourgrief.com/wordens-four-tasks-of-mournin...

In this episode of the pod, Manny talks to Micah and his girlfriend Cam about what it means to be in relationship with one another. There’s laughter, crying, hope, and regret. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/alienation/#BasiIdea    Support the show

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny talk about utopia, dystopia, and the anxiety in between. Sources https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hegel-dialectics http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/tillich/resources/review_tillich-paul_couragetobe.htm Support the show

In this episode of the pod, the boys talk about superheroes, answer some questions around what it means to be good, and give singing lessons.  Support the show

In this episode of the pod, Micah and Manny try to tackle questions around boundaries when it comes to relationships, politics, faith, sex, and sexuality. Support the show