Slow to Speake

What if we designed content that rewarded bridge-building over angry division? Have you ever heard the phrase, outrage sells? It’s the idea that our anger drives far more online engagement than any other emotion, so companies take advantage of this by engineering content that gets us... angry. In today’s episode we break down some data and discuss two practical ways we can push back against our an...

I couldn’t find a way to post this long-form interview in a way that would track the history of your listening to ensure that if you paused or stepped away for a while, it would be able to let you hop back in where you left off. So Substack will have to do. Years ago I took time to interview grandma and grandpa about our family’s history. The recordings aren’t the best, but hopefully you can enjoy...

Lament has played a central role in how the end of 2025 has begun to wrap up. As it has helped me, I wonder how it could help you. How could a practice like Lament help send you into 2026 with a clearer mind and a more grounded soul? This is an unplanned episode that was recorded today - I hope it resonates with some of you. Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already! This is a public episod...

This is a haunting question when you give it room to breathe. Today we explore that question and set up a potential theme that will drive future content on the channel. As we head into 2026 I can't help but think this is a wonderful question to reflect on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack....

Comedians are some of the most aware and impressive cultural commentators I know of.  My friend and colleague Jon Gordon joins me today to discuss comedy, comedians, and culture and I loved recording this one! I hope you enjoy it too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

I want to share with you the most beautiful spoken word I’ve ever heard along with some of my own thoughts surrounding it. I know there is plenty of talk going around from various influencers and leaders trying to tell you what to do when everything feels out of control. Believe me, they find me too. If anything, all of these voices just add to the cluttered messaging that I’m trying to process an...

Every once in a while it is a blast to explore some of the more subtle and enjoyable things that shape our lives and this episode is one of those moments. On this episode we discuss why reading fiction as adults is important. Co-author and bookend sibling Katie Speake joins us on today's episode to discuss such a fun topic. Enjoy everyone! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss thi...

Join us as we explore the concept of Sonder together and consider how it changes your outlook on life. As always, if you enjoyed the episode please share this with others and feel free to leave a review and/or a comment! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

We're re-releasing the episode with some improved audio quality. Text of the episode can be found here on the Slow to Speake substack! In this episode we ask the question, what is culture? Specifically, we look at Western culture, how are we formed by it, and possibly, why we are doing nothing about it. Credit to to the works of Andrew Wilson's Remaking the World, Glen Scrivener's The Air We Breat...

On today's episode Dr. Keasler and I discuss the legacy and life of Dallas Willard as well as Spiritual Formation, reading the bible alone vs. in community, and a brief hit on politics. I hope you enjoy the discussion and can appreciate the dialogue and humor for what it is! Here are the 5 books in Willard's pentology: * Hearing God (In Search of Guidance) * Spirit of the Disciplines * Divine Cons...

On today's episode I am revisiting an article I published here on ⁠Substack⁠ . In short, I write on how the ideologies in politics can very quickly become a pseudo-religion that seeks to take us away from the way of Jesus. How, if we aren’t careful, we can subtly slip into elevating our politics to too high a place in our lives. The inauguration was saturated with religious language and symbolism...

Welcome back to Slow to Speake! In this episode I briefly walk through the official(?) Season 1 preview for the show. I share some questions, idea, and a few thoughts. I don't share a guest list just yet, but I've got a few folks confirmed already to come on the show and I'm very excited! I hope you will be too. If you enjoyed this episode would you consider sharing it and leaving a review? Any li...

Welcome to Slow to Speake! I'm so happy you are here. This is a companion resource to my work here on Substack - both of which I hope serve as hubs for ideas and information where myself and others like me explore and analyze ideas around culture, current events, and spirituality - essentially all the things that contribute to meaning-making in our lives. We seek to wade into the deeper waters of...