Common Good Conversations

Send a text Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with the Rev. Bryan Berghoef pastor at Holland UCC to discuss an upcoming event called The Soul of Politics  happening March 10 at Port 393 in Holland at 3pm. The event will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Fred Johnson from Hope College, Sarah Leach from the Holland Sentinel, Christy Berghoef, Communication Consultant, and R...

Send a text A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick and Shawn started doing the unthinkable at family gatherings – talking about politics and faith at the dinner table. While at times tense and cautious those conversations were filled with curiosity, nuance, grace, and humor. Wanting to lean into that experience they decided to start a podcast. Common Good Conversations is a weekly opportunity for Ni...

Send a text Written and read by Lynn Smith of Holland. "It’s not bad luck that we’re living through the greatest threat to American democracy since the Civil War. Rather, it’s a privilege to live during a time when our actions have immense consequences and we have a unique opportunity to display American common good … not only in our country, but throughout the world. The moral fiber of our s...

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with David Lee and Bill Trenary from Lighthouse Immigration Advocates in Holland. Lighthouse provides direct immigration legal services to thousands of immigrants and refugees and advocates on behalf of immigrants and refugees on the local, state, and federal levels.   In this episode you'll learn how to bes...

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Tricia Kryda and Carrie Irwin of Jamestown Township. Tricia and Carrie are passionate advocates for the Patmos Library and helped to pass a funding millage for it after being twice defunded.   In this episode you'll learn about some all-time favorite books, what compromise in a community looks like, and...

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Rev. Jared Cramer a priest in the Episcopal Church currently serving as Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, MI. Jared also sits on the Steering Committee of the Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians (OCUC), a coalition of congregations and clergy, who believe that God calls Christian...

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Bender Bones an ordained minister from the Satanic Temple of West Michigan. Bender gained attention last year for his public comments at an Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting to address Ottawa Impact's Resolution to become a so-called Constitutional County. In this episode you'll learn ab...

Send a text Dale Wyngarden, a resident of Holland, shares his opinion on why the fiasco between the Ottawa County Commission and Administration is almost beyond belief. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Chris Tanner from the Zeeland Area Action Committee. ZAAC! is a group of non-partisan citizens educating and informing the Zeeland Area about local politics and Ottawa Impact.  In this episode you'll learn about being a Star Wars nerd, the positive influence of Ottawa Impact, what responsible governance...

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Christian Kleinjans the Democrat running against Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel in Ottawa County's District 2. This recall election will take place on Tuesday, May 7. In this episode you'll learn what a recall election is, why Christian is running for office, how he would work with Ottawa Imp...

Send a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Karen Obits and Cindy Spielmaker from the Ottawa North Tri-Cities Action Committee . ONTRAC is a nonpartisan, grassroots political action committee dedicated to promoting responsible governance, ethical conduct, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and inclusivity in Ottawa County's 10th District. In th...

Send a text Nick talks with political campaign expert Robb Ryerse about his new online training course called You Could Run for Office . Nick and Rob discuss how ordinary and extraordinary people can - and should! - run for office. They also discuss the proper role of chips on sandwiches and the biblical theology of smooth and crunchy peanut butter. -- Considering running for Ottawa County Commiss...

Send a text Nick talks with Anna Rosensweig, associate professor of French and the Director of the Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies at the University of Rochester, about why a 16th-century tradition called the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates is attracting activists on the Christian right - including Ottawa Impact. Show note: Why is a 16th-century tradition attracting activists on...

Send a text Nick talks with Glenn Moots, Professor and Department Chair of Political Science and Philosophy at Northwood University, about Christian resistance and rebellion through the lens of the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, and how to properly understand it so as to not cause undue strife in the community. Show Note: Resistance and Rebellion by Glenn Moots Support the show Follow us on F...

Send a text Cassandra Lybrink pragmatically explains the political situation regarding Ottawa Impact and how it effects the entire county. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Nick and Shawn talk with Monk Matthaeus, Co-Founder and Vice President for the non-profit Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education, about why hip hop is being used to transform communities; and what it's like to be a white hip hop artist in a predominately black hip hop culture.  Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Nick and Shawn talk with Greg Jaffe of the Washington Post about the people and politics of Ottawa County; moving forward and backward at the same time and in the same place; and how people should discern where to receive their news. Show Notes: - Articles Greg has written about Ottawa County Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Barbara Mezeske explains that when it comes to the leadership of Ottawa Impact choosing leaders, character and ideology count. But wisdom and experience should count, too. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Nick and Shawn have a conversation with Doug Pagitt, Executive Director, of Vote Common Good about how to talk with those who share different political perspectives, what Christian Nationalism is and how to discuss it without fear mongering. Episode Notes: To attend the Thursday, November 30th Confronting Christian Nationalism   event in Holland click here . To listen to a Red Hat Blue...

Send a text Nick and Shawn talk with journalist Sarah Leach from the Holland Sentinel about keeping up with the chaotic and frenzied pace of Ottawa Impact, which Commissioner she'd most like to interview, and how to become a discerning reader of the news. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Retired Navy Veteran Douglas J. Vrieland shares his disappointment about Ottawa Impact's involvement with Veteran Affairs Services in Ottawa County and encourages local veterans to get involved in the political process. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text A Surprising Thank You to Ottawa Impact read by the author, Marcia Mansaray, Deputy Health Officer/VP at Ottawa County Department of Public Health, and a short Q&A with Nick Brock. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Nick and Shawn talk with Jeff Polet, Director of the Ford Leadership Forum at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, about virtue-anchored leadership, strengthening democracy, and working together for the common good. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary

Send a text Johnny Rodriguez, Executive Director of LAUP, chats with Nick and Shawn about deciding against gang violence as a teen, the importance of Latino leadership in the community, and questions Ottawa County Commissioner Lucy Ebel for trying to "pimp" the Latino community. For more information about our work visit Vote Common Good: West Michigan  Support the show Follow us on Faceb...

Send a text Ottawa County Commissioner, Roger Bergman (R), and Georgetown Township Trustee, Becky Steele (R) chat with Nick and Shawn about being Republicans in Ottawa County, the negative influence of Ottawa Impact, and looking for Unicorns. For more information on our work visit Vote Common Good: West Michigan Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary