Thinking Out Loud

The ongoing investigation into the police response to the Uvalde shooting at Robb Elementary is prompting a national conversation on the duty of self-sacrifice. In this episode, we discuss the so-called "hard virtues" (courage, honor, duty, justice), and consider the penchant of our age to focus mainly on the soft virtues (love, mercy, compassion). 

The Catholic Archbishop of San Fransisco, Salvatore Cordileone, has formally denied communion to U.S. House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, "until such time as [she] [publicly] repudiate [her] advocacy for the legitimacy of abortion and confess and receive absolution of this grave sin in the sacrament of Penance." It's a thoroughly conventional decision that one is tempted to say is little more than the Ca...

Unspeakable crimes have a way of forcing us to confront some of the starkest aspects of human nature. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron consider Salvador Ramos's massacre at Robb Elementary in Uvalde Texas, an atrocity that claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 adults. What do these kinds of crimes say about our cultural moment and how can we as Christians offer hope in the face of such horror?...

In the wake of the vile revelations from the report on the Southern Baptist Convention, many Christians are enraged, disoriented, and deeply confused. For some, childhood heroes and cherished stories have now been drastically reframed. What does Christian hope look like in the face of such heinous abuse? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron aim to explore this question. 

In this episode, we're joined by Dan Paterson, apologist, speaker, writer, and founder of Questioning Christianity , a ministry devoted to "connecting the Christian story to life's deepest questions." Dan is also the co-author of Questioning Christianity: Is There More to the Story? Our wide-ranging conversation explores everything from the state of evangelism in the wake of the global pandemic to...

In this episode, two bookish nerds (Nathan and Cameron) who are bookish for a living think out loud about why neither one of them is comfortable giving a top-ten list of books that have shaped them. Come for the philosophical reasoning behind the hesitation, stay for the multitude of books that get recommended in the process. 

In this episode, Nathan and Cameron consider the clash between our demand for convenience and the longterm consequences of the food shortages brought about by the war in Ukraine. 

In this special episode, we're featuring Cameron McAllister's talk "Deconstructing Evangelicalism," which was delivered at The Branch Community Church in Chicago. Many thanks to the C.S. Lewis Institute for hosting the event and making it available. 

"What does it mean to live in a time when most of our maps are filled in?" This question from Nathan Rittenhouse is occasioned by the discovery of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton's vessel, the Endurance. Researches recently located the ship on the Antarctic sea floor. Granted, arctic expeditions are largely a thing of the past, but what does it mean to go on an adventure in the age of GPS technolog...

Canada recently enacted Bill C-7, which greatly expands the eligibility of euthanasia to people suffering from any condition that "cannot be relieved under conditions that you consider reasonable." Talks are already in the works to make the option available to "mature minors." In this episode, Nathan and Cameron consider some of the longterm consequences of the modern infatuation with radical free...

With the tech billionaire's recent purchase of Twitter for 44 billion dollars, how could we not seize the opportunity to talk about the guy. Don't miss Nathan's slip at the end where he mistakenly declares that Thinking Out Loud doesn't have a Twitter account. @Think2gether begs to differ!  

In our last episode, we discussed Jonathan Haidt's Atlantic piece in which he argues that social media has brought about "structural stupidity." But what if that's a bit dismissive and reductive? Alan Jacobs, another thinker we appreciate, makes the case that there may be something a bit more sinister at work behind the mechanisms that amplify our voices. Join Nathan and Cameron as they bring spir...

A recent Atlantic article by social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, argues that not only is social media making us stupider, it's also threatening to tear our society apart. These are bold claims, but Haidt's evidence is compelling and worthy of a close look. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron wrestle with the article and consider its broader implications. 

Join Nathan and Cameron for a discussion of the tension between Disney and Florida over the so-called "Don't Say Gay Bill." The Thinking Out Loud crew open up about some of their longstanding reservations about Disney, as well as the challenge of prioritizing discernment over legalism in our cultural engagement. 

Nathan and Cameron talk with Stuart McAllister about how to stay faithful in a culture filled with distractions and seduction. 

In this special episode, we're sharing Stuart McAllister's Palm Sunday Sermon from last Sunday, April 10, 2022. It's a powerful exposition of the significance of Christ's triumphal entry in Jerusalem, as well as a challenge to each of us to answer Jesus's question to his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" If you're interested in booking any of the Thinking Out Loud speakers, you can do so here...

You read that title correctly. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron explore the growing popularity (and likely legalization) of psychedelic mushrooms. It should be a real trip. 

Well, the title clued you in: This is our first episode in which we explore one of your questions. In this particular episode, we consider the seeming tension between faith and works. Specifically, we talk about the discouragement we often experience when we face our own failures. We hope it's helpful to you. 

Don't let the title fool you. This April Fool's episode is just what you need to bring you back to your senses. 

Dr. Andy Bannister is the director of Solas , an organization dedicated to "persuasively communicating Christ into today's culture." Dr. Bannister is also the author of The Atheist Who Didn't Exist and most recently, Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? Since Dr. Bannister is an evangelist in Scotland, we wanted talk about what it looks like to minister in truly post-Christian context....

Want to hear an exploration of Marxism that's historically and philosophically informed? Tired of superficial hot takes on the issue? We thought you might be. That's why we sat down with Stuart McAllister for a conversation about Marxism. Our goal was to take account of its history, as well as its current resurgence in our culture.  A note to listeners interested in the list of books we promi...

As the war in Ukraine continues to escalate, the conversation is beginning to move beyond mere geopolitical tactics to take in spiritual factors. The relationship between Putin and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, for instance, is receiving more and more scrutiny. Join Nathan and Cameron as they consider the spiritual dimensions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Here's a link to the Rowan Williams's art...

Christianity Today, "the flagship Evangelical publication," recently revealed that a pattern of sexual harassment on the part of two of its male leaders went unchallenged for years. Given the critical role that CT has played in holding the church accountable in recent years, this story unfolds with a good deal of sad irony. Here, Nathan and Cameron consider this latest story of moral failure and e...

In this episode, Nathan opens with a temporary solution to the rising gas prices: Drive more slowly. We talk about why that won't happen and how our various technologies, far from combating stress with more convenience, simply add to the mad rush in our lives.  Don't forget to send us your questions: questions@toltogether.com We look forward to doing a whole podcast on the questions you've se...

Sensationalism in the news is threatening the very foundations of democracy! See what we did there? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron explore some of the consequences of viewing the news as entertainment and consider how we might beyond this habit.